Home on the Ranch: The Montana Cowboy's Triplets

by Allison B. Collins

  Now he knew she also came alive when he kissed her. And she’d touched a part of him he thought had died a long time ago.

  Chapter 12

  Mackenzie knocked on the door to Frankie’s cabin. She’d been invited to tea by the women of the Sullivan family. She liked them, wanted to get to know them better, but the invitation had surprised her. She wasn’t really even a guest at the ranch—she was here to work.

  She really didn’t have any close female friends. Having grown up with brothers, and now working in the stunt field, she was mostly around men. She ran a hand over her hair again, making sure it hadn’t sprung up all over her head, and hoped she wouldn’t do anything to embarrass herself at tea.

  The door opened. “Hi, Mackenzie. Come on in,” Frankie said. “Kelsey and Bunny are already here.” She led the way into a living room that opened onto a dream kitchen. Like Hunter’s cabin, this one had a wall of glass that looked out on a spectacular view.

  “Hello,” Mackenzie said, and gave a little wave.

  Kelsey waved from the sofa. “Pardon me for not getting up.” She rubbed her pregnant belly. “This one is finally settled down, and I’m afraid to move.”

  Bunny hopped up and gave Mackenzie a quick hug. “Welcome to tea. We’re so glad you could join us.”

  “Thank you for having me.” She pulled three small packages out of her tote bag. “I want to give you each a little something for being so kind to me.” She handed a small silk bag to each of the three women.

  Frankie opened her bag and pulled out the necklace. “This is beautiful! You don’t need to give us anything.” She sifted the beads through her fingers. “Blue is my favorite color. Thank you.”

  Bunny held up the necklace made of all shades of pink and purple. “Exquisite. Thank you, my dear.”

  Kelsey opened her bag and pulled out the necklace she’d used green and brown beads for. “Did you make these necklaces? They’re gorgeous. Thank you!”

  “I did. I’m glad you like them. I find myself missing home often, and working with beads that remind me of the heather and thistle, the Highlands and the sea helps combat the homesickness.” What she didn’t tell them was a kind volunteer had gotten her involved in making jewelry when she was laid up for so long in hospital. It had saved her sanity many times by keeping her hands busy.

  “How do you have time for this with such an active job?”

  “I do it between takes, or at nights when I’m on the road with the film crew.”

  “Do you sell them?” Bunny asked.

  “No, I usually donate them to a charity back home to sell at their fund-raisers.”

  “You could start a business. You’re very talented,” Frankie said. “If you ever decide to do it, call me. I’ll help you navigate the start-up. I know Hunter would help you with marketing.”

  “Thank you,” she said. Wow. These women were so kind with a virtual stranger.

  Bunny gave her another quick hug. “Have a seat right over here,” she said, and led her to one of the side chairs.

  “Tea is ready,” Frankie said, and wheeled a cart over.

  Mackenzie’s eyes just about popped out. “Are there more people coming?”

  “No, why?” Frankie asked. Then looked at the cart laden with tea sandwiches and sweets. “Oh. Wyatt’s been experimenting with desserts for the dance tonight, and you all get to be the guinea pigs—I mean taste testers!” She laughed.

  Kelsey groaned. “Considering I want one of everything on that cart, pig is the appropriate term. I don’t think I ever got this hungry when I was pregnant with Maddy.”

  “You weren’t, pumpkin. That’s why I think you’re going to have a boy,” Bunny said, and patted her daughter’s hand.

  Kelsey sighed, a dreamy smile on her face. “Nash would love that, wouldn’t he?”

  Frankie handed Mackenzie a plate. “Please, help yourself.”

  She got up and stepped to the cart. “Kelsey, what would you like?” Mackenzie asked. “You should get first choice.”

  Kelsey waved her hand. “Just take what you want and when everyone is served, Frankie can park that cart right next to me. I’ll plow through everything that’s left.” She grinned sheepishly as everyone laughed.

  Mackenzie chose a few treats, then sat down with a plate and a cup of tea.

  “So, Mackenzie,” Bunny said, and took a sip of tea, then swallowed. “What do you think of Hunter?”

  The bite of cookie Mackenzie had just taken went down the wrong way, and she coughed, then gulped her tea. “Excuse me?”

  “Hunter. The youngest Sullivan brother. The one you’re living with right now,” Bunny said, waving her fork in the air.

  “Um, I’m not exactly living with him. I’m staying in an empty room in his cabin.”

  “That’s semantics. What do you think of him?”

  “He’s a very good father,” she said.

  “And?” Frankie leaned forward.

  “Good with a shotgun.”

  “What else?” This from Kelsey.

  What did they expect her to say? That he was a bloody good kisser, and she’d started having fantasies about him? Mackenzie sipped her tea, leaned forward and added a dollop more milk. “He rides well?”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake. Do you like him?” Bunny huffed.

  “He seems to be a nice man. I mean, he took a stranger who needed a place to stay into his home.” Eyeing the frustration on the faces of the other three women, she started having fun.

  “I think you know what we mean, Mackenzie,” Kelsey said, her voice mild.

  “Oh?” she asked, playing innocent.

  “Let’s just cut to the chase,” said Bunny. “Do you find Hunter attractive, and would you like to go on a date with him?”

  She plunked her cup down on the saucer. “Wha’ are you lot up to?” Last thing she’d expected was to be grilled at the tea party.

  “We’ve seen the way you watch him when you think no one is looking. He’s been teasing you mercilessly, and while you give it right back to him, you never seem to get really angry.”

  “I don’t watch him,” she huffed.

  “Yes, you do, dear. And he watches you,” Bunny said, and bit into a tea sandwich.

  “He does not.” She blew out a breath. “Does he?” she asked.

  All three women nodded. “He does.”

  “No. I don’t believe it. Besides, he’s been seeing Carley.”

  Kelsey shook her head. “No, he’s been flirting with her, and I don’t believe he intends to ask her out.”

  “But if Carley wants him, she’ll get him. I’ve not worked with her before, but I’ve heard she always gets what she wants.” She winced, realizing she sounded petulant.

  “It takes two to tango, and I don’t think he wants her to get him, as you say. We all—” Frankie gestured to the three of them “—think he’s interested in you.”

  “But I’m leaving before too long. As soon as I do the last few stunts, I’ll be on my way and looking for the next job.”

  “Ha! That’s what you think. We each came here for a short stay,” Kelsey said. “I was planning a couple of months at most to be Nash’s physical therapist last summer. Yet look at me now.” She waved the hand with her wedding ring, then pointed to her pregnant belly.

  “I came along with Kelsey, knowing we’d be moving on. But Angus and I fell in love and got married. So here I am to stay,” Bunny said.

  Mackenzie looked at Frankie, waiting for her story.

  “I was supposed to be here for two weeks to work on a merger. Fell for Wyatt—literally, right smack in the mud—and here we are now, a family,” Frankie said.

  “But...”

  “Our point is, if you and Hunter are meant to be together, it’ll happen,” Kelsey said.

  “We’re not meant to be together.�
� Mackenzie sighed. “Oh, all right. Yes, I find him attractive. Yes, I like him. A lot. But Carley is beautiful and glamorous and famous. I’m a tomboy, and more often than not I’m covered in dirt and mud, smell like a horse and can’t tame this unruly mess of hair.” She grabbed a fistful of hair and shook it.

  The women all smiled, and it kind of scared her.

  “We can help you with that,” Bunny said, and sipped her tea.

  “Why?” Mackenzie asked.

  “Why what?” Frankie set her cup and saucer down on the table.

  “Why would you want to help me get Hunter? It’s not as if you know me.”

  “Just call it women’s intuition, but we think you’re perfect for him,” Kelsey said. “Besides, we like you. You’d fit in great with us.”

  “What if he doesn’t want me? He seems to be doing fine being single.”

  “He needs to settle down. You—” Bunny pointed at her “—would be perfect for him.”

  “So what do I need to do?”

  “Just sit back and relax. Let us do the work,” Frankie said. “Operation Scotland commences now.”

  She agreed to let them help her, then wondered why. It wouldn’t work.

  Would it? A little glimmer of hope took root, and she almost hoped they were right.

  * * *

  Hunter leaned against the bar and tipped the beer bottle up. Ice-cold beer splashed over his tongue. It might be thirty degrees outside the barn—mild for this time of year—but cold beer was good any day.

  Music played, tiny white lights twinkled overhead like stars in the rafters and people milled around the barn having a good time. So why wasn’t he? Instead he was here, talking to his brothers, and wishing he was at home watching TV with his boys. And a certain Scottish lass.

  At least he was off the hook with Carley. He knew now he’d never really been interested in her—if he had been, it would have hurt a little when she said she was going back with that Bryant guy.

  He looked around the barn, searching for wild red hair.

  “Who are you looking for?” Wyatt asked.

  Hunter shrugged. “No one.”

  “Riiight,” Nash drawled.

  Hunter swung his head around to look at his oldest brother. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Nash shrugged. “Nothin’.”

  The door across from the bar opened, and Hunter stood on his toes, hoping...then saw Frankie slip inside, Bunny and Kelsey following close behind.

  “Finally,” Wyatt muttered.

  “What’s going on?” Hunter asked.

  Kade grimaced. “Don’t ask.” He picked up his beer and walked toward the food table.

  Kelsey joined them. “Mom and your dad want to keep the kids tonight since the party will probably run late. Hunter, you okay if the boys stay?”

  “Sure. The kids all love the big sleepovers at Grandma and Gramp’s house.” Okay, so now he’d get to go home and watch TV. All alone.

  The door opened again, and Hunter tried to look through the crowd, thought he caught a glimpse of red hair. Just as he started to walk that way, someone grabbed his arm.

  “Hunter! Look!” Carley squealed.

  He tried to shake her off, feeling as if he needed to be at the door.

  “Hunter, pay attention to me.”

  He finally looked at Carley. She held her left hand toward him as if she wanted him to kiss it. “What?”

  She lifted her hand up and pointed at her ring finger. Specifically at the giant diamond on her finger. “Bryant and I are engaged!”

  “Hey, that’s great,” he said, and gave her a quick hug. “Best wishes.”

  “Thank you. I need to get back to my honey,” Carley said, and hurried away from him.

  He turned around to pick up his beer off the bar, and his gaze passed over a woman staring at him from the other end.

  Whoa.

  He looked again at the woman and realized it was Mackenzie. Only no Mackenzie he’d seen before. Her wild red hair had been pulled up into some fancy hairdo that left her graceful neck bare. She wore a dark green dress that hugged curves—curves that had previously been hidden behind jeans and bulky sweatshirts.

  Plunking his beer back down, he started walking to her as she turned away from him. Giving him a view of a pair of killer legs. The dress ended at her knees, and her calves were set to stun by a pair of high-heeled shoes.

  He quickened his pace and snagged her hand. “Hey, where you been?”

  She yanked her hand back and turned around. The hurt on her face surprised him.

  “I told them it was her you wanted.”

  “What? Who?” he asked, totally confused.

  “Carley,” she said.

  “I don’t want Carley.”

  “You were hugging her.”

  “Oh, that. She just told me she and Bryant are engaged. I was congratulating her.”

  She tugged at the low neckline of her dress, trying to pull it up. “I told them this wouldn’t work—” She stilled, dropped her arms. “Carley’s engaged? To Bryant?”

  He nodded. The more he looked at her, the more he wished there weren’t a million people filling the barn. He wanted to be alone with her. In the hayloft. In his truck. Hell, anywhere but here.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, low enough she had to lean forward to hear him. And she did look beautiful. She’d done something with her makeup so her eyes looked sexy and mysterious. Red defined the lips he’d been thinking about constantly for days on end. Her normally untamed curls were gathered up off her neck, and she looked very feminine.

  “I don’t. It’s just outer trappings—”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  Her cheeks colored, and she looked down. “Well, thanks for that.”

  “Dance?”

  “What?”

  “Dance with me,” he said as he held his hand out.

  She stared at his hand for so long he started to think she wouldn’t take it. Slowly she reached out to him, and he folded her fingers into his. He pulled her to the dance floor just as the music went from some fast country song to a slow ballad.

  Perfect.

  He swung her into his arms, held her close. She fit just right against his body. He moved in time to the music, and she followed him.

  They were such different people—he was a cowboy, for shootin’ sake, and she was a brave Scottish redhead. How was it they fit together as good as apple pie and ice cream?

  He focused on her, the way she felt as she moved. The music played as if just for them. They could have been the only two people in the barn.

  She angled her head to rest her chin on his shoulder. Her hair brushed his cheek as she nestled a little closer to him. It smelled of sunshine, and was soft as satin. He wanted to pull the pins out one by one, and let her curls down so his hands could dive into her hair and just feel.

  Sliding his hand down her back, he rested his fingers at the base of her spine, nudged her just a bit closer to him.

  He knew in that moment he wanted her. Had to have her.

  And hoped to God she wanted him back.

  Chapter 13

  After the party, Hunter pulled into the driveway of his cabin. He hopped out, hurried around to open Mackenzie’s door and helped her out. They walked up the path to the front door, and he opened it, held it for her to pass by him.

  She stopped in the foyer, and he slid her big puffy coat off. Then he could see her again in that dress that showed off her body.

  Even as he turned around, he caught her tugging the neckline up for the twentieth time that night. “That’s not your dress, is it?”

  She dropped her hand. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because you haven’t seemed to be comfortable all evening.”

  “You’re right. Frankie loaned it t
o me for the dance.”

  He nodded as if he understood, but knew better than to ask why. It hadn’t been a formal party—everyone else had worn jeans tonight, including him. Hell, he’d barely had time to change into a clean T-shirt and flannel.

  Walking ahead of her, he turned the lights on in the living room, but dimmed the switch a bit so they weren’t on full brightness.

  Her shoes clicked on the floor behind him, her footsteps sounding tentative.

  “Are you tired?” he asked, hoping she’d say no. He didn’t want to leave her yet.

  “Not really. Are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Oh.”

  Jeez, they’d be standing in the living room doorway all night at this rate. “Wanna play a game?”

  She bit her lip. “What kind of game?”

  For some reason he thought she was thinking he’d say something naughty and was scared to death. “Gin rummy, dominoes, a trivia game, video game?” He grinned. “Candyland?”

  She looked surprised, then laughed. “Your boys have Candyland?”

  “I bought it for them for Christmas. Since Maddy always wins, I figured they could practice at home.”

  “Brilliant.”

  “Why don’t you go change, get comfortable? Popcorn? Hot chocolate?”

  “Sounds good. Be right back.”

  He watched her walk away, wondering if she realized the high heels made her butt sway back and forth just a little. He watched, fascinated, and turned as she disappeared down the hallway.

  He went into the kitchen and fixed their snacks. She’d dressed up for him—at least he hoped it was for him. She hadn’t looked at anyone else at the party tonight, hadn’t left his side since she arrived.

  Not that he’d have let her go anyway.

  By the time the scent of buttered popcorn filled the kitchen, she was back, wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt, face freshly scrubbed, her glorious hair down around her shoulders.