The Cowboy's Healing Ways (Cooper Creek) by Brenda Minton Read Free Book Online

the women who were still working on the puzzle. “Time for snacks, ladies.”
    “Will you have a snack with me?” Aunt Sally reached for her hand.
    “I would, but I have to go now. But I’ll be back soon. I love you, Aunt Sally.” She kissed her aunt’s cheek. “And I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
    “They do like punctual workers.”
    “I know. I’ll be on time from now on.”
    Aunt Sally stood, wobbling a little as she reached for a walker. “See that you are. And make sure you feed the cat.”
    Her aunt left with the other women. After a few minutes Laura got up and left the room. She had no idea where Myrna had gone. Rather than wait in the empty activity room, Laura walked down the hall. She passed a room where someone cried out, the words unintelligible. A familiar voice with a comforting tone and comforting words followed the cry.
    Laura turned back to the room and peeked in. Myrna sat on the edge of a bed, holding the hand of the woman in the bed. Laura started to walk away, but Myrna saw her.
    “You can come in.”
    Laura stepped into the dimly lit room, very aware of every scent, the heaviness of the air, the shades pulled over the window. Myrna stood, but she still held the hand of the woman in the bed.
    “This is Gayla.”
    Gayla didn’t move but she smiled just a little. Laura couldn’t guess her age. Maybe twenty. Maybe thirty. Her blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her body curled in the fetal position.
    “Hello, Gayla.” Laura touched the hand that curled in. “I’m Laura.”
    Myrna smiled and leaned to brush back the blond hair of the woman in the bed. “We have to leave, but Jesse will be here tomorrow.”
    Gayla no longer smiled. Her eyes watered with unshed tears.
    Myrna shook her head and reached for Laura’s arm. They walked out of the room together. Questions formed but Laura didn’t want to ask. Who was Gayla? Family? A friend? Someone special to the Coopers?
    Or to Jesse?
    “She’s a local girl.” Myrna led Laura down the hall. “She’s been here for years. Her mother had to move to Tulsa and there’s no other family. We visit her when we can.”
    “What happened to her?”
    “Car accident.” Myrna pushed a code into the front door. It buzzed and she pushed it open. Laura followed her through the door.
    “That’s terrible.”
    Myrna stopped on the sidewalk. Her light hazel eyes caught and held Laura’s. “It’s a tragedy that has touched several lives.”
    Laura didn’t know what to take from that. Didn’t know what Myrna wanted to tell her. Rather than asking the questions, she got in the car and Myrna cranked the engine to life.
    Their first stop after the nursing home was the garage where Laura’s car had been towed. The mechanic walked over to Myrna’s car and leaned in the driver’s-side window.
    “It doesn’t look good, Myrna.” He wiped his face with a rag and slipped it back in his pocket.
    Myrna shook her head. “Will, I thought you said you could fix anything.”
    “I usually can, but sometimes fixing is more expensive than the car is worth.” He offered Laura an apologetic smile. “Sorry, ma’am.”
    “Well, then, you see what you can find to replace it.”
    Laura put a hand on Myrna’s arm. “No, Myrna, it’s okay. I can save up money and buy something pretty cheap.”
    “Nonsense. Will, you see what you can find. Something decent and dependable, not a lot of miles.”
    He saluted and backed away from the car. “You’re the boss, Myrna.”
    “Don’t you forget it.” Myrna shifted into Reverse and backed out of the parking lot. “How about coffee and pie at the Mad Cow? It’s Wednesday. Vera has coconut cream on Wednesday.”
    “That sounds good, but I should probably get back to work.”
    “Nonsense. Jesse already said he wants you to take it easy for a few days. You need to listen to him.”
    A few minutes later they pulled into the black-and-white-painted building with Mad Cow Café painted on the front