by Tori Kayson
Granted, during Cody’s statement to the sheriff, the boy confirmed that his mother had screamed at Jimmie to stop. Still. What was she doing with a loser like that?
Hopefully, the pair decided to bolt and were long gone. Maybe then Hawk and Cody could move on with their lives. The worst case scenario? Brigit stayed behind to continue the torture.
Keys dangling from her hand, Kierra jogged ahead on shaky legs and unlocked the cottage door. Hawk followed, carrying a sleeping Cody.
At nine, the kid wasn’t exactly a sack of potatoes, more like a barrel with long legs attached. But Hawk refused to wake him after the three hour wait to see the doctor and the two-hour examination and interview with the sheriff that followed.
“Be right back,” Hawk whispered, heading straight for Cody’s bedroom.
The perfect father.
Okay, maybe not perfect. But, close. The cowboy never raised his voice or his hand in anger. Spent every allowable minute of his off time with his son. When speaking of Cody, pride pumped up his voice and fierce love glowed from his face.
If Kierra had ever doubted Hawk’s paternal qualities, every single doubt vanished today. Not that she had. No. All those years ago, she’d wished that he was the father of her child.
All those years ago? What about now? But good daddy did not equate to good husband.
Do. Not. Go. There.
Scowling, she flicked on a few lights and dropped the sack of fast food on the kitchen counter. A basket loaded with king-sized bags of her favorite candy snagged her attention.
So he thought about her. Enough to keep a healthy stash on hand.
Smiling, she separated the cowboy’s two burgers and fries from her single then rummaged through the fridge and pulled out a couple cans of soda, her mouth watering at the package of steaks on the top shelf.
Better a burger than a steak considering the circumstances.
Hawk emerged from the dark hallway. Instead of sitting down at the table, he sank onto the end of the couch. With elbows on knees, he covered his face with his hands. Sighed.
“Thanks.” So quiet, so still, she almost didn’t hear the one word. As if his entire world had caved in around him and he no longer had the strength to fight back.
She perched on the sofa arm next to him. Smoothed back his hair. “Hey. He’s okay.”
Hawk scraped the late night whiskers shadowing his jaw and shook his head. As if that could shuck off the evening’s fright. “He might be all right physically, but what about in here?” The cowboy thumped his chest and a breath quivered out.
“He wasn’t with you. How can you blame yourself?”
“He’s my son, my responsibility whether he’s with me or not.”
“Hawk, you didn’t hit him. Jimmie did.”
“Maybe I didn’t physically strike him, but I should’ve stopped him from going back home with Brigit.”
“Did you have a choice?”
He huffed. “Not unless I wanted to take him and run. But then I’d be guilty of everything she’s done. And ruin any chance of getting full custody.”
“You did the right thing, Hawk.” Even to her ears that sounded weak. How did one tell a father he did the right thing by allowing his son to walk back into an unstable home environment?
Another long sigh. Then he wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her down onto his lap. “Not by a long shot. I missed the mark a decade ago.” The look he sent her curled her toes. Rekindled all those wishes she’d locked away.
“This might be the break you needed, Hawk. Not that I would’ve wished for Cody to be hurt.”
“I know.”
Cuddled against his chest, his heart thumped under her palm. More than a few minutes passed, his breath blowing in even puffs against her hair. Was he sleeping? She checked.
Silver eyes glowed back at her, and his arms tightened their grip. “I love you, you know. I never stopped. That’s probably the biggest reason it didn’t work with Brigit. I tried, God knows I tried, to be a good husband, to give her what she needed. Whether that was space or more money or time away from us. But in the end I never could give her my whole heart. And I think she knew that.”
Kierra blinked. Swallowed the painful lump that clogged her throat. All those years apart…not stolen out from under her like she’d thought, but surrendered willingly? And the words that she’d waited so long to hear…now? When he was wrung out and talking about his ex-wife in the same breath?
Untangling herself from his embrace, she stood on wobbly legs, suddenly shivering. She hugged her waist. “I think I’ll go home now.”
Surprise slacked his jaw. His shoulders drooped and he finally nodded. “Let me go rouse Cody and I’ll take you home.”
“No, don’t.” She held up a hand to halt his progress. It was late, and Cody needed rest after such a frightful encounter. Why hadn’t she thought through leaving the ranch without her truck? Her gaze slid to the couch.
Hawk’s eyes tracked hers, widened. He groaned and mashed his hands deep in his pockets. “I’d offer to let you stay here, Kierra, in my bed, not the couch. But I’m not made of steel, sweetheart. And I’m trying to show you that I’ve changed. That I’m a better man than back then. I can’t—” His head jerked back and forth, and he swallowed hard. Dug out his phone and tapped the keys. “I’ll see if your brother can pick you up.”
****
Like Hawk needed to rekindle that memory on top of tonight’s excitement. Fargo pounding on his door, a thundercloud darkening his boss’s face until Kierra explained.
Hawk tossed the cold burgers and fries in the trash, tipped the soda can against his neck. Anything to cool the heat of humiliation. But the can had already warmed to room temperature.
So, he’d laid it all on the line, told Kierra he loved her, and she’d rejected him. What possessed him to spill his gut now anyway? When worry for his son cramped every muscle, squeezed every drop of blood from his veins.
Kierra deserved to be wooed, romanced. Definitely not reminded of her second best status.
Hawk blew out a breath and stalked over to the front window, sliding the curtains back in time to see Fargo’s brake lights disappear from view, headed toward the ranch.
Well, he’d surely ruined any chance of a future with her tonight. After he’d blurted out the truth. Wrapped in a nice present of baggage.
“Dad?”
Hawk’s head snapped around to the small voice coming from the hallway. “Hey. You’re awake.”
“Did Kierra leave?”
“Yes.” But not until after she’d tiptoed into his son’s bedroom and planted a soft kiss on the boy’s forehead, the maternal vision unleashing all kinds of dreams and desires to flood Hawk’s soul. “Why?”
“I thought I saw her. In my room.”
“She was.”
“Oh.” Cody blinked, those droopy eyelids taking longer than usual to lift over sleepy eyes.
“She came in to say good night.”
“Did she…kiss me?” In the dim light of the hall, hope flared across Cody’s still swollen face, but retreated so quickly Hawk wondered if he’d imagined it.
He nodded.
“I knew it!” Cody’s hand flew to his forehead, his fingertips grazing the skin that probably still tingled from Kierra’s lips.
Hawk knew how it felt. To long for those sweet lips. To yearn for her soft touch, pure and simple.
“Why can’t my mom—”
“You need rest, Son. Come on. I’ll tuck you in.” Hawk draped an arm around Cody’s neck, led him back to the twin bed that dwarfed the almost closet-sized room.
He couldn’t handle the why’s tonight. Probably not tomorrow either.
17
Hawk hummed, his boot tapping the ground to the beat of the country music song as he finished prepping the brisket.
Next to him, Kierra hunched over the makeshift counter, rubbing the spice mixture he’d concocted on the ribs. Her teeth nipped her upper lip as she concentrated, t
he borrowed glove way bigger than her slender hand.
Generator powered flood lights illuminated the entire area reserved for the fifty barbeque teams. A delicious, mouth-watering smoky aroma permeated the air. Because he was tuned in to Kierra’s voice, the rowdy laughter and hum of voices simmered in the background.
He still couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe that she was still speaking to him after the other night. Or that she’d arranged for Fargo and the rest of the Kester clan to lend a hand with set up for the festival tomorrow. That she’d stuck around after her brothers left to help him prep the meats, especially since she had guests at the ranch to feed in the morning.
“There.” She patted the ribs one last time, smiling as she covered the pan with aluminum foil and slid the giant glove off. Her gaze tracked from Cody, playing ball with a kid from the next booth over, back to him. “What’s next, boss?”
He surveyed the table, ticked off the meats. Ribs, brisket, chicken, pork…all prepped and ready. But it was still too early to throw the brisket or the pork in the cooker. He picked up a tray. “Open that first cooler, will you? We’ll pack these in there until it’s time for them to go in the smoker.”
“Sure.” A lock of dark hair escaped her ponytail and cascaded across her face as she bent to lift the lid. She tucked the rogue wave behind an ear, uncovering a smooth expanse of milky neck, so white compared to the rest of her golden tanned body.
His lips twitched with the urge to nibble, taste, explore. One quick kiss. What would it hurt? He leaned in, his gaze locked on her neck, his pulse quickening—
“Dad? How much longer?”
Kierra glanced up, her dark eyes widening when she realized his intention. She tried to hide her smile as she stretched back to her barely five foot four inches.
He’d always loved her height. How she could snuggle against his frame, the top of her head barely skimming his shoulders, her long silky hair tickling his arms.
“Almost done, Son.” He edged back, immediately regretting the distance between them.
“Okay! Don’t hurry on my account.” Cody went back to playing with the neighbor.
Balancing the tray with one hand, Hawk fingered the strands of Kierra’s loose hair, his gaze colliding with hers. “You know, sweetheart, one of these days, it’s going to be just the two of us. A real date. I promise.”
She swallowed, hard, and her tongue came out to wet her lips. “I’ll hold you to it.” Her hand framed his jaw and she stretched on the tips of her boots to kiss his cheek. Soft and feather light just like the fruity and floral fragrance she left behind. “But I don’t mind. Really. And besides—”
He waited, determined to hang on to the heavy pan. Because if his hands weren’t occupied, he’d be scooping her up and hauling her into the nearest camper.
Eyebrows arched in tease, as if she knew what she did to him and enjoyed it. Thoroughly. Her mouth widened into a seductive grin. “I know your secret.” She picked up a peanut candy from the counter, plopped it into her mouth.
Secret? He’d already bared his heart, exposed his deepest regret, his biggest worry, the lost dreams of a future with her that kept him awake at night. What was left?
Confusion warmed his face. “My secret? What’s that?”
Kierra chewed the chocolate candy, slow and purposeful, the smile still tugging her lips. “That little guy there—” she flicked her head toward Cody “—is probably the number one reason the big guy behaves.” She thumped his chest with her palm.
Oh, wasn’t she playful tonight? Relief crashed down on him. He set the pan down. Took a step closer. “Is that right?”
The slightest tinge of worry flickered across her face, but she chased it away with another piece of candy. “Totally. A chaperone.” Brave woman held her ground. Even lifted her chin.
“Is that what you think?” Another step. Another flash of concern. Another piece of candy down the hatch.
Another chunk of his heart latched on to this woman. As if there was anything left that didn’t already belong to her.
“Yep. That’s exactly what I think.” Her bravery dissipated into a giggle when he dived, scooped her up under her legs and carted her to a private spot behind the neighbor’s camper. She swatted him on the chest. “Just kidding. Now put me down.”
He lowered her legs until they dangled, not quite far enough to reach the ground, his arms wrapped tight around her back. His voice came out raspy, hoarse from a decade of need, every inch of his body burning with it. Like a caged lion, his nerves roared for release. “Still think that?”
“Yes.” The one word tickled his chin. Her closeness, the way her eyes got all soft and melty when her head tilted up, her lips open and inviting.
“You’d be right.” He took his time closing the gap. When his mouth finally met hers, the soft groan that gurgled up from her throat just about did him in.
This amazing woman, this craving for her that never went away, threatened to undo him. This issue with Cody’s custody better wrap up soon. Because he planned to romance Kierra properly.
****
The wind howled. Vicious and angry, the storm pelted the sturdy panes of the ranch’s old window. Although inside the sprawling kitchen was toasty from the warm oven, Kierra shivered and flicked the switch to start the electric griddle. She tossed a few more dishes into the sink to soak, then padded over to the window, hugging her waist while she stared out into the darkness. Worry swamped her.
Hawk was out there. Had spent the entire night outdoors at the fairgrounds, sleeping under a flimsy awning on a fold up lounge chair, babying his meats for today’s competition. His shelter would never hold in this wind.
After Cody’s episode with Brigit and Jimmie, the cowboy had come perilously close to pulling out and cancelling his entry, but Fargo convinced him to stay in, had even forked over some sponsorship money to help cover the cost of purchasing the meats. Now, he probably regretted that decision.
“He’ll be fine,” her mother said, breaking the early morning hush.
Kierra angled over a shoulder.
In slippers and faded jeans, her mother shuffled into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. Eyed her over the rim as she sipped. “You’re up early. Worried?”
No. Yes. She finally nodded, her arms tightening around her waist. What she wouldn’t give for the reassurance of feeling the cowboy’s arms around her right now. To hear that deep, teasing voice. To see those silver eyes dancing with life and…desire. Last night’s stolen kiss…her cheek pressed against his chest, his heartbeat hammering through his shirt when he’d scooped her up and hauled her to the back of the adjoining camper. That she’d wanted him to finish what they’d started, to extinguish the fire burning in her bones, to satisfy the itch that no amount of scratching could, the real reason she hadn’t slept. What dragged her out of bed and into a brisk shower at three thirty, when she’d finally surrendered all hope of falling asleep. Why bother when the alarm was set for five o’clock? She moved away from the window. Couldn’t bear to witness the trees bend sideways unnaturally.
“I’m sure he’s been through worse.”
Nothing she didn’t already know, but still. “Yeah, but this storm brewed up unexpectedly. He wouldn’t have had anything to prepare.”
Her mother pshawed. “That cowboy? I’d bet he’s always prepared.” Her mother surveyed the messy kitchen. The flour dusting the counter, the suds topping the dishes soaking in the sink, the pitcher of pancake batter with all the trimmings next to the griddle. “Just like you.”
Yeah, well her mother didn’t need to know the real reason she’d been up most of the night. She grabbed a hot pad and pulled the blueberry muffins out of the oven, set the pan on the cooling rack.
“I’m glad you convinced Hawk to let Cody come back with you.”
“Me too. I can’t imagine him being out in this. What a nightmare.” After that kiss, Kierra had tossed out the offer to bring Cody back to the ranch for the night. Couldn’t believ
e that he’d actually agreed since the daddy barely allowed his son out of sight lately.
“Why don’t you let me take over from here? Grab another cup of coffee and go relax for a few minutes, before the crowd makes it down for breakfast,” her mother offered.
“Okay, but first…” Kierra poured batter onto the griddle, filling it with six jumbo circles. Smiling, she plopped some chocolate chips onto the batter. Three speckled misshaped hearts and three broad smiles.
“Cute. He’ll love them. Now go.” Her mother shooed her from the kitchen.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Kierra topped off her coffee and, armed with her tablet and to-do list, headed for a secluded corner in the family room. A few minutes of quiet before the onslaught of overnight guests wandered downstairs would be awesome.
And a chance to text Hawk, even better.
Hey, you alive, cowboy?
She tried not to hold her breath. Tried not to keep glancing at her phone as she powered on her tablet and responded to emails.
But when his reply pinged, her breath tumbled out in a fresh wave of relief.
Alive and missing you! Neighbor invited me to sleep on their couch or I’d be a soggy mess. Ha! Still a soggy mess. It’s nasty out here. Thanks for taking Cody back with you. Good morning, sweetheart.
His sweet words whispered peace to the worry scraping her spirit raw. By the time she reached the end of the message, she was smiling, her heart thudding a frantic rhythm against her chest.
You’re welcome. And I miss you too, cowboy.
Movement snagged her attention away from the phone. A head peeked around the wall then a pint-sized body dressed in a white undershirt and gym shorts appeared, creeping across the floor bare footed.
Cody. Scruffy nutmeg hair poked up in several spots, alarm darkening his face as he scanned the unfamiliar surroundings.
She knew the moment he realized where he was because relief leaked out of his chest. Gray eyes regarded her, hazy from sleep. His voice came out rough. “Morning.”
