The buggy’s axle broke, and I don’t understand how as it’s supposed to be new, but when it cracked the wheel came off and I went sailing into a rut next to the road.” She drew a short, livid breath. “He witnessed the entire thing, and he stopped, but he wasn’t interested in helping. He was quite rude, actually.”

Her father frowned. “What did he do?”

“Nothing. That’s just my point. He stopped, but once he saw I hadn’t killed myself, instead of assisting me to my feet, he lectured me on my poor driving skills.” She felt her pulse quicken. She told herself it was because he’d been critical and overbearing and nothing to do with the fact that he was the handsome fireman she’d seen last December. She’d had dreams about the fireman, but her dreams were far nicer than the reality. “He knew I was your daughter, too, which makes it all the more aggravating.”

“I don’t know why you care what he thinks.” Archibald tipped his head back and closed his eyes, and drew a slow shallow breath. The air rattled in his lungs, making a faint wheezy sound. “You don’t have to socialize with him.”

“I know, but who leaves a lady lying in the dirt—”

“Did he not offer to help in any way?”

“Oh, he halfheartedly took my elbow at one point, but it was only after I’d given him a setdown.”

“I’m sure it was quite a setdown, too.”

“But it made no impression on him, Papa. He’s altogether too rude and too arrogant.”

“I hope his high-handed manners will not offend the sheep.”

She straightened, arms crossing over her chest. “I’m serious.”

“So am I. You’re not a sheep. You don’t have to like him.” He opened his eyes, his gaze meeting hers. “Unless you’d hoped to make a suitor out of him?”

Heat washed through her and she felt her cheeks flame. “Heavens, no! As you said, I’m not a sheep.”

“Speaking of livestock, I’ve had two recent offers for the ranch. One is quite fair—”

“No, Papa. We already discussed this. We’re not selling, and I wish you hadn’t put the word out that you were considering returning to Texas. It doesn’t aid my case.”

“It’s better than letting them know I’m dying.”

“Yes, but we want a suitor that would like to work the ranch with me, not someone to replace us here.”

“But if you can’t find a suitor soon, you won’t be living here, not after I’m gone.”

“I had a suitor.”

“Douglas didn’t work out and that ended months ago. Perhaps you need to stop being so particular and accept one.”

Her lips compressed as she bit back her frustration. Her father had been quite progressive until recently. “Old age is making you old-fashioned,” she said, limping to the hearth to add a log to the fire, before taking an iron to poke at the embers, creating a shower of sparks. “I don’t know why you think I couldn’t manage here alone.”

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

“You’re walking oddly.”

“It’s nothing. It’ll go away.”

“Did that happen in the fall?”

“It wasn’t a fall. I was thrown.” She gave the embers another fierce jab, her frustration getting the better of her. “Quite spectacularly.”

“Then it’s a good thing you weren’t seriously injured. Have you sent someone to retrieve the buggy?”

“I have. But they may not be able to do anything until tomorrow.”

“I’d like to see the axle.