Six

Scarlett

I watched Johnny and the boys tromp down the front porch steps to make their way to whatever manly things he had planned for them. I clutched my ratty robe tighter around my chest and realized with a start that I hadn’t even questioned him about what he was going to do with my sons. It hadn’t even crossed my mind. But as I saw him smile down at them before he swung Daniel up onto his shoulders (which he probably shouldn’t have been doing with his injury, but it made my boy grin so much I couldn’t help but laugh), it dawned on me that I trusted him.

I always had.

I’d known him since we were young, but more than that, I knew, down to the marrow of my bones, that he was a good man. An honorable man. He’d never, ever hurt my children.

Once they were out of sight, I spun around and made my way to the bathroom, where I indulged in a long, hot shower before I dropped into my bed and fell fast asleep.

I woke up groggy and disoriented, my stomach growling.

I glanced at the clock and blinked the sleep from my eyes. Blinked again.

Five o’ clock.

Five o’ clock?

I’d slept all day?

I bolted up in bed and raced to the living room. It was silent and dark. I threw back the curtains and peered outside, but the yard was quiet.

I raced back to my room and threw on a pair of jeans, a sweater, and my boots, then ran out to my car to drive up to the main house. Johnny was probably pissed I’d left him with the kids so long, sleeping like a lazy person.

I threw the car into park and loped up the steps to pound on the door as I caught my breath.

When it opened, I was struck dumb by the huge grin on Johnny’s face. Something I hadn’t seen in way too long.

“Hey!” he said, swinging the door open. “You’re just in time. We were just getting ready to fry up our catch for dinner. Hope you’re hungry.”

“I . . .” My eyes fell to my two boys as they crowded around him at the door.

“We caught a bazillion fish, Mommy,” Nathan crowed.

“But mine was biggest,” Daniel added.

I lifted my gaze to Johnny. “You went fishing?”

“And horseback riding.”

“And shooting,” Nathan added helpfully.

My eyes widened.

Johnny nudged him. “You weren’t supposed to mention that, remember?” he said in a stage whisper. “Man stuff.”

I lifted a brow as I stepped inside around their snoring dog, Barkley. “Shooting?”

Johnny closed the door looking appropriately chagrined. “Yeah. Sorry if that was out of bounds, but they wanted to learn. It was just a BB gun and some old tin cans. Nothing too big.”

I relaxed. A little. “Oh. Well . . .”

Daniel grabbed my hand. “Come on, Mommy. Johnny said I get to help with the potatoes for the French fries.”

“He did, did he?” I let my son lead me toward the kitchen while Nathan and Johnny followed, obviously happy I wasn’t going to fuss about the shooting.

I watched as the three of them settled into a routine they’d already had going, preparing a dinner of fried fish and potatoes and simple green salads, and I had to admit as strange as it was, it was kind of nice, too.

I went ahead and made myself useful by setting the table, earning myself another heart-melting smile from Johnny.

“So, where are your folks?” I asked.

“They went to town to visit some friends.”

I nodded and glanced away as I realized we were alone. “That’s nice.”

We settled down to eat and I made sure to ooh and aah over the boys’ catches. I did insist on doing the dishes, and instead of hanging out with the boys, Johnny put them in front of the television with bowls of ice cream and stayed with me in the kitchen.

“Did you get some rest?” he asked quietly, handing me the last of the dirty plates at the sink.

I shot him a glance. “I did. Thank you for taking them.”

Dark eyes seared mine. “It was my pleasure. They’re great kids.”

“Thank you.”  Our eyes held a beat longer than normal, and I would’ve sworn something passed between us that felt like a bit more than friendship, but I couldn’t be sure. It was probably just me and my wishful thinking. I ducked my head and dunked the plate into the suds. “I know they love having a man to do things with.”

He was silent for a long moment and I could feel his questions in the air. I bit my lip and forced myself to keep my eyes down.

“Scarlett?”

“Hmm?”

“Was Todd—?”

Thankfully, he was interrupted when the back door flew open and his parents came in, along with a giant flurry of frigid December air.

“Phew, it’s a cold one out there!” his dad said, stomping his feet on the mat.

“It smells good in here.” Mrs. Ray kissed his cheek. “Hey, Scarlett.”

“Hello, Mrs. Ray.”

Her gaze moved between me and Johnny quizzically, but settled on her son. “Did you manage dinner alright?”

“We did,” he said. “We fried up some fish the boys and I caught today.”

Her expression beamed. “You did?”

“Yup. Delicious, too.”

“That’s wonderful.” They moved on to chat with the boys about their catch, leaving Johnny and I alone again.

I spun away to finish the dishes. I reached up to put a glass away, but it slipped from my wet grasp.

Before I could think, he zipped out a hand near my head to grab it, making me gasp and flinch, lifting my arms to protect my face in an automatic protective stance.

I let my arms fall as soon as I realized my mistake, my face growing hot as I spun away, embarrassed beyond belief.

A gentle hand grasped mine. “Scarlett.”

Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his, my heart slamming into my throat.

“You never have to be afraid of me, you know that, right?”

I swallowed hard and forced a jerky nod as tears flooded my eyes. “I’m sorry. I just . . .”

“Don’t.”

I froze at his commanding tone.

He softened his expression and I realized he still had my hand in his. “Don’t ever apologize to me. Not for being yourself.”

I frowned. “But—”

“Do you wanna get out of here for a while?”

“I . . . what?”

His grip tightened and he leaned in a fraction, making my heart do wild things in my chest. “You heard me. Do you want to get off the ranch for a little while? Go get a drink or something?”

“With you?”

“With me.”

“Right now?”

“No time like the present.”

I swallowed, taking in the warmth of his hand surrounding mine. There was such strength and comfort there, I was afraid to read too much into it. “What about the boys?”

“I’m sure Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind watching them for a couple of hours.”

I blinked up at him, taking in the ring of nearly black that surrounded his brown eyes. “Why?”

“Why would my parents—?”

“No. I mean why are you asking me out? A few days ago, you acted like you could barely stand the sight of me, now this? What is this, Johnny?”

Now it was his turn to flinch. “I’m sorry, Scarlett. I never meant to give you the impression that I couldn’t stand the sight of you.” He dropped my hand to rake his fingers through his hair, which had grown out considerably in his time on the ranch. “Quite the opposite, in fact.” He ignored my confused frown. “I just . . . we’re friends, right?”

“I guess.”

“Well, friends can go out for a drink once in a while. We both deserve a break. A clean slate, so to speak.”

“A clean slate?”

“Yeah.”

“I wasn’t aware that we needed a clean slate.”

“Well, you don’t, but I know I’ve been a bit standoffish and grumpy lately, so . . .”

I crossed my arms. “Why is that, anyway?”

He lifted a brow. “How about that drink and we’ll talk about it?”

I smiled begrudgingly. “Fine. But only if your parents really don’t mind. Otherwise, I’ll take a raincheck.”

“Deal.”

But, as he pivoted to amble away in the most form-fitting Wranglers I’d ever laid eyes on, I found myself hoping and praying his folks were up for babysitting tonight.