A Family, At Last

by Susan Crosby

  “Soccer. I’m the goalie. I have quick reflexes. That means I see the ball coming and block it fast. I only cried once last season.” She looked proud of that fact.

  “Why? Did you get hurt?” Karyn was tempted to put her pad aside and just have a conversation.

  “No. We lost.”

  Karyn compressed her lips for a second so she wouldn’t laugh. “You mean you only lost one game the whole season?”

  Cassidy nodded. “And it wasn’t my fault.”

  “What happened?”

  “That silly Marie Claire’s bow came untied so she stopped to fix it. She was wide open for the shot.”

  “Well, you wouldn’t have wanted her to trip and fall down, would you?”

  “It was her hair bow.” She folded her arms and huffed.

  “Time to get over it, Cass,” Vaughn said, joining them in the kitchen. “That was months ago.”

  “We lost, Daddy!”

  “No one wins every game in life.” He came up behind Karyn and looked at her sketch. She felt him all along her back even though he wasn’t touching her. “Being a good sport matters, too.”

  “Are we done yet?”

  “Sure,” Karyn said, sorry that the conversation was ending. She’d learned a lot about Cassidy in just one sitting.

  “She wants to wear sparkly shoes for her portrait,” Karyn said to Vaughn after Cassidy left with Belle at her heels. “Does that mean I’m a bad influence?”

  “You’re something,” he said, sitting in Cassidy’s chair. “She has good role models, but you’re really different.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “Neither. It just is. I was thinking I’d ask Mitch, Annie and Austin over for pizza tonight. Sound good?”

  “Don’t want to spend time alone with me, hmm?” she asked.

  He put his lawyer’s face on. “I thought you would enjoy the company.”

  “Oh, this is for me?”

  “I’m a thoughtful guy.”

  She laughed, then she leaned forward. “You don’t want to be alone with me.” In fact, he hadn’t seemed able to stop himself from kissing her, had given in to that desire that morning. Since she wanted to be kissed again, she hoped he would lose control again very soon. Like now.

  He rubbed a loose curl between his fingers. “Maybe.”

  Triumph mixed with trepidation in Karyn’s mind. It was exciting to think she could attract a man like Vaughn, but the consequences of that attraction could be devastating. All she knew for sure was she hadn’t felt this alive since Kyle had died.

  And she didn’t want it to end.

  “I met Win Morgan at Annie’s today,” she said, setting her sketch pad aside.

  “What was he doing there?”

  “Placing an order for vegetables for a New Year’s Eve party.” She cocked her head. “I take it there’s an issue between the Ryders and the Morgans.”

  “Going back to the gold rush, more than 150 years. Both families have ranched here since then, with the same problems. We both sold off land, had to, but we’ve been buying back for about forty years now, competing against each other for dominance. It’s gotten a little cutthroat at times.”

  Karyn wondered even more about Jenny and Win, but she wouldn’t be unfaithful to the sisterhood by asking Vaughn directly about them. “The families don’t mix, I gather.”

  “Not on purpose.” Vaughn shrugged. “We end up at the same charity events, things like that. It’s kind of an unwritten rule that we don’t mingle. Win’s father is more rigid than my dad and has gotten worse since his wife died last year.”

  So, star-crossed lovers, maybe? Win had asked about Jenny, and Jenny had made herself scarce. There was a story there.

  Karyn loved a good mystery.

  She hoped she could get to the bottom of it before she had to leave.

  Chapter Eight

  Mitch and Austin came by early the next morning, way too early, Karyn thought as she entered the kitchen at six o’clock, having been awakened by laughter. She’d thrown on some clothes, sighed at her hair as she twisted it into a quick knot, then brushed her teeth. She joined the group.

  They were going to ride fence, whatever that meant, and Cassidy had been invited along. Mitch’s saddlebags were filled with supplies to repair barbed wire. Austin’s bags held a portable breakfast Annie had put together. Cassidy would carry thermoses of hot chocolate and coffee.

  “How long will you be gone?” Karyn asked.

  “Can’t predict,” Mitch said. “Adam and Brody are coming, too, so we’ll be pretty efficient. Hours, anyway. They’ve got our lunch with them.”

  Karyn eyed Cassidy, who was giggling with Austin. She could sit in the saddle for hours without complaining? Karyn was pretty sure she couldn’t say the same of herself.

  “Everyone has fresh batteries for their walkie-talkies?” Vaughn asked.

  “And spares,” Mitch answered, then gave him a steady look. “You were younger than Cass when you first rode fence.”

  “I know. It’s just...”

  “I get it, Vaughn. I do. I’ll take good care of her. We all will. She’s been begging to do this, you know. It’ll either cure her of the desire or give her a taste for more.”

  Vaughn’s concerned gaze shifted to his daughter.

  “Why don’t you just go along?” Karyn asked.

  “I’d be expected to repair fence.”

  His dry answer had her laughing. She didn’t believe he ever shirked responsibility at any level.

  They all walked outside. When Cassidy was in the saddle, Vaughn said, “You do everything your uncles tell you, no question, no argument.”

  “Okay, Daddy.”

  “And don’t ask them to come home early. They have a job to do. They can’t come back until it’s done.”

  “O-kay, Daddy. Can we go now?”

  He watched until they were out of sight. Karyn rubbed her arms, trying to stay warm in the cold morning air. It wasn’t icy, but the skies were thick with clouds, not allowing any sunshine through. That hardly mattered, though, because it was barely past sunrise.

  “Is there coffee made?” she asked, breaking into whatever he was thinking.

  “Yes.” He started up the stairs. “I’ll get a fire going, too.”

  “Not on my account. I’m going to load my car and go scout locations to draw and take some pictures.”

  “Okay.”

  “Is this the first time she’s gone on horseback without you?”

  “No, but never as far as they’ll go today.”

  “Do you do ranch work? I mean, on horseback? I know you’re the lawyer for the corporation.”

  “I help out occasionally, especially during roundup, calving and haying.” They entered the kitchen. He grabbed two mugs and filled them while she got the creamer from the refrigerator. “I generally ride daily. It clears my head.”

  “Do you have an office other than here?” She added cream to both mugs then stirred them before handing him his.

  “No. I’m the attorney for forty-three farms and ranches, but I go to them or work by phone or internet. I do some family law, too, and consulting for my old firm as a strategist.”

  “Sounds like you have a full plate.” She sipped her coffee, eyeing him over her mug.

  “I prefer it. I like working from home, too. I quit when Cass gets out of school, then pick it up again after she goes to bed.”

  “Does that leave you time for a social life?” She tried to sound mildly interested, but he saw through her casualness.

  “On occasion. How about you?”

  “Not for a while.”

  He seemed to be waiting for more, but she decided to remain mysterious. For a long time she’d felt as if she had
nothing to offer a man emotionally. But ever since she’d met Vaughn—

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  Starved. For you. “What are you offering?”

  Vaughn studied her, trying to decide whether she was talking about food or him. “A veritable feast.”

  Her eyes took on some sparkle. “Veritable, huh? You must have an extensive menu, I guess.”

  “From appetizers to dessert. À la carte or full meal.” He kept his gaze directly on her, letting her know he wasn’t really talking about food.

  Her breathing changed, shortened.

  He leaned a little closer. “The chef is also willing to entertain special orders.”

  “What if I ask for a cowboy lawyer over easy?”

  He moved around the island, took her mug and set it down. He settled his hands on her hips. “Over hard’s more my specialty.”

  She looped her arms around his neck, bringing her body against his. “I’ll take one from column A and two from column B, please.”

  He wanted to take it slow, had planned to if he ever got the opportunity to kiss her again, but she was anxious and willing in his arms, and he wanted her. She had such soft lips, and her mouth was warm and wet as she made throaty sounds of need, the vibration reaching him, arousing him. He curved his hands over her rear, cupping her, lifting her, pressing his open mouth to her neck as she arched back, allowing it.

  “I could lay you on this island and make a feast of you,” he said, low and harsh, need driving him to sit her on the counter and shove his hands under her sweater, feeling the satin and lace covering her breasts, firm and full and tempting.

  “Vaughn.” Her voice shook. “We can’t. You know we can’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have teased you. Or teased back. It’s too complicated.”

  He stayed put, keeping himself close.

  “I want you,” she continued. “Passionately. But it could cause too much harm down the road.”

  She was right, of course. He shoved away and walked toward the refrigerator, needing to do something, and stared into it without really seeing anything. “What if we don’t sleep together but just make out a lot?”

  She laughed, although it was more of a shudder than a true laugh. “Do you think we could do that?”

  “I’m willing to try. I enjoyed the hell out of that, Hollywood.” He used the nickname more as a reminder to himself of who she was, who she would always be, where she lived.

  “It might work for teenagers, but adults?” she asked, skepticism in her voice.

  “We won’t get many opportunities anyway. People drop in regularly without warning. And Cass will be here most of the time, too. I’m serious. What do you think?” He straightened, looked at her. “Stolen pleasures? Think of the anticipation.”

  She blew out a breath. “We can try.”

  He glanced out the window and saw a horse and rider approaching. “My father’s coming.”

  Startled, she fluffed her hair and checked her clothes. “Does he come by a lot?”

  “Most mornings. He takes his second cup of coffee here.”

  “Do I look okay?”

  She looked like she’d been kissed long and hard. “You look fine.”

  “Okay. Okay.”

  “Just one thing, Karyn.”

  “What?”

  “I need to know what color your bra is.”

  “Why?”

  “I know what it looks like by feel. I just need to add the color into my memory.”

  “White. It’s white.”

  He smiled. He could hear his father coming up the steps. “Liar.”

  Her mouth pursed. “Black.”

  “Good try, but still a lie. Sexy but not you.”

  She sighed as a knock came on the front door then opened.

  “Morning, son!”

  Vaughn still waited her out.

  “Fuchsia, okay?” she said in a low rush. “It’s fuchsia.”

  “Matches your cheeks.” He grinned then called out, “In the kitchen, Dad.”

  His father hesitated for a moment when he spotted Karyn, who was hiding behind her coffee mug.

  “Mornin’, Karyn.”

  “How are you, Jim?”

  He eyed her thoughtfully, a smile hovering. “It’s a good day.”

  Vaughn had already poured him a mug. He passed it to his father. “You’re later than usual.”

  “It’s your mother. She’s in a tizzy about vacation clothes, is poundin’ the keyboard. I tried to help, but she just gave me the glare. You know the glare?”

  “Intimately.”

  “I could help,” Karyn said, looking relieved and excited to get away at the same time. “I could get her some really good deals through my contacts. Have them shipped overnight. If you think she wouldn’t mind, you could call and let her know I’ll be on my way and to wait for me.”

  “She won’t mind. Jenny stayed in town with her sister last night, so she’s alone in this,” Jim said, reaching for the kitchen phone. “Thanks. I think you just saved my hide.”

  “My pleasure. Tell her I’ll be over as soon as I’ve showered.” She raced from the room.

  “You haven’t had breakfast,” Vaughn called after her.

  “I’ll live!”

  “You gonna bite your nails the whole time Cass is gone?” Jim asked as he punched a speed-dial button.

  “And ruin my manicure? Hardly.”

  His father laughed. “Hey, honey, Karyn says she can help you shop, even get you some discounts....She’ll be there in a little bit. And she hasn’t eaten breakfast yet....Good. Bye.”

  He hung up the phone. “That’ll give her something to do while she waits.”

  Vaughn went about fixing his own breakfast—toaster waffles, a banana and precooked sausage he kept in the freezer.

  “How’s the portrait comin’ along?” Jim asked.

  “Slowly. It’s hard to get Cass to sit still, plus with the holidays and all. You know.”

  “Does that mean Karyn will be here for a while?”

  “It’s open-ended.” He nuked the sausage and dropped the waffles into the toaster.

  “Seems like a nice gal.”

  “If you have a point to make, Dad, just put it out there.”

  “It’s just...well, she’s another city girl, isn’t she?”

  “She’s here to paint Cass’s portrait.” We hope. At some point.

  “You tryin’ to tell me there’s nothin’ goin’ on between you? ’Cause it didn’t look that way to me. That girl’s cheeks were as pink as a cow’s tongue.”

  Vaughn laughed. “Now there’s an image.”

  “I’d like to see you married again, no doubt about it,” his father said seriously. “There are lots of local girls, women, who’d be happy livin’ here.”

  “That’s a pretty big leap you just made with regard to Karyn. I barely know her.” Vaughn focused on the meal he was fixing so that he didn’t have to look at his father. He was more than a little attracted to Karyn, and not just her body. She had a depth he hadn’t anticipated, and Cass had taken to her right away. It could spell big trouble down the road.

  “I knew I would marry your mom the first day I met her. It took a little convincing to get her to be a rancher’s wife, but I can be pretty persuasive when I want to be.”

  “You don’t have to tell me that.” Vaughn filled his plate then sat at the kitchen table. His father topped off his mug and joined him. “Are you looking forward to your vacation, Dad?”

  “Not sure I’m gonna know what to do with all that relaxation time, but yeah. I shouldn’t have waited this long to take your mother away. If this works out well, we’ll do it more often. Mitch wants more responsibility. It’d be a good way to give it to him.
I’m still waitin’ to discover what roles Adam and Brody will have.”

  “They know they can’t be boss, not with Mitch here. Maybe they’ll end up at other spreads. Would you be okay with that?”

  “Not really. I put Adam in charge of the new solar project we’re installing. He seems happy with his place here. As for Brody? It’s anyone’s guess, but I sure would like to see him stay on at Ryder Ranch.”

  The sound of footsteps coming down the staircase stopped their conversation. Karyn stepped into the kitchen looking calm and stunning. She was wearing her normal high-heeled boots with what she called skinny jeans, plus a white lace top with a red cardigan over it, the edges ruffled. She looked longingly at Vaughn’s almost empty plate.

  “I’ll probably go take pictures when I’m done,” she said. “I have no idea how long I’ll be.”

  “Have you got a map? You know we don’t get cell coverage here, except by satellite.”

  She patted her purse, a large zebra-striped bag. “Got the map. See you.”

  Her scent reached Vaughn as she whisked herself away.

  “Vanilla,” his father said.

  “What?”

  “She’s got vanilla perfume on. She’s figured out what a man likes.”

  “What’s that?”

  “A woman who bakes—or smells like she does.”

  Vaughn laughed. He took his plate to the dishwasher. As he did, Belle got out of her dog bed and stretched, having slept the whole morning. Which was no surprise because she’d been up most of the night.

  He grabbed her leash. “Let’s go out, Belle.”

  She wriggled and yipped.

  “Like having a newborn,” his father commented, joining them as they went outside.

  “Changing diapers in a nursery is much better than being outdoors in the dead of winter.”

  His father mounted up. “I don’t think I’ll show my face at home for a while.”

  “A sound idea.”

  “Thanks for the coffee. Maybe next time I’ll call first.”

  Vaughn opened his mouth to respond, but his father whipped his horse around and took off at a canter.

  A few minutes later Vaughn settled at his computer. Email was down to a few but would pick up again after New Year’s when everyone got back to business. He checked his spam folder, saw the subject heading “Ginger Donohue” and clicked on it, although he didn’t recognize the name of the sender, Jason Humphreys.