“And Landon?”
“Yeah?”
Nate’s voice was hesitant. “Not to risk your wrath again by bringing this up, but a couple years ago, I wasn’t interested in or expecting to be a parent, either.”
A wry smile crossed Landon’s lips. He could laugh about it now, but two years ago when Amber, a single mom at the time, had kept the identity of her triplets’ father a secret, he’d been shocked when she’d finally revealed that it was Nate. It was the first and only time he and Nate had ever come to blows—something Landon was still ashamed of.
As it turned out, Nate had been shocked by Amber’s revelation, too. He hadn’t known their one night together had resulted in triplets, but after Nate found out about the babies, he’d walked away from bull riding, ended his nomadic ways and proved to Amber how much he loved her and the kids. He’d eventually won her over and Landon had never seen Amber or Nate happier.
“I’m not trying to brag or anything,” Nate continued, “but I think I’ve turned out to be a decent dad.”
“And husband.” Landon’s smile returned full-force. “Brag all you want, man. I’ll be the first to admit you’re the best.”
“But you wouldn’t have two years ago,” Nate said quietly.
No, Landon thought, he wouldn’t have. Back then, he hadn’t thought of fun-loving, free-living Nate as a good candidate for a husband or father, and neither had anyone else in Elk Valley. But Nate had proven them all wrong.
“All I’m saying is,” Nate insisted, “don’t judge Katie the same way people judged me.”
Heading back inside the house, Landon chose not to respond to that and instead asked, “Do you mind driving over here and watching the kids for a bit? I’d like to drive into town and extend the invitation to Katie before I wimp out.”
“Sure. It’s the least I can do with you watching the triplets for us tomorrow. And speaking of that, you sure you’re still up for babysitting? I mean, you’ve had a rough few days—”
“No, we’re still on. You and Amber have had this planned for a month and need a day off. It’ll do me and the kids good. Take our minds off things for a while.”
“Yep.” Nate chuckled. “My three troublemakers will take your mind off a lot of things.”
“Hey, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do than spend time with my niece and nephews tomorrow.”
Although thirty minutes later, Landon could think of several things he’d rather be doing than standing outside Katie’s motel room at nine o’clock on a Saturday night, trying to summon the courage to follow through with his invitation.
Suck it up. This is the best thing for the kids. He lifted his fist to knock, but the door flew open, leaving him hitting air instead.
“What’s happened? Is Matthew okay?”
Katie stood in the doorway, wrapped in a lavender bathrobe, cheeks pink, hair damp and skin smelling so damned delicious he had the sudden urge to bury his face against the smooth curve of her neck and inhale.
“I—” Catching himself leaning toward her, he jerked back and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Nothing’s happened.”
“You didn’t call.” She frowned. Those big brown eyes roved intensely over his face. “I’ve been pacing this room like a lunatic waiting to hear from you.”
“I’m sorry.”
He glanced at the nightly news blaring on the TV, the purple cell phone charging on the dresser, the hairline crack in the ceiling—anything to keep his attention off the soft swell of her cleavage above the robe’s V and the toned length of her legs below the short hem.
“Matthew’s fine,” he said.
An open laptop rested on the double bed beside rumpled sheets. Several candy wrappers, what looked like the melted remains of a banana split in a plastic bowl and an empty soda bottle littered the foot of the bed. Clothing was strewn across the floor. There were jeans, inside out, by the nightstand. A wadded-up T-shirt, socks and sneakers next to the dresser. And a lace bra and pink underwear tangled together on the threshold of the bathroom.
Oh, man. What a mess.
He smoothed a shaky hand over his collar and looked beyond the discarded lingerie to the bathroom’s interior. There was a steamed-up mirror, a dozen colorful spheres the size of tennis balls filled the empty sink and covered the counter and that tantalizing scent he’d noticed on Katie’s skin wafted from the tub where her shapely, tanned body had probably reclined just prior to his arrival.
What a mess. Landon swallowed hard. What a sinfully, sexy m—
“The kids are fine,” he blurted out. “I just came by to invite you to spend the night with me.”
She blinked, her brow furrowing.
“I mean, us. The kids. Stay at the ranch.” He shifted from one foot to the other. Make complete sentences, numbskull. “There’s no sense in you renting a motel room for a week when you can stay at the ranch for free. It’d give you more time with the kids and might improve things between you and Matthew. I think having you there will help alleviate their shock at losing Frank and Jennifer the way they did. You’re not obligated to accept, but the offer’s there all the same.”
Landon nodded. There. Fully formed, logical sentences born of sound common sense and delivered with grace, placing the ball firmly in her court.
Katie moved to speak then hesitated. “But my mom. Those things she said...”
“That was grief talking. Knowing Patricia, I feel sure those were words she never meant for the kids—or you—to hear.” Landon rolled his shoulders. “Patricia has a bad habit of being overly critical of everyone—myself included. Something you’re already familiar with, yeah?”
She looked down, her features relaxing, but sadness entered her eyes as she nodded.
“No matter what anyone says or doesn’t say,” he continued, “those kids need you.”
Katie looked up. “You think so?”
Her hopeful expression and hesitant smile tugged at something deep inside him. A latent longing warred with the twinge of guilt pricking his skin. Easy... This was only temporary, and the kids were better off staying here with him. It was important she understood that.
He took a small step forward, carefully weighing his words. “Right now, they do. You’re family. They need all the family they can get.”
That tiny smile faded. “Right,” she whispered.
Her gaze lowered again and she curled her bare toes into the thin carpet.
“Hey.” He nudged her chin up with a knuckle. “There’s only one Katydid, and we’d love to have you with us. I feel sure Matthew will come around before the week is up.”
That hopeful gleam returned and tears brimmed on her long lashes. She flashed a gorgeous smile then threw her arms around him, plastering every fragrant inch of her tempting body against his.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She pulled back, bouncing. “You have no idea how much that would mean to me.”
Then she laid one on him.
Dear sweet heaven. The strong press of her warm mouth against his lips, her light breath against his cheek and her low hum of appreciation rocked Landon to his core—and back on his heels. He stumbled slightly, one hand shooting out to grab the door frame and the other gripping her elbow to steady them both.
She sprang back. Her fingers clutched the lapels of her robe high against her neck and her eyes widened. “S-sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” Her lush lips trembled. “Well, I should’ve thanked you—and I did—but I shouldn’t have...you know. It was an impulse,” she finished quickly.
Yep. Impulses and Katie were inseparable. He rolled his lips together. Her sweet taste touched his tongue, stoking heat low in his belly, and his palms tingled, wanting to part the robe, slide over her bare skin and cup her curves.
“My bathroom’s off-limits.” His voice was tight. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I m
ean, you can have the guest room and share the hall bathroom with the kids. But my bedroom, bathroom and personal space are all private. And I like to keep my place neat, you know?”
She held up her hands, palms out, and nodded. “Of course.”
He spun on his heels. “I’ll wait for you in the truck.”
“I’ll be packed and ready in five minutes.” The cheerful pep returned to Katie’s voice. “Thank you for this. I’ll be the perfect houseguest and I’ll pitch in and earn my keep. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Landon strode across the parking lot on desire-weakened legs, his nerves cringing with the distinct realization that he already did.
Chapter 4
Katie shoved a pitchfork beneath a pile of manure, shook off the shavings then dumped the waste into a wheelbarrow. “Seven stalls down, three more to go.”
Straightening, she dragged the back of her arm across her sweaty brow and glanced at the row of stalls to her left. With a little luck and a lot of prayer, she just might manage to fulfill her promise to Landon by earning her keep for her first night’s stay at his ranch. Then she’d still be able to spend the rest of the day with Matthew, who hadn’t looked at all happy when Landon had brought her to the ranch last night, and, hopefully, make a little headway with him.
But, good Lord, when had she gotten so out of shape? And weak? And...ew. Her arm stilled against her forehead. When had her deodorant worn off?
“Making progress?”
Katie jerked her arm down to her side and spun around.
Landon stood in the entrance to the stable, the strong late-morning sun highlighting his muscular frame and Rascal panting at his heels. “You’ve been out here since eight this morning. It’s almost eleven thirty. You all right?”
“Yep.” Lower back aching, she rubbed it and forced a smile. “Just earning my keep like I promised I would.”
Though to be honest, had she known how odorous and muscle-twinging mucking stalls would be, she’d have suggested an easier, more pleasant-smelling chore. Especially on a Sunday.
She puffed a strand of sweaty hair out of her face. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Does it normally take this long to muck the stalls?”
“No.” His lips twitched. “Not normally.”
Her shoulders drooped. “Of course.” Only her inept attempts would stretch a quick task into a long one. “I swear I’ll be done within the hour.”
Landon shook his head. “I told you this wasn’t necessary. You’re our guest, not a ranch hand.”
“But I promised I wasn’t going to mooch off you and I meant it.”
“So to you, that means mucking ten stalls on your own after five hours of sleep?” He lifted an eyebrow. “It was three o’clock in the morning before I stopped hearing the water running in the guest bathroom.”
She made a face. “Sorry. I was trying to squeeze in a little extra work before bed.”
And take her mind off how much she missed Jennifer. But she’d failed miserably at both.
It’d been impossible to test the performance and fragrances of Sandra’s new line of bath bombs in Landon’s guest bathroom. Each time she’d sudsed up the tiny sink, she’d had to rinse it down and air out the room for ten minutes before trying the next one, otherwise the scents were too difficult to discern and evaluate, much less name.
What she really needed was a roomy tub like the one at the motel. At least there she could take a bath and test drive the bubbles instead. Here, the only way to fit her six-foot frame in the guest room bathtub would be to sit with her knees bent to her eyebrows and stay that way.
Forget that!
Landon eyed her. “Exactly what brand are you managing that keeps you up to that time of night?”
Hmm. There was that tone again. The slightly disapproving one with a tinge of sarcasm that she could do without. “Sandra’s Sexy Suds.”
His blond eyebrow arched higher.
“Now, don’t get all uptight again.” Sighing, she leaned on the pitchfork at her side. “They’re bath bubbles in colorful, solid spheres, not alcohol or see-through panties. Make sure you tell my mother that when she asks—which I’m sure she will. If you don’t, she’ll go around telling everyone in Elk Valley that I’ve brought shame to the family by brewing demonic beer that strips you of your inhibitions and sewing sex-inducing underwear that encourages hedonism.”
Katie stomped the heel of her sneaker against the ground, knocking off a clump of dirt and wishing for the millionth time that Jennifer was still with her. Jennifer always understood and supported her no matter what dream she chased, and Jennifer would’ve defended her against any judgmental criticism from their mom. She also would’ve been the first to volunteer to take the bubble baths for a test drive and they would’ve had a blast.
Oh, that was it. She missed Jennifer’s laughter the most. The way her optimism had shone in her smile and forgiving nature. How she always managed to see past the bad in others and admire the good everyone else missed. Even her own.
At Landon’s continued silence, Katie asked, “Don’t tell me—you disapprove of my career choice, too? And you think my staying up until three in the morning is just one more reason why I would make an unsuitable parent.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” She lifted her chin. “I work hard and won’t apologize for that. It took me a long time to find a job I loved—to discover work I was passionate about. And I feel good when I help someone achieve their own dream. I don’t owe anyone a justification for the career I’ve chosen.”
Landon walked over, studied her face then drew the pad of his forefinger over the soft skin beneath her eyes. “But you look like you could use a good night’s sleep. That’s all I’m saying. I didn’t mean to suggest anything other than that.”
“Oh.” She sagged against the pitchfork. “Sor—”
“No need to apologize. I’m just asking you to consider slowing down a bit. At least while you’re here. Take a break for once and focus on getting over your loss. Focus on the kids.”
And there it was.
She bristled. “That’s exactly why I’m here.”
His strong jaw clenched, his gaze falling to her lips, his thick lashes lowering over his eyes. And she wondered what he was thinking. If he felt that strong pull in his belly like she had in that moment last night at the motel when she’d recognized the same pain in his eyes and wanted to touch him, seek comfort...heal.
Or if he remembered her haphazard kiss and if his mouth still felt bare and vulnerable like hers. If maybe—just maybe—he’d invited her here because her presence was comforting in light of their shared grief?
Probably not. Landon had never been the kind of guy to be swayed by emotion. He believed in good deeds and moral actions. Her plight fit both of those categories.
Katie withdrew from his touch. “My focus is on Matthew, Emma and Sophia. No matter what my job obligations are, that won’t change.”
He stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Matthew and I finished feeding and turning the horses out. We’re taking Emma and Sophia for a walk until Amber and Nate drop the kids off, then I’ll start lunch. Why don’t you take a break and join us?”
Wheels crunched over gravel and a giggle rang out. She craned her neck and peered over Landon’s shoulder.
Matthew and Emma stood outside the stable’s entrance, each of them rocking Sophia forward and backward in a stroller. Sophia, clad in a blue polka-dot dress, grinned and kicked her bare feet with every push. Lots of sunshine, green fields and warm, fresh air lay just beyond.
Emma blew a bubble with her chewing gum then smiled and called out, “Come walk with us, Aunt Katie.”
“Who could resist that sweet face?” Katie laughed and propped the pitchfork against a stall door. “And i
t’ll sure beat shoveling poop, so yes, and thank you for the invitation. But—” she held up her pointer finger and narrowed her eyes at Landon “—I’m going to come back and finish the last three stalls after lunch.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a sexy tilt. “If you insist.”
They walked the perimeter of Landon’s house, strolling across lush grass past the wooden deck attached to the back. Katie stopped to pet Rascal and admired the view from the steps.
Hay fields stretched unimpeded toward a misty mountain range that met the sky. Golden sunlight spilled over the valley and she had the strangest urge to dash across the green paddocks until her lungs burned and laugh out loud like a kid.
“This is beautiful,” Katie said.
Landon continued walking, holding hands with Emma. “It pales in comparison to your parents’ place. You could walk for days there and still be on the property.”
“Yes, but their place doesn’t have the same feel to it.” She swept an arm toward the rocking chairs on the deck. “And they don’t have a front-row view like this.”
“Uncle Landon made the deck by himself,” Emma said, bouncing at his side.
Landon ruffled Matthew’s hair. “You helped build it, too, didn’t you, buddy?”
Matthew shrugged.
“That’s awesome.” Katie quickened her step to reach Matthew’s side then smiled at him. “I didn’t know you were into construction.”
He stared down at Sophia’s stroller then mumbled, “You don’t know much of anything about me.”
Katie glanced at Landon who shook his head. “But I’d like to,” she said. “What else have you buil—”
A horn honked in rapid succession, blaring out a playful tune.
Matthew nudged Sophia’s stroller toward Landon then ran off, calling over his shoulder, “Aunt Amber’s here.”
Well. So much for a bit of bonding. Katie sighed then followed Landon and Emma to the front lawn.
It’d been three years since Katie had last seen Amber and Nate. Amber hadn’t aged a bit. She still had long, blond hair, blue eyes and a killer smile. Though with Nate by her side, she glowed from the inside with happiness, and every adoring glance the muscular man at her side cast down at her made her smile wider.
Home on the Ranch--Tennessee Homecoming Page 6