The Cowboy's Summer Love (28 page)

“Tessa,” Travis rumbled, trying without success to drag his eyes away from the milk chocolate pools of hers. There was no way he could explain to her that she was the only girl that drew his interest, even as a teen. “If you don’t know why, I’m not painting the picture for you.”

 “I’ll let you off the hook for now,” she said, getting up off the bed. Walking out of the bedroom, she soon returned with a bottle of lotion.

Tess helped Travis take off his T-shirt then made him roll over onto his stomach. When he was settled, she shook out some lotion and rubbed it into her hands. Sitting beside Travis, she started rubbing his back, working in the lotion.

He didn’t know when anything had felt so good.

“You aren’t going to make me smell all girlie are you?” he asked, not really caring at that moment what he smelled like. Her gentle hands rubbing away the tension, massaging out his sore muscles, felt wonderful.

“No. I got out the special unscented bottle just for you. Although if you’d rather, I think I have something that smells like sweet peas and one that smells like grapefruit,” Tess said, enjoying the feel of Travis’ warm skin under her hands way more than she should.

She’d given massages and muscle rubs to any number of patients but she’d never had her stomach tighten and her legs feel weak like they were now.

“Unscented is fine,” Travis whispered, fighting his conflicting emotions. Part of him wanted to roll over, take Tess in his arms and show her how much he loved her, needed her, and wanted her. The other part of him wanted her to walk out that door and never come back, ashamed by his useless legs, flashbacks and rotten attitude.

“Just relax, you idiot, and enjoy this,” Tess said, feeling him tense beneath her touch. “You’re getting my full-service massage for free and you gosh darn better like it.”

Travis let out a low laugh. “Yes, ma’am. I like it just fine.”

“Good. I hope you know I don’t do this for just anyone,” Tess said as she continued massaging his back. “Most people need to have a doctor’s referral, pay up front or have prior arrangements with their insurance. See how special you are?”

“Right. Special,” Travis said, fully relaxing and letting Tess’ soothing touch calm his hurting body and spirit.

Tess heard a noise at the door and looked over to see Cady standing there with a big smile on her face. Rolling her eyes, Tess grinned and turned her attention back to Travis.

“So, what did you get Cass for her birthday?” Tess asked. As she worked Travis’ sore muscles, she asked questions that elicited responses. They talked about Cass and how excited she would be about her surprise party, the upcoming wedding, how things were at the Running M Ranch, the squirrel two of the dogs treed that morning and a funny story Tess heard when she stopped at the market on her way home.

Glancing at the clock by his bed, Tess knew it was past time to put more ice on Travis’ legs. Her arms were getting tired from massaging his back and shoulders and she could use a rest. Getting up, she wiped her hands on his discarded T-shirt, studying his thighs to see they were starting to gain some color from the bruising. She was pleased that the swelling appeared to have gone down a little.

With his shorts hiked up the left side, she could see the end of one of the angry scars on his leg and, out of respect for his privacy, pulled the material back down to cover it.

He raised his head and looked at her, but before he could worry about what she’d seen or done, she bent down and put a soft kiss to his lips.

“I think I’ll see what Cady has for a snack? Want anything?” Tess asked, standing at the door. “I’ll bring you some more ice, too.”

“Yeah. Anything is fine,” he said, trying to focus on the question. Every time she touched him, Travis found it challenging to think. He was getting used to the feel of her hands on his back when she moved down to check his leg. When she pulled on his shorts, he felt fire zip up his leg and through his chest. How could he be in so much pain, yet still want her so badly? It was insane.

Tess returned with ice packs followed by Cady carrying a tray with glasses of milk and two slices of chocolate pie.

The girls put on the ice, helped him roll over and get settled before Cady set the tray across his lap. Tess took one piece of pie and a glass of milk, sitting down on the chair by the bed.

“So, Tess said you had a nice massage and are feeling a little better,” Cady said, sitting on the edge of the bed by Travis’ feet.

“I am feeling better, thanks. And thanks for today, Cady. I know I wasn’t a very good patient and I’m sorry,” Travis said, feeling remorseful. Taking a bite of the pie, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the treat. “This is really good pie. You haven’t made chocolate for a while.”

“I know. It’s one of my favorites, but most of you men prefer fruit pie to cream filling,” Cady said with a smile.

“I’m not partial. My granddaddy used to say he only liked two kinds of pie - hot and cold,” Travis said, making the two women laugh.

“Well, that is a welcome sound,” Trey said, strolling in the room. “Are you feeling better, bro?”

“A little,” Travis said, nodding his head and eating his pie. “Did you get some pie? Cady outdid herself.”

“Yeah, I had a piece after dinner, but another one sounds pretty good. Is there any left, darlin’?” Trey asked, relieved to see Travis talking and smiling.

“There’s one piece left and if you promise to let me have a bite or two, you can have it,” Cady said, getting up to get the pie.

“Deal,” Trey said, dragging the straight back chair to the end of Travis’ bed while Cady went to get the pie. When she came back, Trey pulled her onto his lap and fed her a few bites of pie while he ate the rest. They visited with Tess and Travis for a while before Travis yawned and felt exhaustion pull his eyelids down.

“I think that’s our signal to clear out,” Cady said, picking up the tray on his lap and kissing his cheek. “Rest well, Trav.”

“Thanks, Cady,” he said, fighting to stay awake.

Tess followed Cady and Trey offered to help Travis get ready for bed. For some reason it bothered him more to have Trey assist him than Trent, but since Trent wasn’t around, Travis didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter.

Trey sat quietly with Travis until his eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep. Leaning over him, Trey adjusted the sheet and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Sleep well, little bro.”

Turning off the bedside lamp, Trey partially closed the door before retiring for the night.

Trent returned from taking Lindsay home and by the time he came in, the house was quiet and some of the tension seemed to have lifted. He looked in on Travis and saw he was sleeping peacefully. Taking a shower and getting ready for bed, he looked in again and decided to leave Travis alone as long as he was resting. He knew Tess would check on him as well and set his alarm for a couple of hours later.

Each time Tess and Trent checked on Travis through the night, he slept deep and restful, so they didn’t bother with the ice packs. Tess thought it was more important at this point for Travis to rest than to have the ice. They could keep them on diligently during the day.

As she sat watching him sleep, tears dripped down her cheeks. In slumber, Travis still had the look of the little boy she first learned to love. That boy was full of adventure and mischief with a big heart and bright mind. Despite his current troubled and wounded state, somewhere inside there was still a boy full of life and excitement and dreams.

A boy she still loved.

Chapter Fifteen

Love is the best medicine, and there is more than enough to go around once you open your heart.

Julie Marie

Checking on Travis throughout the night, Tess and Trent were both exhausted by the time the first rays of morning light filtered in the windows. Sitting drowsily over a cup of strong coffee, Tess hid a huge yawn behind her hand. Trent didn’t look much better than she felt when he came in and sat down at the counter beside her.

“He slept well. Cady said you gave him a massage before bed. It must have really relaxed him,” Trent said, rolling his neck and stretching his arms.

“I think it did help,” Tess said, sipping her coffee. “We can try it again tonight and see if it helps him sleep. I didn’t put ice on him all night because he looked so peaceful. Did you?”

“No, every time I checked on him, he was sleeping, so I let him be. I guess we should probably roll him over and get some on pretty soon,” Trent said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

After breakfast, Trey and Trent helped Travis take a bath and get ready for the day. When Travis was settled back in bed, Cady brought in breakfast while Tess put ice on his legs and pointed out the colors of the bruising on his thighs.

“The third day is when the bruising really shows up,” she said. Trey and Trent were impressed by both the size and color of the bruising, knowing how much it had to hurt. “We’ll alternate heat and ice applications today and tomorrow. I’ve got some heat packs in my trunk we can put in the microwave.”

“So how long do we have to keep doing this?” Travis asked, eating his breakfast croissant filled with cheese, eggs and ham, along with a bowl of sliced fresh peaches.

“The ice and heat?” Tess asked and Travis nodded. “I think another two to three days should be sufficient. Then we’ll see about getting you up on crutches. It would be great if someone has an exercise bike you could borrow, because it is one of the best ways to get you into therapy. That or swimming and since there aren’t any pools nearby, I think a bike is the best bet.

“I can order one today,” Trey said, thinking he could express ship one and it would arrive in a few days.

“No need,” Trent said with a knowing smile. “Lindsay has one she doesn’t use in her weight room. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind Travis using it. We could even set it up in here if you want.”

“That would be perfect,” Tess answered. “We’re looking at two to three months of therapy and probably four to five months before Travis is back at one hundred percent, so anything like that will be a big help.”

“What?” Travis said, choking on his glass of milk. Cady grabbed a napkin and wiped at the milk he spilled on his chest and Trey propped him up while he coughed. When he could talk again he looked at Tess. “How long did you say?”

“Two to three months of therapy. You won’t regain your strength and mobility overnight and every time you over do, you’ll set yourself back. It is imperative you follow your prescribed exercise regimen to the letter,” Tess said, sounding authoritative and professional.

Travis pushed aside his tray as a black cloud settled on his face. Months. He was going to be a bed-ridden invalid for months. He didn’t think he could survive it

“How long before I can get out of bed and walk by myself?” he asked, his voice taking on a hard edge.

“It depends,” Tess said, backing up a step. She didn’t like the look in Travis eyes and could see a storm brewing there.

“On?” he asked, clenching his jaw.

“How well you are healing, your pain tolerance, your attitude,” Tess said. “It all factors in.”

“Will I be able to walk for Trent’s wedding?” Trent asked Trey and Travis to both stand up with him and Travis didn’t want to miss out.

“There’s a slight possibility,” Tess said, looking Travis in the eye. She wouldn’t sugarcoat the truth, but the wedding was just a month away. He would most likely still be on crutches.

“Leave me alone,” Travis said, visibly putting up a mental wall. He was starting to wish they would just take him out to the back forty and shoot him. He would go completely mad if he had to spend two more days in this bed, let alone weeks. “Get out and leave me alone.”