so close to reaching her goal amount, she’d be home in bed, sleeping away the cool autumn day. But the money offered for this position was too good to turn down, even if she’d been warned ahead of time about the hard-to-deal-with client. Not that hard work ever stopped her before.
Erin turned off the main road and saw the sign to the Circle R Ranch, then another sign for Georgia’s Therapy Riding Center. She smiled at the thought of her friends Brooke and Trent Landry, who were involved in the program for special-needs kids. If she knew how to ride a horse, she might help out, too. But this city gal didn’t have any desire to take on a horse.
She drove through the ranch’s main gate and followed the long row of white-slatted fence. There were several horses grazing in the green pasture. She passed the large red barn and several outbuildings that had recently been painted a glossy white.
She parked in the driveway of the large two-story gray-and-white house where two men were standing on the wraparound porch. She recognized Trent right away, and next to him was his stepbrother, Hidden Springs’ new sheriff, Cullen Brannigan. She’d met him a few times when he’d been called out to the center. His new wife, Shelby, had brought the residents some desserts from her new bakery.
Erin parked next to the house and climbed out of the van. Trent came down to greet her. “Good morning, Erin.” He hugged her.
“Morning to you, too. Sorry I’m late. My shift ran over.”
Trent was a good-looking man, ex-military, and still kept in shape. A few years ago, he took over his father’s ranch and began raising cattle. And he found Erin’s friend Brooke and had the good sense to marry her.
“You’re not late,” Trent said. “I told you if nothing else, this job would be flexible. You can work around your hours.” He glanced at the man with him. “Sorry, Erin. Have you met Cullen Brannigan?”
“Yes. Nice to see you, Sheriff.”
He smiled. “Same here, Erin.”
Coming from Las Vegas, she’d met her share of phonies. From what she heard around town, these two men were as real as they came.
“Well, I appreciate you coming out and talking with us.” Cullen blew out a breath. “Although I have to warn you, this patient isn’t the most congenial person right now. And he needs to keep his rehab a secret. No one is to know he’s here.”
She tried not to show her concern. Who was this guy, an undercover cop? “I wouldn’t tell anyone. Who is this person?”
Cullen exchanged a glance with Trent. “He’s my twin brother, Austin. He’s a champion bull rider who was badly injured about three months ago. His leg was damaged pretty badly, and he’s had to have several surgeries. He’s finally out of the hospital and is ready to rehab.”
They didn’t want her for a nursing job? “Do you need me to recommend a therapist?”
“No, Erin. We hope between your nursing and your experience with physical therapy, you might be able to help Austin. Brooke told me how you worked with your husband through his intense rehab.”
Erin felt the familiar tightness in her chest. The pain of losing Jared had faded some in the past eighteen months, but she’d always regret not being able to do more to help him. But her husband had to deal with more than a physical disability.
She glanced away, then said, “If his doctor is okay with me working with him, then I’m willing. When would you want me to start?”
Trent and Cullen exchanged a glance. What weren’t they telling her?
“The doctor isn’t the problem, but the patient might be,” Trent said. “Austin hasn’t been the easiest person to get along with. He’s run off three other caregivers. So I’ll understand if you want to leave right now.”
“Bad attitude is understandable. Therapy is a lot of hard work, and most times painful. But if he wants to regain the use of his leg, he’ll need therapy. Which rehab center is he in?”
Another look went between the brothers, and then Trent spoke up. “He’s not in a rehab center. He’s staying here at the ranch.”
Cullen raised a hand. “He had all the equipment he needs delivered here. If you decide not to take this case, the fewer people who know the better.”
“Of course. I never discuss my patients.”
“You can’t even mention that you know he’s here in town. If the media get wind of his location, they’ll be camped out all over the place.”
She sighed. At the very least, she was fascinated just to meet this person. “When do I get to meet this man?”
“How about now?” Trent escorted her to a golf cart. “Austin has moved into the old foreman’s house.” She sat in the front seat, Cullen drove, and Trent climbed in the back.
The cart bounced along the gravel road that led to a smaller gray-and-white house. Cullen got out and escorted her up to the small porch. “Just remember my brother isn’t at his best. So don’t take anything he says personally.”
She straightened. “Lead me to the tyrant.”
“Don’t say we didn’t warn you.” Trent opened the door, then called out, “Hey, brother. Someone is here to see you.”
She followed the two men inside to the living room, where a dark leather sofa and a chair were grouped around a fireplace. Over the mantel hung a large flat-screen television. A dark brown rug covered hardwood floors.
“What a cozy room.”
“Thanks. We’ve been working on the place ever since we knew Austin needed a place to recuperate.” He started down the hall and called out again. “Austin...”
A string of curse words came from the back of the house, along with a crashing sound. All three of them ran down the hall.
Trent swung open the bedroom door, Erin close behind. She saw a man with scraggly, sandy-brown hair lying on the large bed, but his water pitcher was on the floor. The man caused her to do a double take.
Austin Brannigan was gorgeous. Rugged good looks, with a two-day growth of beard shadowing his strong jaw. His chest was bare, with a sprinkling of dark hair covering his well-defined muscles. Her gaze moved to a sheet that barely covered his waist and anything south of that. His left foot and calf were enclosed by a long removable cast, but still she got a glimpse of an angry scar peeking out the top.
“Like what you see, darlin’?”
Her attention darted back to his face, and those gray eyes zeroed in on her. She fought her reaction and lost. “Yeah, I do.” She walked closer to the bed, channeling her years of nursing training. Show him who’s in charge. “All except the attitude. So if you ditch that we might be able to work together.”
Austin Brannigan tensed, but caught his brothers’ smiles. He wasn’t in the mood to be amused. His leg ached like the devil, and he hadn’t been able to do the simplest tasks. “I take it you’re the new recruit.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’ll wait and see how the interview goes.”
He
