Page 5 of The Texas Cowboy's Rescue

“Okay, good girl. Here we go... one, two, three.” Brooke let go, and Deke’s hands and then arms had her slender body as she latched onto his shoulders. With a turn, he gently loosened his grip to allow the child’s feet to make contact with the ground.

Kenzie released a breath and then took another steadying breath or two. “Thank heavens, Brooke. You added another year to my age. What is it you don’t understand when I say you are to stay out of trees and keep your feet on the ground? Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, Mama. And I scratched my arm on the branch before you came. It’s bleeding.” She held up her bare arm for her show-and-tell.

“I see that. And I see blood on your leg too.” The trio looked down at the limb in question.

Brooke shook her head. “It’s not mine. It’s Mr. Deke’s. See?” She pointed at the deep scratch on the man’s forearm.

“It’s okay,” he spoke up. “I felt the buckle of her sandal catch me as she slid downward. No big harm done.”

“I’m so sorry! We need to put the stingy stuff on it and a Band-Aid. Right, Mama? It could get infected if we don’t. That’s always what we have to do when I get hurt. Come on... I’ll show you our house.” She reached over and took his hand in hers. “We have a first aid kit with lots of Band-Aids and stuff that stings.”

*

Wait. Our house?Her daughter’s words mixed with observations her brain was currently making. Kenzie watched this interlude between the child and man and was caught again by the transformation in the man across from her. She noted the way the smile spread, infusing solemn features with a gentle warmth. Fine crinkle lines appeared to fan out from the outer corners of his deep cobalt-blue eyes, with long dark lashes that fanned across high cheekbones beneath the tanned golden-brown skin of a man who had a habit of being in the outdoors. The bright morning sun picked out the highlighted blond strands in the thick mahogany browns that were worn longer to curl upward just above his shoulders in back. What was this about?

“Mama, he’s bleeding. We need to clean it and put a bandage. That’s what you always say must be done when there’s blood. And then we can have pancakes, because that makes everyone feel better.”

“Does your mother always say that too? About the pancakes?” Deke was looking at Brooke with a grin having replaced the smile. “But your mom has the day off today, so I think she doesn’t need to deal with two patients. I think I can scrounge up a Band-Aid at my house.”

“But you don’t have pancakes with faces on them, I bet. And that makes you feel much better. Right, Mama?”

Her daughter was clearly not going to let the idea go.Best to get it over and done.She put a smile on her face. “It does, indeed. So it looks like I have two patients and a batch of pancakes to whip up.”

“Can I meet your dog, Mr. Deke? You said I might when we ate sprinkles at the cafeteria at the hospital.”

“You can do just that.” He made a hand signal and the large dog moved to stand at his side. Deke bent down on one knee, his hand rubbing along the dog’s back. “Miss Brooke, this is Ranger. He’s a Belgian Malinois, and we served together in the Army. We were lucky enough to retire together. He might look ferocious, and if you were a bad guy, then you’d need to be afraid of him. But he is a pushover to his friends. You can rub your hand along his back, like I’m doing right now. Want to try it?”

She nodded quickly. Very gently she did as she saw Deke doing, and her smile was huge. “Look, Mama, I think he likes me. We’re going to be friends. He’s so soft.”

“Well, one step at a time. And we need to get moving and get the injured taken care of and brunch moving along. Lead the way.”

Chapter Three

“Sorry, I havea feeling you had other plans for your Saturday morning other than having to host me and my dog.” His words were low between him and Kenzie as she stood at the island stove, heating the grill to the perfect temperature for the pancake batter. He sat on the tall stool across from her, elbows on the granite top, watching her move about the kitchen.

“I didn’t have plans to find my daughter dangling from one of those old peach trees. And I’m just glad that your dog alerted me to her whereabouts, and doubly glad that you were there to reach up high enough to get her down without anything being broken. I don’t know what I’m to do with her to keep her feet on the ground. It seems since she could walk, she has to be climbing on top of things, swinging the highest on the playground, generally giving me more and more gray hairs in the meantime. Offering pancakes is a simple enough ‘thank-you,’ and I’m glad to do it.”

“Well, I appreciate home-cooked meals whenever and wherever. And Ranger seems to be enjoying all the attention he’s getting too.” Deke nodded in the direction where Brooke sat cross-legged on the floor in the den area, and Ranger had laid down beside her, both intent on the cartoons on the television. Brooke was absently gently scratching behind the dog’s ears and the animal was almost smiling.

“Brooke is in Heaven right now, having a dog to spend time with. It’s a request that has begun showing up on her gift lists for birthdays and holidays. I’m sure there will be renewed campaigning on her part after today.”

“I should apologize again in that case. But I wouldn’t be very sincere. I think children gain a lot from having animal companions.”

Kenzie began to ladle the pancakes onto the now-heated grill. “Let me guess... they teach responsibility.”

He nodded. “Yes, there is that. But the right pet can also teach them to be decent human beings... caring, compassionate. And they teach the benefits of trust and a lifelong friendship. An added plus would be protection and peace of mind... that last would be foryou.”

“Pets can also be expensive. If I were to say yes, I would have to have that consideration... food, vet bills, even fencing. Who would look after the animal when I have to pull long shifts? Our lifestyle right now isn’t conducive to taking care of a pet.” She looked over at her daughter. “Brooke, please go wash your hands and get ready for your food.”

“Okay, Mama,” she responded. “Come on, Ranger. You can see my room.” The pair headed down the hallway.

“What can I do?” He stood from the counter stool, ready to be put to work.

“Well, we aren’t fancy around here. If you look in the cabinet beside the kitchen table, you’ll find place mats, and the silverware is in the next drawer. You have your coffee, and I’ll just pour a cup for me, and Brooke will have a small glass of orange juice. I’ll plate the cakes from here and that leaves the butter and syrups.”

*

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