Rescuing Her Ranch, page 7
Cole put his leg in Dante’s stirrup and lifted his other leg over the stallion’s back.
Macey mounted Cheyenne again and pulled up next to him. “No Saturday meeting today?”
“Only if the boss wants one.”
“Doesn’t he care about what you want?”
He lifted a shoulder. “What I want isn’t relevant. At least not right now. My number one concern is ensuring Lexi has the best care possible. And if that means appeasing my uncle for now, then I’ll meet with him on a Saturday. It’s only for an hour or so anyway.”
“Care for what? If you don’t mind me asking. After you mentioned her medical condition, I did a little research. There’s a lot to neurofibromatosis.”
“Yes, there is. And each case is different. As I mentioned last week—Lexi’s hearing is being affected, and she needs hearing aids. We meet with the pediatric audiologist next month. I have to keep a close eye on her because when she gets sick, it hits her hard and she usually ends up in the hospital. I try to keep her as healthy as possible to avoid that. Plus Wallace isn’t as accommodating as he could be when it comes to dealing with Lexi’s medical history.”
“Why not find another job?”
Cole let out a sigh as his gaze drifted across the pasture. “I owe him.”
“What do you mean?”
“After Mom died, Wallace took care of me and paid for my education. In exchange, I work for him.”
“Sounds like he’s taking advantage of the situation.”
“It is what it is. This promotion promises even more money and better benefits for Lexi, so I’m letting him pull my strings.”
“That’s why you’re pushing for my family to sign.”
“It’s only a portion of the property.”
“Maybe so, but it’s still our property. My parents shouldn’t be bullied into selling. I do see your dilemma, though. What happens if your uncle doesn’t get the land for some reason? For you and Lexi, I mean.”
Cole lifted his hat and scratched the back of his head. Then he set it back in place. “I don’t know. And honestly, I really don’t want to find out.”
“I’m sorry you have to go through this alone with very little family support. I’m sure you know this already, but there are programs in place to help children like Lexi get the quality care she needs. Then you wouldn’t have to rely on this job so much.”
“My mother taught me we take care of our own. We don’t accept handouts. Call it family pride or whatever, but as long as I can provide the care Lexi needs, then that leaves room in those programs for families who can’t afford them any other way. Listen, Mace. I don’t expect you to understand. The last thing I want is to cause your family any pain, but I truly have to put my daughter’s needs first.”
Even at the cost of her family’s future.
Wyatt whistled, jerking Macey’s attention to the end of the trail where her brother had stopped leading Patience. He turned the horse and led her back to Cole and Macey. His eyes darkened, and lines bracketed his tight mouth.
“What’s going on, Wyatt?” Cole dismounted.
“Macey, take everybody back to the ranch, then send Bear out here. We’ve got trouble.”
Dante nickered as if sensing his owner’s stress and danced in place. Wyatt pressed a hand against the stallion’s neck.
“What kind of trouble?”
“There’s a crew on ranch property without our permission. And I’m going to find out what they’re doing there.” Then his gaze skated to Cole. “It may be a good idea for them not to see you.”
Nodding, Cole’s jaw tightened as his eyes darted between the trail opening and his daughter.
Even if Macey didn’t agree with Cole’s choices, the last thing she wanted was for him to lose his job, particularly now that she knew more of his motivations.
But should her family give up without a fight? There was no easy win in this situation.
* * *
Wallace’s harsh accusations blistered Cole’s ears as he ducked his head against the sleet and headed for his truck.
A call from Macey about Lexi not feeling well had him leaving work, which didn’t score points with his uncle who was still furious with him.
As he headed back to his condo, he replayed his recent conversation with his uncle. Could he have handled it differently?
Once Wallace had appeared on the job site on Monday morning following Cole’s visit to the ranch, Cole questioned him about the Crawford Developments crew being on Stone River property without permission.
Well, that blew up in Cole’s face because his uncle accused him of spying and working with the enemy.
How could he get his uncle to see the Stones weren’t the enemy? The man was blinded by his hatred of Deacon Stone and driven to acquire the property by whatever means possible.
Somehow Cole needed to put that conversation out of his head and refocus his attention on his daughter.
Which was one more reason for his uncle to blast him for leaving to care for her.
The man didn’t have an ounce of compassion in his narcissistic body.
But Cole didn’t care. Lexi had to come first, and if Wallace wanted to fire him...well, it sure would solve a lot of problems.
Except the medical insurance issue.
Even then, he’d make that work.
Somehow.
Macey was right—there were programs in place to help Lexi. Every time Cole started to check them out, though, his mother’s words and that long-ago argument resurfaced.
We do not accept charity, Cole Edward Crawford. We will make our own way in the world.
Too bad his mother’s way meant working herself to death at a way too young of an age, leaving Cole at his uncle’s mercy despite his begging to stay with Lynetta and Pete Spencer. The court deemed a blood relative was more important than one of the heart.
The only brother of Cole’s father, Wallace provided everything Cole needed materially. He’d finished his high school years wearing name brand clothes and driving a car that didn’t break down every fifty miles. Then he’d paid for Cole’s college tuition with the understanding Cole would work for his uncle after graduation and pay him back for what he’d done for him.
A price that cost Cole a lot more than he’d ever expected.
While he tried to be grateful because Wallace had pulled him out of poverty, the man had a heart the size and hardness of a marble.
Gruff may work in the boardroom or on the job site, but not where Lexi was concerned. Especially when she was sick.
Sleet bulleted Cole’s windshield as he parked in front of the condo and hurried through the storm to his front door.
He entered the code and stepped inside. Polly barked, jumped off the couch and raced to him.
After their trail ride over the weekend, Mrs. Douglas had called to say Polly had been released by their vet for adoption.
Still excited from riding a horse, Lexi had been over the moon when he shared the news and begged to pick up Polly that evening.
Even though the little dog had been with them only a couple of days, she seemed to be settling in well.
Kicking off his wet shoes, he scooped her up and hurried into the living room where Lexi lay on her side with her knees pulled to her chest. Dried tear trails streaked her face as her eyes remained closed.
He set Polly on the floor then knelt on one knee and brushed back the hair falling out of her ponytail. “Hey, Lexi Lou. Daddy’s here.”
With eyes still closed, she smiled and whispered, “I’m not Lexi Lou, I’m Lexi Jane.”
“Cole.”
Cole looked up and saw Macey standing in the kitchen doorway, holding a dish towel. “Hey, Mace. What’s going on?”
“Lexi didn’t want to eat her snack this morning. When I touched her forehead, she felt warm, so I took her temp. It was 100.2, and she’s complaining that her right ear is hurting. I brought her back here so she could rest in her own space. That’s when I called you.”
“I’m glad you did. Thanks for that, by the way. She seemed fine this morning when I dropped her off at the ranch. A little sleepy, but I didn’t think too much of it.” Guilt gnawed at him as he cupped his daughter’s warm cheek. “Have you given her Tylenol or anything?”
A tender look in her eyes, Macey shook her head. “I wanted to wait and see what you’d like to do.”
“I’ll call her pediatrician and see if I can get Lexi an appointment today.”
“Daddy, my ear hurts.” Tears leaked out of her tired-looking eyes.
“Show me which one.”
She covered her right ear with her small hand.
He kissed her forehead and felt the heat radiating off her skin. “I’ll call Dr. Jeanette and see if she can look in your ears today, okay?”
Lexi nodded and rested her head against Cole’s hand.
He reached for his phone and hit the pediatrician’s office number on his speed dial. When the receptionist answered, he explained the situation and swallowed a sigh of relief when she mentioned a last-minute cancellation. If he could be there in ten minutes, then the pediatrician could see her right away.
Cole relayed the information to Macey. “You can head home, if you want.”
“You sure? You won’t need to return to work? You paid me for the full day.”
“I’ll let Wallace know Lexi’s sick, and that I’ll work from home for the rest of the day.”
“Okay. I’m going to swing by the diner and talk to Lynetta about the ball. Let me know if anything changes and you need me to come back.”
“Thanks, I will.”
Forty minutes later, Cole dashed through the sleet, careful not to slip on the icy blacktopped driveway, and buckled Lexi in her car seat. They’d sat in the busy waiting room for nearly thirty minutes, then saw the pediatrician for ten. Now, Lexi’s chest shuddered from spent tears after getting her inflamed ears checked.
Double ear infection. And her temperature had risen to 102 degrees. Thankfully, the prescription for an antibiotic had been called in to the pharmacy already.
Cole turned on Lexi’s favorite radio station and pulled out of the parking lot. As he headed to the pharmacy, Lexi spoke up from the back seat. “Daddy, I want pancakes.”
“Okay, punkin. I’ll make you some as soon as we get back home.”
“Nooo, Daddy,” she wailed, turning her head and crying into her hood. “I want Netta’s pancakes.”
Normally, Cole did not give in to temper tantrums, but his heart melted at his daughter’s sobs. If pancakes would help her to feel better, then he’d do what he could to help. He tapped the voice command on his steering wheel. At the prompt, he said, “Call Netta’s Diner.”
The phone rang on the speakerphone. “Netta’s Diner, how may I help you?”
The voice sounded similar to the diner owner’s, but with Lexi’s crying in the back seat, he couldn’t quite tell for sure. “Lynetta?”
“No, this is Macey. Lynetta’s not available.”
“Macey, it’s Cole. Hey, I need to place a take-out order of pancakes for Lexi.”
“Sure, Cole. Anything else?”
“No, just the pancakes. Lynetta knows how she likes them.”
“Lynetta stepped out for a few minutes. I’m minding the register until she gets back.”
Cole bit back a groan and glanced in the rearview mirror to see if his daughter had been paying attention to the conversation. “Okay, I’ll just take them however they come. I need to swing through the pharmacy drive-through, then I’ll be by to pick them up. When I get there, is there any way someone could run them out to me? Lexi has a double ear infection, and I really don’t want to take her inside if I don’t have to.”
“Take her home, and I’ll bring the pancakes to you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I planned to return anyway so you could go back to work. Just get Lexi home so she can feel better.”
He turned into the pharmacy drive-through lane. “Great. Thanks. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
“Aunt Lynetta would do the same.”
Less than ten minutes later, Cole carried a sleeping Lexi back inside. Polly greeted them at the door again with a bark and a dance to welcome them home.
Ignoring the little dog for a moment, he changed Lexi out of the polka-dot leggings and long-sleeved light purple T-shirt he’d helped her put on that morning and back into the unicorn pajamas she’d tossed on her bed. He got her settled under her favorite mermaid blanket on the couch and turned on the soft classical music station she liked to help her stay asleep. Polly jumped on the couch and licked Lexi’s cheek.
Her face scrunched as she pushed the dog away.
Cole scooped up the fur ball, cradled her to his chest, then set Polly on the other end of the couch. This time, she curled against the curve of Lexi’s legs bent at the knee.
A quiet knock sounded on the front door, sending Polly off the couch and barking at the door.
He hurried across the room, scooped up the dog again and opened the door. Macey stepped inside, clutching a large take-out bag.
He took the bag from her, set it on the side table inside the door, then reached for his wallet. “What do I owe you?”
Cheeks pink, Macey bit down on her mitten and pulled it off. She waved her hand, dismissing his question. “It’s been taken care of.”
Cole scowled. “What do you mean?”
“When Aunt Lynetta came back, she made Lexi’s pancakes and insisted on adding eggs and juice. Plus a burger and fries for you. Then she said it was on the house.”
Cole pulled out a twenty and held it out to Macey. “I appreciate her thoughtfulness, but I can pay my own way.”
Macey folded her hand over his, crushing the money between his fingers and palm. “No one said you couldn’t. But when someone else wants to do something nice for you, just say thank you.
“Thank you.” Heat warmed Cole’s neck. “You don’t need to stay. I can spend the rest of the afternoon working here.”
Macey shifted her feet and looked at him hesitantly. “Aunt Lynetta asked me to check on Lexi and report back to her. So if you don’t mind me taking a quick peek...”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with the boss.” Grinning, Cole closed the door behind her. He nearly bumped into Macey as he turned around. Her hair brushed against his chin, releasing the floral scent of her shampoo.
He grabbed her arms as her hands flew to his shoulders. His eyes locked with hers as he loosened his hold. “Whoa. Sorry about that. I didn’t expect you to be so close.”
He certainly didn’t mind, though.
Being around Macey almost daily for the past couple of weeks reignited feelings he’d thought long gone.
But they were friends, and that was all they ever could be.
With everything else on his plate, the last thing he needed was to fall for the daughter of his uncle’s enemy.
No matter how well she cared for his child and fit into their lives.
Chapter Six
Macey should’ve gone back to the ranch instead of stopping at the diner.
Then she wouldn’t have been there when Cole called. And she wouldn’t have ended back up at his place. Or nearly in his arms.
Stepping back, she dropped her fingers as if his shoulders had been on fire and shook her hands. “No, it’s my fault. I didn’t move in far enough.”
Trying to distract herself from the lingering feel of Cole’s strong hands on her shoulders, Macey picked up Polly and rubbed her cheek over the dog’s soft fur. “Polly seems to be settling in well.”
“It’s been only a couple of days, but she and Lexi adore each other. I hope it wasn’t too chaotic this morning with her and Lexi not feeling well.” He grabbed the bag and carried it into the kitchen, the scent of grilled meat wafting between them. “Can I get you anything to drink? Coffee? Water? Juice box?”
“I’m good. And no, it wasn’t a problem. Polly is a sweetie.” Smiling, she held up a hand as she moved silently toward the couch. She returned Polly to her spot behind Lexi’s legs. Leaning over Lexi’s sleeping form, she ran a finger over the little girl’s cheek, feeling the elevated warmth. “Poor thing.”
Macey straightened and headed for the kitchen.
Cole removed the cardboard to-go boxes and flipped up the lid. The hot scent of salted fries hit her. To her horror, her stomach growled.
Smirking, Cole nudged the overflowing box toward her. “Maybe you need this more than I do.”
“Actually, I had a salad before lending Aunt Lynetta a hand.”
He opened the cabinet above the microwave and pulled down a couple of plates. “Want to split the burger?”
Leaning against the counter with one arm pressed against her traitorous stomach, Macey shook her head but snitched a fry. “No, thanks, but I wouldn’t say no to a fry or two.”
“Take as many as you’d like. I don’t need to eat all of them.” Ignoring the plate, he reached for the burger and stood over the sink, biting into the juicy sandwich. “Man, that tastes good. I’d eat at the diner for all my meals if my wallet could afford it.”
“While I love Aunt Lynetta and Uncle Pete’s food, I don’t think my waistline could handle it on a daily basis.”
Cole raised an eyebrow. “Like you have anything to worry about.”
She dipped her head, but not before heat crawled across her face.
Cole devoured the burger, then wiped his fingers on a paper napkin snatched from the take-out bag. “Guess I was hungrier than I thought.” He peered into the living room. “Apparently, Lex needs sleep more than pancakes right now. I really need to get Lynetta’s recipe so I don’t have to bother you guys every time she wants pancakes. Which would be daily if she had her way. Thank you again for delivering them.”
