Drew had been blessed with quick reflexes, but when the wood cracked and the bracket broke, he didn’t have much time to react.
He tried to catch Lainie, as her fingernails dug into his arm, but she still slid down the slanting tailgate, pulling him to the ground with her.
He rolled to the side, thankful for the thick patch of long grass that softened their landing, and propped himself up on his elbow. He hovered over her, brushed a silky strand of hair from her face and searched her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I think so.” She blinked a couple of times. “Nothing hurts.”
“Good.” He probably ought to help her up, but he liked being stretched out beside her, gazing at her pretty face, taunted by her soft floral scent. It was an arousing position.
Admittedly, there were better, more romantic places for a proverbial roll in the hay than a patch of grass, next to an old buckboard wagon, but he wasn’t about to suggest a change in position, let alone location. Not while he had Lainie in his arms again. He felt compelled to kiss her long and hard.
He really shouldn’t. But she was studying him intently, practically inviting him to do it.
When her lips parted, he was toast.
As their lips met and his eyes closed, they returned to that blissful, intimate state they’d reached last night. Their bodies naturally took off from where they’d left off.
Drew rolled her with him to the side, finding a comfortable spot away from the wagon, and continued to kiss her thoroughly. Tongues mated, breaths mingled and hearts pounded out in need.
He stroked her back, his hands bunching up the flannel fabric that separated his fingers from her skin. But a simple article of clothing, no matter how blousy, couldn’t hide the soft, feminine body underneath.
He slid his hands along the curve of her spine and down the slope of her hips. As his mouth continued its gentle yet demanding assault, Lainie let out a soft whimper, sending a rush of desire coursing through his veins.
Unable to help himself, he slipped his hand under the hem of her shirt, seeking the woman inside. As he felt along her warm skin and explored the curve of her waist, his testosterone flared. He inched his way up to the edge of her satin bra, soft and sleek, and sought her breast. But the moment he cupped the full mound, she jerked away as if he’d crossed an invisible line.
And hadn’t he? Considering the circumstances, where they were and how they came to be there, she probably thought he was way off base.
She’d seemed more than willing, though. That is, until now.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess I got a little carried away.”
She sat up, lifted her hand to her collar, fingering the flannel fabric, and slowly shook her head. “No, I’m the one who should be sorry. I didn’t mean to overreact. I hope you don’t think I was being a tease.”
A flush covered her throat, indicating her own arousal. She bit down on her lip, which was still plump from the gentle assault of their kiss. “It’s just that...” She scanned the area around them. “This isn’t the time or the place.”
She had a point, but he made light of it by tossing her a playful grin, hoping to ease her discomfort or embarrassment. “Well, the timing was okay with me. And I admit this probably isn’t the place. But no one saw us, so we’re the only ones who know what happened.”
She got to her feet and, after righting her shirt, she pointed at the wagon. “I think, once that tailgate is fixed, this will work out perfectly for what we have in mind.”
He wasn’t about to mention what he’d had in mind, what he was still thinking, but he followed her lead and rose from the grassy ground.
“Or better yet,” she said, “maybe we should ask around the neighboring ranches and see if we can borrow something similar.”
Avoiding a person or a subject seemed to be her primary line of defense.
His first thought was to mention it, to take her back to the subject at hand, but it was probably in his best interests to let it go for now. Did he really want to talk about what they’d just done and what it might mean?
He was definitely attracted to her. And the clock was ticking since he’d be leaving the Rocking C after the party.
“I planned to call the Hoffmans later today,” Lainie added. “So I’ll ask if they have any concerns about the kids having a hayride, although I don’t think they will.”
She clearly didn’t want to address their undeniable attraction, the heated kiss they’d just shared or where it might lead. He should leave it at that, right?
“While I’m on the phone, I should probably lock in a time for the party. How do you feel about two o’clock? Or should we include the children for lunch?” She bit down on her bottom lip again, but this time, when she looked up, her eyes glistened like warm honey. “There’s so much I want to do.”
“You’re really excited about this party, aren’t you?”
“More than you know.” She ran a hand through her hair, which had gotten mussed with the tumble and the kiss. Her fingers caught on a tangle, and she tugged through it. “But it’s not just about this particular party. After Christmas, I’m going to stay in close contact with the Hoffmans and do everything I can to support Kidville. My heart’s gone out to those kids, especially Andre.”
Drew felt the same way. “I’d like to continue helping them, too. I mean personally and not only through Esteban Enterprises.”
“Jim and Donna will be happy to hear that. They’re going to need all the support and manpower they can get.” Again, she pointed to the buckboard. “And speaking of manpower, who’s going to refurbish this wagon and make sure it’s safe to carry the kids? And where do we get the straw?”
“I’ll take care of it. And I’ll rope Sully and Rex into helping me. It’ll be good for them to have a job to do and something to look forward to.”
Lainie smiled. “That reminds me, I need to get back to the kitchen, or lunch won’t be on the table by noon.” Then she turned and walked away as if nothing had happened, as if they’d never kissed.
Drew studied her from behind, watching the sway of her denim-clad hips and the way that flannel shirt ruffled in the light afternoon breeze. He felt badly about feeling her up, especially if that’s what had unsettled her. But he’d felt compelled to learn what she was hiding underneath her unflattering fabric façade.
And if things worked out the way he hoped they would, one day soon he’d find out.
Lainie hurried toward the house, determined to escape Drew and the powerful yet unsettling feelings he stirred up inside her. But now that she’d kissed him and experienced his heated touch, she doubted her efforts would work.
He’d set her soul on fire, and as he’d caressed her, she’d nearly melted into a puddle on the grass. His touch created an ache deep in her core, and she’d nearly forgotten she had a physical flaw.
But when his hand moved dangerously close to her chest, she’d suddenly realized that he was just one tantalizing stroke away from stumbling upon her scar. And she’d freaked out like a feral cat. How embarrassing was that?
If things progressed between them, if they became lovers—and if truth be told, she wasn’t opposed to that any longer—she’d tell him about the surgery and prepare him for what he was about to see. The last thing she wanted was for him to be repulsed, just as Ryan had been when he’d frozen up and turned a romantic moment ugly.
But then again, Drew seemed to be different from Ryan—and certainly from Craig. Could she risk being completely honest with him?
She was healthy and whole now. Besides, it might not matter to Drew that she bore a hardened ridge and a pale white line that would never go away.
At the possibility that he might accept her completely, an idea sparked and a new game plan arose.
She’d start looking like herself again. First step: wearing lipstick instead of the gloss she’d applied earlier. And she’d choose clothes that were more feminine, more stylish. More flattering. Then, when the subject came up again, and the timing was right, she’d level with him about her surgery.
By the time she opened the back door and entered the house, she felt much better and a lot more confident. And when she spotted Sully seated at the table, she burst into a smile.
“There you are,” her old friend said. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Thank goodness he hadn’t gone in search of her behind the barn!
“I went with Drew to see the wagon he’d like to use for the hayride,” she said. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s hunky-dory. I just wanted to share some good news.”
“What’s up?”
Sully leaned back in his seat, clasped his hands and rested them on his rounded belly. “A few years back, I used to be a member of the Brighton Valley Moose Lodge. Every December they’d have a holiday party, and Santa Claus always made a showing. So I called an old friend who’s still active with the group and asked if I could borrow their suit after they finish with it.”
“What’d he say?”
“They’ll loan it to us. And after I told him why we needed it, he offered to have it dry cleaned and promised to deliver it himself.” Sully grinned from ear to ear, clearly pleased with his contribution to the party.
“That’s great,” Lainie said. “Things are coming together nicely. Getting a Santa suit is one thing I can mark off my list, but there’s still a lot to do.”
“Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” She’d also have to remember to place that phone call to Kidville. She didn’t want to make any more plans before talking things over with the Hoffmans first.
After Sully left the kitchen, Lainie glanced at the clock over the stove. She’d better get the chicken in the oven or it wouldn’t be ready by noon.
Ten minutes later, using the old-style phone that hung on the kitchen wall, she placed the call to Kidville.
When Donna answered, Lainie launched into their party plans, including the hayride that would wrap up the day. Just as expected, Donna gave her full approval, and they settled on a one o’clock start time.
“There’s something else I had on my mind,” Lainie said. “We offered Andre a horseback ride, and Drew found the perfect horse for him, a gentle mare named Felicity. Would it be all right if Andre came to the Rocking C for a lesson within the next few days?”
“That would be awesome. He seems to be adjusting pretty well to being here with us, but he’s still very concerned about his little brothers. Maybe visiting the ranch and riding a horse will help him take his mind off his worries, at least for an hour or two.”
“Are the younger boys together in the same foster home?” Lainie asked.
“I wish they were. Sadly, there are more children in the county who need a place to live than families willing to take them in. But Mrs. Tran, their social worker, believes siblings should be together whenever possible. So I hope and pray they won’t have to be separated too long.”
Lainie’s heart clenched, and her grip on the telephone receiver tightened. “Are the children adoptable?”
“I expect the youngest boys to be cleared soon. Their father is serving a life sentence without possibility of parole. And from what I understand, he’s going to surrender parental rights, which would make Abel and Mario eligible for adoption.”
“But what about Andre?” Lainie’s grip on the receiver tightened until her knuckles ached.
“I’m not sure. His father ran off years ago, and no one knows where he is. On top of that, the poor kid is facing several surgeries and some extensive rehab, so he’s in limbo. At least, legally. Jim and I are doing all we can to make him feel loved and safe.”
Lainie had no doubt about that, but still...
“I’d take all three boys in a heartbeat,” she said, “if that meant they could stay together. But I’m not prepared to provide them with a permanent home just yet.”
“That’s sweet of you to even consider it,” Donna said.
Lainie wasn’t just blowing smoke and offering something she didn’t expect to follow through on. It had been a heartfelt offer, and she wanted to make sure Donna realized it.
“I’m serious,” Lainie said. “I’d have to do some footwork first. I have a small apartment in town, so I’d need to find a bigger place.” Not to mention a better-paying job.
Then again, if Lainie went to work full-time to support a family, she’d need day care for the kids. And that wouldn’t allow her to give them all the time and affection they needed—and deserved.
Or would it? A lot of single parents had to work, yet they still found a way to spend quality time with their kids.
“Would the state allow me to adopt as a single woman? Or at least, become a foster mother?”
“I can place a call to Mrs. Tran and ask,” Donna said. “Or better yet, I can give you her number.”
Lainie sucked in a deep breath, then let out a wobbly sigh. “My position at the Rocking C is only temporary, so I’d need to find a different job first. Maybe it would be best if I called Mrs. Tran after I get settled.”
The more she thought about it, the more the idea sounded like a pipe dream that couldn’t possibly come true. By the time she was capable of providing those children with a home, Mrs. Tran might have found a better living situation for all of them. Or by then, Kidville would be able to expand and accept younger children.
Hopefully, Andre’s little brothers were in loving environments and would have a nice Christmas this year, even if they...
“Say,” Lainie said, “could we invite Andre’s brothers to the party? We’d include their foster families, too, of course.”
“That’s a great idea, and I know Andre would be thrilled if they came. I’ll call Mrs. Tran and see what she has to say. It might be difficult to coordinate something like that on Christmas Eve since everyone could have different holiday plans. But it might work. In the meantime, when did you want to schedule that riding lesson for Andre?”
“As soon as possible.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Donna said. “That little boy has had to face a lot of broken promises in the past.”
Lainie could certainly relate to that. The two men she’d once cared about had been big disappointments, too.
But then she’d met Drew. Hopefully, if she were to consider having a relationship with him, it would prove to be a lot more promising than the other two.
Drew stood on the front porch, drinking a cup of coffee and waiting for Jim Hoffman to bring Andre for his riding lesson. The morning air was crisp—not exactly cold, but chilly enough to know winter had crept in on them.
When the screen door creaked open, Lainie stepped outside with a plastic container in her hand. He’d already seen her at breakfast this morning and noted the change in her. She’d ditched the baggy denim for a pair of snug black jeans and a stylish, curve-hugging sweater. She’d even applied lipstick.
But seeing her now, without the full-length apron to cover her up, he realized he was going to have a hell of a time keeping his eyes off her and focused on Andre and his riding lesson.
“What have you got there?” he asked.
“Just a couple of carrots and an apple. I thought Andre could give them to Felicity before or after his ride. But I thought I’d better ask you first.” She glanced out to the corral, where Felicity was saddled and tied to a hitching post. “Is that her?”
“She isn’t used to getting much special attention, so she’ll like having a treat.”
“Sounds like she and Andre have something in common,” Lainie said.
Drew was getting some special treatment today, too. Not only was Lainie a lovely eyeful, she was wearing a new fragrance, something soft and tropical, which seemed out of place at a ranch. Actually, now that she’d ditched the baggy denim and blousy cotton, she seemed out of place here, too.
He’d found her attractive before, but today, she was beautiful and downright sexy.
From what he’d seen so far, it appeared that she had a good heart, and an unusual thought struck him, one that was a little too domestic for a man who’d made up his mind to remain single the rest of his life.
That decision had been fairly easy to make, when the people who should have loved and supported him as a kid had all failed him one way or another—whether through sickness or desertion.
Okay. So Kara had never let him down, but that was different. She wasn’t supposed to look after him. It was the other way around.
“Come on.” Drew gave Lainie a gentle nudge with his elbow. “I’ll introduce you to Felicity.”
They’d just stepped off the porch when a white minivan pulled into the yard.
“Oh, good,” Lainie said. “Andre’s here.”
The moment Jim and the boy climbed out of the vehicle, Andre broke into a happy grin.
“I’ve never been on a ranch before.” His small brown eyes glowed with excitement. “I didn’t think today would ever get here.”
“That’s true,” Jim said. “He hardly got a wink of sleep last night, and he’s been jabbering nonstop about cowboys and horses ever since we told him about the riding lesson.”
“I’m glad we can provide a little fun for him,” Drew said.
“So am I.” Jim placed his hand on the boy’s small shoulder. “I’d love to stay in the yard and watch you guys, but I’m taking a new medication for the next week or so, and I’m supposed to stay out of the direct sunlight.”
“Why don’t you sit on the porch,” Drew said. “I have a feeling several of the retired cowboys will soon join you. They like sitting in those rockers in the shade.”
“Great. I’d like to meet them.” Jim placed his hand on the pint-size, wannabe cowboy’s head. “Have fun, Andre.” Then he turned and headed toward the porch.
“This is so cool.” Andre scanned the pastures, the corral and the barn. “I wish Abel and Mario could be here to see this.”
Drew glanced at Lainie, whose glassy eyes revealed her sympathy. Rather than stir up any sadness—hers or Andre’s—he decided to let the boy’s comment ride.
But Lainie faced it head-on. “I’ll try to set up a visit for your brothers to come to the Rocking C, too.”
Why had she offered something she might not be able to pull off? If it didn’t work out for any reason, it would only make the poor kid feel worse.
“That’d be awesome.” Andre looked up at Lainie as if she held all power, all knowledge... All hope. “Can I come again when they get their lesson?”
“Of course you can. They won’t have as much fun without you.”
There she went again, committing Drew to something without running it by him first.
Of course, she hadn’t actually included him in her plan, but she wasn’t going to be living on the ranch much longer. How did she think she’d find time to set up another visit with two separate families?
“Andre,” she said, as she stooped to tie the boy’s shoes, “tell me about your brothers. I can’t wait to meet them.”
Aw, man. Why’d she have to go and do that? The poor kid didn’t need those sad, painful feelings stirred up. He needed to learn to tamp them down. If Drew had allowed himself to get sucked into the emotions his mom and sister had once faced, he wouldn’t have been able to stay strong for them.
“Mario is four,” Andre said, “and Abel is six. They have a different dad than me, and I’m glad about that because he’s in prison.” Andre glanced down at his sneakers, which were now double knotted, then back at Lainie. “I never met my dad, but my mom told me he was a cowboy. And the best one ever. So when I grow up, I wanna be just like him.”
Drew’s gut twisted at the thought that Andre’s deadbeat dad had become a superhero, a mythical cowboy who’d bailed out on his own flesh and blood, just like Drew’s old man had done.
“Do you have any idea where your father might be?” Lainie asked.
“No, but he’s probably working on a ranch like this one. He’s a nice man, and not like Pete. My dad would never hurt a kid or a mom.”
At that, Drew’s hand fisted, and his heart clenched so hard it almost choked off his air supply.
He wasn’t about to stand here and let Lainie resurrect the past, ruining the boy’s day—and possibly his future. So he had to put a stop to it here and now.
“Come on,” he told Andre. “I’ve got a hat for you in the barn. Once you’re dressed like a real cowboy, I’ll introduce you to Felicity, the mare you’re going to ride.”
“Cool,” the boy said, as he limped along with Drew. “I can’t wait to ride her.”
When he and Andre returned from the barn, Lainie was waiting for them inside the corral and next to the mare.
“You look like a real cowboy.” She tapped the top of his new hat. “Now let’s see how you look mounted on Felicity.”
Apparently she intended to stick around and witness the boy’s first ride, which was okay with Drew. He liked having her around—at least, as long as she didn’t pry or poke at tender feelings.
As Drew walked toward the gate, Andre limping along beside him, Lainie lifted the plastic container. “I brought this so you could give Felicity a treat before you ride her. I have an apple and two carrots. Which do you want to give her?”
Andre looked at Drew. “Which one would she like best?”
“Let’s give it all to her.” Drew reached into his pocket, pulled out a Swiss Army knife his sister had given him last Christmas and cut the apple into chunks.
“Is it bad for her to eat big pieces?” Andre asked.
“No, but she’ll gobble it up so fast she won’t get a chance to taste it. Let’s make her work for it.” He handed a chunk of apple to Andre, then showed him how to keep his hand open flat while he offered it to her.
Just like the cowboy he wanted to be, Andre took to feeding a horse quickly. All the while, he beamed and giggled.
Felicity seemed to take a real liking to him, too.
“Let’s get you in that saddle,” Drew said, “so we can start your riding lesson.”
Minutes later, as Drew adjusted the stirrups, he glanced up and caught the happy smile on Andre’s face. His chest filled with warmth, just knowing he’d had a part in putting it there.
The lesson began, and Andre was a natural. Before long, Drew was able to step back and let the horse and boy move about the corral.
As he leaned against one of the posts, Lainie stood next to him, only the white wooden railing separating them.
“Look at him,” Drew said. “He’s having the time of his life.”
“You’re good at this,” Lainie said.
At what? Surely she didn’t mean he was good with kids. His expertise was horses, although he had to admit to having a soft spot for a disabled kid who wanted to grow up to be a cowboy. But he thanked her just the same.
Then he looked over his shoulder, caught her profile, the thick dark lashes, lengthened by mascara. The turned-up nose. The fresh application of dark pink lipstick.
“You look pretty today,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“What’s the big occasion?”
She shrugged a single shoulder. “I just wanted to look nice for Andre’s big ride.”
“Then it worked.”
Her smile reached her eyes, sparking a glow that made the color look amber.
“Those black jeans are a lot more flattering than overalls,” he said, wondering what style panties she wore today. Were they pink and lacy like before? Or maybe satin like the soft bra he’d touched the other day?
He didn’t ask, and she didn’t comment further. Instead, he checked on Andre, who had a steady grip on the reins. The kid was a quick study, which was good since Drew couldn’t keep his mind or his eyes off Lainie.
Maybe it was her scent, which reminded him of a big, frozen piña colada, complete with a slice of fresh pineapple.
She was pretty damned tempting—sweet and intoxicating. What he wouldn’t give to get her alone. To see if she tasted as good as she smelled.
He really didn’t know that much about her, though. But since he didn’t make long-term commitments, did that even matter?
The next time he had a moment alone with her, he just might suggest they have an affair while they were both here.
That reminded him, time was slipping away.
“Are you still planning to edit my blog posts?” he asked.
“Sure. Have you started it yet?”
“I wrote about one of the cowboys, but it’s still in draft form and needs work. I thought that you might want to look it over and tell me what you think. It’d be nice to know if I’m heading in the right direction.”
“I’d be happy to.” She offered him another smile, and he was again struck by her beauty. And by the appeal of a romantic distraction until Christmas.
“I’ve got some things to do in the kitchen,” she said. “So this isn’t a good time to see what you’ve pulled together. What about after dinner tonight?”
Bedtime? He liked the sound of that.
“Perfect,” he said. “I’ll have my laptop all set up. Once you think the first blog post is ready to go, I’ll schedule it and start work on the second one.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
So was he. Hopefully, she’d be agreeable to lovemaking. Only trouble was, they’d both be moving on and going their own ways soon. So he’d better suggest it tonight.