Full Court Devotion (5 page)

Kazlyn
drove her
Mazda as fast as she could home to Montana. She talked to Ty for almost an hour
of the drive. He and his friend were leaving the next day for his friend’s
house. Ty’s concern had been evident as they talked through the attack and her
final exams. With a lot of prayer, she’d been able to settle down and sleep
last night. Hopefully she’d done okay on her tests.

She
sighed as she thought about Ty. Common sense said she’d only just met him, but
her heart knew she was going to miss him the next two weeks.

She
drove slowly through the Main Street of Snow Valley, grinning at the
overabundance of Christmas decorations. Some were a bit tacky like the blow-up
Santa near the town square, but she loved it. Rolling down the window, she
laughed at Jingle Bells blasting through the sound system that had been
installed for these few weeks of the year.

A
train whistle startled her and she remembered it was Polar Express Day. Her dad
used to take a break from the ranch and make the train ride a fun experience
for her and her brothers. Even when they were teenagers and completely
embarrassed to be riding, he still made them go and somehow made it enjoyable. A
tear trickled down her cheek. She always missed him, but it was worse when she
came home and everything reminded her of him.

A
couple of miles beyond town she turned off the road and made her way up the
tree-lined, rutted road.Their ranch sat on the east of the valley next to the
mountain. The sun was just going down and the snow sparkled through the trees. She
loved every bit of their land, but especially the box canyon that the cattle
grazed in during the summer. She’d explored that canyon with its stream and wildflowers
every opportunity she had as a child. Her dad would often find her there and
indulge whatever fairy tale she imagined she was living that day. She swiped
another tear off her cheek. What would her dad have thought of Ty? She smiled.
They would’ve gotten along really well. They were both teases and made her feel
like a princess.

She
pulled up to the huge log cabin her dad and brothers had built, jumped from the
car, and raced to the wide front porch without even grabbing her bag. The door
swung open and her family spilled out. Luke’s long legs reached her first,
followed closely by her mom and Porter. Luke swung her off the ground,
squeezing her and laughing before they were all enveloped in a group hug. Luke
and Porter took turns teasing her, calling her, “Skinny squirt,” and other such
complimentary names as her mom worried about her being too thin.

“Can
we go inside and get warm, then you can try to fatten me up?” Kazlyn asked.

Luke
put an arm around her shoulders. He reminded her so much of her dad with his
height, dark hair, blue eyes, and the kind of skin that had been in the sun too
long, but looked good that way. “Let’s not fatten her up. No one wants to dance
with a girl with skinny legs.”

Her
diminutive, blonde mother shoved at his arm. “Your father never minded it.”

They
all smiled wistfully. Kazlyn pictured all the times her parents would dance
around the house together.

“So,
Squirt,” Porter closed the door behind them and moved to Kazlyn’s other side.
“Any boys trying to dance with you at that college that I need to come take
care of?”

Kazlyn
couldn’t hide the grin on her face. Ty dancing with her in the park was just
too wonderful to forget. “Maybe one.”

She
glanced up at the brother closest to her in age. They could’ve been twins with
their blond hair and green eyes, except he was above average height and covered
with muscle from working the ranch. She felt the familiar twinge of guilt. Both
her brothers had insisted she go to school when Porter had to cut his schooling
short and Luke had given up his dream job, so they could run the ranch after
their father died in a tractor accident.

Only
one person a year was awarded the privately funded, Jane Miller Scholarship,
and she’d been the lucky one. Her brothers, not so lucky. But at least Porter seemed
content and happy. Luke—not so much.

“Which
one?” Luke growled. “You’re too young to be dating, you know that.”

Kazlyn
laughed. “When you finally decide I’m old enough to date I’ll be gray.”

“Maybe
then they’ll be able to keep their hands off of you.” He winked.

Kazlyn
hadn’t dated much in high school. Mostly because her brothers threatened anyone
who got too close. She didn’t mind now as most of those boys weren’t what she
was interested in, but in high school she’d felt like a leper. No wonder she’d
spent most of her time studying, reading, and dancing. If only she had time to
dance now. Every semester she found herself drooling over the dance classes
offered at the university. She promised herself for the hundredth time that
she’d start ballet again when she graduated and could afford lessons. Or maybe
she’d try out ballroom dance, Irish dance, or go crazy and teach hip hop.

“Aw,
come on, big brother, you’re no fun.” She was glad he didn’t know about the
football player forcing himself on her last night. If she had her way, he
wouldn’t know about Ty until things were a lot more serious.

“When
the right man comes along, these two will be supportive of you.” Her mom smiled
at all of them, but the look in her eyes demanded her brother’s agreement.

“Aw,
Mom.”

“No
way.”

Mom
rarely got her sons to agree, but she tried. She sighed. “Come on, dinner is coming
out of the oven.”

Kazlyn
walked into their open kitchen area with a brother on each side and a grin on
her face. Thank heavens it would be a while before they met Ty. Even their love
of basketball and Ty’s charm wouldn’t soften them enough to think any man could
date their little sister.

Thursday
was spent
tagging along with her brothers out on the ranch and helping her mom in the
house. It was relaxing to be on her gentle horse, Malia, be with her family,
and forget about all the stress of school. She got a few texts from Ty. He’d
gotten to his friend’s house safely and was enjoying the family. It was crazy
that she could miss him so much when they really hadn’t known each other for
long.

After
working all day Friday, she was half-frozen and just wanted to soak in the tub
and drink hot cocoa, but her brothers talked her into going to town for the
caroling/sing along. She showered and bundled up, thinking it was odd they
would be so excited about a sing along, until she noticed Luke and Porter
eyeing a couple of beautiful girls in the choir. As soon as the singing was
done, Luke disappeared with a hurried, “I’ll be right back.”

Porter
turned to her. “Do you want to do some shopping?”

“With
you or by myself?”

He
shifted uncomfortably and cast a longing gaze at the back of one of the girls.

“Are
those two friends or sisters?” Kazlyn asked.

He
grinned. “Friends. They both moved here this year to teach at the grade
school.”

“And
you and Luke are on the welcoming committee?”

“Trying
to be.”

“I’ll
go look through the Gingerbread Boutique. Text me when you’re ready to go
home.”

“Do
you want to come meet them?”

She
smiled. “Maybe next time.”

He
gave her arm a squeeze and rushed off to join Luke, already talking animatedly
with the girls.

Kazlyn
saw Jamie, a friend from high school, across the brightly lit square and waved.
She’d heard Jamie was still dancing ballet. She wanted to rush over and beg her
friend to let her come dance with her again. She smiled wistfully, turned, and
almost ran into a huge man. She looked up and screamed, “Ty!”

He
grinned. “Kazzy, what are you doing here?”

She
impulsively hugged him. He held her close for a minute. It felt wonderful but she
forced herself to pull back. If her brothers saw them together it would
not
be good. She crossed her arms over her chest to control herself. “Hey! You
followed me home?”

Ty
stared at her like he hadn’t seen her in a month. “I’d follow you anywhere, but
you never told me what town you were from. Do you think I waited outside your
apartment, then tracked you?”

She
laughed. “I wish you would’ve.”

“Man,
why didn’t I think of it sooner?” He trailed a hand down her cheek.

She
leaned into his palm. “Who are you here with?”

“My
friend, Jamison. He plays ball with me.” He ran his fingers down along her arm,
then wrapped them around her hand. “Can I buy you a cup of cocoa?”

She
glanced at her brothers who were practically drooling over their school
teachers. “Let me just text my brothers. Do you mind taking me home after?”

“Love
to, if you don’t mind riding in the little beast again.”

“Sure.”
She’d ride in a manure truck if it meant spending time with him.

She
texted her brothers while he texted Jamison.
Ran into a friend, I’ll catch a
ride home.
No reason to tell them it was a male friend.

They
turned toward Tina’s Place and walked quickly along the cleared sidewalk. Ty’s
strong arm brushing against her brought butterflies to her stomach. “I
should’ve asked if you’d be coming home with Jamison.”

“I
didn’t know you knew him.”

“I
don’t very well, he’s the same age as my brother.”

“His
family’s been great,” Ty said. “His mom understands why I’m such a wimp about
not going home and she’s been spoiling me.”

“I’d
kind of like to see you being wimpy.”

“It’s
an attractive look for me.”

“Anything
would be.” Kazlyn blushed and looked away, but not before she caught his grin.

He
held the door for her and asked Tina for a corner booth. The darling brunette,
who ran the café with her husband, hugged Kazlyn and welcomed her home before
looking Ty up and down a few times. She smiled coquettishly. “Sure, handsome,
whatever you want.”

Kazlyn
bristled, even though she knew Tina was overly friendly with everyone and
completely committed to her husband. Ty placed his hand on Kazlyn’s back and
escorted her to the table after responding kindly to Tina. He must be so used
to getting hit on, he didn’t even bat an eye.

Kazlyn
scooted into the booth and Ty slid in next to her. They both took off their
coats. She smiled up at him.

“I’ve
missed you.” He took her hand.

“I
missed me, too! I mean, I missed you not I missed me. Well, you know what I
mean.” She shook her head. It had only been two days, but she didn’t know if
she could stand to be parted from his grin and warmth again.

“I
do.” He laughed and squeezed her fingers.

The
waitress came and they ordered hot cocoas.

“How
is it being home?” Ty asked.

“I
love it,” she gushed. “My brothers are so fun and my mom is just baking up a
storm. Plus there’s no school stress.” She looked at their hands. “Sorry. That
was insensitive of me when you can’t be home.”

“No.
I’m glad you love it.” Ty studied her. “You didn’t mention your dad. Blake,
wasn’t it?”

The
waitress brought their hot cocoas. Kazlyn pulled her hand from Ty’s and wrapped
them both around the mug. “My dad passed away three years ago.”

There
was silence. She finally glanced up. Ty’s empathetic look had her lip
quivering. “Oh, Kazzy.” He slid closer to her and wrapped an arm around her
shoulder. Kazlyn leaned into his strength and didn’t even care that a few tears
slid down her cheeks. “I know how hard it is.” He rubbed his large palm up and
down her arm.

“You
do know.” She brushed the wetness from her cheeks.

He
nodded. His gaze didn’t leave hers. Kazlyn felt awful for wishing he would kiss
her, but maybe that was an appropriate way to alleviate grief. She hadn’t tried
it before, but at the moment it sounded like a wonderful idea. She arched up to
meet him. His lips connected with hers, sending thrills of pleasure throughout
her body.

“Kazlyn!”
Luke’s growl cut into the moment.

Kazlyn
jerked away. Ty gave her shoulder a squeeze and then released her to stand and
face her angry brothers. Ty held his hand out. “Hi, I’m Ty. Luke and Porter?”

Luke
blinked at him and folded his arms across his broad chest.

Porter’s
eyebrows rose. “We’ve got a brave one on our hands, eh?”

Kazlyn
slid quickly out of the booth and squeezed in front of him, forming a shield
from her overprotective brothers. “This is my friend, Ty, and I expect you to
treat him nicely.”

Luke
glanced over at Porter. “How many friends do you snuggle in a booth with and
kiss in public places?”

The
entire café stared at the scene. Kazlyn blushed and pivoted to face Ty. “I’m
sorry. My brothers obviously have no manners.” She cast a glare over her
shoulder.

Ty
tilted her chin up. “I understand. I have two sisters, remember? I’d act the
same way if I saw one of them with a boy I didn’t know.”

Luke
guffawed. “And now he’s playing on our sympathies. Not gonna work, buddy. Don’t
come near her again. Kazlyn, we’re leaving. Now.” He reached for her elbow.

Kazlyn
pulled away from him and stood next to Ty.

“I’ll
take Kazlyn home,” Ty said.

Luke’s
eyes narrowed. Kazlyn expected him to say something awful but instead he threw
a punch at Ty’s jaw. Ty dodged to the side as Porter grabbed Luke and Kazlyn
screamed.

“Luke!
You red-necked idiot!” She reached for her and Ty’s coats, securing her fingers
around Ty’s hand. “Don’t you touch him.”

She
tugged on Ty. He paused to pull some money out of his wallet and toss it on the
table, then walked with her passed her brothers. He nodded to Porter, but
wisely said nothing. They hurried out of the awkwardly silent restaurant and a
few blocks through the cold to his truck.

“I
am so sorry,” Kazlyn muttered. She leaned against the truck, unable to meet his
gaze.

He
tilted her chin up, dipped his head, and kissed her. The movement of his lips drove
every thought of her brothers from her mind.

Ty
pulled away and smiled gently. “It’s okay. He missed.”

Kazlyn
couldn’t help but laugh. Ty settled her inside the truck and she proceeded to
give him directions on which way to drive. The drive home should’ve been
uncomfortable, but Ty made her laugh with stories about Jamison’s little
brothers saying things about his black skin, then getting scolded by their
mother. “I guess there isn’t a lot of racial diversity up here,” Ty said.

“Not
really,” Kazlyn admitted, “You are definitely a welcome addition.”

He
smiled and ran his thumb along the back of her hand.

They
were in her driveway and she had to say it again, “I’m so sorry about my
brothers. They’ve always been overprotective, but it’s been worse since my dad
died.”

Ty
nodded. “I really do understand. It’s hard being an older brother, especially
without a dad around. You feel like you have to protect your family more than
ever.”

“Thanks
for understanding. Luke’s obviously the worst. Probably because he’s the oldest
and thinks he has to be dad. Plus, he’s been grumpy since he gave up his career
to save the ranch.”

“What
was his career?”

“He
has a master’s in mechanical engineering. He started working for Boeing in L.A.
after graduation. Then, Dad died and he came home because Porter couldn’t manage
the ranch alone.” She sighed. “Porter went to college, but his heart was always
here. Luke needs more and it makes him a bigger pain in the butt than he
usually would be.”

Ty
tilted his head to study her. “It’d be hard to let your dreams go.”

“True.”
Kazlyn felt a surge of guilt for complaining so much about school. At least,
she could pursue her dreams. “I’d better get inside before they get home.”

Ty
rushed around to help her out of the truck and walked her to the door, holding
her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kazlyn loved it, but
really hoped her brothers wouldn’t appear anytime soon.

“I’d
invite you in, but maybe not the best idea tonight.”

“Maybe
tomorrow night,” Ty said.

Kazlyn
squinted up at him. Porter was right, he was a brave one. “You want to see me
tomorrow night?”

“Of
course, I do.”

Happiness
encompassed her. Luke throwing a punch hadn’t scared Ty away.

“Is
there any place to go to dinner, besides the café? Not sure I want to appear
there anytime soon.”

“Me,
neither! Tomorrow is the carnival. It’s kind of fun and their fried pickles are
better than the Bull’s Head.”

“Really?
Then I can’t miss it.” He grinned and gave her a brief hug. “What time should I
come pick you up?”

“As
early as possible.”

That
broadened his grin. “Jamison and I have to practice with his brother for the
three-on-three tournament on Monday, but I could come about five.”

Oh,
fabulous. The tournament was a tradition every year and her brothers and their
obnoxious friend, Shawn, always won. She remembered them playing against
Jamison’s little brother, but Jamison must’ve been in that Gossner Classic
tournament that Ty had said they used to play in. Luke and Porter wouldn’t
stand a chance against Ty and Jamison. Her brothers were about to become even
more irritable.

“I’ll
see you tomorrow,” she said.

He
gave her a tender kiss before opening the door for her.

Kazlyn
hated to have him go, but it was probably for the best tonight. She slipped
inside the door and changed into some yoga pants before cuddling up with a
blanket in front of the Christmas tree to wait for her brothers. She didn’t
have to wait long. Porter’s loud truck roared up the driveway a few minutes
later. Kazlyn was grateful her mom was at the church. Every Friday night some
of the women gathered to make quilts for different humanitarian projects.

They
slammed into the house. “You meet some joker after the sing-a-long and think
you can just start making out with him?” Luke demanded.

“First
of all, stop acting like a couple of jerks and never try to hit one of my
friends again. I know you’re better men than that.”

Porter
ducked his head, but Luke’s blue eyes seared into hers. She almost felt like a
little girl again in trouble with her daddy. Sometimes, she hated how much Luke
looked like him.

“Friend,”
Luke snorted. “Some friend.”

“You’re
such a bigoted jerk!”

“Skin
color has nothing to do with this, and I am going to watch out for you no
matter what names you call me,” Luke said.