Their Rancher Protector

by Sasha Summers

  “I’m not a patient man,” Angus pretended to whisper to no one in particular.

  “That is very true,” Dougal agreed, eating more popcorn.

  “The better question is, what’s the holdup?” This came from Buzz.

  Kyle stood. “I’m getting a beer. Anyone want one?” He didn’t wait. “No, okay. I’ll be back.” He climbed down the bleachers, ignoring the roar of laughter from the stands at his back.

  He bought his beer and a bag of kettle corn then walked by the stock pens, pausing to look over tonight’s bronc rides.

  “Feeling nostalgic?”

  Kyle turned to find Cassie, Lizzie, and Skylar walking toward him.

  “Did you know Kyle used to ride?” Cassie asked the others.

  “That was a hell of a long time ago.” He turned from the pen, propping his arm on the pipe fencing. “I’m a lot smarter now. And a lot older.”

  “I knew John was into rodeo.” Lizzie was looking into the pen. “I can’t quite wrap my head around it. Riding on one of those?”

  One of the horses reared up, ears flat, and kicked out at the horse next to him, making Skylar take two steps back.

  “My point exactly,” Lizzie said, shaking her head.

  “He used to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie.” Cassie stood beside him, staring up at him. “Fearless and tenacious. If he wanted something, he went right out and got it.”

  “All that?” Kyle’s brow rose. “Some might say young and stupid?” His gaze darted to Skylar, but she seemed fully entranced with the horses.

  Cassie shrugged. “I told Buzz I’d get him a beer and some nachos.” She waved and sauntered off, glancing over her shoulder at him as she walked away.

  What was that all about? The music picked up and the emcee gave a five-minute warning, so they headed back to their seats. He was all too happy to explain the rules to Skylar and answer her questions and share his kettle corn. Being with her felt good—natural and right. The sort of thing that wasn’t meant to be rushed. But all through the bronc riding, calf roping, and barrel racing, Kyle felt time slipping away. Once the rodeo ended, they’d go to the dance—a dance Angus had deemed the right time to make his move.

  “Should we head home?” Skylar asked when they were clearing out of the stands. “I’ve never left the girls this long.”

  “Do you want to go?” he asked. He had been looking forward to dancing with her. It would give him the excuse to hold her and, since he’d first laid eyes on her tonight, he’d been aching to have her in his arms. “There’s a dance. Some live music. It’s a good time.” A good time to tell you I love you.

  “Oh.” Her gaze shifted beyond him to Lizzie and Hayden.

  His brother had his arm around Lizzie, leading her toward the open-air stage on the other side of the field. The thump of a drum had started, making Cassie and Dougal take a quick spin.

  She watched, a smile forming. “For a bit? Maybe?”

  “Okay,” he agreed. “If you’re not having a good time, I’ll take you home.”

  She nibbled on the inside of her lip, drawing attention to her mouth. “Okay.”

  The okay took a minute to register—he’d gotten distracted. He knew all too well how that mouth felt, how good she tasted.

  “Kyle?” she said, staring up at him. Her cheeks flushed a deep red.

  “Sounds good,” he rasped. “Let’s go.”

  It took a minute for Skylar to relax. Lizzie got her a strawberry margarita, which likely helped. When the music was in full swing and the floor was full of spinning couples, he made his move.

  “Want to dance?” he asked.

  Skylar stared at the whirling couples. “I don’t know how to do that.”

  “We don’t have to do that.” He chuckled. “We can two-step.”

  “Don’t listen to him,” Angus stepped in. “I’ll show you how it’s done. Come on, Skylar.” He took her hand and spun her. “Let your hair down and have some fun.”

  Kyle watched, silently cursing himself, as Angus led Skylar around the concrete dance floor. Her hat went sailing but she was laughing too hard to notice. He didn’t miss Angus’s triumphant smile as they whirled right in front of him.

  I got it. He sighed.

  “What happened to you?” Cassie asked. “You’re going to let him steal her right out from under you?”

  “Cassie—”

  “No, Kyle Mitchell, listen to me. I know what a woman looks like when she’s in love. It’s the way I look every time I look at you.” She shook her head, not in the least self-pitying. “And she looks at you that way. She is who you want. Don’t you dare give her up without a fight.”

  Kyle was staring, openmouthed, when the music ended and Angus brought Skylar back to their table.

  “Now,” Cassie whispered, pushing him in Skylar’s direction. “Dance with me, Angus.” She grabbed the man’s arm and tugged him onto the dance floor.

  The music was slow. No spinning. No fancy footwork. Just he and Skylar and all the things he needed to say.

  “Skylar?” He held his hand out. “Will you dance with me?”

  He’d expected her to hesitate. Instead, she took his hand. “Yes.”

  On the dance floor, he slid one arm around her waist and took her other hand in his. Her hand was soft in his rough hold. Soft and warm.

  “You lost your hat.” And he liked the way her hair fell loose and free around her shoulders. “Lizzie got it.”

  “Oh, good. It just sort of flew off. Angus is very...vigorous.”

  He sure as hell didn’t like the sound of that. It didn’t matter. He had her to himself now, and he wasn’t going to give Angus one second more of their time. “Having fun?”

  “I am.”

  “You sound surprised.” And happy. That was the best part.

  “I am.” Her gaze met his, full of mischief and light. “It’s nice.”

  “You deserve a night off.” He cleared his throat. “Skylar...” Where to start? He didn’t want to mess this up. He wanted her to understand. He needed her to know that he listened to her—that his motivation was his own.

  “We don’t have to talk.” Her eyes went round. “We can just dance.”

  He shook his head, his gaze searching hers. “I feel like we’ve been dancing around this for too long as it is.”

  She swallowed.

  “You’re right. About Chad.” He nodded. “I didn’t want to believe it, but it’s true. I wouldn’t have been able to stop him. But you have to understand, the one time I wasn’t there...” He shook his head. “Knowing that doesn’t make it any easier.”

  She nodded. “I know. You miss him. I miss him. But you have to let it go. You have to give yourself permission to move on.”

  “I am. Moving on.” He drew in a deep breath. “You were right about the other thing, too. I have done what Chad asked. I’ve honored my word to him.” This was it. This was him, baring his soul... This sucks. “You said I don’t owe you anything else. But that’s not what this is about, Skylar.”

  Skylar missed a step, her gaze falling from his and her cheeks flushing. She went from being at ease in his hold, to gripping his arms.

  “You okay?”

  She shook her head. “I think...all the spinning and the alcohol...” She swayed. “I need to sit. I feel...sick.”

  He slid his arm around her waist and helped her off the dance floor. “Let’s get you home.”

  “I’m sorry, Kyle. I hate ruining the evening for everyone else.” She pressed a hand to her face, fanning herself.

  “I’ll take you.” He smiled down at her, worried. “You’re not ruining anything for me. I got to do what I wanted.”

  Skylar looked like she was going to cry. “If you’re sure?”

  “I’m sure.” He loved her, waiting another night wouldn’t change that. B
ut he would tell her. He had to. Once she was well, he’d finish what he started tonight—tell her he loved her and hope like hell, somehow, she might love him, too.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Skylar rolled over in bed and pressed a hand to her head. Since she’d fallen into bed last night, the pain in her heart had only spread. She hadn’t lied about the alcohol and the spinning, it had done a number on her. But it was Kyle who had knocked her feet out from under her.

  He’d let go of the guilt about Chad.

  He’d accepted that he’d more than fulfilled his obligation to Chad.

  He was ready to move on.

  She buried her face in her pillow. What was wrong with her? This was what she wanted for him. Right. Enough. She rolled over, threw the pillow, and sat up. How dare she wallow? For the first time in a long time, she was in control of her own life. Focus on that. She had a job and a vehicle and a home. Next week was Mya’s doctor appointment. Life was good.

  Because of Kyle.

  Thanks to Jan, the girls had their first sleepover. She’d taken one look at Skylar and told her to go to bed—she had things under control. Considering Mya and Brynn and Weston were already sound asleep on a pallet of blankets and pillows and dogs and Greer was sleeping peacefully in Weston’s crib, Skylar didn’t argue. She’d come home, thanked Kyle, and fallen into bed. Not that she’d slept. Not much anyway.

  It was early yet, but she knew the girls would be up and Skylar couldn’t leave Jan on her own with them. Watching over them while they slept wasn’t the same thing as balancing four kids and breakfast. Besides, being with her girls made things feel better. Some hugs, some laughs—the pain in her heart would hurt a little less.

  She took a quick shower, pulled on some old jeans, a Super Mom shirt the girls had insisted she get the last time they were in town, and pulled her hair into a ponytail. After grabbing Jan’s boots, she set out.

  The sun was rising, the rays growing longer and longer until it had woken up all the colors and textures of the landscape. As happy as she was to have a home close to work and Penny, she’d miss this. Jet would, too. The little house didn’t have much of a yard.

  The Mitchell Ranch house came into sight, the windows illuminated.

  She smiled. Poor Jan. The girls woke up happy but they’d never woken up without her being there. She hurried, closing the gate behind her, and ran up the steps of the porch to the back door.

  “Morning, Momma,” Brynn said, waving the spatula in her hand.

  Mya waved, too. “Ma.” She was holding a whisk upright, uncaring of the batter running down the handle and up her little arm. “Cooking.”

  Skylar stopped, taking in the scene. Her girls, covered in flour and smiling from ear to ear. And Kyle...

  “French toast?” he asked, his face and shirt dusted with flour. “It’s the one thing I know how to make.”

  “We helping,” Brynn said. “Feel better?”

  Kyle looked at her then, concerned.

  “Yes.” Skylar blinked, willing herself not to give in and hold his gaze. “It smells good.”

  “There’s plenty.” Kyle nodded at the platter, already stacked high with French toast. “They got excited so...” He shrugged, smiling.

  “Good morning,” Jan said, carrying Greer into the great room. “We just had a bottle and a fresh diaper.”

  Greer clapped her hands and reached for her.

  “Thank you so much, Jan.” She took Greer, cradling her daughter close.

  “Don’t thank me.” Jan waved her hand dismissively. “Kyle came back last night, slept on the couch and was up with the kids before I opened my eyes. They have been busy.” She shook her head at the disastrous mess in the kitchen.

  “I’ll help you clean up.” Skylar bounced Greer, pressing a kiss to her temple.

  “We’ve got this,” Kyle argued, frowning. He signed, “Clean up help,” to Mya. “Don’t we?”

  Brynn looked around the kitchen and shook her head. “We need help, Momma.”

  Mya nodded. “Help.” She signed.

  Kyle pressed a hand over his heart. “That hurts.”

  “Do you have a owie?” Brynn asked, leaning forward.

  It was all so playful and sweet, Skylar had to giggle. Kyle was amazing with the girls and they adored him. He smiled at her, that eye-crinkling, bone-melting smile that made her heart turn over.

  “No owie.” Kyle shook his head. “Thank you.”

  Weston came sprinting into the room then, Lizzie on his heels.

  “He doesn’t like wearing pants,” Lizzie said, running after a giggling Weston with a pair of jeans in her hands. “This is our morning routine.”

  “Cardio,” Kyle said, unperturbed.

  Hayden came in then, grabbing up Weston and holding him out while Lizzie slid on his pants. “Teamwork,” he said, leaning forward to kiss Lizzie.

  “Kiss,” Weston said, waiting until both Lizzie and Hayden had kissed his cheeks. “Down.”

  “Bossy little thing,” Hayden said. “Please?”

  “Down, please? Please please?” Weston added.

  “What can I do?” Skylar asked, amused and slightly overwhelmed by the amount of activity taking place all around her. As foreign as it was, this was what family should be. This was what she wanted for the girls. Someday.

  “How about we set the table?” Jan asked.

  “I’ll take Greer,” Lizzie offered. “I have to admit, little Greer has me thinking about babies.”

  Hayden’s eyes went round. “What does that mean?”

  Lizzie just smiled, rocking Greer as she said, “You see the look on Uncle Hayden’s face, Greer? That is called panic.”

  It was the Uncle Hayden that snagged Skylar’s attention. She didn’t mind it, but... Her gaze bounced to Kyle. Kyle, who was looking at her. He shrugged, smiling.

  “How was your first Granite Falls rodeo?” Jan asked.

  “Fun,” Skylar said, tearing her eyes from Kyle. “I didn’t know your boys were rodeo cowboys.” She put a plate on each of the place mats.

  “I try not to think about it.” Jan shuddered. “I’m thankful they made it through, relatively unscathed.” Jan launched into one of John’s close calls with a bull, a mix of horror and pride in her voice.

  “I think we’ve used all the bread in the house,” Kyle declared. “Everyone has to eat five pieces, at least.”

  Brynn and Mya counted up five fingers and nodded, looking so pleased with themselves that Skylar had to smile.

  “Five,” Skylar said, nodding. “That is a lot of toast.”

  “You won’t need lunch,” Kyle said. “Besides, we’re going to need the energy to clean all this up.” He turned, frowning as he took in the extent of the mess. “Or we could blow it up and start fresh?”

  Jan laughed.

  “He has a point, Mom.” Hayden shook his head. “How did you get some on the ceiling?”

  Brynn looked up, which made Mya look up—so did Kyle.

  “Now, that’s a picture,” Lizzie said, smiling at Skylar.

  “That’s what I was thinking.” The knot in her throat wasn’t a surprise. All of this was bittersweet now. If they did move to the little rent house in town, she and the girls couldn’t just stop by. It was not like the ranch was a quick drive around the corner. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

  “I’ll get the syrup.” Hayden held his hands up and slid behind Kyle toward the pantry.

  “Very funny.” Kyle wiped his hands on his apron, realized he’d only made it worse, and went to wash his hands.

  Skylar shook her head. “Come on, girls, let’s go wash up so we can eat.”

  “’Kay, Momma.” Brynn jumped off the stool she’d been using, tugged on Mya’s print leggings, and the two of them followed Skylar into the guest bathroom.

  “Did you t
wo have fun last night?” she asked, signing the question before pumping a squirt of soap into Mya’s palm and a squirt for Brynn.

  “Yep,” Brynn said.

  Mya nodded.

  “Kyle is sad for you,” Brynn said.

  “Sad?” Skylar turned on the water. “Why?”

  “He sad you weren’t here. Cooking.” Brynn shrugged.

  “He...he said that?” Skylar was pretty sure he hadn’t said that.

  “He said he missed you,” Brynn said. “Didn’t he?”

  “Miss you,” Mya echoed.

  Skylar helped them dry their hands and headed back into the kitchen. Once Greer was on the play mat, surrounded by the dogs, Skylar sat between her girls. “You weren’t kidding,” she said, taking in the amount of French toast on the table. “This is a lot of French toast.”

  “Brynn said it was your favorite,” Kyle said. “Everyone dig in.”

  But all Skylar could do was stare at the toast Brynn stacked on her plate. He’d made French toast because it was her favorite? She didn’t want to read anything into this—she didn’t want to see what she wanted to see... After everything he said last night... He was moving on. So why was he looking at her like that? Like he cared. Like she was the reason for his smile. Like he wanted her here. If only that was true.

  * * *

  “Good?” Kyle smiled at Mya, wiping her chin with a napkin.

  Mya nodded, her smile sticky with syrup.

  “You did good,” he signed as he spoke, very aware of his finger placement.

  “We’ll be eating French toast for a week,” Hayden grumbled, sitting back in his chair. “Does this stuff freeze?”

  “You don’t sound all that grateful,” Kyle shot back. “No more for you.”

  Everyone laughed. More important, Skylar laughed. Every time their gazes bounced off one another, Kyle grew more impatient. He needed to tell her how he felt. He needed to know how she felt. There were times he thought there was something there—something she was holding back. But he was a damn fool when it came to Skylar Davis, so there was a high likelihood that he was seeing what he wanted. “You need a ride into town next week, for Mya’s appointment?” he asked.