Allison Collins - A Family For The Rancher

She looked to see Maddy pointing at two more tables loaded with desserts: cakes, pies, cookies and a portable soft-serve ice-cream machine. The Sullivans sure knew how to throw a party.

“Come on and sit with me,” Hunter said, leading the way to one of the picnic tables.

Not long after they’d started eating, three men and a little boy joined them at the table. Each one set their plates down, then tipped their cowboy hats at her and her mother.

“Kelsey, Bunny and Maddy, these are my brothers. Kade and his son, Toby. Wyatt is the ugly one with the long hair in the middle. Luke at the end of the table.”

A chorus of “ma’am’s” echoed all around, and Kelsey was a little overwhelmed at the sheer testosterone flooding the air. Every one of them was tall, dark and really, did they all have to be so ruggedly good-looking?

Bunny preened. “My goodness. I can’t believe one of you big strapping young men is Kelsey’s patient.”

“Mom...”

“No, ma’am. That would be Nash, our oldest brother,” Wyatt spoke up.

“Is he here tonight?” her mother asked.

“Probably around somewhere.” Hunter picked up his fork.

“Uncle Hunter, did you bring the triples?” Toby asked.

Kelsey looked at Toby, a young miniature of his father, with coal-black hair and big blue eyes. Triples?

Hunter shook his head. “Nope,” he said, frowning. “Their mother took them to see her parents.”

“Who or what are triples?” she asked.

Hunter grinned. “That’s what Toby calls my sons. They’re triplets, six years old.” He pulled his cell phone out and pulled up a picture of them.

Three identical faces stared up at her, all mugging for the camera, hanging all over Hunter, who looked like he adored them.

“They’re adorable. When will your wife be back with them?”

“That’d be ex-wife.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. We were in college, she got pregnant, we married, had the boys. But realized we were better off apart. She lives in Billings and we share custody.”

Hunter had befriended her from the instant they met. Tonight she got to know the other two brothers a little better. Luke, the veterinarian for the ranch, kept them all laughing with stories about some of his run-ins with large animals. He had a quick wit and a ready smile, and she had a feeling he didn’t lack for female companionship.

Wyatt, on the other hand, didn’t say much. Some kind of pain lurked behind his hazel eyes. Just like the other men, he was cowboy handsome, although his hair was much longer than the others. But there was an edge to him, a roughness, and it made her wonder what had happened in his past.

Everyone had secrets, which of course made her think about Nash. She picked at her food, kind of hoping he would join them.

As the sky darkened, the white twinkling lights glowed like stars above the party, and the dancing started. The Sullivan brothers started peeling away, and her mother chatted with another couple at the next table.

A short time later, Kelsey excused herself and went to the main lodge to use the restroom. As she walked down the hall following the signs to the ladies’ room, she peeked into the big open room, astonished at the vaulted ceilings crisscrossed by beams worn dark over time. This room, too, had a wall of glass that faced the mountains and lake. The place was luxurious without being ostentatious, and definitely had a Western flair with dark colors, plaids and big comfy furniture.

After washing her hands, she left the bathroom and headed back outside. Nash’s voice stopped her, and she looked around for him. She sneaked a quick glance around the corner of the lodge and saw him talking to the couple Hunter had mentioned to her earlier. It wasn’t polite to eavesdrop, and she knew she should move, but was afraid they’d hear her.

“We were so sorry to hear about you getting hurt over there, Nash,” the blonde woman said.

“Thanks.”

“You doing any better now?” The man clapped a hand on Nash’s shoulder.

“I’m all right.”

“I noticed you walking with a limp—you sure you’re okay?”

“I said I’m fine, Mindy.” Nash nodded once and looked at the ground.

“Oh, well...” She turned and snuggled up to her husband. “Did I tell you my Ben is now president of the bank?”

“Is he? Then I guess congrats are in order. Looks like you ended up with the better man.”

Mindy giggled. “I sure did! I just love my big, strong, handsome man.”

Kelsey winced, and her heart hurt for Nash. Even as she watched, he withdrew into himself and stepped back, his bad leg dragging in the dust.

“I need to go check on something. Congratulations again, Ben. See you.” He turned and headed away from them.

The other couple wandered back toward the party, and Kelsey stood there, trying to decide if she should follow Nash or leave him alone. His state of mind right now was critical to the therapy process. Oh sure. That’s why I want to check on him—it has nothing to do with wanting to get closer to this ornery, attractive cowboy. Decision made, she hurried along the path he’d taken toward the barn.

The door stood open, and she peeked inside but couldn’t see much in the dim light. She finally made out Nash standing outside one of the horse stalls, his hand resting on a horse’s nose.

Seeing him like this, without his defensive posture and hot words at the ready, she hurt for him. He was a man’s man, the sort whose physical abilities defined who and what he was. And right now, Nash didn’t know who that was. When he rested his forehead against the horse’s forelock, his defeat was heartbreaking.

The horse neighed, and nudged Nash’s shoulder as if offering support.

“You wanna get the hell out of here too, Thunder?” There was no gruffness, no anger—only grief. “I wish we could.”

Guilt pricked her conscience. She shouldn’t be here listening to him, so she backed away, but kicked something that clanged.

“Who’s there?” Nash demanded.

“It’s just me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“Why are you here?” He started walking toward her.

“Oh, um. My mother and daughter are up at the party. Do you want to come meet them?”

“I’m not the best company right now. Rain check?” Nash suddenly crashed to the ground in front of her, his foot tangled up in a heavy rope. “Dammit!” he exploded, kicking at the rope.

A high-pitched giggle echoed on the wind outside the barn, and Kelsey stuck her head out the door. Mindy and Ben were headed straight back on a path to the barn. She turned, saw him still struggling to get up. Hurrying over, she knelt down to untangle the rope, but in her haste, she made it worse.

“I can do it,” he snapped, shoving her hand away.

High-pitched giggles floated again, and she reacted. Fast. She swung a leg over his waist and straddled him, sinking down on top of him.

Her move cut him off midcurse, and he stopped, staring up at her, his mouth open. “What the—”

“They’re coming.” She bent forward and latched her lips on his.

He pushed her shoulders up. “What the hell?”

“Just shut up and kiss me.”

He stared up at her as another giggle floated around the corner of the barn. She bent over again and kissed him.

It was the only thing she could think of to save his pride.

His head tilted sideways, and he kissed her back. And oh God, did he ever kiss her back. His lips were just a little rough, and they scraped across her mouth, devouring it. Tingles shot down her spine, up her legs, and swung around to pool in her lower belly.

Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.

She hadn’t been with anyone since Rob died. Didn’t want to be with anyone. But this... God, she’d forgotten how good it could be when two people were attracted to each other.