Chapter 19
Hope knocked on the door again. Still no answer, but she could hear voices and shouts of laughter coming from inside. Hesitantly, she tried the knob, surprised when the door opened. Of course, with two grown men and numerous ranch hands around, there was no need to lock doors.
She tiptoed down the hall, following the sounds, stopping out of sight in the dining room’s arched doorway.
Peering in, Hope had to bite the inside of her cheeks to keep from laughing out loud. There, ensconced in a new high chair, like a queen on a throne, sat the most beautiful, black haired, little girl. She was gleefully throwing peas at two uproariously laughing men, dodging the green bullets and crouching behind their chairs. Large cocoa-colored eyes danced with delight as she hurled yet another handful of missiles. Screaming with delight, she clapped two tiny hands as the glob hit Kade’s chest, joining other dots of green on the pristine white shirt.
Kade ducked, but he wasn’t quick enough. Maddy’s hand drew back, and this time the mashed peas hit him square in the face.
Hope couldn’t stop the laughter as it bubbled out. Heads pivoted in her direction, and the star performer, hand back ready to throw, froze.
“She could pitch for the Yankees,” Hope said, trying to curb her chuckles.
Kade’s hand flew to his face as he tried to wipe off the stuck peas, only succeeding in smearing a green streak across his high cheekbones. Seeing Hope, his laughter faded.
“You don’t knock?” He asked accusingly.
“You don’t answer?” Hope flipped back.
The two worthy opponents stared at each other.
Just then the swinging doors at the room’s end flapped open, and Gran stepped through, stopped, and raked stern eyes over the situation.
“Which one of you is the child?” she asked in a chilling voice?
The two men glanced guiltily at each other, then pointed. “He is,” they said simultaneously.
“Shame on both of you. What are you teaching . . .” The remainder of the sentence died as a wet glob of peas hit the front of Gran’s apron, accompanied by a proud giggle. She sucked in her breath, looked at the green mess, then with narrowed eyes reduced the two men to naughty miscreants.
Both tried to hide their grins.
“Oh boy,” Declan said.
“Busted,” Kade said.
“Sit. Both of you,” Gran ordered. Then she marched over to Maddy’s chair, grabbed a napkin, and in one swift movement confiscated all the green weapons into a wad.
“Maddy,” she said sternly. “Food is not to be thrown.” Immediately, tears pooled in the brown eyes.
Declan shot to his feet. “Gran, it’s our fault,” he moved around the table, heading for Maddy.
“I’ll get her,” Hope said, reaching the chair first.
“My goodness, Hope. I didn’t notice you standing there. When did you get here?” Gran’s cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.
“Hmmm, let me see. I believe it was when the peas hit Mr. McKune’s—Kade McKune’s—face. No,” she pressed a manicured finger to her cheek, “it was when they hit his shirt. Yes,” she sucked in her cheeks, “it was since then.”
All the while she was talking, Hope was unlatching the highchair tray, and before anyone could object, especially Maddy, she scooped the surprised child from the chair.
“Here, baby,” and she grabbed another napkin, “let’s get some of that wicked ammunition off your hands and face.”
Maddy gave her a wide-eyed look and sweetly raised her face to Hope’s ministrations.
Declan stopped in his tracks, mesmerized by the scene before him.
“She doesn’t like strangers,” Kade growled.
“Really?” Hope glanced at him then back to Maddy. “She doesn’t seem to know that.” She nuzzled Maddy under her chin. “Do you, huh?”
Maddy giggled and leaned into Hope’s nibbles.
“Hope, I apologize,” Gran said. “But, I declare it’s worth it to see that baby girl take to you like that. Please, have a seat. Supper’s ready. I hope you like pot roast, potatoes, gravy, and,” she paused, “peas.”
Hope laughed. A sweet trill that seemed to reach out and run fingers down Kade’s spine.
“I love it.” Hope took a seat and balanced Maddy on her lap. Maddy snaked out her hand, and quick as a wink, grabbed a fork from the place setting in front of them.
“Oh, oh. You have octopus arms.” She deftly removed the fork from Maddy’s hands and replaced it with a spoon.
“Does she feed herself?” She asked the table at large.
“No,” Declan replied.
“’Fraid not,” Gran smiled at the pair.
“Of course not,” Kade frowned. “What do you expect? She’s just a baby.” He pinned Hope with his steely blue eyes.
She felt a chill run down her back. He really dislikes me. Why? Well, I won’t dwell on it. It’s his problem. No way was this man going to intimidate her.
Slowly, she got to her feet and gently placed Maddy back in her highchair, snapping the tray into place.
“She appears old enough. Certainly, we know her aim is accurate enough to find her mouth with a spoon. Don’t you agree, Mr. McKune?”
“Hope, you’re going to have to call me by my first name,” Declan chuckled. There’s two Mr. McKunes present, and when our brother Morgan gets here, there’ll be three. So, if Kade doesn’t mind, we’re on a first name basis. Right, Bro?”
All eyes focused on Kade. Hope’s held a triumphant gleam. Damn, he didn’t want to give her permission to get even that friendly, and she knew it.
“Kade?” Gran said softly.
“Yeah. Right,” he answered ungraciously.
“Thank you. And, of course, I’m Hope. Do you mind, Declan, if I pull Maddy’s chair alongside mine? She’ll make a mess, but let’s try that pitching arm out with a spoon and maybe some mashed potatoes and gravy, huh Ida?”
Declan took his seat, a pleased look on his face. “Welcome to the Double K, Hope. I believe you’re just what the doctor ordered.”