A Cowgirl's Secret(35)

“Dang, bud, you’re flying!”

“Slow down,” Daisy urged. “It’s too dark to go so fast without a helmet.”

“Is that a maternal thing?” Luke asked Daisy. “Seems like my mom used to do the same. Just when I was having the best time, she’d shoot me down.”

“It’s not my intention to be a happy-smasher,” Daisy said, “only to keep Kolt safe long enough to grow into adulthood.”

“Why’d you leave the party?” The question had been on Luke’s mind all afternoon.

“Exactly why you’d think. Your family understandably hates me. I felt about as welcome as roaches at a picnic.”

Scratching his head, Luke asked, “Isn’t the saying ‘ants at a picnic’?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah,” he admitted. “I do.” Was it wrong to want to mess with her? “I wanted you to stick it out, though. I wanted my folks to see you’re not intimidated by a few glowering old biddy aunts.”

“What if I am?” Head bowed, she said, “I ran into Henry today. All he had to do was say a few words and I froze—literally, froze.”

“Watch me do a stunt!” The gas lamplights that came on automatically when it grew dark enough illuminated the drive just enough to make Kolt visible when he jumped a twig. “Cool, huh?”

“Pretty awesome,” Luke called out.

Kolt jumped the twig again before racing off down the drive.

“With the ‘ears’ safely out of hearing distance, want to tell me more about your run-in with Henry?”

“Not really.” Tilting her head back, Daisy gazed up at the stars. “It’s a nice night, but I suppose I should get in the house and put Kolt to bed.”

“After that?” Luke asked.

“Want to hang by the pool? Maybe share a glass of wine?”

Yes. Luke would’ve liked nothing better. But the fact remained that he and Daisy were no good for each other. Time and Daisy’s actions had proven it.

“Sorry,” he said, “but I need to get home. Horses should’ve been fed over two hours ago.”

“Sure.” Arms folded, lips pressed tight, she nodded. “I understand.”

But did she? Despite their most recent kiss that’d rocked him to his core, she had to know he was right in staying away.

“Great. Then, ah, tell Kolt good night for me. We have a date for church in the morning, so I’ll pick him up around nine.”

“I’ll have him ready.”

“Please do.”

Was this how the rest of their lives were going to be? Short, to-the-point answers to each other’s needs in regard to their son? Luke hated it, but he knew that for his sanity, steering clear of Daisy was his most sensible path. “All right, then. See you in the morning.”

Walking away from her when she looked so alone and forlorn was no easy feat. But Luke managed, and he knew he’d be all the better for it.





Chapter Nine





“Hurry, pumpkin.” Daisy sifted through Kolt’s sock drawer to find a pair of navy ones to go with his khaki pants and cobalt shirt and tie. “We don’t want to be late.”

“I don’t want to go.” Kolt sat on the foot of his bed. He had bare feet, his shirt was buttoned crooked and his cowlick had never been more pronounced. Adorable, but not exactly the perfect image she was sure Luke’s mom wanted to present. “I’ve never been to church.”

Would the piles of guilt ever lessen? “It’s actually nice. Lots of pretty singing, and probably you’ll get introduced to lots of your grandparents’ friends who want to give you hugs.”

“I don’t want strangers hugging me.”

Sighing, Daisy stood. “Put on your socks and shoes. I need to grab earrings.”

“Why are you going?”

“Because I want to.”

Fifteen minutes later, Daisy opened the front door to Luke. She wore white slacks and a pink blouse, and she’d curled her hair and taken extra care with her makeup. “Good morning. Hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to tag along.”

“Um, sure.” Luke cleared his throat. “You look great.”

“Thanks. Kolt’s almost ready. Just finishing a bowl of cereal.”

“What kind does he eat?” He reddened. “Stupid question, huh? I find myself wanting to know everything about the little guy. He’s fascinating. Like I want to count his fingers and toes, but I guess the bus left the station on that one.”