Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)(47)

Normally she couldn’t give a rip what other people thought about her, but it bothered her to think they were feeling sorry for Hayden because of her actions—or lack thereof.


“If you have things to do today, Red, I can run Hayden home after the movie. No big deal.”


No big deal. Maybe not to Kane, but it was to her. Rather than snapping at him, Ginger stuffed the entire brownie in her mouth. She chewed. And chewed.


And chewed.


Dammit. It hadn’t looked that big on the napkin.


Kane stepped in front of her. “What’s wrong?”


She pointed to her mouth and chewed. Then she took a swig of the punch and about gagged. She hated lime sherbet and mixed with 7-Up? It tasted like pond scum. She swallowed the sticky lump, but she still had to clear her throat several times. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m taking Hayden with me.”


“Why?”


“I don’t have to explain my reasons to you, Kane.”


“Yes, you do, when he’s looked forward to this movie day for the last couple weeks.”


Why hadn’t she known that about her son? Ginger hated to be on the defensive and her first response was always to lash out. “I’m Hayden’s parent, you aren’t.”


His blue eyes turned ice cold.


But she’d stepped in it too deeply to back down. “I’ve been working late nights this week. I’ve barely seen him so I planned something special for the two of us. Besides, it seems you’ve already lined up an after-party movie date with Lock and Daphne. I wouldn’t want Hayden to be a third wheel.”


“Don’t punish Hayden for your jealousy.”


“Me? Jealous? Please.”


“Daphne is an annoyance to me. That’s all. But you? You, are…” He snarled, “If I wasn’t tryin’ so goddamn hard to keep my cool right now…”


“You’d what?” she taunted.


His voice dropped to a low rumble. “I’d throw you over my shoulder, take you home and spank you.”


The gleam in his eye suggested his idea of spanking would only have the slightest playful edge.


Something warm and liquid pooled in her belly, despite the anger still lingering in the air between them.


Kane stepped back and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Look. Whatever you decide to do, at least let Hayden stay for the contest announcement winners.”


“Fine.”


“And, counselor?”


“What?”


His gaze landed on her mouth. “You’ve got brownie in your teeth.”


Damn man. At least he hadn’t pointed out her food avoidance tactic again.


After a quick trip to the bathroom to remove the brownie evidence, Ginger struck up a conversation with Hayden’s first grade teacher. She ignored Kane McKay, although it was difficult with the way Hayden was practically hanging off him.


Maybe Hayden had gotten the idea from Daphne.


Ooh. Double snap.


The announcement of the contest winners quieted the room. Hayden won third place and a red ribbon.


Two older kids took the top spots. A lot older. How long were boys allowed to remain in the Little Buddies program anyway? She’d never thought to ask and wow, did that make her feel even more out of the loop.


Hayden bounded over, waving his ribbon, Kane meandering behind him. “I got third!”


“I see. That’s awesome. I’m proud of you. Grandpa will be excited for you too.”


“Are we staying for the movie?” he asked.


“No.”


“But—”


“If you argue, maybe I won’t take you to Spearfish.”


His eyes widened beneath his glasses. “I didn’t know we were going to Spearfish.”


Neither did I. “That’s because it’s a surprise.”


Hayden looked torn. He glanced at the volunteers setting up the movie screen and the chairs, then at Kane. Then back at her.


Kane put his hand on Hayden’s shoulder. “Go on and have a good time with your mom. She mentioned she’d worked late all week and she was lookin’ forward to spendin’ time with you. We can catch the next movie, okay?”


“Okay. Thanks, Buck. See you later.”


“Drive safe and have fun,” Kane said to her and walked away. Back to Daphne.


And whose fault is that?


Ginger let Hayden pick out a new model airplane at the hobby store. She’d also bought him a new Xbox game. The kid’s athletic shoes were too small. While Hayden tried on every pair in the store, she browsed the snow boot section. She found a pair that weren’t…hideous. Would Kane be happy she’d taken his warnings about frostbitten toes seriously?


He’d probably be happier if you owned up to the fact you were consumed by the green-eyed monster today and probably deserved the spanking he’s threatened.


Why did the suggestion of Kane’s big hand connecting with her bare ass cause her belly to flutter?


His growling challenge brought out a strangely submissive need—another new feeling for her.