Donna was dragging. There was a darn good reason Casey had said to sleep when Evie did, because Evie didn’t sleep much. Although she was a happy baby, she was wide awake most of the time.

Donna sipped on her third cup of coffee while Evie lay in her rocking baby bouncer, looking at her. One of us is tired. Too bad it’s not you. She put her coffee cup on the counter. She was so tired coffee wasn’t even helping.

“Morning ma’am.”

She knew that voice didn’t belong to McLean. At least last night she’d had a fork. Now she only had a teaspoon. I’m really no protection at all. Her heart was racing, and she wished McLean was here. Somehow Donna knew he would do anything to protect her. She put herself between the stranger and Evie, prepared to do whatever she needed to do.

Oh, thank God. Her legs wobbled with relief as she saw Bubba standing in the doorway. Logically she knew it was safe at the ranch, but sleep deprivation caused her to overreact, her nerves shot and temper short. “Don’t you guys ever knock?” she snapped at him.

Bubba didn’t seem fazed at her tone and laughingly replied, “I did, ma’am. Maybe you were sleeping.”

She wasn’t amused in the least, but she was too tired to argue. Plopping down in her chair, Donna said, “I wish.”

Bubba walked over to the coffee pot and said, “Ain’t a good sign.”

“What isn’t?”

“The pot’s empty, and I had one heck of a good time at the Sass last night.”

Donna knew what that meant. Bubba was different than McLean. When he came in it was loud and rowdy, and he usually drank until he was cut off. But Sissie was good about such things and had cots set up in the back room just for guys like Bubba. He even knew which one was his.

Although she didn’t need anyone else to take care of, Donna knew Bubba wasn’t going anywhere until he had coffee. “Sit, and I’ll make you a pot.”

Bubba sat and said, “Better make it strong.”

Donna added a couple of extra scoops of coffee into the filter and pressed brew. She could tell by the aroma she may have overdone it a bit. But by the look of Bubba, he probably could use an IV drip of it this morning.

While waiting for it to finish, she figured she’d check on how things were at the Sass. “How is Sissie holding up without me?”

“She had Peg wait tables last night.”

Peg? She’s more likely to be dancing on tables than waiting on them. It was crazy that she was jealous of not being missed. She had to remind herself that Sissie had been running the saloon for longer than Donna had been alive. Why would I think she needed me?

Putting up a front, not that she thought Bubba was capable of noticing, she said, “I can see why you had such a good time last night.” Peg was probably drinking with you.

“Hell yeah, I did. Check out this shiner.” Bubba pointed to the discoloration around his left eye.

“What did you do this time to earn that?” It was common for Bubba to be in a brawl or two. When he was drunk he became a bit too mouthy. That was another thing she liked about McLean. He could throw back a few and kick back, but he always appeared to be in control.

“Let’s just say I ain’t gonna be allowed back in the Wild Sass for a while.”

No matter how rowdy anyone got, Sissie never banned anyone. She was the one who actually broke up the arguments. This conversation was waking her up better than coffee could. She poured his and held it out, then brought the cup back toward her as he started to grab it. “Only if you give me details.”

Bubba shook his head. “I’m not sure coffee’s worth it.”

“I’ve seen you drunk plenty of times. What are you afraid of?”

“That my right eye might end up matchin’ my left.”

Donna arched her brow. Maybe he’s still drunk. Holding the cup to her nose, she inhaled and said, “Smells mighty good.”

She knew she had Bubba where she wanted him. Mostly because he was easy pickings. Strong coffee or beer could get that man to do almost anything.

Sure enough, he started talking. “I guess I was drunk and dancing.”

“The norm.”

“Yeah, but I made the mistake of grabbing one of the ladies, pulling her into my arms, and giving her a great big Bubba kiss.”

Gross. Donna could only picture the woman’s husband getting pissed off. “So I take it that didn’t go over well with her fella.”

“Nah. He wasn’t around.”

“So how did you get the shiner?”

“Sissie.”

Donna’s eyes widened. There was no way Sissie hauled off and hit a guy more than twice her size unless she was very pissed off. “Who’d she sic on you?”

“No one. She did this,” Bubba said with a look of embarrassment on his face.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Donna asked as she handed him his coffee.

He took a big gulp and then answered, “Sissie’s the one I kissed. Before I could tell her I thought she was some hot, young filly, she planted a right hook here. She nearly knocked me on my ass. Then she dragged my butt to the sheriff’s office. She was madder than a wet hen. Can’t believe it.” Bubba shook his head. “She told me I ain’t allowed back until she forgets.”

“Forgets that you kissed her?”

“Not exactly what she said.”

Sissie wasn’t a pushover, so the choice of words was endless. “What did she say?”

“Ain’t allowed back till she forgets the feeling of my skinny, slimy fish lips against hers. Now that was just plain uncalled for. How’s a guy supposed to get another gal to kiss him if she goes around sayin’ junk like that?”

She could very well picture Sissie slugging him. Heck, I’d do the same. Bubba wasn’t a bad guy, but looks and manners weren’t things he could claim to have. There’s not enough alcohol in the world to help me recover from a kiss from him. Donna wasn’t sure if she found this entire conversation hilarious because of lack of sleep or what, but she was laughing so hard she almost fell off her seat.

Holding her sides, she said, “Okay, stop. I don’t think I can handle any more this morning.”

“See what I’m sayin? Bet ya don’t want a kiss from me now either.”

“Trust me, Bubba; she didn’t want one from you before,” McLean’s deep voice chimed from behind her.

With Bubba, she didn’t care what she looked like, but McLean was an entirely different story. Just because he wasn’t all that interested in her, that didn’t mean she was willing to look like a hot mess either. The last time she looked in the mirror was about three in the morning. Her hair was wild with curls going in every direction but the one she wanted. Any attempt to smooth them out before turning to greet him was a waste of time.

Painting a smile on her face, she turned and asked, “How’s the shoulder?”

He rubbed it then answered, “Don’t know what you put on it, but it worked great.”

“Good. Then I’ll see you again tonight?”

McLean eyed her up and down and she felt self-conscious. “Didn’t I bring in your bags yesterday?”

She was puzzled by his question. “You did. Why?”

Shrugging he replied, “Just checking.”

Donna looked down and realized she was still dressed in the same clothes he’d picked her up in yesterday. Yeah, add that I didn’t shower or brush my teeth, and I’m only a step above Bubba.

“It was a . . . long night.” It would’ve been much less so if she’d slept instead of taking care of McLean, but she was glad to have helped him. Heck, I’d do it every night if it meant rubbing my hands on that lovely chest of his. She felt her cheeks warm at her wicked thoughts.

“Wait, I get to spend the night in a jail cell, on a cot, and you get to sleep—”

“No!” Donna exclaimed. “No one slept anywhere.”

Bubba laughed. “Now that sounds like a better story than the one I told ya.”

Donna blushed again, and she wasn’t even guilty of anything. Only in my dreams. From the look on Bubba’s face, he believed otherwise. She was going to set him straight. “Bubba, I—”

“Don’t you have work to do?” McLean barked.

Bubba got up, put his cup in the sink, and said, “Thank ya kindly ma’am for the best coffee I’ve had in a long time.”

“Glad you enjoyed it, but I better not catch you screwing off again. Got it?”

Bubba nodded to McLean then turned back to Donna. “Don’t think you’re the only one who didn’t sleep last night.” He gave her a wink before leaving.

She looked at McLean. He did look tired, but he was showered and changed. And you’re only going to work with horses. “Is there something you need?” Donna asked, trying to change the subject.

“Yeah, but I think you need me more.”

“Excuse me?” She thought she’d done quite well on her own so far. And if anything he needed her.

“You look like you haven’t slept.”

“Is that your way of saying I look—?”

“Tired. That’s all,” McLean said with his hands up defensively.

Add grumpy to that too. Donna knew he was only trying to be nice, but she didn’t want him seeing her like this. She was attracted to him, but she wasn’t getting any signs that her feelings were reciprocated. That doesn’t mean I want to look like shit around him though.

“Evie didn’t sleep much at all last night.”

“And neither did you, I take it.”

Donna shook her head. “But I’m sure she’ll be ready for a nap anytime now.” Please, Evie. I need a shower at least if not sleep.

McLean walked over to the bouncy seat and picked her up. Donna was shocked because he didn’t seem like the baby type, but at the same time, her heart melted at the sight of this strong, gruff man holding a tiny, fragile baby. She waited and expected Evie to start crying. But McLean made some weird faces to her, and in the cutest voice she’d ever heard he asked, “What do you say, Evie? Want to come see the horses with me and let Donna get some rest?”

It wasn’t that Donna didn’t trust him, but she couldn’t let him take Evie to the barn. It was no place for a baby. Especially one that’s not mine. “I’m okay. Really.”

“I know you are, but a few hours won’t hurt any. Besides Bubba deserves to handle the workload today after what he did to Sissie last night.”

She couldn’t agree more. As far as she was concerned, he’d gotten off lightly with a shiner. If her father had been there, it wouldn’t have been pretty. Ryan had become very protective of Sissie. Anyone who didn’t treat her like a lady or got out of hand dealt with him. You’re one lucky SOB, Bubba. “Did he tell you?” Donna asked.

McLean shook his head. “I think you forget how small Honeywell is.”

That was the one drawback of that place. If someone sneezed, the entire town knew about it. Bubba was going to have a hard time living that mistake down. Part of her wished she was there to witness it, but at least she enjoyed Bubba’s expression as he relived it.

“I’ll have to call her.”

“Later. Now go shower and sleep.”

She’d spent so much of her life with her father ordering her around and trying to control her that it didn’t matter what the reason, Donna couldn’t stand anyone telling her what to do. Her knee-jerk reaction would be to tell him where he could go. But she bit her tongue and forced a nicer, more reasonable response. “Really, McLean, watching Evie is not your responsibility.”

He didn’t put her down. Instead, he smiled at her, saying, “I’m not taking over, just taking her out for a short time. Trust me, I’ll be bringing her back as soon as she starts crying.”

Donna almost laughed at the serious expression on McLean’s face. She had dated, but never had a man actually shown such care about her well-being. This sweet, thoughtful nature from a male was uncharted territory for her. Was she simply supposed to say thank you and go on her merry way? Or was a denial of the offer in order? Heck if I know. Games aren’t my thing. If she was going to allow him to do this, she needed to understand why, and right now that wasn’t clear. “Why are you doing this?” She didn’t want to hear she needed a shower. That was about to give her a complex.

McLean took his eyes off Evie while he spoke to Donna. “Is there a problem with me doing something nice for you?”

She wasn’t used to that, at least not from a man who knew who her father was. All they saw was a link to one of the richest families in the south. No matter how hard she tried to distance herself from that, it’s all they ever saw. But McLean was different. He was happy where he was, not looking for an out. Was it possible he saw her as Donna and not as Ryan Watson’s daughter? Maybe I’ve been wrong about him.

She could feel the burn of tears threatening to flow as she became emotionally overwhelmed. His only agenda is being kind?

She watched McLean put Evie back in her bouncy seat and knew her tears had made him uncomfortable. He’s leaving. I don’t blame him. I would too.

When he went around the table, he didn’t walk out the door as she expected. Instead, he stood in front of her and opened his arms. Donna looked into his eyes. There was no sign of the hard-ass she’d come to know. She wanted to tell him she didn’t need a hug any more than she needed him to watch Evie. But the truth was she needed both desperately.

Taking a step forward, she buried her face in his massive chest. When his strong arms wrapped around her, the tears broke free. She wasn’t even sure why she was crying. It’d been so long that she barely could remember what it felt like.

So much had built up within her that she’d hidden from herself. There had been a longing, a time when she dreamed, and then one day it all stopped. She remembered exactly when that happened. It was the last time she’d seen her mother. They’d fought over their views on life and love. Donna had been telling her mother about a guy she’d met and how she thought he was the one. He wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a barber.

She didn’t get the typical mother-daughter talk others did. Instead, her mother laughed and said love was a childhood fantasy. She wasn’t like her friend, and she should be thinking about stability; her little barber friend could never give her that.

Donna told him what her mother said. She’d hoped he’d tell her he didn’t care about her money or what her parents wanted. But he agreed with them, and she never saw him again. Never let anyone close again.

All these years she knew her mother hadn’t said that to hurt her, but instead to protect her. She knew there would be people who were out to use her. What her mother didn’t realize was her words built a brick wall around Donna’s heart. She knew her mother wouldn’t have wanted that to happen, but Donna couldn’t stop it. It was as though she’d put her heart behind the wall where no one could reach it.

Yet here she was in McLean’s arms, and feelings she thought she’d never have again were resurfacing. Her childhood dreams flooded back to her. How was it possible she was in the middle of nowhere, and brick by brick McLean was taking down her wall? That wall was her only defense. Without it she was vulnerable. If this didn’t stop, he could hurt her, and she couldn’t bear that.

She needed to break the connection before she was lost. It should be as easy as stepping away from him. Without the warmth of his touch, her inner strength should return. All would go back to normal.

Donna did exactly what she needed to do. Squeezing her eyes closed, she pushed from McLean, turned, and ran from the kitchen. Each step was a battle, and she felt as though she was running from what she wanted most in the world. Love.

Once inside her room, she threw herself on her bed and let her tears continue. This time it wasn’t for what she didn’t have, but she cried for what she might lose. It’s been so long since I let myself dream. I’m afraid to.

The tears continued to flow until exhaustion overtook her. Only in her sleep was she able to believe what her heart yearned for. McLean.