The facility was also the most convenient when it came to location, and she’d just have to make it work. “Thanks. I have some vacation time saved up, and I can use those when he is released from Morning Side.” She waved her finger. “But I don’t want anyone telling him about this plan. It has to come from me.”
“I totally understand and will make sure the staff knows understands,” Leslie said. “I wish I had better news, but that’s the best I could come up with, and trust me, I went digging, looking for money for your dad. And again, anything that is denied, before paying it, resubmit on your own. You never know what might have been overlooked.”
“Thanks, Leslie. I really appreciate it.” Paget stared at the numbers. If her parents hadn’t taken out a high interest loan to take care of her mother’s illness and death, Paget would be able to handle these bills no problem. But her father was broke, and Paget was well on her way to breaking her own bank to make sure her father didn’t have to sell his house and could live out his days without having to worry.
She’d manage to build up her savings again.
Someday.
She was young enough that it would be okay. She had no family to be concerned about or to have to take care of.
Just her and her father.
“Can I keep these?” Paget held up the papers.
“Yes. I made copies of everything for you. And if you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to call me. I will help you navigate your way through this process as best I can.” Leslie stretched out her hand before standing. She paused at the doorway, glancing over her shoulder. “That cute boyfriend of yours? He’s going to come in handy. Use him for support. And any other close friends you have. This might have been a mild stroke, but your father can’t walk right now and is struggling to talk. It’s going to take a good three months to get him back to being an independent man.”
Paget swallowed. The last thing she wanted was to use Boone in any capacity. He wasn’t her boyfriend, and while he had kissed her, it had to be out of pity. That was the only explanation that made sense.
Or maybe he was delirious from lack of sleep.
But maybe they could barter some services. She could work some hours at the bar and grill while her father was in short-term care in exchange for his time helping out with her dad so she could keep her costs down with the home health aides.
It seemed like a win-win in her book.
Hopefully, Boone would feel the same way.
Paget closed the stall and headed toward the office where Annette sat in her chair behind her desk, and her husband, JD, leaned against the far wall. His brother, JB, stood in front of a small folding table while he made himself a cup of coffee.
At this point, Paget was surprised the rest of the family hadn’t shown up for what she thought would be a private conversation between her and her immediate supervisor.
“How’s your dad today?” JB asked as he turned, bringing the paper cup to his lips. He leaned against the doorjamb and sipped. “You know, you didn’t have to come in to work.”
“I know,” Paget said with a nod. “And thanks to Annette being so gracious, I’m not working full days so I can see my dad in the morning or scoot out early and see him in the evening.”
“Or both,” Annette said. “And don’t forget, you have a lot of time off accumulated. You don’t have to be here.”
Paget set her Stetson on the chair on the opposite end of the desk. She fiddled with her braid. The sound of spurs clicking against boots caught her attention. She glanced out into the barn.
Cheyenne.
If Paget had to pick anyone on the ranch that she could call friends, it would be Annette and Cheyenne. Not that she didn’t get along with Kitty or Georgia Moon, because she did. But she didn’t see Kitty often since Kitty ran the educational aspect of the ranch and Georgia Moon spent her time with the bull riding school and other aspects of that part of the business.
“Hey, babe,” Cheyenne said as she stepped into the office and kissed her fiancé. “All the horses from the lessons are cooled down and in their stalls.”
JB looped his arm around Cheyenne. “We were just talking about Paget’s dad.”
“Oh. Did you tell her that I could cover some of her responsibilities if she needed to take some time off?” Cheyenne tilted her cowboy hat. “I don’t mind. Other than a long weekend over to Salt Lake City for our honeymoon, I can cover for you.”
No way in hell would Paget get into the nitty—gritty of her issues, but she did need to set some boundaries, which meant she had to be somewhat truthful. “Listen. I really appreciate everything that you all are doing for me. The whole family and everyone on the ranch. It means the world to me. But as you all know, my mother’s sudden death took a toll on my dad and not just mentally.”
“What exactly do you mean?” JD asked as he moved across the office and rested his butt against the desk, taking his wife’s hand. “Do you need a loan?”
Of course they’d go right for the money aspect, and she shouldn’t be insulted. They were only trying to help. The Whiskey family were good people and they meant well. “I don’t want to borrow money. I want to earn it.”
“Paget,” JB said. “That’s exactly what you are doing. And if you need a little help along the way, all you have to do is ask.”
“I don’t want charity.” She held up her hand. “Whiskey Ranch giving me money feels exactly like that, so I can’t just accept your money. I’m sorry. I need to earn my keep. That said, I’m selling my cabin, so if you know anyone who—”
“You want to sell your home?” JB asked.
“I do,” Paget said. “I’m hoping my father is going to be around for a good twenty years. But that means I’m going to need to keep a close eye on him and that means moving in with him. I can’t keep two places. It’s too much.”
“We might know a couple of people interested,” JB said.
“What else can we do for you?” Annette asked.
“I appreciate the flexibility in hours. I need that to continue, but I will make sure I work the necessary—”
“Stop right there,” JD said. “There is no necessary on our ranch. Not with someone who has worked here as long as you. It’s been what? Fifteen years?”
“Fourteen,” she said, feeling the need to be totally honest in this situation. “I will not take advantage of your generosity.”
“We know that,” JD said, holding up his hand. “We get you want to work and we won’t stop you, but we take care of our own.”
“And you’re family,” JB said. “So, please, don’t feel bad about doing what you need to for your dad. We’ll figure it out as we go. We know you’ll never put us in a difficult position. So, just do what you need to, but keep us in the loop.”
“I can do that,” Paget said.
“Good.” JD kissed his wife’s hand. “Are you ready to go home?”
“I sure am,” Annette said as she followed JD out of the office and through the barn.
JB tipped his hat. “We should go get Jimmy. He’s feeding the ponies.”