“Look, Kade,” Connor said. “There’s your girlfriend.”
The cowboy waved to the woman, giving Kade no choice but to do the same.
“I didn’t know Brandi was your girlfriend,” Donny said, joining in on the waving.
She smiled, a little hesitant, but lifted a hand and waved back. He wondered if anyone would notice if he strangled his friend in broad daylight. Then the designer turned and walked into the pub and all thoughts of strangling fled from his mind.
Damn, she sure filled out a pair of jeans.
“You’re a lucky man, sir,” his deputy said. “Brandi’s nice. I run into her at the creamery. We sometimes talk as we eat our ice cream. I have to tell you, the guys are always checking her out.”
Guys? What guys? He opened his mouth to ask, then caught site of Connor biting back a snicker, and decided the questions could wait.
“Well, Moose, looks like you and I can take care of this.”
His friend nodded and headed for the other side of the car as Kade turned to his deputy.
“Donny, you climb in, put the car in neutral and don’t do anything else. Got it?”
The boy’s face brightened. “Yes, sir. We don’t need a tow truck.”
No, but he could use a stiff drink. He glanced across the back of the trunk to his friend. “On the count of three. One. Two. Three.”
Gripping the bumper, he and Connor lifted the heavy car enough to free the rear end from the rail. Once they set it down, the kid had the good sense to hit the brake and put the car in park.
Donny got out and smiled. “Thanks, boss. You want your supper here?”
Kade shook his head, his appetite strangely nonexistent. “No, go on and take it to the station. And, Donny?”
“Yeah, Sheriff Dalton?”
“Fill out an incident report.”
“Ah, shoot.” Deep lines creased the kid’s forehead. “Do I have to, sir?”
“Yes, you have to,” he said.
The kid sighed as he climbed back into the car, then drove away.
Connor walked over and clamped a hand on his shoulder. “You look like you could use a beer, buddy.”
Kade help up two fingers.
“Oh, boy, something tells me it’s more than the deputy fueling that thirst.”
He snorted, but kept his mouth shut as he twisted around and headed for his jeep. Thank God he was off duty for a few days, starting tomorrow. After the week he’d had, he sure as hell needed the break.
“Well, at least you get to spend time with me and some horses at the auction the next couple of days.” Connor slapped his shoulder again, falling into step with him. “That should take your mind off of things…but it won’t help with Brandi.”
He stumbled just a little, but enough to cause his buddy to laugh. Damn giant thought because he had a good thing going with Kerri he knew everything. Just because his friend had screwed up royally—several times—and managed to fix things, and redeem himself, and get the girl… Shit. Okay, maybe his buddy did know something. The thing was, Kade didn’t need help. He was fine. Just. Fine.
“Whatever it is you just thought…you’re wrong,” Connor said. “And if you think you don’t need her, you’re wrong.” They came to a stop by his vehicle, a huge smile on his buddy’s face. “And the big one, my friend. Take it from me, if you think, for one minute you’re in control of the situation…you are completely and utterly fucked.”
Wrong. He shook his head. “This isn’t like what you have with Kerri.”
Connor threw his head back and laughed. Laughed. Kade didn’t see any humor in his words. Just the truth. “It’s not the same, asshole. It was just a kiss.”
His buddy’s laughter increased to the point where the cowboy had to lean against the side of the jeep for support, large body shaking with a merriment lost on Kade.
“Come on, Connor.” He frowned, waiting for the guy to stop. “Don’t you think that’s overkill?”
The giant finally sobered enough to meet his gaze. “No. I think it was spot on. With the right woman, a kiss is never just a kiss. Sadly, you have a lot to learn, and you’re going to learn whether you want to or not.”
More laughter shook through his friend’s large frame.
Kade folded his arms across his chest and stared. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
Connor nodded. “Only a lot.”
If he hadn’t been in uniform, in a parking lot, in plain view of the public, he would’ve given his buddy the finger.
“You just mentally flipped me off, didn’t you?” the smirking cowboy asked.
“Yep.” A grin tugged his own mouth.
“Well, I’m going to take pity on you and go inside. I’m supposed to be having dinner with my fiancée.” He straightened up from the vehicle then cocked his head. “Would you like me to stop by Brandi’s table and tell her you said hello?”
“Would you like my fist to tell your teeth goodbye?”
Connor’s chuckle echoed around them. “In your dreams, Dalton.” He adjusted his Stetson and nodded. “I’ll pick you up around six am so we can get an early start for the auction.”
“Sounds good,” he said. “Thanks for your help, buddy. You’d better get inside. You’ve kept your fiancée waiting long enough.”
“True, and you’d better get back to the station to babysit Skippy.”
Kade nodded. Sadly, it was becoming a full time job.
Sunday afternoon, Brandi was at Shadow Rock Ranch watching little Cody so Jen and Brock could visit his grandmother, who had undergone open-heart surgery two days earlier. She enjoyed her time with the little boy; he reminded her so much of her nephew.
A sharp pang of regret sliced through her insides. Even after several months, it still hurt to think about Tyler. She’d practically helped raise the little boy since before his second birthday, and had had sole custody of him while her brother was deployed last year. Giving him up had been tough, but inevitable. And now, thanks to her time with her nephew, watching the rambunctious four-year-old heir to the Dalton dynasty was a piece of cake.
Chocowit cake…with a topping of extra energy.
The little cutie was a lot like his uncles. He had blue eyes like Kevin, although his mama had them, too. But Jen wasn’t a prankster, and Brandi could already see that trait in Cody. The way he’d constantly moved her drink today when she wasn’t looking was a dead giveaway. Pure Uncle Kevin, there.
“No. That’s bad,” he said now, reprimanding the kittens in the barn when the runt tried to nurse on mama cat but the others wouldn’t move.
Brandi watched in awe as the little boy gently but firmly adjusted the kittens so they all had room. Now that was pure Uncle Kade. Cody definitely inherited his uncle’s kind and helpful traits.
“Nice job, Cody,” she told him, patting his head, holding in tears of pride she knew the little boy wouldn’t understand. A treat was in order. And she knew just what to do. One of his favorite activities. “Now, who’s ready for a piggy-back ride?”
“Me,” he hollered, excitement lighting his face as he rushed to climb on her back.
Kind of reminded her of Ace when Cody played on the floor. The little dog had been quarantined to the inside of the ranch when Kade wasn’t around. Apparently, the mischievous pup needed lots of supervision near the horses.
“Okay, hold on tight.” Brandi rose to her feet and galloped through the barn with the giggling toddler clinging to her back.
They were rounding the corner, heading outside, when two horse trailers pulled up and several cowboys hopped out. She stopped dead, but her pulse continued to gallop. Darn. She’d hoped to be gone before Kade returned from the three-day auction.
With the exception of that across-the-parking-lot meeting last Wednesday, she hadn’t seen the guy since their kiss-‘n’-run a whole week ago. Dealing with her mixed-up, crazy feelings was a hell of a lot easier when the guy wasn’t around. Now, her gaze was immediately pulled to the soldier. Sure, he was dr
essed like the other cowboys—boots, jeans, Stetson—but none walked with the lethal grace, or the deliberate, controlled movements of a man ready for any situation.
He took her breath away. And she was already winded.
“There’s Unkewl Kade,” Cody yelled. “Let’s ride to Unkewl Kade.” The little guy bounced on her back.
She’d rather retreat into the barn and ride in the opposite direction. Her chest tightened in anticipation. For what, she had no idea. Given the way he’d rushed from her house the last time they were together, there was a good chance he’d avoid her now. But she wasn’t there for him. She wasn’t there for her. She was there for Cody. So, doing as her little charge asked, she ordered her face not to turn red and galloped to his uncle.
Brandi could feel the man’s gaze and didn’t even want to contemplate what he thought about her trotting display. Yes, she had some north and south action going on, despite her expensive bra. It couldn’t be helped. She pushed away her embarrassment. Entertaining Cody was her job, so that’s what she was doing. And the little boy was enjoying the ride very much. His giggles filled the air with a wonderful, heartwarming sound. And his laughter was contagious. Even the cowboys were smiling. She glanced over her shoulder at him and grinned at the toddler’s wide smile and sparkling blue eyes.
He was having fun, and that’s what mattered.
Swinging her gaze around, she chanced a glance at Kade, and her heart rocked against her ribs. He was standing next to Connor, looking at her with such longing and need that, when she tried to inhale, the air clogged her throat. Not exactly ideal while in the middle of physical exertion. Then something unrecognizable passed through his gaze and he looked almost…pained.
“Unkewl Kade, look at me,” Cody said. “I’m riding a piggy-back.”
He set his shoulders and strode toward them. “I can see that.” A genuine smile eased the lingering shadows from his face. “Do I get a hug?”
“Yeah!” Cody nearly leapt off her back into Kade’s arms.
Brandi straightened and stretched to work the kinks out between her shoulder blades. “Cody was keeping an eye on things in the barn.”
“Yeah,” the little boy said again. “Like you aksed.”
“I appreciate that, Cody. Thanks. I knew I could count on you,” Kade told him, expression earnest as he held his nephew’s gaze. “What do you say you hang out with Brandi for a bit longer while the guys and I unload the new horses?”
“Can I watch?”
“Sure, but from out of the way. Okay?” he asked, handing the little boy back.
Cody nodded. “’Kay.”
Kade’s attention finally turned to her. “Hi.” He smiled, gray eyes twinkling like liquid silver. “Getting a workout, are you?”
She laughed. “A bit.”
With a nod and a touch to his hat, he walked away, and she found she could slowly breathe again.
Snapping out of her fog, she headed for a safe spot near the corral where the horses were being unloaded. And as Cody watched the animals, Brandi watched the sexy cowboy who’d been a constant companion to her thoughts and the subject of her delectable dreams the past week.
Strong and sure, Kade moved about with an easy grace. Jacket off, sleeves rolled up on his black shirt, he worked alongside Connor and the men from both ranches. Muscles rippled in his arms as he helped guide several beautiful horses down the chute and into the corral.
“I like that one,” Cody said, pointing to the last one the men unloaded. A gorgeous white and brown painted horse.
Brandi nodded. “What a beauty.”
When the gates were closed and the animals were ushered to their respected corrals, Connor turned and ambled toward them.
“Here comes, Connow.” Cody wiggled forward. “Hi, Connow!”
“Hey, buddy.” Dimple glaring, he hopped the fence with ease and nodded. “Hi, Brandi.”
“Hi,” she replied, but didn’t have the opportunity to say more because Cody lunged for the cowboy.
Connor caught him, then tossed the giggling toddler in the air a few times, before handing him to Kade who joined them. The handsome man in black lifted the little boy by his ankle and turned to the other cowboys.
“Any of you seen Cody?” he asked, and all the men smiled but shook their heads.
“I’m wight hewe,” the four-year-old insisted between cackles.
Kade twisted around, pretending to look for the little boy. “Who said that?”
“I did. It’s me, Cody.”
Still holding the boy by his ankle, Kade lifted him up until they were face to face. “Oh, there you are,” he said, righting the giggling toddler. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I did.”
Brandi rubbed at the ache in her chest as she smiled and watched the exchange. The sheriff would make a great father. For some reason, the ache increased, but she refused to dissect the meaning, blaming it on the double thick peanut butter and jelly sandwich followed by pizza she and Cody had had for supper. Okay, she’d only had a little of both, but the combination was still lethal.
“All right, champ.” Connor stepped forward and grabbed the boy from his friend. “What do you say we go get a drink for the guys?”
“Sure,” Cody said, leading the tall cowboy.
A second later, she was alone with Kade. Her pulse immediately increased. She leaned back against the fence, hoping to look calm and cool, when she really did it for support. Something was wrong with her damn legs. They were shaky.
Kade turned to face her fully and smiled. “Hi, again.”
She smiled back. “Hi.” Then cleared her throat. “I guess I don’t have to ask how the auction went. Looks like it went well.”
“Yes, ma’am. We picked up quite a few horses trainable for stock as well as a magnificent stallion.”
“The paint?”
He nodded. “Connor got one, too.” He motioned toward the horse still in the trailer. Agitated snorts grew louder. “He’s going to have to get him home soon.”
She nodded. “Yeah, it’s not good to let him stand in a trailer too long.”
Brow lifted in surprise, he studied her. “No, it’s not.”
Something shifted in his expression. His whole demeanor changed. And because she wasn’t confused enough, he moved closer to trail a finger up her bare arm, smiling at the goosebumps he created.
“You look great.”
She stared at him, trying to figure out Kade Dalton. His actions, his words, they surprised her speechless. The last time they’d talked, he’d run like a little girl from her touch, and now…now he was initiating contact.
His gaze moved to her face, while his finger continued to brush over her skin. “I take it you’re babysitting Cody?”
“Yeah,” she replied a little throaty.
His gaze darkened at her tone. “For how long?”
“Until your cousin gets back from the hospital.”
He studied her closely. “You can leave now, if you want. I’ll watch him.”
She didn’t want to leave, but he confused her. “Do you want me to go?
“No,” he replied, his gaze heating as he stared at her lips. “I was really looking forward to tasting you.”
And just like that, she went damp.
Her whole body tightened at his admission. “I—you did?”
“Oh, yeah. I do.” He nodded, his attention still glued to her mouth.
For as wet as she was down south, her throat and all things north were bone dry. She swallowed and licked her lips in an attempt to alleviate the situation.
His sexy growl drifted between them, and he opened his mouth to respond just as the agitated stallion grew louder. Blowing out a breath instead, he released her and stepped back. “I’d better go find Connor.”
“No need,” his friend said, ambling toward them, a smiling Cody perched high on his shoulders. “I’m here. What do you need? Some pointers on how to—”
“No,” Kade cut off the cowboy. �
��You’d better get that paint home. He’s stomping and chomping at the bit in there. If you don’t go soon, he might injure himself.”
Connor transferred the giggling toddler to Kade’s shoulders. “Yeah. I’m leaving. You two have fun. As I understand from Cody here, you have two Disney DVDs to watch tonight.”
Brandi nodded, and picking up the teasing vibe, she joined in the fun. “Yes, and one even involves princesses.”
A scowl skittered across Kade’s features while Connor’s smile broadened to beaming proportions.
The tall cowboy slapped his frowning friend on the back. “Enjoy your movies, buddy. Just don’t forget to leave your Man Card at the door.”
She bit her lip to keep her reaction inside.
“At least I have one,” Kade called to the chuckling cowboy’s back.
Connor raised a hand before sliding into the truck with the rest of his men, and then disappeared down the dirt drive.
“Unkewl Kade?” Cody frowned down at his uncle’s head. “What’s a Mancawd?”
Gray eyes blinked at her, and she watched a smile spread across the handsome man’s face. “It’s an imaginary piece of paper not all grown men earn.”
“Oh.” Now the little boy blinked. “So, Connow doesn’t have one, but you do?”
“Exactly.” A firm nod and smug smile met her gaze.
The little boy pointed to himself. “I’m going to get one when I gwow up.”
“I believe you will, Cody. I believe you will. But right now,” Kade said, pulling his nephew off his shoulders to hold him in front. “I believe it’s bath time.” His gaze shifted to her. “Isn’t that right, Brandi?”
Shoot. Her throat instantly dried again. “Yes.”
The little boy smiled at her. “Awe you getting one, too, Bwandi?”
“No.” She cleared her throat, refusing to meet Kade’s gaze. “I’ll get one when I go home, later.”
Cody shrugged. “Okay. When us guys awe done, we can all eat popcown and watch movies.”
Nearly two hours later, she was on the floor with a snoring Cody nestled comfortably between her and Kade. And a snoozing Ace sleeping against the little boy’s legs.
Her Uniform Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 3) Page 10
