Page 22 of Dawn Skies (Stormcloud Station)

Which reminded her. “You know, Benni won’t take off that damn hat you gave her.” She laughed lightly, and stepped away from his embrace, putting a chair between them, needing something to stop her from reaching out to touch him again. “She even wanted to wear it in the shower this morning.”

A grin lit up his face. “Really?”

“Yes. She wants to be a cowboy when she grows up.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

No, she guessed there probably wasn’t. Certainly, if Benni grew up to be half as compassionate and honest as Wazza, there was no harm in it at all.

“I’ll be happy to teach her the rules, if you like. No wearing hats at the dinner table, that sort of thing. I did notice she took hers off when I removed mine earlier.”

“Yes, she thinks you’re the stars and the moon. You can do no wrong in her eyes.”

“It’s nice to know I have at least one admirer.” His mouth tilted up in a quirky smile that she hadn’t seen before. Amusement, with a hint of a challenge. But she wasn’t prepared to accept that challenge right now. Wasn’t prepared to admit that she admired him also, possibly as much as Benni did.

There was a brisk knock at the door, and then Daniella entered. Kee’s hand flew up to cover her heart. What if Daniella had a walked in on them only a few minutes before? She shuddered to think.

“Right then. I’ve got Sasha opening cabin three for you. It’s closest to the lodge, as well as the staff quarters, in case you need us.” Daniella shot Wazza an unreadable glance. Her straight, short bob swung around her face as she turned toward him, absentmindedly tucking the strands behind one ear. Daniella looked exactly like what Kee would’ve picked for farming aristocracy. If there was such a thing. Neatly dressed in white jodhpurs and a light-blue, button-up shirt, done up to the neck, there wasn’t a speck of dirt to be found. Unlike Wazza and Steve, whose clothes were well-worn and covered in dust. “Why don’t we get you settled? Wazza, I think Steve needs you at the stables,” she added, effectively dismissing him. Making it clear that Wazza had a job to do.

Guilt swirled suddenly in Kee’s stomach, for taking up Wazza’s time. For taking everyone’s time. And she felt an apology forming on her lips. But her friend Levi’s words came back to her. “You need to stand up for yourself more. Stopping being everybody’s doormat.” His comment had stung at the time, even though he said it half in jest, after she’d deferred yet again to Clarice’s request that Kee bring her a nice cup of tea and biscuit. Clarice was one of the animal shelter’s vets, and Kee thought she was wonderful. She had said please after all, Kee had replied to Levi, her feet already making a beeline for the kitchen. But it was on that day Kee finally realized that Clarice didn’t ask anyone else to make her a cup of tea. It was the reason Jakov thought he could treat her like he had. But then she’d shown him, hadn’t she? By taking the stand and testifying against him. He hadn’t seen that one coming. It’d shocked him to the core, the fact that she’d finally gained enough courage to take him on. But it was also the reason he thought he could take her daughter away from her.

But Wazza didn’t jump up to obey Daniella’s command straight away.

“Will you be okay?” he asked, blue eyes hovering on her face. He would come with her if she asked, she could see it in the tilt of his head. She wanted to say no. Ask him to stay. To have his solid, unwavering presence around. Because her mind wanted to dwell on that kiss. Hungered for his touch.

“Of course,” she answered, with more confidence than she felt. He needed to get back to work, and she needed to get back to her daughter. No more thinking about Wazza kissing her. “Thank you again for everything.” The smile she offered was for him alone.

Wazza snagged his Akubra from the table and put his hand on the doorknob when Daniella’s voice stopped him.

“Oh, Wazza,” she called. “Steve and I had a quick chat. We think we should keep Julie and Aaron, and Bindi and Alek, in the loop, too. I don’t like secrets between the staff. I think we should all be on the same page. Do you agree?” She glanced between Wazza and Kee, including her in the question.

Kee had no real idea who these people were. Wazza had mentioned Julie and Aaron before, and she thought Julie might be part of the family. Kee looked to Wazza for guidance.

“Yes, it’s probably for the best. As long as they know not to mention anything to Skylar or Nash.”

“She’s still quite annoyed about that. I’d stay out of her way if I were you. But I’ll make sure they know.”

“Good. See you later.” Wazza turned his blue gaze to Kee for a second, and then he was gone.

“Right then. Come along,” Daniella directed. “Let’s go and find Benni. Lunch service will be up soon. Skylar and Bindi are in the kitchen getting the meal ready. Are you hungry?”

Kee stifled a sigh and turned to follow Daniella out of the room.

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