Cowboy In The Crossfire(24)

Ginger walked over to where Ethan stood and nudged his hand with her nose. He looked scared but fascinated by the big animal. Blake strode over to them, his heart racing, but he forced himself to remain calm. "You can pat her nose. She's a sweet one."

Ethan reached out a tentative hand and touched her gently. The horse snorted and he laughed. "She's breathing hard."

"She worked hard to save your life," Blake said. "So did Leo. You could've been hurt."

Ethan looked down at the ground and scuffed it with his tennis shoes. "I wanted to play."

Unbelievable. He'd forgotten how resilient kids could be. After everything Ethan had been through, Blake would've thought the kid wouldn't want any more adventures. He grabbed the horse's mane. "Get on. Your mom's going to be worried."

Ethan bit his lip. "Do you have to tell her?"

"No, but you do." Blake grabbed Ethan by the waist and settled him onto Ginger.

Blake mounted the horse behind Ethan and guided the boy's hand to her mane. "Hold her here, but don't pull tight. Leo, come."

Ethan gripped the long hair and bowed his head. "I don't want to tell Mommy. I don't want her to cry again."

When Ethan was steady, Blake clicked his tongue and squeezed Ginger's flank. She settled into a walk. "Does your mom cry a lot?"

"At night. All the time. She doesn't think I know, but I hear her. She's afraid she's not a good mommy." Ethan twisted around, his face fierce. "But she is. She's the best mommy ever."

Blake swallowed at the boy's protective attitude. The kid was loyal to the bone. Amanda had done a good job.

"She loves you."

As they closed in on the ranch house, Blake could see Amanda standing near the barn, her arms crossed, glaring at them.

"She also gets really mad sometimes," Ethan whispered. He looked up at Blake. "Are you sure I have to tell her?"

"What do you think?"

Ethan let out an aggrieved sigh. Blake stopped Ginger, slid off the horse and set Ethan down.

Amanda ran to him, knelt in front of her son and clasped his shoulders. "Haven't I told you never to leave without telling me?"

"I just wanted to play." Ethan stared at her defiantly.

She sank on her heels. "You know better than to get on a big piece of equipment by yourself. You scared me."

"I'm sorry, Mommy." He bowed his head.

"I love you, Ethan. Just tell me when you want to play next time. Okay?"

His eyes brightened. "Did you see me on the horse? Her name is Ginger. She saved my life."

Amanda looked over at Blake, her eyes warm with thanks. "I know exactly who saved you, honey. Introduce me to Ginger?"

Ethan grabbed her hand and took her over to the quarter horse. As he described their adventure, Blake couldn't help but notice the awareness in Amanda's eyes or the way she kept staring at him. His body hardened, and he knew one thing for certain: As soon as she was well, he'd finally know what it felt like to take Amanda, to have her, to bury himself inside her.

He also knew another hard and fast fact: next time, he wouldn't be a gentleman.

*

AMANDA TRIED TO FOCUS on Ethan's excited chattering, the dog glued to his side. Her heart warmed at his broad movements and his over-the top description of Blake and Ginger riding to his rescue. This was the boy she remembered. Somehow, in saving her son, Blake had unlocked the fear around Ethan's heart.

She glanced over at the man she'd been forced to rely on while he rubbed down Ginger and returned her to the corral. If Blake hadn't snatched Ethan from the tractor... Her heart skipped a beat at the thought. She'd almost lost him three times in the last three days. She wanted to wrap him in bubble wrap to protect him, but she knew she couldn't.

Only one man could help them.

Blake didn't hide the heat in his gaze, or the want in his eyes. She squirmed under the passion-filled look. Her pulse leaped, her body responded, as if she were calling to him, waiting for him. She crossed her hands over her breasts and pebbling nipples. She shot him an aggravated glare. His eyebrow shot up as he scanned her body, lingering on her chest, then moving down to her hips and legs.

Ethan tugged at her pants. "You aren't listening."

"I'm sorry, little man--"

A muffler backfire sounded from a distance. Ethan shouted out in fear, but instead of clinging to Amanda, he ran over to Blake and jumped into his arms.

"Get to the house," Blake snapped, his voice tense and urgent. He hugged Ethan tight and ran behind Amanda.

She shoved inside, and as soon as Blake raced through the door, closed it.

"Turn off the lights," Blake said as Ethan clung to him. "I don't want any sign we're here."

Amanda hurried around the room on one side, flipping switches while Blake took the other, still weighted down with Ethan.

Her heart ached. Her son's message couldn't be more clear. She couldn't protect him. Or save him. Blake could.

Just as she flipped the last light, she caught sight of the intruder through a gap in the curtains. A truck lumbered next to the barn--unbelievably, a vehicle older than the ancient one they'd used to escape.

Blake leaned over her shoulder. "The Collins kid," he said. "He takes care of Maddox's horses. If we stay quiet, he'll do his thing and move on. Get away from the front windows. I don't want to attract his attention."