Barb Han - Rancher Rescue

The cowboy followed.

Her heart gave a little skip at the satisfied smile on his face. She refocused on the sheet of paper. Who would want something from Leann? What file could she possibly have? A manila folder? Computer file?

Why on earth would they think Katherine had it? If they knew Leann at all, they’d realize she could keep a secret. The last thing she would do was confide in her sister.

Maybe a trip to Austin would help? She could start with Leann’s computer.

She rubbed her temples to ease the pounding between her eyes. Other than playing with the pumpkins, had Noah spoken to anyone? Had she?

There had to have been at least a dozen other people around. Were any of them in on it? A chill raced up her spine.

Caleb reappeared, holding a crutch. “I should take another look at that ankle before you put any weight on it.”

“I just remembered something. There was a man talking to me while I was in line to buy tickets for the hayride.”

His rich brown eyes lifted to meet hers and her heart faltered.

“He could’ve been there to distract you.”

Panic at reliving the memory gripped her. She buried her face in her hands. “I’m so scared. What will they do to him?”

He cupped her chin, lifting her face until her eyes met his. “You can’t think like that.”

“He has to be terrified. He’s so vulnerable and alone. I’m praying they haven’t hurt him. He’s been through so much already. I was supposed to take care of him. Protect him. Keep him safe.”

“If he’s half as strong as his aunt, he’ll be all right.” She could tell by his set jaw he meant it.

She almost laughed out loud. Little did he know how weak and miserable she felt, and her heart was fluttering with him so close, which could not be more inappropriate under the circumstances. “I promised on my sister’s grave I would look after him. Look what I did.”

The weight of those words sat heavier than a block of granite. Panic squeezed her chest. Her breath labored.

Brown eyes, rich, the color of newly turned fall leaves, set in an almost overwhelmingly attractive face stared at her. Before she could protest, his hand guided her face toward his shoulder.

“Don’t blame yourself,” he soothed. “Talk like that won’t bring him back.” His voice was a low rumble.

This close she could breathe in his scent. He smelled of fresh air and outdoors, masculine and virile. His mouth was so close to hers she could feel his cinnamon-scented breath on her skin.

She’d felt so alone, so guilty, and then suddenly this handsome cowboy was offering comfort.

Caleb pulled away too soon. Her mind was still trying to wrap itself around the fact a room could be charged with so much tension in less than a second, and in the next she could feel so guilty for allowing herself to get caught up in it.

The sounds of boots scuffling across tiles came from the other room. He inclined his chin toward the kitchen. “Sounds like we have company.”

He stood and held out his hand.

By the time Katherine limped into the kitchen with Caleb’s help, the table was filled with men. As soon as they saw her, chatter stopped and they stood. There were half a dozen cowboys surrounding the table.

“Ma’am.” Matt tipped his hat.

She smiled, nodded.

Caleb led her to the sink to wash her hands and blot her face with a cool, wet towel.

“Take my seat,” he said, urging her toward the head of the table.

Matt leaned forward, staring, lips pinched together.

As soon as she thanked the cowboy and sat, conversation resumed.

He handed her a plate of ribs and beans. She smiled up at him to show her gratitude.

He brought her fresh iced tea before making his own fixings and seating himself at the breakfast bar.

She looked down the table at the few guys. These must be the boys he’d referred to earlier.

Yep, he took care of everyone around him, including her.

* * *

WHENDINNERWASover, Caleb excused himself and moved to the back porch. Remnants of Katherine’s unique smell, a mix of spring flowers and vanilla, filled his senses when he was anywhere near her. He had to detach and analyze the situation. He needed a clear head. He could think outside.

Katherine had clearly been through hell. An unexpected death and a kidnapping within a week?

Before he could get too deep into that thought, the screen door creaked open and Matt walked out.

“Tough situation in there,” he said, nodding toward the house.

“You believe her now?”

“Hard to dispute the evidence.” He held his toothpick up to the light. “I didn’t mean to insult her before. I didn’t know what to believe.”

“Can’t say I wouldn’t be suspicious, too, if I hadn’t seen her moments after the fact.”

“I know you’re planning to help, and it’s the right thing to do, but is there something going on between you two?”

He clamped his mouth shut. Shock momentarily robbed his voice.

“No. Of course not. I met her five minutes ago. What makes you think otherwise?”

“You have a history of getting involved with women in crisis.”

“I’d help anyone who needed it.”

“True.”

Matt didn’t have to remind him of what he already knew. He had a knack for attracting women in trouble. Did he feel an attraction to Katherine? Yes. Was she beautiful? Yes. But he knew better than to act on it. The last time he’d rescued a woman, she’d returned the favor by breaking his heart. She’d let him help her, but then deserted him. He needed to keep his defenses up and not get involved with Katherine the way he did with the others. Period.

That being said, he wouldn’t turn away a woman in trouble. Did this have something to do with his twisted-up childhood? He was pretty damn sure Freud would think so.

Tension tightened Matt’s face. “Just be careful. When the last one walked out, she took a piece of you with her. You haven’t been the same since.”

“Not going to happen again.”

Matt arched his brow. “If I’m honest, I’m also bothered by the fact there’s a kid involved.”

Figured. Caleb knew exactly what his friend was talking about. “My ex and her little girl have nothing to do with this.”

“No? You sure about that?”

“I don’t see how Katherine’s nephew being kidnapped has anything to do with my past,” Caleb said. Impatience edged his tone.

“A woman shows up at your door with a kid in crisis and you can’t see anything familiar about it? I’ve known you a long time—”

“You don’t have to remind me.”

“Then you realize I wouldn’t come out of the blue with something. I think your judgment’s clouded.” Matt’s earnest eyes stared into Caleb. His buddy had had a ringside seat to the pain Cissy had caused when she’d walked out, taking Savannah with her. Matt’s intentions were pure gold, if not his reasoning.

“I disagree.” He couldn’t deny or explain his attraction to Katherine. It was more than helping out a random person in need. He could be honest with himself. He probably felt a certain amount of pull toward her because of the child involved. No doubt, the situation tugged at his heart. But he’d only just met her. He’d help her. She’d leave. Whether she was wearing his favorite color on her underwear or not, they’d both move on. He had no intention of finding out if the pale blue lace circled her tiny waist. He was stubborn, not stupid. “Nothing else matters until we find that little guy.”

“Saw the sheriff earlier.” Matt’s hands clenched. “Heard about the boy having a medical condition. What kind of person would snatch a little kid like that?”

Matt didn’t use the word monster, but Caleb knew his buddy well enough to know he thought it.