Colton Cowboy Protector

by Beth Cornelison

  Tracy frowned. “What’s wrong? You still thinking about the baby?”

  Her new friend shook her head and smiled. “Yes and no. It’s just...nice to have another woman around. Being the only female on a ranch full of testosterone-reeking cowboys can get old.”

  Tracy pulled a face. “Aw, poor Greta. Surrounded by too many good-looking men?”

  She snorted. “Most of whom are my brothers, remember.”

  Tracy shrugged, conceding the point. “Ah, well...”

  “But you should enjoy yourself while you’re here.” Greta waggled her eyebrows at her and flashed a smug grin. “Maybe a little vacation fling?”

  “M-me?” The idea flustered Tracy so much, she choked and ended up coughing and gasping for a breath.

  Greta laughed and pounded her on the back. “Yes, you. Why not?”

  Tracy cast a side glance at Jack, who’d finished his phone call, and found him watching them with a frown.

  “Maybe Brett? He’s quite the catch, if a bit of a playboy,” Greta suggested.

  “Um...” Tracy watched Jack’s scowl deepen. Was it the idea of her having a fling that upset him, or just the notion she might have one with Brett?

  “Or Daniel? Eric... No, he doesn’t seem interested in dating. Let’s see, I could introduce you to H—”

  “Leave her alone, Greta, and stop pimping out your brothers.”

  “Aw,” Greta said with a teasing pout, “is Jackie jealous I didn’t suggest him?”

  In answer, Jack swatted his sister’s butt with the towel he’d used to dry off Buck and shot her an unamused grin. “You’re funny.”

  Greta sauntered away, grinning smugly. “Think about it, Tracy. And I’ll see you Thursday for your riding lesson.”

  Tracy waved to her new friend and turned back to Mabel, all too aware of Jack’s gaze on her. Oh, she’d think about a fling, all right. She’d already entertained the notion. Too bad the object of that fantasy seemed too tightly wound, too dead set on challenging her at every turn.

  * * *

  The next morning, after eating a large country-style breakfast with Abra, Big J and Brett, Tracy hitched a ride with Big J down to Jack’s house, hoping to beg a favor. He seemed startled to see her and his father on his porch, but he stepped back and waved them inside with a courteous nod.

  “Jack,” Big J started, “I’ve been on the phone with Ralph Menger down at First National. We’ve discussed reallocating some funds for the ranch, and I need you to run into town this afternoon and sign the paperwork.”

  Jack squared his shoulders. “What sort of reallocations?”

  “Don’t get your undies in a twist. Just the changes you and I discussed last week. Ralph made some other suggestions, which he’ll show you when you go in. I’d go myself, but I didn’t sleep well last night, and, well, I’m just feeling a bit off today.”

  Jack eyed his father with obvious concern. “Maybe Eric should stop by and check your—”

  Big J cut him off with a scoff and flapped a hand in dismissal. “Don’t bother your brother. He’s busy at the hospital, and I don’t have a thing wrong with me that a nap and a nip of Maker’s Mark won’t cure.”

  Tracy cleared her throat, dragging Jack’s worried frown to her. “And I was hoping I could tag along into town. I seem to have brought entirely inappropriate clothes for the ranch, and I’d like to shop for jeans and boots. Maybe some more casual shirts, as well.”

  Jack scratched his stubble-dusted chin. “Why doesn’t Greta take you shopping? Or Abra?”

  “Abra is busy, and Greta is in Oklahoma City until Thursday.” Tracy paused, shifting her weight uneasily. “If it’s an imposition, maybe I can—”

  “No. It’s fine.” His tone contradicted him, but she didn’t argue.

  Big J clapped his son on the shoulder. “All right, then. Ralph’s expecting you in an hour. Ms. McCain.” He tugged the brim of his cowboy hat as he nodded a goodbye to her and opened the door. “Thank you, son.”

  An awkward silence filled the foyer after Big J left. Jack studied her, his lips twisted in thought.

  She glanced into the living room. “Where’s Seth? Will he come with us?”

  “Is that what this is about? An excuse to see Seth?”

  “No,” she said with a sigh, getting a bit tired of Jack’s paranoia regarding his son. “It’s about needing ranch clothes. I was just wondering where Seth is.”

  “He’s getting a riding lesson with Daniel.”

  “A riding lesson? I thought he did quite well on Pooh yesterday.”

  “There’s more to riding a horse than staying in the saddle. Daniel’s likely got him on one of the cutting horses, teaching him some basics about roping.”

  “A cutting horse? But he’s only five years old!”

  Jack gave a dismissive shrug. “I learned to ride a cutting horse when I was five. So did Brett. I rode a bull in my first rodeo when I was thirteen.”

  She shook her head in dismay. “Good gravy!”

  He flipped a hand, as if his early start in the dangerous sport was nothing. “Thing is, Daniel won’t push Seth past what he’s capable of.” Jack stepped past her, snagging his black Stetson from a peg on the wall. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

  Tracy followed him out into the ranch yard. Even before they reached the practice pen, she could hear Daniel’s whoops and Seth’s laughter. Jack stopped at the fence and leaned against a post to watch his son race around the pen on the back of a dark brown horse twice the size of Pooh. Tracy held her breath as Seth wove between barrels and galloped past them. While she hadn’t yet been formally introduced to Daniel, she immediately recognized the tall copper-skinned cowboy who’d parked her car the day she’d arrived, the half brother who’d been excluded from Big J’s toast to Greta. His teeth flashed white against his dark complexion as he grinned and shouted to Seth. “That’s the way, buddy! One more time, and then bring him in.”

  Tracy nodded her head toward Seth’s riding coach. “So Daniel is your half brother?”

  “Yep.” Jack cut a side look at her. “Who told you that?”

  “Greta. She said that Abra is none too happy to have him living on the ranch, but the rest of you consider him family.”

  “He is family. And a damn fine rancher and horseman, too. He’s an asset to the ranch, even if my mother can’t see it.”

  Tracy eyed Daniel and his tall, muscular frame. The term “tall, dark and handsome” had surely been coined with Daniel in mind. “Was his mother Hispanic?”

  “No. Cherokee.”

  Jack didn’t elaborate on his relationship with Daniel, so Tracy let the subject drop. The tone of his voice as he defended Daniel’s status in the Colton clan indicated the affection Jack felt for Big J’s illegitimate son.

  Once Seth had made another circuit in the ring, he reined the horse and trotted up to Daniel. His uncle lifted him down from the saddle and ruffled his hair. “Well done, partner. You need to work on keeping a firm grip on the reins and controlling your horse, but we’ll work on that another day.”

  “Can I help you cool him down and feed him?” Seth asked eagerly.

  “You better,” Daniel said, picking Seth up like a sack of potatoes and tucking him under his arm. “I’m not doing all of your dirty work, kid.”

  Seth squealed in delight as Daniel toted him into one of the horse stalls.

  Jack pushed away from the fence, and as they passed the door to the stable, he called, “Daniel, can you keep an eye on Seth for a while? I’m running an errand in town and won’t be back for a few hours.”

  Daniel glanced in their direction and arched a speculative dark eyebrow when he spotted Tracy. He set Seth’s feet on the ground before nodding to Jack. “Sure thing. Take your time. All I had planned this afternoon was going over some paperwork with Megan. When I finish that, I’ll challenge Shorty here to ‘Mario Kart.’ It’s been a while since I kicked his butt at video games.”

  “No way!” Seth said with a laugh. “I’ll
kick your butt!”

  Jack’s lips twitched in a grin, and he tugged the brim of his Stetson. “Thanks, Daniel, I owe you one.”

  Daniel barked a laugh. “You owe me about twenty, but who’s counting?”

  Jack took Tracy’s elbow and steered her toward the ranch yard. “We should go if I’m expected at the bank in an hour.”

  “He’s good with Seth. Does Daniel have any kids of his own?”

  “Naw. Seth is Big J’s only grandchild to date. But you’re right. Daniel has a good rapport with Seth. He’s patient and soft-spoken but firm, which is why he’s so good with his horses, too.”

  Tracy sputtered a chuckle. “Did you just compare your son to a horse?”

  “You laugh, but the same traits that make Daniel a good horse trainer will serve him well raising his own kids one day.”

  “Touché,” Tracy conceded, with a last glance over her shoulder to the gentle giant ruffling Seth’s hair in the stable.

  If Seth was surrounded by the strong, caring role models his uncles and aunt clearly provided, had a father who guarded him and loved him beyond all else, and had the security and joys of his ranch home, what did she really think she had to offer the boy? Maybe she was wrong to try to insert herself into his life. Laura had believed Seth was better off at the Lucky C, even as much as she’d loved her only child. A quiver started low in Tracy’s belly. Was her own purpose in being at the ranch misguided? Selfish?

  She bit her bottom lip, and as she mulled the question over, she remembered how Seth had gobbled up the attention she’d lavished on him when he’d hurt his hand. His green eyes had been bright with a needy plea, a clear longing for a mother’s touch.

  Jack might think his young son was capable beyond his years, encouraging Seth to be independent, responsible, and to attempt tasks beyond what Tracy felt a five-year-old should be asked to perform. But she saw the still very little boy. She saw how Seth longed to please his father, saw his need for comfort, care and cuddling. Those things she could provide. Her heart was full of a tender longing to nurture Seth as she would her own child.

  She followed Jack to his truck, a mud-splattered F-250 with an extended cab, and eyed the giant step up into the passenger seat with dismay. Not that she couldn’t hoist herself up, but her muscles were still stiff and achy from the ride yesterday morning.

  Seeing her hesitation, Jack twitched a grin and kicked the running board with his boot. “Use this to step up.”

  She tipped her head, giving him a how-dumb-do-I-look glance. “I know how to climb up. I’m just dreading it. My legs are rather sore from yesterday.”

  “Understandable.” He put a hand under her elbow, and a crackling awareness shimmied through her. “I’ll give ya a boost.”

  His grip was warm and firm, and his spare hand rested at her back, steadying her. Sparks raced through her blood, and her breath caught. She flashed back to the last boost he’d given her, when he’d palmed her behind. Many more helping hands from Jack, and she’d be a puddle of goo. After he’d closed the door, she released the breath she held in a tremulous gush. Who was this giddy schoolgirl she became in Jack’s company?

  The ride into Tulsa took about twenty-five minutes. Tracy tried to engage Jack in conversation, curious to learn more about the man her cousin had married. Though he answered all her questions willingly enough, his responses were terse, often no more than a yes or no. She’d hoped that if she and Jack got to know each other better, he’d loosen up a bit about her spending time with Seth.

  “Will Seth start kindergarten in the fall?” she asked, clutching the passenger armrest as he took the tight turn of an interstate exit ramp.

  His expression hardened. “No.”

  “Why not? He’s five, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah, but I’m holding him out until next year.”

  She frowned. “Why would you do that?”

  Jack gave her a peevish look. “Because I’m his father, and don’t think he’s ready.”

  Tracy blinked, surprised at this. By all indications, Seth was unusually bright, inquisitive and extremely verbal. “Is it Seth that’s not ready for kindergarten...or you?”

  Jack’s face grew darker as he glanced at her while negotiating traffic. “What does that mean?”

  “He certainly seems ready for school to me. How can you think he’s old enough to ride a cutting horse but not go to kindergarten?”

  Jack squeezed the steering wheel tighter and cut her an irritated glare. “They’re totally different.”

  She gnawed her lip as she studied him. “I can’t help but wonder... Does your decision mean you’re not ready for him to grow up? Maybe you want to keep him under your wing another year before letting him leave the ranch all day?”

  A muscle in Jack’s jaw flexed as he gritted his teeth. “And maybe you’re overstepping your boundaries. I know what’s best for Seth.”

  She raised a conceding hand. “My apologies. I only mean to say he seems intellectually advanced for his age to me. Probably because he spends so much time around adults.”

  Jack’s mouth pressed in a grim line. “Is that another criticism?”

  “No! Not at all. I think it is wonderful Seth has so many uncles and Greta to dote on him. I think it’s contributed to his verbal skills and curiosity.”

  Jack stopped at a red light and bumped the steering wheel with his fist. “Edith thinks I should send him to school in September. She thinks he needs to be around kids his own age.”

  “I have to agree.” Tracy paused, racking her memory. “Who is Edith, again?”

  “The housekeeper at the main house. She was more mother to us growing up than Abra was. Abra traveled a lot when we were kids, and Edith helped our nannies. Now she helps me out with Seth.”

  “Oh. So she would know what she’s talking about.” When he turned to her with an impatient scowl, Tracy added quickly, “I know you don’t care what I think, but...have you asked Seth what he wants?”

  Jack’s expression said that he not only had never considered Seth’s opinion about school, he was taken aback by her suggestion. A car behind them honked, and Jack gave the truck more gas than needed, zipping across the intersection as he cast her a disgruntled look.

  “I’m not saying leave the decision to him. You have the final say as his parent, but you should feel him out. Don’t make him promises or give him false expectations, just ask him general questions to gauge his interest and needs. Does he ever miss having friends his age to play with? Is he curious about books and learning how to write?”

  “I think I know my son.”

  Jack’s sarcastic tone stung, and she turned toward the passenger window. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to help.”

  Across the truck cab, she heard Jack groan. “No, I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that. I get...touchy when I feel like someone is second-guessing me. I make the choices I feel are best regarding the running of the ranch and raising my son, and when someone questions my intentions or decisions, I...” He huffed a sigh.

  She swiveled to face him, studying the shadows in his expression. The crease in his brow said he had more than just their discussion about when Seth would start school on his mind. “Are you concerned about this banking business Big J asked you to handle?”

  Jack flicked a startled look to her. “I—no, that’s not...Well, maybe a little, but it’s not the main thing on my plate at the moment.”

  She watched him fidget and drum his thumbs on the steering wheel for a minute or two, and finally asked, “Want to talk about it?”

  He dented his brow and frowned at her. “No.”

  “Mmm, well...if you change your mind, I’m a good listener. I’ll even promise not to offer any advice.”

  He snorted and sent her a skeptical grin. “Yeah, right.”

  She gave him a playful slug in the arm in return. Which was a mistake, because feeling the firm bulge of muscle under his sleeve only refreshed the tingle of lustful awareness she’d been trying to tamp down.r />
  Jack parked his truck in front of the bank and sat staring out the windshield for a moment before cutting the engine. “Brett wants me to invest in horse breeding. He’s found a stud he thinks we should buy to start a breeding program that Daniel would run. When I said no the first time, he went out lobbying investors to front the cash. I shut that down the other day, but I know he hasn’t forgotten the subject. He thinks breeding cutting horses will make us a buttload of profit and entice Daniel to stay at the Lucky C instead of starting his own breeding business.”

  Tracy blinked. You asked, she thought.

  She wet her lips and chose her words carefully, determined not to blow this opportunity. Jack had trusted her enough to confide his business worries, and she hated to jeopardize that by saying the wrong thing.

  Before she got the chance to say anything, right or wrong, he aimed his thumb down the street. “There are clothing stores that way. Laura dragged me shopping with her a few times and had some luck at a few shops the next block down. If you turn down the block to the right there’s a department store that way, too.”

  Tracy peered at the signs along the street and got a sense of her options. “And where do you suggest I get a pair of basic jeans for the ranch?”

  Jack cracked an amused half grin. “Feed and seed store.”

  She hummed a wry acknowledgment, enjoying the more affable tone between them. “Where and when shall we meet?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Don’t know. I could be an hour or more.”

  She pulled her cell phone from her purse. “What’s your number?”

  They exchanged mobile numbers, and he told her he’d text when he was finished with his bank business. Sliding her sunglasses on, Tracy climbed out of Jack’s truck and started down the sidewalk. The June heat had already swelled to stifling levels, and made the fumes of exhaust from the many cars all the more suffocating. She did a bit of window shopping as she strolled, admiring artwork at galleries, tempting pastries at a bakery and sparkling rings and pendants at a high-end jeweler. When she reached a shop with cowboy boots and stylish Western shirts on the mannequins in the display window, she stepped inside, sighing in pleasure as the store’s air-conditioning bathed her heated face.