Page 25

Chapter twenty-five

Stolen kisses

Mason

She’s an angel on my arm in the first haze of light of a new day.

I hate that some time during the night I slid out of her. As tempting as it is to wake her to sink back in, I know I need to get out of her room before I’m caught. Fortunately, neither of my kids are early risers lately.

It would have been so easy to curl back up and drift into a lazy morning of holding her.

Soon.

Sophia gets her cast off tomorrow, and I know that she’ll be up and moving on her own before long. She’s too much of a spitfire to want to stay down more than she needs to.

The question is going to be if she goes back to school at the same time as Lori. Even if she doesn’t leave, can I convince Lori to stay? Now that I’ve got her, I don’t want to let her go.

Would that be fair to ask?

My hair is still damp from a shower when I work my way outside, but it helps to keep me cool as the morning sun already has a fierce edge to it.

“This all there was?” Ford meets me at the holding pen I unloaded the cows into late last night.

Or was it early morning?

No clue.

“Yea. What are we now, over a hundred head down? Getting these back is a drop in the bucket, but better than nothing.” After this lot has cleared quarantine, we’re going to have to re-brand them all.

What a pain in the ass.

If I catch whoever is doing this—

Lori’s footsteps are light, but it’s almost as if I’m hyper aware of her presence when she comes up to us.

“I noticed that you hadn’t made coffee yet, so I brought you a cup.” Her cheeks flush a soft pink as she hugs the mug between her hands. “I’m sorry Ford, I didn’t, um…” She trails off her words, chewing on her lower lip.

Ford smiles, a rare sight. “Don’t worry about me, I ain’t special enough for delivery.” He glances over to me. “I’ll get a couple of boys rounded up and we’ll push them through the head gate so we can remark ‘em.”

When he turns, his heeler hops up and follows, leaving Caesar laying in the grass beneath a small pine.

Lori’s fingers brush mine when I take the drink from her.

“You know how difficult it was to get out of bed this morning?” My elbow finds the fence to take the first sip.

Damn, it’s perfect.

“It was nice.” She fidgets with the hem of her forest colored shirt that matches her eyes.

I know I shouldn’t, but I reach out and slide my thumb into the loop of her jeans, tugging her closer. “It was better than ‘nice.’”

The press of her body sends a rush of blood south.

Her blushing face turns up long enough for me to brush her lips with mine before she pulls away. “We shouldn’t. We’ll get caught.”

“Worth it.” I grin. “I’m out on range all day. Ford and I are going to see if we can find any fresh sign of whomever is doing this shit.” I gesture over my shoulder to the pen of wary steers. “I’ll be back for dinner. And—” My palm finds the curve of her ass with a light pat before I turn away. “—dessert.”

Not a damn track.

“It’s like they know our patterns, Mason.” Ford tips his hat down, shading his face from the afternoon sun.

I hate to admit it, but I’m starting to think the same.

Every cow that comes up missing is from pastures that haven’t been worked. They’re in the middle of the rotation, so it’s weeks between counts.

“That means it’s someone who’s worked here or still does.” Fuck. I don’t want to think about the possibility of someone I trust betraying me like this.

It’s like being stabbed in the guts.

“I’d be happy to pay Sean a visit,” Ford grumbles.

“I know you’d jump at the chance to beat the shit out of him for no reason. But, I’m not sure if he’d know anything.” I don’t see any connection between Sean and what’s going on.

He never did come back after being gone that night though. Just called to ask me to mail his paycheck.

Maybe a conversation is in order.

“How about we go see him? I’ll be gone tomorrow, so the day after. Now, I’m curious what finally prompted him to quit.” With a grunt, I heave Hank’s saddle up onto the rail in the barn.

The last several nights of barely any sleep is starting to catch up to me.

Or I really am getting old.

“Yea, we can go. Haven’t seen that chicken shit since he no-called.” Ford leans over his horse’s neck. “I’ll check in with you in the morning about changing up assignments.”

I nod before he leaves. “Sounds good, thanks.”

My limbs tingle as I head to the house in anticipation of seeing Lori making me feel wide awake.

Who needs rest?

The waft of cooking meat and fresh bread embrace me like a warm blanket when I pull the door open.

“Hey, Dad! Any new sign?” Sophia’s propped at the table with her cast up on the chair next to her.

I catch Lori’s smile from the kitchen before she drops her gaze back to whatever she’s working on.

There’s an itch I can’t scratch. All I can think about is wanting to go over to her and wrap my arms around her waist.

“No luck.” After hanging my hat on the horseshoe hook on the wall, I sneak my palm against the small of her back as I lean into the sink to wash up.

The arch of her neck is a lure I barely resist.

“Smells delicious.” Purposefully, I take extra time scrubbing the grime from my arms so I have the excuse to stand near her a little longer.

“Thank you, sir. It’s pork chops again.” Her lower lip rolls between her teeth. “I was thinking about chicken, but I think I used the last of it in the salad the other day for lunch.”

“Sir?” I breathe out, just low enough for her to hear.

It makes all of my blood rush to my jeans.

Picking up the pot of mashed potatoes, I carry it so it covers my crotch until I can get control of myself.

This secret is getting more difficult to keep, and it’s only been a couple of days.

I need a change of subject.

“Sophia? How long is your appointment? I’ll need to let Ford know how long I’ll be gone.”Sliding into my seat, I can watch Lori over Sophia’s head as she carries the tray of meat from the kitchen.

Sawyer steps over Caesar who’s lying on the floor behind me to sit to my right.

“The nurse said they have to take some x-rays first. If everything looks okay, the cast comes off and my stitches get pulled.” Her nose wrinkles as her eyes unfocus on some vague spot on the wall. “I bet at least an hour or two.”

Great.

“But, you don’t have to stay there. I can text you when I’m done.” She picks up her fork and stabs a piece of pork onto her plate. “If you had other stuff in Missoula to do.”

I know how I’d rather be spending any down time.

“Lori?” I try not to stare when I look at her.

It’s hard not to. Her thick golden hair is in a braid over her shoulder, begging me to run my fingers through it until it’s a wild fury as she screams for me—

“Yes, sir?” Her green eyes flick up to meet mine for a moment before she busies herself with scooping potatoes.

“Didn’t you say you needed some groceries? Want to come with, and I can run you to the store to get whatever you need?” It’s almost four hours to Missoula, might as well make the most of the trip.

“Oh, yes! I’d love it if you came. It’s boring in the truck.” Sophia grins at Lori. “I’ll be stuck in the backseat, so it’d be fun to have someone to talk to.”

“Hey, what am I? Just the chauffeur?” I pretend to grumble.

“Dad, you know I love you. But, I can only hear about cows for so long.” Sophia rolls her eyes, but smiles. “Besides, maybe we can stop and get an ice cream at Frozen Bones on the way home?”

“Damn, makes me wish I was going,” Sawyer interjects between mouthfuls. “But I got to start practicing for the next tournament round.”

“Ah, yea.” I take a bite of meat, and can’t stop the groan that leaves my chest.

Fuck, it’s so good.

I don’t miss the flush of red that works its way up Lori’s neck.

“They do have the best cookies and cream.” I know I’m staring, but it only makes her blush more.

She tastes better than any meal.

“Well, I do like ice cream. And, I have a list of things to get, if you both don’t mind?” She pokes at her dish, but I can see her fighting the smile twitching over her full lips.

“It’s a date. We leave at eight.” Raising my glass, I tilt it towards her before taking a drink.

I’m tempted to wink.

“Ew, Dad. Don’t be gross.” Sophia frowns, knotting her brows. “You’re making it weird.”

Lori pales, and covers her mouth with her napkin.

Shit.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Soph. Sheesh, you’ve been stuck on your ass too long.” Sawyer tips back his energy drink and stands. “Thanks for the food, Lori.”

She nods, but doesn’t look up as he rinses his dishes, and disappears into his room.

“Anyways.” I try to dissipate the sour air with an idle wave of my hand. “Ford and I went out to the back fields and saw several of those cows that ran with those two Hereford cross bulls. They haven’t dropped their calves yet. I’m starting to wonder if—”

Sophia sighs. “See?” She turns to Lori. “ This is why it would be fun if you came along.”

I grin at Lori when she looks up, this time slipping her a wink.

Lori’s face lights up, and she smiles back at Sophia. “Oh, yes. Can you tell me about that last book you were reading?”

This time, my daughter’s face flushes with pink. “Um. Maybe?”

Lori has a little fire in her.

I like it.