Roping the Daddy: A Contemporary Western Romance (Kester Ranch Cowboys Book 3)

by Tori Kayson

  Porker, the mini pig, Fargo’s family pet. Craziest thing Hawk ever heard of, having a pig for a pet, buy hey…differences made life more interesting.

  He watched Logan make his way back to Slade, then his gaze tracked to Kierra.

  Her dark halo huddled close to his son’s nutmeg colored hair. Then her head lifted, her laughter tinkling across the space. Clear and vibrant and so full of energy and zest, the look she flashed his way sparked his weary limbs to life.

  More than his limbs, if he was honest. This woman reached in and caressed the empty, hollow caverns of his spirit. Made him yearn for her company, for her laughter, for the gift of her friendship.

  He practically sprinted across the lawn. “Hey.”

  She smiled. Set a hand on Cody’s shoulder. “Hey.”

  “If I’d known about the wedding, I would’ve came earlier this morning to haul the chairs and set them where they needed to go. Sorry I wasn’t here to help.”

  “Me too.”

  He smiled. Quite sure he looked like a goofy teenager, but since she smiled back, he didn’t care.

  Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap. What was that sound?

  He turned toward the noise, surprised to find the photographer with the camera pointed in their direction.

  Kierra cleared her throat and tugged the woman’s arm. “Summer, meet Hawk, my, uh…” She stumbled, glanced down at her boots. “A friend from way back. He’s also our new chopper cowboy for roundups, EMT, and, man, can this cowboy cook! And this is his son, Cody.” Kierra recovered well, injecting more confidence in her voice the longer she spoke. More than he could hope. “Hawk, Cody, meet my best friend, Summer Kester. She married my brother, Maverick, and they moved to Dallas. But before that she was our premier photographer for ranch events.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Hawk and Cody took turns shaking Summer’s hand.

  “Great to meet you too.” Summer smiled. As if holding back a secret.

  A car drove up the driveway and parked. An older couple emerged, dressed in gown and tux.

  Hawk tamped down his frustration. He couldn’t ask Kierra over for dinner. Not in front of her best friend, his son, guests. Heck, why did the entire world decide now was a good time to drop in at the ranch? “Well, I see you’re busy…”

  Kierra nodded, flashing an anxious glance toward the couple. “A wedding toni—” Summer bumped into her, and Kierra glared at her friend.

  “I’ll go welcome the guests. Take your time. No rush.” Summer gave Kierra’s arm a parting nudge.

  He made a mental note to thank Summer on the way out.

  “Thanks,” Kierra said, glancing after her friend before darting a shy look in his direction. “As I was saying, I have a wedding tonight. But I’m not busy tomorrow night. No guests, no events.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she hiked her chin.

  Hawk blinked while he processed that information. Was she asking him out?

  She dipped her head and shot a secret glance at him, those espresso eyes warm and inviting.

  Yeah. It appeared she was.

  He smiled, his gut doing a happy dance. “How about I try out a new rub recipe on you?”

  When her jaw dropped and she sucked in a breath, he could’ve slapped his forehead. “For the ribs.” Oh, like that sounded better. Embarrassment heated his neck.

  “I love my dad’s ribs.” Cody, bless his heart, rubbed circles on his belly and smacked his lips. “They’re the best!”

  Kierra laughed and hugged Cody’s neck. “Sounds wonderful. I’ll be there!”

  15

  Kierra double checked the address on the mailbox. This was it. She pulled in close to the curb and shut off the truck, stared at the quaint little house. Cody’s Cottage, as she’d heard Hawk refer to it.

  Definitely small, and the other houses on the block practically swallowed it. But proximity to neighbors was one reason people liked living in town, wasn’t it? Cody might not have land to roam freely, but he could make friends more easily here.

  What was she doing? Was she setting herself up for another heartbreak? She covered her face with her hands.

  The aroma of ribs smoking drifted in through the open window, tantalizing her. Her hands dropped away, and she took an appreciative sniff.

  She might’ve invited herself—OK, she practically forced the invitation out of the handsome, clueless cowboy—but he had gone to a lot of trouble with dinner. The least she could do was forget about their past for a few hours and join them.

  The late afternoon sun glinted off the front window of the cottage, and a slip of fabric moved. Cody’s head peered through the glass. He waved, a giant smile of welcome on his face.

  Busted.

  She couldn’t leave now, even if she wanted to. Which she didn’t.

  And that’s what frightened her the most.

  ****

  Hawk held his breath.

  Kierra’s truck had been parked in front of the house for eons. He’d heard it cruising up their street when he’d been in the back, checking on the ribs.

  He might’ve thought she was checking her phone. But then he’d seen her bury her face in her hands, and his gut dived to his boots.

  Would she stay or would she bolt?

  “Is she here?” Cody squeezed in between Hawk and the window and tugged the curtain way back.

  “Uh…”

  “Hey, she’s here!” Before Hawk could stop him, the little dude waved. A long, we-caught-you-waiting wave.

  When the driver’s door opened, Hawk’s pent up breath whooshed out. “Yeah, bud. Looks like she made it.” Not only that, but she decided to stay. Relief swamped him as he tugged the door handle.

  Cody rushed past, his boots barely skimming the grass as he sped to meet her.

  Hawk followed, but forced his legs into a more sedate pace. Barely. “You found us! Welcome to the Cody Cottage.” Brandishing an arm toward the front door, he leaned in, the combination of coconut and berries too tempting to pass up—

  “Ew! Are you going to kiss her?” Cody snorted. Hawk glanced over and caught his son’s wrinkled nose, disgust etching his features.

  Was that a normal kid reaction to seeing his parent display affection? Or something deeper? Some pent up fear related to his mother’s endless string of boyfriends?

  “Uh, no.” Guess not. Disappointment sank like a boulder in his gut.

  Maybe he should’ve taken a few minutes with Cody before now to discuss the possibility of more than friendship with his boss’s sister and even a kiss or two. Hawk hadn’t even considered that Cody might have a problem with it.

  He relieved Kierra of the jumbo sized container and held it up for Cody’s benefit. “Just lending a hand.”

  “Thanks. How could I not find your place? I just followed the scent. Those ribs smell delicious.” A pretty pink flared up Kierra’s neck and blushed her cheeks. She dipped her head and slid her hair back. Hiding a grin, those dark eyebrows lifted as if to say “busted.”

  Maybe he should’ve planned to cook the ribs tomorrow night, when Cody wouldn’t be there.

  “They are. I tasted ’em already.” Cody squeezed between the two of them, matched his steps to theirs.

  This could have been a daily event, walking into the house every night together, their house. Chatting about their days over a home cooked meal.

  Was it too late for another chance?

  His son loved his ribs. How could he not include him? And especially anticipating that Cody would soon become a bigger chunk of his every day. What would he do if Cody wasn’t willing to share his dad’s attention?

  Best not to borrow trouble just yet. It had a way of finding him, anyway.

  Hawk held the door open, waited for Cody to pass, studying Kierra’s reaction to his humble abode.

  Her gaze slid across the meager family room furnishings and on to the combination dining area where he’d set out place settings for three on a cheap wood table he’d picked up for a few bucks at a yard sale. A giant b
owl of potato salad and another of baked beans graced the table along with the mounded platter of ribs.

  She licked her lips. Flashed a hungry look in his direction as she dropped her purse on the worn and faded armchair and beelined for the table. “Wow! No wonder I smelled them coming down the road. Did you think you were cooking for the roundup?” Her smile lit up the plain, dingy room.

  No wrinkled nose. No haughty lift of the chin. He hadn’t really expected either, not from Kierra.

  But people changed. Like him.

  “You haven’t seen this boy eat yet.” Hawk added Kierra’s offering to the other items on the table and squeezed Cody’s shoulders.

  “Not Cookie Monster Cody,” Kierra teased.

  “Tonight it’s Rib Maniac Cody,” Cody shot back.

  “He can pack away some ribs.” And Hawk never complained about the amount of food Cody consumed. Anything to get the kid to eat something besides microwavable meals and junk food. “Hey, did I tell you I signed up for the BBQ competition?”

  “Really?” Kierra smiled and pressed a hand against his arm. “That’s awesome. You’ll win, hands down.”

  He loved the confidence in her voice. Made him feel like a winner already. And not just at cooking.

  They settled around the table and laughed and chowed down while Hawk entertained them with stories from his travels. Finally, after a heaping portion of Kierra’s cherry dump cake, Hawk scooted his chair back and rubbed his belly. “Couldn’t eat another bite.”

  “Me, either. Everything was delicious.” Kierra speared him with a look, eyes all wide and glittery.

  The way she drawled out everything…was she referring to more than the food?

  He blinked, refocused. Maybe he was just really rusty at this whole female-male conversation.

  He didn’t think so. Her body language was open and inviting. Slightly away from the table, one arm draped over the chair’s back, the other hand resting on the wood top, lips quirked up. Not tapping her tablet like she was prone to do at the ranch, she appeared comfortable and relaxed.

  At home.

  If only! So many if only’s.

  The doorbell screeched.

  Who on earth?

  Hawk jerked his gaze toward the clock in the kitchen while Cody skidded across the wood floor in his socks to answer the door. Eight o’clock. Kind of late for Cody’s friend next door—

  “Mom?” Cody squeaked.

  Or it could be Bridget. Early. Like that ever happened. But, of course, his ex-wife would choose tonight to act out of character.

  Kierra sucked in a breath, her arm flinging off the back of the chair lightning fast, about as fast as that cute rear. She huffed out a breath and grabbed some soiled dishes. “I’ll clean up while you two chat. Then, I’ll be out of your hair.”

  Chat? With Brigit? And what if he wasn’t ready for the evening to be cut short? Especially by Brigit. Didn’t he have a choice? And what the heck was Brigit doing here? He’d told her that he’d bring Cody to her house in the morning.

  Hawk snatched her arm, keeping her from retreating into the kitchen. Into herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know—”

  “It’s all right.”

  “It’s not all right.” Not if Kierra’s pained smile and the dejection drooping her shoulders as she stole into the kitchen was any indication.

  He watched her put the dishes in the sink and run soapy water, her shoulders shaking.

  “Get your bag ready, Cody. I’m not telling you again.” Brigit’s demanding voice drew his attention away from the wounded woman in the kitchen.

  “Brigit. What the heck? I told you I’d bring Cody to your house in the morning.”

  “Yeah, well, Jimmy and I are headed to Dallas for his job interview in the morning. We won’t be there.”

  “Let him stay with me, then. I—”

  “Yeah, mom, please,” Cody pleaded.

  “No.”

  All sorts of curse words from Hawk’s younger days, pre-Cody, bumped around in his head, but not one of them made it past the lump clogging his throat. How had the evening switched course so fast? From pleasant and comfortable to downright awful with the push of a doorbell.

  He didn’t want to get on Brigit’s bad side. Not now, with the attorney working out all the fine details. Hawk tried to send a private message of apology and entreaty with his expression and soft voice. “Cody, go pack, Son.”

  Cody’s face scrunched up and a big fat tear plopped onto one of his mottled red cheeks. His lips quivered and Hawk feared that his son might resist. Then what? Would he be forced to carry his son kicking and screaming out to Brigit’s car? No way.

  But the kid just shook his head back and forth, looking at Hawk as if he’d ordered him to be executed, then darted to his room. Slammed the door. Rattled what few frames Hawk had managed to hang on the walls since moving in.

  “Thanks for that.” Normally, Hawk wasn’t a yeller. But right now, it took every ounce of self-control he could scrounge up not to holler at the woman in front of him. “My one night this weekend to keep him and—” At Brigit’s gasp and wide eyes, he turned.

  Kierra. Headed down the hall toward the bedrooms. She stopped. “Brigit. Wish I could say it was good to see you again.”

  “Likewise.” Brigit practically spat the single word. Hatred simmered from her, waves of heat almost palpable.

  One night of irresponsible behavior on his part had caused all the tension in this room. He’d destroyed a friendship between the two women, but this nightmare continually hurt his tender hearted son.

  The fire left his spirit. Drained, he took a step toward Cody’s room.

  “I’ll talk to him.” Kierra stayed him with an upheld palm and walked away, starch in her shoulders and urgency in her steps. With her hand curled around Cody’s doorknob, she glanced back at him.

  Was the tear that rolled down her cheek one of sorrow? Or anger?

  ****

  “Cody? May I come in?” Kierra knocked on Cody’s door and swiped at her cheek while she waited for the small voice to respond. When he did, she slid inside the cozy room for the first time, taking in the freshly painted green walls, the duffel bag in the middle of the floor.

  And Cody.

  Face-down on a twin size bed. Laying on a haphazard mess of scattered clothes, boots hanging off the side. His sobs, muffled somewhat by the pillow, trembled up his torso to shake his shoulders.

  Poor child! Helpless as a worn out soccer ball being kicked around by his parents.

  Kierra sank down on the rug next to the bed, ran circles with her hand on his back. “Hey.”

  He held his breath and the tremors stopped. A couple beats later, his back quivered again and he snuffled loudly. An arm disappeared under his face. Swiping his nose?

  Now that she was here, words deserted her. What did she know about offering comfort to a youngster going through such emotional pain and turmoil? Compared to Cody, her childhood had been heaven.

  She glanced around for some tissues, but couldn’t find any, so she kept rubbing his back. Just to let him know she was there.

  Finally, the sobs petered out and all that remained were snuffles.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

  Still nothing. Cody’s breathing stilled so much she leaned close to see if he’d gone to sleep.

  Silver eyes, old and wise for his nine years, blinked at her. Moisture clung like dewdrops to his long lashes. “My dad said I could stay tonight.” His tone condemned his father.

  “You love him.”

  He nodded.

  “You love your mother, too.”

  Another nod. “But I don’t like Jimmie.”

  “Your mother’s boyfriend?”

  Cody clenched his fist. His jaw quivered.

  Something about Jimmie frightened Cody. What was it? “Has Jimmie ever hurt you?”

  The boy shook his head.

  Relief shuddered through her. She wilted against the side of the bed, kept rubbing his back.
“Your daddy loves you very much, Cody. He wants things to be different.”

  “I know. He says I might be able to live with him all the time one day and that we can stay here. But I don’t think so.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because my mom says no. And we’re moving again.”

  She may not have a choice. At least, Kierra hoped not. That would crush Hawk and curdle his optimistic attitude after meeting with the attorney. “How do you know you’re moving?”

  “She never unpacked our stuff. And Jimmie doesn’t work anymore.” Cody coiled into himself. From fear? Or just plain dread?

  “Cody, you know if you’re ever afraid, you can call your dad, right? That’s what dads are for. To show us how to be brave and to be there when we need them.” She sure missed her dad. He didn’t talk much, but he always knew the right words to make her feel better.

  Cody sat up and wiped his face with a sleeve. “Yeah. Dad gave me a phone.”

  “See? He wants you to call him.”

  “But Mom takes it away when I’m with her. She says I’m a kid, and I don’t need a phone.”

  Kierra gulped. Did Hawk know that?

  “Well, let’s pack it deep in your bag. Maybe she will forget to ask for it this time.” How could Hawk protect Cody if he had no means of communicating? No wonder Hawk lived in a constant state of fear. Not just about Brigit moving. Worse. What if one of his ex-wife’s boyfriends hurt his son?

  Cody slid off the bed and onto the floor next to her. Together, they stuffed his clothes in the duffle, hiding the phone in a pair of boxers deep in the bottom.

  She zipped the bag. “All done.”

  “Yeah.” His gaze wandered to the bedroom door. Dread blanketed his face.

  “You can do this.”

  “I—” A knock on the door cut Cody off. Was he about to protest or confirm?

  Hawk stuck his head inside, his glance pinging ponging between her and Cody before finally settling on his son. “You okay?”

  Cody lifted off the floor and scooped up the duffle. Every step toward the hall drooped his shoulders another notch.