Page 27 of The Texas Cowboy's Rescue

Two days later, Deke had taken the bull by the horns and called in troops. That included Jaxson and Beaudry. Sammi Jo and Laurel even brought food to grill... burgers and the fixings. Dawson and Tallie were there too. Sawing and hammering and good-natured ribbing filled the air of the late-afternoon project.

Kenzie brought out more sodas and water bottles for the ice chest on the front porch. Deke saw her and made a quick move to open and add the ice bags.

“Thanks,” she said, and her gaze swept over the scene. “Called in the troops finally. Smart move. Of course, your foreman over there is watching to make certain there isn’t anyone shirking their duties.” They both took in the sight of Brooke, a hard hat in bright yellow on her head... perched on a stepladder and foot tapping as she watched the structure going upward.

“Can I help it that this neighborhood is a very friendly place and people naturally want to help?”

“Along with bribing with food and cerveza and even getting Dawson out here to do some of his amazing culinary work on the burgers he usually serves up at the restaurant. A little outmaneuvering, I see. In it to win it, aren’t you?”

“I am going to pretend that I do not hear that sarcasm in the undertones,” Deke responded, grabbing a couple of swift swigs of water. “This isn’t a contest. At least not in the usual sense.”

“The usual sense? Care to expand?”

“It’s me testing my own abilities to rebuild trust... not just for my sake, but others too. Now I am getting that look from our Crew Chief, Brooke. Back to work I go.”

*

Kenzie went backto helping in the kitchen, but her mind was on Deke’s words and the underlying message in his gaze when he spoke about rebuilding trust. And not just for himself, but others. Who would the “others” be? Why did she think he meant her situation? Or was she just being silly? Or hopeful? Hopeful, where a guy was concerned? That thought shocked her.

“You realize that you just filled the saltshaker with sugar, right?” Sammi Jo pointed out the fact while Laurel did her best to keep a straight face.

“We get it... hard to concentrate sometimes. What with all those muscles and tanned skin... jeans and white tee shirt, giving that ‘bad boy’ vibe. He even sweats sexy.”

“Laurel... reminding you that you are an old married lady and your husband is out there and should be the only one you are noticing.”

“Relax, dear sister... I am a happily married,notold, lady. But I’m not blind.”

“Okay, both of you. I made a simple mistake between white sugar and white salt. Let’s get the food on the tables on the porch so we can feed everyone.” Kenzie used the time while the two sisters were kidding back and forth to clear thoughts out of her brain that Deke had planted there. One step at a time... one day at a time. That was her best advice to herself.

With the added help, the tree house was declared finished. The others had to leave, so it was the three of them to “christen” the tree house. Deke had placed a bright-pink ribbon across the open door archway, and Brooke was dancing up and down with excitement. There was a ladder that had handrails and it was sturdy, and she made quick work of scrambling up it and then declaring it was the best tree house in the world. It earned a major hug around his neck. Moisture was gathering in Kenzie’s eyes.

“It’s time to get ready for another day tomorrow, Brooke. Tell Deke another huge thank you and then good night. You’ll have more time tomorrow to enjoy your new space.”

Reluctantly, Brooke gave another hug to Deke and one to Ranger, then Kenzie. “I’ll come tuck you in shortly and listen to prayers.”

“Okay, Mama. This was the best day ever.”

That left the two of them... and a dog that laid down and watched with somewhat sad eyes as the small figure disappeared inside the house.

Kenzie turned and saw that Deke had taken a seat on the top step of the tree house. She moved to take the space beside him. The sun was slowly slipping behind the hills and peace was settling in around them. She hugged her knees to her chest, chin resting for a moment on them. The warmth from the person beside her seemed to filter into her spirit, and it was very nice to welcome it. No walls pushing back.

“You know you have made one little girl supremely happy. I can’t thank you enough because it is such a huge thing to her... and to me. We’ve never had such thoughtfulness. I know you don’t want me to mention it again, but it just seems that you should...”

His palm went up. “Do not finish that sentence. No payment is expected for a gift. It helped me to destress these last few days. And seeing smiles... from you both... is more than enough, so let’s drop that subject.”

“Dropped... but never forgotten,” she added, and received an arched look from him. Then that smile slowly appeared and all was well. He noted the quiet world beneath their perch.

“I’d say this is a perfect evening... Brooke might have something here about seeing the sunset from the branches of a tree.”

“She might at that. But now, her mother might not get as many gray hairs as she grows up... at least not from her climbing skills.”

“Well, I have a confession to make. Just keep in mind that you know how much of a charmer your daughter can be.”

That caught her attention and she returned his gaze. “Which little finger did she have left to wrap you around? And what did she wrangle this time?”

“I might have promised... in return for her help and being such a good pupil in her classes in the pool and all... how could I resist when she asked if she could see where her mother worked?”

“She’s been to my office at the hospital lots of times.”

---