by Tara Lain
His father yelled, “Simon, that was a dumbass stunt.”
Rand leaped off his horse and landed beside the boy in two steps. He held up a hand to Mr. Axelrod, then looked down at Simon. “Take it easy. Don’t try to move yet.” He pressed the kid down onto the relative softness of the bushes. Leaning over him, he smiled and brought a finger in front of his open eyes. “Follow this.”
Simon did it with no complaint.
Rand gently lifted his arms one at a time. “Any pain?”
“No.”
“What hurts?”
“My ass and my head.”
Ass probably okay. Head? Maybe not. “Okay, I’m going to sit you up slowly.” He put an arm under Simon’s shoulders, cradled his head with the opposite hand, and lifted. “Any pain?”
“No.”
“How’s your back?”
“Feels pretty good.”
“Dizzy?”
“No.”
Carefully, he took off the helmet. He glanced up and caught Kai staring at him with wide eyes and slightly parted lips. For a second that was the only sight he wanted to see. Get on with it. He ran a hand through Simon’s brown hair. “Sore spots?”
“Nah.” Cockiness returning.
“Then be damned glad you had on that helmet. Otherwise you might be on your way to the hospital instead of back to the beach.”
Simon sighed and shrugged.
The mom sounded a little hysterical. “You’re sure he’s okay?”
Kai held up his cell phone. “I’ve called the hotel physician to come and check him out before we move him just to be sure.”
“Good.” She dropped to her knees beside her son. “Like your father said, that was very stupid, and after Rand warned you about accidents on horses. We won’t be doing any further trail rides.”
The young girl whined, “Mom! You promised I could learn to ride.”
“I’m sorry dear, but you can’t take trail rides on your own, and Simon is grounded.”
“Can’t I have private lessons?” She looked eagerly at Kai.
“Uh, we don’t exactly offer that service, miss.” His eyes crept to Rand, and Molly spun around and stared at him.
Rand laughed. “Well, if Kai can provide the mounts, I can probably sneak in a lesson or two.” He nodded at Mrs. Axelrod. “I own a riding stable and teach lessons back in California.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful. We’ll pay whatever you ask. Molly’s been looking forward to the horses.”
“Well, I love horses, so I don’t mind spending a little time around them on my vacation.”
She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Vacation? Oh no, I didn’t realize—”
“It’s perfectly fine. I’m happy to do it. The stables can set the rate.” He looked up. Kai’s eyes shone glassy. “If that’s okay with you.”
Kai snapped his head. “Oh. Yes, of course. We’d be glad to provide Molly a lesson or two.”
The doctor pulled up nearby in the hotel van and in minutes was checking over Simon. As expected, the kid escaped unscathed—except for a slightly bruised butt. Rounding up the Axelrods, the doctor herded them toward the van. Mrs. Axelrod waved back. “Kai, we’ll call about the timing of Molly’s lessons.”
Kai nodded but looked toward Rand. “You sure you want to do that? Work on your very expensive vacation?”
“Sure. I love horses.” Of course, horses had little to do with it.
Kai tied the reins of two of the extra horses to his own saddle. A few steps away, Rand did the same. Take a deep breath, man. He couldn’t stop shaking. If that kid had been hurt bad, waiver or not, the stable could have been in deep shit. Rand. He could practically feel Rand’s gentle hands, touching, comforting. Why do I feel like bawling? That was it. He wanted to curl in a ball on the ground and cry for just one touch like that. You’re losing it, brah. He shook himself like a dog in the water. But he couldn’t stop looking at those capable, expert hands. Man, I should stay away from this dude.
Rand mounted Misty and leaned on his saddle horn. “This’ll be a slow ride back.”
“I can call one of the other guys to come take them back with me if you need to be somewhere. No problem.”
Rand touched his hat brim. “Nah. It’s a pleasure. I need to be somewhere this afternoon, but we should have time.”
Kai’s breath slipped out real quiet. He dragged his eyes back to the trail. Rand looks like some kind of movie star in that saddle. Big and powerful, but gentle. Yeah, keep him on the silver screen, asshole. He clucked at April and started leading his train of horses back the way they came. Rand pulled up beside him, which would work for most of the trail. Better if I could think of something to say.
“So I hear you live with your family.”
Shit! “Uh, who told you that?”
“Um, not sure. One of your female admirers.” He glanced over and grinned.
“Kind of. My dad’s never been in the picture. Just my mom and my brother and sister.”
“Oh, sorry. Bet they’re glad to have you to help them out.”
“Yeah. They are.” Change the fucking subject fast. “So tell me about your ranch.”
“It’s not much.”
Kai frowned and looked over, but Rand seemed totally sincere. Not snarky. He kind of gazed off with a little smile. Okay.
Rand pulled his Stetson a little lower. “I don’t come from cowboy roots. My dad’s a big lawyer and my mom’s a stockbroker. But like most kids, I wanted to be a cowboy. I just never gave it up.” He laughed.
“That must have frosted your folks.”
“Funny. They were good about it even though everything I ever wanted was, like, one-eighty from their whole world. I majored in animal husbandry. Worked on farms and ranches to learn the business, and then, thanks to some skill I got from my mom, I invested my little stock earnings in this small ranch outside of Chico.” He shrugged. “I take in guests who dream about the west and teach riding and raise a small number of horses for placement with private buyers, mostly. Like I said, small time wannabe cowboy.” Rand’s eyes glowed.
“But you love it.”
“Yeah, I do. It’s a simple life but certainly not a hard one. Not like working on a ranch for real.”
Kai shook his head. “I don’t cowboy full-time. I make more money doing other stuff, and I need to, uh, help support my family.”
“Other stuff like trail rides?”
“Yeah. The hotel’s one of the only employers in Hana. They pay us pretty well.”
“You should add riding lessons to your services.”
“None of us really have the skills. I’ll watch what you do.”
“How old are your brother and sister?”
“My sister’s twelve. Brother’s ten.”
Rand glanced over. “Big age difference. It must be like having kids of your own.”
More than he knew. “Different fathers.”
“I’ll bet they ride like experts.”
“No. My dad was the paniolo. I didn’t know him well, but having the blood inspired me. They’ve never learned.” Among other things.
“Hey, you should bring them over for Molly’s lessons. Bet she’d enjoy it, and they might too.”
Man, he hated asking the kids to lie to any more people than they already did, but they needed a life too, and they’d love riding with somebody like Rand. Hell, it was almost Christmas. “Yeah. That could be okay.”
They rode quietly. Funny, he didn’t feel he had to make stupid chatter like he did with most haoles. Rand was restful—sort of.
“So is Audrey your girlfriend?”
Whoa. Take it all back! This dude could sneak the hell up on you. “She’s a friend. She’s a girl.” He flashed a grin at Rand.
“Cagey.” He grinned back, and it attacked Kai’s brain.
“What about you? That girl, what’s her name?”
“Julie?”
“Yeah. She your girl?”
“Just met her.”
&nb
sp; “You looking for a nice hostess for your B&B?” He swallowed hard.
Rand blew out a breath that rustled the sandy hair that fell on his forehead. “My mom desperately wants me to get married. She wants grandchildren, and she doesn’t care if I’m only twenty-six. As far as she’s concerned, every year is a wasted grandkid.” He shook his head. “I throw her a bone. Julie’s the kind of girl she likes.”
“Man, that’s hard. So you’re not looking to get married?”
“Nope. Don’t much care if it ever happens.”
Kai fought a smile. “Why’s that?”
“Have a good life.” Rand gazed out at the ocean.
“That’s great.” Isn’t it?
Chapter Six
Rand allowed Misty to come to a stop on the edge of the path looking out over the beach. He chuckled. “She seems to like this spot. Wants to take it in.”
Kai huffed. “He’s just lazy. Pretends she’s meditating.”
“I wouldn’t mind a minute of sun before I go back to the parental units.”
“Sure.” Kai dismounted. Everything about him redefined masculinity—the graceful but still sexy way he moved; his muscles that flowed rather than bunched.
Rand slid out of his saddle and dropped the reins to let Misty and the horses behind him gnaw on a little grass. He sauntered toward the sand and dropped down to his butt where the rough verge met the beginning of beach. He grabbed a stalk from the bushy growth and stuck it between his teeth. Made him think of Danny.
Kai wandered over aimlessly and dropped down nearby.
Gnaw, gnaw. The horses munched quietly, like the question turning over in Rand’s mind. “So why don’t you get married? Wouldn’t having a wife help out your mom?”
Hmm. Did Kai tense at the question? “To be honest, I’ve got enough family to take care of.” He tossed a handful of grass onto the sand.
“May I ask how old you are?”
More tensing? That should be an easy one. “Uh, twenty-three.” He glanced over. “You said you’re twenty-six, right?”
“Yeah. Just wait. A couple more years and nobody’ll let you live the way you want anymore. They all gang up on you because you’re getting old and you haven’t fallen in line with society’s expectations yet.” He laughed. Didn’t sound too funny. “Sorry. That might have been a bit more bitter than I intended.”
Kai laughed. “Was going to point that out.” Silence. Fairly comfortable. “So what kind of life would you lead if you had your choice? I mean, you said you’re happy. Anything you’d change?” Kai flashed those white teeth. “I have to take notes so I’m ready.”
Rand slowly released a column of air. What did he dare say? “I’d like to have someone to share things with.”
“Hey, aren’t you the one who said he didn’t want to get married?”
“I know. Weird, isn’t it? But it’s like one of those puzzle blocks. You twist and twist and get it almost there, but to finish the puzzle, you have to change something big, and that could fuck up the whole thing.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Quiet.
Rand looked up. Kai gazed at him with those dark, shiny eyes. “Yeah, well, we better get these horses back or you’ll be late for your date.”
“Not a date.”
“Oh really?”
Kai wheeled his ancient truck into the school parking lot so fast he could only be glad he knew all the local cops. Late again. Lani sat in her long-suffering, patient way on the steps while Aliki raced around the parking lot, leaping at tree branches. At least they were in the same school, or his timing would be even more fucktastic.
He leaned over and opened the passenger door. Both kids crawled in, with Lani in the middle so Kai didn’t have to suffer Aliki’s squirming. Of course, he did have to suffer Lani’s unspoken accusations. His twelve-year-old mother. Would they like riding lessons with Rand? Hell, who wouldn’t? He cleared his throat and pulled the truck out of the parking lot onto the long and winding road. “Have we got anything in the house for dinner?”
Aliki threw himself against the back of the seat. “KFC!”
“I meant actual food.”
“Auntie bought a few things at the store yesterday.” Lani glanced at him. “You okay?”
“Sure. Why?”
“You’re smiling.”
“I smile sometimes.” He fought the grin.
“Oh? When?” But her dimples popped a little. She should talk about smiling. Sad a kid had to be so serious at twelve. He oughta know.
“Actually, I’ve got a little surprise.” The terrain beside the road got more and more rural as he drove toward Kaupo.
Aliki about leaped over Lani’s head. “What? Tell me. Tell me.”
“How would you both like to learn to ride a horse?”
Aliki’s huge brown eyes bugged. “Are you serious, brah? Ride a horse?”
Kai flashed him a frown. “I’m not your brah.”
His snarky grin ate his face, but he nodded in mock humility. “Excuse me, kaikua’ana.”
Some parent role model he was. At least he could get the kid to say brother properly. “Better. And yes, would you like a riding lesson or two?”
“Yes!” He pumped the air.
“What about you, Lani?”
She glanced at him sideways. “You’re finally going to teach us?”
“No. I’ve told you, I’m no teacher.” That’s what his mother and stepfather always told him—right before they smacked his face. “But I met a guy who is a riding teacher, and he’s going to give some lessons to a girl named Molly who’s staying at the hotel. He suggested you two might want to join in.”
Aliki screwed up his face. “We’re going to ride with a tourist? Ew.”
“Excuse me, sir, but tourists pay for the food we eat and the rent we pay, so let’s not disrespect them, okay?”
“Okay. But what if she’s a crappy rider? What then? Do we have to wait for her?”
“What if you’re a crappy rider? And don’t say crappy.”
Lani gazed out the windshield. “Who’s the teacher?”
Aliki leaned out and looked around her. “Yeah. You’re the cowboy. How come we have to learn from some fancy riding teacher guy?”
“He’s a cowboy too.”
“A paniolo?” Lani gave him that direct stare.
“No. He’s a mainland cowboy.”
“Wow. Like Texas?” Only the seatbelt kept Aliki from flying out of the truck.
“No. California.”
Lani gazed at him. “How did you meet him?”
Man, she did dive to the heart of the matter. “Uh, he’s staying at the hotel too. He came on a trail ride.” How’s that for skirting every known issue?
“When are we doing this?”
“Tomorrow. After school, okay?”
“No school tomorrow. Christmas vacation.”
“Oh right. Even better.”
He turned left off the highway, which no longer qualified as more than a narrow, paved path, and onto a dirt side road. After a few twists and turns, he pulled up in front of their house. House was a bigger overstatement than highway. A few steps up from a shack, the place held together on willpower and a lot of repairs by him. But it had three bedrooms, so it gave the illusion they needed, and he couldn’t afford a three-bed place that was much nicer.
The kids piled out and ran to the front door. When Aliki opened it, he automatically called out loud enough for the few neighbors to hear, “Mama, I’m home.” Training.
Lani walked more slowly inside, the burdens of her life resting on her thin shoulders.
Kai followed.
Inside, Aliki took one look at the few packages tucked under the small Christmas tree, then ran to their shared room, the largest in the house. Kai had separated the room with a double curtain, flowers and unicorns on one side and Batman and Transformers on the other. Yes, Lani might be too old for unicorns now, but she hadn’t complained. She almost never did.
Kai glanced
in as Lani shuttled to the side of the room farthest from the door and closest to the windows—always neat. Of course, she had to pass by Aliki’s half—not so much in the neat department.
Kai patted the door. “Aliki, put away your Legos if you’re not playing with them. You guys start on your homework while I get some food together, okay?”
“But we’ve got Christmas break!” Aliki hurled himself on the bed.
“And you don’t have homework?”
“Some.”
“So do it now, and then you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your riding lessons.”
“O-kay.” Long suffering sigh from Aliki—but he seemed excited about the lessons. At least he’d get something special for the holidays. Kai couldn’t afford many gifts.
Kai walked to his bedroom on the far side of the “master suite.” Soon he’d have to figure out a way for Lani to use it, at least for sleeping and her private girlie stuff. Hell, at twelve she didn’t need a ten-year-old brother involved in every minute of her life. She’d start dating and—oh crap. He flopped on his single bed and pulled off his boots. How could he raise a teenage girl?
He blew out his breath. Same answer as always. Just like he raised a preteen girl and a wild and crazy boy. One fucking day at a time. He’d gotten them this far. Somehow, he’d keep doing it.
Slipping on his flip-flops, he headed for the kitchen.
A half hour later, Kai was finishing up a salad and some spinach and cheese omelets when Lani walked out, set some papers on the small table they used for eating, school projects, and everything else, then came over to get plates and silverware to set the table.
Kai looked up. “What’s that?”
She frowned. “Aliki’s got a new teacher.”
“This late in the year?”
“Yeah, his other teacher moved away, I guess. So this one wants to meet his mother—of course.”
“You explained?”
The frown deepened. She hated lying so much, it made Kai’s stomach ache. “Of course. I said she was too infirm to come to school, but my brother would come instead.”
