Home on the Ranch--Tennessee Homecoming

by April Arrington

  “A preprogrammed kids’ station,” Katie teased over the music. “Y’all do this often?”

  “Occasionally.” Landon winked at her.

  Mercy. Katie cleared her throat. “Thank you for driving us to the school tonight.” She waved a hand toward the dashboard. “It was dark the last time I caught a ride with you. I didn’t appreciate how nice of a truck this is.”

  Smile widening, he patted the steering wheel as he drove. “V8 engine, shift-on-the-fly capability, trailer sway control, all-terrain tires, heated seats and mirrors, drop-in bedliner, satellite radio and...” He jerked his chin upward. “A twin-panel moonroof.”

  Landon pressed a button and the sunshade slid back, then he pressed a second button and the large glass panel above them slid open, allowing a gentle rush of warm spring air to flood the cab and swirl the scent of honeysuckle around them.

  A wistful note entered Landon’s voice as he murmured, “God, I love a moonroof.”

  When he met her eyes, Katie raised an eyebrow. “Wow. A man’s love for his truck.” She shook her head slowly. “It’s a thing to behold.”

  Landon laughed. “It’s my one luxury, and it’s been a lifesaver on the job on more than one occasion.” His bright smile dimmed. “I’m trading it in next month for something less fancy.”

  Katie frowned, missing his sexy grin already. “Why?”

  He looked in the rearview mirror. “For them. Matthew, especially.” He lowered his voice as he continued, Emma’s exuberant singing almost drowning out his words. “If I play my cards right, I’ll walk away with a decent but older truck, and a stack of cash to start a college fund for Matthew. Eight years will pass before he knows it, and I want him to have a head start.”

  “Oh.” Her heart warmed for this big, beautiful man willing to sacrifice anything for three kids he loved like his own. Katie blinked away the moisture lining her lashes and hesitated before asking, “You’re planning that far ahead already? Before they’re fully settled? Before I even know if...”

  She bit the inside of her cheek as the guilt associated with leaving the kids returned. Only this time, the thought of returning to California and leaving Matthew, Emma and Sophia behind hit harder than it had before. Was that how she would let it play out? Could she actually bring herself to pack up next week, fly back to her old life and leave the kids to settle in with Landon?

  Landon’s jaw clenched, then he smiled. Or at least, he tried to smile. His tight grin looked as insincere to her as the one she struggled to pin on her face felt.

  “No matter where Matthew is in eight years,” Landon said, “if he decides to go to college, he’ll need the money. Every penny will help.”

  Katie focused on the road in front of them.

  Landon glanced toward the back seat. “Guys, you aren’t getting too much wind back there, are you? You okay with the moonroof being open?”

  Emma stopped singing long enough to answer, “Yes, sir.”

  Matthew, still covering his ears and looking annoyed, nodded.

  Landon’s smile renewed and he returned his attention to Katie. “Ready to lead your first music lesson?”

  Katie twisted her hands in her lap. Was she? At this point, she guessed she’d have to be. There wasn’t much of a choice. “I suppose.”

  Landon glanced at the kids in the back seat then leaned so close, Katie could feel the heat emanating from his broad chest and smell the light scent of his aftershave. “I can stay, you know? I’ll drop you and the kids off at the front of the school then Sophia and I will come in and keep you company in case you need an extra hand.”

  And have Landon witness her first blundering attempts at leading a kids’ chorus? No, thank you.

  “That’s not necessary,” she said.

  But, gracious, Landon smelled good. And he was back to being that charming, considerate man she couldn’t help wanting.

  Katie sat back before that starry-eyed, crazy-for-Landon side of her caused her to do something stupid like fall in his lap, trail kisses over his rock-hard abs and beg him to put his hands on her. “The secretary, Melody, will be there to help me every night, and the principal said he’d drop in for the first two practices to make sure things go well,” she said, her breath catching slightly. “Plus I’m sure a parent or two will hang around.”

  He shrugged. “Still, it wouldn’t hurt for me to stay.”

  Katie narrowed her eyes and leaned closer, her desire to plant another kiss on Landon momentarily forgotten as she whispered, “You’re afraid I’m gonna screw up, aren’t you?”

  He blinked, looked away then met her eyes again. “No. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just offering my assistance.”

  Lips twisting, Katie nodded. “Yeah. So you can keep me from screwing up.”

  Landon held up a hand. “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t have to.”

  “I only meant—”

  “Are y’all fussing?” Matthew called out from the back seat.

  Katie stopped talking, and so did Landon. She returned his stare, and the red flush stamping his lean cheeks eased her discomfort a bit. At least this time, she hadn’t been the only one to let their temper get ahold of them. And she’d caught Landon telling a fib—possibly his first ever, she’d be willing to bet. Obviously, he had zero confidence in her abilities with the kids.

  “Nope,” Katie said, settling back in her seat and flashing a smile at Landon. “Not at all.”

  Landon grunted, shifted gears then turned off onto a steep dirt road. “We’ll take a shortcut.”

  Clouds of dust billowed up around the truck until Landon turned onto a paved road that curved over the mountain range ahead. The bright afternoon sun warmed the rugged, green peaks that sprawled in the distance. Dense patches of wildflowers spotted the fields lining both sides of the road, adding pink, blue and purple hues to the landscape, and a swift breeze parted the slim branches of cherry trees, heavy with pink and white blooms.

  The engine growled as the truck accelerated up the mountain. A rush of sweetly scented wind surged through the moonroof, tousling Katie’s hair and tickling her neck. Matthew’s scowl softened as he peered out the window, Sophia babbled and Emma’s joyful vocals pitched higher.

  Spring hadn’t just sprung in Elk Valley—it was about to burst wide open. And the small, quiet valley had never looked as beautiful to Katie as it did in this moment with her nieces and nephew near her.

  Laughing, she threw her arms up and wiggled her fingers in the swift currents flowing across the open moonroof. The sudden dip of the truck as it descended from the top of a mountain slope, twisting along the sharp curves, evoked a pleasant flutter in her belly. She glanced at Landon and his handsome smile kicked her heart rate up a notch, making it thump strongly in her chest.

  Landon handled the next curve with precision, glanced her way and winked again. “Moonroof, baby.”

  Katie’s breath stuck in her lungs for a moment. Oh, that “baby” rolling off Landon’s tongue was most definitely for her this time, and the hot, melting sensation spreading through her body was a sign that this attraction she had for Landon was intensifying despite her efforts to stop it.

  It was beyond difficult to pry her attention away from Landon and focus on the impending chorus practice, but as they drew closer to Elk Valley Elementary, Katie’s nervous tension took over. Her shoulders stiffened when Landon turned into the parking lot and parked close to the front entrance.

  “We’re here,” Emma announced, bouncing in her booster seat.

  “Give me a sec to grab Sophia’s stroller and I’ll walk with you,” Landon said as he opened his door.

  Katie grabbed his arm, halting his movements, and whispered, “I told you I can pull this off by myself.” Well, she was about 90 percent sure she could. “I don’t need a chaperone.”

  “I’m not chaperonin
g.” Landon smiled. A bit too innocently. “I’m being a gentleman and escorting you to the door. Then I’m gonna take Sophia for a walk around the track behind the school.”

  Katie frowned. “Why?”

  “Because it’s a beautiful afternoon, Sophia loves riding in her stroller and I think she’ll appreciate a change of scenery.”

  The back door slammed. Matthew had hopped out of the car and stood outside the truck, fidgeting impatiently.

  “Okay.” Katie tightened her grip on his arm—good golly, his biceps were like concrete—and asked, “But you’re not coming in, right?”

  “No.” Lips twitching, he glanced down where her fingers still explored his biceps then raised an eyebrow. “Can I have my arm back now?”

  “Oh.” Whoops. “Sorry.” She released him, unsnapped her seat belt then hopped out of the truck before he noticed her flaming face.

  Katie opened the door for Emma while Landon unloaded the stroller and placed Sophia in it, then they made their way toward the front entrance. Matthew and Emma walked ahead and Landon matched his stride to Katie’s as he pushed Sophia in the stroller.

  “Good turnout,” Landon said. “Looks like you might have more than twenty kids.”

  A small tic started at the corner of Katie’s left eye. “How...wonderful.”

  Small groups of parents and kids were strolling across the parking lot and entering the school. Six boys and two girls hurled a football back and forth on a patch of grass between the sidewalk and the entrance, and a trio of women huddled together a few feet away from the kids, laughing.

  “Oh, no.” Katie ran her gaze over each of the three women—one redhead, one brunette and a blonde—just as all three glanced her way.

  Landon frowned. “What?”

  Before Katie could answer, a squeal erupted from the trio.

  “Katie Richards!” the blonde shouted, a gleeful expression lighting her face. “What are you doing here?”

  Forcing a smile, Katie murmured out of the side of her mouth to Landon, “Poppy Hadden, Carrie Williams and Sallie Ann Marsh.” Elk Valley’s most prominent gossip hounds. “That’s what.”

  And judging from the hungry curiosity glowing on all three of their faces as they stared at Landon and Katie, the three women hadn’t changed a bit since high school.

  A pained groan left her. “Do we have to go over there?”

  Landon glanced at Katie’s face, grinned then steered her in that direction. “It’d be rude not to.”

  They made their way over to the women. Emma and Matthew ran off and joined the kids playing football, and Landon drew the stroller to a stop beside Katie.

  “Hi, Landon,” Poppy said, smiling. “It’s good to see you.”

  “Real good,” Sallie Ann echoed, her gaze drifting over Landon.

  “Mmm-hmm.” Carrie, blushing, waggled her fingers in the air at Landon.

  Clearing his throat, Landon nodded. “Ladies.”

  They all simpered. Katie made a mental note to add Poppy, Sallie Ann and Carrie to Landon’s list of admirers.

  “And it’s so good to see you again, Katie.” Up close, the intrigued gleam in Poppy’s eyes told Katie she was in for it. Poppy sprang forward and enveloped Katie in a perfume-laden embrace. “How long has it been since we last saw each other?”

  “Oh...” Katie patted Poppy’s back awkwardly, her fingers tangling in Poppy’s long blond curls. “About ten years, I guess.”

  Poppy released Katie, stepped back and pressed her French-manicured nails to her chest. “Way too long, in my opinion.” Her smile fell and a sad expression crossed her face. “I was so sorry to hear about Jennifer. She was such a great person.”

  “Thank you,” Katie said quietly.

  “So how are you holding up?” Poppy raised her voice as the kids playing football behind her shouted during a tackle. “Last I heard you were still living in California.”

  Katie nodded. “Los Angeles.”

  “Are you still singing?” Sallie Ann asked, a friendly smile on her face. She had always been the nicest of the three women. “I heard you may have gotten a record deal.”

  Face burning, Katie looked at the kids playing football and shook her head. “Nah, I gave up singing.”

  Sallie Ann frowned. “But why? You were so good.”

  “It wasn’t a practical career choice, I guess.” Katie winced as three of the boys screamed and tackled another boy, falling into a pile on top of him.

  Oh, dear Lord, she hoped none of those boys were in the choir.

  Poppy glanced over her shoulder at the kids. “Tone it down, boys. You’re scaring people.”

  Katie pointed at the kids. “Are one of those boys yours?”

  “One?” Poppy scoffed. “Try six.”

  “Six?” Katie asked.

  “Three sets of twin boys,” Poppy said. “You remember Lenny Drigger?”

  Katie nodded. Lenny had been handsome, a bit wild and had liked women. A lot.

  “I married him nine years ago,” Poppy continued. “Now, I have over half a dozen males in my house on a daily basis. Don’t get me wrong, I love every one of my boys, but six kids can be a chore. I swear, that man’s not going to touch me again till after I go through menopause.”

  A strangled sound emerged from Landon. Cheeks red, he ducked his head and dragged a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m gonna take Sophia for her walk now.”

  “Oh, now don’t run off, Landon,” Poppy said, stepping forward and smiling down at Sophia. “We all heard you’d taken Frank’s children in. That was so wonderful of you.” She looked at Katie. “Is that why you’re back in Elk Valley now? To visit the kids?”

  Katie put her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “Yes. As a matter of fact, Landon and I are both taking care of the kids for a couple of weeks and I’m leading the choir practice tonight.”

  Poppy blinked. Sallie Ann and Carrie looked, open-mouthed, from Katie to Landon then back.

  “You and Landon?” Carrie asked. “You two are together?”

  “Nope.”

  “No.”

  Katie and Landon spoke at the same time. Though it was the truth, Landon’s denial sent an uncomfortable pang through Katie.

  She glanced up at him and rolled her shoulders, trying to shake off the strange disappointment. “We’re just helping each other out with the kids, you know?” Katie turned back to Poppy. “And he’s been kind enough to let me stay at his place.”

  Poppy’s eyes widened. “You’ve moved in with Landon?”

  “No, she’s just using the guest room for a couple weeks.” Landon checked his watch and looked at Katie. “It’s almost time for practice to start, so I’m gonna take Sophia for her walk now and let you get to it. I’ll stop by my sister’s café and get us some takeout before I swing back by and pick you and the kids up. That’ll give you one less thing to worry about. You want anything in particular?”

  Katie shook her head. “No. Anything’ll be fine. Thank you.”

  “I’ll be back in two hours. I’ll have my cell on me if you need anything.” Landon waved to the other women. “Nice seeing you, ladies.”

  Katie watched as Landon said goodbye to Matthew and Emma, turned the stroller around and started walking down the sidewalk. Something about the children’s exuberant shouts as they played and the sight of Landon’s broad back moving farther and farther away made Katie’s hands shake, and she wondered how she’d ever thought she could handle this on her own.

  “Landon?”

  He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Her fear must’ve shown in her expression because he smiled and, voice gentle, said, “You’re gonna do great.”

  She managed to smile back and that act alone made her feel a great deal more capable.

  “Wow.” Poppy stared after Landon, her gaze full of admiration. “Landon
drops you and the kids off, babysits the baby, picks you up and brings takeout for dinner? A man doesn’t do those kinds of things if he’s not into you, Katie.”

  “It’s not like that,” Katie said. “He loves Sophia, Emma and Matthew. He’s doing it for them.”

  Though it wasn’t an unpleasant thought to imagine Landon doing all of this for her. As a matter of fact, it was a really good thought. But the last thing she or Landon needed right now were rumors of romance between the two of them—good Lord, her mother would declare her a jezebel. And by no means did she want to make Landon feel uncomfortable or as though he were obligated to provide more than just coparenting assistance to her.

  No, she needed to keep her focus on what was important—the kids. So, from this point forward, she would no longer fixate on Landon, kiss or grope him. And she’d be extra careful not to fuel any inaccurate romance rumors.

  “There is absolutely nothing going on between me and Landon,” Katie stressed. “We’re just parenting together temporarily for the kids.”

  “Well, whatever Landon’s reasons,” Poppy said, “he’s a great guy.”

  “Yeah.” That, Katie definitely agreed with. “He’s the best.”

  A football whizzed by and smacked into Poppy’s elbow. Sallie Ann and Carrie jumped.

  “All right, this football game is over,” Poppy said, snatching up the football and heading for the parking lot. “Tommy and Teddy, get over here now.” She smiled over her shoulder at Katie. “My other four boys are yours for two hours.”

  “Four?” Katie asked, cringing as four of the loudest boys from the football game ran inside the school.

  “And our little girls,” Sallie Ann said, patting Katie’s arm as she and Carrie walked away.

  After they left, Katie walked toward the school entrance. The chatter and laughter of kids grew stronger with every step, and that 90 percent certainty she’d had earlier about being able to handle them dwindled down to something closer to 10 percent.

  * * *

  “If you look at your watch one more time, I’m going to kick you out of my café.”

  Landon, seated at a bar stool, tore his gaze away from his wristwatch and glanced up. He made a face at Amber, who stood on the other side of the bar. “You’d do that to your own brother?”