Page 23 of Fool for You
“Sylas.” Abi and Cash said in unison.
Wyatt gave them a glare. “Okay, when Sylas wasn’t an option.”
Abi tightened her lips. “He’s right. Wyatt had a way with Baby Stetson.”
Rhett took half a millisecond to decide to hand the fussy baby girl over to Wyatt. He took her gingerly, bringing her to his shoulder, his large hand resting on her tiny bottom. He began to sway, a small bounce to him, and then he began to hum.
The familiar country song filled the room, his hum—like his voice—was deep and soothing as he lightly moved around the room. The solid sound coming from him was most likely causing the perfect vibration for Poppy to feel, and soon she stopped fussing and curled herself into Wyatt’s shoulder. But even when she was quiet, Wyatt kept humming.
And I couldn’t stop watching.
The sun was out again, and all the heavy snow that had settled on the ground was already beginning to melt. It snowed through my entire prep day, making it hard for me to get back to the stables to get Hook and Charming ready. Thank God for Cash Callahan. Since the plows hadn’t been out, I was home packing and confirming everything I could while Cash helped me at the stables, so when I pulled up Thursday morning, Hook and Charming were ready to go. I filled the tack with all the essentials and guided Charming in the trailer first, tying him up and rewarding him with a kiss.
When I came back for Hook, I stopped when I saw Wyatt already leading him out to me.
“Figured he was next,” he said, handing me the reins. “When will you be back?”
“Monday,” I answered, leading Hook into the trailer next to Charming.
“And you really are going to take both? You can leave Hook here. I’ll make sure he’s good.”
“You’re not stealing my horse, Hartwell.”
“That wasn’t what I was doing, Compton.” He gave a slight laugh as he shoved his hands into his coat pocket.
“That’s the second time you’ve called me Compton.” I shook my head as I tied Hook up, making sure to talk loud enough for him to hear me. “Didn’t think we were on a nickname basis.”
“Compton isn’t a nickname. I could give you one if you like, but then I’d be breaking the bet I lost.”
I jumped from the trailer, landing right in front of him, the mud splooshing under my boots. “Glad you remembered the bet.”
“Seriously, I can watch Hook.”
“I always travel with both my boys. I rotate who I ride, and seeing as I have four rides this weekend, I need them both.”
“Four rides? In three days? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Nope,” I answered quickly. “Not for me.”
Wyatt raised his brows and began to sway, his feet solid on the ground. He folded his arms as his body moved back and forth, back and forth, and damn…all I could see was him holding his niece, humming to her as she fell asleep in his arms. I wasn’t one to fawn over men holding babies—hell, I didn’t even know if I wanted children—but the sight of him being sweet…and gentle…and loving…was a side I hadn’t seen. The inkling that there was more there hit again. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad guy after all.
“I could come,” he added hastily, snapping me out of watching him sway. “To the rodeos with you. It’s been a while since I’ve been to one, and I’d like to get back to it. “
I pinched my brow, the vision of him holding Poppy vanishing. He hadn’t been to a rodeo inmonths. He was missingsomething, and I had a good feeling what that ‘something’ was. The one remark reminded me he was exactly who I thought he was. “What, so you can keep marking off those Miss Rodeos off your list?” I bit, folding my arms.
He flinched, taken aback. “Um…no. To help you.”
“Wyatt,” I sighed, dropping my arms, closing the trailer door. “I don’t need help. I put my schedule together and confirmed everything. I don’t need to babysit you while I’m at it.”
“Babysit? Quinn, I don’t need to be babysat—”
“I’ll be back on Monday,” I interrupted him. “I’m sure you can keep bribing my horse with peppermints when I get back.” I locked the trailer and gave Wyatt one last look.
Turning on my rig, I watched Wyatt in the sideview mirror, his arms still folded as he turned to go back into the stables. The image of the sweet and gentle Wyatt became clouded by his chasing girls—chasing me—helping me be grateful that he had been sticking to the terms of the bet.
Eight
Wyatt
