“All right. Do you want to know where I found your keys before losing them again?”
“I want to know how you had them in the first place. Are you a kleptomaniac and stole them from my purse?”
“Uh…”
“You did. How you live up to your surname, you outlaw, you.” She chuckled. Oh, but she loved him.
“I didn’t steal them from your purse. Talk to you when you get here. I miss you.”
“Me too… Okay, smart aleck. Hold on. Where did you find them?”
“Aunt Karis, are we almost there? It’s hot.”
She peeked back. “Yeah. Thirty more minutes. Tanyon’s having a barbeque. Drink some more water.”
“Good, I’m hungry. Can we roast marshmallows? We have a secret.”
She lifted her finger. “Maybe. Hold on a minute, Austin. All right, where did you find my keys?”
“My dad found them in the driveway the morning after we almost had sex against my truck.”
Her cheeks warmed, adding to the heat from sweating. “You got a kick out of saying that, didn’t you? I need to fan myself. Love you.”
∞∞∞
“Wake up, kids. We’re almost there.” Karis drove onto the road leading to the ranch road. The place was void of people but not the barbeque setup with canopies and long tables, stacked chairs, lawn chairs and chaises. Tanyon came out the front door. Max and Brielle trailed behind him. Tanyon opened the back door on the passenger side. “Welcome back, Austin and Mia. Wow, you two have grown in a couple weeks. You look hot.”
Austin jumped out first, nodding to Max. “Aunt Karis said you have big marshmallows.”
Brielle giggled. “Hi, kids.”
“She’s right, my boy. Come on, you two. Let me get you something cold to drink.” Max clasped their hands and they disappeared into the house.
Max wore a tough demeanor around most people. However, he was as gentle as a teddy-bear with the kids unless he caught his daughter in the barn with a cowboy. Tanyon came to her side when she stepped out. He gave a sweet smile as his gaze rolled over her from the feet up. “You look hot too.”
She pulled her tight jeans away from sticking to her sweaty body. “All right, don’t look at me like that. It’s too soon to show.”
“Uh-uh.” He gently pinched her cheek and patted her belly then brought her into an embrace. “I always look at you this way, but you don’t know it.”
“Mmm, you feel so good. I can’t believe I’m carrying a part of us inside of me. You’re right. It feels great to be here to share this with my baby daddy.”
Tanyon gave a low chuckle and lifted her chin. “It’s awesome. Are we telling everyone this weekend?”
Oh, no, she wasn’t up to everyone knowing yet. “I’d like to wait. I mean, it’s so soon. If you can’t wait, well, I hope you can.”
“I have a feeling they’ll be enough excitement this weekend, anyway. Are you ready to party? Wait. You don’t get sick, do you?”
Each morning upon rising from her bed nausea-free, she thanked her lucky stars. “Please, don’t remind me of morning sickness. Not yet. I hope I’m one of the lucky ones.”
“Have you told anyone?”
“Almost.” She smiled at how close she’d come to telling the kids and her best friend Katie Meacher. Katie, a tattoo artist, would want to tattoo it on her forehead if the nickel in the ink wouldn’t break her out. Karis hadn’t known her own strength at keeping her mouth shut. “Have you?”
He shook his head but then nodded.
“You did? Who?”
“I met Cade with Nadia in the barn. I saw it being me in a few years. Blast me if you will, but I couldn’t hold it in. He’s the only one who knows besides Uncle Max.”
The familiar smell of cattle blew in their direction, turning her stomach over. Goodness no, not the smell of what would soon be her home! She couldn’t stay away for the next few months. “If you couldn’t keep it quiet, what makes you think Cade can?”
“He will, but what’s the matter? Color drained from your face. Let’s get you out of the sun.”
Karis clapped her hand over her mouth and pointed to the fields. “Cattle. The smell. This can’t happen.”
“Blasted. Let’s get inside.”
She didn’t argue as he led her to the air conditioning and his bedroom. She sat on the bed. “Why did you tell your brother when we weren’t telling anyone?”
“Cade had told me Faith was pregnant before anyone else.” He leaned in to kiss her but lingered with his mouth close to hers before touching her lips. “Are you too ill for a kiss?”
She inhaled cool air. Holding her palm up she said, “Give me a minute.”
“Lie down. I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared into the bathroom while she closed her eyes and relaxed. Then a wet cloth covered her forehead. “Thank you.”
He placed a kiss against her cheek. “I’ll leave you alone a few minutes.”
“Don’t be gone long. Tell everyone I’m hot and tired from the trip…because your AC broke.”
“Sure.”
Karis had dozed off but the door opening woke her. She opened her eyes to find him standing over her.
“How you feeling? I covered for you. Want a drink of water?” He held out a glass.
Karis sat up to take a drink then set the glass on the table. She lay back against the pillow. “I’m better. I swear that’s the first time it happened. What if it always does here?”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to tell everyone. Max will fuss over you and blab before they figure it out if not.”
“Weren’t you going to kiss me earlier?”
“Yeah, dying to. It’s been two weeks.” He sat on the bed and removed the washcloth. With a slight tilt to his head, he leaned in close.
It sent chills over her when he hesitated without fulfilling the deed. Impatient for his kisses, she placed her hand against the back of his neck to draw him closer. “Come on. It’s been too long without your kisses.” Karis pressed her lips against his mouth and kissed him hungrily. She’d missed him like crazy. He returned it with a slow kiss, and his hand roamed over her breasts.
“Hey, you two.” Max called from outside the door. “Didn’t mean to disturb you. Can’t you two wait for crissakes?”
Their lips parted. “Sorry.” Tanyon strode to the door to yank it open. “Keep it to yourself, but she got sick. It’s not a damn quickie.”
Max held the door from closing. “The kids are hungry. Can they have tacos?”
Karis sat on the edge of the bed a few seconds before getting up and going to the door. “They can if they want. You know, Mia likes helping in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to ask her.”
Max balled the end of his apron up into his fist. “Nadia too. I’ll have them in there making cookie dough with me. Someone has to learn the family recipe. Mia and Nadia will be the first.”
“Remember,” Karis said. “Austin likes eating better then helping. Need my help?”
Max shoved Tanyon out of the way and slid his arm around her shoulder. He glanced at them with a smile. “I couldn’t be happier for you two. It took long enough. You both wear your happiness on the outside.”
“It took you smacking us both in the face with the truth, Uncle Max, but the baby is only half the news. Deal with it. You don’t know everything around here.” Tanyon held his arm out for Karis. “Ready, honey?”
Max smirked. “Wanna bet? Go look in the supply room.”
“What have you done now?” They headed downstairs and into the pantry with Max on their heels. Two wedding magazines were opened on a table surrounded by big jars of dill pickles.
Karis gasped and frowned at Tanyon. “You told him we’re getting married?”
“I didn’t tell Max or anyone. As far as I know, my horse doesn’t talk.”
“Nobody told me.” Max shoved his pointy index finger at Karis. “I know the both of you pretty well to figure out your next step. I see I’m not wrong.” H
e left the room laughing.
Tanyon shot a glare over his shoulder. “We need to talk in a minute, Uncle Max.”
Karis’s mouth watered when she eyed the jar of pickles. She licked her lips, thinking of the pucker they’d cause.
Tanyon’s gaze ventured toward the gallon jug. He laughed heartily. “Want me to sneak in the ice cream?”
She shoved his arm. “I’m not having a craving, but those pickles are calling to me.”
He put his arms around her from behind, his hands resting against her belly. “It’s a craving. I’m excited to tackle this new venture in our lives.”
“The night I drove onto this ranch in May, I was too scared to imagine this day would happen. We’ll be parents by next spring.”
“You don’t know it, but the night you arrived, it was me in Fox’s truck driving in after you. You were pulled off inside the gate. With your hesitation at driving up, I figured you’d change your mind and turn around. My heart pounded to see you had arrived after all, but I had a hardened anger toward you. Seeing you there had made my world okay against my will. I had no idea how to handle you or myself.” He gulped and pressed his head against hers. “I’m glad you came back. I put you in the room next to me on purpose.”
Her heart swelled at his revelations. “Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t let me leave.” She squeezed his arms tighter around her. “I had to try in person one last time since you wouldn’t answer my calls. You hurt me by not coming to me, albeit I understood why.” She held back a flood of tears. Her throat constricted at remembering his angry facial expressions when she had arrived in May. Now, his gaze held love.
“I’m sorry. You needed me, and I wasn’t there. I read each text and email. Saved messages. Checked social media. I wanted to come but couldn’t take your rejection in person. I was a coward.”
Shifting to face him, she laid her head against his chest, surprised at yet another revelation. His warm hand wrapped around her neck. “You were there for me. It was I who made the mistake. I hid my dismay from you on purpose. I couldn’t think straight until it was too late. We don’t need to go back to those days. We’re together now.” She closed her eyes and sighed. Thankfully, their love for each other had won over. “You’re too strong of a man to be a coward. Can we get tacos? My belly is grumbling.”
He made no attempt to release her and instead kissed her forehead. “I love you.”
Standing here with him like this brought joy to her heart again. “I love you,” she whispered. “I don’t want to let you go, either, but I must use the bathroom. How’s that for ruining a moment? Let’s take the pickles.”
Tanyon picked up the jug. “We’ll take the pickles, darlin’.”
∞∞∞
That evening, Max had the grill in a safe spot with hoses nearby. His assistants attended to it while Max made paella from the police chief’s family recipe. They couldn’t have a campfire, but no one missed it. As the sun set into colors matching a pastel box of chalk, the aroma of barbequed ribs, burgers, hotdogs, and grilled chicken filled the air. His attorney Jenessa contributed her jalapeno cornbread. Karis helped prepare the sides, while Ronni followed Max’s recipe for making the sauce.
Max had decided at the last minute to make a cake. Karis eyed him suspiciously as he chased her out of the kitchen. She sat on the picnic table to call her mother who relaxed at home. “How you doing, Mom?”
“Surprisingly well. My blood pressure is still a bit high, but better. Who knew I needed a rest? Thank you for saving the kids. I’m so relieved they’re safe. How are they?”
“They’re having fun. Tanyon, Cade, and Dusty took them and Nadia and Brielle on a short trail ride.”
“Nadia and Brielle?”
“Remember, I mentioned Nadia is Cade’s daughter?”
“The brother who isn’t married.”
“He doesn’t need to be married to love his child, Mom. None of them are married. Brielle is Max’s teen daughter. He’s divorced.”
“Well, my goodness, aren’t there any women around there to raise the kids?”
Oh, no, this conversation wasn’t happening. “Nadia was here with her dad for the summer, but her mom dropped her off for this weekend. I’m glad to hear you’re doing better, but please, don’t overdo it now that you’re at home. Have you talked to Seth?”
Ava hesitated. “Yes. He…he told me he’s leaving the Army. Is he doing this because of me?”
Her mom had lowered her voice. Had she a visitor? “Seth is doing this because it’s time. You know how hard he took…” Karis paused. “How hard he took Rory’s death.”
Ava hesitated again. “I know, honey. How are you doing?”
Karis widened her eyes. Had her mom ever asked her before? Would she call her selfish when she told her the news? She had to tell her part of it. “I’m doing well. Uh… Tanyon asked me to marry him. I said yes.” She held her breath.
“He’s a good man. I’m glad.”
Karis released her breath. “Thank you. I love him, Mom.”
Ava cleared her throat. “Do you have a date set?”
“Not yet. He only asked a short time ago.”
“Surprises are always fun.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, nothing. I have to go. The teapot is hissing.”
“I’ll see you when we get back on Sunday night. I…I love you.”
“Bye, Karis.”
She held the phone against her chest. What surprises? Had Tanyon snitched? She went in to help carry food outside. Her stomach growled on the way back to the house, which was better than nausea. “Okay, little one… We’re both hungry again.” Talking to her baby had come as normal as breathing. As she walked across the yard, Tanyon and the kids rode in before the sun left the sky.
“Hi, Aunt Karis,” Mia called. “We had fun!” Austin and Brielle waved.
“Glad to hear.” She gazed at Tanyon as he lifted the kids down from their horses. Smiling, she strolled toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Pressing her body against his back hurt her tender breasts. “Can I have the first dance tonight?”
Suddenly, he swept her off her feet to kiss her—a wanting kiss—in front of all the employees and townsfolk who snaked in among the crowd. “You can have every dance. Let me go take a shower.” Tanyon lowered her to the ground, asking her with confidence, “Want to join me?”
An immediate rush of heat gushed over her. What fun! She sighed. “I don’t want the kids to wonder where I am. I’ll see to them getting washed.”
“Humph. So, this is how it’ll be when we have kids?”
She placed her hand on his cheek. “They do sleep, you know. However, we’d want to sleep.”
∞∞∞
She’d overeaten to the point of her belly protruding to the size of four months pregnant. She laughed at her exaggeration. Guests moseyed around the yard. Some played horseshoes. Parents’ watched the kids as they splashed in the small pool or took short rides in the corral on Rambling Joe—now retired from full-time work. Other guests sat chatting. Teens congregated around the campfire site. Country tunes came out of strategically placed speakers.
She eyed Brielle, who had talked endlessly over her stay in Nevada with her aunt. Tanyon’s friend Ray talked with Cade and the other brothers, but caught Tanyon’s attention before heading back to where his fully pregnant wife sat with ladies Karis hadn’t known. Tanyon had joined them for a quick chat.
The young man, Nick, who had spoken to the chief on Tanyon’s behalf, had accepted the invitation to the barbeque and arrived with his siblings and aunt. His brother and sister were almost old enough to work here part-time.
Max pulled his attention away from Nick’s aunt long enough to lay foil on the warm grill for the kids to roast marshmallows. They waited with roasting sticks filled with the sweet, gooey delight. Ronni and Brielle supervised the kids. She hoped Brielle had gotten over her infatuation with Logan since he was no longer around to distract her. Karis had mis
sed so much while she had been away—Nadia leaving, Brielle leaving and returning, school starting here… Yes, she enjoyed being back even if it was only for the weekend.
Music came on and guests settled in around the makeshift dance floor. Karis observed the happiness she loved being a part of. Tanyon had disappeared. A knot stuck in her throat to think Rory was gone and would never experience family fun.
Tanyon came through the crowd and placed his arm around her shoulder. “You look beautiful tonight in your pretty dress. Let’s dance.” He held her hand against his chest on the dance floor and couldn’t have held her tighter with his other pressed against her back. “Thinking of Rory?”
She replied in a quiet voice. “How’d you know?”
“You get a certain look on your face like you want to break out in tears. I’m sorry, honey.”
“I’m okay, but thank you.” She lifted her arms around his neck and smiled. “This is a fun party. Everyone is in good spirits.”
“Uh-huh. I wonder if they’ll remember this moment tomorrow.”
Karis pressed her cheek against his solid chest in a dress shirt. His scent tonight was unfamiliar—sexy and strong like him though. Nice. His heart pounded fast. “What moment?”
Tanyon dropped to his knee then brought out a ring from his pocket.
“What are you doing? Oh, wow.” She glanced at the crowd building near them.
He held up a rose-gold thick band with a large solitaire diamond. “Will you marry me?”
His dad and brothers whistled and hooted. Jesse slapped his hat against his knee. Ronni howled like a wolf! “That’s the way to do it, boy.”
Tanyon chuckled. “The man needs to stop calling me boy. Not long ago, Dad told me to tell the whole damn town I wasn’t available, and I told him I would one day. This is the day. Will you wear this ring to prove you aren’t available, either, Dr. Karis Hope Sutton?”
Now she knew why Max had kicked her out of the kitchen to make a cake. A tear ran over her cheek. She grasped his sweaty hand and pulled him up. “They don’t know you already asked me?”
Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1) Page 21
