Single-Dad Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Chapter Twenty-Three
Zeke paced the parking area in front of the bunkhouse a little after six on Thursday night, his phone in his hand. Just about everybody was here.
Matt, Rafe and Leo were out back tending the fire pit. Jake and Nick were fixing dinner. Once Nell arrived, he’d lend a hand in the preparations, either in the kitchen or the fire pit. Might be silly to wait out here until she showed up, but he didn’t trust himself to cook or mind the fire just now. He’d likely burn the food, himself or both.
He always looked forward to spending time with her, but now that his dad had ramped up the stakes, she had become a steady anchor in a topsy-turvy world.
Tonight’s gathering hadn’t been his idea, but he’d been totally in favor. Creating a game plan for this parental visit was a practical move. Creating an opportunity to be with Nell added another positive to the evening.
He’d rather have picked her up so he could drive her back instead of following her home. But the slumber party didn’t officially start until six. He’d dropped Claire off at Kate’s right on time and then quickly come back here, thinking Nell might have beat him.
The sound of an engine put him on alert. No, not the SUV. More of a growl than a purr. Garrett’s truck came around the bend in the road and pulled in next to Zeke’s. Garrett climbed out. “Not here, yet?”
“Nope. But I told her about six. It’s not like she’s late.”
“She’ll be here.” Garrett ambled over. “I just dropped Anna and Georgie off at Kate’s. That place is jumping.”
“I imagine Claire’s a big part of that. She’s been on springs lately, between her grandparents arriving tomorrow and this party tonight.”
Garrett studied him. “How are you holding up?”
“Okay.”
“Tell that to someone who doesn’t know you. It took a good two months for you to begin to relax. Now you’re wound tight again. I hate that your dad’s doing this to you.”
“At least I’m not alone in this fight.”
“And that’s huge. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thanked my lucky stars I landed at the Buckskin.”
“Same here. Even if it was my rotten father’s suggestion.”
“A broken clock’s right twice a day.”
“Yeah. Anyway, he sent me because of Jake. He didn’t know I’d have the entire Buckskin gang watching my back.”
“Plus Nell. I’m glad you invited her tonight.”
“Seemed like the thing to do, considering how she feels about Claire.”
“And you.”
Guilt pricked him. “I think a lot of her, too.” He nudged a pebble with the toe of his boot.
“Too bad you can’t see more of each other.”
“Uh-huh.”
“There is a solution, you know.”
He glanced up. “Have you been talking to Henri?”
“About what?”
“She’s offered to rent a guest cabin to Nell at whatever rate she’s paying for her house in town. Did you suggest—”
“I did not. It’s news to me. I was thinking you and Claire could move to Nell’s house, but I like this option better.”
“I’m not in favor of either one. I’d never ask Claire to move to town.”
“But this way she wouldn’t have to.”
“No, she’d end up leaving the bunkhouse and she’s in heaven there. Nell loves that she’s within walking distance of her school. They both have the perfect setup. I’m not messing with that.”
Garrett smiled. “Because you’re not desperate enough, yet.”
“Sometimes I am. But then I think of what’s best for Claire and Nell. That cools my jets.”
“I’ll check in with you in a week or so. See if your jets are still cool.”
“They will be.”
Garrett gave him a knowing look. “Don’t forget, I’ve been where you are and I’ve been where you’re gonna be before long. I can see the signs.”
“Maybe I’m more mentally tough than you.” And more paranoid about making that kind of far-reaching decision.
“Maybe you are tougher than I am. But it’s easy to talk big when she’s not standing right in front of you. And speaking of that, I hear her car.”
He did, too. Adrenaline pumped through his system.
“I’ll leave so you can have a little time alone with her. I should help cook, anyway.”
“Thanks, buddy.”
As Garrett headed inside, Nell’s white SUV came around the bend. He beckoned her over to a parking spot where she wouldn’t get blocked in.
By the time she’d shut off the motor, he had her door open. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself.” She flipped open the buckle of her seatbelt and slid out of the car into his outstretched arms. “God, I’ve missed—”
He cut her off with a kiss that made him groan with its sweetness. How had he lasted since Saturday morning without this? It’s easy to talk big when she’s not standing right in front of you. And kissing the heck out of him.
Winding her arms around his neck, she leaned in close and slackened her jaw. He thrust his tongue into her hot mouth and his hand into the wild luxury of her unbound hair. He was instantly aroused. Insanity. They probably shouldn’t be doing this, but he couldn’t seem to stop. She tasted like—
She wiggled away from him, her breathing ragged. “I hear a truck.”
He did, too, damn it. “CJ.” Did they have time to slip into the stand of pines nearby? He wasn’t ready to stop kissing her. Not yet. He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go over—”
Resisting him, she smiled. “Hearing the truck reminds me that I’m not here to make out with you.”
He sighed. She’d worn the pretty flowered dress and soft white sweater from the day of the field trip. He wanted that tempting body pressed against him one more time.
“You should see your face.” Her smile broadened into a grin. “You look like one of my third graders after his scoop of ice cream fell off the cone onto the sidewalk.”
“Which is exactly how I feel.” He squeezed her hand and let go. “And I haven’t had that particular flavor of ice cream for a very long time.”
“Five days.”
“Five days, twelve hours and…” He glanced at the phone still in his hand. “Forty-seven minutes.” He looked up. “Not that I’ve been counting.”
“And if your parents weren’t coming tomorrow, we wouldn’t be able to—”
“I know. It’s called making lemonade out of lemons.” He turned as CJ’s truck pulled in. “That’s the last member of the Brotherhood. Let’s get this party started.”
When they walked over to greet CJ, he regarded them with a twinkle in his gaze. “A bit of lipstick transfer going on there, kids.”
Zeke rubbed his mouth. “Is it gone?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t much, but I have an eye for those things.” He started toward the front door.
“You and the entire Brotherhood.” Zeke put his arm around Nell’s waist as they followed CJ. “Judging from the stories, you guys were merciless when you all lived in the bunkhouse. A guy couldn’t get away with anything.”
“Neither can you,” CJ said. “You might not have us living with you, but you have Claire.”
“Isn’t that the truth.” He made a mental note to tell Nell about the peanut butter. It would make her laugh.
He ushered her into the bunkhouse just as Jake, Nick and Garrett announced that dinner was ready. He and Nell helped them carry the feast out to the table near the fire pit.
When the Buckskin women were involved in a summer gathering, bouquets of flowers decorated the table. CJ brought out his guitar and Leo set up his projectors to fill the trees with sparkling lights.
Even without all that, Nell commented on how cozy everything looked with the fire, the table loaded with food and the semi-circle of Adirondack chairs waiting for them when they finished their meal.
“Usually it’s a little more festive out here,” Zeke said. “But tonight’s more like a business meeting.”
“Serious business, little brother.” Jake set a huge platter of fried chicken in the middle of the table.
“Then why didn’t you invite the Babes? I figured if you needed them here back in February to sort out Garrett’s situation, you’d want them here tonight.”
“We considered it.” Matt tossed one more log on the fire, picked up his bottle of cider from a chummy stump and walked over to the table. “But having the Babes requires going full out and we didn’t feel like we have the bandwidth.”
“And sometimes,” Jake added, “you get more ideas if each group deliberates separately. On top of that, they love their monthly bash. They might even get inspired during their karaoke session.”
“Their what?” Nell stared at Jake.
“I keep forgetting you don’t know these things, Nell. My apologies. Ever since Charley died, they’ve met once a month, usually on Thursday night, to eat and drink whatever they feel like and sing karaoke.”
“I definitely hadn’t heard that. I’m surprised Claire didn’t tell me.”
“Oh, she wouldn’t,” Jake said. “It’s privileged info, only known by the inner circle.”
“Am I part of the inner circle, now?”
Jake smiled at her. “Yes, ma’am. Welcome to the Buckskin gang.”
“Wow. Thank you.”
Zeke suffered another stab of guilt at the delight in her voice. She was thrilled to be included. Clearly it was because of her connection to him, even though he’d staked no claim, made no promises.
He had, however, asked her to be here tonight. Evidently the Brotherhood had looked at that and figured it was a sign that she belonged in the group. Henri’s offer of a cabin could have stemmed from the same thing. He was glad she was here, but the implications had sailed right over his clueless head.
When they took their places on the picnic benches on either side of the table, he grabbed the end seat, putting him on Nell’s right. Jake sat on her left. Zeke glanced over at him. “Did you ask Millie if she wanted to come?”
“I did.” Jake dished himself potato salad and passed the bowl to Nell. “But she’s too angry to discuss the problem without blowing up. It’s not fair to say all redheads have a temper, but Millie fits the profile.”
Matt laughed and helped himself to some chicken. “I’ll vouch for that. Probably wise of her not to come. We need to assess this as calmly as we can. I doubt it’ll be easy for either you or Zeke, but we’re gonna give it our best shot.”
“And I appreciate that.” Zeke put food on his plate, although his appetite was gone.
“The bottom line is Claire,” Jake said. “What I feel about this is secondary.”
“Agreed.” Zeke took a deep breath and let it out, trying to ease the tension bottled up inside him. “But I need to get this off my chest. That bastard is counting on us to welcome him, or at least tolerate him because we love Claire. He’s using our devotion to her to get what he wants, a visit with his grandchild. I thought I couldn’t hate him any more than do, but I was wrong.”
