The Maverick's Holiday Surprise. Karen Smith Rose
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“Hudson, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have responded like that. I guess you just hit a sore spot. That was my rebellious teenage side making an appearance.”
He didn’t seem angry. In fact, the look in his eyes made her breath hitch a little when he remarked, “I can’t see you as a rebellious teenager.” His lips twitched up a little in amusement.
If only she hadn’t been, her life might be so much different now.
“You have no idea,” she told him. As soon as she said that, she was afraid he’d ask questions. To forestall those, she said simply, “I’d like to meet Jazzy Smith. Did she have a particular time in mind?”
“Matter of fact, she said this evening would be good. If you’re free.”
Bella thought about it. “I’ll have to call Jamie and make sure he has help for dinner.”
“No problem. Just let me know. I can pick you up at your brother’s. No reason for us to take two vehicles.”
She considered riding in Hudson’s truck, maybe finding a common interest that didn’t include diapers and rattles.
“I’ll call him now,” she assured him and took her phone from her pocket, heading back to her desk. She could think better and breathe easier when she wasn’t in Hudson’s presence.
* * *
When Hudson picked up Bella a few hours later, Jamie was upstairs giving Henry a bath while Fallon finished feeding Katie and Jared downstairs. She called upstairs to her brother that she was leaving.
Bella explained to Hudson, “Giving a baby a bath can be tricky. Henry has his full attention.”
“I’ll meet him another time,” Hudson assured her.
But Bella wasn’t all that sure she wanted Jamie and Hudson to meet. Jamie was too intuitive, and her brother would sense her attraction to the man and zero in on it. She didn’t want that happening. It was difficult enough to deal with her reaction to Hudson, let alone Jamie’s reaction, too.
Hudson easily made conversation with Fallon. “I suppose you’re getting ready for the holidays at Country Kids, too.”
“We are. Artwork turkeys everywhere.”
Hudson laughed.
“Fallon’s such a good help with the triplets because she knows exactly what to do most of the time,” Bella explained.
“Experience definitely helps when you cope with kids,” Fallon agreed.
“I’m surprised you stop in here after work,” Hudson noted. “Kids can be draining. I admire the way Bella works and then comes home and helps with the triplets.”
“It’s easy for me just to stop in on my way home,” Fallon said. “And, like Bella, I love kids.”
Katie banged her spoon on her high chair tray while Jared pushed round cereal pieces into his mouth.
“Are you sure you’re okay for me to leave?” Bella asked.
“I’m fine. After Jamie’s done with Henry, I’ll take Katie up and give her a bath.”
After goodbyes, Hudson walked Bella outside to his truck. He went around to the passenger side and opened the door for her. “Need a leg up?”
Oh, no, he wasn’t putting his hands around her waist and giving her a boost into the high truck. She could just imagine those long fingers and those big hands and the warmth she’d feel through her jacket...
Quickly she assured him, “I’m used to boosting myself up onto a horse. No problem with a truck.”
Fortunately she was telling the truth. Clutching her purse and the photo album she was going to show Jazzy and Brooks, she hopped onto the running board and slid inside. Hudson closed the door for her, and she wondered if he was this chivalrous with every woman. Rumor had it he wasn’t seeing anyone in town, but he could have a long-distance relationship with someone.
Once he was inside the truck and they were on their way, she felt she had to make conversation. Dusk had already fallen, and the inside of the cab seemed a little too intimate.
“Is the rescue ranch far?”
“Just about a mile from here.”
“You said you’re staying on a ranch.”
“The Lazy B.”
“That’s a big spread,” she said. “Any horses?”
“Oh, yes, some fine ones. Clive, the owner of the spread, has a good eye. He has two quarter horses, an Arabian, a Tennessee walker, a horse who pulls the buckboard and a Thoroughbred that was supposed to be racing but wasn’t real successful at it. She’s a beauty, though.”
“Do you have a favorite?”
“I do. The Arabian, I have to admit it. I’m used to quarter horses for cutting cattle and rodeo training. But that Arabian has eyes that can see into your soul. She seems to intuitively know what I want to do next, with a flick of the rein, with a slight pressure of a boot. Amazing, really.”
“What’s her name?”
“It’s Breeze. Clive found her at the rescue ranch. Someone had abandoned her. After Jazzy worked her magic and got her back into shape, the mare actually trusts humans again. Clive named her Breeze because she runs like the wind. She knows her name now. At least, I think she does. She comes when I call her.”
After a moment, he asked, “What’s your horse’s name?”
“How do you know I have a horse?”
“You said you liked to ride. So my guess is, Jamie has one just for you.”
“Her name’s Butterscotch. I ride her in the mornings when I can.”
“I can almost picture her. Flying blond mane?”
“You got it.”
Horses were an easy conversational gambit for them. Horse lovers were like any animal lovers. Talking about the beautiful creatures created a bond.
After a bit of silence, Bella decided to be a little bolder. “So what life did you leave when you dropped in here to take care of Just Us Kids?”
He glanced over at her, maybe to gauge how much she wanted to know. She could see his profile by the light of the dashboard glow. She imagined he could see her face only in shadow.
“I was helping a friend in Wyoming who’d bought a ranch. He needed help with the start-up.”
“I imagine traveling place to place, you meet a lot of people.”
“I do.”
“Do you make friends easily?” From what she’d seen, he did. But she wanted to know what he’d say.
“I find something to like in most people. That allows for friendship, especially if I go back to a place more than once. It’s really hard to keep up a friendship once you leave. I know the tech age is supposed to make it easier, but friendship still requires commitment.”
He was right about that.
“Have you ever been committed to a woman?” she asked. She supposed that was one of the better ways to phrase it.
“No. Never anything serious,” he answered with a shrug. “How about you?”
That was the problem with asking questions. The questionee thought he should return the favor. “Not lately,” she said nonchalantly.
“Did you leave someone behind at college?”
“No. I really had my mind on my studies, so I didn’t date.”
He seemed to mull that over, and she wondered if he’d ask more about her past.
To