The Rancher Meets His Match (The Millers of Morgan Valley #4) - Kate Pearce Page 0,54

to leave for the Garcia Ranch, looked inquiringly at her. “What did he do now?”

Twelve hours into his convalescence and Jeff had already set everyone’s backs up. Daisy had almost been in tears before she’d gone to work, and even Leanne, who had a calm disposition like Danny’s, had almost shouted at him.

“What’s the current issue?” Kaiden asked.

“He threatened to throw the bowl of oatmeal at me,” Rae said ominously. “And demanded eggs, bacon, and fried bread.”

Kaiden frowned. “He doesn’t even eat that stuff anymore.”

“He says that if he’s going to die from all the mollycoddling, he’s going to go out on a high.”

“Stay there.” Kaiden set his toolbox on the countertop. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

He walked down the hallway to his dad’s bedroom. The door was open. His father was sitting up in bed, his arms crossed over his chest, and his scowl prominent. Kaiden went in and shut the door.

“You are behaving like a giant ass.” He pointed at his father. “Knock it off.”

He braced himself for his father’s fury, but Jeff looked away from him out the window and said nothing. After a stunned moment, Kaiden went and sat by the bed.

“What’s going on, Dad?”

“This is the first day in fifty years that I’ve been stuck in bed and not out working the ranch.”

“You just had surgery. You need a few days to get over it,” Kaiden pointed out. “If you do what Dr. Tio says, and take your meds, you’ll be back out there in no time.”

Jeff slowly turned back to look at him. “Will I?”

“That’s what the doctor said. Didn’t you hear him this morning?” Kaiden searched his father’s face. “And what does this have to do with you wanting to stuff your face with eggs and bacon rather than oatmeal, and being rude to Rae?”

“It’s all part of the same thing, isn’t it?” Jeff looked down at his work-scarred hands. “I’ve never been good with change.”

“Can’t disagree with you about that,” Kaiden said. “But, this time I think you’re going to have to do what you’re told.”

“I hate—”

“—doing what you’re told,” Kaiden finished the sentence with him. “Do you think you could give yourself a break for a few days? Just let us look after you for a change?”

“Nope.” Jeff shook his head.

Kaiden fake sighed. “Then, we’ll have to go with option two, tie you to the bed and stick all your food in a blender so you can suck it out of a straw.”

Jeff ’s scowl returned. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Kaiden held his gaze. “I will if you continue to disrespect the people who love you and are just trying to do their best for you.”

For the first time ever, Jeff blinked first. “All right. I’ll apologize. I’ll even eat the damned oatmeal.”

Kaiden stood up. “Good.” He half turned to the door. “We all know how hard this is for you, Dad. Give us a chance, okay?”

His father’s brief nod was the best he was going to get, so he went back to the kitchen where his aunt and mother were comparing notes on Jeff ’s insufferable behavior. They both looked up when he entered.

“Did he get mad at you?” Rae asked.

“He tried, but I told him to stop disrespecting the people who were trying to help him.”

“And how did that go?” Leanne pointed at his head. “I’m surprised you’re not wearing the oatmeal.”

“He said he’d apologize. Let me know if he doesn’t.” Kaiden picked up his toolbox and hesitated. “I think he’s scared, and he doesn’t know how to deal with it.”

His mother nodded, her thoughtful gaze fixed on his face. “You might be onto something. He’s never reacted well to being challenged.”

“That still isn’t any excuse for being mean to everyone. I told him that as well. In fact, I threatened to tie him to the bed and feed him through a straw if he didn’t get his act together.”

His aunt and mother stared at him in silence for so long that he frowned.

“What?”

“You’re a genius,” Rae said in hushed tones. “There we are, all trying to be nice to him, and what does he respond to? Threats.”

Kaiden held up his hand. “I wouldn’t recommend you guys—”

Leanne and Rae exchanged a speaking glance.

“Oh, we won’t be shouting at him, Kaiden, don’t you worry about that.” Rae winked at him. “We’ll just tell him that if he won’t behave we’ll send you in to deal with him.”

* * *

Kaiden was still thinking about his conversation with his dad when he left