Kade: Armed and Dangerous

by Cheyenne McCray

  “I drew it for Kelsey.” Trent’s grin broadened, obviously happy with his dad’s appreciation. “I can make you one, too.”

  “When you do, I’ll hang it on my wall.” Kade wrapped his arms around Trent and brought his son onto his lap.

  After giving his dad a quick hug, Trent wriggled free. “Can we get everything ready for tomorrow?”

  Kade nodded and ruffled his son’s hair. “Sure.”

  A lump formed in Kelsey’s throat as she observed the affection between father and son. What she wouldn’t give to have a son like Trent and the kind of relationship he had with his father.

  “We’re going fishing for my birthday.” Trent jumped up and down in front of Kelsey like a jack-in-the-box on an overdose of caffeine. “Wanna come? It’d be so cool if you’d go with us. Please?”

  She glanced at Kade and then back to Trent. “Sure, if it’s okay with everyone else.”

  “Fine by me,” Kade said.

  “All right.” Trent spun in circles, and Kelsey wondered how he managed to maintain his balance. “That’s so cool. I’m gonna go tell Grandma to pack a lunch for three.”

  As the boy dashed away, Kelsey’s stomach flipped. “Sadie and Chuck aren’t going?”

  Kade gave her his slow, sensual smile that sent tingles from her head to her toes. “Mom and Chuck have friends from out of town visiting for the day, so it’ll just be the three of us.”

  “Oh.” She tried to sound casual, not to let on that the prospect of spending the day with Kade, without Sadie and Chuck around, made her more than a little nervous.

  “We’ll have Trent to chaperone, if you’re worried about us being alone,” he said as he studied her.

  “I’m not worried.” She shook her head. “But will I be interfering? Did you intend for tomorrow to be a father/son day?”

  He smiled, his eyes warm and welcoming. “You’re not interfering. Trent wants you to come and so do I.”

  “Thanks.” She took a deep breath and smiled in return. “It sounds like fun.”

  Kade stood and looked down at her. “It’s about time for dinner. You coming?”

  “Sadie made lasagna.” Kelsey shut off her phone’s recording device, grabbed her notepad, and got to her feet. “Can your mother ever cook.”

  “You’ve got that right.” Kade patted his stomach. “I might have to start counting calories like my sister.”

  “Ha. You don’t have an ounce of fat anywhere on your body,” Kelsey retorted.

  He grinned. “I guess you’d know that now, wouldn’t you?”

  “Oh, God.” She hid her face with her notepad, trying to cover her furious blush. “That wasn’t what I meant, and you know it.” But yes, she knew for a fact that Kade was solid muscle. Everywhere.

  “Great dinner, Mom,” Kade said after he took the last bite of his third helping of lasagna.

  He loved watching Kelsey’s lips as she wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin. “It was wonderful,” she said. “And I loved the spicy dressing you made for the tossed salad.”

  “Glad you liked it.” The telephone rang just as Sadie spoke. “I’ll get the phone.” She pushed back her chair, and left the room.

  “How long will you be staying here, Kelsey?” Trent asked.

  She gave Kade’s son a warm smile. “My flight is scheduled to leave the eighteenth.”

  Trent took a drink of his apple juice, slurping it through a straw. Then he asked, “How many days is that?”

  “A little over two weeks away,” Kelsey replied.

  “Oh.” The boy cocked his head. “That’s not very long, is it?”

  She stood and started gathering dirty dishes to take to the sink. “Fifteen days.”

  “Kade.” His mother appeared in the doorway holding the phone. “It’s your sister.”

  “All right.” Kade stood, took the phone from Sadie, and headed into the study. “Hi, Sis.”

  “Hey there, big bro,” Dara replied. “So, Mom tells me there’s a woman staying with you all at the ranch.”

  Knowing what was coming next, he stared at the ceiling. “Yeah.”

  “Mom says Kelsey is intelligent, attractive, and nice, and Trent really likes her.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Uh-huh.”

  “And Mom says you have the hots for this woman.”

  Well, hell. Kade shook his head. “Can’t believe everything you hear.”

  Dara giggled and he could picture her impish grin. “Mr. Confirmed Bachelor is having second thoughts, isn’t he?”

  Kade glanced through the door and saw Kelsey talking with Trent. He liked how she crouched down to his son’s level so that they were eye to eye when they talked, and she focused on him like he was the only person in the room.

  “Don’t get carried away,” he said.

  “Ha.” Dara laughed, and then lowered her voice as if someone might overhear. “So, tell me, have you laid one on her yet? A big of smack?”

  “Never kiss and tell,” Kade said, still watching Kelsey talking with Trent. “Did you just want to bug me or do you have anything else to say?”

  “Nah, just wanted to gloat.” Dara laughed. “Gotta get the twins to bed. Give Trent a kiss for me, and love to Dad.”

  After he said his good-byes and sent his love to his niece and nephew, Kade punched the off button and set the phone into its cradle. He sauntered into the kitchen to where Kelsey was chatting with Trent. She was sitting in a chair now, her back to Kade.

  “Yeah, Dad takes me fishing lots,” Trent was saying. “He always does stuff with me, like playing catch, and games and trucks.” Kade stood behind Kelsey, breathing in her incredible scent. He wanted to run his hands in her honey-blond hair, to feel the silken strands sliding through his fingers.

  She stiffened and turned to look up at him. “Kade.”

  “Don’t let me interrupt.” He grabbed the back of Kelsey’s chair and leaned forward. He sensed the tension in her as if his presence unnerved her.

  Trent flipped his hair out of his eyes. “I was telling Kelsey what a cool dad you are and how you’re always doing stuff with me. You’re lots cooler than Bobbie’s dad.”

  “Is that so?” Kade released the chair and walked around Kelsey to ruffle his son’s hair. He could feel the difference in her as soon as he moved, as audible as a sigh.

  “Yup.” Trent gave an enthusiastic nod.

  Kade crouched beside his son. “I was just on the phone with your aunt Dara. She said to give you a big ol’ smack on the cheek for her.”

  Trent screwed up his face. “Ewwwww.”

  Kade laughed. “How about a bear hug? And we’ll just tell her that I gave you a kiss.”

  “Okay.” Trent threw his arms around his dad and squeezed him tight.

  God, being hugged by his son was one of the greatest feelings on earth. Trent smelled of dirt, sweat, and dog, and Kade couldn’t imagine anything better.

  When Trent pulled away, Kade said, “It’s bedtime and we need to get up early to go fishing. You’d better take your bath and brush your teeth. And don’t forget to wash your face.”

  Trent groaned and pouted. “Aw, Daaaaad. I wanna play a video game.”

  “No.” Kade stood and forced himself to look stern. “In the bathroom. Pronto.”

  “But—”

  “Now.”

  Trent glared at Kade, stomped off to the bathroom, and shut the door. Hard.

  Smiling, Kelsey got to her feet. “I’d better get to bed before I get into trouble.”

  He caught her wrist and pulled her close to him. “If you’re not good, I might have to turn you over my knee.”

  “Just try it, cowboy,” Kelsey murmured, but her cheeks turned red and he was sure she was imagining him following through with his threat.

  Damn, she’s cute.

  He held back a grin as she dodged past him and escaped into her room.

  Chapter 10

  “Dad Dad Dad Dad.” Trent’s voice shattered Kade’s sleep. “Wake up, Dad. It’s my bir
thday. Wake uuuuup.”

  Kade pretended to remain asleep as Trent shook him. Finally, he opened one eye. “Son, are you sure today’s your birthday? I could swear—”

  “Daaaaad. It’s July fourth, my birthday, and you promised to take me to the lake today, remember?” Trent jumped on the bed and bounced on Kade’s chest, the boy’s brown hair flying in all directions. “Come oooon, Dad. Get uuuuup.”

  Kade glanced at the clock. “It’s barely five. Don’t you think that’s a little early? Why don’t we just go back to bed?”

  Trent rolled his eyes and bounced on his dad. “Come on, come on, come on. You promised to take me fishing. You promised.” “Oh, yeah?” Kade tickled Trent in his most ticklish spots until the boy squealed with laughter, flopping around like a fish out of water.

  Trent squirmed out of Kade’s reach, tumbled off the bed, and Kade shot out the door. “Kelsey Kelsey Kelsey Keeelseeeyyy. It’s time to go fishing.” He opened her door and darted in.

  Kade raised an eyebrow. After the first night, he figured she’d kept her door locked to keep him out. Not that he’d invite himself in. She’d have to do the inviting.

  “Happy birthday.” Kelsey’s sleepy voice came from her room, and then Trent was pulling her through the door. Kade saw she wore the same pink T-shirt and shorts he’d seen her in at the hotel.

  “Good mornin’,” Kade said, noting all her sensual curves that the clothes couldn’t hide.

  “Too early to tell.” She ruffled Trent’s hair. “Hey, Taz, how about a shower first?”

  “You look great.” He shook his head under her hand. “Just go like that. Come on.”

  Kade caressed her with his gaze. “You look beautiful.”

  Kelsey blushed, and Trent said, “How come you’re turning all red?”

  “Never mind. Give me ten minutes to shower.” Kelsey ducked back into her room.

  Once everyone was ready and the truck loaded, the trio headed to Parker Lake in the Huachuca Mountains, the sun barely rising over the horizon.

  The night before, Sadie had packed a picnic basket brimming with ham and cheese sandwiches for Kelsey and Kade, peanut butter and jelly for Trent, and large slices of her Polish coffee cake. Kade had loaded the fishing poles and tackle. They made good time, and when they arrived, found they had the lake to themselves for a while.

  After they’d caught a stringer full of fish, and Trent had broken his line for the third time, Kade sat down to re-string the line. Kelsey settled next to him on the picnic blanket and wrapped her arms around her bare knees.

  Pink. She always wears pink, and it suits her, he thought. She wore a button-up shirt and blue shorts, showing off her long legs. A thick scar ran along her upper thigh, partially hidden by her shorts.

  She inhaled and turned her face to the sky. “Mmmm, it smells wonderful out here. I love the fragrance of pine and fresh mountain air.”

  He forced himself to look away to check on his son, who was busy skipping stones across the lake, surely scaring all the fish away. But what the heck. The kid was having fun and it was his birthday.

  Trent was a strong swimmer, and he knew the rules about not entering the lake without an adult, but Kade didn’t want to take chances. He started re-stringing Trent’s line, glancing at the boy every now and then as he and Kelsey talked.

  “You’ve done a wonderful job as a single dad,” Kelsey said as she watched his son.

  “He’s one hell of a kid.” Kade smiled. “I’ve always worried about him not having a mom around, but he seems to be doing great.”

  “That must have been difficult, to lose somebody you loved when you were so young.” Her voice was soft and thoughtful.

  Kade didn’t know what possessed him. He never discussed Lorraine, but talking with Kelsey was easy. Natural.

  He shrugged and said, “It was sad, but sadder yet that it was her own damn fault. She was drunk and almost took other lives along with her.”

  Kelsey put her hand on his arm, concern in her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me this.”

  “It’s all right.” Kade took a deep breath and rubbed at his neck, releasing tension in his muscles. “Thank God, Trent and those other folks lived. It’s a real shame Lorraine died, but what’s done is done.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Kelsey squeezed Kade’s arm, and to his surprise, he could see tears glittering in her eyes. His throat tightened, and he regretted spilling his guts.

  “There’s nothing to be sorry for,” he said softly. “I have Trent, and he means the world to me.”

  He decided he’d better change the subject. “Have you gone fishing before?”

  “Years and years ago.”

  Kade glanced from Trent to Kelsey and saw a haunted look in her eyes.

  “With my sister, mother, and even my father.” Her voice was as distant as her gaze. “We loved to go.”

  “Where do your folks live now?”

  Kelsey was silent, and then she said, “They all died five years ago.” Her voice caught. “I keep thinking I’ll get over it, but not a day goes by that I don’t miss Mother and Naya. That I... that I don’t wonder why I survived the plane crash, and they didn’t. Why wasn’t it me instead of them?”

  “I’m sorry, honey.” Kade set the fishing pole down, put his arm around Kelsey, and brought her close, holding her head against his chest. Ice chilled his veins at the thought of her being in such a tragic accident, and the knowledge that she could’ve died.

  As he stroked her hair, he breathed in her scent of honeysuckle and sunshine, and felt her tears through his shirt. He watched Trent as he rocked Kelsey, thankful that his son had survived the collision that had taken Lorraine but wishing Kelsey’s family had been as fortunate as his son.

  “I’m sorry for crying all over you.” She tried to pull away, but he held on to her, and she relaxed against him again.

  It all made sense. “That’s why you’re afraid to fly.”

  “Especially small planes.” She sounded like in a way she was exorcising her demons as she spoke. “I’ll never go in one again. The charter we’d taken on a sightseeing tour lost power and slammed onto the runway. I can still smell the smoke... and feel the flames... and hear the screams.”

  She turned her tear-streaked face to Kade. “I still don’t understand why they died and I lived. Why I walked away with only this scar.” She rubbed her leg as if trying to scrub away the memories of the accident.

  He kissed her forehead and glanced at his son playing at the water’s edge. “You were meant to survive. Like Trent. I’m sure your family would want you to live. To get on with your life.”

  “I know you’re right, but it’s so hard.” She was quiet, as if searching through her feelings, trying to understand the reality she had to face when everything was over.

  When she finally spoke, her voice was soft and full of regret. “That’s why I fell into a relationship with Davis. Why he fooled me so well.” She sighed and shook her head. “I put up with his abuse for so long because I was too devastated to lose again. In truth I was stupid not to realize that leaving Davis would be the best thing I could do to get on with living.”

  Kade hooked a finger under her chin with one hand and wiped away her tears with his other hand. “You’re not stupid, Kelsey. You’re intelligent and beautiful. It sounds like this bastard took advantage of you at a fragile time in your life. And if I meet the SOB, I’d like to make him pay.”

  The corner of her mouth twitched. “I can just picture you, dressed in white and riding to my rescue.”

  “I wear mostly blue.” Kade gave a gentle smile. But that smile faded as he searched her eyes and the next question came to his lips. “Did he hit you?”

  Kelsey stiffened and looked away. “Davis punched with words. He knew exactly how to rip me to shreds without laying a finger on me.” A shuddering sigh rolled over her. “He attempted to control every aspect of my life. I was an idiot to not come to my senses sooner.”

  It was an effort for Kade t
o control the anger burning in him. He swore under his breath and pulled her closer. “So help me, that bastard better never stray across my path.”

  “Why did I just tell you my life story?” She drew away and met his gaze. “Why do I trust you?”

  He brushed his lips across her hair, breathing her scent. So beautiful, so sensual, so sweet.

  “What do you want from me?” Kelsey’s voice had a slight tremble to it, saying more than her words, telling him of her fear of loss and betrayal. Her fear of repeating past mistakes.

  Kade ran his thumb over her forearm, to the inside of her elbow and back, feeling the softness of her skin against his calluses. “What do I want from you? Nothing. Everything. Whatever you’ll give me.”

  Kelsey caught her breath as his words gripped her heart. Nothing. Everything. Whatever you’ll give me.

  Trent darted up from the lake. “Is my line fixed, Dad? I want to catch more fish.”

  Kade squeezed her hand, sending dangerous sensations through her belly. He scooped up Trent’s fishing pole and stood. “Hold your horses, kiddo.”

  ***

  The moment Kade left, Kelsey felt alone. Like a part of her was missing. His scent had been so intoxicating, his touch so sensual, surrounding her with his masculinity. She’d bared her soul, and just by telling him she felt lighter, as though she truly were alive again.

  But did she dare trust him with her heart?

  As she watched Kade with Trent, she couldn’t believe that voice inside her that said all men were like Davis and her father. She couldn’t believe Kade would intentionally hurt anyone.

  She watched as Kade cast Trent’s line, then worked with his son with such patience. Why did she feel like she could talk to him so easily? Perhaps it was the day. The intimacy of spending time together with just the three of them. Yet they’d probably spent a good hour chatting yesterday, long after the interview had ended.

  While he settled Trent on a log to wait for fish to nibble, she took the opportunity to study Kade. His blue shirt accented his vivid blue eyes, and when he laughed at something his son said, that adorable dimple appeared in his cheek. Jeans molded his muscular thighs, and even though he was a big man, tall and muscled, his movements were as fluid as a mountain lion’s.