Книга - Twins For The Bull Rider

Twins For The Bull Rider
April Arrington


A SPECIAL COWBOYCissy Henley is stranded in rural Georgia with her two orphaned nephews, no money and no job. When they’re rescued by a white knight in a Stetson, Cissy knows their stay at Dominic Slade’s family ranch is temporary…even if her growing feelings for the wandering cowboy aren’t.Raintree Ranch was supposed to be a pit stop before Dominic hit the road again. Instead, Cissy and her pint-size twin boys are tempting the champion bull rider to reconnect with his roots and his family. But can he give up the life he knows to be the loving husband and father Cissy deserves?









Unable to resist, Dominic pressed a soft kiss to the top of Cissy’s head as they danced.


“I spent the better part of the evening watching that cowboy follow you all over the damn field,” he said.

She lifted her head, her brows drawing down. “Who? This is a ranch, Dominic. There’s nothing but cowboys out here.”

Laughter escaped him. “Nevertheless, I noticed one in particular that took a shine to you.”

“I hope so,” she returned softly.

His chest stilled on a deep breath. Those big, beautiful blues were on him again. Easing right through his skin, deep inside. They gazed up at him, soft and undemanding. Adoring, almost. So different from any other woman’s.

A heavy weight unfolded in his gut and seeped into his veins. Who did she see? Dom, the champion bull rider full of good times? Or Dominic, the sometimes dependable guy who came through in a pinch?

And, more daunting still, could he live up to either?




Twins for the Bull Rider

April Arrington





www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


APRIL ARRINGTON grew up in a small Southern town and developed a love for movies and books at an early age. Emotionally moving stories have always held a special place in her heart. During the day, she enjoys sharing classic literature and popular fiction with students. At night, she spends her time writing stories of her own. April enjoys collecting pottery and soaking up the Georgia sun on her front porch. You can follow her on Twitter, @april_arrington (http://twitter.com/april_arrington).


Dedicated to:

Aunt Joanie for getting me through rough times … because that’s just what great aunties do.

Dad. There’s not a greater man walking the earth.

Billie Ann for all of your patient support.

Laura Barth and Kathleen Scheibling for giving a small-town girl a shot at a big dream.

And …

Mama. I still miss you. Every day.


Contents

Cover (#ua2e2c354-c9f2-5f26-b4ca-8c4d6b085a54)

Introduction (#u043c474a-252b-5c50-bb90-aef0f9a3a089)

Title Page (#u4a8ab99a-5df8-5a92-8267-2feeaa3f3512)

About the Author (#uce2872e0-9a5c-5f09-9e88-e425bee24798)

Dedication (#u17cd2b0e-7896-5a43-8619-ae646dacf4f4)

Chapter One (#uc105aa6c-5f3a-5bd9-98db-09c386ba2096)

Chapter Two (#u50d0adfb-c56b-50dd-b444-23d2a1821f48)

Chapter Three (#u18d01266-1c7e-56a0-84d1-6d4db01396e6)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)


Chapter One (#ulink_146425f7-25f5-54df-837d-86ab1064ecd7)

Trailer trash.

Cissy Henley cringed. She’d learned early on that living in a trailer had little to do with the label. Only poverty and desperation were prerequisites. And the foul-smelling man hovering behind her in the Peachy Keen Diner thought that was exactly what she was.

“Anybody home, baby?” He laughed. “I said, you reserving the place for me?”

Cissy straightened her shoulders and maintained her stance facing the restroom door. The flimsy sticker proclaiming MEN had a gash through the middle and sagged at the corners. She kept a firm eye on the faded wood, reminding herself that no one had entered it during the past few minutes. And she would ensure it remained that way.

“No,” she said. “It’s out of service for the moment.”

“Yeah?” His croon dropped a notch, his hot breath hitting the back of her neck. “Well, whatcha say I hang with you till it’s back in service?”

Cissy sighed. Chauvinistic redneck. Harassing a woman was probably the highlight of his Saturday night. He deserved a swift kick in the shins. Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford to lose her temper.

Ignore him. He’ll go away.

A stained T-shirt and hairy arms obstructed her vision. The man wedged himself between her and the door, flashing a smile that was all dingy teeth. He rubbed a lanky hand over the grizzled stubble of his chin.

“Not right for a lady like yourself to be all alone this late at night.” The words slurred. He ran his bleary eyes over her face and down her chest, leaning back to survey her legs.

Trailer trash. Cheap. Easy. Her lip curled. She knew the words were flashing in his head.

Cissy ran her eyes over him, taking stock of his scrawny build and unstable frame. His hands trembled. Probably from too much liquor and too hard living. Harmless fool. But a fool nonetheless.

“I’m not alone.” She elbowed her way to the other side of him and refocused on the bathroom door.

“No, not anymore.” He shoved his face in front of hers. Delight pooled in his eyes. He licked his lips and leaned forward.

“I wasn’t alone before you joined me,” Cissy bit out. “Now, I suggest you take your ass on.”

His smile faded. It took a moment for his unfocused gaze to register the soft words as a rejection. He blinked hard. “What’s that?”

The bathroom door banged open. Two blond boys tumbled out, shoving at one another before barreling into them.

“Aunt Cissy, they ain’t got no paper towels in there,” Kayden, her six-year-old nephew, declared, dragging his palms over the other boy’s shirt. Frowning, he looked the drunk at her side over from head to toe. “Who’s he?”

Cissy quickly gathered the boys against her legs, unable to contain the grin that spread across her face. She lifted an eyebrow at the man’s confusion.

His head swiveled, taking in the boys, then her and back again. It was clear rambunctious twin boys were not part of his agenda. He moved around them, limbs wobbling.

“You bothering my aunt Cissy?” Kayden clenched his fists and pulled against her hold, attempting to follow the man’s stumbling steps into the bathroom.

“N-no, not at all,” he stammered, easing away with an uncomfortable laugh. “Just making polite conversation is all.” He nodded. “Was nice meetin’ you.”

“You, too,” she called out with a saccharine smile.

“I’m starving.” Jayden, the eldest twin, disentangled from her clutch and clamored up into a nearby booth.

Kayden tore away and settled beside his brother. They bent over a menu, leaning into each other.

Cissy frowned and thumbed through the bills at the edge of her pocket to calculate for the third time. Seventeen dollars and sixty-two cents. Unfortunately, her count had been correct the first time and remained so ever since. She slipped the bills back into her shorts, making sure all the coins were settled underneath, then plopped into the booth across from the boys.

“Aunt Cissy, they have triple-decker cheeseburgers.” Kayden shoved a greasy menu in her face. His eyes sparkled as he pointed to the colorful close-up of a burger meal.

Mmm. Her mouth watered. She smashed it shut so she wouldn’t drool on the table.

Seventeen dollars and sixty-two cents. She had to stretch that as far as it would go.

“And onion rings.” Jayden bounced in his seat. He scooted to his brother’s ear and shielded a conspiratorial whisper behind his hand.

Snatching up the mug in front of her, she forced a mouthful of coffee past the lump in her throat and winced as the bitter brew seized her taste buds. Her stomach churned and rumbled. She rubbed a hand over her belly. Even the leftover gummy bears from twelve hours ago would be a blessing right about now.

“They got hot-fudge sundaes,” the boys sang in unison. “With whipped cream,” they taunted.

A groan emerged as she imagined a cool dollop of sweet cream melting on her tongue. Seventeen dollars and sixty-two cents! a voice screamed inside her head.

“That’s they have hot-fudge sundaes,” she corrected. She held out a hand, unable to still the tremor running through it. “Boys, hand me the menu, please.”

They grumbled but passed it over. She located the items they requested and forced her fingers to trail across the sticky laminate to the price. A quick estimate of the total informed her the purchase would leave two dollars and eleven cents in her pocket.

“So can we? Can we?” Jayden pleaded, tapping the table with the heel of his hand. “We’ve been good all day, Aunt Cissy.”

Good was an understatement. They hadn’t uttered a peep when she’d been evicted that afternoon. Evicted. Cissy scoffed, turning to peer into the darkness outside the window.

So what? That seedy apartment wasn’t fit to live in anyway. And she’d told the landlord so. The sleazy pig. She’d stabbed her finger two inches from his filthy mouth and advised him not to proposition the next female tenant. She might have the money to sue him.

Throwing her hands over her eyes, she groaned and slumped into her elbows on the table. Why did she have to do that? Her temper tended to cost her a lot of things, but a bed for the boys was too high a price.

After she’d unloaded on the landlord, there had been no choice but to stuff the boys, herself and the entirety of their possessions into her beat-up Toyota and leave. A quick pit stop for gas and they’d undertaken the journey from the busy interstates of Atlanta to the isolated stretches of Deep South Georgia roads.

Cissy rolled her eyes and dropped back against the thin padding of the booth. Things would’ve been okay if her cousin wasn’t so dang irresponsible. Kip had promised them a place to stay. But when she’d banged on his door with a hungry twin on each arm and in desperate need of a restroom, there’d been no answer.

It wasn’t until ten minutes later that he’d cracked the door open, drunk and disheveled. He was so sorry. He’d forgotten they were coming. He just needed a minute to get the room ready.

She’d been okay with that. Really. She had to be. Kip was the last bit of family she had left. And the boys needed a bed for the night. She had almost talked herself into it. Or she had, until a busty brunette had slumped in the doorway to coo at the boys, her curves barely concealed by the grimy sheet gripped against her.

One look at the woman’s makeup-smeared face and slack expression had her clamping a hand over the boys’ eyes and hauling them away again. No way was she exposing them to that! She’d find something else. She’d cut corners somewhere and they’d splurge on a motel room for a few nights.

But after driving six counties down, she had yet to find a motel. The drive had sucked away most of her money. And dinner would take almost every penny she had left. Her last emergency stash remained in the glove compartment. And it was tiny. Forget being able to pay for a motel room for more than one night.

“Please, Aunt Cissy.” Kayden scowled.

“Mama woulda got us the triple burger if she was here,” Jayden added, laying his cheek on the table. His eyelids sagged beneath the weight of the day.

A shaft of pain knifed her gut. She would have. Crystal would have moved heaven and earth for them. She always had. That was until cancer had taken over and she’d been unable to do anything for them. Or for herself.

Cissy’s vision blurred. She’d lost half her soul the day they’d lowered her twin sister’s coffin into the ground.

Oh, Crystal, how could you ever think I was up to this?

“Y’all ready to order?” A perky waitress smiled and propped a hand on her curvy hip.

Blinking hard, Cissy snapped the menu shut and nodded. “A triple-decker cheeseburger, onion rings and a hot fudge sundae.” The boys squealed. “And could you cut the burger in half and bring an extra plate, too, please?”

Ms. Perky’s smile widened. She winked as the boys bounced with excitement. “Of course. And for you?”

Cissy glanced down at the dregs lining her white mug. “Coffee refills are free, right?”

The smile wavered. “Well, yes, honey.”

Forcing a bright smile of her own, Cissy passed her the metal condiment holder. “Then I’ll take a refill and as many sugars as that’ll hold. Thanks.”

The smile slipped. “Sure thing, honey,” the waitress murmured, lowering her eyes and carting the small container away.

Cissy lifted her chin. Lord, she really hated that look. That sad, woeful tilt of the lips. That sappy expression of pity. She should be used to it by now. But each time she found it stung even more than the time before.

“Aunt Cissy, look over there.” Kayden pointed at a row of candy machines by the entrance. “They got—I mean, they have—jawbreakers.”

“No, Kayden,” she returned, rubbing a hand over her brow. “You’re about to eat supper.”

“But they’re only twenty-five cents and you get two.” His voice continued to rise. “Me and Jayden could save ’em for tomorrow.”

Cissy’s head throbbed, her patience thin. Oh, for goodness’ sakes. What did a quarter matter now? Digging deep into her pocket, she dragged out a quarter between pinched fingers. Kayden plucked it from her almost before air hit it.

Moments later, the slap and bang of hands and feet on glass sounded.

“Boys.” Cissy crouched around the side of the booth, shooting glances at the stares leveled on them. “Stop it.”

“But it’s stuck, Aunt Cissy,” Jayden said, clenching his hands into small fists. “And it’s got our quarter.”

Cissy sucked her teeth and slid out of the booth. She grabbed the silver knob on the candy machine and gave it a few good turns.

“See. Told you,” Jayden stated.

“Yeah, it’s ripping you off, Aunt Cissy.” Kayden stamped his foot.

“It’s not ripping me off. And I’m not the one that had to have a jawbreaker anyway.”

Truly reaching her breaking point, Cissy tightened her grip and twisted in rough jerks. The machine creaked and tilted forward on its loose pole with each of her efforts.

“Aw, she ain’t gonna be able to do it. She’s a girl.” Kayden pouted.

Jayden nodded, looking disappointed.

“That’s, she will not be able to do it,” she corrected, “and I most certainly will.”

Girl. That upped the stakes. She’d made it this far without help. Girl or not.

She braced her foot on the skinny pole connected to the base and gave the knob a vicious tug. Nothing.

Cissy’s throat constricted. Maybe this was the last of many signs that she should have gone back. Returned the boys.

What had she expected? That her luck would suddenly change and things would go her way for once? She knew better than that. One thing she’d learned in her twenty-five years was to always keep expectations low. Yet, here she was thinking she could provide for the boys. That she could give them a better life than—

No. She wouldn’t go down that road. It was out of the question. She’d made a promise to Crystal. And the only thing she had left of value was her word.

Gritting her teeth, Cissy bent over and yanked the handle toward her as she turned. She whooped as it gave a fraction of an inch. Finally, a break.

Petty or not, she paused to gloat. “See. I’m getting it.”

She resumed the successful position and growled, her arms trembling under the strain. Heavy footfalls and a soft rush of wind at her upturned backside alerted her that someone approached. She pressed her foot harder into the pole and hopped forward a couple inches.

Good manners forced her to mutter a tight, “Excuse me.”

A deep chuckle rumbled at her back. “Need a little help, ma’am?”

Cissy cut her eyes heavenward. Great. Just what she needed. Another testosterone-filled jerk.

“No, thank you,” she grunted, her whole body tightening with effort.

“Oh, let him, Aunt Cissy. He’s big. He can do it.” Jayden’s fingers tugged at her shirt, his eyes widening at the man behind her.

Tilting her chin up to the side, she found her eyes level with a large gold buckle, flat abs and thick thighs. She ripped her gaze away only for it to cling to the broad chest stretching a black T-shirt. Her mouth had gone dry by the time she made it past the man’s chiseled jaw and sexy dimples, her attention landing on the sensual curve of his mouth. His grin widened, lifting his tanned cheeks. The dark pools of his chocolate-brown eyes sparkled.

“No,” she choked, spinning back to her task. Tingles of awareness spread through her body, raising the tiny hairs on her arms.

She clamped down harder on the machine. No way was she going to play into this guy’s hands. Well built, smug smile, knowing eyes... She knew the type.

Men. The second you had a menial task of no consequence, they abounded. But the minute you got yourself truly in a pickle, they were nowhere to be found. She squeezed her eyes shut as her irresponsible cousin sprang to mind.

Right. She could do this herself. She could do all of it. Obviously, Crystal had believed in her. It was time she began believing in herself. And the first order of business was to master this dang candy machine and get her quarter back.

As it was, she needed every penny she had.

* * *

DOMINIC SLADE DRAGGED his eyes away from the shapely bottom wiggling in front of him and knuckled his Stetson higher on his brow. A quick glance to his right reminded him the majority of male eyes in the room were also getting a good look. Only truckers and vagrants peppered the diner this time of night. He took a couple of steps forward, shifting his stance to shield the blonde from their gaze.

Not that he blamed them. He appreciated the curves of a woman as much as any other man, but he’d never ogle them in front of her kids. That was low.

Dominic sighed as his body demanded otherwise. He’d been on the road too long. He should’ve given in two states back and taken what the pretty redhead at the bar had offered. He should’ve accepted when she’d pressed a cold bottle of beer into his hand and her breasts against his biceps.

But he couldn’t. Not after what the last morning-after had brought. Emptiness and regret. Self-recriminations and discontent. Part of what drove him back home was that feeling of reaching for something and never quite getting a grip on it. That and the thousandth guilt trip his brother had laid on him through the phone last week.

Brow creasing, he studied the woman as she struggled with the candy machine. Her attacks were relentless, the toned muscles in her pale arms and legs straining.

“Ma’am,” he proffered, “why don’t you let me give it a try?”

“No, I have it,” she huffed. Her elbows jerked toward his gut, forcing him to take a step back.

Aw, hell. Nothing worse than a stubborn woman.

He turned to find the boys scrutinizing him. Their blond heads tilted to the side and wide blue eyes drifted down the length of him with slow precision. One of the carbon copies pursed his mouth as he seemed to come to a decision.

“Aunt Cissy.” The boy’s attention remained planted on him. “Let him. You’re gonna break it.”

Her grunt preceded, “No, I’m not, Kayden.”

“Yes, you are,” he reaffirmed.

The other copy cocked his head and nodded up at Dominic. “She is, you know.”

Dominic shrugged. He should just walk away. Walking away would be nothing out of the norm for him. It would be expected, even.

Hell, the only reason he’d stopped in this hole in the wall to begin with was because they had the best burgers in a ten-state radius. Add to that, it was the last place he could catch his breath before the heavy press of home stifled it.

Besides, the quills on this gal’s back could rival a porcupine. A man couldn’t be blamed for self-preservation.

A high-pitched squeak cut through the air as the rubber sole of her scuffed shoe slipped off the pole. She regained her footing and bent deeper on a more ruthless attack. The hem of her denim shorts rose higher, exposing a greater expanse of smooth, creamy skin.

Dominic cast another look over his shoulder at the leering onlookers and gripped the back of his neck. The boys hovered off to the side, their faces clouded with doubt.

Hadn’t he chosen to make this quick trip home with the intention of leaving on better terms? Maybe this was his first test. An opportunity to try being more responsible before his brother got a chance to cut into him.

Dominic stretched around her and touched the back of her hand with his palm. “Ma’am, you’re not really getting anywhere—”

“I appreciate your offer but I’m doing just fine, thank you.” She puffed a short strand of golden hair out of her face and glared up at him.

Damn. Those cornflower-blue eyes could bring a man to his knees. Or rip a gaping wound in his chest, which seemed to be her preference at the moment. He sprang to action as the candy machine took a sharp swing toward the boys.

“Now, look,” he gritted, wrapping both arms around her trim waist to straighten the glass bowl, “this thing’s about on its last leg—”

“I’m aware of that. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.” She shoved her hip into his gut as the machine tottered on its stand.

“Y’all need some help?” A voice prompted from behind.

“No.”

“Yes.” Her shout outweighed his.

Dominic threw an apologetic look over his shoulder to find Sheila, a waitress he’d gotten to know too well on his last visit home, watching with trepidation.

“Well, Dom,” Sheila squealed. She slapped her notepad against her apron, her gaze dropping south. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Her stare penetrated the denim stretched over his backside. Yep. That night was high up on his list of regrets.

“Good to see you, Sheila,” Dominic said, politeness spurring the lie.

He winced as an elbow thrust into his ribs, and turned to growl, “Let go and let me help you.”

“You let go.”

The words had barely escaped her mouth when he heard a sharp snap. She crashed back into his chest, toppling them both to the floor. Dominic had a split second of warning to roll her body under his before the candy-filled globe crashed at their side scattering glass and jawbreakers around them.

Yelps from the boys punctuated the sudden silence of the diner.

“Oh, Aunt Cissy, you broke it.” One boy clapped his hands to his cheeks.

“I told you she was gonna break it.” The other smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You all right?” Dominic rasped, flexing his hand against the back of her head.

Her soft hair brushed his palm as she nodded. The tight press of her breasts against his chest sent a wave of heat through him. Clearing his throat, he surveyed her flushed face. Her blue eyes widened and her lush lips trembled.

Dominic bit back a grin. She sure packed a wallop for such a tiny thing. Almost more than a few bulls he’d sat on recently. Except she was a helluva lot prettier. And a damned deal softer.

A subsequent crack issued from the remaining half of the machine. A metal piece banged to the floor and a rush of quarters poured out.

“She really broke it,” the smug twin muttered with a disapproving shake of his head.

Dominic shifted his weight and rose to a kneeling position. The crack and crush of glass and candy erupted under each of his movements. Brushing debris off his boots, he proceeded to throw out a hand as the more outspoken twin moved toward them.

“Stay back,” Dominic directed. “There’s too much glass.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Sheila clamped a hand to her ample chest. “That thing should’ve been replaced a long time ago.”

Dominic opened his mouth to speak but the curvy bundle beneath him beat him to it.

“No, it was my fault.” Issuing a soft apology, she pushed up on her elbows and made to rise.

“Wait.” Dominic eyed the smooth skin of her thighs and calves. “You’re gonna cut yourself.”

Against his better judgment, he wrapped his arms around her again, obtained a firm foundation with his feet and lifted her up against his chest. He followed the shaky point of her finger to a nearby booth.

“Th-thanks,” she stammered, brushing his hands away when they lingered a moment too long.

Nodding, he took refuge in assisting Sheila to sweep up the piles of broken glass and crushed candy.

Well, damn. Twenty minutes from home, he’d been intent upon tossing a hot meal in his stomach, recovering from his last tour on the circuit and bolstering the courage to dig his feet into the dirt of his family’s ranch again.

Instead, here he was, cleaning up a woman’s mess. Something he’d been very careful to avoid over the years. So much for doing the right thing.

The back of his neck prickled, alerting him to the fact that the boys still observed him with interest. The soft hush of whispers and the shuffling of small feet around him solidified his suspicions.

“Hey, mister.”

Dominic stilled his rough sweeping to look down. The more outspoken boy, who he recalled was named Kayden, barely reached his waist but jutted his chin out and eyed him with uncertainty.

“You a real cowboy?” he posed with all the seriousness of a sheriff.

A smile quirked Dominic’s lips. “I’ve been accused of it before.”

“He looks like one,” Kayden’s replica informed him in a stage whisper. “He’s got a hat and boots.”

Kayden pondered this for a moment, roving his gaze over Dominic once more. Locking eyes with him, he countered, “Yeah, but you got a horse?”

“Several,” Dominic returned.

“A rope?” Kayden shot back.

“Yep.”

“A gun?”

“Not on me.” Dominic firmed his features. “They’re dangerous, little man.”

“He ain’t got no dirt on his butt, Kayden,” the other twin exclaimed at his rear. “Real cowboys have dirty butts.”

“Boys,” their aunt shouted from the booth. “Stop that and get over here.”

“Aw, come on, Aunt Cissy. We ain’t never seen one up close before.” Kayden rolled his lips and squinted at her.

“Well, you’ve seen one now, kiddos,” Sheila interjected, dumping the last of the glass in the trash. “Dom here’s not only a real cowboy but he’s the top bull rider in the world. He’s won the PBR championship four years in a row now.” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip and smiled. “First ever to do it. Saw you on TV, Dom. You looked great.”

Dominic issued a halfhearted smile. A scoff emerged from the direction of the booth. Turning, he watched the blonde blush and tilt her chin higher.

“That where you got this?” Kayden popped a fist into his belt buckle, coming dangerously close to sensitive parts of his anatomy.

Dominic recoiled. “Whoa, there.”

“That’s it.” Their aunt’s blue eyes spat sparks. “Get over here now.” She jabbed a finger toward the floor and pinned the boys with a stern look. They reluctantly complied, dragging their feet over to hop up beside her in the booth.

“I’m really sorry about this.” Sheila divested him of the broom and passed her eyes over each of them. “Meal’s on the house. Dom, what can I get you?”

He opened his mouth to respond when Kayden piped, “We got a triple cheeseburger. That’s what you should get.”

He laughed at the boy’s authoritative tone. It’d been a long time since he’d been around a kid. He forgot how lively they could make a mundane event.

“Sounds good,” Dominic said. “I’ll have it with fries.” He ambled toward a bar stool but drew up short when Kayden waved a small hand in his direction.

“Hey, come sit with us. There’s room,” Kayden urged with an eager expression.

He hated to disappoint the boy but was willing to. Dominic was about to decline, but found the words sticking in his throat when their aunt shushed the boy then shot a look of disapproval his way.

Dominic grunted. Fine thanks for trying to help someone out. “You know what?” He threw a smile in the boys’ direction. “Don’t mind if I do.”

He maneuvered his big frame into the other side of the booth, sucking in his abs and wobbling the table forward a few inches to make more room. Removing his hat, he placed it on the edge of the table and dragged a hand through his hair.

The look of irritation flitting across her delicate features widened his smile. Now, this was something new. It’d been a long time since he had to work to get the attention of a woman.

“Here you go.” Sheila plopped two plates of food and a tray of sugar packets in front of the trio. “And, Dom,” she purred, setting a meal in front of him. Hesitating, she cast a glance at the boys’ aunt. “You sure I can’t get you anything more? It’s gratis. Soup? Pie?”

“No, thank you.” She refused to look up and helped the boys arrange napkins in their laps.

No surprise there. She was probably one of those women that lived off salad and diet soda. Dominic dug into his food with almost as much gusto as the boys. It’d been several days since he’d stopped long enough to sit somewhere and let his stomach settle.

“Cissy, huh?” he mumbled out around a bite of burger before dragging a napkin across his mouth.

He noticed her eyes followed the movement and lingered on his lower lip. She wasn’t completely unaffected by him. Dominic dropped his gaze to the table to hide his satisfaction.

“Cissy,” she affirmed. “Cissy Henley.”

“I’m Kayden,” the boy garbled out around his own mouthful of food.

“And this is Jayden,” Cissy commented, nodding in the other boy’s direction.

He swallowed before taking another huge bite and offering up his own introduction. “Dominic Slade.”

“Cowboy.” A bit of food flew out of Jayden’s mouth at the declaration and Cissy quickly admonished them both not to talk with their mouths full.

Abashed, Dominic pressed his lips together and chewed, making sure his mouth was empty before asking, “Y’all from around here?”

“No” was her only response before taking a gulp of coffee.

Though Cissy seemed intent upon drinking, her long lashes lifted and she returned her attention to his mouth.

Dominic’s blood rushed as her eyes darkened. He shifted in the small confines of the booth, uncomfortably aware of the tightness of his jeans. He damned sure had been on the road too long.

Cissy lowered the cup and continued to stare. Surely she wasn’t trying to come on to him in front of the kids. Not that it’d be the first time. Lately, nothing women did surprised him.

Thankful for the silence that ensued, Dominic continued working on his meal. He was impressed by the boys’ appetites. They managed to polish off each half of their burger, every onion ring and almost an entire sundae. Only a few drops of melted ice cream remained.

Jayden flopped back with a sigh. “I’m full.”

“Me, too,” Kayden added. Their eyes were heavy and they looked as though they could nod off at any moment.

“I should hope so,” Dominic commented with a chuckle, the last third of his burger hovering above his plate between his fingertips. “Don’t know where you two possibly put it all.”

That drew a sleepy but broad smile from them both.

“We’re bottomless pits,” Jayden piped with pride, tapping his chest with his fist.

Cissy laughed and ruffled her fingers through their blond hair. The boys closed their eyes and leaned into her, soaking it up and drifting off. Dominic couldn’t help but admire her expression. Her whole face lit up, her eyes bright.

As though sensing his scrutiny, she faced him again and nibbled on the rosy curve of her bottom lip. His stomach flipped over at her shy look. She had freckles. They were scattered over the bridge of her pert nose and the apples of her cheeks. He had the strange urge to touch his tongue to them to see if they tasted as sweet as they looked.

“Dominic?” she asked, leaning forward. Her tongue curled around his name. She carefully moved her arms from the sleeping boys and slid them across the table. Her breasts pressed against the edge.

Dominic peeled his eyes from the scoop of her white tank top and cursed himself for wishing the neckline was a good bit lower. “Yeah?” he choked.

“Are you finished?” A flush of pink heat encompassed her cheeks, obscuring the freckles.

He stilled. This was it. Proposition time. He had to give her points, though. She’d put it off a lot longer than most women. And despite his cynicism, he surprised himself by being eager to play.

“Are you finished?” she repeated with a raised brow. Those beautiful blues of hers moved from his mouth to his hand.

“Yeah,” he mumbled.

She drew closer, stretching across the distance between them, and lifted her hand. His body tightened and his eyelids lowered to half-mast as he anticipated her touch on his skin.

“Great,” she chimed.

Empty air drifted between his fingers. Dominic frowned. He’d been robbed.

Cissy stuffed a good portion of what remained of his triple cheeseburger into her mouth and closed her eyes. Mustard trickled off the side of her chin and her pink tongue shot out to catch it with a low moan of pleasure.

Well, double damn. This was definitely a first.

A loud ring jarred from underneath the table. Cissy jumped, then scrambled around, producing a cell phone before quickly silencing it and shoving it back in her pocket.

“Fwanks,” she mumbled around the wad of burger. “We gotta glo.”

“But...”

Dominic blinked, struggling to get a grip on the situation when she rose from her seat and jostled the boys awake. She tugged money from her pocket, counted out a few bills and dropped them onto the table. The remnants of hot desire pumped through his veins as she bustled the boys out of the booth.

She stooped to grab a quarter from the pile still resting on the floor where the candy machine used to reside. Her eyes brushed over him, dismissing him and focusing on the exit just before she tugged the boys out the door.

Dominic shifted at the uncomfortable churn in his gut. What the hell just happened?

“You finished, Dom?”

Sheila’s perky voice grated across his nerves as he strained to make out the trio in the darkness beyond the window. Cissy leaned into the backseat of a battered Toyota and strapped the boys in with one hand. The other still held the last bit of his burger.

“Yeah,” he stated offhandedly, watching as Cissy finished settling the boys and polished off the last bite, pausing as she reached the driver’s-side door.

“Poor thing,” Sheila observed. “I got the feeling she couldn’t afford to buy herself something to eat. She made sure those boys got what they wanted, though. Cute kids but a bit rowdy.”

Frowning, Dominic examined the stiff line of Cissy’s back. She stared to her right at the long stretch of highway before turning her head to the left and peering equally as hard.

“Did she mention where they were headed?” He delivered the question through stiff lips.

He traveled light. The last thing he needed was a complication. Much less three of them.

“Nope. She wasn’t the talkative type.” Sheila pressed against his side and asked, “Anything else I can get you?”

Forced to pull his attention from the window, he drudged up a polite smile. “No, thanks.” He withdrew a hefty tip from his pocket and dropped it on the table before rising. “It was good running into you.”

“Anytime, cowboy,” she mocked with humor. “Give me a call if you get bored later.”

Dominic ducked his heated face in acknowledgment before leaving. Stepping outside, he watched the battered Toyota groan its way up the graveled drive and take a right.

Travel light. He slapped his hat against his leg then settled it back on his head with the firm reminder. He already had his hands full with returning home. He should get in his truck and go straight to the ranch. No stops. Straight there. Put in an appearance, shake his brother off his back then get on the road as planned.

Cissy’s plight wasn’t any of his business. And it was clear she didn’t want him to have any part of it. She couldn’t have made it any plainer when she’d looked right through him as though he wasn’t there.

As though he was nothing.

But that was to be expected. Out here, he was no one’s hero. Dominic grimaced. Except maybe Sheila’s.

He strolled to his truck and gripped the hard metal of the door handle only to find his gaze straying back to the highway and the fast-dwindling taillights of Cissy’s car.

Damn. It would’ve been worth one more regretful night to wake up with that sexy spitfire draped over him. To look down at those beautiful blues of hers in the bright light of day.

Dominic sighed and jerked the door open. Travel light. After a quick visit home, he’d return to the circuit where he measured up. And the sooner, all the damn better.


Chapter Two (#ulink_a17b7567-3fae-5a4f-8d46-142398a1256b)

The steering wheel pulled hard to the right, jerking Cissy’s hands with it. Tugging on the wheel, she straightened the car and coaxed it forward again. Twelve minutes after bailing the greasy diner and her ragged car was dying on the highway.

A loud hum from her cell phone sounded over the clanking of the engine. Persistent joker! That was one thing she had to give Jason Reed, the twins’ father, credit for. Once he got his mind set on something, he was like a pit bull. He’d sink his teeth in and never let go.

The vibrating stopped. Cissy bit her lip and hunched against the steering wheel. Her heart lurched. Sweat streamed from her brow, burning the corner of her eye.

Real stupid, Cissy. Stupid, stupid, stupid. What had she done? What was she thinking packing the boys up and dragging them all over the state of Georgia?

The cell phone, though silent, seared through the pocket of her shorts, scorching its presence into her thigh. She relinquished her clutch on the steering wheel and readjusted it with trembling fingers.

Okay. She’d screwed up again. Big-time. Lost her temper. Her home. Her direction in life.

Wrapping her hands tighter around the wheel, she willed the car on. It didn’t have to be as bad as it seemed. All she needed to do was buy some time and find a bit of work to tide them over until she found something permanent.

And she would. She always managed to pull through.

Her chest tightened. Only, it had always been just her. It wasn’t just her anymore. She had two children to consider now. And the damage was already done. What was she going to do?

Cissy swallowed hard and renewed her grip on the steering wheel. A motel was probably right over the next hill. Just a few more miles.

“Come on, ol’ girl,” she cajoled, patting the dash.

A loud pop and a sharp jerk of the steering wheel had her gasping as the car veered off the road and jerked to a stop.

“What’s wrong, Aunt Cissy?” Jayden mumbled.

Squaring her shoulders, she mentally directed herself to calm down and glanced in the backseat. Jayden was struggling to keep his eyes open. Kayden had long since been out for the count and sprawled with snoring abandon in his booster seat.

“Nothing, baby,” she whispered. “Go back to sleep.”

Nothing? She yanked the keys out of the ignition. That was the understatement of the year. Or, at least, the biggest lie she’d ever told. It was pitch-black outside. They’d just blown a tire. She was sure of it. And, now they were stranded on the edge of a ditch, in the middle of nowhere, without a soul in sight.

Cissy dug out a flashlight from the glove compartment and went to survey the damage. The low beam glowed over a deflated heap of rubber pooling on the grass. It was a lost cause.

She rotated to take in her surroundings, the flashlight bouncing in her shaky grip. There were no houses or driveways. The dim light flickered over wire fences and the edges of empty fields. Only menacing darkness lay beyond.

Cissy dropped her head and kicked the ground. How irresponsible could she be? She’d panicked and taken a chance without weighing it first. She’d jumped without a net, and instead of landing on her feet she was plummeting facedown toward the dirt.

What should she do now? What would Crystal do?

Her mouth twisted. Crystal would never have gotten the boys into a mess like this to begin with. Her sister may have been weak in the head where Jason was concerned but she would never have taken such a gamble on their security. She would’ve sweet-talked any sleazy landlord if it meant keeping a roof over the boys’ heads.

Cissy slapped the flashlight against her palm. Heck if she’d do that. She’d never beg a slimeball like him for charity.

Keep our boys together, Cissy. Crystal’s plea whispered in her mind and wrapped around her on the humid summer air. Give them what we never had. Promise me...

And she had promised.

A salty tang hit Cissy’s mouth, tears settling in the corners. Licking them away, she blinked hard and dragged the back of her hand over her cheeks.

Fat lot of good it would do to stand here and cry by the side of the road all night. She had to think. She had to focus.

She shoved the flashlight into her back pocket, then flipped on the hazard lights, and then leaned against the trunk. Moments later, the rumble of an engine rattled the dinky car at her back. Bright lights emerged over the hill and flooded her face.

She threw an arm up to shield her eyes as the loud truck drew to a halt. A large male frame emerged from the truck’s cab and positioned itself in front of the headlights. Uneasiness seeped into her gut.

“Hey!” Cissy shouted over the growling vehicle.

The silhouette placed its hands on its hips and the outline of a Stetson dipped in response.

“You want to shut that thing off? It’ll just about make a person deaf, you know?”

No response.

Crap. She squinted against the lights and dropped her arm to adopt a more defensive stance. “Look, I have a flat. Is there a tow-truck service around here?”

The figure took a few steps toward her but didn’t answer.

Great. Just great. Now some psycho redneck was going to butcher her and toss her body parts in the ditch. She reached around her back and gripped the end of the flashlight.

“Hey, I asked you a question.” Her heart pounded as he drew closer. She snatched the flashlight out of her back pocket and threw out a hand. “Stop.”

He didn’t. He just kept on coming. Adrenaline shot through her veins. She cast a quick look over her shoulder to the backseat, glancing at the boys’ blond heads illuminated by the headlights.

“I said stop.” Cissy jerked her arm over her head and flung the flashlight, clenching her fists in victory when it thumped against the silhouette’s head.

“Ow! Dammit,” the voice boomed as the figure folded over.

She almost collapsed with relief at the familiar tenor. “Dominic.”

He shifted closer, blocking the headlights and bringing his face into view. A bright red lump was appearing right below the brim of his hat. “What are you trying to do? Kill me?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” She slumped back against the car. “You shouldn’t have walked up on me like that. You scared the crap out of me.”

Dominic removed his hat, rubbing a hand over his brow and through his hair. The midnight strands fell forward in tousled waves.

“Good,” he growled, settling the Stetson back on his head. “You should be scared. You never stand outside your vehicle like that. You’re just asking for someone to snatch you up.”

Cissy lifted her chin and dragged her attention away from his dark eyes. “Well, seems to me like you wouldn’t have had much success in snatching me up, as you put it.”

Dominic grunted. He retrieved the flashlight from the ground, shoved it into her hand then banded his blunt fingers around her wrist. “What were you gonna do if this thing missed? Kick my kneecaps? You’re too short to reach much else.”

“Actually, I had something higher in mind,” she smirked, spinning the flashlight with her fingers.

Dominic’s luscious mouth twitched. He flattened it and rolled his eyes. “Right.”

Releasing her, he moved his muscular girth past her to survey the flat. A drift of spicy maleness enveloped her. Good Lord, he smelled good.

Fingers trembling, she rolled the flashlight between her palms. The heat from his grip still lingered on the base and she found her fingertips returning to smooth over it.

“You got a spare?”

“You’re looking at it.”

Releasing a heavy sigh, he leaned down and glanced inside the backseat. “They been out long?”

“Since we left the diner. They’ve had a long day.”

He nodded and opened the door. “I’ll get this one, you grab the other one.”

“Wait a minute.” She rushed over to stall him with a hand on his arm. Ignoring the bulk of his biceps under her fingers, she demanded, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“The only thing there is to do. Loading them in my truck and taking them somewhere to sleep.” His tone turned mocking. “Or do you expect me to leave y’all stranded by the side of the road in the middle of the night?”

Cissy frowned. “No. But I don’t really know you. You’re a stranger.”

His black eyebrows rose. She had to agree with him. Her choice of words was lame.

“A stranger?” Dominic’s lip hitched. “I wasn’t so strange earlier when you stole my half-eaten burger outta my hand.” His eyes softened as he ran them over her face. “These boys are too young to sleep in a car by the side of the road. It’s not safe. You have to admit that.”

She opened her mouth but couldn’t manage to issue a sound. The summer heat engulfed her skin, rolling a drop of sweat between her breasts.

Spearing a hand through her hair, she flicked her eyes over the empty darkness surrounding them. What choice did she have? As much as she hated admitting it, he was right. The boys needed to be settled for the night.

Dominic nodded at her silence, then turned back to the car’s interior to unbuckle Jayden’s seat belt.

“Wait.” Cissy shot in front of him and gathered Jayden up in her arms. Maintaining her position, she clutched him to her chest and clenched her jaw.

Dominic’s mouth tightened and he took a step back. If he was offended, he didn’t comment on it. He just watched her for a handful of seconds then shrugged.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll grab their car seats. They’ll fit in the cab. Once the boys are settled, we’ll toss your bags in the back.”

They did so, with Cissy keeping a close eye on Dominic as he helped settle Jayden in the truck. They made swift work of relocating Kayden and the bags, too, and soon pulled out onto the road again.

“What about my car?” Cissy twisted in the passenger seat to watch it fade into the darkness.

“We’ll see about it in the morning. Get the tire replaced.” He paused as they turned onto a dirt road. “Although, from the looks of it, it needs a lot more than just a tire.”

She shot him a dirty look. Yeah. It did need a lot more than that. But a polite person wouldn’t have pointed it out.

That wasn’t the worst of it, though. She couldn’t afford a new tire. Or anything else, for that matter. Licking her lips, she turned her face away to look out of the window. Better to keep that bit of information to herself for now.

“Y’all were packed tight in there. Where were you headed?”

They bounced around as a pothole jostled them. Cissy glanced over her shoulder to find the boys still sleeping. “Nowhere in particular. I was just looking for the next motel.”

Dominic grunted. “Well, you weren’t gonna find one on that road for a while. Only thing for the next couple hours’ drive would’ve been deer and cemeteries.”

They hit another bump and Cissy reached back to prop Kayden’s dangling hand back in his lap. The action brought her face close to Dominic’s arm and she couldn’t prevent herself from taking a second look at the sinewy length. Even his forearm was defined, the toned tendons accentuated with a sprinkling of black hair.

And his scent was everywhere. That mix of sandalwood and man permeated every inch of the truck’s upholstery and released into the air with each of his movements. She forced herself to refocus on the boys and reached back to move a lock of hair off Jayden’s forehead.

“It’s just y’all?” His sexy rumble warmed her belly.

She met his sharp look for a moment before facing the window again. “Yeah.”

She strained to see beyond the halo of the truck’s headlights. It was too dark to see much other than the billowing of dust from the bottom of the truck and the passing of fence posts.

“Where’s their mama?”

Cissy clutched her hands in her lap and focused ahead on the uneven line of grass that met the dirt path they traveled. “Gone.”

“Their dad?”

She stilled her nervous movements and remained silent.

Her skin prickled at the sweep of his dark gaze on her once more. She bit her lip. He didn’t pursue it. Leaning her head back against the headrest, she welcomed the silence in the cab.

A few minutes later, he slowed the truck as they turned into a gated entrance. The truck’s headlights illuminated a wooden sign etched with the name Raintree Ranch as they proceeded.

“Raintree?” She vaguely recalled that tiny dot on the map she’d used.

“Yep.”

“This is your ranch?”

His mouth twisted. “Partially.”

Cissy drew up at his cynical tone and returned her attention to the windshield. The dirt road dipped and curved past a mammoth barn, dark paddocks and a dimly lit pond before leading them to an almost palatial house. She caught a glimpse of white columns, wide windows and several stories before the truck continued past and halted at the end of a back driveway.

“Let’s get the boys inside,” Dominic directed as he hopped out. Her hesitancy must have shown on her face. He leaned back into the cab to point out, “You can’t carry them both, Cissy.”

At her nod, he unloaded Jayden, hoisted him on his hip and led the way up a narrow path to a back door. She followed closely behind, clutching Kayden to her chest and stepping with care past the azaleas on each side of the walkway. The boys issued small grunts as they were jostled about and began lifting their heads as Dominic banged on the door.

“It’s really late, Dominic,” she said. “Don’t you have a key?”

He turned to study her for a moment. “Somewhere. Haven’t needed it in a while.”

Raising his big fist, he banged again. A light came on and one of the doors burst open.

A voice thundered, “What the hell, Dom?”

“I’m not alone, Logan,” Dominic bit out.

Cissy lifted to her toes, peering over Dominic’s broad shoulder. She just caught the angry frown of a tall, disheveled man. Shifting his weight, Dominic brought Jayden fully into the man’s line of sight.

Her stomach turned over and she clutched Kayden closer to her chest. It was much too late for visitors. She wouldn’t blame the guy—Logan, was it?—if he shooed them off and slammed the door.

Dominic’s bulk moved forward and she followed in his wake. Crossing the threshold, she stopped and glanced at Logan. There was a remarkable resemblance to Dominic, although this man was leaner and the lines on his face were slightly deeper.

His eyes were tired. Cissy winced. He probably thought she was an insensitive jerk for ripping him from his bed. She opened her mouth to issue an apology but he spoke first.

“Sorry. I didn’t see the boys.” Logan’s eyes swept the length of her, pausing to scrutinize Kayden’s face. “Please come in.”

“Thank you.” She lowered her chin to rest it on Kayden’s soft hair as she proceeded inside.

She kept close to Dominic’s heels, noting the kitchen was larger than the last three apartments she’d lived in put together. Granite countertops gleamed, stainless-steel appliances lined every wall and several oak tables were stationed about.

“Here,” Dominic instructed, pulling a chair out with his foot. “Have a seat. If you’ll hold on to them for a minute, I’ll get a room ready.”

Cissy lowered into the chair, adjusting Kayden onto her left hip as Dominic maneuvered Jayden onto the right one. Their legs dangled off on either side and she wrapped her arms tighter around them.

“Got ’em?” Dominic’s big, tanned hand hovered above Jayden’s back.

She looked down and readjusted the boys. Her scuffed sneakers were a marked contrast with the polished hardwood floor. She slid them underneath her chair.

“Yeah.” Her face flamed.

Dominic stepped away. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Logan cast one last look at the boys before leaving the room. Closing her eyes, Cissy sighed. Wisps of the boys’ hair moved and tickled her chin. She dropped her cheek to the top of their heads, rubbing it back and forth.

How had they ended up here? And in the middle of the night with an almost stranger?

She cringed. There was no way she could pay for her car being towed, a new tire and room and board for the night. What would Logan and Dominic do when they found out she was broke and had no place to go? Would they throw them out? Or worse, call Family and Children Services?

Clutching the boys tighter to her chest, she whispered an apology when Jayden whimpered. “It’s okay. Everything’s gonna be okay.”

And if it wasn’t, she’d make it okay.

The cell phone in her pocket buzzed against her thigh. Cissy’s hands curled tighter around the boys. The incessant vibrations persisted despite her attempts to ignore them.

Keep our boys together, Cissy.

She firmed her features. She’d make it okay. She had to.

* * *

“ARE THEY YOURS?”

“Hell, no,” Dominic spat.

He winced at the harsh words that burst from his mouth. The warmth from Jayden’s body still lingered on his right side. And it wasn’t the kids’ fault his brother had turned into a cynical ass.

It was just like Logan to come out with guns blazing. This was the exact reason he’d put off coming home for so long this time out. Dominic gritted his teeth and flicked his eyes over the room to rein in his temper.

Not much had changed in Raintree Ranch’s main office over the past year and a half. It remained organized, controlled and presentable. Just like Logan.

Shoving his fists into his pockets, Dominic stared his brother down. “Those boys have to be at least five. For God’s sake, Logan, is that what you think of me? That I’d abandon my own flesh and blood for the first years of their life?”

“I don’t know, Dom,” Logan returned, eyes piercing into his. “You just hit twenty-five. And you sure as hell left a trail in your wake. You probably don’t know what you’ve left behind.”

Dominic straightened. “Oh, I’d know. That’s one chance I don’t take.”

Logan maintained his stance behind the mahogany desk. Hands flat on the counter, head lifted. “Mistakes happen.”

“Yeah,” Dominic sneered, “and don’t you know it, big bro?”

That got a reaction.

Logan shoved off the desk, rounding it and bringing his face so close it blurred. “If you came home just to stir shit up, you can haul your ass off right now. Don’t have time for it. Some of us work for a living.”

“And I don’t?” Dominic jerked his chin up. “Whose work produced the money to build this place to begin with?”

“I wouldn’t call getting thrown on your back by bulls and buckle bunnies actual work.” Logan stepped away and narrowed his eyes. “But heaven forbid we ever forget that you still cut us a check every month.” His brows rose. “Want to see ’em? I haven’t been cashing them. Just stacking them up all nice and neat in a pile and locking them in the safe so you’ll have proof you did your part when the time comes.”

Dominic’s gut roiled. “You’re a real bastard when you want to be, Logan.”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding, “and you love it. Makes it real easy to sweep back in here and be the charming hero every couple years. Tell me, how many times did you call Pop over the past year and a half?”

Dominic spun around, then strode to the window and hunched his shoulders. “He has you.”

“He sees me every day, you know? It’s not me he wants to talk to. It’s you.” Logan’s scornful laugh crossed the room to grate over his ears. “Don’t worry. He won’t hold it against you. He never does.”

“Where is he?”

“Where do you think? It’s after eleven at night. This is a working guest ranch. We get up at the crack of dawn here. We don’t wallow around until noon recovering from parties the night before.”

Shame washed over Dominic, burning his neck. This was going nowhere.

Yanking his fists free, he stalked across the room. “You think you can put this in your back pocket until morning? I’m not feeling it right now and those kids out there are ’bout dead on their feet. All I need is a room key and I’ll be out of your hair for a few hours.”

Logan sighed then moved back behind the desk. He yanked a drawer open and rustled through it before holding out a key. “Twenty-seven’s the only one empty. Has a king-size bed and en suite bathroom. It’s on the second floor.”

“I know where it is. I haven’t been gone that long.”

“I assume you plan on staying in the bunkhouse as usual.”

The bunkhouse. Away from the main house. Away from Logan’s stifling grip. Hell, yes.

“You assume right.” Dominic swiped the key out of Logan’s hand and jerked his wallet free from his back pocket to produce a wad of bills. Tossing them down, he jeered, “Brought cash this time instead of a check. Throw that on the pile.”

His boots landed with thuds on the wood floor as he stomped away.

“Dom?”

A softening in Logan’s tone halted him. Dominic tilted his head but didn’t turn around.

“Stay awhile this time, yeah?”

Dominic looked over his shoulder. Logan’s expression was still carved in stone, but his eyes pleaded with Dom’s.

“We’ll see,” he murmured.

A tremor tore through his frame at the gruff sound of his voice. It was just exhaustion. He’d been on the road too long and he needed to recuperate. And he needed to get those boys settled before he did that.

Jerking away, he returned to the kitchen, drawing to a halt in the doorway. The boys were still knocked out, their limbs draped around Cissy. Her cheek rested on top of their heads and their bodies lifted and lowered with each soft breath that passed between her parted lips. The blond sweep of her hair had fallen to one side and settled in a silken pool on one of the boy’s shoulders.

Her expression was softer. No angry scowl or judgmental glare. Sleep had claimed her, too.

Dominic grinned. She sure was a lot less temperamental in this state. And even in her sleep, her arms were like steel bands wrapped around those boys. It was obvious she cared for them.

The grin vanished as his gut churned. Still, having kids didn’t always mean someone stuck around. He’d found that out first hand. Unlimited funds and fun was all it had taken to lure his mother away. He’d learned a long time ago that everyone had their price. And expectations.

Rolling his shoulders, he shrugged off the unpleasant thoughts and refocused on their peaceful faces.

Well, damn. He couldn’t carry all of them up the stairs. He’d have to wake her. He moved with soft steps across the room then lowered to his haunches at her feet.

“Cissy,” he whispered. He ran his eyes over the freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose. Unable to resist, he touched the pad of his thumb to them and drifted it over the soft skin of her exposed cheek. His tanned hand stood out in stark contrast to her porcelain complexion.

Her eyes popped open and she lifted her head. Beet-red heat covered her other cheek. It glistened with sweat and the boys’ hair stuck to it.

“Hey.” He bit back a smile. “I got a room for you. Think you can make it up a flight of stairs?”

Blinking hard, she shifted upright and nodded. “Yeah.”

“There was only one open.” He lifted Jayden from her and arranged the boy on his hip. No response. These boys were like the dead when they slept. “It’s only got one bed but should be big enough for all of you.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Her voice was husky with sleep. It whispered over him and stirred a deep ache. He forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand.

“Well, come on and I’ll take you up.”

Leading the way up the winding staircase, he kept a firm hand on Jayden’s back, glancing back at Cissy every few feet. She held Kayden close, but the boy’s weight seemed to take a toll on her, slowing her steps and weighing her small frame down.

“This is it.” Dominic unlocked the door, opened it a crack and waited for her to reach his side. “No chance they’re gonna be up and about anymore tonight. I’ll bring your bags in tomorrow morning if you can do without them till then.”

She puffed a gold strand of hair out of her eyes. “That’s fine.”

He toed the door open and moved to the bed, depositing Jayden on one side. Cissy followed and laid Kayden down, as well. Dominic stepped back, hands hanging at his sides.

Cissy’s hip brushed his when she leaned in to untie and remove Kayden’s shoes. Her shirt rose from the waistband of her shorts, revealing smooth, silky skin. Dominic stifled the urge to run his palm over it and focused on her slim hands as she peeled off Kayden’s socks.

Seeking a distraction, Dominic did the same for Jayden and dropped the items in a pile by the bed.

The boy’s head was at an awkward angle, his mouth open and snoring. Dominic smirked. He’d passed out in the same position on many occasions. And nine times out of ten woke with a kink in his neck. Better head that off at the pass.

Reaching down, Dominic shifted Jayden’s head to a more comfortable position and started when his eyes fluttered open. Jayden blinked several times before a slow smile stretched across his face, his eyelids heavy and drooping.

“Cowboy,” Jayden whispered. His small hand fluttered upward to grasp the leather cord of the choker dangling from Dominic’s neck. Curling his fingers around it, he tugged hard.

Dominic lowered his head, easing the pull of the cord around his neck and bringing his face close to the boy’s. Jayden’s other hand rose to bump and glide over the stubble on his jaw, his tiny palm warm and sweaty against his cheek.

“You’ll be here when I wake up?” Jayden’s words emerged soft and slurred. He was already drifting back off.

Dominic’s chest tightened and his face flushed. For sure, he’d be here tomorrow. Beyond that, it was anyone’s guess.

Jayden’s sleepy gaze clung to him, hopeful expectancy glowing on his face.

“Yeah, buddy,” Dominic whispered.

Gently untangling Jayden’s fingers, he laid the boy’s arms back on the bed and stepped back. The weight of Cissy’s stare pressed on his face. He averted his head and moved awkwardly toward the door.

“Dominic?”

Rubbing his hands over his jeans, he turned. Cissy’s hair was mussed and her eyes shadowed but her voice rang clear.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for this.”

Her hands twisted at her waist, pulling on her thin shirt. There was a small wet spot on the material. It clung to the upper curve of her breast where Kayden’s face had rested.

She looked vulnerable, lost and alone.

His palms itched to reach out and pull her in. Tuck her head beneath his chin and hold her close. He stepped forward.

She reached him first, pressing her fingertips against his chest and propelling him toward the door. “Good night,” she whispered.

The warmth from her fingers spread throughout his body as she nudged him into the hall. The soft fall of her blond hair and curve of her rosy cheek disappeared behind the firm click of the closed door.

The warmth dissipated, leaving cold emptiness behind. Dominic ran his palm over the smooth wood. Straining, he listened to the faint rustlings as she moved around the room.

A wry grin crept across his mouth and a low laugh escaped. “Well...damn.”

It was the first time a woman had ever shown him the door. And, for the first time, he wanted nothing more than to get back on the other side of it.


Chapter Three (#ulink_5f6ffcc3-fefa-5af3-8f67-e02f204c6031)

It was too still. Too quiet.

“Boys?” Cissy called out.

She smoothed an arm out to her side, sighing with pleasure at the coolness of the sheet. Her fingers crept over the lumps and bumps of the bedding before bumping into the bulk of a pillow. She cracked her eyes open to find a deep impression in the down where a head had burrowed the night before.

Bolting upright, she found the other side of the bed empty, as well. A quick scan of the room revealed the same. The only sign of the boys’ presence from the night before were the creases and folds left in the linen.

Her heart pounded. “Boys?”

She dropped over the side of the bed, dipping her head and finding the floor empty. There were no giggles or whispers of mischief from hidden spaces. They weren’t hiding.

They were gone.

Cissy scrambled out of the bed. She shot to the door and flung it open, stumbling to a stop in the hallway.

Over six feet of rock-solid muscle and a throaty purr met her at the door. “Morning.”

Dominic tipped his dark head in greeting, then resumed his relaxed stance against the opposing wall. The soft fabric of his T-shirt stretched across the bulge of his chest as he crossed his burly arms.

“Where are the boys?” Could he hear the breathlessness in her voice? She hoped not.

Her stomach flipped over at his lopsided grin. Damn the man. It was downright sinful for a guy to look this good on a Sunday morning.

“Right there.” He nodded to his left.

Kayden stood at the end of the hall, feet planted wide apart, swinging a lasso over his head. Jayden stood motionless a few feet away, his face contorted with apprehension.

“You ain’t doing it right,” Jayden warned.

“Aw, just be still,” Kayden said, twirling the lasso with more gusto.

“You gave Kayden a rope?” Cissy shuddered at the images that popped into her mind.

Turning, she caught Dominic’s gaze transfixed to the top of her head. He rolled in his full bottom lip and stifled a smile.

“What?” Cissy glared, searching his face.

He held on to his silence, shaking his head. The smile he fought reemerged. Dimples broke out on both lean cheeks and his dark eyes crinkled at the corners.

Men. She’d given up trying to figure out their thought process a long time ago.

“Look.” She ground her teeth together. “I appreciate you giving us a room for the night but I don’t want you taking the boys off without me or my permission.”

“Wasn’t a way around that this morning.” Dominic turned to study the boys. “They ventured out before the crack of dawn. Needed something to do. And I didn’t want to wake you.”

She followed his line of sight to the boys and winced as Kayden slung the rope with bad aim. It smacked against the side of Jayden’s face and rebounded, knocking against a picture on the wall and clanging it to the floor.

“Ouch!” Jayden rushed over and shoved his brother. “I told you you weren’t doing it right.”

“Boys,” Cissy shouted, “stop that and get over here.”

They both jumped at her voice and spun, bounding down the hall toward her. Kayden halted a foot away and burst into laughter.

“Aunt Cissy, you got a Mohawk,” he cackled.

She jerked her eyes upward. A few clumps of hair stood on end above her forehead, waving slightly with her movements. Oh, for goodness’ sakes. She’d been in such a panic to find the boys she hadn’t bothered to comb the rats’ nest.

Face burning, she groaned and dropped her eyes to her wrinkled shirt. She’d worn her clothes from yesterday to bed, and they were rumpled almost beyond recognition. And she’d torn out of the room in such a hurry she’d left her shoes behind.

This had to be a nightmare. She wiggled her unpolished toes against the gleaming hardwood floor just to be sure she was awake.

“Here,” Kayden called. A sharp tug on Cissy’s wrist had her at eye level. “I’ll fix it.”

“No, Kayden, wait.”

Dominic’s deep tenor and heavy footsteps registered right before Kayden jabbed his hand in her hair, fingers snarling in her bangs.

“Ow.” Cissy grabbed his wrist and yanked, but something sticky snagged every strand.

“It’s the syrup,” Dominic whispered softly into her ear as he gently untangled Kayden’s hand. “They just had pancakes.”

She peeked at him from the corners of her eyes. His chiseled jaw was fresh shaven and the soft scent of soap and detergent accompanied each of his movements. His deep chuckle rumbled at her side, the heat of his palm caressing her scalp sending a thrill down her spine.

“Thanks,” Cissy mumbled. She stepped away and smoothed a shaky hand over her matted hair.

“The pancakes were awesome, Aunt Cissy.” Jayden reached her side and wound his sticky fingers through hers. “Ms. Betty cooked some for you, too.”

“Ms. Betty?” Cissy couldn’t help but smile at his excited expression.

“Head chef,” Dominic answered for him. “Though she refuses the title. Ms. Betty’s been heading up the meals here for years.”

Cissy nodded, eyeing Kayden. His knuckles tightened around the rope, wiggling the end that trailed along the floor. She stooped, grabbed it with her free hand and tugged.

“Have you been torturing your brother with this all morning?”

“No,” Kayden said, pulling.

Cissy narrowed her eyes and gave it a firm jerk. He snatched back.

“No, ma’am,” Kayden reiterated, chin jutting. “Ain’t had time to. Mr. Dominic took us out on the paddleboats before breakfast and showed us everything. They have a pool, and game room and—”

“Lots of horses,” Jayden added, leaning against her hip. “They have lots of horses, Aunt Cissy.”

“Uh-huh.” Cissy relinquished her hold on the rope and nudged the bedroom door open with her heel. “Why don’t you two go on in the room and wash up?”

“But Mr. Dominic said he’d let us pet the horses.” Kayden frowned in concentration, winding the rope up in his fist. “He said they have painters and nickels.”

Kayden whipped the rope out against the floor with a sharp snap, causing them all to jump.

“Easy, now.” Dominic reached out, big palm up, for the rope. “And they’re paint and quarter horses,” he stressed with another dimpled grin.

“Yeah. That’s what I said.” Kayden’s face puckered in affront but he handed over his prized possession with no resistance.

Cissy fought to keep her jaw from hanging open. Who would’ve thought this handsome, muscled flirt would be so good with kids? Most men only thought of kids as a nuisance. They dropped tail and ran at the sight of them.

Jayden squeezed her hand. “Mr. Dominic promised we could feed the horses.”

“Regardless—” Cissy bent and steered the boys by their elbows through the door “—we all need to freshen up a bit. And I’m sure Mr. Dominic has other things to do.”

Dominic cocked his head and shrugged. “Well, I did promise them. And I try not to break my promises.”

His deep tone made her blood rush. It was husky and warm. The kind of voice a woman would expect a man to have first thing in the morning, his arms wrapped around her and his body hard.

Cissy firmed her mouth. Promises. She’d made one of those, too. And so far, she hadn’t delivered. She had to get her feet back under her, regain her focus and avoid distractions. She averted her gaze from Dominic’s knowing eyes.

All distractions.

“Yeah,” Cissy muttered, “most men try not to break promises. But they’re usually not successful.”

Dominic’s bright smile dimmed.

Cissy cringed at the bitter tone lacing her words. He’d been nothing but kind and she was being an ungrateful guest. Crystal would’ve kicked her square in the rump right about now.

She dragged a hand across the back of her neck and regrouped before speaking with more care. “That was nice of you to offer. But I’d hate to interrupt anyone’s day.”

“It’s not an interruption.” Dominic moved closer, bracing his hand on the door frame above her head. “I’ll bring your bags up and tell Ms. Betty you’ll be down soon. After you’ve had some breakfast, we’ll head out. I’ll show you around.”

Cissy deliberately avoided the bulge of his biceps and focused on a point over his broad shoulder.

No distractions. If she had any sense about her, she’d turn him down flat.

But she couldn’t disappoint the boys. It was rare for the three of them to be able to spend a day of leisure together. And lately, a day where she wasn’t dragging them around in search of work from sunup to sundown.

“Okay.” Cissy paused at the threshold. It was best to be straight with him from the get go. She clarified over her shoulder, “For the boys. I’d hate to disappoint them.”

“I’ll take it.” Another grin crinkled the corners of his eyes and sparked a flirtatious glint in the dark pools.

She spun back around, placing the door between them with no finesse. Dominic’s genteel tone and rugged charm were enough to reduce a woman to a puddle at his feet. And she refused to melt.

A quick shower, fresh set of clothes and pair of sneakers had her feeling halfway decent again. The boys showered next, taking full advantage of the toiletries provided in the en suite bathroom. Most of which ended up on the floor.

Mouth full of toothpaste, Cissy rubbed a towel over the boys’ wet heads. Her cell phone vibrated with a clatter across the nightstand. She froze. It could only be Jason again.

“I can’t breathe.” Kayden’s whine barely broke through the fluffy cloth of the towel draped over his face.

“Sorry,” she muttered absently, slinging the towel away and rinsing her mouth in the sink. “You two finish up.”

Unplugging her cell from the charger, she scrolled through and found over a dozen missed calls since last night. All of them from Jason.

Cissy shoved the cell in her pocket, her jaw clenching. That was it, then. She had to take his next call. If she didn’t, she’d only make things worse. There was no way around it.

She helped the boys dress, then they made their way down to join Dominic. A large plate of pancakes, warm syrup and crisp bacon was waiting for her. Ms. Betty turned out to be a small, bubbly woman with a bright smile. And the boys weren’t exaggerating. She had to be the best cook in Georgia. Kayden and Jayden even found room for second servings.

After waiting patiently for the boys to refill their bellies, Dominic led them outside and down a trail to the paddock. Cissy followed behind him and the boys, taking in the sights around her.

The bright morning sun hadn’t quite begun blazing yet, making the air less humid. Several guests strolled about the grounds or splashed in a large pool on the side of the main building. Azaleas, grouped around the walkway, boasted brightly colored blooms.

Cissy inhaled, pulling in the sweet fragrance of the flowers and savoring the stroll down to a paddock below. The boys’ giggles mingled with Dominic’s deep tones, stretching a smile across her face. It was nice to ease her vigilant grip on them and relax.

She glanced around once more, noting the extensive grounds peppered with bunkhouses, roaming horses and guests enjoying outdoor activities of all kinds. Surely a bustling business like this would have a need for extra help.

Cissy smiled wider. A job. The first step of a solid plan to salvage the mess she’d made of her life. She’d ask if there were openings. Hopefully, there’d be something. If she could secure a job and board here, she could earn enough money to fix the car and save to pay for a new apartment. She’d work every hour of the day if she had to.

That was it. A strategy she could swing. A job, money and a new home.

She turned back and sighed with satisfaction at the boys’ excited skips ahead of her. They bounced at Dominic’s side with glee, stretching up every now and then to snag his jeans and tug for his attention. Each eager pull drew the denim tighter across his muscular thighs and buttocks.

Cissy’s skin tingled. Dear Lord, that man had a fantastic a—

Stop. She had a plan now. Job, money, apartment. There was no room for diversions. And there sure as heck wasn’t any room for a man. Even if he did have the sexiest butt on the planet.

Kayden released his hold on Dominic’s jeans and tore off to clamber up a white fence surrounding the paddock. Jayden held Dominic’s hand, pulling at it as he ran.

Dominic’s attention clung to the lithe man who’d opened the door to them last night, who stood a few feet from them, grooming a horse. “I brought you some help, Logan.”

Jayden added, “Mr. Dominic said we could pet the horses.”

Logan’s arm stilled, the brush hovering over the horse’s back as he smiled at the boys. Tipping his hat, he stepped forward and held out his hand to Cissy. “Morning. Don’t think we had a proper introduction last night. I’m Logan Slade. Dom’s older brother.”

She took his hand, his warm greeting putting her at ease. “Cissy Henley. I’m sorry about us barging in on you last night.”

Logan waved away the apology. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry I wasn’t more cordial.” His eyes cut to Dominic. “Just didn’t know company was dropping by.”

“Yeah, well, that’d be my fault.” Dominic moved to the fence, lifting Jayden up on the rail beside Kayden. “Didn’t think I needed to call seeing as how I’m family.”

“You don’t,” an older man said, ambling up to the fence. “Both my sons can come and go as they please.” He gripped Logan’s shoulder, then stretched an arm out over the fence to shake Cissy’s hand. “I’m Tate Slade. Dominic and Logan’s dad. But you can call me Pop. Everyone else does,” he added with a wink.

Cissy smiled, briefly shaking his hand and thanking him for allowing them to stay the night. He had a kind face and gentle voice. She could easily see where Dominic and Logan got their gentlemanly qualities.

Sidestepping the men, Cissy took up a piece of the fence, too. She lifted a foot and braced it on the lower rung. The rail’s warmth seeped into her palms.

“Can we pet the horses?” Kayden asked.

He seemed fascinated by Logan’s movements. His eyes clung to Logan’s hand as it pulled a brush through the horse’s hair with whispering sweeps.

“Sure.” Pop retrieved an apple from a bucket. He handed it to Kayden and motioned toward a horse lingering nearby. “That one’s named Oreo. Call him.”

“Come on, Oreo,” Kayden urged, holding out the red apple.

“Gentle,” Dominic said. He lifted Kayden higher on the fence. “Stretch your arm out a bit farther. And hold your hand as flat as you can.”

“What if he’s not hungry?”

“Don’t worry. Oreo never turns down a treat. He’ll come when he’s ready. You just have to be patient.”

The large horse moved with ease toward Kayden’s arm. Spots of midnight black and creamy white covered the horse’s sleek muscles. Oreo dipped his broad head and nuzzled Kayden’s hand with his nose, tugging on the apple with his teeth and chomping off a generous bite. Kayden dissolved into a fit of giggles.

“Oreo likes it,” Jayden announced, promptly scooting closer to Dominic to lean over the fence, as well.

The boys’ eyes sparkled and their faces flushed. Cissy smiled. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen them this excited over anything. Of course, Crystal’s illness had cast thick shadows over them for so long.

But watching them now, they seemed like their old selves for the first time in forever. Their laughter was genuine. Their comfort obvious.

Cissy closed her eyes and dropped her head back, enjoying the peaceful moment. The sun’s heat poured into her muscles and her body relaxed on a deep exhale.

This was her promise to Crystal. Providing the boys with full bellies and the comfort of a permanent home. A life free of poverty and displacement. Something she and Crystal had never known growing up.

A buzzing in her pocket shot vibrations down her thigh. Cissy snatched the cell phone out, her fingers fumbling to keep it from falling to the ground. Here we go.

“Aunt Cissy, come look at this,” Kayden called.

Pop had taken over with the boys and laughed with them as Oreo nuzzled their palms.

“In a minute,” she hastened, shrugging as Dominic twisted to survey her. “I have to take this.”

Spinning, she moved a few steps away and pressed the phone to her ear.

“Jason.” It was impossible to drudge up a more polite greeting than that.





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