Jesse walked backto his locker, sat, and removed his ski boots, sure he’d lost his fucking mind.
He had kissed Ellie.
He hadn’t planned it. She’d stood there, looking up at him through panicked green eyes, and he hadn’t been able to stop himself. As kisses go, it had been tame—no tongue, no fingers in the hair, no breasts pressed against his chest. Butdamn…
He’d kissed his share of women, but that little peck had rocked his world.
In that moment, he’d forgotten the long list of reasons why he didn’t want to get involved with her—the twins, the fact that he’d known her husband, the baggage he’d brought back from the war.
Okay, so that was only three reasons. But they were three verygoodreasons. He ought to write them down and memorize them because right now they didn’t seem nearly as important as kissing her again.
Jesus! Thatright thereproved it. Hewaslosing his mind.
And yet even as he yelled at himself, he couldn’t get truly angry. For the first time in what seemed a very long time, he was looking forward to something that wasn’t climbing or skiing. Of course, there was always the chance that she wouldn’t call.
He shoved his boots in his locker, took off his parka, and hung it on its hook.
Matt walked up behind him, a piece of paper in his hand. “Hey, Jesse, I made a few calls. Nate West, son of the owner of the Cimarron Ranch, says he’d be happy to team up for the skijoring event. He and his dad breed quarter horses. Here’s his number.”
“I’ve heard of the Cimarron.” Jesse had been invited there for a trail ride once but hadn’t been able to make it. He took the number, tucked it in his pocket. “Thanks.”
Ben sat down across from him. “I saw you kiss that hot little number in the parking lot. Who was she?”
“Hot little number?” Jesse didn’t like hearing any man call Ellie that, but he didn’t get the chance to say so.
Matt glared at him. “Hey, we’ve got rules about getting it on with guests.”
“Wear protection!” shouted several patrollers in unison.
“Damned straight.” Matt walked back to the dispatch desk, chuckling.
“Who was she?” Ben wasn’t giving up.
Jesse was torn between irritation and laughing at the kid’s persistence. Had he been this annoying in his early twenties? “That was my neighbor. Her sister fell and injured her knee. I was helping out.”
“Interesting ‘helping’ technique.”
Jesse shut his locker, slapped Ben on the shoulder. “Watch and learn, grasshopper. Watch and learn.”
* * *
As it turned out, Claire had torn her anterior cruciate ligament and her meniscus. Based on the MRI results, Dr. Southcott recommended surgery. He discharged her from the ER with crutches, pain killers, and instructions to elevate and ice her knee until she could see a surgeon.
Cedar drove Claire home in his vehicle, while Ellie drove Claire’s Outback down the canyon to their home in Boulder. When Claire was inside, Cedar left Ellie to watch over her while he took off to get some Thai takeout.
Ellie did her best to get Claire comfortable, helping her take a shower and put on her PJs, giving her a dose of pain meds, and settling her on the sofa in front of the TV with an ice bag and a cup of tea.
“I’m so sorry, sis.” Ellie could see behind Claire’s cheery façade and knew she was in pain. “The codeine ought to kick in soon.”
“I’ll be okay. My big sister’s a nurse. She’ll make sure of it.”
“You bet I will.” Ellie sat in the armchair beside the sofa. “Do you want to watch something on TV? I could put in a DVD or—”
“He kissed you.”
A thrill shivered through her. “I’m trying not to think about that.”
In truth, Ellie was finding it hard to think about anythingbutthat kiss. Remembering it brought the sensation back—the softness of his lips, their heat, the nearness of his body.