Callie released Mac’s hand and walked to one of the ornamental benches. It was made of highly polished wood that was intricately carved on each end. Mac had placed several of them around the area. She slid onto one and patted the spot next to her. When he joined her on the bench, he put an arm around her to pull her close, and Callie accepted the warmth of him, leaning her head back against his shoulder with a sigh. “I think your ancestors, Sidda and Calvin Bonner, would like what you’ve done with this place.”
“I like to think so. Calvin wasn’t born a rancher you know.”
“No?”
“Nope. He was a Georgia farmer who returned home after the war to find his feelings about the place had changed. After deciding to seek his fortunes elsewhere, he headed West to Texas. That’s how he came to meet Sidda, my great-great-whatever Grandma. Her folks had settled this land already and eventually she inherited it and was running the place practically alone. She hired Calvin as a hand, they married, and the rest was history. Now, I understand she was quite a handful, but he managed to tame her.”
Callie playfully jabbed Mac in the ribs with an elbow. “Tame her? That’s just barbaric. I actually like the fact that she was one sassy customer.”
“She would probably have liked you. You’re one sassy customer yourself.”
“Moi? Heavens to Betsy, I don’t know about that. Lately I think my sass got up and ran away.”
Mac laughed. “Ah, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Sass seems to stick to some people more than others.” He swept his hand over her arm. “They lost this house in a fire and rebuilt eventually. According to stories handed down through the generations, Sidda began a garden here so they could always remember how lucky they were to be alive and that building again was another proof of strength of character.”
“A wise woman.” Callie looked at the rows of hedges and mounds of greenery and a giant oak that had been planted one day, many years ago, in the center of the area. Its branches spread out starkly over the spot, providing shade for any who stopped here to enjoy a summer day. “It’s beautiful here.”
“I manage to keep it up. It’s the least I can do.” They sat in silence for a while then Mac released her and sat forward, his forearms propped against his spread thighs. “I’ve been thinking about something.”
“Uh oh.”
“I’m serious.”
“Okay, sorry. I’m listening. What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve been thinking about Buzz Decker.”
“Oh, hell. Do we have to talk about him?”
Mac glanced at her and Callie noted the muscle that jumped in his jaw. “I’m afraid so. I’ve done some asking around and Buzz hasn’t hired a lawyer yet to challenge custody of the kids. We both know he wants to get his hands on the insurance money, little as it is.”
“Rat bastard.”
Mac nodded. “He is that. I don’t think he has a chance in hell of any judge giving him custody but we shouldn’t take chances.”
“We?”
“Yeah, we.” He straightened and faced her. “I don’t know if you get it yet, but I’m a guy who sticks. I’m not going anywhere. Those kids deserve a good life and they won’t get it with Buzz and Patsy. Everyone in town knows it, too. They belong with you.”
“Where are you going with this, Mac?”
“I aim to see that things go your way and to that end, I’ve been doing some thinking.” Callie waited, but it didn’t take long for Mac to make his point. “I know you do your best. You work your ass off but Callie, you’ve got to move those kids out of that bad neighborhood. Damn it, their mother died in that house, and they’ll have a hard time moving on by staying there.”
She wanted to be pissed at his words but it just wasn’t possible. Mac was right and she’d known it for a long time. They deserved better. She felt so defeated. “I’m trying.”
“I know you are, but you need a hand. I have a proposition. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and I want you to pack up and you and the kids move out here to the ranch.”
His words hit her like a punch. Callie shook her head. “I can’t do that! Are you crazy? I mean, you have a beautiful, quiet life. That would all change in a heartbeat if we pile in here on you. No. No, I can’t do that.”
“Yes, you can. My place is big, each child would have a bedroom, and the school bus drives by the ranch every morning. Izzy and Austin would have the best of everything and so would you, for that matter.”
She was beyond touched, yet along with that came a healthy dose of disbelief. They’d known each other for a very long time, and she knew there was no better man than Mac but this? Really? “This is so nice of you but I have to say no.”
“Callie, don’t think for a minute those kids would do well being raised by Buzz. Can you afford to take a chance on that?”
God!
The very idea of that ass raising Izzy and Austin sent terror racing wildly through her brain. Surely no judge would allow that to happen! Surely. She blew out a breath and sank against the back of the bench. “I don’t know, Mac. I just don’t. The thought of messing things up just scares me to death.”
Mac rubbed his hand along the ever-present black stubble on his jaw and looked out into the garden before finally turning his head to study her. “It’s not my intent to upset you. The kids are well-cared for and your little place is so clean you could practically eat off the floors. I just want to help you do better by them and for yourself, so hear me out, okay?”
“I’m listening,” she managed, as she fought to keep her bones from rattling with fear. To have someone else voice her scariest concerns shook her.
“You work two jobs, honey. You can’t keep that up. The kids just lost their mother, and they need you now more than ever.”
“Think I don’t know that?”
“Shh. Just listen and don’t interrupt. Most ranches of this size have a big crew of cowboys to feed. Deuces Wild employs a fair number and roughly half a dozen of these guys live in the bunkhouse and depend on Sarita for their breakfast and lunch every day. She’s getting older and could use help with that. Who better than you? You could work for me and be here every day when they ride the bus home from school. They’d have room to play and hell, just be kids.”
“But─”
“No, buts. I’ve already talked this over with Sarita and she would welcome the help. She likes you and knows you’re a hard worker.” Mac put a hand on her shoulder and the steadiness of his touch threatened to undo her. Tears burned in her eyes, but she blinked them back. “Think about it, Cal. This is a perfect living situation for the kids and no judge in his right mind would consider Buzz’s petition. Do you have any other choice?”
Did she?
Choices, especially good ones, weren’t something she’d had a lot of these days and Mac’s offer was the answer to a prayer.
A slow, stunningly sexy smile appeared on Mac’s face. He traced tiny circles on her shoulder. A shiver raced over her flesh that had absolutely nothing to do with the fall temps. “You’re considering it. Say yes and I’ll have you guys moved out here tomorrow.”
She couldn’t think with Mac’s fingers stroking her mindless, so she backed up a bit. “Okay, yeah. I’m thinking about it.”
“Do it. Come on.”
“You know I don’t take charity.”
“That’s a given. You’ll work hard. Hell, after a week or two you’ll probably be cussing me.”
“Never.” Callie frowned. “I just want to make one thing perfectly clear.”
“Shoot.”
“I never want things to be uncomfortable for us. I don’t want anything to mess up what we are to each other. I mean, we’re friends, we’ve been friends. I just don’t want things to get awkward.”
Mac stilled. Tension practically sizzled from him as they sat together in silence, staring into each other’s eyes. Maybe she shouldn’t have broached the subject but, damn it, it had to be said.
“Is that what we are,
Callie? Just friends?” He shook his head, sending his gaze over her, burning her with that golden stare. “I don’t think so. Matter of fact, lately I’ve thought little other than getting you beneath me in bed so heads up on that. Don’t get me wrong, I like being your friend, but I want a whole lot more. If you move out here to the Deuces Wild, best prepare yourself. I won’t do anything you don’t want, and I won’t take anything you aren’t willing to give freely. Just don’t expect me to sit idly by and let you slip through my fingers again. I’m not that much of a gentleman. Got it?”
Stunned, Callie stared at him, unable to believe his words until Mac reached up and cupped her cheek. “Say yes, Callie. Give this thing a chance. Give us a chance. We all deserve it, don’t you think?”
Chapter Five
Mac stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel from a nearby stack. Quickly drying, he walked into his bedroom, pulled on a pair of jeans, and dragged his fingers through his hair to restore some order to it. It had been roughly three weeks since Callie and the children had moved out to the ranch. Deep in thought, but almost as satisfied as a man could be after achieving an especially important goal, he strode through the double doors leading to a private patio outside. Immersed in the quiet night, he sprawled into one of the big, padded chairs, and sighing, settled his head against the cushion.
The night he’d made his proposition, he’d fairly held his breath waiting for Callie’s answer. Never in his whole damn life had he been so nervous. He’d called upon every bit of patience he possessed, worried over the uncertainty in her eyes as he watched her gnaw her bottom lip and took note of her hesitation.
“I see the wheels turning,” he’d said. “Don’t overthink this. You know it’s best for the kids and, in the end, best for you, too. Despite my wanting back into your life, this is a good move, especially with Buzz breathing down your neck.” It wasn’t particularly gallant to throw up the threat of Buzz Decker and he knew it. He didn’t want her moving in with him out of fear, but then, hell, he wasn’t perfect. He’d take Callie however he could get her.
Finally, she’d nodded, watching him carefully, and he knew she wasn’t concerned about taking the job or bringing the children here to live as much as she worried about his intentions toward her.
The expression of her concerns didn’t take long.
“I’ll accept the offer of work and lodging but, dang it, Mac, you’ll have to give me some time on these rest of this.”
He’d grinned. “The rest?”
Her puny little fist pressed his chest. “Doggone it. The last time we were together you left and quickly forgot about me. It hurt. I don’t like to be hurt. We’ve been friends for a long time, and it wasn’t until a few short days ago you seemed to want to change that. Why now?”
Mac sobered. “Fair question.” Her hand was still fisted so he took her hand and gently teased her fingers apart. He’d found it odd that he’d never noticed how long, slender and pretty they were. When he focused on her, he recognized the real curiosity in her eyes. “I’ve been feeling this way for some time. It didn’t come on suddenly, but was more of a gradual thing.” He shrugged. “We were kids before. You are a woman now, and I’m a man who is interested in more than short affairs. I don’t know if we could make it work again, but I want to try.”
“All right then,” she’d said before narrowing her eyes. “Don’t push me, Mac. And don’t you dare hurt me or I just might kill you. I’ve had enough grief lately, and I don’t need a damn bit more. Got it?”
Now, the conversation made him smile, but at the time, he’d absorbed the underlying sincerity behind the teasing. She didn’t want to be hurt. Well, he didn’t either. The last thing he wanted to do was apply pressure when Callie and the kids were still adapting to their new lives. The five bedroom ranch house gave everyone ample space to stretch out and breathe. For the first time ever, both Izzy and Austin had their own rooms. Eventually, he wanted to send Callie and Sarita shopping to pick out new things to help them make the spaces more their own.
That was a fine idea.
Deuces Wild had become a paradise for those two and, in Austin, he saw a little cowboy-in-the making as he tended to follow Mac and the other hands around asking a million questions. He didn’t shy away from the livestock and was particularly fond of a pretty paint mare. Izzy had adapted, too, and though she was still painfully quiet, she was coming around. Tonight, while Callie had dealt with Austin and a mountain of homework, he’d spent an interesting few hours with Izzy in her very own room. Mac scrubbed one hand over the stubble on his chin. Who would have imagined that one little girl would steal his heart this way? Callie’s niece and nephew had known more hardship than many adults experienced in a lifetime and it wasn’t right. If he could help them, then he would pull out all the stops. He had a big empty home and he cared.
Mac glanced down at the splashes of red polish on his fingernails and grinned. Maybe tonight, he’d taken that caring just a mite too far. He had a big problem for sure. Shaking his head, he walked back into his room listening for sounds of Callie moving around in the room next door and found nothing but silence. Either she was already asleep or still tucking the kids into their beds on the other side of the house. Thinking he’d head to the kitchen for a snack, he stepped into the hallway only to be stopped in his tracks by a tiny, milk-white kitten who stared at him through a pair of wide, blue eyes. Mac scooped it up with one hand and rubbed its small head. “Let’s go find your mama, okay, buddy?” With the kitten nestled against his bare chest, he made his way across the house to the kids’ rooms and, sure enough, Callie was there on her hands and knees by Izzy’s bed, peering beneath. The little girl stood nearby, nibbling her bottom lip.
“Kitty, Kitty,” Callie called softly. “Come on, baby, where are you?”
“You looking for this guy?” Mac smiled as Callie straightened and Izzy rushed up to him with a squeal. “I think he was lost and looking for a certain little girl.”
Izzy cuddled her kitty. “Thank you, Mac.”
“Crisis averted,” Callie said. “Now into bed with you both.”
When the child climbed into her bed, she reached up to get a good night hug from her aunt, and then she surprised the devil out of him by reaching for him, too. Touched, Mac bent low, gave her a hug and a kiss on the top of her head. “Night, night, Ladybug.”
“Night, Mac. Love you.”
A lump grew in his throat, and he swallowed once to reduce the pressure. “See you in the morning.”
After Callie flipped on a night light, Mac walked with her back across the house toward their own set of rooms. She looked up at him and smiled. “It was so nice of you to give Izzy the kitten.”
Mac shrugged as he recalled finding the abandoned kitten near the road several days ago. “What else could I do after some rat bastard dumped it like that? I figured they could both use a friend.”
Callie stopped halfway through the living room. “To look like such a big, rough badass, you are lots bigger here.” She placed her hand over his heart. “You’re just full of surprises.” Mac settled his hand over hers only to see her eyes go wide.
She gasped. “Oh dear sweet baby Jesus! Look what Izzy has done!” Callie grabbed his hand and stared in horror at the red smears on his nails. “Unless you have a drag queen future I was unaware of, I’d best get this stuff off. Come with me.”
The brief moment of intimacy gone, Mac allowed Callie to take his hand and practically drag him into the bath in her room. Out of respect for her privacy, he hadn’t been in this space since she’d moved in, and now he noted a small, silver basket full of cosmetics, along with pretty perfume bottles on the counter. A hint of fragrance from the soap she’d used after her evening shower still lingered in the air. The room smelled like Callie.
Clean.
Perfect.
Callie reached into a cabinet and quickly soaked a cotton pad with pungent fingernail polish remover and began to apply it to his nails. She laughed, shaki
ng her head. “I can’t believe you let her do this.”
“Ah, it’s okay. She was having fun.”
“What a mess.”
“Hey, at least she’ll be a woman who won’t feel she has to color between the lines.”
After she tossed the red-tinted cotton into the trash, Callie looked at him. “There is that. Nothing like being your own woman. It’s good the kids have a solid male influence in their lives. Lord knows, they didn’t have that with Darrell. Emma would be happy. Here, let’s wash your hands. That cleaner smells to high-heaven.”
Mac could’ve done it himself, but it was nice to have Callie fussing over him. She turned on the water and squirted a bit of hand soap into her palms before lathering him up. A brilliant shade of pink color washed over her cheeks as she slowly stroked his hands with her fingertips giving Mac ample opportunity to take her in from top to toe. Callie was one of those women who didn’t need a drop of makeup, though Mac knew she’d argue with him about that. She didn’t wear of bit of it now. Her bright hair was pulled back in a big clip, and she wore a skimpy tank along with low-riding matching flannel shorts. A flash of belly showed beneath the hem of the top, and Mac felt the sudden urge to stroke that bit of flesh with the pads of his fingers.
Still holding his hands, she placed them under the water, and then carefully dried them. “There,” she whispered. “All done.”
“Not quite,” he murmured. “Hell, I’m beginning to think we’re just getting started.” Mac moved closer, heard her sharp intake of breath, and then reached up to pop the clip holding her hair. Thick, glossy strands instantly tumbled to her shoulders and were so tempting, shining gold beneath the bright bathroom lights, that he knew he had to touch. He sent his fingers into the mass noting her stillness and the sense of anticipation that rolled from her in waves. He found her bottom lip with the edge of his thumb and repeatedly stroked it. “Patience has never been my strong suit and, lord knows, it has been sorely tempted with you living under this roof. I’m done with that. Understand what I’m saying?”
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