Page 35

The sweet smell of syrup greeted her as they entered, and Brett stood to greet her. That handsome grin had her stomach flipping, and knowing she was the reason he smiled had her cheeks heating.

“Welcome back. Did they take good care of you?” Brett asked.

Thea wanted to roll her eyes at his overdone greeting, but Brett had always been outspoken and over-the-top. “I was treated like a queen.”

“As you should be. Thanks for looking out for her, ladies.”

The nurses exchanged knowing looks before directing their mischievous smiles at Thea. “You’re so welcome. Give us a shout if you need anything.”

As soon as they were alone, Brett rubbed his hands together. “You ready for breakfast?”

“I’m starving.” When had she eaten last? Two days ago?

Brett placed the tray in front of her, adjusted the bed, and situated her coffee and pancakes.

“What did you get?” she asked, pointing to the other bag.

“Biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon.”

Thea hummed. “Bacon sounds good.”

He pulled the containers out of the bag. “It’s yours if you want it.”

“I’m not taking your food. I have plenty. Thanks for getting this.”

“No problem. You want me to bless the food?”

Blessing the food. It was something she always did, but she ate almost all of her meals alone. “Sure.”

Brett bowed his head, thanking the Lord for the food and asking for guidance through Thea’s recovery. As soon as he said, “Amen,” he reached for her plate. “You want me to cut it up for you?”

“No way. I can feed myself.”

“You have ten stitches in your arm. I can help.”

She picked up a fork and started working on the mushy pancakes. “There will be plenty of things I can’t do on my own, but pancakes won’t get the best of me.”

“That’s my girl.”

Brett’s deep words were a balm to old wounds. What did it say about her that she was basically wallowing in Brett’s adoration? She dove into the pancakes and tried to swallow her feelings for the man waiting on her hand and foot.

“So, when did you start going to church?” she asked.

Brett closed the empty container and tossed it into the trash. “Not long after you left.”

There it was. Another reminder of what she’d done to him.

“My attorney went to church, and she invited me to join her and her husband after the trial. I’d been showing up for a month or so before I dragged Jess through the doors. She quit her kicking and screaming after a few weeks. We met Mr. Chambers there. He was looking for more help on the ranch, and the rest is history.”

“Sounds like a good gig.” Thea twirled the fork in her fingers before jumping into the part that bothered her the most. “How’s Jess?”

Brett reclined in the chair, resting his hands behind his head. “Same as always.”

Thea kept her gaze down as she continued. “She didn’t like me very much. I imagine she liked me less after I left the way I did.”

Brett sat forward, propping his elbows on his knees. The position stretched the fabric of his shirt over his broad chest and thick arms. “I don’t really care what Jess thinks. I liked you enough for the both of us.”

If they stayed on the same topic, tears would be coming soon. “Do you like working at the ranch?”