Her Unforgettable Cowboy. Debra Clopton

well-washed jeans. They were all grinning from ear to ear as they looked at her.

      Jolie clapped Caleb, the youngest, on the shoulder. “Hey, aren’t you Mr. Braveheart,” she teased, and his grin widened to touch his ears.

      She was just starting to enjoy herself when she looked at Morgan. The man’s scowl told her he wasn’t happy with her at all.

      So what else is new?

      “You sure you want to do this? It’s been a long time, and yester—”

      Jolie cut him off. “I’m fine, and I’m sure. Let’s get this muggin’ goin’!”

      “If she can ride those rapids, I bet she can mug a puny five-hundred-pound steer.” Joseph grinned and spat a sunflower seed husk to the ground.

      “Why, thank ya, Joseph,” she quipped, gloating a little at Morgan.

      He frowned at the teen. “Maybe you need to tend to your own business.”

      Joseph chuckled. “You sure been ornery the last few days, Morg.”

      “Yeah,” Wes agreed. “Real grumpy.”

      Morgan’s scowl deepened. “May I have a word with you?” he asked through bared teeth. Wrapping his hand around her biceps, he started walking her away from the group.

      Once they were a good distance away from everyone he let go of her arm, leaving her skin tingling from his touch. She felt a rush of disappointment but wasn’t sure if she was disappointed that she’d felt a tingle or that he’d removed his hand.

      “I can do this if I want to, Morgan McDermott.” Here was one of the problems that had prompted her to pack her bags six years ago—the man was pushy.

      “You passed out yesterday. That’s not like you. I’ve thought about it all night and I’ve decided that there must be something wrong. You going to tell me what that something is?”

      I’ve thought about it all night. He’d had her on his mind—the knowledge sent a shaft of joy straight to her heart. She continued to glare at him, though, because she’d never liked his bossing her around. It was all coming back to her now. Once he’d put his ring on her finger, he’d started trying to dictate her life—tried to wrap her up and keep her safe. It was out of concern, but she was not a china doll and refused to be treated as one.

      Even if she felt broken right now.

      “I did not pass out. I got a little faint is all.”

      “You would have hit the floor like a rock if I hadn’t caught you.”

      “Maybe, but—”

      “Jolie, I’m not kidding. You come back here after all this time, and you aren’t kayaking. You nearly died—yeah, I know you didn’t elaborate on that, but Nana is my grandmother, so I’m informed. I know what a close call you had. I’m not blind and I’m not stupid, Jolie. There is something wrong with you and I want to know what it is.”

      The man was impossible. “It’s none of your business.”

      He loomed over her, his scent filling her senses. “I’m responsible for everyone out here and if you have some kind of condition, I need to know about it. You were hired on to this ranch without my say-so, but guess what? That makes you my business, especially if whatever’s going on affects your job.”

      So his interest in what was wrong with her was because she worked for him. There was nothing personal about it. Nevertheless, she caved under that blue-eyed stare, blurting out, “I’m having trouble sleeping ever since the accident. I’m having a few nightmares.”

      “Nightmares,” he repeated, clearly startled. Then his expression softened. “I guess that’s understandable after what you went through.”

      Jolie suddenly wanted to tell him more, but was aware that all eyes were watching them as they stood practically nose to nose. This wasn’t the time or the place. And now that she thought about it, she didn’t want sympathy from him.

      “I’m dealing with it,” she huffed, “which is why I’m taking some time off. Now, can we get this done?” she asked.

      “Fine, do it,” he snapped. “Only, and I mean only, if you’re sure you won’t be passing out and getting trampled.”