about the man, but she was going to try to work with him. This money was too good to turn down. All she needed now was to have her new client sign a contract, and they would be good to go to start tomorrow.
In another twenty minutes she’d arrived at the ranch and driven by the main house and onto the gravel driveway that led to Austin’s place. Coming around the grove of trees, she spotted something new parked beside the foreman’s house.
A large crew-cab Dooley truck, and behind it was a fifth-wheel trailer. What caught her attention was the array of colors. The base of the vehicle was silver detailed with gold and black, and then on the trailer the writing announced World Champion Bull Rider, Austin “The Ace” Brannigan, along with a head shot of the man’s face; along the bottom was a list of sponsors.
“There sure is no problem with your ego, Mr. B.” Erin climbed out of her van and walked up to the porch. What had she gotten herself into?
* * *
IN ONE OF the other bedrooms that had been converted into a workout space, Austin sat on the weight bench, lifting the ten-pound weights as he looked at his manager, Jay Bridges.
“I thought you’d be further along,” his manager said.
“Hey, the doctor only gave me the okay to start therapy last week,” Austin told him.
Austin glared at the fifty-five-year-old man in his standard uniform of a dark suit and cowboy boots, worn even at the rodeo grounds. “So stop pushing me.”
The gray-haired manager raised his hands as if he were innocent of any urging. “Whoa, you’re the one who wants to get back on the circuit.”
There was no denying Jay wanted his moneymaker back to making money. He’d built a reputation of being a go-getter. Austin had to admit he liked that about him.
Jay looked around the new equipment room. “I have to say, Austin, I’m impressed by all this equipment.”
“I told you I was going to get back into the arena. I hired a therapist/trainer yesterday.”
“I hope it’s someone you can trust not to sell your story to the tabloids.”
Before he could tell him any more, there was a knock on the door.
Jay frowned. “You expecting anyone?”
“Probably one of my brothers.” He continued to lift the weights.
Austin got to his feet, but by the time he got his walker, Jay was already headed to the door.
Erin smiled as a stranger appeared in the doorway. “Hello. I’m here to see Austin Brannigan.”
The older man held the door partly closed so she couldn’t see inside. “I’m sorry—you must be mistaken. There is a Cullen Brannigan at the main house.”
“I’m not here to see Cullen. I’m here to see Austin.” She cocked her thumb toward the truck. “You know, the guy whose face is on the trailer. That’s who I want to see.”
The older man cursed. “Well, that’s not going to happen. This is private property, and you need to leave before I have security remove you.”
She folded her arms. “Since Cullen Brannigan is the one who hired me, I don’t have a problem if you call the sheriff.”
“Jay, who’s at the door?”
Erin arched an eyebrow. “It’s me, Austin, your therapist?”
“Oh, Erin,” Austin called to her. “Please come in. Jay, let her in.”
Still the man held the door, then reluctantly stepped aside and allowed Erin past.
She stopped and turned to the man named Jay. “If you want to keep Austin’s location a secret, I suggest you hide that neon sign outside.”
She walked toward Austin as he made his way to the living area.
“Jay, this is my new therapist, Erin Carlton. Erin, this is my manager, Jay Bridges. He drove my rig here.”
Erin smiled at Austin. “I can see that. And I think the entire world will see it, too. Tomorrow, there’s going to be riding lessons in the corral with several parents bringing their kids. I suggest you move it, at least the trailer.”
Austin nodded. “I didn’t think about that. Good idea. Let me call Cullen and see if there’s room in the garage.” He sat down on the sofa and reached for his phone on the table. He punched in the number and began to talk.
Jay walked over to Erin. “What are your credentials for this job?”
“I’m a registered nurse, and I have two years of therapy training. And I worked with my disabled husband.”
“Enough to help Austin?”
“I think so,” she said. “Better yet, Austin thinks so. Since he only hired me yesterday, we haven’t even started yet. But I will work strictly with his doctor’s guidelines.”
Jay started to speak, but Austin cut him off. “Leave Erin alone, Jay. She’s been checked out by my family and by me. Besides, you aren’t going to win sparring with her anyway.”
Okay, maybe she was beginning to like this man. Her gaze moved over his shorts and tank top. Whoa. He was just as impressive today as yesterday. Sadness took over when she recalled how Jared once looked all trim and muscular.
“Now, go park the trailer in the garage behind the main house,” Austin said. “Cullen’s there and he’ll help you get it inside.”
Jay nodded. “Okay, but I’ll be back.”
Austin got to his feet. “No, Jay. I don’t want you here to distract me. I need to concentrate on my therapy. Cullen said he’ll give you a ride into town so you can rent a car and get to the airport.” He slapped the man on the shoulder. “Call me next week and I’m hoping to have something to tell you.”
Jay started to argue, but closed his mouth. “You better call me, or I’ll be on your doorstep.” He turned to Erin. “Take care of him.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Jay walked out, leaving them alone.
Austin turned to her. “I apologize for Jay. He’s a little possessive with me. I can handle it, because he believed in me. And all my endorsements are because of his hard work.”
What about the man on the back of the bull? Erin wondered. “So he’s the brains behind your talent?”
Austin laughed. “You can say that. The man has even helped me plan for retirement.”
“Well, since you don’t want to do that yet, maybe we should get down to business.” She reached inside her oversize purse, took out his medical folder and a piece of paper.
“I’ve talked with Dr. Kentrell. We went over your therapy schedule and exercises.” She handed him the piece of paper. “So I drew up a contract for my service.
