“I am being reasonable. You think you can waltz into my bedroom and make yourself at home? Ain’t happening,” he snarled, just like Cowboy did when he was chasing his tail in frustration. “Besides, how can you afford to tear yourself away from Brennan Motors or that suit you plan to marry? I can’t imagine either of them giving you time off to look after me.”
She bit her lower lip. Her father and Ben were two subjects she did not wish to discuss, especially with Chance, but there was no getting around it. “My father didn’t have a say in it since I don’t work for Brennan Motors. Ben is at a training class for the next two weeks, and we aren’t officially engaged.” She didn’t add the “yet.”
His brow furrowed, Chance shook his head. “This guy Ben must have gotten a great job to let you out of his sight before sealing the deal, and you must have gotten some great job for your father to let you off the hook. You need to get right back to that guy and that job, Libby. I mean it.”
She swallowed hard. She expected Chance to act difficult. She doubted he expected her to be just as stubborn. “I don’t have a job yet. That’s why I can come and help you.”
His eyes narrowed to slits. Not his most attractive pose. Made him look a little snake-like, actually.
“Is that the game? Daddy is mad because you wouldn’t play in his sandbox, and you figure you can freeload off me until this Ben guy returns. That’s why you’re really here, isn’t it?”
While she wouldn’t deny that the facts seemed to support his conclusion, it was the wrong conclusion. The moment Chance had hit the dust and hadn’t stood up, she knew her place was at his bedside, whether at the hospital or his home. Point was, she cared. She guessed she was here to find out how deeply. She didn’t fool herself that Chance would want to hear that, much less believe it. Or what it would mean to either of them if he did.
“My father and I did have a falling out when I told him I wasn’t going to work for Brennan Motors, and it hasn’t been very pleasant at home. I am trying to get a public relations job with the Western Stock Show in Denver.” She wished she could wipe the smug I-thought-so expression off his face, but the truth was the truth. “So, yes, I could use a change of scene. But you also need help. So unless you’re planning on calling the county sheriff to throw me out, I think you should accept my offer.”
He eyed her through those narrowed lids. “You know I’m not calling the police on you.”
“Good. Then we’ve reached an understanding. And, just so everything is out in the open, I may need a few hours here or there to do some interviews for that stock show position, but I’ll make sure everything is in good order before I step out.”
“Libby, this is not a good idea.” His voice held a warning.
“Why? You need me temporarily. I need a place to stay temporarily. What reason could there be not to help each other?”
His gaze started at her chest, traveled down the front of her tank top, pausing briefly at her waist before continuing down her jean skirt, past her bare legs, right to her bejeweled flip flops.
“That kiss in my truck should be reason enough.” He lifted his gaze to her face and leaned back against the headboard. “We also have a history that isn’t a pretty one. And, by the way, I signed that affidavit, so there is nothing stopping you from marrying anyone you want.”
Strange that she hadn’t given a thought to the affidavit. “Thank you. And our history is precisely what should keep us from making any future mistakes in the attraction direction.”
“So you don’t deny there’s still an attraction between us?”
She took a deep breath as she felt her cheeks flush. “I don’t deny it. But it’s a physical attraction, and you’re in no shape to act on it…so we’re good.”
He shook his head. “Honey, a few things were broken, but take my word for it, that’s working just fine.”
She took another deep breath. She bet it was working fine. But she’d been counting on a good deal of pain to keep it corralled, not to mention his anger. No matter. He did need her, health-wise. “We’re two adults, Chance. I think we can handle this. You want to get better. I can help you.”
She turned her head and surveyed his room. “Look at this place. It’s only been a few days since you got out of the hospital. What will it look like in a week? And food?” She motioned to the empty bags of potato chips and pretzels. “You can’t live on snacks and get better.”
He snorted and looked in the direction of her Louis Vuitton suitcase, part of her high school graduation gift. But Chance wasn’t looking at her designer bag.
“What the hell is that?” he said, nodding toward Cowboy’s carrier.
“That is Cowboy.”
“What?”
“His name is Cowboy. He was a stray, and I’ve given him a home.”
“Seems like you’re planning to give him my home. I’m not a fan of house cats, Libby.”
“Cowboy won’t bother you, but you may find you like this one. He’s a lot like you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just what I said. He’s brave, independent, acts like he doesn’t care about people but can be very loving.”