It was time to call her family. Alyssa had been remiss about talking to them and she missed them. Most days were fine but today she just needed to see their faces. She waited until she knew they would all be around the dinner table. Normally, they had a no-cell-phones-at-the-table rule, but she’d let her step mom, Ellen, know she was going to call tonight. She touched the Facetime app and connected to her step mom’s phone.

“Hi, everybody.” The phone was pointed out at the table and being swiveled so she could see each one and they could see her.

Her dad said, “It’s about damn time you called in, young lady. You can’t be that busy.”

“Oh, daddy! I miss you, too. But we have been pretty busy. They have three hundred pregnant mommas here.”

Ten-year-old Lance said, “Three hundred pregnant? Really? That’s almost as many as our whole herd.”

“Yes, little brother, it’s quite a bit larger ranch than ours.”

“With three times the problems, I would guess.” Her oldest brother Mike said.

She laughed. “You’re right about that, Mikey. We’ve had a preemie, a bleeder, and a ProtectiveMama. Plus, one of the older non-pregnant heifers got caught in a leg hold beaver trap that was on the land illegally.”

“Damn poachers,” Mike said.

“Exactly. We’ve got the first wave of two-year-olds in birthing stalls along with a couple of others. One that loves the river a little too much. They call her River PITA.”

Thirteen-year-old Beth laughed. “For river pain in the ass. That’s a hoot.”

Ellen turned the phone toward herself. “How is the family treating you Alyssa?”

“They’ve been great, mom. It’s a houseful, they’ve got a set of twins, too, a couple of years older than me.” She wasn’t about to tell them about Beau’s reception. “I’m learning a lot from the vet. He’s the second oldest son and good at what he does.” Not to mention sexy as hell, but again, something she wasn’t going to mention. “Where’s Tim?”

They all said in unison, “At the art gallery.”

“Of course.” She should have remembered that; he’d been working there in the evenings for nearly five years. “Tell him I said hi. Now, go around the table and tell me one thing that’s happened that I missed.” It was a long-standing tradition in their house to give each person a time to share and she loved it.

Lance told her all about a science project he was working on. Vance told her about his baseball team starting practice soon. Beth talked about the newest graphic novel that had been published. About four years ago, she’d cajoled their local children’s book author into creating a character named Beth, who was a heroine in the graphic novels he was just starting to write. He was still producing them and allowed Beth to participate in the plotting and beta reading. The adults caught her up on ranch business and home life.

When each person had spoken she had tears threatening. So, she told them she loved them and would call again soon. Her father’s voice was gruff when he said goodbye. Damn. Now she missed them even more.

It was still early. Maybe she should go spend some time with Tony and Emma. That might get her out of her funk. Staying alone in her room would only make it worse. She left her room in a hurry and went in search of mother and son. She found them in the family room.

“I need some Tony time.”

Emma smiled. “Really? That’s awesome. I need to run into town for an hour or two. One of my clients needs me to sort out her finances. Tony would love to have you help watch him. Mom is out with Dad. Two watchers are better than one, so if you could help that would make me feel so much better.”

“Sure, I would be happy to.” She looked at Tony. “Want to play with me tonight?”

Tony nodded and came over to her.

As Tony climbed into her lap, Emma said, “Alyssa, that is just spectacular. I made a list of his activities and if you wouldn’t mind hanging out in my room with him, once he goes to bed, that would ease my mind. My brother has good intentions, but men are not built the same as a woman. None of my brothers have been fathers yet, so they are great on the playing with him side, but not so great at the putting to bed and comforting side.”

“I understand.” That would keep her occupied and not feeling sorry for herself for a few hours. Perfect.

“Great, I’m going to go then, he’ll be here in a minute or two. Here’s the list and a bag of snacks.” Emma handed her the items and was out the door.

Alyssa started to wonder which brother she had just committed to spend the evening with when she heard Emma talking to someone in the hall. “Alyssa is going to help you and hang out with you when you put Tony to bed. The two of you will be great. Thanks so much, big brother.”

Just before he walked in the room, Alyssa realized it had to be Beau. The twins were out on pasture patrol, Drew was on swing shift this week, and she’d seen Adam dressed up and walking out the door when she’d come looking for Emma. Damn, just what she didn’t need. To spend all that time with the man. She’d been trying to avoid him in the evenings. She already spent a good portion of the day with him and she liked it a little too much, so she was trying to distance herself.

“So, we’re co-babysitting tonight?” His deep voice sent skitters of pleasure through her. He looked good with his five o’clock shadow darkening his chin. He’d obviously showered, his hair was damp, and he had on a black T-shirt and dark jeans. She wanted to lap him right up.

She nodded. “It appears so. I just needed a little Tony time and Emma was thrilled I could help you baby sit.”

“Why did you need Tony time?”

Did she want to tell him the truth? Not really, but she couldn’t think up another story quick enough, so the truth it was going to be. “I talked to my family tonight and was feeling a little homesick.”

“I can understand that. How is their calving coming along?”

“Good, actually. Hey. What happens with Tony if there is an emergency with one of the animals?”

“We call Emma and she starts back and Grandpa K is here if we need him to pinch hit for the time it takes her to drive home.”

Tony put his hand on her face. “Lyssa, we play Chutes and Ladders?”

Alyssa looked down at the little boy on her lap. “Sure, we can do that, Tony.”

Beau grinned. “I’ll get it.”

Trying to ignore the hot man, Alyssa said to the child, “Your mom left some snacks too.”

Tony clapped his hands, his eyes sparkling. “Snacks.”

Alyssa laughed. The little boy was adorable and just what she needed.

* * *

Beau couldn’t believe his luck. He’d been trying to avoid Alyssa for the last few days. They already had to work together whenever one of the cattle needed both of them, and even when they didn’t, she reported to him every night what had happened on her shift. So, that was plenty of interaction—if he just could get his mind to stop flashing pictures of her half naked in his truck. It was ridiculous, and he had decided the only way to handle it was to be a bit more removed.

But here she was, and she clearly needed to have some time to play with Tony. She’d looked so lonely and vulnerable when she said she was homesick. He would never deny her time with his nephew. And he wasn’t about to renege on his promise to Emma to watch Tony. The only reason he would do that was for an emergency. So, it looked like he was spending the evening with Alyssa.

He just hoped the children’s game would keep him from lusting after the woman. But she needed to stop laughing, because that sound sent fire racing through his blood. He went across the room to the game closet and got out the game that was Tony’s favorite at the moment.

Alyssa was digging through the snack bag with Tony. She looked so natural with his nephew on her lap, he was shocked when a wave of longing swept through him. He’d never yearned for a child before, but just looking at Alyssa with the little boy on her lap did strange things to him. Nope not going there, had he lost his mind? He pushed those wayward feelings into a box and locked the lid. Then put a chain around it with a huge padlock, buried it deep, and finally—just to make sure—he covered it with barbed wire.

Beau shook his head and started setting up the game while Alyssa and Tony finished deciding on the snacks. They each had a juice box, which to him, tasted more like water than juice, but it made Tony happy to share, so he would drink it. They had little cups filled with cheese puffs that had slightly more taste and some cookies that looked like Fig Newtons but had strawberry filling.

They ate their snacks and played two rousing games of Chutes and Ladders. Amazingly enough, Tony won both games with only a little help from the adults. But then the little boy started to fade.

Alyssa said, “Tony, let’s get you in your PJs and then Beau and I will read you a story.”

“’Kay, Lyssa.” Tony looked at him. “Horsey back, Uncle B?”

“Sure thing, pardner.” Beau took the little guy and put him on his back where he gripped onto Beau’s shirt with both hands. Beau held onto Tony’s feet, bent over slightly, and neighed.

Tony laughed, and Beau shook a bit, making the little guy squeal with laughter, and started out the door toward Emma’s room.