Some Cowboys Brave the Flames (Keagans of Copper Creek #10)

Chapter 17

17

Ash

A sh knew it was probably a mistake to show up at Mason’s home without calling him. But he knew better than to believe that Mason would even pick up the phone if he did try to call.

The year after Ash had stolen that kiss from Charlie, Harriet had come to visit her uncle for the summer. Mason had been so wrapped up in that new part of his life, that it hadn’t seemed to bother him that Ash moved away.

There was a sort of understanding that their lives were moving in different directions. Neither one of them made a huge effort to stay in touch, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t pick up where they left off when he came back.

Unfortunately, the rift between them now couldn’t be blamed on the miles between them. It was solely Ash’s fault.

While he stood beside his truck in the driveway, he considered what Mason might do to him when he noticed Ash had just shown up. He’d already ignored all the text messages that Ash had sent him. Daniel also avoided him. And all the other Keagan men threw him dark looks. Nothing was secret anymore.

The only person to continue being somewhat cordial was Carter. Ash didn’t know the whole story, but apparently the twin had issues of his own. Caleb hated Ash, but Emma was nice.

Ash pushed away from his truck, opting to not dwell on the fact that he’d basically put a wall between Charlie and those she cared for.

If he could get Mason to give him a chance to explain, then maybe all of that would change. A few minutes ago, he’d seen Mason head into the barn. It had been a quick glimpse, and he hadn’t come out yet. This might be the only chance that Ash had to get back into Mason’s good graces. He’d let things settle for a week. That should be enough time, right?

There was a distinct feeling of nausea that roiled in his gut. Mason had only confirmed all the thoughts that Ash had about himself over the years. At least Daniel had seen that he couldn’t fight Charlie about who she chose to spend her time with.

He shook his head again, letting those thoughts go. He was here to see Mason.

Ash turned the corner to find Mason brushing down a horse. It was tied up and prepared to go through all the stages of grooming. There was a stack of fresh horseshoes nearby and some tools that looked as though they’d be used to adhere the shoes or clean out the hooves.

Mason was so focused on his work that he hadn’t noticed Ash entering the barn until he was right up close to him. His head snapped up, surprise darkening into something malicious. He straightened and faced Ash, his voice sharp. “Get. Out.”

Ash lifted his hands, palms outward. “I’m only here to talk about Charlie.”

Mason flung a finger toward the door. “I might not be the head of the household where I grew up, but I have authority here, and you’re trespassing.”

“There’s no chance for us to… try… to fix our friendship?”

“ Friendship ?” Mason seethed. “What friendship? Last I knew, guys don’t date their friend’s baby sisters.”

“She’s not a baby anymore, Mason. She’s grown up, and she can make her own decisions.”

“Yeah, so she said,” Mason spat. “You knew better than anyone that Charlie was off limits. Heck, even more since she wasn’t even an adult yet.” His lips curled into a look of disgust. “I can’t believe you did that.”

Ash’s shoulders slumped. “It wasn’t planned. I—she—” He shook his head. “Charlie was going through a tough time. A guy who asked her out had bailed on her.”

“So you thought you could just kiss her? Dude, do you even hear yourself?”

“It was bad, I know… That’s why… I left.”

Mason halted, and his eyes narrowed.

Ash shrugged his shoulders, praying that this was the sign he needed to keep going. Mason was listening, at least. “I moved away. I did everything I could think of to forget her. I wasn’t going to be that guy—who crossed the line?—”

Mason let out a sharp huff. “Oh, but you are that guy.” He shook his head again. “I mean it, Ash. Leave. What you did was unforgivable. You—you should go.” The last few words were said quietly as if the fight had left his body.

That was it then.

Their friendship was officially severed.

Ash had known this might be a possibility. Back then, he’d practically been one of the family—like Mason’s brother. He’d observed from within the family hierarchy the rules that the Keagans had made when it came to letting guys date their baby sister. Of course they hadn’t told her any of this. And they didn’t start enforcing them until she got to be the age where she was interested in that sort of thing.

All in all, Ash had known better. He nodded, his whole body feeling as though it was crushed by the weight of everything that had happened. Then he turned and left the barn.

Charlie wouldn’t allow him to walk away just because her brothers didn’t approve. She’d made him promise to keep coming by and spending time with her. He couldn’t tell if she was just trying to shove her relationship in her brothers’ faces or if she legitimately felt uncomfortable leaving her home. It didn’t really matter. She had made a couple of good points, and he wasn’t going to turn into the coward her brothers likely thought he was.

Over time, her brothers could forgive him.

He had to have hope in that, at least.

Ash pointed to Charlie’s stance. “You need to put your feet wider apart. If you stand like that, they’re going to be able to knock you to the ground. They could even push you or drag you to a waiting van.”

She groaned, rolling her eyes. “My feet are as far apart as they’ve always been. Are we going over self-defense, or are we working on preventing my abduction?”

“Both,” he said coolly. “Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you’re not a target. If you ever decide to travel out of the state to somewhere that crime runs rampant, you’re going to want to know this.” He gestured once again. “A little farther. Lower your center of balance.”

She huffed but did as she was told. He walked around her, noting the way her body was positioned from every angle. He’d never tell her that their self-defense classes were his favorite part about spending time with her. There were several reasons. The first was, of course, the quality time they got away from her brothers. Then there was the pride he got from watching her learn and improve from what he’d taught her. Lastly, but certainly not least, he could enjoy looking at her, getting close to her.

He needed no excuse when they were in the boxing ring. “Okay. I’m going to grab at you. Use what you’ve learned to stop me.”

She snickered.

Ash hesitated. “Take this seriously. I mean it. For someone who is so against the risk of losing the people she loves, I’d think you’d want to make sure you are capable of taking care of yourself.”

She frowned. “Your job is nothing like this.” She turned to face him fully, her hands on her hips. “You’re choosing to have that job. If I were to be attacked, it wouldn’t be my fault.”

He twirled his finger in a motion for her to return to her stance. The mood was broken. She was no longer cheerful and flirtatious. Probably for the best because she needed to be ready.

Ash reached for her. An arm around her neck and her waist. She threw her head back, nearly breaking his nose. It threw him off enough that his arm around her waist loosened. She held onto his hands and yanked with her whole body, turning her head as she did so to get out from his hold. When she was free of him, she whirled around, triumphant.

“Good,” he nodded, not intending to show even a hint of a smile—but it came anyway.

Charlie breathed heavily, her eyes bright.

“Again.”

She moved into position again. This time when he pinned her to his chest, he brushed a kiss to her neck. Her attention faltered, though her hands tightened on his wrists. He trailed a line of kisses to her ear and whispered, “Aren’t you supposed to try to escape me?”

“What if I don’t want to?” she whispered.

He smiled into her neck. “I’d say good. Because I don’t want you to.”

Flashes of the conversation he’d had with Mason flitted through his head, but he ignored them. There was nothing wrong with dating Charlie right now. He wasn’t going to let Mason or anyone else tell him they weren’t a good fit. Charlie made him happy.

She must have noticed his own distraction. In a flash of movement he wasn’t prepared for, she knocked him off his feet. He landed on his back with a grunt. She pinned him to the ground—something she wouldn’t have been able to do without the element of surprise and the fact that he’d been so infatuated with her.

She leaned over him, strands of her hair falling loose from the braid she wore. Her eyes shined with desire, hovering only inches from his own. He reached up and clasped his hand behind her neck. Charlie resisted at first, for only a second, then she lowered her lips to his.

It was moments like this one that he could only see just how good they were together. His adoration for her continued to grow with each passing day. He’d been able to see parts of her that she never showed anyone else.

She was funny and smart, but most of all, she was kind and forgiving. Charlie was everything he wanted and everything he knew he didn’t deserve.

Their warm breath mingled together as she deepened their kiss.

“You two done?” a gruff voice asked.

Charlie’s lips broke into a smile as she pulled away from him. Already her cheeks had gotten more color to them. She scrambled to her feet and glanced up at two men who looked ready to jump in the ring. “Yeah. It’s yours.” Then she turned to Ash and held out her hand.

He got to his feet with a grunt and offered the men a sly smile. They didn’t respond. By the time he and Charlie had slipped out of the building, they were both chuckling.

“Maybe we should stick to cooking classes,” Charlie said with a laugh, tossing her gym bag into the back of his truck. “You need more practice with that than I need at the gym.”

He scoffed, throwing his own bag into the back. “I take offense at that.”

She shrugged. “When you can make a whole meal without any direction from me, then we can talk.”

Ash only chuckled.