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Tex chuckles. “You got it, boss.”
Jenny just rolls her eyes and walks into the kitchen. “Now, who wants some lunch? Leah, you hungry, sugar?”
“Actually, I have to run into town—”
“You’re going into town?!” Joey exclaims at the tops of her lungs as she barrels through the screen door and into the kitchen.
“Sure am,” I answer through an amused laugh. “I need to go to Target to grab a few things.”
“Oh my stars! I love Target!” she cheers as Rhett steps into the room. “Daddy, I’m gonna go with Leah into town!”
A knowing and downright handsome smirk makes its debut on his lips. “Joey, what have I told you about inviting yourself places?”
She huffs out a sigh. “You said it’s rude and I need’ta ask, not tell.”
“Exactly.”
“It’s fine,” I chime in. “She can ride with me into St. George, if that’s okay with you?”
“You sure?” he questions, and I smile.
“Honestly, I’d love the company.”
“Can I go, Daddy?” Joey asks, cupping her hands together in front of her chest. “Please, please, please, can I go with Leah?”
Rhett shakes his head, chortles, and reaches out to ruffle the top of his daughter’s hair. “Yeah, you can go.”
“Yes!” Joey pumps one little fist into the air.
“Jenny, do you need me to get anything for you and Tex while I’m out?” I ask, and she glances over her shoulder to offer a thankful grin.
“If you don’t mind grabbing a few things for me, I’d be forever grateful.”
“Of course, just give me a list, and I’ll get it.”
Jenny wastes no time grabbing a pen and paper and jotting down a short list of various things—eggs, milk, sugar, stuff like that.
“Is there anything I should be doing right now?” Tex asks from his recliner, and I shake my head.
“Nothing but relaxing for the next few days.”
“I can rest today, but tomorrow, I’m gonna have to head into the office and see how much of a mess this ranch is in since both Rhett and I have been gone.”
I shake my head again. “Actually, no, you’re not going to do that.”
“Relax, old man,” Rhett comments. “I’ll handle it.”
When Tex starts to open his mouth, Rhett adds, “And I’ll come by and update you on everything.”
That seems to settle Tex’s concerns. Well, most of his concerns.
“And I’m just supposed to sit on my ass and twiddle my goddamn thumbs? I mean, I’m not the only one who’s got some medical shit going on. What’s Rhett allowed to do, Leah?”
Rhett bursts into a hearty laugh. “You worry about yourself.”
Tex smirks.
I snort. But also, I don’t hesitate to include my two cents. “Rhett’s current plan of action revolves around him wearing his brace when he’s busy and—”
“What?” Rhett scowls. “I thought you said I’m nearing the time when I can be done with this thing for good.”
“I said you’ll be able to take it off for the most part and only wear it when you’re doing strenuous activities, but you also tweaked it the other day outside the lodge and I’d really rather be on the safe side.”
The instant the word strenuous comes out of my mouth, my mind threatens to think about all the various inappropriate strenuous activities it can conjure up. All of them revolving around a very naked cowboy.
Dear God. Don’t go there.
“No offense, Dr. Leah, but I think this knee is just about healed.”
I narrow my eyes. “No offense, Dr. Rhett, but you’re wrong. That tendon of yours still has about another three months before it’s completely healed. So, now is definitely not the time to go cowboy-buck-wild.”
Rhett flashes a grin that borders on sexy, and for some insane reason, I blush.
“And what else can I expect?” he asks. “You still gonna be pushin’ ice packs and massages and stretchin’ and water therapy at the lodge pool on me?”
I nod. “Damn straight.”
Tex chuckles, chiming in with, “Remember what you told me in the hospital, boy.”
Rhett rolls his eyes. “I thought you were dyin’. I can hardly be held accountable.”
Tex opens his mouth to respond, but before he can get the words out, Joey is at my hip, tugging on my shirt and talking loudly enough to distract him. “Can we go? I’m ready!”
“Yep,” I say and lean down to whisper in her ear. “Let’s get out of here before your daddy and granddaddy can cause any more trouble.”
“We better leave quick, then!” Joey giggles. “My granny Jenny says they’re always startin’ trouble!”
“Who’s startin’ trouble, Josephine?”
Joey giggles some more. “No one, Grandpa! Mind ya beeswax!”
Once I grab Jenny’s list from the kitchen, I take Joey’s hand and walk out of the house and toward the truck Tex loaned me.
But before we can get in, Rhett’s voice fills my ears. “Wait!” he calls from the porch, making his way down the steps.
He tosses me a pair of keys. His keys. To his truck.
