Page 30 of Sold to the Single Daddies (Southern Heat Reverse Harems #4)

Reagan

After breakfast, Mills asked me to come check on some cattle with him and Mason.

He even asked to have Lucky on his chest as he drove us around the ranch in a side-by-side.

There was just something magical about seeing our son strapped to his wide chest. Magical, and sexy as hell.

I kept stealing glances at the pair of them while he drove us over a few spots of rougher terrain.

“Damn. You should see how he drives over this place when you and Lucky aren’t here, Rea. I thought I’d broken my tailbone.” Mason leaned his head forward, cutting off my view of Mills. It was probably for the best.

I turned so I could face my little brother and couldn’t deny myself the pleasure of reaching out and pinching his cheek.

“You look so much older already, Mason. It’s only been a week or so and you already look more like a man. What’s a whole summer going to do to you? I’m going to miss my baby-faced little brother.”

He turned red and swatted my hand away.

“Come on, Reagan!”

I didn’t get to see him much since he’d started working and I decided it was as good a time as ever to bring up the tuition conversation again.

“I think you should save whatever money you make this summer. I know you didn’t like the way I made the money but I made it and I get to choose what I do with it, Mason. I’ve already sent in the money for tuition. Can we just leave it at that?”

Mills shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat.

“Almost there.”

“I told you no, Reagan.” Mason sat back with a stern expression on his face and I knew it would take more than just asking to convince him.

“Do you want to know something? The moment I found out about you I felt such a strong need to protect you and take care of you, Mason. Every year you didn’t have everything you wanted and needed made me feel like I was failing you and I hated it.

I hated not having enough to take care of you properly.

You deserve the world and I want to help give it to you.

The moment I sent in that money to pay for your tuition…

I felt like I was finally getting something right.

It didn’t matter how I got there, but that I did. Don’t take that away from me.”

Mills parked the side by side and sat perfectly still, staring straight ahead.

“Let her do it, kid.”

“But—”

“No. Whatever your reasons are for objecting, throw them out. You heard her. It means something to her to take care of you. Let. Her. Do. It.” Mills’ shoulders slumped. “Even if your sister never really failed you, there’s something to be said for an older siblings’ guilt.”

Mason studied Mills and I saw the quickly developing hero-worship in his eyes. Maybe that would’ve completely terrified me when we first got to Devil’s Den but it wasn’t as scary after getting to know the man a little more. Finally, Mason sighed.

“What about her and Lucky? She should keep the money for herself.”

“We’re going to take care of your sister and Lucky, kid.” Mills shot me a look that dared me to argue. “Got it?”

“Fine. I’ll let the college keep the sex money.” Mason heard me gasp and laughed. “Only kidding, sis. Can we get to work now?”

I stayed where I was and watched Mason head over to the pasture where the other hands were milling around.

“Thank you.”

Mills grunted.

“I just have to say, angel, it’s really painful to be the man who paid for the sex during a conversation about your little brother not liking that you were paid for sex.”

I turned back to him and smiled.

“Sorry? If it’s any consolation he doesn’t look at you any differently. I think you and your brothers are quickly becoming his role models. Which is only slightly worrisome considering our current circumstances.”

“He should find better role models.” Mills rubbed his hands over his face and then nodded to the cattle. “Get to work.”

For once, his gruffness didn’t rub me the wrong way.

I could feel the angst rolling off of him and knew he was beating himself up about his sisters after the conversation we’d had the night before.

I didn’t know how I was so sure I knew what he was feeling but I was.

I was also sure he didn’t want to talk about it with me.

Moving closer to him, I leaned down and kissed Lucky’s head. “Be a good boy for Daddy. Maybe give him some extra love, Lucky, instead of all the sass you’ve been giving me.”

Mills stiffened when I didn’t pull away after kissing Lucky but instead raised my head and hesitated with my mouth close to his.

I wanted to kiss him. I wanted it desperately but I knew it wasn’t the right time.

Instead of doing what I wanted I pressed a kiss to his cheek and hovered there before pulling away.

“While I have some doubts about his role models' grumpiness and judginess at times, I happen to think he could do much, much worse.” I flashed him a quick smile and then headed toward the ranch hands, eager to get to do some real work.

I only glanced back at Mills once and flushed when I saw he was watching me.

Later in the day I was working outside the new barn with Jolene when I heard Lucky let out an angry cry.

I could tell by the ache in my chest it was time to feed him so I headed to the office where Mills had him.

The midday sun had bested me and I felt like a crispy piece of toast as I entered the office and walked around the desk to take Lucky.

“Whoa. Hold on, Reagan.” Mills shot out of his chair and grabbed me with one arm while he held Lucky with the other. “I should’ve been keeping a closer eye on you. Here. Sit down. Let me get you some water.”

I tried to tell him I was fine but he was already shouting for Jolene and pushing me into his chair. I was hot, sure, but I was okay. “Mills—”

“Get me water, Jolene. And next time I trust you to watch over someone, you need to fucking watch over them.” His tone was furious. “She barely stumbled in here.”

“Mills!” Lucky was still crying and my head was throbbing. “Don’t shout at her. I’m a grown woman.”

Jolene’s weather-worn face appeared in front of mine as she pushed a bottle of water into my hands.

“For the first time ever, the asshole’s right. He should shout at me. He should have my ass for me not watching you better.”

Mills was barking orders into his phone.

“Bring a truck around to the barn. We need to get Reagan to the clinic.”

I groaned. I didn’t feel the best but I was fine. I was a grown woman who was responsible for looking after herself so I needed the two of them around me to relax.

“I’m fine, dammit.”

“Take Lucky, Jolene. Tate is bringing the truck around. Get him in his car seat.” Mills handed our son off and then came around the desk and picked me up like a bride. When I rested my head on his shoulder he swore. “You’re burning up, angel.”

“Probably a sunburn.” I pouted. “I don’t want to go to the clinic. Can’t I just go inside and rest? I need to feed Lucky.”

“You’re going to the clinic and that’s that. Now just be quiet and save your strength.”

I sighed. “Your bedside manner sucks.”