Kelsey aimed right at the middle of the stack with each of her three tosses, succeeding in upending only the top two layers. After she finished, he handed over control of the baby’s stroller and laid down his money. He quickly fired off three shots and ended up with a bright purple sorry-excuse-for-a-stuffed-animal for a prize.
“For me?” Kelsey’s eyes widened as he held out the creature to her. “You don’t want to keep it for Anthony?”
“Purple’s not really his color.”
The quick press of her lips to his cheek wasn’t the kind of thank-you kiss he wanted, but Cooper would take it.
For now.
They moved on to a few more booths, taking turns so one of them was always keeping an eye on Anthony, whose bright eyes and gummy smile showed he was enjoying the evening as much as they were. Cooper didn’t win any more prizes, mostly because he ended up playing against kids at the water-squirt and horseracing games, so he purposely skewed his aim to allow for one of the young people to be the winner.
“That was very sweet of you.” Kelsey hugged the dismal stuffed animal he’d won to her stomach as they watched a little girl walk away with a cartoon bear as big as she.
“Sweet? Forget it.” Cooper tipped back the brim of his hat. “That munchkin’s daddy has probably already taken her target practicing.”
“You’re a good man, Cooper Fortune.”
Her words crawled deep inside him and joined that still-unstudied emotion from when he spotted her talking with Anthony in the truck. Both settled in his gut with a warmth he’d never felt before.
They neared the end of the midway and Cooper could see the strings of colored lights and paper lanterns that outlined the dance area through the trees. The sweet sound of live country music battled with the prerecorded classic rock blaring through speakers lining the gaming booths.
Kelsey paused and looked toward the dance floor before turning away. Cooper was filled with a sudden urge to get her into his arms as they moved to a twangy country classic accompanied by the slide of a steel guitar. Did she want the same thing? But what to do about Anthony? They couldn’t leave him—
“Cooper, look!”
He turned and saw Kelsey had moved to stand before the basketball-throw booth. She’d already pulled the required five dollars for three shots from her purse by the time he reached her.
“Kels, don’t waste your money.” He grabbed her hand, stopping her from handing over the cash. “This one is impossible to win.”
“Maybe for you.” She quirked one eyebrow at him as she flashed him a smile he felt all the way to his boot heels.
“For everyone.”
“But it only takes one shot to win a prize.”
Cooper angled Anthony’s stroller to one side as a trio of teenage boys, tall and lanky, stepped up on the other side of Kelsey and laid down their money. “Here, watch these guys.”
Each kid took his turn and eight throws in a row bounced off the backboard or missed the basket completely to end up on the cushioned area below.
Kelsey shoved her stuffed animal into Cooper’s hands. She then turned to the boy who, down to his last shot, looked lost as to how to accomplish what his buddies hadn’t.
A win.
“May I?” she asked, gesturing for the ball.
The teenager grinned and handed it to her. Cooper shoved down a flash of protectiveness at the kid’s starry-eyed gaze and leaned in close to Kelsey’s shoulder.
“The basketball is overinflated,” he said in a low voice. “Never mind the fact the hoop is nowhere near regulation size. You need to do a shot called a tear drop. Arc it high and aim for nothing but net….”
Cooper’s advice died as Kelsey released a perfect shot that never touched the metal rim, the ball making a neat swish through the net.
Then she did it again.
And again.
And again.
Fifteen dollars and ten perfect shots later, the kids cheered as the carnival worker handed over a stuffed pony that matched the average size of a newborn colt.
“For Anthony,” she said, holding out the brown-and-black animal. “His first horse, but knowing his daddy, I’m sure not his last.”
“Boy, this puts my wimpy prize to shame.” Cooper loved the satisfaction and pleasure gleaming in her eyes as they traded stuffed animals. Not to mention how she readily reached for the ugly stuffed mongrel he’d won for her. “Where did you learn to shoot hoops like that?”
“I was a forward on my high school team and got through college on a basketball scholarship.”
“Good thing to know if I ever challenge you to a one-on-one on the court,” he said, then laughed as he managed to straddle Anthony’s first carnival stuffed animal over the stroller handles. “You done showing off your skills, Ms. All-Star?”
Kelsey offered him a wink. “For now.”
More determined than ever to get this lady into his arms, Cooper headed across the grass for the seating area at the edge of the already-crowded dance floor.
“Would you keep an eye on this stuff while I check out the little guy?” he asked, lifting Anthony from the stroller. “I’m sure he’s in need of changing.”
Kelsey nodded and Cooper disappeared into a nearby men’s room, glad to find a pull-down changing table in the largest stall. Nice to know he wasn’t the only dad who might be pulling diaper duty here at the fair. After taking care of business, he headed back to the table where he’d left his date only to find she was no longer alone.
Far from it.
His brother, Ross, and his wife, Julie, sat with her as well as Frannie while her husband, Roberto Mendoza, stood behind her holding their two-year-old daughter, Maribel, in his arms.
Cooper quickened his steps when he saw his sister lean toward Kelsey, her face and hands animated as she spoke. He was still too far away to hear what she was saying, but close enough to see the surprise that came over Kelsey’s lovely face.
“Well, hello, everyone,” he said as he joined them, Anthony held securely in one arm as he rested his free hand on Kelsey’s shoulder. “Where did you all come from?”
His sister jumped to her feet so quickly Roberto put out his free hand to steady her, but Ross just leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Hey there, little brother.” He tipped his chair back and peered at Cooper from beneath the brim of his Stetson with a wide grin. “Keeping out of trouble?”
Far from it.
Cooper glanced down at Kelsey’s now-pink face. He’d managed to keep tonight fun and easy between the two of them. No talk of anything related to the future other than their plans for the next couple of hours.
Hell, he was still trying to figure how he was going to keep her with him after they got back to the ranch, but if his sister said something about his fool-headed confession the other day, “trouble” would be the least of his family’s worries.
Chapter Eight
The warmth of Cooper’s touch on Kelsey’s bare shoulder made her shiver. He gave her a quick squeeze before he spoke.
“Oh, you know me, bro,” Cooper answered Ross in a low drawl. “Trouble just seems to find me. Runs in the family, I think.” He turned to his sister and added, “Isn’t that right, sis?”
“Don’t I know it.” Frannie stepped away from her husband to reach for her nephew. “Hey, pass that cutie pie over to me.”
Cooper did as she asked after dropping the diaper bag into the empty stroller. The baby went willingly, but Kelsey noticed the pretty blonde didn’t meet her brother’s hard stare when she took Anthony in her arms and held him close.
Was Cooper upset because his siblings had joined her while he was gone?
She’d been surprised when they’d called out to her and introduced themselves, having correctly guessed she was at the Spring Fling with Cooper. Turning down their request to sit with her would’ve been rude. Besides, they were nice, even if his sister had surprised her when she’d said—
Oh, my, wa
s that it? Had Cooper overheard Frannie’s comment?
“Would you like to take a turn around the dance floor?”
Kelsey looked up to find Cooper holding out his hand to her. He’d pulled his Stetson down over his brow, the smile gone from his face. She missed the flirty and carefree man she’d spent the last couple of hours with since initiating that kiss in the parking lot.
She’d assumed his silence during the drive to the fairgrounds was because he was as nervous as she was about tonight. Then she’d come up with the brilliant idea that sharing another kiss would take the edge off.
Not likely.
Being in his arms again had been amazing, as wonderful as the first time. Heck, even that quick peck last night at her front door had contained the same sizzle. And Cooper hadn’t seemed to mind kissing her again. He’d made that very clear with the way his mouth had moved over hers, the desire in his eyes, and his body’s obvious reaction.
Cooper started to lower his hand and Kelsey realized he took her silent daydreaming to mean she was turning him down.
She rose, sliding her fingers across his palm. “I’d love to dance with you.”
His sexy smile was back and it once again reached his eyes as he looked down at her, only to slip a bit when he turned to his sister. “Will you keep an eye on Anthony for a few minutes?”
“Of course,” Frannie replied.
“I changed him, but he might be ready for a bottle. There are a couple in the bag I put together when we ate earlier—”
“Go on.” His sister waved at the two of them as she sat again. “We’ll be fine.”
“Maribel is only just into her terrible twos. We still remember how to deal with one this little.” Roberto sat next to his wife and balanced their daughter on his knee so she could see the baby. “You guys enjoy yourselves.”
Gentle pressure against her lower back had her quickening her step. The heat of Cooper’s touch through the thin material of her dress warmed Kelsey’s skin.
“We’re going to slow things down for y’all.” The voice of the band’s lead singer floated over the dancers. “So, gentlemen, take that special lady in your arms and enjoy yourselves.”
“I like the sound of that,” Cooper spoke in a rough whisper as he spun Kelsey around and pulled her into his arms.
“Me, too,” Kelsey said, pressing her free hand into the strength of his shoulder, following his commanding lead. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to dance tonight. It’s a good thing we ran into your family—”
He tightened his grip. “What did my sister say to you?”
His harsh tone surprised her. “Well, whatever it was, you don’t sound too happy we spoke to each other at all.”
“I’m sorry, that came out wrong,” Cooper said, then sighed. “Geez, could I sound any more like a jerk?”
His apology had Kelsey hurrying to reassure him. “Your family was very nice. They simply asked if we were here together and where you and Anthony were.”
Cooper nodded as he neatly turned them at the first corner. “My sister said something to you that—I don’t know…you seemed surprised or embarrassed about when I came back.”
Unable to look at him, Kelsey focused on the deeply tanned skin revealed by his open shirt collar. “It was nothing.”
“Kels, come on. Tell me. Please.”
Grateful for the dim lighting on the dance floor that hid the warm flush back on her cheeks, Kelsey said, “Frannie told me she’d deliberately asked someone to point me out because she had it on good authority—whatever that means—that you and I would be together tonight.”
“Is that all?”
She shook her head. “She then said she wanted to meet the one woman in town who’d managed to snag a date with her very eligible, but confirmed-bachelor brother.”
“Confirmed bachelor?”
Kelsey nodded. “It seems you are more of the keep-your-private-life-private-whenever-you’re-in-town kind of guy was how she put it.”
Cooper didn’t reply even though some of the tension left his body. Suddenly, he moved out of the flow of dancers. A series of neat turns had them in the center area where other couples danced, slow and smooth, focused entirely on each other.
“My sister is right. I’ve never been on a date with anyone in Red Rock before. Until you.” With a gentle pressure, he pulled her closer. The brim of his hat created a private cocoon as he dipped his head, his mouth at her ear. “I’ve never been interested before…until you.”
Kelsey’s insides melted at his sweet words. Unable to stop herself, she turned her face inward and whispered against his neck. “Well, I’m not sure how to take that. It’s not like you’ve spent a lot of time in Red Rock.”
“True, but I’ve been back a few times over the years to visit Frannie and spend time with Ross when he lived in San Antonio. Sometimes for a few weeks or a few months, but even then I pretty much kept to myself.”
“And any extracurricular activities with the opposite sex…you kept those private, too?”
“Until you.” He tucked their joined hands in close to his chest. “You know, I’ve wanted you back in my arms, just like this, for the last two hours.”
The heated resolve of his words thrilled Kelsey. More than they probably should.
When his sister had emphasized Cooper’s single-man status, a stab of trepidation had run through her. Getting involved with a man who had no interest in anything permanent seemed to be her pattern. Despite her claim of being interested in nothing but freedom, was she falling for the same type of guy yet again?
Maybe, but right now there was no place else she wanted to be.
“I’ve wanted that, too,” she whispered.
The freshly washed scent of his dark blue shirt mixed with a rich, spicy cedar smell that rose from his skin. He rubbed his cheek against hers, his evening beard stubble gently scraping her jaw. One hand slipped low to her waist, their hips brushing as they danced. She tingled everywhere as his strength surrounded her and she had to hold back from leaning fully into him, very aware that if she did, she might not want to walk away.
As each song ended and another began, he kept moving in a timeless rhythm and she went along for the ride as time seemed to stand still.
“I wonder how many songs have played since we’ve been out here,” he whispered.
“About four or five, I guess.” That was a lie. She’d kept count and the fifth country ballad was coming to an end. Kelsey would remember the title of each song that had played tonight as he held her in his arms.
Cooper slowed to a stop, but kept his hand pressed against her lower back. He lifted her chin, making her look at him. Their eyes met and his head dipped slightly. Kelsey was unable to keep from wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue. Heated desire flared in his dark eyes.
He wanted to kiss her again. She wanted it, too.
The band swung into a fast country song and called out for line dancers to do some boot-scooting. The floor filled quickly with people jostling for position, and the moment was gone.
Cooper stepped away. “We should get back to Anthony.”
Kelsey nodded and he let her take the lead back to the seating area. When she tried to release his hand, he tightened his grip, lacing his fingers through hers.
They walked hand in hand until it became impossible to stay attached. She pulled free as a group of teenagers filled the aisle, separating them. Spotting the stroller with the stuffed colt hanging over it, Kelsey smiled and headed toward it. She’d loved the look of surprise on Cooper’s face when she’d sunk those baskets.
As she got closer, she noticed more people had gathered at the table where they’d left Anthony with Cooper’s sister. In fact, the baby was now in the arms of—
“Where’s Frannie?” Cooper was at her side again. “And who the hell is holding my son?”
“My mother.”
“Your mother?”
Had he heard her right?
Cooper’s gaze shot to the pe
tite older woman with chin-length auburn hair trying to soothe his fussy boy. He picked up the resemblance between the two women immediately. They shared the same sparkly eyes and gentle but full-of-life smile.
“She and my dad came tonight with Jess and the kids, but I don’t see Dad or my sister.”
“Or mine. Frannie wouldn’t leave Anthony with a stranger. Not that your mother’s—” Cooper quickly amended. “You know what I mean.”
She grinned at him. “Yes, I know.”
Her amazing mouth captured his attention and Cooper had to force his gaze from her so as not to do something stupid. Like grab her and kiss her.
He scanned the seating area, looking for his sister. “So where did Fran go—ah, Lily’s here. And there’s Ross and Julie talking with JR and Isabella. Geez, our date night is turning into a Fortune family reunion.”
“I think I liked it better when it was just you, me, Anthony and the carnival games,” she said.
Kelsey’s fingers brushed his shirtsleeve from his shoulder to his elbow before she tucked her hand into the bend of his arm. She leaned in and the now-familiar thrill at the feel of her curves against him shot through his body.
He slowed his steps to look down at her, covering her hand with his. “I know I liked it better when it was just me holding you close in my arms.”
She blushed. “That, too.”
The sun had set while they danced and dusk was closing in fast. Cooper hoped he correctly read the longing he saw in Kelsey’s eyes. He planned to pick up where they left off on the dance floor later when they got back to his place and he’d put Anthony to bed.
“Good. Hold that thought.”
Dropping her hand as they joined everyone, Cooper noticed the quizzical glances Kelsey’s mother shot her daughter’s way. He started to reach for Anthony, but Lily beat him to the woman’s arms, flashing him a wink and smile as she offered to take his son. She then walked over to where JR and Ross stood talking with their wives.
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