Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(26)

“What’s the story anyway, Wade? Why are you and he at each other’s throats?”

He gave a crooked grin. “Noticed that, did you?”

“Yeah. Kinda hard not to.”

“Yeah. I s’pose it’s a combination of things. Dirk’s problem is mostly disillusionment. He isn’t the man he was before he joined the Marines, either physically or emotionally.”

“But you said his disability has hardly slowed him down much.”

“That’s true when it comes to the ranch, but how many one-legged rodeo cowboys have you seen?”

She had no answer to that.

Wade continued, “Dirk’s still struggling to adjust to life in general—and not making it easy on any of us. Deep down he knows things can’t go on like they used to in the old days, partly because he can’t go on like he did before. The ranch isn’t the same either, but he’s not ready to accept that and let it go.”

“And your father? What does he say?”

“He’s torn, of course. He knows how it is, but he and Mama so desperately want the old Dirk back, and the old life, that they keep hanging on, too. In the meantime, I keep dumping money into the place.”

“I can understand why. So what will you do now?”

He gave her a grim look. “Whatever has to be done. I hate to see the place go but I’m a pragmatist. I’m not going to hold on to a losing operation out of misplaced pride. We had an offer on the table. It was a decent offer. We may not get another one. I’ll try to reason with my brother, but if it comes down to it, I may have to beat some sense into him.”

“You’re joking, right?”

He shrugged. “Let’s just say all the options are on the table.”

“Really? Then what happens if he kicks your ass?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Wade rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Nikki was incredulous. “Your brother broke your nose?”

“And a few ribs, but he had two good legs then. I figure we’re more evenly matched now.” Wade cocked a grin. “But then again, I’m a lover not a fighter.”

Nikki laughed, relieved to see him returning to equilibrium. “I kinda had that part figured out already.”

“Told you I’d be happy to back up my words.”

“You missed your chance, cowboy. There won’t be another.”

Although she’d already seen enough to know he wasn’t like the others she typically went for, she still suspected he’d play her in a heartbeat if she gave him a chance—well, a second chance, given that she’d already given him the first one last night.

“You know what they say; all good things come to those who wait.”

“Never is a very long time to wait.”

He chuckled. “There’s a lot to be said for delayed gratification, you know. Given half a chance, I’d delay yours for a very long time—hours maybe.”

“That’s quite a boast, cowboy. You know what they say about the ones that talk big…” She let her gaze trail over him, allowing her shrug to speak for itself.

“It’s no boast, sweetheart.” His voice was lower. Darker. Inciting ripples in her belly. “And I’d be happy to prove it to you.”

“I hope you know you’re setting some impossible expectations.”

“So you’re thinking about it?”

He had her there. “I didn’t say that!”

“But you implied it. And that’s mighty encouraging.” He took her by the elbow before she could rebut him. “C’mon now. Mama’s likely in the kitchen. The only thing that would have brought Dirk inside this time of day would be grub.”

*

Flour up to her elbows, Wade’s mother greeted Nikki with Wade’s same crystal-blue eyes, and a gleaming toothy smile. “So you’re the Georgia peach Wady’s been telling me about.” She spoke with a distinctive Texas twang.

“Wady?” Nikki almost laughed aloud.

“No one calls me that,” Wade scowled.

“Except your mother,” Nikki said. “Do you have any other pet names for your sons, Mrs. Knowlton?”

Wade’s mother made a face. “I’d prefer you call me Donna. Mrs. Knowlton was my dear-departed mother-in-law.”

“All right, Donna. I’m Nicole, but I always go by Nikki.”

“Always?” Wade asked.

“Yes.” Nikki shot him a grin. “Except with big, swaggering cowboys, but I think you’re trying to distract me. I’d love to know what other names she calls you and Dirk.”

Donna’s forehead wrinkled in thought. “You know, I don’t recall that I ever gave Dirk a pet name. What about you Wade? Did you ever have any nicknames for Dirk?”

“Plenty of ’em, Mama, but none of ’em bear repeatin’ in polite company.”

“You!” She playfully swatted at the side of his head. Wade dodged her with a grin. “What brings such a pretty Southern girl so far north?” Donna asked Nikki.

“My father passed away. He retired up here some years back.”

“Oh.” Her expression softened. “I’m so sorry to hear that, sugar.”

“It’s all right. I really didn’t know him all that well. My parents divorced when I was very young and I never saw him after that. Still, I’m his only kin, so I came.”