Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,12

tense. Have you never driven a pickup before?"

She bit her lip, shaking her head as she slowed to make a turn onto the road leading to the ranch. "I've ridden in one enough. But I've never driven one."

For a small moment he wondered what she meant by that, but he was too tired to follow up on it.

Maya and Maria seemed content with Adele's answer and soon were asking Dean questions. Wyatt tried to focus on what they were saying, but his head was so tired it was just a bunch of jabbering that poked at his sore brain.

Finally, they made it back to the ranch. Adele parked the truck and got the kids out while he tried to open the door and get out himself. Clinging to the door handle for support, he got out without falling. And then Adele was there, once again supporting him.

"You have to take me to the tractor," he said, trying to head to the corral, fighting his weakness. "I need to get hay to the cows."

Even the thought of walking that short distance sapped what little energy he had left. But he had no choice. The cows would be hungry.

"You're not driving a tractor in this condition," Adele said, ignoring him, leading him to the house.

"Okay. But later today it needs to happen."

"Of course," was all she said. She opened the door to the house and let the kids in. He followed, dropping onto one of the benches by the door.

She made quick work of stripping boots, mitts, toques, and coats off the kids while he gathered his energy to push his boots off.

The kids scampered away as he struggled with his coat. Adele just stood and watched him, allowing him to manage on his own. Having her help him with this would be too humiliating.

"I'll grab a nap, and then I'm feeding the cows," he insisted, in case she forgot.

Adele nodded, then helped him as he got to his feet.

"You need to take more ibuprofen and some vitamins, and then back to bed," was all she said.

He wished he had enough strength to protest, but he was tapped. So he did what he was told, then staggered back through the family room, heading for the spare room.

The kids were playing with some blocks at their table and barely spared him a glance as he passed them. At least they were occupied.

He dropped onto the bed, unable to think of doing anything more.

"Just let me sleep for a while, then wake me up," Wyatt said. "I need to feed those cows today."

"Don't worry about those cows. Just make sure you get some rest."

Wyatt closed his eyes, unable to say another thing. Once again, he found her cool hand on his forehead, and then she was tucking the blankets up around him like he was a little kid. He didn't have the energy to protest and fell into a fitful sleep.

Chapter Four

Adele watched Wyatt to make sure he settled down. When he closed his eyes, she left the room.

The kids seemed content to play with the wooden blocks, laughing as they tried to make the tallest tower possible.

Once again, she was surprised at how easily the girls took Dean into their circle. And he seemed more than happy to play with them. Did they know on some level that he was their brother? Was this a hopeful sign of things to come?

She shook off the thought.

Right about now she didn't dare think too far ahead.

Through the windows past the children, she could see cows gathered around a feeder. Wyatt was concerned about them and she wondered what she should do about that. He was in no shape to head out today. But could the animals wait until tomorrow?

You know how to run a tractor. You could feed them.

She let the thought settle, looking behind her at the room where Wyatt lay. He was so weak yet.

She pulled in a breath then made a quick decision.

Her foster father had always said that animals depend on humans to take care of them. Right now it was cold outside, and she knew how important it was for the animals to be fed.

"Hey kids, let's go for a tractor ride," she announced. Even as she did, she hoped there would be enough room for them behind the tractor seat in the cab.

If there wasn't, they would have to squish in. She couldn't leave any of them here in the house by themselves.

This time when she got them dressed