Was the air between them strangely charged? Maybe he was imagining that too.
She waved at the box of crackers still in the high cabinet. “Should I try climbing up again? Or would you like to be my knight in shining armor and get the crackers for me?”
“Knight in shining armor?” He released a scoff, then he swiped the box down and handed it to her.
“Thanks.” The word was cold and curt. She tucked the box under her arm and began to open and close more cupboards, ignoring him as if he weren’t in the room anymore.
He wasn’t used to women ignoring him, and he had the sudden urge to get a reaction from her. “When I said take your time earlier, I probably should have specified that didn’t mean take all day.”
“Whew. It’s a good thing you clarified,” she scoffed. “Because I was planning to run off in a minute and join one of the nature painting sessions first.”
She had obviously researched the various activities on their ranch. Was she mocking their painting program? They had an expert instructor, and guests loved the experience of riding out into nature, setting up an easel, and capturing the view with their own artistic flare.
Kinsey slammed one cupboard closed and wrenched open another. Apparently finding what she was looking for, she took down a glass, then pressed it against the water dispenser in the refrigerator door. Then she tipped a pill out of a medicine bottle, popped it in her mouth, and drank the water. When finished, she placed the glass on the counter and slapped down the bottle of pills.
If her flashing eyes hadn’t been enough to alert him to her anger, the banging was.
Without another glance his way, she swiped up the box of crackers and stalked out of the kitchen in the direction of Dad’s bedroom.
Tyler didn’t want to watch her walk away, but his gaze slid her direction anyway.
Her hair, now hanging loose, swished with every firm step. And her hips swayed just a little, although she probably didn’t realize it. Too bad his body had to notice it. But it did, and his gut sparked like steel striking flint.
He gave himself a mental shake. It had been a long time since he’d had such a strong reaction to a woman. Maybe not since Stephanie, and look where that reaction had gotten him.
Besides, Kinsey was a spitfire. Maybe that was causing the unusual sparks.
As she turned from sight, he picked up the bottle of medication she’d left behind. The acetazolamide that his mom kept on hand for guests having trouble adjusting to the thin air of the high country.
Was Kinsey suffering from the altitude? Was that why she’d looked so sick this morning?
With a fresh wave of guilt hitting him, he set the bottle down, then tapped the lid. He’d done it again. He’d been thoughtless and insensitive and clueless. He should have guessed from her symptoms that she was sick from the altitude.
They encouraged most guests not to do any of their vigorous activities until their bodies had a chance to acclimate. Most took it easy the first day or two.
But of course, Kinsey had landed with both feet, rushing here and there at full speed. She’d worked hard since arriving. He could admit that. But she’d clearly tried to do too much too soon, and he should have cautioned her.
He stared in the direction of his dad’s bedroom. Did he need to go and apologize to her again?
Why, yes. Yes, he did.
With a sigh, he started down the hallway. As he entered the room, Kinsey was already at Dad’s bedside and holding a basin as he vomited. He had nothing left to spit up, but he was still nauseous.
Worry tightened Tyler’s chest as it had since they’d brought Dad home. He’d wanted Dad to stay in a rehab facility for a while longer to be closer to the professionals who could help him. But Dad had insisted on returning to the ranch, had claimed he’d disrupted everyone’s lives long enough.
The physicians had all assured Tyler that Dad was well enough to leave, that he was recovering, and that he was a strong and determined enough man who would likely heal quickly.
Dad leaned back against the mound of pillows and closed his eyes. Mom gently stroked his hair, and he lifted a hand toward her—the sign that he wanted to hold her hand. She settled her other hand in his.
Their love for each other was always so beautiful to see. But it was also a constant reminder of how he’d failed to love Stephanie in the same way.
Kinsey put the basin on the end of the bed, then reached for the IV pole. “Your new medicine should kick in soon, Mr. McQuaid, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.”
“Remember to call me T.W., darlin’,” Dad said weakly. “You’re making me feel old with all thatMr. McQuaidstuff.”
Kinsey laughed lightly as she unwound the tubing and situated it on the IV pole. “We don’t want that, especially because the honest truth is that you don’t look old enough to have five grown kids.”
Dad opened his eyes and gave Kinsey a smile. “You’re real sweet, you know that?”
