Their Rancher Protector

by Sasha Summers

  Kyle smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called pretty before.”

  “Are you blushing?” Skylar had laughter in her voice.

  “No.” He was.

  “Mya.” Skylar helped her into her seat and with her buckles. “Ready?” She waited for their nods and closed the door. “Well...”

  “I’ll see you at home.” He resisted the urge to smooth the long strand of hair that had slipped free of her ponytail. “Do I really look like the a superhero?”

  “No.” She laughed.

  “Because I’m not green and I’m not wearing purple pants?” He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting.

  She kept shaking her head, still smiling. “I’m not sure you could pull off purple pants.”

  “Is that a challenge?” he teased.

  “No.” She held her hands up. “Don’t you dare waste your money on purple pants.”

  “Who says I don’t have a pair in my closet?”

  Her eyes widened. “You do not.”

  He paused, shrugged, then confessed, “No. I don’t.”

  She laughed again.

  “I like hearing you laugh, Skylar.” He did. It made something deep inside him go soft and warm. A place he hadn’t known existed until Skylar.

  Her laughter stopped and her smile wavered. “I should get them home.” She fumbled through her purse for her keys and made her way to the driver’s door of the large van.

  “See you in a bit.” He headed down the street to his truck with a spring in his step. It might have started out rocky but, he hoped, everyone seemed to have a good time. He sure as hell had. He hadn’t realized just how much he enjoyed spending time with them—he’d missed them. He nodded as the van drove by, Skylar at the wheel, and turned the corner to his parking spot. The last thing he’d expected was to find Angus McCarrick leaning against the hood of his truck.

  “I figured I’d cut right to it.” Angus shook his hand. “If you’ve got a soft spot for the woman, then I’ll walk away. But—”

  “Then walk away,” Kyle said, regarding his key chain.

  “I thought so.” Angus chuckled. “Can’t say that I blame you. She’s a looker.”

  Kyle nodded, meeting Angus’s gaze. “And the mother of three.”

  “I noticed.” He shrugged. “Good girls though. Not the sort that talk back or cry all the time. I thought, maybe, I’d give it a go. I like the idea of a big family. Someday.”

  Kyle smiled.

  “But I won’t.” Angus shook his head. “For now. You drag your heels too long, well...” He touched his fingers to the brim of his cowboy hat. “Don’t drag your heels too long.”

  Message received. The drive home gave him time to realize his blunder. If he’d thought before he’d spoken, he’d never have revealed his feelings to Angus. Granite Falls was a small town—gossip was a way to pass the time. He’d just handed Angus some prime-time gossip. As much as he’d like to think Angus would keep their conversation to himself, Kyle knew the man loved to spin a yarn. Which meant Kyle only had one choice—he had to tell Skylar how he felt before someone else did.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Skylar glanced out the large windows of the Mitchell Ranch house. A spring storm had rolled in during the early morning hours, knocking out power to Kyle’s home. Jan had arrived within minutes of the girls waking up, inviting them up to the main house until the power was restored.

  Greer lay on a thick play mat in the middle of the room, wriggling and squirming and making so much noise that Jet, Charley, and Sierra were all nearby—ears perked up, watching.

  Weston, Mya, and Brynn were playing with blocks. According to Brynn, Weston could play with blocks much better than he could color.

  “It’s the little things, isn’t it?” Jan asked, sitting in the rocking chair next to Skylar.

  “It is.” Skylar nodded, sipping her coffee. “Thank you again for letting us come visit.”

  “The door is always open, Skylar. You don’t need an invitation, you hear?” Jan waited for her nod before she went on, “Kyle mentioned something about a big doctor appointment for Mya coming up?”

  “Yes. It’s a preliminary consultation. There are a few tests to see if Mya is a candidate for the surgery.” There was nothing Skylar could do about the outcome, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t worried. Mya was so smart; she was picking up signs with ease. And yet, Skylar knew things would be easier for her daughter if she could hear. Either way, her little girl would be fine.

  “Oh, so there are things that would prevent her from having the...the...” Jan frowned. “What are they called?”

  “Cochlear implants.” Skylar smiled as the brick tower came tumbling down amidst peals of laughter and clapping. “See if you can build a taller one this time.” She used her hands, making sure Mya understood.

  “Okay, Momma,” Brynn said.

  Mya nodded.

  Skylar studied Mya’s smile, her easygoing nature. She’d lost so much of her shyness since they’d come to Granite Falls. She wanted her little girl to be confident and happy—with or without the surgery. “It’s rare, but yes, sometimes the surgery and implants aren’t recommended. Sometimes the scans and tests indicate that even if they have the procedure, it might not work.”

  “Well, I am happy to watch Brynn and Greer when you go to your appointment.” Jan rocked slowly, watching her grandson. “I have no doubt Brynn will keep Weston in line and Greer will entertain the dogs the whole day.”

  It was pretty adorable to see Greer’s blanket surrounded—at a safe distance—by three large dogs.

  “There are times, like now, when I can’t quite wrap my head around how much everything has changed,” she confessed, glancing Jan’s way. “Everything.”

  “Good changes?” Jan asked. “Well, even good change can take some getting used to.”

  Skylar nodded. “The girls seem to have adjusted just fine.” She was the one struggling. Not with everything, of course. She had a roof over her head, food, clothing, a job, and a way to get around... But the night she’d spent with Kyle had made her painfully aware that something was missing from her life. A partner. Someone to love. Kyle.

  She shook her head, tightening her grip on her coffee cup.

  “I’d best get some lunch thrown together.” Jan pushed out of the rocking chair. “Hayden and Kyle will likely be stopping by to eat. Those boys can eat, let me tell you.”

  “Can I help?” She trailed after Jan into the kitchen—the large open great room and kitchen making it easy for her to give Jan a hand while having full view of the kids.

  The two of them worked in tandem, making a hearty chicken soup and fresh-baked rolls, chatting and laughing the whole time.

  “I do wish Lizzie was here.” Jan pulled a stack of bowls from the cabinet. “She loves to cook. But that girl has more talent in her pinkie finger than anyone I know. The new high school was being finished just about the time she visited Hayden. Once those two laid eyes on each other, it was clear to see where things were headed.” She went around the table, putting bowls on the place mats. “I’d like to think she’s as happy with her new career as the head of the fine arts department as she is with Hayden.”

  Jan was content to keep the flow of conversation going. From Granite Falls’s yearly festivals to this weekend’s rodeo to the controversy over the old clock tower being moved to the fun the girls would have in the creek when the summer got too hot. Skylar listened, making up a bottle for Greer, and chopping up some fruit and vegetables for Weston and the girls.

  “Mom, something smells good.” Hayden came in through the garage door. “You must be in hog heaven,” he said, spying the kids.

  “I am.” Jan smiled and then she turned and put her hands on her hips in frustration. “And I’ll stay that way as long as you boys remember to leave those muddy boots in the mudroom.” />
  “Yes, ma’am.” Hayden chuckled. “You hear that, Kyle. You’re gonna want to strip down a bit. Kyle might have fallen into the tank up by the high field.”

  “Fallen?” Kyle pulled off his rain-spattered cowboy hat and shook his head. “Pushed, is more like it.” He hung it on one of the pegs lining the wall in the mudroom.

  “And it was funny as hell, too.” Hayden laughed, hanging his hat.

  Skylar watched the brothers, smiling. As wet as Kyle was—and his plaid button-up shirt and blue jeans looked soaked through—they were laughing and joking the way brothers should. Seeing them this way, it was hard to imagine that they’d ever had a strained relationship. She hoped, with all her heart, that was all behind them now.

  Jan shook her head. “Might as well throw that in the wash.” She pointed at Kyle’s button-down brown plaid shirt, which was streaked with mud. “I’m surprised at you two. Acting like children.”

  Neither of them looked the least bit repentant.

  Kyle looked... Well, he looked big and strong and manly and so handsome her insides grew liquid hot.

  “Skylar.” Hayden nodded. “Your girls wearing Weston out, I hope?”

  “I think it’s mutual.” Skylar pointed at the tower they were working on, almost as high as Weston now. “They’ve been very focused.”

  “Look at that.” Hayden knelt, clapping his hands.

  Weston jumped up and ran across the room, throwing himself into his father’s outstretched arms. “Dadda.” He pressed a kiss to Hayden’s cheek. “Hi.”

  “Hey, little man.” Hayden kissed his son. “That’s some tower.”

  Skylar risked a glanced Kyle’s way, the sight of him slipping out of his soaking shirt enough to grab her full attention. His white undershirt clung in all the right places. But as he was tugging off his button-up, the undershirt pulled up just enough to expose the carved musculature of his abdomen.

  Kyle chose that moment to look up. At her. Of course. Right when she was ogling his exposed bare skin... Thoroughly.

  She blinked, turned and headed for the play mat. “Hungry?” she asked Greer, beyond flustered.

  Greer cooed and kicked, reaching up.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” Skylar scooped her baby daughter up, laughing as all three dogs followed them into the kitchen. “Your security detail is on top of things.”

  “They know who needs protecting.” Kyle moved closer, making a funny face at Greer and tickling her feet.

  Any chance of Skylar not noticing the stubble on his jaw or his delightfully earthy scent went out the window as he stepped closer. “Can I?” he asked, holding out his hands for Greer.

  Greer kicked and squealed enthusiastically.

  “I’m not sure she’d like that,” Skylar teased, shifting the baby into his arms.

  Kyle cradled Greer against his chest. “Your momma thinks she’s funny.” He bounced her, making faces.

  If she’d been distracted before, she was mesmerized now. Tight white shirt. Bulging arms. Loving smile. Greer, so little, cradled so tenderly. He shouldn’t look this good. He shouldn’t be this...this good.

  “You ready for your bottle?” Kyle asked Greer, his gaze meeting Skylar’s. “I got this, if you want to eat?”

  She nodded, suspecting words would give away all the things she was thinking and feeling and wanting.

  Beyond Kyle, she’d developed a real fondness for the Mitchell family. They’d welcomed her with open arms and treated her as part of the family. The girls loved being here—Weston and the dogs and Jan’s ready supply of fresh-baked goodies helped with that. It felt good to sit around the table and listen to Kyle recount the morning’s barn repairs. Of course, he added a little extra drama for the kids, smiling broadly when they laughed at his story.

  When she was done eating, she took Greer so Kyle could eat. “Thank you,” she said.

  “My pleasure.” He grinned. “Greer likes hanging out with me.”

  “Oh, she does?” Skylar stared down at her sleepy-eyed daughter. “Do you, Greer? Do you like Kyle?”

  “She loves him,” Brynn said.

  “Hear that?” Kyle puffed out his chest, like a proud peacock. “She loves me.”

  “I love you, too, Kyle,” Brynn said.

  Mya held up her hand, signing, “I love you” and smiling broadly.

  “Three against one,” Kyle said.

  Skylar laughed. “Fine. They love spending time with you.”

  He nodded triumphant.

  “Great. Glad that’s taken care of. I’m going to eat my lunch now,” Hayden grumbled. “Before it gets cold.”

  “They love spending time with me?” Kyle’s voice was low, almost a whisper. “What about you, Skylar?”

  She wasn’t sure how to answer that because she wasn’t sure what he was really asking. All she knew was that he seemed to be searching for something, that he seemed entirely focused on her. “I...” She swallowed. I love spending time with you, too. I love you. Did she? Really love him? She cared a great deal for him but... Was she? In love with Kyle?

  “Skylar?” He frowned. “What is it?”

  “I need to change her before she goes to sleep.” She ignored the flash of disappointment on his face and carried Greer to Weston’s nursery, thankful for the moment’s retreat. When she’d told Kyle they could only be friends, she’d meant it. It was the right decision—for both of them. Their future couldn’t be built upon a promise he’d made to Chad, no matter how noble that may sound. She needed to remember that, before she said or did something she’d regret.

  * * *

  Kyle finished off the water in his canteen and peered up at the windmill. “Looks good.” It’d taken a lot of sweat and teamwork, but they’d finally finished replacing the broken blade.

  “Yep.” Hayden wiped his brow with the red bandanna he had tucked into his back pocket. “I heard something in town this morning.” He paused. “Well, Lizzie heard it and told me. Teacher’s Lounge gossip.”

  “Sounds exciting.” Kyle shot his brother a disappointed look. “Why would I care—”

  “It’s about you.” Hayden slapped him on the shoulder. “You and Skylar.”

  “What about us?” He frowned. “Why can’t people leave well enough alone?”

  “Hold on. According to Lizzie, you said something to Angus.” He tucked his bandanna into his pocket. “Something about staking your claim to Skylar.”

  “Oh, that.” He avoided his brother’s eyes. “Yeah, well... He was going to ask her out.”

  “And that’s a problem because the two of you are just friends?” Hayden started packing up tools into the toolbox in the rear of the ranch truck.

  “No... Yes... Hell if I know.” He shook his head. “I think—no I’m pretty damn sure I know how I...what I want.”

  “So, you tell Angus? Not Skylar?” Hayden stared at him over the truck bed.

  “Angus was laying it on thick. I was buying some time. The plan was to tell her before word got out.” His sigh was bone deep. “I’d assumed I’d get more than ten hours.”

  “You have been gone awhile.” Once Hayden took a look at him, his smile faded. “She doesn’t blame you for Chad’s death.”

  “Maybe not.” Kyle stared up at the blue sky. “But I do.” He shook his head.

  “Then it sounds like that’s where you need to start. With yourself.” Hayden slammed the toolbox shut and pushed his hat back for more shade. “When I met Lizzie, my past came back with a vengeance. It was going to break me, break us, if I didn’t face it and let it go.”

  Kyle stared at his big brother. “I hope all the...stuff with me and John didn’t have anything to do with it. I’m sorry for that, Hayden.” He waited for his brother to look his way. “It took a few close calls and a whole lot of missing home for me to realize you were trying to protect us. I kno
w that now. And I’m sorry.”

  Hayden nodded, clearing his throat. “Thanks.” He cleared his throat again. “I’m sorry, too. I did overstep. I missed Dad so damn bad but I...I was never angry with you.”

  “Just sad.” Kyle gripped the truck bed, wishing there was a way to go back and change things. “I miss him, too. And John.”

  Hayden’s jaw tightened. “Haven’t heard from him in a few months. He’s pretty good about sending Mom a line or two, giving her the what and who but none of the where or why.”

  “Sounds right. He’ll come around.” At least Kyle hoped he would. It was hard to say with their little brother.

  Hayden didn’t look convinced. “You think?” One brow rose.

  Kyle laughed then. John had been born stubborn. Even as a toddler, he’d dig in his heels and say no just to be contrary. It’d been cute when he was little, not so much when he grew up. Add Ed fueling his hostility and resentment for Hayden, and their home life had gone to hell pretty damn quick. Their mom, a lot like Skylar, had been so devastated over losing their father that she’d been desperate for companionship. Ed had been there, waiting in the wings, to swoop in and take over—a life of plenty without needing to do any of the work. Ed was why they had all enlisted. Each of them was looking for distance and space to heal.

  “The rodeo’s this weekend. Why not ask Skylar to go?” Hayden asked. “Lizzie and I are going. You know Mom and Penny would be happy to watch the kids.”

  “Like...a date?” Kyle frowned. “Did I mention how hung up she is on the whole friend thing?”

  “Tell her a group of us are going.” Hayden stepped away from the truck and scanned the ground for anything they might have missed.

  “Is there a group of us going?” He pushed off the truck bed and walked the periphery of the windmill, pocketing two long screws and a sheared-off drill bit.

  “Maybe. I haven’t heard back from everyone.” Hayden stared up at the windmill. “Not too bad.” He pulled his bandanna out and used it along the back of his neck. “If you want my advice—” Hayden broke off and waited.