Page 35 of The Rancher's Secret Son

“I’m glad, Nick, but we have a lot to work out between us.”

He nodded. “If we don’t go to dinner, I still would like to spend some time next week with Cody. I want to see him again. Pick a time. I can stay in Houston at a hotel and keep him there with me or just come see him each day and take him out.”

“That would probably work best at this point. Eventually, I know we’ll have to work out a regular arrangement, but please, not this soon.”

He nodded. “I’ll come Tuesday and stay at a hotel and you’ll barely see me.”

“I think that’s best,” she said, hurting all over and knowing even bigger hurts were coming.

“Want something to drink before we eat? I’m having a beer.”

“Just ice water.”

When he got up to get the drinks, she looked around, seeing some family pictures in a frame. Her eyes were drawn to one in particular—a shot of Nick and his brothers and their father. She remembered what he’d told her about the men in his family. “Nick, you’ve told me about the Milan family legend that each male had to go into the field of law or his family faced disaster.”

“It was never clear what kind of disaster, and I don’t think we were all pushed toward law because of the legend as much as Dad wanting us in that field since he loved it. The legend goes back too far for anyone to have heard about a time it didn’t exist or how it got started.”

“You sort of made light of it, but your dad, your brothers and you all studied law. If I remember correctly, your youngest brother was a practicing lawyer.”

He walked over with their drinks. “Tony? Yeah, for about ten minutes. He got a law degree, graduated, went to work for a law firm for one year, quit and moved back to his ranch and there he is and he will always be.” He shrugged. “It’s an old legend, but I don’t give it much credence. I don’t think any Milan really does any longer. Madison was always talented in art and no one has ever pushed any of the females into law.”

“That’s good to hear. I wondered whether you would be pushing Cody someday to go to law school.”

“Never. Cody can do what he wants. My dad wanted us to be lawyers, but it wasn’t because of that legend.” Nick squeezed her hand lightly and smiled at her. “Don’t give that another thought. I promise, no pushing from me to get Cody to study law because of a legend or any other reason.”

“That makes me feel better. You’re his dad and you’re in his life now, so I’m glad to hear your views on it.”

“We’ve had some family legends that have come true. I guess some are based on fact, but no one knows the history of this Milan legend. Probably originated by a Calhoun to cause trouble.”

Knowing he was joking, she smiled. “The old feud ought to be dying.”

“For some of us, that Milan-Calhoun feud is out of date and should end. Madison has married a Calhoun and so has Wyatt. Wyatt’s wife is from another branch of the Calhoun family. You’ll meet Milans and Calhouns at the family gathering Saturday night. If anyone keeps the feud alive, it’s Tony, who fights with his Calhoun neighbor.”

“I’m looking forward to Saturday night. Wyatt was a hit today with Cody. He wanted to wear his badge to bed, but I was afraid it would stick him. He thought Uncle Wyatt was super.”

“What kid wouldn’t? He’s a sheriff. Much more exciting than my profession.”

“I have to agree with you on that one.”

Nick grinned at her. “I walked into that, didn’t I?”

She laughed. “Even in the winter it’s beautiful out here, Nick. The sunset was gorgeous. Now I know why you love to come to the ranch.”

“I do,” he said. “I just don’t have time for it.” He turned to look at her, and the look he gave her told her she was in trouble.

* * *

He couldn’t resist her any longer. He’d been trying to rein himself in all day, but he was losing the battle. “Claire.” He turned his chair and moved closer, reaching over to pick her up and place her on his lap. “This has been such a good day. I want to hold you,” he said in a deep voice.

He heard her intake of breath. “Nick, you’re borrowing trouble,” she whispered, placing her hands against his chest as if she intended to push him away, but she applied no pressure.

He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her closer, his gaze going to her mouth. As he took her hand he could feel her pulse race and his jumped. He leaned closer and gave in to the temptation. He kissed her.

Her hands slipped up his chest and around his neck. She clung to him and kissed him back, and he leaned over her, kissing her hard, letting go pent-up longings, kissing her as he had wanted to since she had stepped off the plane.

He could feel her heart pounding now. He shifted to cradle her against his shoulder and poured himself into kissing her, wanting to feel alive, to make her respond the way she used to respond to him.

Her soft moan set him ablaze. She hadn’t stopped him as he thought she might. Far from it. Instead she kissed him passionately, her fingers winding in the hair at the back of his neck. Gone were her coolness, the resentment over the past. For a moment they were simply a man and woman physically drawn to each other, wanting to feel alive and good with each other once again.

---