The Cowboy's New Heart by Shanna Hatfield

Author:Shanna Hatfield
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance
Published: 2013-03-24T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“When your heart speaks, take good notes.”

Judith Campbell

Whistling as he worked on the dwindling pile of paperwork on his desk, Hart kept one eye on the customers at the counter in the gas station.

A couple of punk-looking kids he’d never seen before were flirting with his employee in such a way that a few more comments and he’d consider it harassment and run them off.

Megan seemed to be holding her own, though, and he was impressed. The high school girl worked for him some evenings and weekends, trying to save money for college. She was bright, witty and not easily rattled, making her a great addition to his staff.

When some of the regular customers stepped up to the counter, the boys finally sauntered off, their baggy jeans dragging on the floor. Hart smiled as he heard Megan tell one of her friends what jerks they were as she filled a cup with ice and pop. He knew she was a smart girl.

Saturdays were the busiest day of the week at the gas station so Hart liked to keep an attendant outside pumping gas, one behind the counter, and he filled in as needed. Since Evan and Megan had everything under control, Hart took advantage of an opportunity to catch up on paperwork and straighten his desk.

He was filing the last report when he heard Travis Thompson’s voice at the counter, laughing at something Tess said as she teased him. Pushing away from his desk, he stood and walked out of his office to greet them.

Noticing someone knocked over a candy display on his way to the counter, Hart bent over to pick up the scattered bags of Skittles. Pain arced across his lower back, making him suck in his breath.

Trying to straighten his back, he found he couldn’t and knew a sudden moment of panic. Not sure what to do, he was debating asking for help or crawling back to his office when he smelled a pleasant, citrusy scent and felt a warm hand on his shoulder.

“Hart, are you okay?” Tess asked, concerned when she saw Hart bend over then look like he was in pain. As a physical therapist, she recognized the signs that someone was hurting and in distress. If she had to guess, she’d say he’d thrown out his back.

“Not exactly. Just give me a minute and I’ll be fine,” Hart said, clenching his teeth against the assault of pain. He’d been gored by bulls three times, had more bones broken than most people knew they had, and been stabbed twice during gas station robberies, yet the pain ripping across his lower back was about the worst thing he’d ever experienced.

“Does your back hurt here?” Tess asked, running light fingers across his lower back. “An intense, makes you want to hurl kind of pain?”

“Yep,” Hart said, sweat breaking out on his forehead and upper lip. He knew Tess was a physical therapist, but had never thought about a need to draw on her medical expertise.

Travis and Megan stood nearby, watching.

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