Cowboy Take Me Away (14 page)

“Hey, Randy.”

The foreman tipped his hat as Hope passed him. “Mornin'.”

“Come on, Hope. Let's go by the house and grab something to eat, then we can go for a wander and I'll show you what I've been working on these last few years.”

*   *   *

Hope needed her head checked. She'd already decided to try to distance herself from Chase, to come on-site, do her job, then get the hell out of dodge. And then he'd gone and asked her to hang around
and
come over on Saturday night, and her resolve had just blown straight past her in the wind. What she needed was to just keep their conversation nice and neutral. Instead of dredging up the past and second-guessing herself over the secret she'd kept from him these past five years.

“You haven't talked about your granddad.”

Chase glanced at her as they walked. “We've had a rough time with him lately. Seeing his health decline has been tough.”

“It's never easy seeing them fade away in front of you.” When her dad had died, it had been like a knife stuck into her heart, twisting every hour and making the pain even worse. Growing up an only child she'd spent so much time with her parents, riding up in front of her dad in the saddle since she was tiny, helping her mom tend to orphaned animals and work in the garden. It had been an idyllic childhood and she'd adored her parents until the end.

“You're speaking from experience?” Chase's gaze struck a chord within her, his dark eyes full of such intensity it sent a shiver down her body.

She hadn't told him exactly what had happened, how she'd lost her folks, because talking about it still didn't come easy to her. “Your granddad was always like a father to you, and I know what it was like losing my dad to an illness. It's like your heart being ripped clear from your chest, over and over again.” Tears pricked her eyes. “Just promise me that you've told him how much you love him. Don't leave anything unsaid. I watched my dad get sicker and sicker, but I still left some things too late.”

Chase's arm was around her in seconds, slung across her shoulders as he pulled her in tight. It was impossible to resist him when they were close like this, when every single part of him seemed to envelop her. His scent was a heady mix of cologne and pure, hot male—not sweaty, just a musky smell that was all his. And the feel of being against him was something she'd never forgotten. Chase had been the guy who made her feel safe when they'd been out together, the man who'd have been able to take out any threat with his bare fists. She was no helpless female, but that didn't mean she didn't appreciate the kind of guy who could protect her in a dark alleyway at night. No one would ever have guessed he was a trust fund kid, because he got along with everyone he met no matter where they were from or what their background. There was nothing that had ever seemed to intimidate him, either. He dealt with his own shit, no matter what.

“We're not big on feelings, but we've always told Granddad we love him. That's one regret I won't have.”

Hope nodded, giving in to the feeling of Chase against her, leaning into his frame. She was just short enough to tuck in under his shoulder, bumping against him as they walked. If she didn't feel so guilty about what had happened between them all those years ago, she probably wouldn't have been so reluctant to connect when he was making his thoughts so damn obvious.

“You remember when I met your dad that first time? I was sprawled out on the bed in your dorm, you were down the hall in the shower, and by the time you came back he was giving me an absolute grilling. Your old man was all ready to march down to security and have me thrown off campus. I thought he was gonna knock me out.”

She grabbed Chase's arm as they walked, howling with laughter at the memory. “Oh my God, that's right! My mom walked in on him about to pin you against the wall.”

“I tell you, he was ready to have me whipped for being in his baby girl's room. And that was one fight that I was not going to be a part of.”

“Hey, I was his only daughter. What did you expect?”

“What did I expect?” Chase chuckled, drawing her even closer and laughing into her hair, a too-familiar gesture that took her straight back in time. “If I'd spent the night with you, it would have been worth it. But I'd been a fucking monk where you were concerned and I was still shitting myself.”

Hope had tears in her eyes again, only this time they were tears of happiness. “Don't act like you were Mr. Fricking Innocent,” she joked. “You would have been in my panties in a flash if I'd shown you any interest in that department.”

“Damn straight! But the fact is that I didn't, and I still wanted to hang out with you all the time.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “So tell me about your granddad. What's actually happening with him?” She still hadn't told him about her mom, about how one minute she'd been fine and the next she was diagnosed with cancer and gone within a few months. That wound was still too raw.

“He's going through radiation again, and it's fucked him. He's still this tall man, but he's not imposing anymore, you know? He's lost so much weight.”

“Does he still live here? When he's not having treatment, I mean?” She could tell how hard it was for Chase, talking about the man who'd raised him, his easygoing smile long gone.

“When he can be home he's here, with a live-in nurse, but he's been staying at the hospital for a while now. Hopefully we'll have him back soon, but I know damn well that it's probably wishful thinking on my part.” He blew out a breath. “I think the last time he was really himself was when Ryder brought Chloe back here when they were first together. It was like everything was back to normal, him having a whiskey and laughing, but that seems like a lifetime ago now.”

“Hey, if we don't have faith, what are we left with?”

Chase sighed. His body moved against hers and suddenly he pulled away. “Come on, let's grab that something to eat.”

She followed him into the house, taking her boots off when he did and walking across the polished timber floor in her socks. She might get away with wearing skinny jeans and cute shirts despite her profession, but her socks and boots were the same as every other rancher's and vet's. She wiggled her toes when Chase looked over at her, flashing her his dimple but not saying a word.

“This place is amazing.”

She'd never been inside the house, and it was stunning. Different from her family's home, but similar in plenty of ways, too. The photos that crammed the hallstand showed the three boys at every age, and as she bent to take a closer look she could see that in most of them they were either riding horses or climbing trees—never sitting still. She moved across to look at another set of photos, only this time she gasped.

“You okay?” Chase called out.

Hope straightened and hurried after Chase. “Me? I'm fine. Just looking at how cute you used to be.” Her heart was racing. Looking at those toddler photos had been like looking at pictures of her son. Guilt hit her like a fist to the gut.

“As opposed to how I look now?”

“Don't go fishing for compliments. It's doesn't suit you.”

Hope peeked into the kitchen when Chase disappeared, wondering who'd spoken. A lady with gray hair pulled back into a bun was waving a finger at Chase and it soothed the panic inside of her to see him being told off.

“Hope, meet Mrs. T. As in the one woman in the world who can keep us boys all in line.”

“Nice to meet you, Hope.”

“You too. And I sure don't envy you having to keep this guy in order.”

Hope shook hands with the older woman, who smiled as she stood with her hands on her hip, apron covering her front. There was a softness about her that was appealing, that made the kitchen seem warm and welcoming, but she was obviously no-nonsense, too, where the boys were concerned anyway.

“Let me tell you, they were little rascals when they were young. It's the reason I've got all this darn gray hair.”

They all laughed and Hope relaxed. She'd overreacted before, that was all. Her secret was safe. If Chase had so much as suspected something when he'd met Harrison she'd sure as hell know about it by now.

She ran a tongue over dry lips, pleased that her heart had stopped racing. “I'm raising a little rascal myself,” she told her. “He's four years old and already making me turn gray.”

“We just need to grab some lunch on the go,” Chase said, dropping a hand on Mrs. T's shoulder as he passed, his smile as warm as the gesture. “Enough for two?”

“There's always enough for two,” she said with a chuckle. “Especially for a lovely lady like this one. Besides, I'm not expecting Nate back for a bit.”

Hope smiled her thanks and was about to say something when a deep, commanding voice boomed down the hall to them.

“Nate won't what?”

Chase groaned, and she glanced at him before turning to see Chase's older brother walk into the kitchen. He was the spitting image of Chase, just as tall and with unruly black hair, although he seemed slightly bigger if that was even possible. Chase was lean and muscled from working on the ranch every day, but his brother looked like he spent time in the gym. He also looked like he could chew up and spit out anything that got in his way.

She instinctively moved a little closer to Chase.
Better the devil you know than the one you don't.

“Oh, hey.” His brother's face broke out in a big smile, his eyes softening when he saw her. He came over and held out his hand. “You must be Hope.”

“And you must be Nate,” she replied, shaking hands with him. His grip was firm but not too hard and he was still smiling, his eyes not leaving hers for a second. Someone had sure taught the King boys about holding eye contact, and she bet every woman they ever came across appreciated it.

“I think we met way back,” he said, leaning against the counter as he chatted with her. “Back when Chase was…”

“Okay, so we're off now,” Chase interrupted, glaring at his brother. Hope glanced at Mrs. T and saw she was struggling not to laugh, turning her back to chuckle as she finished up with whatever she was making.

“Hey, I was just getting to know Hope,” Nate protested. “You know I have a ton of questions about the AI work she's doing here.”

“Fire away,” Hope said, deciding that it would be way easier to spend the next thirty minutes with the eldest King brother than be alone with Chase. He was easy to talk to and even though he was one of the most gorgeous damn men she'd ever met, it seemed that only Chase had the ability to twist her all up in knots.

“You can talk Saturday night, isn't that right, Hope?”

She tensed as Chase's hand brushed hers as he spoke, their fingers linking before she had a chance to protest. His palm was warm to hers, fingers firm as they locked on either side of her digits.

“Don't tell me you actually said yes to poker night?” Nate's face broke out in an even bigger grin as he pushed off from the counter and reached for an apple. “You can always change your mind, we won't hold it against you.”

“I'm sure it'll be fun. Unless you guys are scared of another girl joining the table?” she asked innocently.

Now it was Chase howling with laughter. “Ouch! Yeah, that's our Nate, hates that Chloe can beat his ass every goddamn time and doesn't want another woman to take him down.”

“Hey, she's a professional fucking player,” Nate growled. “There ain't a man alive who'd find it easy to beat Chloe.”

“You're serious?” Hope wasn't sure what they were talking about or if it was some kind of an inside joke.

“Language,” Mrs. T muttered from behind them.

The boys looked vaguely guilty but continued on ribbing each other.

“Chloe is the master poker player,” Chase explained, still keeping his grip on her hand. “Nate's pissed because he can't screw with her head and beat her
or
flirt with her.”

“It's not for lack of trying.” Nate made a face. “Besides, my problem is that she has no fucking tell.
None
. It's just not natural.”

“Yeah, well, she settled a pretty major gambling debt of Ryder's by being her amazing goddamn self, and even though she showed us all her tricks when we were in Vegas, we're still nowhere close to beating her.” Chase grinned. “We love her like a sister, but we still hate that we'll never be able to win.”

“And yet you keep on playing?” Hope asked dryly. “Sounds to me like you boys are just sore losers. Either that or you like being whipped.”

“Hell yes,” Chase replied, laughter shining in his eyes as he met her gaze. “We're not used to losing and it damn well hurts.”

“Especially to a woman,” Nate muttered. Then he held up his hands, looking guilty. “Sorry, that came out all wrong. I just…”

“Want a shovel?” Chase joked. “'Cause that hole you're digging is just getting bigger and bigger.”

Nate grimaced but Hope just laughed. “I'm not offended. It's fine. You're used to winning and you're sore losers. I get it.”

“For the record, I'm all for girl power. You know, Beyoncé put a ring on it and all that.”

“Oh my God
.
”
They both raised their left brows at her when she cursed, as alike as twins. “I thought only Chase could be such a complete douchebag, but now I know who he learned it from.”

“I deserved that,” Nate said, taking a bite of his apple. “Kick me in the balls and leave me on the ground awhile as punishment.”

Chase nudged her in the side. “Come on. Now that we've wasted time on Nate, we're outta here.” He let go of her hand, leaving her to stand facing Nate on her own and trying not to laugh at the almost embarrassed expression on his face. “Thanks for lunch, Mrs. T.”