by Tori Kayson
“Good morning.” She smiled and set her tablet on the table beside the chair, inviting him closer. “Did the storm wake you?”
“No.” He rubbed his eyes and plopped down on the closest chair, not elaborating. Halfway between boy and man, legs stretched out, so long and slender, reminding her of his father.
Maternal longing kicked her in the chest with so much oomph, she would’ve sworn Charcoal did it. What would it have been like to raise this boy?
Sassy wandered in from wherever she’d been snoozing and jumped up on Cody’s lap. He stroked the cat until the satisfied purring could probably be heard in the kitchen.
Add sweet to the list of Cody’s qualities.
“You hungry?”
He nodded, barely taking his eyes off the cat, enraptured by the purring, giggled when Sassy nudged him with her tiny button nose and arched her back against him.
An idea took root and blossomed. She tapped out a note for herself on her phone then stood. “Come on. Let’s go see what’s for breakfast. I think there might be something special just for you.”
Silver eyes glowed with hope and wonder. “Really?”
When was the last time someone besides the boy’s father had done something special for him? Happiness that she’d caused that look bubbled up inside, overflowed.
She kinda liked this mothering gig.
****
They were a sight for storm-weary, looking-forward-to-sleeping-in-his-bed-tonight, bone-tired eyes.
Ever since Kierra texted a couple of hours ago that they planned to start on the other end of the grounds and work their way to him, fatigue and overly damp clothes had dogged Hawk. He longed for a hot shower to wash away the grunge of sweat and smoke chased by a frigid blast of icy water to cool the fever of denied passion. But now? The glimpse of Kierra walking his way, smiling, an arm slung around his son’s shoulders, might be just enough to keep him going until a decent bedtime hour.
Wow. She literally ripped the breath from his lungs. Her fresh and natural beauty, so casual and relaxed. The confidence that came from being who she was meant to be, where she was meant to be. So stable. So…just what he needed.
Unfortunately, he was definitely not what she deserved or needed. Not with all his baggage. But, from all that turmoil of his younger years, Hawk emerged with Cody, and he surely wouldn’t, couldn’t, complain.
“The awards ceremony will begin in just five minutes, folks. I know you’re all anxious to hear the judge’s results. It’s been a long night. Let’s make your way to the stage and get this show on the road.” An announcer blared his enthusiasm from the speakers positioned strategically around the park.
Humidity from the storm moistening his brow and neck and dribbling down his back, Hawk hoisted and stowed the last cooler in the truck, leaving three chairs as the final bit of cleanup, and met them halfway.
“Hey, Dad!” Cody handed his blue cotton candy stick to Kierra and raced the last few steps. Barreled into his chest.
“Hey, buddy.” Hawk hugged his son back, stealing a quick kiss with Kierra over Cody’s head. “I missed you guys.”
“I missed you too!” Cody echoed.
“Yeah, I bet you missed me. Long enough to close your eyes and clamp the pillow over your head during that storm, right?”
Cody grinned. Sheepish. Guilty. “You know I would’ve stayed. If you’d asked me to.”
“Well, I’m glad you went home with Kierra. I wouldn’t have wanted you out in the mess earlier.”
“You sound hoarse. Did you get much sleep?” Kierra’s concerned glance flickered from the group of foldup lounge chairs to him.
“Not enough. But I’m all right. Especially now that two of my most favorite people in the world just showed up.”
“Hey, Dad. Guess what? Grandma Becka won the pie contest!”
“She did?” Grandma Becka? His son was calling Kierra’s mother Grandma now? “That’s wonderful.” Regret lumped in his throat and buckled his legs like overcooked spaghetti. To give his son this hope for a family and roots, this dream come true, seemed so unfair, especially if Brigit jerked it all out from under Cody.
Shoot, not just Cody, Hawk too. Suddenly, sticking around for the awards program didn’t sound like such a good idea. Actually, a relationship with Kierra—
“You should’ve saved the cleanup. We were all prepared to help. Weren’t we, Cody?”
Cody pulled a long thread of cotton candy and popped it in his mouth, nodded.
“Yeah, I can see that.” Hawk chuckled. “No problem. I had time.” Especially with the void of a couple hours since the last turn in. He’d considered a nap, but didn’t want to waste any second of their limited time together cleaning and loading the truck. No, he wanted them, her, all to himself.
A crowd passed by, laughing as they dodged downed tree limbs, on their way to the awards.
Well, mostly to himself. But, it was for the best. He unlocked the truck. “Ready to go? I can drive you to your car.”
Kierra chuckled, disbelief etched in her expression. “Not hardly. We want to see you get your award.”
“Appreciate your vote of confidence, sweetheart,” Hawk said. “But have you looked around here? See all these teams, most of them hauling those big, fancy smokers? I don’t stand a chance, but it was fun.”
The stubborn woman latched on to his arm and dragged him forward. “Come on. Just a few more minutes, then you can go home and get that shower you’re dreaming about.”
So much for escape. He leaned in, close to her ear, and got a slight whiff of her subtle fragrance. Spicy with a punch of sass. He gave up. How could he resist her pull? “Want to join me?”
“Dad, you said our bathroom’s barely big enough for a person to turn around, but it didn’t matter because it’s ours.” Cody glanced at them, confusion knotting his brow, as they made their way to the crowd gathering around the stage.
Kierra’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. She elbowed him. “Chaperone. Remember?”
He laughed. Just that simple act released his fears. Unshackled his resistance.
“And you promised we’d get ice cream tonight,” Cody added.
“That I did.” He turned toward Kierra, unable to control the wicked grin from sliding in place. “Maybe you’ll join us for that?”
“Only if you promise to behave.”
A man sauntered across the stage with a paper and microphone in his hand, saving Hawk from a comeback. What, he didn’t know. How could he promise something as tough as that? Corralling his feelings for this woman was growing more challenging every day.
Especially when her arm slid around his back and she nestled in against his side. He wanted to warn her that he was stinky and sweaty, but she didn’t seem to mind. Hadn’t backed away with a disgusted cringe. Not even a wrinkled nose.
He almost missed his name being called out.
“Awesome! Congratulations!” Kierra pushed him forward.
He hustled to the stage, had to look at the trophy to see he’d won second place in chicken.
Three more times he was called to the stage. Third place in pork, first in brisket, and shocker, first place for his ribs.
When he came back down with the rib trophy, Cody added it to the stack in his arms, four now. “Is that it, Dad?”
“I don’t know. I think there may be one or two more.”
Sure enough. He blinked when his name was called as the overall champion. “Pinch me. I think I must’ve fallen asleep on the lounge chair and this is all a dream,” he whispered to Kierra.
Instead her arms swallowed him. She hugged him for a couple beats, then her hands framed his jaw, pulled his head down. The kiss started off celebratory, but transitioned into something sweet. Slow. Mellow. A lead-me-down-the-road-to-forever kind of kiss. As if she planned to stick around.
Wait a minute! He was the one who planned to stick around.
When he pulled back, dazed, the crowd roared with cheers and laughter. Kierra smiled
at his confusion. “You better go get that award, cowboy. You deserve it.”
18
Hawk knocked and breezed into the kitchen, stopping just behind her at the sink.
Even if Kierra hadn’t twisted and grabbed the dishtowel to dry her hands, she would’ve recognized him. The earth and woods and cool air scent that clung to his clothes. The familiar rhythm of his stride as his boots clomped across the planked floor. The swell of longing that rose up inside of her whenever he came near.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Dipped his head, his mouth snuggling against her neck, his lips, his teeth, his tongue creating all sorts of havoc with the rest of her body.
Encasing his arms with her hands, she closed her eyes and tilted her head to give him full access. A moan gurgled up from her throat. From her toes to her hair, every part tingled from his touch. She ached to turn around, to face him head on, to feel the heat of his body pressing against hers, his mouth possessing hers.
How could he do that? Make a random, mindless chore like washing dishes seem so sensual? Light up her day, heat up the entire kitchen, with just a touch.
He squeezed her waist and kissed her head, turned her around. Now they were getting somewhere! She arched on tiptoes, puckered her lips. Heard the dishtowel plop in the dish water.
But instead of continuing what he’d started, what she so desperately wanted, he tweaked her nose with a finger, chased by a chaste kiss, and plucked something off the counter. “Hey, I’m supposed to be working.”
“So am I. You interrupted me, remember?” Her voice came out airy, as if just coming out of a dream. “Mind you, I’m not complaining.”
He smiled. “Nor am I, but my boss might. Seeing you made me forget why I came in. Fargo asked me to bring you the mail. Knew you’d want to see this right away.” With a deadpan face, the cowboy handed her the stack, a bag of candy on top of a magazine. The only magazine she subscribed to.
A fresh wave of disappointment crashed over her, and Kierra tossed the stack of mail on the counter to read later. After she’d finished washing the thousand or so dishes and pans from breakfast. By then, her mother would be back home with a dozen or more bags of groceries to unload and put away. Maybe then she’d hole herself up in her room and flip through it. Actually, no. Because a couple rooms needed to be cleaned after this morning’s check outs.
She ripped open the candy bag and popped one in her mouth. “Thanks.”
Hawk smiled. Picked up the magazine and practically shoved it in her hand. “I think you should read it now.”
She swallowed and almost choked on a peanut when she saw the cover.
The headline, Unleash Your Inner Dude, and a photo from the ranch. Their ranch. The day they left for the roundup, all the guests on their mounts, huge smiles as big as their hats, circled around a stern looking Fargo. A beam of sunlight spotlighted her and Hawk, standing next to her horse on the fringe of the crowd, appearing deep in conversation. From that angle, even she could see how her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at Hawk. From the sun, right? In case he noticed—
“City Boy must’ve climbed into the barn loft to get that shot.” Hawk tapped the photo with a finger and muttered, “Amazed he didn’t break his neck.”
Her head whipped up, shock slacking her jaw. “He actually printed it?” Her voice came out half whisper, half screech. Oh, no. What malicious—
Hawk nodded, his mouth lifting up on both ends. “Great shot, but the article’s even better, sweetheart. One you should be proud of. Heck, Fargo even cracked a smile when he read it.”
Winsome actually featured their ranch? Surprise paralyzed her. Finally, her hands jolted to life, but the pages wouldn’t cooperate. She licked the pads of a couple fingers, but still her fingers tangled with the paper.
The cowboy finally took it from her and found the article, handed it back.
She scanned the story, certain trigger words and phrases ping ponging in her head. Authentic. Covered all the bases. Safety conscious. Excellent medical attention. Top notch facilities. Five-star resort worthy. Delightful assortment of food dishes, exquisitely prepared. Enjoyable experience even for a city slicker like him. True love.
True love? Whoa!
The final picture was of them, after Fargo caught them kissing. Her in Hawk’s arms, dewy eyed, lips red and swollen. Definitely. In. Love. Sterling nailed it with that photo.
Her hand flew to her mouth, covered the groan. She backed up, stole a glance at the cowboy. Could he see it?
His silver eyed gaze collided with hers, but other than a generous smile, he offered no coupon into mind reading.
She read that last paragraph more closely. Kester Ranch is more than just a dude ranch or a venue to hold your special event. Kester Ranch actually creates those momentous occasions. During this trip, a couple actually found true love. Was this romantic connection due to the smattering of stars sprinkled across the enormous expanse of black sky? Or perhaps a handful of late night trysts prodded these two love cowboys into togetherness. Talking and sharing their hearts, carving out time for communication which the rest of the world doesn’t allow or even value. Whatever the impetus for Cupid’s arrow, if you’re in the mood for a little romance or you’re still searching for that certain someone, a visit to Kester Ranch just might be the ticket to your happily-ever-after.
Relief buckled her legs. With a hand to her forehead, she back stepped until her rump landed against the counter next to Hawk’s, finally exhaling at the last line, the website for the ranch. “Wow. That should spark a few engagement party and wedding gig calls. I couldn’t have written the promo better myself. I still can’t believe he didn’t diss the ranch. Not one time.” Especially after she’d spurned him there at the end. Actually, she’d feared retaliation with a negative review. Or no space at all in the December issue.
And most of the article’s endorsements pointed directly to the cowboy in front of her. She dropped the magazine on the counter and stepped in front of him, pressed her palms against his chest. “Thank you.”
His hands circled her back, confusion speckling his forehead. “For what?”
“You read the article, right? ‘Excellent medical attention. Delightful assortment of food dishes, exquisitely prepared.’”
He shrugged. His hands slid down to her hips, tugged her closer. “That was all you and Fargo. Setting yourself up for success.”
“We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Goes both ways, you know.”
“What do you mean?”
Hawk flicked his head toward the barn. “I wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for you.”
“Fargo hired you.”
“Yeah, but you could’ve fired me. You didn’t.” He swallowed hard. “You gave me the best chance I have at giving my boy a permanent home.”
She wound her hands around his neck. “Where’s this going, cowboy?”
“I know where I’d like it to go.” His rich, deep voice warmed her all the way down. Like that first sip of coffee on a cold winter morning.
No hint whatsoever that he’d like to move this discussion to a bedroom. No, that wasn’t desire darkening his face. No hooded lids masking want. Serious silver eyes regarded her, his hands steady around her hips, no wandering. His body thrummed with energy, but it wasn’t need.
“And where would that be?” her voice came out barely a whisper. Could she trust him not to rip out the tender stalk of love blossoming in her heart?
The back screen door squeaked opened and slapped closed. Footsteps clomped through the utility room and into the kitchen. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Winded, Kierra’s mother huffed from exertion and dropped two bags of groceries on the counter. “I’ll come back later.” She turned to leave the same way she came.
Hawk chuckled. “Rebekah, no! No problem. Let me help you.” He eased Kierra back with a disappointed smile. “Later, all right?”
****
Hawk didn’t li
ke leaving the ranch with Kierra’s question dangling between them, but it was just as well. A rendezvous mid-morning in the ranch’s wide open kitchen, when any guest was bound to pop in on them, was not the place or the time for declarations of any kind.
Besides, a complicated mare birthing had consumed any spare minutes before he was due to pick up Cody from school. Now, he’d be lucky to make it before the school called him.
Mrs. Kester’s interruption had been a bonus, though. The thoughtful woman volunteered to keep Cody so he could take Kierra out on a real date tomorrow night.
The last stoplight before the school turned yellow and he stopped. Tapped a frantic beat against the steering wheel, eyeing the time.
His phone rang through the truck’s Bluetooth. The school? He answered quick. “Rowe here. Sorry I’m running a bit late.”
A chuckle on the other end, then, “No problem. Hey, Hawk. It’s Harris Anson.”
The attorney? Moisture, heavy and immediate, slicked his palms. The stoplight switched to green and he stomped the accelerator.
“I assume you’re on your way to Cody’s school?”
“Yeah. Had a bit of trouble with a new momma mare.” Dang horse. After a long, arduous labor and delivery, she ignored the little fellow. Kicked and bucked when they tried to get her to nurse. They’d tried all sorts of distractions, but nothing worked. Hopefully, by tonight, the mare would step up and take care of the poor tyke. Otherwise, they’d have to tranquilize the stubborn female.
Reminded him of Brigit. What measures would it take before she took responsibility for her son?
“You can slow down and breathe a little easier. The authorities picked up your ex-wife and her boyfriend.”
Relief rushed through him. Now, maybe he could ease the fears that kept him awake at night. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all week.”
“It gets better.” Papers rustled in the background. “We received a hearing date.”
