Page 201 of Cowboy Daddies

What was wrong with her?

Hadn’t she set out on this adventure because she wanted to become more independent? From her family. Her father.

And here she was nearly in tears over the idea of someone wanting to take care of all her problems. It was ridiculous.

She was just so sick of everything feeling hard.

And it would be heaven to just let go and let someone else take care of and protect her. To let them take the burden.

Even if just for a day. Then maybe she could sleep better. Perhaps she’d be able to breathe.

However, she knew she couldn’t just give in and let this man take over.

For one, he was her nemesis. Although her hatred toward him seemed to be lessening. She was certain it wouldn’t be long until it came back, though.

“I don’t need you to take care of things for me,” she informed him.

He shot her a look of disbelief.

“I know it seems like I don’t have things together. But I’m a big girl. And I need to take care of myself.”

The look on his face didn’t change.

Great.

“I know you feel bad about the way you treated me at the playground. But I shouldn’t have given Wyatt candy. Or have tried to battle for the swing. A normal adult would have called the police and given him the swing. I just can’t seem to be normal.”

“Normal, huh?” he murmured.

Normal like him. Sure, he might be out-of-this-world gorgeous with his dark hair and that five-o’clock stubble over his firm jawline. But she bet his life wasn’t a chaotic whirlwind of highs and lows like hers was. More lows at the moment but hopefully that would change.

“How is your foot feeling?” he asked.

Strange, she hadn’t noticed the throbbing until he asked. But she forced herself to smile up at him.

“It’s fine.”

Jeb’s gaze narrowed. “Little girl, are you lying to me?”

“Would I do that?

“Yes. Where the hell is Doc?”

Yes? Jeez, he could have hesitated before he said that.

“He’s probably busy with real patients,” she told him.

“You are a real patient. Asta, what’s happening?” Jeb boomed.

Everyone else in the room turned to stare at them. Again.

She was definitely calling one of her brothers tonight and leaving this town.

“Doc can’t see her today,” Asta said.

“Don’t you think you should’ve told me that before?” Jeb asked impatiently.

“I told Asta that I could see her,” a woman said, walking toward them.