Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)(48)

“Mom?”


She focused on her son. “Sorry. What did you say?”


“Can I buy this for Buck?”


The ball cap in his hand was the same midnight blue as Kane’s eyes. Above the bill was a patch that read Superstar! in red, white and blue lettering.


“He likes to wear ball caps when he plays poker with his cousins. He told me the luck had run out of the last one. I think this one would bring him good luck.”


“It’s very nice you’re thinking of him.”


“He’s always bringing me cool stuff and I never give him nothin’—”


“Anything,” Ginger automatically corrected.


“I never give him anything, well, except the stuff I’ve made for him.”


Did Kane keep the Lego cars and airplanes, and robot inventions Hayden gave him? Did he display them around his house? Or hide them in a drawer?


You’d know if you’d ever been to Kane’s house.


That jarred her. She knew he lived in a trailer on McKay land off of Highway 14A. Hayden had spent time out there, considerable time in the summer. Which was why it seemed weird she’d never picked her son up at Kane’s house. Kane had always brought Hayden home.


Maybe it was time she went to him. She owed him an apology anyway—she had been jealous.


“Come on, Mom, let’s go.”


Hayden fell asleep on the way home. Ginger’s thoughts were as scattered as the patches of snow blowing across the interstate. By the time they reached home, it was after eight and they were both starving.


After a quick supper, she was still restless.


Her father’s interest in model airplane building had rubbed off on his grandson. They conspired on the best way to start this newest project and Ginger knew they’d be engrossed all night.


She rarely went out on the weekends. Definitely never just happened to “drop by” a man’s house more than twenty miles away. She slipped on an emerald green cashmere sweater with a deep “V” in the front that showcased her cleavage. She shimmied on a pair of western jeans. She fluffed her hair. Touched up her makeup. And put on her new sheepskin-lined snow boots.


Her father noticed her improved appearance, but didn’t comment. But Hayden said, “Hey, Mom, where you going?”


“Out for a little while. Grandpa’s in charge, so when he says go to bed, I expect you to listen to him.”


She kissed the top of his head. “See you in the morning.” She bussed her father’s cheek and whispered, “I have my cell if you need anything. Don’t wait up.”


Her nerves nearly got the best of her when she pulled up to Kane’s trailer and saw four other pickups parked in the drive. Was he having a party?


What if one of those trucks was Daphne’s?


She stomped up the steps and pounded on the aluminum screen door.


The porch light went on. The inner door opened. A tall, lanky and deeply dimpled cutie poked his head out. “Please tell me that you’re the surprise entertainment. And you’ll be actin’ out the, ‘I’m havin’


car trouble and these winter clothes are so constricting’ fantasy.”


“No pasties under my coat. But I can come back later if this is a bad time?”


The kid was jerked out of the doorway and Kane opened the screen door. “Ginger? What the devil are you doin’ here?”



Not good. “Sorry to disappoint you. Sounds like you were expecting a stripper?” she said tightly.


“For Christsake, Dalton, what the hell did you say to her?” Kane shook his head at whatever was said behind him. “Ignore my bonehead cousin and come on in.”


All of a sudden this seemed like a really lousy idea. “I didn’t mean to crash your party.”


“It ain’t a party. Just a poker game and…Jesus Christ. Are you wearing…snow boots?”


She swiveled her toe in the snow. “Yes. That’s why I came over.”


His intense gaze didn’t waver from her eyes. “You drove all the way out here to show me your new snow boots?”


“Yes, since you nag at me for not wearing proper winter wear, I thought I’d prove that I do listen to you. You are a smart man, who’s usually right, and I am an idiot.”


Kane continued to give her an inscrutable look.


“Shit. Sorry. Dumb idea. I’ll go.”


Then he was right in her face. “You take one step off the porch, Red, and I’ll tackle you in the snow and drag your ass inside my house by the heels of your new snow boots.”


Oh. Wow. That caveman growl was sexy as hell.


“What the f*ck, Kane? I know your mama raised you better than to let a beautiful woman shiver outside in this frigid weather. Come on in, darlin’. I’ll warm you up.”


Laughter.


“You touch her, I break your hand,” Kane snarled.


Really Neanderthal behavior. Really hot behavior.


Kane grabbed her by her coat sleeve and led her inside.