“It’s perfect. From the window, I have a great view of the ranch and the mountains as well.”

“Vickie puts out breakfast stuff early in the morning. She doesn’t cook until later. Come down and help yourself to some start-up fuel before you head out to work.”

“I’ll do that, and thank you both again for opening your home to me.”

After bidding them goodnight, Erin started up the stairs, holding the handrail and wincing with every step.

* * *

Erin awakened the next morning to butter-yellow sunlight pouring through the windows of her room. The morning songs of birds outside in the surrounding pine trees created muted but beautiful music. She smiled against the crisp pillowcase and breathed in the scent of fresh mountain air emanating from the cotton. Vickie liked to line dry her laundry when the weather allowed.

Erin could tell by the light that it was still early, and no one had told her yesterday what time her day would start, so she couldn’t really be late. She decided to stay in bed for a few minutes to relish the wonderful warmth of the down comforter. She’d fallen asleep in this position and didn’t think she’d moved all night.

She started to turn over onto her back, and an involuntary whimper of pain erupted from her throat. Oh, God. Every part of her body screamed. She lay perfectly still for a moment, remembering Wyatt’s lecture. Maybe he knew what he was talking about. Scratch that. He’d been condescending, and all her romantic notions about him, sexual or otherwise, had crash-landed inside her heart and formed a knot of disappointment. She’d believed he was about as perfect as a guy could get. When would she learn that nobody was perfect? Especially not guys. After growing up around her father, she should know that.

Her personal feelings and change of heart about Wyatt had no bearing on her present situation, though. She needed to figure out how she could get out of bed. Clenching her teeth against the knifelike torture of moving her legs and arms, she rolled onto her side and inched her feet toward the side of the mattress. Her plan was to sit up with her feet on the floor, all in one smooth motion, using her weight for momentum. Only just as she tried that and cried out again, Vickie cracked open the door.

“Good morning! I brought—”Balancing a tray on the bend of one arm, she stepped fully into the room, her green eyes going wide with alarm. “Oh, honey. You overdid it yesterday, didn’t you?” She set the tray atop the dresser. “You stay right there. I’ve been through this and know exactly what to do. Be right back!”

Erin lay helplessly on her side with tears welling in her eyes. She had not overdone it. How could she have? She was in peak physical condition. Could she be sick? Viruses sometimes made people hurt all over.

Vickie burst back into the room. This morning she wore a gray-and-black plaid shirt and jeans. She looked younger than her years and cute as a button. Holding up a bottle, she said, “Horse liniment. When I get sore, this saves me every time.”