Kinsey had partly expected to find Tyler on duty, but she wasn’t about to complain that he was gone and Leah had taken his place.
“How is T.W.?” Kinsey crossed the room, assessing her patient in a sweeping glance. His eyes were closed and mouth slightly open, and he seemed to be sleeping with even respirations. The bright light pouring in from the large windows illuminated the dark circles under his eyes and his sallow complexion.
Upon meeting T.W., she’d immediately seen his resemblance to his sons in the broad build and handsome features. He’d aged well. At fifty-eight, his dark hair was threaded with only a smattering of silver, and his face was etched with only a few lines near his eyes.
“He’s asleep,” Leah whispered as she took in her husband’s face, “and getting a break from the dry-heaving.”
“Good,” Kinsey whispered back as she stepped beside T.W. and gently touched his radial pulse. She counted the beats and was relieved when the palpitations were normal.
Leah stood. “Is he okay?”
“Yes, perfect.”
Some of the tension seemed to ease from Leah’s face. Free of makeup and with her wavy red hair tied back loosely, she had a natural beauty that defied her age too.
From the moment of meeting T.W.’s wife, Kinsey had been able to tell just how much the woman cared for her husband, especially from the way she looked at him and how she tenderly hovered over him.
Kinsey couldn’t remember ever seeing that kind of love in her parents, not even in her youth, before Madison’s diagnosis. If there had ever been love between her parents, it had evaporated completely once Madison had gotten sick. Her parents had done nothing but bicker over Madison and the treatment plans. They’d both only wanted to find a way to save their daughter, but through all the stress, demands, and uncertainty, they’d ended up destroying their already fragile marriage.
“How are you doing?” Leah asked, her eyes filled with kindness.
“The sleep helped.” Kinsey picked up the new prescription sitting on the dresser, relieved it had finally arrived.
“I have some medication for altitude sickness that you could take.”
“My sickness is that obvious, huh?” Kinsey made her way to the bed.
“You’re not the first. We always have a handful of guests who have trouble adjusting to the altitude the first few days. I keep the medicine on hand.” Leah tugged a small bottle from her pocket and held it out. “It’ll bring you some relief.”
Kinsey reached across the bed and took it. She’d do anything at this point to help herself so that she didn’t turn out to be an utter failure. Even if she only had a week left, she was determined to do her best and show this family—namely Tyler—that she was a competent nurse.
Where was the cranky cowboy, anyway? Besides Leah, Tyler had been at T.W.’s side the most. Two of the other siblings had been in and out of the room. Kinsey had learned that the helicopter pilot, Kade, was the youngest and that Emberly was the McQuaids’ only daughter. Both had been friendly and welcoming…unlike Tyler.
“Since T.W. is sleeping, why don’t you go get something to eat?” Leah cocked her head toward the open door. “I can stay with him a few more minutes.”
Kinsey hesitated. Even though she wasn’t particularly hungry, she needed to take the altitude medication with food. She may as well get it over with, especially since she didn’t intend to wake T.W.—not if he was resting peacefully.
“Anson stepped out to run some errands,” Leah continued, “so please help yourself to anything.”
Kinsey followed the hallway until she found herself at an enormous dropdown living room. Filled with beige leather furniture, including a large sectional, the area was wide open to a loft above. The far wall was mostly windows, with a sliding glass door that led to a balcony.
Rustic wooden barrels served as end tables. A wagon wheel covered with a glass top made a unique coffee table. Decorations of wood carvings, a lasso, horseshoes, and antlers were tastefully placed around the room.
Even though she wanted to walk around and examine each item, she found herself drawn to the large windows and sliding glass door. As she halted in front of them and took in the view, she inhaled a breath at the vastness of the valley that spread out for miles and the mountains that rose on the opposite side.
It was stunning, the kind of panorama that defied words—one a person would never tire of seeing. While she’d visited some pretty places as a traveling nurse, she could admit this was one of the finest.
She turned around and took in the great room again and the kitchen beyond. With an open concept, the kitchen had a center island and a separate eating nook that overlooked the view as well. Everything was a blend of stainless steel and beige and browns highlighted with more western decor.
If all the other houses on the ranch were as beautiful as this one, maybe she could understand why the rental rates were so high.
After a few more moments of taking everything in, she made her way to the kitchen and peeked in cupboards and the refrigerator. She’d had to learn to be bold when it came to living with other people, especially because she preferred to stay with the patient rather than finding a hotel or other accommodations.
As she opened a high cupboard and spotted saltines, she lifted on her toes to reach them. While the thought of eating wasn’t appealing, the bland crackers would help settle her stomach.
Her fingertips brushed against the box, but even straining, she couldn’t grasp it. Without a stool close by, she climbed onto her knees on the counter like she used to do as a kid when she needed something from a high cabinet.
She balanced herself, then reached for the box again.
