by LL Muir
Disappointing, that.
Nathan used his foot to thrust the shovel further into the dirt. “My sister might seem like a pushover, but she’s no such thing.”
“I never considered her such.” Kenrick started on the next hole over.
“You know you got her on the rebound, right?”
Kenrick was getting a little sick and tired of being this man’s pincushion. Prick, prick, prick. The man just kept poking at him and since Kenrick didn’t have any right to Allison at all, pretending he did grew tiresome.
“What? No response, big guy?”
“How would ye like me to respond? Would ye like me to tell ye that she was easy to get? That she was vulnerable to any man who came her way?”
Nathan straightened. “Did you just call my sister easy?”
“Nae, I said it seems as if ye’d like me to say such things.”
“If you think you can take advantage of her, and that there’s no one around here to stop you, you’re dead wrong.”
Kenrick sighed. Pretending to be Allison’s fiancé might be a bit harder than either of them had anticipated. If he had the right to her, he could answer the man with the punch to the face. But, as he was her brother, and given the current circumstance, he suspected that wouldn’t go over too well.
“Cry peace,” he told Nathan, “and fix the fence.”
“After you called my sister easy? I don’t think so.” Nathan threw down his shovel and shoved Kenrick.
When he thought about it later, Kenrick would have liked to have said he simply clouted the man to shut him up.
The truth was, he’d not enjoyed a brawl in many a year, and the man’s picking had riled him to the point of anger. He got not a little satisfaction when he shoved the man backward. Hard.
Nathan skip-jumped back, barely caught his balance, lowered his head, and charged like a bull.
Game. On.
Allison glared at the two men seated beside each other on the weather-worn picnic bench.
Kenrick held an ice pack to his cheek, and Nathan had one to his eye.
“Well, do the two of you have that out of your system?”
“Aye, mum.” Kenrick said meekly.
When Nathan didn’t say anything, Kenrick jarred him with his elbow.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“All right.” Allison took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m going inside to get lunch. When I come out here, the two of you better be getting along.”
“Aye, mum.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And I want that fence fixed!” She looked over to where the fence had broken during their scuffle, two of the boards split in half where they’d run into them. She blew her hair out of her face and shook her head in disgust. “Men!” She stomped a few feet away and turned back. “Of course, I don’t mean you, Mr. Larsen. I know you had nothing to do with this.”
The older man nodded, but he seemed be hiding a smile. She walked past a wide-eyed Ty and into the kitchen to grab the plate of sandwiches and the pitcher of lemonade. She took the food out, added plates, cups, and chips to the mix and left them to it.
A couple of hours later she had finished the salad, made brownies, and cleaned the house. She supposed Kenrick would think the women’s work suited her, but she didn’t quibble. All was quiet in the yard and three men and a little boy were outside fixing up the place. Life was good.
She glanced outside to see that the fence looked terrific. Kenrick had also found time to nail old horseshoes to the front and back of her house.
Fairies or whatever, she actually liked the way it looked, and it made her feel like her home had been christened.
“Do I smell chocolate?” Nathan opened the squeaky screen door.
“Brownies. Your favorite recipe with the chocolate chips.”
Nathan chuckled. “I could eat a couple.”
“Me too!” Ty was right behind him.
“Don’t forget us,” Mr. Larsen chimed as he and Kenrick filed in next.
She grinned. “There’s plenty for everyone.” The free labor was much appreciated and she was in high spirits. “Anybody want to go for a swim in the river? I could take the brownies out back.”
“Yay!” Tyler jumped up and down.
She glanced at her brother. “I still have the swimsuits you two left the last time.”
“What about our friend here?” Nathan nodded to Kenrick.
“I can swim in the buff.”
Nathan shot him a hard-eyed stare. “Not going to happen, buddy.”
Mr. Larson chuckled. “My sons gave me some extra-large swim trunks for my birthday as a joke. They should fit. I’ll change and then bring them out.”
As the three went off to change, Allison turned away from Kenrick to cut the brownies. “I just wanted to tell you thanks again for helping me out today. Food and shelter don’t really cover the cost of everything you’ve done, and I know that. Especially with what we’re going to have to face tomorrow. But, well, thank you.”
Kenrick looked away, almost bashful, and slight color rose in his cheeks. It was so, so sweet.
She shouldn’t do it, not again, but the guy was truly adorable. And was it really teasing to tell the truth? “I mean, I’ve never seen anybody work as hard as you. You’ve done about five times as much work as I could have. I’m impressed.”
The color in his face rose even higher, and when he half-turned away, she wanted to press kisses all over his face. Everywhere she could reach.
She couldn’t help teasing him just a bit more. “I guess you get told all the time how big and strong you are, right?”
His ears were pink. The guy was just so delightful she could hardly stand it. She decided to lay it on a bit thicker. “In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anybody work as hard as you do.” She couldn’t help herself; she reached out and placed her hand on his arm, hoping he’d turned to face her so she could maybe just kiss him on the cheek, but he seemed preoccupied with opening and closing one of her cupboard doors.
Her grin widened. Seriously, this guy was just freaking cute and she just wanted to follow him around all day long and heap on the compliments, just to watch his reaction.
“I was thinking mayhap I could fix yer shed on the morrow, or at least get a start on it before we leave for yer reunion. Mayhap ask Mr. Larsen for more wood and shore up the part that’s leaning.”
“That would be great. I wasn’t sure it could be salvaged, but if you think it’s possible, I believe in you.” He nodded, still not looking at her, and she continued, “I suppose all the ladies are constantly after you for help and you’re just too nice to tell any of us no.”
He finally turned to look at her, and she was surprised to see pain in his expression. He slowly shook his head.
“What is it?”
“I’ve never … that is to say, nae one has ever … nae one ever seemed to notice before.”
At his pained expression, she dropped the teasing demeanor. “What do you mean? I thought your wife …”
He shook his head. “Nae, I think she’d just as soon I hied myself off to fight, whether I was helpful or nae.”
Her breath caught. It about broke her heart that a hard-working man like this, beyond being big, gorgeous, and someone she’d definitely like to get to know better, was walking around in need of praise.
What was wrong with some women?
Before she could stop herself, she threw herself at his chest and hugged him close. “Well, if you weren’t appreciated in the past, I can tell you this right now. I appreciate you. I love having you around, and I’m so grateful for all you’re doing for me.”
Slowly, ever so slowly, his arms enfolded her.
And little-by-little, tightened around her.
She hugged him for all she was worth.
If his wife had been such an idiot she didn’t see what she had, that was too bad for her. If Allison had her way, she’d keep him.
In a heartbeat.
Seconds later Nathan wa
s back. “Break it up, you two.”
She laughed, let Kenrick go, and moved to the stove to stack the brownies on a plate.
Mr. Larsen came back with swim trunks and the men headed out to the river. When she’d bought the house, the river had been a definite selling point. At the back of her property, there was a bend in the river, where it deepened to about eight feet, after being more shallow on either side. It was a great place to swim, and on a hot July day like this, she was glad she could offer it to the men.
By the time she changed into her own swimming suit and headed out with the brownies, the dogs were barking, and the men splashing. Her lips curled at Ty’s sudden shriek.
When she reached the downward dirt path, she glanced up to see Kenrick looking at her, mouth gaping as he stared.
She quickly glanced down to make sure everything was covered, and it was. The ordinary one-piece with its short, black skirt was about as modest as they came.
Maybe he was used to girls in bikinis.
Kenrick looked away from her by the time she glanced back up. After taking a deep breath he jumped into the deep water and turned to catch Ty and then helped him to float on his back.
He was teaching her nephew to swim.
Nathan dove, adding his two cents when he surfaced.
She set the brownies on a rock, threw her towel to the ground, and settled down to guard the treats from the dogs.
Well, and to watch Kenrick being gentle and patient with the boy.
And the water sluicing off his double-wide shoulders.
Everything this man did seemed to melt something within her.
Why couldn’t she really find a guy like this? Someone who liked her house. Someone who was sweet with dogs and kids. Someone who seemed to like her.
Kenrick almost seemed too perfect.
She lowered her feet into the cool water and swished them around.
Nobody was perfect.
But she had wished upon a star, so it shouldn’t surprise her that the man who’d appeared seemed pretty darned close.
Chapter 7
After everyone went home, it was just her, Kenrick, and the dogs.
Kenrick seemed shy and wasn’t looking at her directly.
Allison tried to think of ways to thank her guest and considered cooking him another meal, but she didn’t want him getting bored, or feeling like he had to pitch in with food prep or dishes. He’d done enough today.
“Would you like to go to town? We could go to Main Street. There are a lot of restaurants, shops, and a couple of nearby parks. Or we could go to the city. It takes longer to get there but Abilene has dance clubs, the zoo, some museums, movie theaters. Pretty much anything you’d want to do.”
“Main Street sounds nice.”
“We could get ice cream cones. My treat!”
Kenrick agreed, and before she knew it, they’d showered, dressed and were locking Bonnie in the guest room and the dogs in the house.
“You wanna drive?”
Kenrick looked surprised. “Ye’d let me?”
“Sure. If you want to.”
Kenrick helped her onto the passenger seat, rounded the car and was quickly sliding into the driver’s seat and shutting the door. A look of anticipation on his face, eyes glowing, he turned to her. “What do I do?”
Was he pulling her leg? She hesitated for a nanosecond but handed him the keys.
“Where shall I place these?”
Seriously? “In the ignition.”
He glanced around, and even looked up at the ceiling, and the down at the floor.
Suspicion grew. “You do know how to drive a truck, don’t you?”
“I’ve seen all sorts of vehicles.”
“Well, of course. You’ve even been hit by one. But have you ever driven one?”
“Nae. So I’m verra grateful ye’re willing to give me the chance at it.”
“You don’t have a driver’s license?”
“Nae. Were I to stay here for any length of time, I would get such a thing. But ye’re not to worry. I’m a fast learner.”
She was already opening the passenger door. “All right, buddy. Out of the car.”
“Ye’ll not let me try?”
“Not in a million years.”
“What of two-hundred-seventy years?”
“Nope.”
Kenrick chuckled as they got out of the truck and switched places. She was glad to hear she hadn’t hurt his ego.
When she stuck the key in the ignition, he watched her every move. She backed out, swung around, and then waited at the edge of her long driveway and let a few cars go by before pulling out.
“That was clever. The way ye didnae let those cars hit ye.”
She shot him an ironic look. “Would that you were as clever last night.”
He laughed. “Aye, in future, I’ll watch where I stand a bit more carefully. In my day, we had plenty of warning before a horse ran us over.”
“In your day, huh. How old are you, Father Time?”
“Twenty and six.”
“Really? I’m twenty-seven. A year older than you. And you’re more worried about horses than cars in Scotland? I really need to visit there.”
“Aye. In Scotland, was what I meant. And ye are in no way older than I.”
Couldn’t the guy count? “I’m pretty sure you have cars in Scotland. Where do you live? Up in the Highlands, right? Don’t you have roads?”
“We do, in fact.”
“You know, most people have a romantic view of that place. What’s it like?”
“Beautiful. Mountains, trees, heather, tall grasses. We had a lake to swim in near my village.”
“Sounds nice. What do you do for work?”
“Farming and military. I fought in many a battle. After the last one, I’d planned to return home, but it didnae work out that way.”
“No? Did you reenlist or something? What are you doing in Texas?”
“I go where I’m sent.”
“So you’re still military?”
“I’m on one last mission, and then I’m to move on.”
Allison felt a pang at that. “You’ll go back to Scotland?”
She glanced over at him to see him give as slight shrug of his broad shoulders.
Well, that sucked. She realized she’d hoped he’d be local. A transplant Texan. If he lived in the area, they could have started dating.
Still, she could do long-distance. She was certainly attracted to him. After spending an entire day with him, she wasn’t ready to see the last of him yet.
She still had the weekend, though, didn’t she? The thought of his leaving gave her a sense of urgency. “I hope you’ll stay as long as possible. I’ll be sad to see you go.”
“As will I.”
His words gave her a sense of happiness. She was halfway into a big crush on the guy already. If he was feeling the same way, maybe this could go somewhere. He wasn’t acting like he wanted to run off anytime soon.
They pulled into town, and she found a place to park. As they got out of the truck, he looked around with astonishment. They’d parked near the town square, and the place was pretty crowded. A lot of couples, some families, a ton of cowboy hats, and even more noise. The fountain was going strong, and kids splashed in the water. A movie must have just ended at the theater across the street, as people exited in droves.
Blankets were spread out across the park, and she realized that at sunset they’d be playing a movie there. That may be something for them to do later. A couple of food trucks had set up for business.
“Have you been here before?”
“I have not.” He was still staring around in wide-eyed wonder.
She chuckled. “Texas takes a little bit of getting used to. On weekends, a lot of people like to come here to eat dinner, hang out, and generally have a good time. Are you hungry yet? Maybe we could get an ice cream cone, and eat later?”
“I’ve not had ice cream before.”
“What? Oh m
y gosh, you have to come with me.” She headed for the ice cream shop to stand in line. “What kind you want?”
“Kind?”
“Flavor?”
Kenrick seemed at a loss. When Allison told the lady behind the counter that he’d not had ice cream before, she insisted on giving him spoonfuls of different flavors to try. The chocolate ice cream made him groan out loud, and she laughed. “Okay, chocolate, it is. We’ll take two.”
Kenrick was quick to set a gold coin on the counter.
The confused girl behind the register looked at it. “Uh, Mister.”
Allison handed the girl a ten. “I’ve got this. As thanks for the hard work you did today.”
Kenrick didn’t look happy about it, but returned the coin to his bag.
As soon as they both had their cones, they found some pretty wrought iron tables and chairs and sank down as the crowd continued to swirl around them.
He watched her lick her ice cream cone and then did the same to his. After a moment, he smiled. “This is quite a treat, lass.”
“Let me guess? They don’t have ice cream cones where you come from either?”
“They might, but I’ve never had the like.”
They enjoyed the ice cream for a few more minutes as she watched Kenrick watch everyone else. His wide-eyed reaction to everything was quite amusing, and made her want to visit Scotland soon. Maybe he just came from a very rural area, but being in the military, you’d think he’d have traveled around a bit. Maybe it was just Texas. She’d heard they were a weird sort of people, and perhaps they were stranger than she’d realized.
Her musings were interrupted when a familiar voice called her name. “Allison?”
She turned her head to see her sister and The Toad stopped in the middle of a stream of people going around them. Linnie, in a short blue dress and heels, was perfectly made-up, her blonde hair flowing in curls down her back. Isaac, tall and lean, blond curls sprouting off to one side, looked like he’d stepped out of a GQ magazine. Even Allison had to admit they looked stunning together.
The blood drained from her face. Oh, good Lord. She was not ready for this. Not ready at all. She was supposed to meet up with these two tomorrow for the first time, in a crowd of people who loved her, where everybody would be super protective and try and smooth things over for all concerned.