A Family for the Rancher

by Allison B. Collins

  “Sit down,” she ground out around clenched teeth.

  He glanced at her, and she jabbed a finger toward the bed, but he reached for the door handle.

  “I said sit.” And she stomped over, grabbed his arm, dragged him to the bed.

  “Well, if you put it that way...” He sat on the bed and pulled her down on his lap.

  “Let me up, you oaf.” She pushed against him, but his arms tightened around her.

  He nuzzled her throat and her traitorous body sizzled at the touch of his lips.

  “Nash,” she murmured. And gave up, turning her head to meet his mouth. The thick stubble on his chin tickled her jaw, and she relished the abrasion.

  She traced a line of kisses along his cheek toward his ear. “Thank you for saving my baby today.”

  His hand slid up her stomach to cup her, and she ached for his touch.

  A hoot of laughter from the living room made her jump. “We can’t do this.”

  He stroked her cheek and stared into her eyes. She’d willingly give up everything to know what he was thinking. He’d never looked at her like this before. Could he care for her?

  “What is it? Nash?”

  He closed his eyes and sighed, shifting her off his lap. “Nothing.” He lifted his hands up and scrubbed them across his face.

  “You must be tired. Did you really fall, like Maddy said?”

  He shrugged a shoulder. “I’m fine.”

  “I should at least check your leg. I’m worried about that blood.” She slid off his lap and sat next to him. “Come on. Pull your jeans down.” She expected him to turn things sexy again, but he just sighed, stood and yanked his jeans down enough for her to see his left thigh.

  Rolling down the torn wrapping, she saw the scratches that abraded his skin, and the dried blood that coated his thigh. She hurried to her bathroom and got things to clean up the scrapes, then walked back to him. Sinking to the floor, she set about wiping off the blood and took care of the scratches.

  “How does your prosthesis feel? Any changes?”

  He shrugged. “It’s fine.”

  “The one you were fitted for should be in soon, but I don’t want you to have any problems with this one.” She sat back, but noticed a gash in the denim halfway down his prosthetic, then stood up to rummage in her dresser for a sturdy needle and thread.

  “I don’t really need stitches, do I?”

  Grinning, she thought she’d torture him a bit. “Yes. With this big ole needle.”

  He leaned away from her as she neared the bed again.

  “Oh, don’t be a baby. I thought I’d sew up the hole in your jeans for you.”

  Red suffused his face, and she laughed until he growled at her.

  She threaded the needle and sat cross-legged on the floor.

  “Don’t you want me to take my pants off?”

  Yes! her body cried out. “A rough stitch will do for now. I don’t want to be too long in here, or they might wonder what’s going on and barge in.”

  “Next time put a sock on the door handle,” he muttered.

  “You’re a riot of laughs, aren’t you? I don’t want anyone to think poorly of me.”

  He shrugged again, but dang if he didn’t look a little hurt.

  She sewed up the rip in the denim quickly, then tied it off and bit the thread with her teeth. “All done.”

  He stood up and headed for the door, but paused before opening it. “Thanks for watching my back.” Then he turned the handle and walked out.

  She nodded, then followed him out the door into a room full of noise. Maddy sat on Hunter’s lap now and seemed to be eating up the attention of all the Sullivan men.

  “And next week I’ll be—” she held up six little fingers “—six! And I get to be a princess!”

  A chorus of deep male voices asked what day her birthday was, and they all looked to Kelsey.

  “The first,” she said, amazed so much time had gone by since they’d been at the ranch.

  “Uh-huh, and I want a big party!”

  “Maddy, no,” Kelsey spoke up, embarrassed.

  “Nonsense, Kelsey. We must have a party for our Madison,” said Angus.

  “That’s too much trouble. Mom and I will have a little—”

  “You forget—you and Maddy are part of our family now,” he said, sliding his arm around Bunny. “Don’t worry. Mrs. Green will take care of all the details. We’ll invite Maddy’s friends from day care.”

  “That’s too much, Mr. Sullivan.”

  “I insist. And I told you before, call me Angus. Unless you want to call me Dad.”

  Dad?

  “Thank you... Angus. But I’ll help Mrs. Green with everything. She’s a busy woman taking care of all you Sullivan men.”

  “She’ll love it. Honestly. Woman loves throwing a party together, and for a little girl like Maddy, she’ll be in heaven.”

  She looked at her daughter. “I don’t know. Maddy did run away today and caused a lot of problems. Not to mention she had me and her grandmother worried sick.”

  Maddy’s face fell.

  Nash stepped forward and picked Maddy up from Hunter’s lap. “I’ll bet you anything Maddy is really sorry, aren’t you, baby girl?”

  She nodded, but her lips still wobbled.

  “And I’ll bet she’ll be really good from now on and promise never to run off by herself again, right?”

  Maddy nodded, even her curls drooping.

  “What do you say, Kels? Please, can she have a party?”

  Who are you, and what have you done with Nash? Has he been snatched by aliens and replaced by someone who would encourage a party?

  She wavered, but caved when she looked at Maddy clasping her hands together, pleading silently. “Oh all right. But we’re going to have a long talk tonight before you go to bed, young lady.”

  Maddy squealed, and Nash and his brothers all laughed.

  On a bizarre day like she’d just had, nothing would faze her more than the image of Nash holding her daughter and convincing her to have a party.

  Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for him yet.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A week later, Nash was in Billings, mission one accomplished: picking up the present he’d ordered for Maddy. He’d told Kelsey he had to cancel therapy, but refused to tell her why, wanting it to be a surprise. For both his ladies. The party was tomorrow, and the present had arrived just in time.

  He’d just picked up the new prosthetic leg. Several times during the drive in, he’d almost wished Kelsey were there to distract him. Used to be, he’d go to Billings to pick up rodeo or ranch equipment. Now he was at a place where he had to pick up something to make him at least look normal, even if he’d never feel that way again.

  He headed out the door of the medical center, carrying the box with the new leg in it to the back lot where he’d parked his truck. A crash sounded behind him, and he looked around. A man in a wheelchair, his clothes dirty and tattered, was digging through a trash can. Nash’s gaze narrowed to a pinpoint focus on the man’s worn camo fatigues, one pant leg flapping loose, and his breath shortened.

  An amputee.

  “What the hell are you staring at?” the man hollered.

  Nash jerked, and he started breathing again. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

  “I ain’t a freak show.”

  “Hey, look. I didn’t mean to offend. You just took me by surprise.”

  “Ain’t ever seen someone missing a body part, cowboy?” the man sneered.

  Anger boiled up from within, and his heart raced. A red haze seemed to overtake his vision. “Oh yeah? I am one,” he snapped, and raised his pant leg to show the hated metal leg.

  “Nash?”

  He looked up to see Hunter staring at his leg, his eyes wide, face gone pal
e.

  Nash shut his eyes. Shit!

  He cracked an eye open to see his brother standing at the edge of the lot.

  Shit.

  “Wha-wha—” Hunter looked up at him. “What’s going on?”

  Another crash sounded as the man in the wheelchair shoved the lid back on the trash can. Nash fumbled in his pocket and pulled out several bills. He walked the few steps to the man and handed it to him.

  “I don’t need your charity,” the old guy slurred, and took a swig from a bottle wrapped in a paper bag.

  “Go get yourself something to eat,” Nash mumbled. He dropped the bills in the man’s lap, then walked to his truck and unlocked the door, set the box inside and locked it again.

  “Come on,” he said, and jerked his head at Hunter. They walked a few doors down to a bar and went in. The scent of old cigarette smoke and alcohol washed over him, and he waited a beat for his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Several people were spread out along the bar, so he headed to a back booth in a secluded corner.

  They slid onto the scarred wooden seats. A waitress wandered over to take their order, plunking down two bowls of peanuts.

  “What the hell?” Hunter asked.

  “Keep your voice down. I don’t want everyone knowing.”

  “Everyone. You mean your family?” Hunter didn’t bother to hide his anger.

  The waitress returned and set down frosted mugs of beer and two shot glasses, then walked to the next table.

  Condensation trickled down the cold glass, and Nash watched a drop trail down to the wood table.

  “So?” Hunter asked.

  Nash tossed the shot back, letting it burn down his throat to his roiling gut. He held up the shot glass to the bartender and gestured for two more.

  “We got word of enemy troop movement and headed out to stop them from bombing a village. It was a trap. We were cornered in a canyon outside the village. If I hadn’t wanted to take a shortcut, it never would have happened. We were outnumbered, and they hit us with all their firepower.”

  He shot back another whiskey, hoped it would dull the sounds in his head, the visions, the blood. “I watched all my men die. Then they lobbed one more IED—that’s the one that got me this,” he said, and slapped his left leg. He turned the beer mug around and around on the table, leaving wet rings in a concentric pattern.

  His brother was silent. Nash finally looked up just as Hunter tossed back his own whiskey, then wiped his eyes.

  “Shit. I don’t even know what to say. Why the hell didn’t you tell us? Why didn’t the commander tell us when he called?”

  “I made them all swear not to. I wanted to tell you in person.”

  “You’ve been home several months now. And you never said a word,” Hunter said, bitterness coating his words like acid. “You don’t trust us? Is that it?”

  “It’s my busin—”

  “Don’t give me that ‘it’s your business’ crap. We’re your family. There’s no one you can trust more.”

  Guilt ate at Nash’s stomach, and he took a long sip of beer.

  “I reckon Kelsey knows, since she’s your therapist. What does she think?”

  He cocked a half grin. “She keeps pestering me to tell you all.”

  Hunter lifted his beer mug, tipped it toward Nash. “She’s a smart woman. You oughta keep her, make sure she doesn’t leave.”

  Nash lowered his eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’ve seen the way you look at her. She’s the one for you. You need to get your head out of your ass before it’s too late.”

  “The last thing she needs is damaged goods. She deserves better.”

  “Yeah, she probably does. And I don’t mean because of your injury. But she’s got it just as bad for you.”

  “She does not,” he protested, even as he wondered what if?

  “Yeah, she does. I was gonna ask her out, seeing as I’m the best-looking brother outta the bunch.” Hunter smirked. “But she never looked my way. Now we’re good friends.”

  Nash downed the last of the cold beer. “You want another?”

  “Nah. I have to head over to pick up some equipment that was being repaired.” He checked his watch. “I need to get outta here.”

  He grabbed his brother’s arm before he could walk away. “You won’t say anything, right?”

  Hunter shook his head. “As much as I think you’re being a dumbass, no, I won’t.” He jabbed a finger toward Nash. “But you need to, and soon, bro. And the way I see it, you didn’t get your men killed. The ones you were over there fighting did it.” And he walked out of the bar.

  Feeling lower and grumpier than a grizzly fresh out of hibernation, he debated about having another round. But there was a three-hour trip back to the ranch ahead of him, and he really needed to be there for Maddy’s birthday.

  He headed out of the bar into the dim light of evening. As he got in his truck, he picked the bag containing bows up off the floor and set it gently on the seat so they wouldn’t get dirty on the drive home.

  When he realized what he’d done, he stopped, hand outstretched.

  Only a dad would have plotted and planned and agonized over what to get his daughter.

  Only a dad would buy this kind of gift for his daughter.

  Only a dad would go out of his way to buy matching pink-and-white ribbons and bows for his daughter.

  Maddy wasn’t his daughter.

  So why did he feel so protective of her? Want to put a happy smile on her face, see it light up when she saw his gift?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Maddy’s party at the lodge was a rousing success. Kelsey would be eternally grateful to Angus for giving her daughter something she’d always remember. Most of her friends from day care came, and Angus had made sure to have entertainment for the parents, as well.

  The decibel level rivaled that of a rock concert. Hamburgers and hot dogs grilled outside for the kids, and steaks for the adults permeated the air.

  Maddy was in fairy princess heaven, being the center of attention of the Sullivan men—all except for Nash. He’d put in an appearance, then disappeared shortly afterward. As soon as the party was over and Maddy was settled down, she’d go check on him.

  Her daughter ran past yet again, a pink cupcake in each hand. With all that sugar, the settling down part might take a while.

  Hunter headed her way, his plate loaded down with steak, mashed potatoes and corn. “Hey, Kelsey,” he said, sitting beside her at the picnic table decorated with a pink-and-white tablecloth and balloons.

  She eyed his plate and swallowed hard, hand on her stomach, fighting the urge to be sick. “How can you eat so much and not explode? Or gain any weight? It’s not fair.”

  He grinned around the ear of corn he was gnawing on. “How do you think?” He winked at her.

  “Honestly. You men.”

  “Did you eat?” he asked, then shoved a forkful of potatoes in his mouth.

  “Not hungry. Nerves, I guess.” Picking up the glass of ginger ale, she sipped slowly hoping she’d make it out of there without puking.

  She started to get up, but he stopped her.

  “I know about Nash’s leg.”

  She plopped back down on the bench, hard. The air whooshed out of her. “What do...?” Her voice squeaked, and she cleared her throat. “What do you mean?”

  “I ran into him in Billings yesterday, caught him arguing with a homeless man. We had a long talk, and he told me what happened. It just gutted me he’s been going through this alone.”

  She looked down and brushed crumbs off the tablecloth. What could she say? That it broke her heart, and she wanted to give him peace of mind, body and soul?

  He toasted her, then took a swig from the bottle of soda. “I’m just real glad he’s had you in his corner. Because y
ou are, aren’t you?”

  Glancing up, she frowned. “Of course I’m in his corner. It’s my job.”

  “I think it goes deeper than that.”

  Her mouth opened, but no protest came out.

  “That’s what I thought,” he said, and grinned.

  “Oh all right. I do care about him. But the feeling is definitely not mutual.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I think he’s got feelings, he’s just too pigheaded to act on them.”

  Oh, we’ve acted on something. Twice. Her body flushed just thinking about being with Nash. In fact, her body seemed to crave him.

  “Well, nothing will come of it.” She finished the words with a huge yawn. Honestly, why was she so tired?

  He looked at her, fork held midway to his mouth. “You okay? You’re kind of pale.”

  “Just tired.”

  “Are you coming down with something? You haven’t eaten. You’re pale and tired. Maybe you should see the doctor.”

  She started to shake her head and suddenly realized the last time she’d felt this way, she’d been preg—

  No. She’d made sure to be careful with Nash.

  A loud metallic ringing sounded from the front porch.

  Angus stood there with her mother by his side, ringing an old-fashioned triangle. “Folks, since we’ve got most of our family, friends and employees here, I wanted to let you all in on some big news. Before too long, we’ll be hosting a movie crew here. They’ve rented out all our rooms and cabins, and will be filming here on our property.”

  “I can’t believe he sold out,” Hunter said, clunking the bottle of soda on the table.

  “Sold out?”

  “Dad swore he’d never have a movie crew here after the fiasco that happened at a neighboring guest ranch.”

  “What happened?”

  “You name it—they did it or destroyed it. I need to go talk to Kade.” He picked up his plate and stalked off toward his older brother.

  As she listened to Angus answer questions, the late-afternoon sun started waning, and a chill drifted across her neck. Guests started leaving, and she stood to help clean up the party.

  Mrs. Green walked up and took the stack of paper plates from her. “You don’t need to do that, Miss Kelsey. I think someone is about to fall over from all the excitement,” she said, gesturing toward Maddy sitting on a bench, her head on the table. Even her crown looked wilted.