Page 4 of Rancher’s Rescue (Flying Diamond 5)

CHAPTER FOUR

KANE

T he days passed quickly. Maggie was easy to work with and the kids were a breath of fresh air. It made my heart ache for my daughter, but that was an ache that wouldn’t ever go away.

We’d spent the day picking and placing round bales, loading the hay loft full of the small squares for the horses and laughing the entire time.

Maggie worked as hard as any man I’d ever seen.

“Join us for supper, Kane,” she said, looking over her shoulder.

It wasn’t a question. She was telling me I was coming for supper, just trying to be polite about it.

“Oh no, ma’am, not tonight. I will just head back to the cabin. I can rustle something up for myself.”

A frown crossed her face, and he turned back to Kit and Marshall.

“Kids, go wash up while I talk to Mr. Watson.” They ran off to the house, hooting and hollering.

“If this ranch had a full crew, I would let you eat there, but it’s just you and I won’t let you eat alone.

Besides, by this time of the day, I really appreciate some adult conversation.

” She looked at me, her eyes hopeful and pleading all at the same time.

“I’ll be right up. Just let me clean up and I will be along.” I smiled and watched her face change from worried to elated. She could have asked me to rope the moon and I probably would die trying to make that happen for her.

I’d known some strong women in my life, but Maggie was probably the only woman I knew of that single-handedly did what she did.

The bunkhouse was musty from the rain last night.

I hadn’t noticed it this morning, but being closed up in the scorching sun, everything felt sticky.

I would have to figure out how to seal this place up if I was going to live here year round.

If this happened in the summer, I and no doubt snow would find its way in during the long, cold winter.

Quickly showering, I threw on my nicest shirt, dabbed some aftershave on and looked in the mirror. Why had I done that? It was supper with my boss and her kids, no reason to think it was any more than that.

Walking to the house, the sky was turning purple and pink as the sun dipped behind the mountains.

Climbing the steps of the porch, I heard the soft sound of music floating through the open windows.

God, this was all I dreamed about when I was younger.

Coming home after a long day, the woman I loved waiting for me, the kids fighting with one another, eager for me to walk in the door.

Pulling the screen door open, I wandered through the house to the kitchen, like I’d done almost every night since I’d been here.

Maggie was swaying to the music, and turned when she’d heard my footsteps. Her smile warmed my soul. “Smells good in here,” I said like a dolt.

“Slow cooker to the rescue on days like today. Want a beer?” She moved to the fridge and grabbed two bottles.

Reaching out, I took them and twisted the tops off, and handed one back to her.

She was relaxed, not the boss, just a woman taking care of those around her.

“Sit, I’m just going to cut some lettuce.

” She motioned to the stool at the counter as she grabbed a cutting board and a knife.

“It’s quiet in here. Did you get rid of the kids?” I smiled as I raised the beer to my lips.

She smiled and grabbed the lettuce. “I made them go upstairs and read. Now if they are really reading, I’d be shocked. They are probably watching a cartoon or something, but they are quiet and I have a few moments of peace.” The knife made a sharp sound as she brought it down over the lettuce.

“I can go if you need quiet.”

“I made them go upstairs so I could have a moment of peace with you, if you really want to know. The kids absolutely adore you, and want to be by your side all the time, so I feel like I’ve had no time to get to know you with them around.

Tonight, even just for a few minutes, it’s just you and me.

” She stopped cutting lettuce and looked at me.

Nodding, I wasn’t sure what to say. “I don’t mind these minutes at all.

” I watched a hue of red creep across her cheeks.

She looked up at me as she brought down the knife and I watched her eyes widen as she cut her finger.

Jumping off the stool, I grabbed the towel that was draped over the oven handle and pressed it to her hand.

“Is it bad?” She asked, her eyes squeezed closed.

“Maggie, I watched you deal with a cow that had cut its leg yesterday and now I’m half wondering if you’re going to pass out.” I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. As I lifted the towel off, the bleeding hadn't stopped.

“Yeah, that’s a cow, not my finger. Did I chop it off? Is it laying there in the lettuce?” I couldn’t stop the laughter that erupted from deep within me. God, it was good to laugh again.

“No, you’re still a fully together woman.

Where are your bandages?” I watched her point to a drawer behind me.

She still didn’t open her eyes. Turning, I pulled open the drawer and grabbed a bandage and ripped it open with my teeth.

A pink bandage with tiaras all over it wasn’t what I’d expected.

Removing the towel the bleeding had stopped, so I wrapped her finger and she opened her eyes.

“All better.” I brought it to my lips and gently kissed it.

She gazed at me differently, her eyes focused on my lips, and she advanced a step towards me.

Leaning down, I pressed my mouth to hers; her injured hand still in mine against my chest. She moved her free hand to the back of my neck and I grabbed her by the waist and pressed against her.

Thundering footsteps down the stairs startled us and we took steps apart.

Her cheeks were more flushed than they’d been earlier and she looked at me like she wanted to devour me.

“Kane, you’re here.” Marshall said as he wrapped his arms around my leg.

“I sure am, kiddo. Just like every night.” I picked him up, and he wrapped his little arms around my neck. Kit had gone to her mom and her arm was around her waist. I couldn’t get over how comfortable this was.

“Mom, what happened to your finger?” Marshall pointed at the bright pink bandage.

“Oh, I accidentally cut myself while chopping lettuce. Guess this other stuff can go to the chickens.” She smiled at Marshall.

“But you don’t like blood. You didn’t call for my help,” Kit said, looking up at her mother.

Maggie set the bowl down and wrapped her arms around her daughter.

They were the spitting image of one another.

Kit’s dark brown hair was the same color as Maggie’s and it had a slight curl to it.

That always made it look a little out of control.

“Kane was here when I cut my finger. He got me all fixed up.” Maggie looked from Kit to me and smiled.

Kit looked a little disappointed. “You’re always going to be my nurse.

You’re not out of a job yet, young lady.

” This was all it took for the girl to smile brightly again.

“Is supper ready?” Marshall asked, as his stomach let out a horrendous growl.

“Yes, let’s eat,” Maggie said, smiling at her kids before looking at me. Her face softened before she licked her lips and bit the corner of her mouth. Putting Marshall down, he ran to the dining room.

“There’s more kisses if you’re interested.” I whispered as I reached for the slow cooker. I found myself pressed up against Maggie again, and this time I couldn't control my desire for her.

“I want them.” She whispered as she moved so she was completely against me.

Kissing her neck, I whispered, “good.”

She tucked the kids in bed after such a long day, and they didn't require much persuasion to go to sleep.. Maggie came back down the stairs and I held out a beer for her as she joined me on the couch. “Do you think tomorrow you could move your things to the spare room up here at the house? That cabin isn’t suitable for living in.” She took a drink before looking at me.

“I don’t want to cause waves. The bunk house is suitable enough for me.” I ran my thumb over her cut finger. “Kit seemed upset about this.”

“Since Jeremiah’s accident, I can’t handle blood.

I know I need to get over it but I can't see it. I see the accident all over again as if it’s happening in real time.

She’s been who I call when I need help. Like I said, animals don’t trigger it, just people, even something as small as a cut finger.

” Maggie cuddled closer to me and I put my arm around her shoulders.

“It won’t cause issues. As far as where you sleep, you worked at the Triple Eight ranch.

Your bunkhouse was fancier than my home.

I won’t have you living out there when I have a perfectly fine room. That’s empty here.”

“I will move up here.” She tilted her head and smiled. Again I captured her mouth with mine, but this time she had two free hands to wrap around my neck and I pulled her onto my lap so she straddled my legs.

Pulling away, she grinned. “How long has it been since you made out with someone?” Her eyes danced as she waited for my answer.

“To fucking long.” I growled and wrapped my hands in her hair and brought her back to my mouth.