Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Patrice Lewis (best large ereader .txt) 📕

She propped her hands on her hips. “You’re not the boss of me.”

“No. But I am bigger than you.” A sly grin settled on his lips.

“So you’re gonna bully me?” She pinned him with a narrowed gaze.

“If that’s what it takes. Want me to carry you to the spa?”

“You okay, Stace?” Rance asked.

“Fine. Just lost my wind there for a minute.”

Murmurs from the other parents caught her attention. She wouldn’t put it past Ross to make a spectacle.

“All right, I’m going.” She walked over to the twins. “I’m okay.”

“That was so scary.” Madison shuddered.

“Yes, it was. New rule, if a kid like that gets in the pool, we get out, okay?”

“Okay,” the twins echoed.

“But do we have to leave now?” Mason asked.

“No. I’ll go soak in the hot tub, so maybe I won’t be sore in the morning. Uncle Ross will stay in the pool with y’all.”

“Yay.” Mason clapped his hands.

She climbed the steps out of the pool, retrieved her towel and wrapped up in it, then padded over to the hot tub. As she stepped down into the warm water and shed her towel, goose bumps swept over her. Her neck and shoulders were a bit achy, similar to whiplash. She settled into the bubbling foam, with a pulsing jet between her shoulder blades and one on her back at the point of impact.

What would have happened if Ross hadn’t been there? She’d have gone under for certain. Unable to breathe, would she have taken on water? With the twins still in the water, Larae would have seen to them and the owner would have come to her aid. But she and the twins would have been in a worse panic. And once she got her breath back, she probably would have wanted to leave, cutting the twins’ fun Saturday short.

Instead, they were fine, back to taking turns sliding down the tube with their friends.

“Come on, Uncle Ross, slide with us.”

“I don’t know if I can fit.”

“Sure you can in the big one.” Mason laughed. “I dare you.”

“Well in that case…” With an impish grin shot in her direction, Ross climbed the ladder of the largest slide. At the top of the tube, he stood, peering down to make sure all the kids were out of the way. “Look out below.” He disappeared in the tube, then popped out the other end and landed in the water with a major splash.

To the giggling delight of both happy twins.

She never would have imagined it could happen, but for once as the pulsing water eased her aches, she was glad Ross was here.

“You okay?” Lexie asked.

Stacia opened her eyes to see her friend descend into the hot tub.

“I’m fine. Are the twins okay?”

“They’re fine. Rance and Clint are in the pool with them on kid patrol. And Ross watch.”

“You’ll be stove-up tomorrow.” Larae settled in a lounge chair beside the spa. “I’m with Mr. Donovan, you should see a doctor.”

“I’m sure it’s just bruising.”

“You should come by our ranch every day and soak in our unused hot tub. It’s just languishing on the back porch, since the doctor deemed it off limits for me until after the baby.” A hint of longing threaded through Larae’s voice. “We can visit until you feel better.”

“Maybe.”

“We want to hear all about things with Ross.” Lexie perched diagonally across from her.

“Shh, he’s right over there.”

“There’s no way he can hear.” Larae peered at her. “But just relax for now. We’ll get it out of you sooner or later.”

And she knew they would. Even if they had to physically drag her to Larae’s ranch.

CHAPTER SIX

After Stacia’s accident yesterday, they’d ended up not playing putt-putt after all. Despite her protests, Ross had driven her straight to a clinic when they’d left, but the doctor had found only bruising. How sore would she be today? Would she end up missing church?

He climbed the farmhouse porch steps and rang the bell. Minutes passed before it swung open. Stacia stood in the threshold. Her flowing purple dress skimmed her curves and hit just above her knees. Still barefoot.

“How are you feeling?”

She grimaced. “Like an overgrown twelve-year-old drop-kicked me with both feet.”

He winced. “You going to church?”

“Yes. And you’re driving your own rig. Remember, we’re following so I can check out your driving.”

Anything to keep from riding with him. “Do I have to remind you that I drove you home yesterday?”

“No. But I was in pain, so I couldn’t tell you how you drove.”

“I got us home safely though.”

“Oh, all right. The only vehicle we can all fit in is my SUV.”

“Actually, my truck is four-door. I can fit three comfortably in the back seat. And I bought car seats for Mason and Madison.” He held his hands up as if to ward off a blow. “Not to do any absconding. Just so you won’t have to drive all the time and to keep from swapping safety seats back and forth.”

“Like I said, we’ll see.” She stepped aside. “Come on in. Daddy’s wrangling the kids.”

He followed her into the family room, where she gingerly eased into a wingback chair.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Just sore. The doctor’s X-ray didn’t show anything amiss.”

“Might slow you down in the workshop this week.”

“I can’t afford that.”

“I can take up your slack. Once we got back yesterday, I hit the workshop, got two more claw foots done.” Despite worrying about her.

She seemed surprised. “After working there late Friday night?” Sincerity softened her eyes. “Thank you. For the tubs. And for yesterday.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure you get the B and B order completed on time.”

“No. I mean, I appreciate that.” She paused, grimaced while slipping on her heels, as if simply lifting each foot hurt. “More than you can imagine. But I meant the pool incident. Thank you for being there. For helping to ease my panic. And making sure the kids stayed safe until I got my wits about me. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been