Ace High (Lost Creek Rodeo #6) - Heather B. Moore Page 0,13

right now. To think straight.

She climbed into the truck, and neither of them spoke as Lars drove her back to the ranch.

When he pulled up in front of the house, he shifted the truck into park, but didn’t turn off the engine.

She looked over at him. She was exhausted, and he had to be as well. Moving her hand across the bench space between them, she put her hand over his. “I know I’ve thanked you a bunch of times, but thank you, seriously.”

Lars linked their fingers, then squeezed. “Don’t forget what I told you. I’m going to be mighty sore if you don’t let me help. You’re doing too much on your own.”

She sighed. “You sound like Ryan. He’s been pushing me to hire another therapist. But I can’t think of any who’d want to live in Lost Creek. It’s one thing to be a therapist for a day job, but at night, when you’re faced with small-town life—that’s not too appealing.”

His thumb moved against her fingers. “Maybe you can ask for a one-year commitment or something. Then it won’t seem so daunting?”

Kellie went quiet at that, thinking. “That’s actually a good idea.”

Lars chuckled. “Surprised that I’d have a good idea?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Of course not. It’s just … I’m surprised that I didn’t think of it.”

“Oh, okay.” His tone was teasing.

And … they were still holding hands.

Kellie drew hers away. She couldn’t have Lars thinking … what, she didn’t exactly know, but now wasn’t the time to analyze all this. “A one-year contract might work, and dividing up some of the therapy work would be huge. The women might like having a choice, or another perspective, as well.”

“Sounds like a plan, Sunshine,” he said, his lips quirking.

Kellie smiled, then stifled a yawn. “I’m beat. And you must be, too.”

He nodded, his gaze on hers. In the light coming from the house, which was the only illumination inside the cab of the truck, his eyes were darker than usual.

She reached for the door handle, then paused. “You know, Brad wouldn’t have even come into the house tonight, let alone carried a sobbing woman out to the truck. Or stayed all night at a clinic while I dealt with a client.” She took a breath. “It’s good to know that not all men are like my ex.”

Before Lars could respond, she rushed on. “Sorry, didn’t mean to dump. See you tomorrow for dinner—I’m serious about you taking the day off from the ranch.”

She knew he was going to argue, but she was out of the truck before he could. She shut the door and hurried to the porch. She didn’t even look back. She couldn’t. Her heart was pounding too hard, and her face too hot. As it was, her hands trembled as she opened the front door and let herself in.

She had no idea why she’d compared Lars to Brad—and to his face.

Well, she knew. She wanted him to know that whatever Brad had been to her … Lars was already so much more.

Lars didn’t stay away from Broken Hearts the next day. It wasn’t in his blood to do so. Kellie needed help, always, and he had the time. After he’d done a few runs on a bronco early in the morning—to beat the heat—he’d told Ryan he’d head over to the ranch and see what needed to be done. Ryan was playing chute boss to all those who were doing practice runs at his small arena at his ranch on his private stock.

As far as Lars was concerned, tonight’s events would take care of themselves. He’d win, as usual, and he’d put down more money toward the loan on the Montana place, then throw the rest into savings.

The day passed, and although he spent the next several hours at the ranch, he didn’t get a chance to talk to Kellie. Oh, he saw her all right. She and the women had some sort of group meeting outside under the shade of the trees, and then later, Kellie and Robyn took off on four-wheelers.

All he got was a wave from both of them. It would have to suffice.

While he’d been on the bronco this morning, Kellie had texted that the update from Mallory was good. She was getting settled in the new place. So, Lars figured that was all she’d be saying on the subject. At least today.

But his thoughts remained occupied with the events from the night before. Not only the situation with Mallory,