Page 205 of Cowboy Daddies

“I’m not soft for anyone,” he said.

“No?” she asked with a grin. “Good to know.”

He shot her a look then shook his head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Ahh, so you’re hard, huh?”

“Brat,” he scolded. But she could swear she saw his lips twitch.

“Ouch!” She jumped as Megan pulled the bandage too tight.

Jeb turned and frowned at Megan. “Be careful, you hurt her.”

Megan’s face grew red. “I’m . . . I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Casey said even though it wasn’t. Her foot was throbbing.

Megan quickly loosened the bandage and didn’t say anything else as she finished up. “So, it sounds like the two of you are complicated.”

“Well, I guess that’s a good way to explain it,” Casey said cheerfully. “That’s what you call a relationship that involves accusations of drugs, the police, a runaway child, lollipops, and hot coffee. Complicated.”

Jeb grunted so she guessed he agreed.

“There, all set,” Megan said with a tight smile. “How long are you staying, Casey? I’m guessing that a young thing like you would find Oddity a bit boring.”

Sheesh, she wasn’t that young!

“I’m just waiting for my car to get fixed and then I’ll be on my way. I’ve got a job waiting for me in Santa Barbara. My best friend lives there.”

Relief filled Megan’s face and her shoulders eased.

Curious. Man, her aura was all out of whack.

All right, so she didn’t really see auras. She just thought it sounded fun. Plus, she liked the way that people looked at her when she told them about their auras.

Either they looked aghast and horrified. Or interested and understanding.

Hmm. Maybe she needed a hobby.

“Oh, that’s good.” Megan actually managed a real smile.

“Uh, well, I would have preferred that my car didn’t break down and I didn’t have to stay,” Casey replied dryly. “Oh, and that this guy didn’t have me arrested then burn me with coffee. But yeah, on the whole, this has been a blast.”

Jeb sighed.

She was growing on him. She was certain of it.

Chapter Ten

“You don’t have to drive me to the motel,” she told Jeb as he carried her out of the medical center. “And I can walk.”

As he strode down the street, everyone nodded or called out to him.

“And does everyone in this town know you?”

“Uh, yeah, I guess so. I’ve lived here for a while. And you’re not walking.”

“Jeb, it’s a small burn on the top of my foot. Unless you’re going to carry me everywhere for the next few days, I’m going to have to walk. So might as well start now. Put me down.”