“I do.” He laughed and squeezed her fingers.
The waitress came and they ordered hot cocoas.
“How is it being home?” Ty asked.
“I love it,” she gushed. “My brothers are so fun and my mom is just baking up a storm. Plus there’s no school stress.” She looked at their hands. “Sorry. That was insensitive of me when you can’t be home.”
“No. I’m glad you love it.” Ty studied her. “You didn’t mention your dad. Blake, wasn’t it?”
The waitress brought their hot cocoas. Kazlyn pulled her hand from Ty’s and wrapped them both around the mug. “My dad passed away three years ago.”
There was silence. She finally glanced up. Ty’s empathetic look had her lip quivering. “Oh, Kazzy.” He slid closer to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Kazlyn leaned into his strength and didn’t even care that a few tears slid down her cheeks. “I know how hard it is.” He rubbed his large palm up and down her arm.
“You do know.” She brushed the wetness from her cheeks.
He nodded. His gaze didn’t leave hers. Kazlyn felt awful for wishing he would kiss her, but maybe that was an appropriate way to alleviate grief. She hadn’t tried it before, but at the moment it sounded like a wonderful idea. She arched up to meet him. His lips connected with hers, sending thrills of pleasure throughout her body.
“Kazlyn!” Luke’s growl cut into the moment.
Kazlyn jerked away. Ty gave her shoulder a squeeze and then released her to stand and face her angry brothers. Ty held his hand out. “Hi, I’m Ty. Luke and Porter?”
Luke blinked at him and folded his arms across his broad chest.
Porter’s eyebrows rose. “We’ve got a brave one on our hands, eh?”
Kazlyn slid quickly out of the booth and squeezed in front of him, forming a shield from her overprotective brothers. “This is my friend, Ty, and I expect you to treat him nicely.”
Luke glanced over at Porter. “How many friends do you snuggle in a booth with and kiss in public places?”
The entire café stared at the scene. Kazlyn blushed and pivoted to face Ty. “I’m sorry. My brothers obviously have no manners.” She cast a glare over her shoulder.
Ty tilted her chin up. “I understand. I have two sisters, remember? I’d act the same way if I saw one of them with a boy I didn’t know.”
Luke guffawed. “And now he’s playing on our sympathies. Not gonna work, buddy. Don’t come near her again. Kazlyn, we’re leaving. Now.” He reached for her elbow.
Kazlyn pulled away from him and stood next to Ty.
“I’ll take Kazlyn home,” Ty said.
Luke’s eyes narrowed. Kazlyn expected him to say something awful but instead he threw a punch at Ty’s jaw.
Ty dodged to the side as Porter grabbed Luke and Kazlyn screamed.
“Luke! You red-necked idiot!” She reached for her and Ty’s coats, securing her fingers around Ty’s hand. “Don’t you touch him.”
She tugged on Ty. He paused to pull some money out of his wallet and toss it on the table, then walked with her passed her brothers. He nodded to Porter, but wisely said nothing.
They hurried out of the awkwardly silent restaurant and a few blocks through the cold to his truck.
“I am so sorry,” Kazlyn muttered. She leaned against the truck, unable to meet his gaze.
He tilted her chin up, dipped his head, and kissed her. The movement of his lips drove every thought of her brothers from her mind.
Ty pulled away and smiled gently. “It’s okay. He missed.”
Kazlyn couldn’t help but laugh. Ty settled her inside the truck and she proceeded to give him directions on which way to drive. The drive home should’ve been uncomfortable, but Ty made her laugh with stories about Jamison’s little brothers saying things about his black skin, then getting scolded by their mother. “I guess there isn’t a lot of racial diversity up here,” Ty said.
“Not really,” Kazlyn admitted, “You are definitely a welcome addition.”
He smiled and ran his thumb along the back of her hand.
They were in her driveway and she had to say it again, “I’m so sorry about my brothers. They’ve always been overprotective, but it’s been worse since my dad died.”
Ty nodded. “I really do understand. It’s hard being an older brother, especially without a dad around. You feel like you have to protect your family more than ever.”
“Thanks for understanding. Luke’s obviously the worst. Probably because he’s the oldest and thinks he has to be dad. Plus, he’s been grumpy since he gave up his career to save the ranch.”
“What was his career?”
“He has a master’s in mechanical engineering. He started working for Boeing in L.A. after graduation. Then, Dad died and he came home because Porter couldn’t manage the ranch alone.” She sighed. “Porter went to college, but his heart was always here. Luke needs more and it makes him a bigger pain in the butt than he usually would be.”
Ty tilted his head to study her. “It’d be hard to let your dreams go.”
“True.” Kazlyn felt a surge of guilt for complaining so much about school. At least, she could pursue her dreams. “I’d better get inside before they get home.”
Ty rushed around to help her out of the truck and walked her to the door, holding her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kazlyn loved it, but really hoped her brothers wouldn’t appear anytime soon.
“I’d invite you in, but maybe not the best idea tonight.”
“Maybe tomorrow night,” Ty said.
Kazlyn squinted up at him. Porter was right, he was a brave one. “You want to see me tomorrow night?”
“Of course, I do.”
Happiness encompassed her. Luke throwing a punch hadn’t scared Ty away.
“Is there any place to go to dinner, besides the café? Not sure I want to appear there anytime soon.”
“Me, neither! Tomorrow is the carnival. It’s kind of fun and their fried pickles are better than the Bull’s Head.”
“Really? Then I can’t miss it.” He grinned and gave her a brief hug. “What time should I come pick you up?”
“As early as possible.”
That broadened his grin. “Jamison and I have to practice with his brother for the three-on-three tournament on Monday, but I could come about five.”
Oh, fabulous. The tournament was a tradition every year and her brothers and their obnoxious friend, Shawn, always won. She remembered them playing against Jamison’s little brother, but Jamison must’ve been in that Gossner Classic tournament that Ty had said they used to play in. Luke and Porter wouldn’t stand a chance against Ty and Jamison. Her brothers were about to become even more irritable.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.
He gave her a tender kiss before opening the door for her.
Kazlyn hated to have him go, but it was probably for the best tonight. She slipped inside the door and changed into some yoga pants before cuddling up with a blanket in front of the Christmas tree to wait for her brothers. She didn’t have to wait long. Porter’s loud truck roared up the driveway a few minutes later. Kazlyn was grateful her mom was at the church. Every Friday night some of the women gathered to make quilts for different humanitarian projects.
They slammed into the house. “You meet some joker after the sing-a-long and think you can just start making out with him?” Luke demanded.
“First of all, stop acting like a couple of jerks and never try to hit one of my friends again. I know you’re better men than that.”
Porter ducked his head, but Luke’s blue eyes seared into hers. She almost felt like a little girl again in trouble with her daddy. Sometimes, she hated how much Luke looked like him.
“Friend,” Luke snorted. “Some friend.”
“You’re such a bigoted jerk!”
“Skin color has nothing to do with this, and I am going to watch out for you no matter what names you call me,” Luke said.
&nbs
p; “Ty is my friend. I met him at Utah State a few weeks ago. He’s here with Jamison and not a stranger. In fact, he protected me from some guy who attacked me Tuesday night.”
They exploded at that. Kazlyn had to reassure them and give them explicit details about the attack. Then, she had to promise to start carrying her bear spray with her at all times. Pepper spray just wasn’t good enough for these two.
“Now, can you both calm down and trust that I’m not just going to go after some guy I don’t know. Ty is an amazing person. Can you give him a chance?”
Porter’s green eyes had softened a bit. “We’ll try.”
Luke glared at him. “Speak for yourself. You can count on me getting to know him, and he’d better watch his back if he thinks he’s going to be macking with my little sister.”
“There has been no macking!” Kazlyn blushed, remembering Ty’s kiss. But that wasn’t macking—it was innocent and wonderful. “And I am old enough to decide who and when I mack.”
“You’re still my little sister. I’ll be watching him.” Luke stalked off, smacking into the mistletoe hanging in the doorway. He shoved it aside.
Kazlyn laughed.
Luke turned back for one more glare before striding away.
Porter chuckled with her and slung his arm around her shoulder. “If he’s as great a guy as you say, Luke will soften up. Maybe you should invite Ty over, so we can get to know him. Does he play ball?”
Kazlyn giggled. “A bit.”
“Great. Nothing better than roughing a guy up on the court to get to know him.”
Kazlyn’s smile broadened. Introducing Ty to her brothers could be a lot more fun than she originally thought.
Chapter Ten
TY KNOCKED ON HER DOOR right at five the next night. Kazlyn waited in the front entry, so she could beat her brothers to the door. She swung it open to a whiff of Ty’s clean scent and cold air and couldn’t resist hugging him. She backed up and gestured him into the house.
“Come in.” She didn’t really want him to face her brothers again, but if she wanted this relationship to go anywhere, she couldn’t deny them. Also, her mom hadn’t had a chance to meet Ty.
“You look beautiful.” Ty’s eyes swept over her fitted knee-length sweater dress, tights, and boots. “I didn’t realize I was supposed to dress up.”
Kazlyn did a quick pirouette. “It’s just comfy and warm.”
Ty placed his hand on her waist. The look in his eyes made her feel special and made her want to do more than just hug him. “The way you move is…beautiful. Like everything is a dance.”
Kazlyn understood why women swooned.
“And the schmoozer decided to knock on our front door.” Luke strode into the entryway, followed closely by Porter.
Tension filled the room. Kazlyn debated which name to call Luke first.
Porter extended his hand. “Porter Wilson.”
“Tyrese Hamilton. It’s nice to meet you.” Relief swept across Ty’s features. He grinned and Kazlyn wondered how anyone could resist him.
“You, too,” Porter said.
Kazlyn arched an eyebrow at Luke. He sighed loudly and extended his hand. “Luke.”
“Nice to meet you, Luke.” Ty stood so confident with his characteristic grin on his face. If he worried about Luke throwing another punch, he didn’t show it.
Kazlyn’s mom rushed into the entryway and saved Luke from replying. “Oh, Ty, oh, my, you’re just so handsome and tall. You’re taller than Luke.”
Ty laughed and extended his hand. Rebecca brushed it away and gave him a hug. She was so short her head didn’t clear his chest.
“I understand you couldn’t go home for Christmas,” Rebecca said. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“None of this ma’aming nonsense. Will you come to church and dinner with us tomorrow?”
“I’d love to.”
Luke scowled, but Porter smiled as he watched the interaction. Kazlyn tugged on Ty’s arm. “We’re going to go now.”
Ty held the door open for her. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Luke stepped up to the door and delivered his parting shot, “Take as good of care of her as you’d want someone to take of your little sisters.”
Ty nodded solemnly. “You can count on it.”
Luke cracked a brief smile before closing the door.
“You can breathe now.” Kazlyn bumped him with her shoulder.
Ty wrapped his arm around her and laughed. “Was I that obvious?”
“No, but I know Luke can be scary.”
“It’s a good big brother quality.”
They drove to the open town square crowded with carnival rides, games, and food vendors. The night was wonderful, as they laughed through corn dogs, fried pickles, hot cocoa, looks from all the locals, and introductions and hugs from old friends and neighbors.
They got whiplash and the giggles on the bumper cars and Kazlyn almost lost her fried pickles on the Tilt-a-Whirl. It was fun but Kazlyn just wanted to be alone with him and the loud Christmas music was enough to give her a headache.
“C’mere.” She tugged on his hand and they tromped through some deep snow down to the stream that was still gurgling despite the cold. The stars reflected in the ice dotting the banks. Ty wrapped his arms around her and they started swaying to the music. She loved the feel of his strong body close to hers and his clean, fresh scent.
“You’re a dancer?” Ty asked.
Kazlyn looked up at him. “Used to be. How did you know?”
“Just the way you move. Why not anymore?”
She glanced across the snow at the party going on and children screaming on carnival rides. The night was clear and the stars were out, though the golden glow from the carnival made it harder to see them. “Too busy.”
“You miss it?”
She nodded.
Ty pulled away from her and stomped around in the snow until he’d created a flat area. “Dance for me.”
Kazlyn shook her head. “I wouldn’t know what to do.”
Ty came closer and she had to remind herself to breathe as a grin split his handsome face. He gently touched her eyelids. “Close your eyes.” She obeyed, savoring the feel of his fingertips on her face and wishing he’d kiss her. He directed her toward the spot he’d flattened, then let her go. “Just move with the music.”
Kazlyn listened, recognizing the Nutcracker. How ironic. One of her favorite performances. She shed her coat and started moving. She couldn’t do the dance accurately. She usually would’ve been en pointe, but she danced through the song, enjoying every second, even if she didn’t have the Snow King lifting her and couldn’t do her normal leaps. She got to the part where the Snow King would’ve boosted her up for the finale and Ty was suddenly there. He wrapped his hands around her waist and easily lifted her above his head. Kazlyn laughed, looking down at him. He held her there, chuckling along with her and spun a slow circle. Suddenly, his eyes darkened, smoldering as they studied her. He lowered her, his strong body brushing against hers as he held her close.
“You’re an amazing dancer,” Ty whispered.
“Thank you.”
She shyly looked away from him. Ty didn’t say anything, but she could feel his gaze on her. Kazlyn’s eyes were drawn back to him like a moth to the light. His eyes lowered to her lips, then met hers again. She went on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ty came down to meet her. His lips overtook hers and her heart raced for reasons other than the exertion of dancing.
His mouth and body in contact with hers was the purest joy she’d felt. It was better than Christmas morning as a child.
Ty released her mouth, but continued to hold her close. Even without her coat, she was warm when she was with him. “Kazlyn.” His voice was husky. “You’re the most beautiful Christmas angel I’ve ever met.”
She blushed, feeling beautiful to him. “I’m no angel.”
“Oh, I know, you’ve called me all kinds o
f awful names.”
“Ha! You deserved them.”
“I’m sure.” He trailed strong fingers down her cheek. “Do you still think I’m a schmoozer?”
She tilted her head to the side, appraising him. “Yes.”
“What?”
“But…” She laughed. “I love it. You can schmooze me with your pretty words any time.”
He winked, bowed his head to hers, and schmoozed her without any words at all.
Chapter Eleven
TY FELT MORE NERVOUS THAN he had at last year’s championship game as he climbed Kazlyn’s porch steps Sunday morning. Her mom was great and Porter seemed to be warming up, but Luke was a different story. He was still semi-shocked the guy had tried to hit him.
He glanced around at the house that looked more like a cabin. It fit perfectly in the rustic setting. He raised his hand to knock just as the tall wooden door swung open. Kazlyn launched herself into his arms and gave him a quick kiss. “I missed you.”
Ty savored her soft form in his arms before leaning back to admire how beautiful she looked in the flowing red dress. “Not as much as I missed you.” He pulled her close, and almost went for another kiss when a throat cleared in the open doorway behind them.
Luke stood glaring at them. “Mom wants him to ride with us.”
Kazlyn took his hand and they walked together through the house. She lifted a knee-length tan coat off the couch. He helped her into it, then reached for her hand again, earning another scowl from Luke. Would the guy ever ease up?
“You look amazing.” Kazlyn squeezed his hand and smiled up at him.
“So do you.” Dealing with her brother was more than worth it if he could be with Kazlyn.
Porter and Rebecca greeted him warmly and the question and answer period driving to church was bearable. Kazlyn squeezed between him and Porter in the backseat of an older Ford Explorer. With his arm around her shoulder and her hand resting on his knee, he would’ve answered anything her mom wanted to know. Luke focused on driving, not speaking to anyone.
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