Home on the Ranch--Tennessee Homecoming

by April Arrington

  He looked at Sophia peacefully sleeping for a few moments then said, “All right. What do you think, kids?”

  Matthew tugged Katie’s hand. “Will you pick us up tomorrow, Aunt Katie?”

  Katie nodded. “Of course.”

  Matthew turned back to Harold. “Then that’s cool.”

  Half an hour later, Katie and Landon returned to the ranch and Rascal greeted them at the door.

  “Hey, buddy.” Landon scratched Rascal behind his ears and rubbed his neck then tossed his keys on the hall table.

  They stood there for a few moments, staring at each other. Other than Rascal’s soft panting, it was a lot quieter than when the kids were around. Way too quiet. Strangely quiet, almost.

  “I’m gonna check on the horses,” Landon blurted. He headed for the door then hesitated. “You...uh, want to use my tub again tonight?”

  Katie shifted from one foot to the other then picked a popcorn hull off the hem of her skirt and thumped it toward the floor. “Yes. I need a good bath.” She gave an awkward laugh. “Think I carried home half the festival with me.”

  “Have at it. I’ll shower after you finish.” He dragged a hand across the back of his neck. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.”

  Landon left, and Rascal scampered after him.

  Katie sighed, slid off her shoes then made her way to the guest bedroom. She parted the curtains and looked out the window. With the absence of streetlights, the moon was brighter at Landon’s ranch. It bathed the fields in a white glow and outlined Landon’s muscular figure as he strode to the stable.

  She crossed her arms and hugged her chest, a small smile lifting her mouth as she remembered the feel of his strong arms around her on the slide. The stubble on his jaw grazing the sensitive skin below her ear and his husky chuckle tickling her neck. Those excited flutters in her belly at his touch, his warm nearness.

  Everything about the moment had felt new and exciting and the whole night had been a delight. So much so, it left her feeling like a kid again.

  A laugh escaped her and she spun away from the window, her skirt twirling around her bare legs as she danced over to the dresser. Her bag caught her eye and she dug around in it until she found a yellow bath bomb. She lifted it to her nose, closed her eyes and inhaled, the scent reminiscent of warm sunshine, fresh air and open fields a kid could roll in for days.

  “That’s it.” Smiling, she fished a piece of paper and pen out of her bag then carried all three items to Landon’s bathroom.

  She set the bath bomb on Landon’s medicine shelf beside the beige one, wrote on the paper then propped it against the yellow sphere.

  Be a Kid.

  That was exactly how she’d felt tonight, singing the duet with Matthew, eating cotton candy with Emma and holding Sophia on the carousel. She couldn’t wait to show the three of them around California. First, she’d take them to the beach, help them find seashells and wade in the ocean. Then she’d take them to the museum, aquarium and libr—

  But wait. That would mean taking them away from Landon. A man who loved them. A man she...

  “Katie, you decent?”

  She stilled, her hand on the medicine shelf. “Yeah.”

  Landon peeked around the open door of the bathroom then, after scanning her appearance, walked into the room. He motioned toward the medicine shelf. “Come up with a new name?”

  Katie nodded. “Yep. It has an invigorating scent that lifts the spirit and leaves you feeling giddy. It suits tonight’s fun, I think, don’t you?”

  He smiled. “You and Matthew sounded great. The entire chorus did, too. He and Emma were so happy tonight. You’ve worked wonders with them.”

  “Because of you. Again.” She grinned. “Thank you for the pep talk.”

  “You’re welcome.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, glanced around then looked at her from under his lashes. “Tonight, your mom asked me how much longer you were staying.”

  “She did?” Katie held her breath as he nodded. “What’d you tell her?”

  “What should I have told her?”

  That was the ten-million-dollar question. She bit her lip. How could she say that she’d probably pack hers and the kids’ things midweek then fly them all to California and get them settled? How could she tell Landon that she was taking the kids from him? Or...could she consider leaving them for his sake?

  No. That part, she finally conceded to herself, wasn’t up for debate. She couldn’t possibly leave without Matthew, Emma and Sophia. No matter how much it would hurt Landon.

  The thought made her catch her breath, her vision blurring.

  Unable to face him, Katie dropped her hand to her side. “I don’t know. I was thinking about heading back on Monday. I’m scheduled to do a presentation on Friday and that’d give me time to prepare without having to rush.”

  Landon crossed the room slowly, stopping close in front of her. So close, the warmth of his body drifted around her. “It’ll take some getting used to.”

  “What will?”

  “Not having you around.”

  Surprise rippled through her. Katie blinked hard then looked up, her eyes meeting his. “M-me?”

  “Yeah.” His hand lifted, hesitated and then drifted through the ends of her hair. “I’ll miss that cute bounce of yours.”

  Her brows rose. “My bounce?”

  He smiled. “The one you do when you’re thanking me.” His gaze fell to her mouth, his eyes heating. “Right before you kiss me.”

  Her breath escaped her on a shaky sigh. “Oh.”

  “As a matter of fact,” he said, leaning closer, “I miss it already. I’ve been missing it for days now.” He touched his palms to the wall, one on either side of her. “I’d really like to kiss you again. Hold you. Maybe more if you wanted me, too.”

  “I...” Her voice failed her, her senses absorbing the sensation of his nearness. His sexily rumpled hair, strong jaw and sculpted mouth. The desire in his eyes and slight quickening of his breath. “I’d like that.”

  The moment the words left her mouth, his lips parted hers. His tongue swept past her teeth, his masculine taste making her legs weak and body hum. He slid a muscular thigh between her knees, her silk skirt catching on a crease in his jeans and stretching tight against her skin.

  His broad hand left the wall and slid down her side, massaging as it moved, cupping her breast, her hip, her thighs, then it slipped beneath her skirt and lifted the hem. He eased his hard hips tighter between her thighs.

  A moan left her mouth and entered his, their breaths mingling as he cradled her snugly against him. She’d never felt so safe, protected and cherished.

  And she owed him the truth now. At least so he’d have time to give the children a proper goodbye.

  “Landon...”

  She pulled back and tried to speak. Tried to tell him how much she didn’t want to hurt him. That the only reason she’d decided to fulfil Jennifer’s wishes was because she loved Matthew, Emma and Sophia too much to leave them behind. That she loved the kids as much as she loved him.

  Her breath caught in her throat, the realization momentarily stunning her. Somewhere along the way, she’d fallen in love with Landon. And it would break her heart to leave and take the children from him.

  “Is something wrong?” His hands stilled as he stared down at her, concern warring with the fierce need in his eyes.

  Katie couldn’t tell him. Not now. Not when he held her in his arms.

  “No,” she whispered, touching her mouth to his. “Just love me.”

  * * *

  Katie’s words were all the encouragement Landon needed.

  Bending, he slipped his arms beneath her knees, then lifted her in his arms and carried her into his bedroom. He lowered her gently to the bed then stood motionless for a moment, admiring the spill of her dark hair across the pil
low, the rise and fall of her soft breasts beneath the green silk of her dress and the sprawling length of her toned limbs across his white sheets.

  The sight of her in his bed was more perfect than he’d imagined and stirred a longing deep within him for something more. Something real and lasting. A committed partnership for life.

  He hadn’t wanted that before. But he wanted it more than anything now.

  She opened her arms and he lowered into them, nudging her thighs apart, settling his chest against hers and nuzzling her neck. Her hands roamed over his shoulders and back then slipped beneath the waistband of his jeans and tugged.

  Gradually, they removed each other’s clothes and the exquisite glide of her silky breasts against his hair-roughened chest made him groan. He trailed kisses everywhere. Over the curves of her breasts, across her belly then lower, her breathless gasp and the arch of her hips urging him on.

  And when he donned protection and joined his body to hers, he buried his face in the fall of her hair, breathed her in and hung on, only giving in himself when he felt her tighten around him, heard her cry of pleasure and felt her tremble in his arms.

  Afterward, he rolled to his back and took her with him, lifting her leg over his hip and tucking her head beneath his chin.

  Her lips brushed his chest and her rapid breaths rippled over his skin as she struggled to speak. “That was...”

  Landon smiled.

  “Wonderful,” Katie finished, nuzzling tighter against him.

  “Yeah.”

  It had been. Still was, even. He could feel her heartbeat, strong and excited, pounding against his own. The scent of fresh mountain air clung to her hair and the sweet flavor of cotton candy—from her mouth and his own—lingered on every inch of their skin.

  They’d carried a little piece of a fantastic night home, shared their excitement with each other and held it between them now, savoring it.

  Katie’s laughter tickled his chest.

  Landon glanced down to find her grinning up at him. “What?”

  “You’ve earned your fun stripe, too.” She ran her fingertip over a tiny spot of multicolored paint on his abs. “You’re sporting half my butterfly now.”

  He chuckled then kissed what was left of the face paint on her cheek. “Real fun is messy, I guess.”

  Her smile faded and a look of dismay crossed her expression. “Oh, no.” She squeezed her eyes shut then planted her face against his chest, mumbling, “I’ve just given credence to Elk Valley rumors and done exactly what my mother has been telling people I haven’t.”

  “What rumors?”

  “That I’m living with you—” she lifted her head, her brown eyes blinking up at him “—in a carnal sense.”

  His mouth twitched, and he hugged her closer, thinking of how much like heaven it would be to have Katie living with him—and not just in a carnal sense, but as his wife.

  “Would that be so bad?” He stilled as the words left his lips. “You living here in Elk Valley again?”

  Katie remained silent for a moment as she studied him then whispered, “I don’t know.” Her palm moved in slow circles on his skin, right over his heart. “I’ve spent years building a life in California. My friends and my career are there. A promotion I’ve spent a long time earning with responsibilities I can’t ignore.”

  Landon tried to hide the disappointment washing over him. “Like your presentation on Friday?”

  “Yes.”

  He pulled in a deep breath. “Would you consider staying with me and the kids until Tuesday? Matthew and Emma are out of school next week and we could take them camping Monday night. We could have one more night of fun before you leave.”

  And he might have one more shot at talking her into staying. Of persuading her to consider making a new life here with the kids...and with him.

  “Okay,” she whispered. “Then Tuesday, it’ll be time to leave.”

  Katie moved to say more, pain flashing in her eyes, but lowered her cheek against his chest instead.

  Fears returning, he smoothed a hand over her hair. “What is it, Katie?”

  She shook her head, her voice hesitant. “Nothing. I’m just thinking about my presentation. I still have one bath bomb left in the collection to name.”

  He smiled. “What color is it?”

  “Pink.” She laughed softly. “Like cotton candy, with lots of bubbles that smell just as sweet. There are so many they rise up to your chin if you’re not careful and almost overflow the tub. When I used them last night, they almost spilled over. I thought I’d ruin your bathroom tile. Those bubbles aren’t like any of the others.”

  He thought of the other name she’d created—Be a Kid—and how she’d said it suited tonight’s fun. “How do they feel when you’re in them?”

  A sound of contentment escaped her. “Sexy and comforting. Exciting, peaceful and a little scary, all at once.”

  Landon hugged her closer and touched his lips to her hair, his heart aching. “Like being in love.”

  Chapter 10

  Landon loaded the last sleeping bag in the bed of his truck, double-checked that all four backpacks were safely tied down then handed Nate the keys to his house.

  “I really appreciate your taking care of things around here, man. And for babysitting Sophia.” He looked over Nate’s shoulder and waved. Sophia smiled at him from Amber’s arms as she stood on the other side of the driveway waiting for Nate. “You have no idea how important this night is to me.”

  Nate shrugged. “Not a problem, but camping should be fun. You’ve sounded nothing but stressed since you called me this morning. What makes this trip up the mountain so different than all the others?”

  Landon watched as Katie, Matthew and Emma emerged from his house, each of them laughing and carrying a fishing pole and a few bags of snacks. “Katie is leaving tomorrow afternoon.” Throat tightening, he swallowed hard. “And I think she’s going to tell me she’s taking the kids with her.”

  Nate frowned and glanced over his shoulder as Katie and the kids stopped to speak to Amber. “You don’t think you’ve been able to convince her that they’re better off here with you?”

  Landon looked down and scraped the toe of his boot across the dirt. “That’s the thing. Katie’s worked hard at being a good aunt. I mean, you and Amber saw for yourselves how well she did with the school chorus at the festival. She’s comfortable watching Sophia now and she’s earned Matthew’s and Emma’s trust.” He dragged a hand over his face. “She loves them, and there’s not a single reason why the kids wouldn’t be in good hands with her.”

  “But?”

  “I don’t want to let them go.” He reached inside his jeans pocket, pulled out a small velvet box and flipped open the lid. “Not even Katie.”

  Nate whistled low as he stared at the diamond ring. “One week, man?” His brows rose. “She roped you in in one week?”

  Landon shook his head. “Longer than that. I’ve always admired her from afar over the years, but having her here...” The corners of his mouth lifted as he thought over the past few days. “She loves the kids so much. She’s dedicated to them. She’s funny and sweet—not to mention beautiful and sexy. She makes me laugh. Makes me feel like I’m alive. Makes my house feel like a home.” He laughed. “She leaves her bras hanging in my bathroom. Soaks in my tub with bubbles that smell so damned delicious, and the sweet scent lingers in my bedroom for hours and drives me insane.” His chest warmed. “She’s damn near everywhere. In my head, in my heart.”

  Nate smiled in Amber’s direction. “I know the feeling.” He faced Landon again. “But didn’t I tell you not to let her in your bathroom?”

  Landon laughed. “You did.”

  “That’s right.” Nate jabbed his finger against Landon’s chest. “Don’t ever say I never gave you good advice or wasn’t a good friend to you.”

&nb
sp; “Nah.” Landon closed the velvet box and slipped it back inside his pocket. “You’re a great friend. Just cross your fingers that my proposal goes over well tonight and that Katie decides to stay.”

  “A great guy like you proposing?” Nate gave a crooked grin. “There’s no way she’ll turn you down.”

  An hour later, driving his truck up a steep mountain road, Landon hoped Nate was right.

  “Can we go swimming in the river?” Emma piped up from the back seat of the cab.

  Landon looked at her in the rearview mirror and smiled. “Sure. We can show Katie your favorite spot.”

  “And can we take Aunt Katie fishing?” Matthew asked from beside Emma.

  “If she wants.” Landon glanced at Katie, who sat in the passenger seat. “Whatcha say, Katie?”

  “Hmm?” Katie turned away from the window and faced him, a distracted look in her eyes. “I’m sorry, what?”

  Landon smiled. “Matthew asked if we could take you fishing. Is that something you’d like to do?”

  Katie released a heavy breath and gave a small smile. “Sure. I’d like that.”

  There were shadows under her eyes. Ones that had shown up Sunday morning after the night they’d made love, and they were still there earlier this morning when he’d left to drive into town and buy the engagement ring. He’d tried to get her to open up and tell him what was worrying her twice, but each time she’d waved away his concern, excused herself to return to her work then glued her attention to her laptop instead.

  He knew what was bothering her. It showed in her eyes, strained expression and half-hearted smile. Katie had decided to fulfil Jennifer’s wishes, assume her role as primary guardian and take the kids with her to California. And she couldn’t bring herself to tell him.

  “It’s okay,” Landon said softly. At Katie’s look of confusion, he waited until he cleared the top of the mountain then removed one hand from the steering wheel, covering hers in her lap. “Don’t worry about work or anything else right now. We’re going to have a great night of camping. It’ll be as much fun as the festival.”