Page 41 of Wounded Cowboy
“Thanks.” His throat felt tight, and he cleared it before continuing.“I just want to do right by them, you know? They’ve been through enough already. They don’t need any more chaos in their lives.”
“Of course,” Kelsey agreed.“But sometimes, a bit of unpredictability can be a good thing.”
Spring shook his head, his blue eyes meeting hers.“Not for me.”
“Fair enough.” Kelsey’s gaze held understanding and warmth, but Spring still felt a pang of regret. No matter how much he was drawn to her, he knew he had to keep his distance.
“Hey, why don’t I go set up our lunch over at that picnic table while the kids are playing with the goats?” Kelsey suggested.
Spring’s parents had put several table-and-bench sets out for their ranch-stay guests to use.
“Autumn, we brought enough food if you want to join us,” she continued.
“Thanks, Kels!” his sister said.
“Sounds like a plan,” Spring told Kelsey.“I’ll bring the girls over when we’re done here.”
He couldn’t help watching Kelsey as she walked away. She was wearing a cute summer dress today, and he could see the outline of her deliciously rounded thighs through the sunlit fabric.
“She’s really nice, and she’s great with the girls,” Autumn commented softly.
Spring turned to see his sister watching him with a knowing expression.“I know what you’re thinking,” he warned.“And I’m telling you, no way.”
“Uh-huh,” Autumn said. Both her expression and her tone radiated skepticism. Then she changed the subject.“Bro, do you mind if I take some pictures of the girls with the goats?”
“As long as you don’t post the photos to social media,” he said.“You know how I feel about online safely.”
“I wasn’t going to share their photos with anyone but family,” Autumn protested.“You know I don’t post pictures of Jayden, either.”
As if drawn by a magnet, Spring’s gaze went right back to where Kelsey was unpacking the cooler bag she’d brought.
Chapter 11
Act of Spontaneity
The mouthwatering smell of the macaroni and cheese casserole baking in the oven filled the kitchen as Kelsey tossed a salad.
Behind her, Abby and April were setting the table with a clatter of dishes and clink of silverware.
Earlier that day, Kelsey and the girls had cut purple irises and pink peonies from the garden and arranged them in a vase as the dining table’s centerpiece. April had run to the linen closet and pulled out a deep pink tablecloth to put on the table. The rich hue complemented the flowers.
“Did you see how Daisy tried to jump over the new fence today?” April asked.
“She looked so mad when she couldn’t get over the top anymore!” Abby agreed, giggling.
Kelsey smiled as she listened to April bossily instruct her sister where to put the forks and knives.What other household tasks can I teach April and Abby before I leave in September? They’re old enough to help their dad out once I leave.
Thinking about the countdown to Los Angeles usually made her feel excited. Tonight, though, her anticipation was tempered with a twinge of sadness.
I’m going to miss the girls when I move away, she thought.And the rest of the Snowberry family, too. Even grumpy old Spring.
Though, to be honest, he’d been nice yesterday and not grumpy at all.
Kelsey’s thoughts were interrupted by the crunching sound of Spring’s pickup truck on the gravel driveway.
Reflexively, she checked her reflection in the kitchen window. She recalled the way Spring’s gaze had lingered on her earlier, when she and the girls visited Daisy and the other goats. Now, she wished she had worn a cuter outfit today instead of her old sundress.
But she’d been worried about dressing in anything too nice when she knew she’d be visiting the goat pen.
