Karen Whiddon - Texas Ranch Justice

Travis cleared his throat, probably intending to apologize. She ignored him. He turned the key, started the engine and put the vehicle in gear. They headed back to the main house in silence.

Lost in her own thoughts, she couldn’t help but wonder if the kiss had affected him as deeply as it had her. Honestly, his behavior completely baffled her. She alternated between anger with him and annoyance at herself for enjoying the kiss far too much.

The truck had barely stopped rolling when she unhooked the belt and jumped out, striding into the house without a backward glance. Though technically, she and Travis really needed to discuss what had just happened, right now she felt way too frustrated to even attempt to deal with him.

Hal waited in the living room, his wheelchair parked in front of the television. His tired face lit up the instant she walked into the room, which instantly banished her exasperation.

“Hey there,” she murmured, crossing the room to crouch near him.

“Delilah said she thought she saw you and Travis go off in the pickup,” he said, smiling.

“We did.” Travis came inside, his gaze flicking over Scarlett before returning to Hal. “Since she says she’s staying awhile, I took her out to meet Vivian, Amber and Will.”

“Excellent.” Hal chuckled. “Well, Scarlett? What’d you think?”

“They all seemed...nice,” she said, aware she sounded lame but aware she had to be careful what she said.

Hal burst out laughing, which quickly turned to a rasping cough. Delilah bustled into the room. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Hal managed, trying to straighten up. “My daughter is funny.”

Behind her, Scarlett swore she could hear Travis grinding his teeth.

“I’m sorry,” she ventured. “I wasn’t trying to be amusing or anything. I didn’t actually spend a lot of time with them, so can’t really form an opinion.”

For whatever reason, this comment had Hal and Travis exchanging looks.

“It’s okay,” Hal finally told her. “Vivian can be a handful, but she has a good heart. I’m not sure about her new boyfriend, Frank, but if she likes him, that’s okay with me.”

“I didn’t meet him,” Scarlett replied.

“He doesn’t live on the premises,” Travis interjected. “He just visits.”

Despite trying not to, she found she kept sneaking looks at his mouth. The raw sensuality of his kiss had taken her by surprise. Worse, she found herself wanting to kiss him again.

Which made her think she must be losing her mind.

“What’s for supper?” Hal asked, eyeing Delilah. Since she was a nurse-type aide, Scarlett wondered why everyone seemed to expect her to cook.

If cooking wasn’t supposed to be in her job description, Delilah didn’t seem to mind. She simply smiled and told them they’d have to wait and see. When she disappeared into the kitchen, Scarlett jumped up and followed her.

“Let me help,” she offered.

“What?” Delilah shook her head. “That wouldn’t be right. You’re a guest.”

“I’m family,” Scarlett insisted firmly. “And as far as I can tell, your official capacity here is something like a nurse’s aide. Am I right?”

“Sort of. I cook, clean and do whatever I can to help Hal feel comfortable. You might call me a jack-of-all-trades.” She chuckled at her own joke. “And tonight I’m just making sloppy joes and french fries. It’s a simple matter of browning the meat and baking the fries. I bake them so there won’t be as much grease. Hal’s stomach can’t handle a lot of fat.”

“Do you use ground beef or ground turkey?”

“Turkey or chicken. It’s healthier. But don’t tell Hal or Travis. Since they run a cattle ranch, they tend to frown on any meal that doesn’t include beef. Now go back in the other room and keep your father company. I’ve got this handled. I’ll let y’all know when it’s time to eat.”

Scarlett did as she was told. This time, she took a seat on the end of the couch closest to Hal’s wheelchair. Travis had lowered his big body into the recliner and both men seemed intent on watching the news.

Half an hour later, Delilah announced it was time to eat. She’d set everything out on the dining room table, along with plates and utensils. She’d also poured four tall glasses of ice water. “Dig in,” she said, standing back and beaming.

The simple meal tasted delicious. When Travis went back for seconds, Scarlett gave in to temptation and did the same. When Delilah brought out a fresh pan of brownies for dessert, both Scarlett and Travis groaned.

Naturally, they had to sample the brownies, especially when Delilah offered vanilla ice cream to put on top.

“That was great,” Hal said, even though he’d only taken a few bites out of his food. Scarlett noticed the way both Delilah and Travis exchanged worried glances. As soon as possible, she planned to ask Hal more detailed questions and do her own research. She found it hard to believe that not a single doctor could figure out what ailed Hal. There had to be something they were overlooking. She at least had to try to find it.

After taking a nibble of his brownie, Hal wheeled himself into the living room, parking his chair in front of the television. He used the remote to turn the set on, ready to be engrossed in whichever of his favorite shows might be about to come on.

Delilah mentioned she needed to get home, so Scarlett shooed her out of the kitchen and took over washing dishes. A moment later, Delilah said goodbye and left.

When Travis appeared and grabbed a dish towel, Scarlett glanced up at him in surprise, but didn’t argue. They worked side by side in silence, she washed and he dried. The simple camaraderie of the chore almost made her think they could be friends. Almost. If she didn’t think about the kiss, that is.

The kiss. Handing him the last clean plate, she chanced a sideways glance at his profile. Rugged and masculine, he looked steadfast and strong, like someone you could count on in a storm. She’d never have guessed that firm mouth could also be tender and passionate. But why? He clearly disliked her. So why’d he kiss her like a man dying in the desert getting his first mouthful of rainwater?

He looked up and caught her staring, so she hurriedly busied herself rinsing out the sink. Should she ask? Or would that be making too big of a deal over a single kiss? While she dithered, he hung up the dish towel to dry and left the kitchen, taking the opportunity with him.

When Scarlett went back to the den, she realized Hal had fallen fast asleep in front of the TV. Chin on his chest, he looked fragile, parchment-thin skin stretched too tight over hollows and bones.

Heart aching, she sighed, catching Travis’s gaze. “I want more time with him,” she murmured.

“I do too,” Travis quietly responded as he got to his feet. For one startled second, she thought he might kiss her again. Instead, he grabbed his cowboy hat off the coatrack and dipped his chin in a goodbye nod. Then he slipped out the door to head home. He left without speaking, or even giving her a chance to ask the question that had bothered her ever since he’d kissed her.

Disappointed but not surprised, Scarlett locked the door behind him. Interesting how the instant he left, so did her restless tension. Now that he was gone, maybe she could finally relax. It had been a long day.

Kicking her heels off, she sat and swung her legs up on the couch. Massaging her aching feet, she thought maybe the time had come to invest in a pair of flats or, heaven help her, some boots. Though she adored shoes and had managed to amass quite a collection of heels, what worked in downtown Atlanta seemed foolish out here in the middle of nowhere on a cattle ranch.

Settling into the comfortable sofa cushions, she looked around the room and marveled at how quickly this place had come to feel like home. Despite the weathered furniture and a decorating style that screamed early 1980s, the ranch house gave off a genuine, rustic vibe.