by Beau Brown
Tex held his hands up. “Whatever you say, boss.”
Jake turned and walked into the barn and I stared after him confused. He seemed like he couldn’t stand me or Avery, but now he was volunteering to take us on a tour of the ranch? When he returned, he had his shirt on.
“Follow me.” He brushed past me.
I gave Tex a puzzled glance and he shrugged. I lifted Avery into my arms and strode after Jake, breathing hard from carrying the little boy. It was impossible to keep up with Jake and eventually I put Avery on the ground and gave up even trying. Instead I focused on Avery and I talked with him softly, pointing out the tangled zinnias and verbena along the path.
Jake was about twenty feet ahead of us and he stopped when he noticed we were dawdling. “Come on. Come on. I don’t have all day.”
I scowled. “This is supposed to be enjoyable for Avery. We’re not in the army.”
He gave a long, weary sigh. “I thought you were here to help me.”
“Yeah. I’m here to help you by taking care of Avery.” I glanced back the way we’d come. “Go back to work. I can find my way back.”
“You don’t know where the lake is.”
“I assume it’s along this path?” I gave a dry laugh. “I can find the lake now that I know it exists. Go back to your painting. Me and Avery will have a nice, relaxing stroll.”
“Papa, come to the lake with us.” Avery clapped his hands.
“I can’t.”
Avery’s mouth turned down in a pout.
Jake walked back toward us. “Are you sure you can find your way back?”
“Yes.”
He bit his lip. “The sun will be down in a couple of hours.”
“We won’t stay too long.”
“Fine.” He surprised me when he reached out and ruffled his son’s hair. He looked up and caught me watching him and he clenched his jaw. “Don’t make me come looking for you two.”
He strode away with his shoulders stiff and unyielding.
Chapter Two
Jake
“Mind if I wash my hands in the house?” Tex asked, avoiding my gaze.
“Something wrong with the hose?” I knew what he was up to. He’d made it plenty obvious earlier that he found the new manny attractive. I couldn’t really blame him, he was an alpha after all, and when a good looking omega came around they were hard to ignore. To be honest, I’d felt a punch of attraction myself when I’d first laid eyes on Hunter. But I wasn’t looking for romance, and Hunter didn’t strike me as the kind of omega who fucked around.
“I can’t get paint off with hose water, boss.” Tex lifted one brow.
“Come on.” I shook my head and led the way to the main house.
When we walked inside, the tantalizing scent of roasting meat filled my nostrils. Hunter was bent over, peering into the oven with a line between his eyes. He jumped a little when we closed the door behind us, and he looked over.
“Hey there. Dinner’s almost ready.” His cheeks were flushed a ruddy pink from the heat of the stove. He wiped his hands on a towel he had tucked into the waistband of his jeans.
Tex moved to the sink and he pumped the soap dispenser about four times. “Smells delicious in here.”
“Thanks. Now if only it tastes as good as it smells.” Hunter laughed nervously. “I’m better with kids than I am measuring cups.”
“We ain’t expecting anything too fancy.” I noticed Avery sitting at the table. He hadn’t said a word when we walked in, which was surprising. Usually he was a little chatterbox. I moved toward him and stopped next to his chair. “What are you up to?”
He looked at me, his big brown eyes wide. “Hunter gave me a coloring book and these nice new pencils. Look, Papa, I even colored inside the lines on the wizard’s hat.” He seemed very pleased with himself.
“Not bad.” I restrained myself from patting his head. I wasn’t good at showing affection, and with Hunter and Tex staring at us, I was even less inclined to do so. I cleared my throat. “Did you clean up the toys in your room like I told you to?”
Avery nodded. “Uh, huh. Hunter helped me.”
I scowled at Hunter. “He doesn’t need help doing something I tell him to do.”
Hunter shrugged. “Oh, well, it was faster with both of us.” He stirred something in a pot on the stove as he spoke.
“I’m trying to teach him responsibility. If people do everything for him he’ll never learn how to take care of himself.”
“He’s five. I don’t see him moving out anytime soon.” Hunter laughed as if he thought I was joking, but then he frowned. “Besides, I didn’t balance his check book for him. I helped him pick up some Lego's.”
Tex snorted. “Balance his checkbook.”
I gave Tex a hard look. “You done washing your hands yet? You aren’t performing surgery. Your hands are probably good enough to drive home.”
Tex cleared his throat. “Well, I was hoping to get Hunter alone for five seconds so I could ask him something.”
“Really?” Hunter looked surprised.
I gave Tex a suspicious look. “What are you up to?”
Tex shrugged. “I was going to see if maybe Hunter wanted to grab a drink with me later, at the Sweet Water Cantina.”
Irritation prickled the back of my neck. “He’s supposed to be watching over Avery.”
“I mean after the kid-let goes to bed.”
I should have dropped it, but for some reason I didn’t. “It’s his first night here. Maybe you should let him settle in a little first before you start hitting on him.”
“I’m just talking about a drink.”
“Did you forget who you’re talking to? I know perfectly well what you have in mind.”
“Now, boss, that’s not nice.”
Hunter exhaled roughly and faced us with his arms crossed. “I know how alphas are and all, but do I have any say in this?”
My face warmed and I felt embarrassed I’d even tried to interfere. What the heck was wrong with me? We’d been fighting over him like he was a chicken bone. “You do what you want.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Do you prefer I stay in evenings?”
I had no say over his free time, and I felt a little stupid for having opened my mouth. He was a grown man. He didn’t need me defending his honor. “What you do after Avery is in bed is your business.”
“Okay. That’s what I figured.” He nodded.
Tex laughed stiffly. “Look, I was just trying to be friendly and welcome you to Sweet Water, Hunter. I don’t have any salacious motives.”
It took a lot of control not to guffaw. It wasn’t any secret to anyone in town that Tex liked to sleep with any good looking omega who’d have him.
Hunter gave him a warm, unguarded smile. “I appreciate it.”
I shifted uneasily. Was he being suckered in by Tex’s good natured charm?
“So what do you say?” Tex’s voice was coaxing.
Running a hand over his hair, Hunter gave me a funny look and he hesitated. “I really think I need to focus on Avery right now. Maybe once I’m settled in I can take you up on your offer?”
“Sure. Another time,” Tex said smoothly, drying his hands with a paper towel.
I was surprised to feel a little relief that Hunter had turned him down. It was probably because the last thing I wanted was drama in my house and if Tex got Hunter all twitter-pated who knew what would happen? I didn’t want to lose my manny in the first week.
Tex moved to the door. “See you folks tomorrow.” He closed the screen softly as he left.
Hunter turned his back on me and busied himself with the dinner. It was a very domestic scene with Avery quietly coloring in his book and Hunter humming softly near the stove. The hominess of the moment tugged at something deep inside of me. I usually tried to shove down my memories of life with Felix and not think about it too much. But it was hard not to sometimes acknowledge how much I missed having my omega around to share my life with.
My chest was aching as I left the two of them and made my way upstairs. I showered and changed into clean clothes and then I returned to the kitchen. I found Hunter showing Avery how to set the table.
“The knife goes on the inside, next to the plate.” His tone was patient.
“Like this?” Avery set the utensil down, sticking his tongue out as he concentrated.
“That’s perfect.” Hunter smiled down at him. “Now if we were having a salad tonight, the salad fork would go on the outside to the left of the dinner fork.”
“Oh, I get it.” Avery sounded excited. “And I even know my left from my right because Papa showed me so that I could help fold the laundry. I put my stuff on the right and Papa’s goes on the left.”
I cleared my throat. “Did you wash your hands before dinner, Avery?”
The little boy jumped and he gave me a nervous glance. “I will, Papa.” He climbed down from the chair he balanced on and went to the sink.
Hunter gave me an irritable glance.
I lifted one brow. “Something bothering you?”
“It doesn’t hurt to know the proper way to set a table.”
“Never said it did.”
He moved closer and he lowered his voice. “It just seems like anytime Avery is doing anything fun, you mention a chore of some kind, like cleaning his room or washing his hands.”
“I wasn’t aware setting the table was fun.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I think washing his hands is as important as learning how to set a table. We don’t have big dinner parties out here, Hunter.”
“The poor kid is bored out of his mind. He likes learning new things, but he’s afraid to try anything new in case ‘Papa’ gets mad at him.”
My face warmed. “I’m glad he cares what I think.”
“It’s way more than that and you know it. He’s terrified of letting you down. It took twenty minutes today to convince him to take off his shoes while we read a book together. His life should be more than just rules.”
“You’ve been here less than one day and you think you have us all figured out?”
“No. But some of what I’ve seen does concern me.”
I hardened my jaw. “You know, if you don’t like it here you’re free to leave.”
His expression tensed and he dropped his gaze. “I don’t want to go.” He glanced toward Avery who was drying his hands on a towel. “He needs someone around who actually wants to spend time with him.”
I bristled. “I get up at four every morning and I work my ass off all day long. I’m sorry if I don’t have the energy to teach my son how to drink tea with his pinky extended, but I’m doing the best I can.”
He sighed. “I’m sure you are.” His gaze ran over my face. “I’m sorry. I’m a bit overwhelmed with my first day. I shouldn’t have said anything. You look tired and that’s not the best time to try and discuss things.”
I shook my head, confused by him, and stomped toward my chair. I hesitated. “Do you want to show him how a man pulls out a lady’s chair for her? Or are we done with our etiquette lessons for the night?”
He surprised me when he laughed. “No. We can just eat our dinner.”
Avery climbed into his seat and he waited patiently while Hunter carried the roast and mashed potatoes to the table. I studied my son’s little chubby face as Hunter put some food on his plate. Avery was such a good kid, and although I would never admit it to Hunter, I did feel guilty that I didn’t spend enough time with him. I had so much to do with the ranch I couldn’t seem to squeeze out the energy to do stuff with him at night.
Once our plates were full we ate in silence for a few minutes. Hunter talked to Avery quietly and I mostly concentrated on shoveling my food in my face. When I finally felt satiated, I leaned back in my chair and listened to their conversation. They were discussing the names of different colors. I was surprised that Avery seemed interested in the topic, and that he knew the difference between navy blue and sky blue.
“Who taught you that?” I asked gruffly.
Avery looked at me with his eyes wide.
“Speak up,” I nudged.
“Lisa.” His voice wobbled.
“Who?” I frowned.
He frowned. “Lisa. She was before Marie who was before Linda who was before Polly.”
I met Hunter’s gaze. “Oh yes. I remember her.”
“She let me draw sometimes.” He frowned. “You didn’t like her so you sent her away.”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t like her. But I had my reasons, Avery.”
“Yes, Papa.” He sighed. “But I wanted to say goodbye to her. When I woke up she was already gone.”
I scowled. “That was a long time ago. Why are we talking about Lisa?”
Avery lifted one shoulder. “You asked me who taught me my colors.”
“Oh, yeah.”
Leaning forward with his elbows on the table, Hunter asked, “Why’d you fire her?”
I flicked my gaze to Avery. “Does it matter?”
“I guess not. It’s a shame though, especially if Hunter liked her.” His gaze was borderline accusing.
“Well, you wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t.”
“That’s not really the point.”
He seemed to think I was some horrible monster who never wanted my kid to have any fun and that was why I’d gotten rid of poor Lisa. But he didn’t know the half of it. Finding his gaze uncomfortable, I pushed back my chair and stood, carrying my dish to the sink. I rinsed my plate as they laughed and joked around at the table.
I hated that I felt so shut off from everyone. I vaguely remembered when I’d been a nicer person. When Felix had been alive I’d been lighter and happier. We’d had our issues; like him really wanting a baby and me not wanting that at all. But in the end, he’d won out. After all, it had been expected of us to breed. The sad kicker was I’d ended up alone with Avery and Felix had never even got to meet his baby boy.
Hunter glanced up and caught me watching them. “Finish your dinner,” he instructed Avery gently. He joined me near the sink, and I moved aside as he put his plate under the running water.
I flicked my gaze to Avery to be sure he was distracted, then I said softly, “She quit.”
Hunter turned off the water and faced me. “I’m sorry?”
“Lisa. I didn’t fire her. She quit.”
“Why?” He looked surprised.
I grimaced. “Seriously? When you first showed up today you looked like you wanted to quit on the spot.”
His face flushed. “How long was she with you?”
“Two months. That’s the longest anyone has ever stayed.” I held his gaze. “But then she gave her notice and I didn’t have the heart to tell Avery she wanted to leave.”
His eyes softened. “You let him think poorly of you to save his feelings.”
I shrugged. “Seemed easier than trying to explain that she didn’t want to stay.”
“Why was she unhappy? If she stayed two months it couldn’t just have been the condition of the ranch that spooked her.”
I’d been afraid he’d ask that. “We didn’t see eye to eye on certain things.”
He tilted his head. “You mean like we don’t?”
I shook my head. “No. This was different.”
He set his dish in the rack. “Must be pretty bad if you’re this reticent to talk about it.”
I studied his striking profile, his nose was perfect and straight and his lips full. I was once again struck by feelings of attraction. I knew better than to fixate on them because I realized it was just instinct. When you put an omega and an alpha together, there were physical yearnings that needed to be ignored. His scent was grassy and alluring and I knew he was in heat and that was why he seemed so tempting. Even when omegas took pills to mask their heats, the desire to mate sometimes seeped through.
“Let’s just say she wanted to be more than the nanny.”
He turned his head quickly, a look of surp
rise on his handsome face. “Really?”
I nodded, my face warm. I wasn’t even sure why I’d admitted that. Was it pride? Did I want him to know that I was attractive to others? Why would I care what he thought about me?
“She didn’t know you’d been married to a man before?”
“She knew. She thought maybe I was bi.”
“But you’re not?”
I was annoyed that I allowed my gaze to run over his body, almost as if I had no control. “Nope.”
His nostrils flared and he took an unsteady step back. “I’m going to run Avery’s bath.” He left the kitchen with his shoulders stiff.
Maybe it was guilt about not spending enough time with Avery, but for whatever reason, I sat at the table with him. “What did you do today?”
He swallowed hard and stared at me as if surprised I was paying attention to him.
“Did you hear me?” I asked gruffly. His wary expression made me feel odd. “What did you do today, son?”
“Well…” His voice was barely a whisper. “I walked at the lake…” He grimaced. “I got my shoes wet but I’m sure they’re dried now. I didn’t ruin them, Papa. Don’t be mad.”
I frowned. “I’m not mad.”
He slumped slightly with relief. “Okay.”
“What else?”
He chewed his lower lip, looking apprehensive. “I cleaned my room and I helped with dinner. I didn’t have too much fun, Papa. Don’t worry.”
Hunter walked back in the room at that exact moment. I wasn’t sure if he’d heard what Avery said, but my face warmed regardless.
“The waters ready and there are lots of bubbles. Why don’t you go upstairs and I’ll be right there?” Hunter said cheerfully.
“Yay!” Avery clambered down from his seat and hurried out of the room.
I stood stiffly. “Have a good night.” I started to leave the kitchen.
“Hold up,” he said quickly. “Can I talk to you?”
I stopped and faced him. “Of course.”
He grimaced. “Like I said, I grew up on a ranch. I noticed half of the house isn’t painted and I would love to finish that for you.”
I frowned. “Why?”
He lifted his brows. “Oh, well…” He laughed. “Of all the questions I thought you might ask, that wasn’t one of them.”
