by Tori Kayson
And that’s where all of this was headed, right? Because Kierra was permanent. Stable. A woman to share his forever.
He didn’t want Kierra to hate him. Best to end things now. Before she invested time and energy into their relationship and resented him.
Like Brigit. If nothing else, tonight had shown him the depths of Brigit’s hatred. What if Kierra hated him like that?
He rubbed the tension knotting his neck, steered the truck in the direction of their rental house.
“Dad, why was Kierra crying when she came in?”
Oh, for Pete’s sake, he’d made her cry? “I…I’m not sure exactly.”
Cody studied him. “Not sure exactly?”
When did his boy get so smart? So grown up? “Your mother showed up at the park. Caused a scene. She might’ve been upset about that.”
Cody’s mouth gaped. “Mom broke up your date?”
Broke up more than that. He sighed. “Yeah. It wasn’t pretty.”
Cody turned to stare out the passenger window. Speechless? That was a first.
They made it home in silence. Hawk slid the key in the front door.
Cody rushed past him but stopped in the family room. He twisted around, tears streaming down his still boy-smooth cheeks. “I hate her!”
“You can hate what she does all you want, but she’s still your mother, Cody. I won’t have you disrespect her like that.” Hawk forced sternness into his voice.
“I hate her, and I hate you! For making Kierra cry and for making me live with my mom!” Cody yelled and ran into his bedroom. Slammed the door.
Stand in line, Son. Hawk didn’t particularly like himself right now, either.
He plopped down on the arm chair and scraped a palm across his face. Heaved a sigh as he glanced around the sparsely furnished room that had brought them both so much joy. What else? He’d already lost Kierra. Would he lose his son and his job too? All in one awful night?
21
Dread. Fear. Worry.
Hawk was familiar with all of them today. Today? Make that this entire week. He’d never felt so alone, so one-against-the-world, in all his adult life.
He rubbed his forehead, elbow resting on a knee, and shifted his backside against the hard wood of the bench. Would this nightmare finally end in a few moments? Or would it drag out until Cody got a little older and forced everyone’s hand?
“Kierra’s here!” Cody hollered. He raced back from the end of the hall, stopping to brace his hands on Hawk’s shoulders. Excitement radiated from his limbs. “Kierra’s here, Dad!”
What? Kierra came to the courthouse? His spirit soared.
Cody ran back to where he’d been scoping out the inner workings of the courthouse. An inner courtyard of sorts with halls branching off in four quadrants. “And Grandma Bekah! And Fargo and—”
“Lower your voice, Cody. We don’t want the judge to kick us out before we ever get inside.” Hawk rose from the bench outside the judge’s chamber and forced himself to walk when his legs screamed to run.
Sure enough. Practically the whole Kester clan descended on the courthouse. For the first time all day, Hawk smiled, pleasure taking wings, duking it out with the fear and worry cramping his gut.
Kierra breezed through the double sliding doors first. Man, she looked good. Too good. Her dark hair pulled back in a refined knot, a black blazer complimented her simple white shirt and jeans hugged long slender legs. That look of determination and devil-may-care lifting her chin when she saw him after going through security.
He’d avoided her all week. But that didn’t mean his gaze hadn’t slid toward the ranch house every time he’d stepped out of the barn or driven up the driveway in his truck. Or that he hadn’t taken out his phone at least a hundred times intending on sending a quick text before he remembered why he shouldn’t—couldn’t—see her in the first place.
Had Fargo rallied the troops after Hawk left work early to pick up Cody from school? Or Kierra? Was it selfish of him to hope that Kierra was behind this incredible show of support?
The woman in question halted in front of him, the toes of her high heels skimming the tips of his boots. Her head barely reached his shoulders, the fruity scent of her shampoo filling his lungs before they stopped functioning altogether. When she glanced up at him, her eyes glimmered with hope, dew drops clinging like diamonds to her dark lashes.
“You came.” Wonder loosened inside him. Blasted a crater in his resolve to stay away, to hold her at arm’s length.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Her voice came out husky. “And neither would they.” Her gesture encompassed the rest of her family, including Summer and Logan in the back.
“We’re here for you guys,” Fargo said. Darby snuggled into his side, nodded.
“Absolutely. We couldn’t let you go through this alone. That’s what family is for, and since you don’t have any, we elected ourselves,” Rebekah spoke the words to him as she draped an arm around his son’s shoulders.
Her sweet words, the love and support energizing the hallway, practically knocked him over. What would he do without this family? He needed them like air to breathe. His jaw clamped to keep the quiver from showing.
Rebekah saved him from embarrassment by dangling a plastic bag in front of Cody. “And I figured since you came straight from school, young man, that you might need a snack about now.”
“Cookies! Thank you!” Cody took the bag out of her hand with gentle fingers, but his bites were greedy.
How could Hawk possibly think that he could stuff Kierra into a neat little cubby belonging to his past? So not happening. His arm slid around her back, and she smiled up at him.
As if he made her day. In reality, it was just the opposite. The ranch overflowed with guests since the magazine feature, and yet she’d—they’d—carved time out to be there for him.
“Is Brigit here?” Kierra asked.
He shook his head. “Haven’t seen her yet. Maybe we’ll get lucky and she won’t—” His gaze clipped toward the judge’s chamber as the door opened.
The attorney stuck his head around the door. “We’re up next. You ready?”
Hawk scanned the faces in the crowded hall, finally settling on Cody, sandwiched between Kierra and her mom.
Was this what a real family did? Joined forces to offer support and encouragement, to pump each other up with good karma.
What belonging felt like? That warm feeling combined with the flurry of a few thousand hummingbirds fluttering in his gut at being included in their circle of love. The hope that burst to life that this picture might one day become a reality.
“Cody?” His voice came out hoarse.
“Let’s go, Dad!” Cody tugged at his hand.
He took a deep breath, nodded at the Kester clan. Kissed the top of Kierra’s head. “Be back shortly.”
Her sweet smile was enough encouragement to propel him inside. To bolster his courage that no matter what the outcome, she was here.
****
“How long does this take?” Kierra paced the hall outside the judge’s chamber, checked the time on her phone for the thousandth time.
“It’s only been fifteen minutes, Key.” Fargo didn’t have to look quite so smug. “Why don’t you sit down?” He gestured toward the vacant spot on the bench next to their mom.
“I can’t.” Couldn’t sit. Couldn’t stand still. Could barely breathe for the anxiety squeezing her lungs.
What if the judge ruled in Brigit’s favor? What if Brigit took off again? What would Hawk do? Would he go after her? What if Hawk left Coldwater Ridge again, for good this time?
Cold, hard fear gripped her chest.
She stalked toward the other end of the hall, hugging the goosebumps that raised on her arms under the blazer.
Loud cheers erupted from the judge’s chambers but faded almost instantly.
Every Kester head angled toward the door, expectant. Kierra staggered back to the opening, waiting on weak legs, her heart just about ham
mering through her chest.
Finally, the door whooshed open and Hawk and Cody breezed through, the attorney right behind them.
Kierra scanned their faces. Relief on Hawk’s. Happiness on Cody’s. Triumph on the attorney’s as he and Hawk shook hands.
She exhaled, the relief buckling her legs, but in an instant, her mother’s arm circled her back.
The attorney smiled a greeting as he waded past the group clustered in the hall.
“I can live with my dad now!” Cody pumped a celebratory fist in the air. “Forever!”
“Congratulations! That’s awesome!” Fargo high fived Cody and shook Hawk’s hand.
“Yeah. That means we can stay here. Right, Dad?” Cody looked up at his father with a hopeful expression.
Hawk’s left arm snaked around her back and tugged her against his side. He gazed down at her, his smile bright with joy. “That’s exactly what it means, Son. We can stay here forever.”
She covered her mouth with her hand while happy tears tracked down both cheeks. Relief quivered from her chest.
“Well, this calls for a celebration dinner. Steaks on the grill at the ranch around six. See y’all there.” Her mother waved and ushered the rest of the family toward the exit.
“You’ll come, right?” Kierra asked, sniffing and swiping at her cheeks.
His kiss took her by surprise. She melted into him, putting every ounce of love and hope into the kiss.
When he pulled back, his eyes hazy and needy, she smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
22
“Oh, how about this one, Dad?”
It was Christmas Eve morning, and Cody was picking out his Christmas gift from the shelter.
A dog.
They were nearing the last of the kennels, but Hawk had visited the shelter yesterday to prepare for today’s visit. Already picked out the dog that he suspected would steal Cody’s heart. Two more kennels before he found out if he was right.
“She’s adorable.” The sign indicated that Sheba was a yellow Australian Cattle dog.
Cody rubbed Sheba’s fur through the fence.
Kierra smiled up at Hawk, her eyebrows lifted, but he shook his head.
Cody moved on to the next one, repeated the process. At the next kennel, he gasped and fell to his knees.
Hawk nodded at Kierra.
“Oh, Dad, look! What a sad face.” Cody petted the dog as he scanned the info card attached to the kennel. “His name’s Gravy. Brown brindle boxer and bulldog mix.” Silence, then, “Oh, no!”
“What’s wrong, Cody?” But, Hawk knew. Knew his boy would fall in love with this dog. And for just this reason.
Cody gulped and twisted to look at them, sorrow contorting his features. “He’s lived at the shelter the longest. Since he was a puppy. And the date is January 2nd.”
The date Gravy was scheduled to be destroyed.
“Oh!” Kierra kneeled in front of the kennel with Cody. She stuck her fingers through the wire mesh and fingered the canine’s soft ears, crooning. “Look at the sweet boy.”
The dog pressed his weight against the kennel, eyelids closed with the praise.
Hawk nodded to the female attendant who’d followed at a discreet distance, giving them space for discussion. The attendant unlocked the crate and latched the leash to Gravy’s collar, led him out.
“It says that a man brought him in after seeing Gravy rummaging through garbage behind his restaurant for a couple weeks. Gravy’s never known a real home. He needs us, Dad.” Urgency snuck in to Cody’s voice.
Hawk sat down, the three of them forming a half moon of love around Gravy. “I agree.”
“You do?” Cody asked like he expected an argument.
Wouldn’t get one from him. He loved Gravy already, had hand-picked this dog yesterday himself. If Cody hadn’t also chosen Gravy, they’d be going home with two dogs today.
“Absolutely.” Hawk rubbed the dog’s smooth belly and was rewarded with a contented sigh. “Everyone needs to feel like they belong somewhere. Like they’re loved and needed and special in someone else’s life. Whether that’s a dog or a boy. Or a man or woman.” His gaze skidded to Kierra, who flashed him the megawatt smile she reserved for him.
She’d made them feel that way. Her and her whole family. They’d welcomed him and Cody, supported, encouraged, stood by.
Love rushed him, and he just about dug the ring out of his pocket and proposed now on the concrete floor of an animal shelter. But she deserved something a bit more…special. A memorable event to replace the old, not-so-happy evening from a decade ago.
Instead, he said, “Well, Gravy Rowe, it looks like you found a forever home.”
The dog jumped up, planted both paws on Cody’s chest and licked his face. As if he understood exactly what Hawk just said.
He only hoped Kierra would be as thrilled with a new last name.
****
“You should have seen us, Mom. When we left that shelter, not only were all the humans bawling, but I could swear that dog was crying too.” Kierra focused on the mirror.
Her mother had insisted on fixing Kierra’s hair for tonight’s date with Hawk. Pins jutting between her lips, her mother smiled as she pulled Kierra’s long hair into an elegant twist on the back of her head. One by one the pins disappeared in a mass of hair. “There.” She tugged at the wispy ringlets framing Kierra’s cheeks and their gazes collided in the glass. “What do you think?”
Kierra twisted in both directions, studying the results. “It’s beautiful, Mom. Very elegant.” Too fancy for her liking but she hadn’t been able to refuse her mother’s plea. Already her fingers itched to tug it down and replace it with something more comfortable like her usual braid or ponytail. But wondering how Hawk would react forced her to ignore the twitch of her rebellious fingers. “Thank you.”
Gentle hands squeezed Kierra’s shoulders. “You’re welcome, honey. You’re beautiful no matter how you’re dressed or how your hair’s done, but occasionally it’s nice to dress up, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.” Kierra stood and kissed her mother’s cheek. “But I’m afraid Hawk won’t recognize me.”
“Oh, he will.” A soft smile added emphasis to her mother’s assurance.
Kierra peered into the dark recess of her closet, slid some hangers until she found the plastic-wrapped gown. She pulled it out and hung it over the door, ripped off the dry cleaner’s protective covering and laid it on the bed, smiling as she did every time she wore it.
But this time her eyes watered remembering the joyful homecoming from earlier today. “Hawk and Cody led Gravy through each room. Showed Gravy where his food and water dish were. His new bed, a big fluffy cushion right next to Cody’s bed. And when they fed him, they both stood there, staring.” Awe glazed their expressions, as if Gravy rescued them instead of the other way around. “And Gravy acted as if he’d stumbled into heaven by accident.” The love those two poured out on that one dog, their appreciation for the simple pleasures…a glimmer of life with the Rowe family, a life she craved more every hour, every day.
“Aww. Sounds like y’all found the right one then.” Her mother sat on the edge of the bed, petting a sleeping Sassy, watching Kierra pull the teal-colored dress over her hips, tears welling in her eyes.
Kierra stared at the mirror, running her fingers across the silky material. Where was Hawk taking her that she had to dress so formally?
Her mother’s hands circled Kierra’s arms, their gazes meeting in the mirror. “I’m not just talking about the dog, honey. Seems like you found the right one too. Am I right?”
An image of the handsome cowboy replaced her mother’s face. Short nutmeg colored hair that stuck up in all directions, calling out to her fingers. Silver eyes that danced alternately with tease and seriousness. The dimples, the full mouth that begged to be kissed. The big heart for his son.
Kierra sighed. “Yeah. I loved him back then, but he’s a hundred times more amazing now.”
; Her mother smiled and patted her arms. “I knew it. I’m so happy for you, sweetheart. Now, if you’re set, I need to check on a few things before everybody gets here.”
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for all your help, especially with my hair,” Kierra said, eyeing her mother’s dress.
Why was her mother all dressed up too? They never accepted guest reservations over the holidays because they reserved the entire house for their loud family gatherings. Maybe her brothers planned to take Mom out instead?
“Are you sure you’re okay with me not being here tonight?” A twinge of guilt pricked Kierra. Her first Christmas Eve ever not hanging out with her family at the ranch.
Her mother smiled, a combination of sorrow and sweetness shimmering from her eyes. “Yeah. It’s all good, sweetheart. Finish getting ready. We can talk later.” Was that a hint of secret arching her brows? She disappeared down the hall, her heels clicking the hardwood.
Sassy arched her back and purred as she rubbed against Kierra’s hip. Kierra trailed a hand across the cat’s back. “I’m with you, Sassy. Totally.”
23
“When’s she coming, Dad?” Cody tugged at the bow tie with a grimace. The wind ruffled his hair and he tightened the edges of his tux jacket. “It’s freezing out here.”
While they’d decorated the barn this afternoon, the sun kept the temperature up. But with nightfall, the breeze ushered in cooler temperatures.
Hawk chuckled, but inside, his nerves bunched in a knot. He forcibly loosened his grip on the plastic container to keep from crushing the flower. “Give her a few minutes, Cody. She probably has to make her way downstairs.”
The front door to the ranch house whooshed open.
And his breath whooshed out.
“You look…” Desire, longing, surprise fried his brain cells. Not that he’d expected her to show up at the door in jeans, but this…
With her long hair pulled back in some kind of fancy twist, the strapless gown left her neck and shoulders bare. Swatches of blue-green material took turns hugging her chest until the silky material flowed to the floor from her waist. When she twisted to get her wrap, his jaw felt like it sagged all the way to his brand new pair of shiny boots. Only two flimsy strings held her dress together, metallic looking crisscrosses that shimmered across her bare back. Her golden skin tapered to a V, the material barely covering her curves.
