But wasn’t that his goal? To find someone he wasn’t attracted to physically so that he could ensure that his relationship was based on friendship and not on lust?
Wyatt seemed to like Nettie too.
Tyler kneaded the back of his neck. Maybe it was past time to ask her out. Maybe it was past time for him to have a woman in his life, especially because he was having a hard time keeping his eyes off Kinsey.
Even now, as she stood in the bathroom doorway and smiled at Wyatt and Mom, her face was way too pretty.Shewas way too pretty, even after taking care of Dad all night. She probably hadn’t gotten much sleep, if any.
Guilt pricked him. Whether Kinsey was the right nurse or not, he needed to offer her breaks from her caregiving so that she could sleep and eat.
Of course, during the introductions yesterday, Mom had let Kinsey know she would help with the caregiving. She’d also told Kinsey she could use the kitchen and help herself to whatever food was there.
Kinsey had thanked her, but from the looks of things, she’d been too busy to think about her own needs. In fact, her bags were still by the bedroom door where she’d dropped them yesterday. She hadn’t even taken a few seconds to deliver them to her room next door—Dad’s office that they’d cleared out so a live-in nurse could be close to him in the event of an emergency.
At a sound from the bathroom, Kinsey disappeared inside. Mom and Wyatt returned to the kitchen, and Tyler followed them. He finished helping Wyatt get ready for school, then ushered him out the door into Nettie’s waiting SUV.
When he returned to the kitchen, Anson was almost finished cleaning up breakfast, but at Tyler’s request, the old cowboy put together a plate of eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. As Tyler carried it into the bedroom, Dad was lying in bed with his eyes closed and Kinsey was in the process of taking his pulse.
Guilt nagged Tyler again. He’d been too hard on Kinsey—shouldn’t have questioned her abilities so bluntly and shouldn’t have admitted that he didn’t trust her. He’d handled the situation poorly.
She finished with the pulse, jotted the numbers on an iPad, then finally glanced his way.
He held out the plate and mug. “Here. Have something to eat.”
She hesitated, her expression wary.
“You’ve been working hard and doing your best,” he whispered. “I’m sorry I was rude about it.”
She studied his face, as if testing the sincerity of his words. Then she took the plate and mug. “Thank you. For the food and apology.”
He nodded.
She blew at the coffee, then took a sip.
“Why don’t you eat, unpack, and catch a few hours of sleep.” Tyler lowered himself into the bedside chair. “I’ll keep an eye on Dad for a little while.”
About to take a bite out of the toast, she paused. “Is this because you don’t trust me to do a good job?”
“It’s because you probably haven’t slept in twenty-four hours.”
“I’m used to going without sleep.”
“You’ll be a better nurse and more alert if you aren’t exhausted.” Even though he wanted to convey compassion, his words were too firm, like he was lecturing one of his employees.
Her eyes started to narrow.
“Wait.” He held out a hand to stop her from responding. “That came out wrong.” Every time he opened his mouth around this woman, he said something stupid. What was the matter with him?
She resumed her eating and watched him, clearly waiting for him to expound.
“You look like you could use a break, that’s all.”
She glanced down at herself, then tossed the toast back onto the plate. “You’re right. I should change.”
“That’s not what I meant either.” Inwardly he groaned. “You look fine…I mean, you look more than fine. Even finer than fine.” Shoot. What was he saying? He needed to stop talking.
She quirked a brow. She probably thought he was not only an ogre but also an idiot.
“Listen.” He couldn’t keep his voice from tensing or from radiating the frustration at himself. “Go rest for a while. That’s all I’m saying.”
