by Dora Hiers
She glanced up at the cowboy and met his appreciative gaze. Oh yeah. He was definitely her hero. It took all she had to tear her attention away from the giant of a man and back to her son. “Did you tell him thank you?” She twisted Logan’s shoulders around so he could face his champion.
“Tank you, mister.” Logan’s head tilted back, the wet ends of his brown hair skimming the towel. Droplets trickled onto her hands.
Aww, that was her sweet boy. She could picture those chocolate donut hole sized eyes begging the man to pay attention. To look at him, to talk to him, to play with him.
Just like he did every time he was around his father.
Cowboy crouched on squishy boot soles, Logan-level, and balanced forearms on thick thighs. His expression was serious, but his gray eyes gleamed with kindness. “You’re welcome, little dude.” Then, his hands curled around Logan’s shoulders. Gentle fingers grazed hers, zapping her pulse with an energy she hadn’t felt in a long time. Not even around Wade. “No more swims for you today, though, all right?”
Logan nodded.
“But if you’d like to go for a swim, just ask. We’ll be glad to take you when you’re properly dressed and supervised. Got it?”
Another nod.
That seemed to satisfy the cowboy. He flicked his head once and stood, his exhale, sharp and painful sounding. He pressed an arm against his abdomen again.
“So Logan doesn’t need a return visit to the ER, but what about you, Maverick? You don’t look so good,” Rebekah said, worry in her tone and bunched forehead.
“I’m all right, Mom. Just a little short on breath.”
Mom? So this must be Maverick then, the other son. Kierra and Rebekah mentioned him occasionally, but only bits and pieces. He lived in Dallas. What else? She searched her memory, but came up short.
Was he married? Her gaze darted to his left hand. No wedding band circled his finger.
What did that matter? A lack of ring meant nothing! Life with her ex, an undercover deputy, attested to that.
Hadn’t Judd always insisted that in his line of work a ring could kill him? That there was even a rule against wearing jewelry in the employee handbook?
Lies! To cover up the real reason he refused to wear a wedding band.
But surely this Kester, even if he lived in the city and not on the ranch, lived by the cowboy code. A man of truth and honor, one who kept his promises. A man who treated children and animals with respect.
A cowboy! The news seeped into her weary spirit, reviving and soothing all the lonely places.
Welcome home, Maverick Kester. Welcome home.
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About the Author
Dora Hiers is a multi-published author of Heart Racing, God-Gracing romances. When she isn’t writing, you’ll catch her reading, chowing down on her hubby’s lip-smacking home-smoked ribs, or sipping coffee on the deck of a mountain cabin. She despises traffic, bad coffee, technological meltdowns, and a sad ending to a book.
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Dora Hiers also writes romances minus a distinct faith element but still sprinkled with hope and grace and second chances. Clean and wholesome romance. No sex scenes, no cursing, no need to hide the books from your kids or grandkiddos. But definitely a tad more heat than most Christian books. Check out Sweet Romance that Sizzles by Tori Kayson.