Chapter 16
16
Mateo
M ateo nodded to the barista in thanks as he grabbed the cardboard cup carrier. Two coffees and a hot chocolate. For the most part, the coffee shop was dead. People didn’t come to town to get an early coffee fix—at least not in Copper Creek. Those who got their usual tended to be those running errands or going to their jobs in the hub of town.
His brothers and sisters had still been sleeping when he’d left this morning. The guys who worked for him wouldn’t be getting their breakfast for another half hour. But he’d heard Nikki get up a little less than an hour ago. She’d slipped down the stairs and headed out to the building where she fixed everyone’s meals.
It had been hard for him to sleep after the night they’d had. Mateo was stuck on the high he’d gotten from simply being in her company. If his experiences last night taught him anything, it was that he wanted more—needed more. Walking away from Nikki at this point would be a mistake. It would be walking away from fate.
And he wasn’t going to do that.
Not again.
He arrived at the ranch with fifteen minutes to spare. Granted, there was a chance that the men would start to drag themselves from their beds and head for breakfast early, but they didn’t go into the back.
Except the two who helped Nikki with meals occasionally.
Mateo wasn’t worried about them. They’d likely have figured out that something was brewing between Nikki and himself. So far, they didn’t seem concerned with it.
He whistled to himself as he headed up the couple of steps to the breakfast hall. With sure, quick steps, he made his way past the rows of tables and toward the kitchen door. Just as he’d thought, the two cowboys were helping Nikki finish up with meal prep. All three of them looked up when he entered.
Nikki’s eyes flickered with something.
Desire?
Adoration?
Surprise?
It didn’t matter as long as she wasn’t scowling at him.
He jerked his head toward the door. “I’d like a minute with Ms. Reynolds.”
The two cowboys exchanged quick glances with Nikki, who only smiled reassuringly at them. Mateo moved closer to her, waiting until the men were through the door before he spoke. He kept his voice low, so if the cowboys were eavesdropping, they wouldn’t be able to hear what he had to say.
“I had a really good time last night,” he said, plucking the coffee he’d bought just for her from the cardboard carrier.
Nikki’s eyes dipped to the drink and a smile curled her lips. “Me too.”
“Good.”
She lifted her focus to him and tilted her head with amusement. “Good?”
He nodded. “Good.”
“Why’s that?” she crooned.
“Because I want to do it again.”
She huffed a soft laugh. “I don’t know how often I can get away to go dancing?—”
“Not dancing.”
“Oh?”
Mateo shook his head slowly and pointed to the smaller of the three cups. “You know what this is?”
She glanced at it, then shook her head. “Should I?”
He chuckled. “I got Paxton a hot chocolate.”
That seemed to surprise her. Nikki’s mouth dropped open slightly as she exhaled. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I like him.” He leaned closer still. “And I like you.” When she remained silent, he had to chuckle again. “Nikki, I really like you. I thought it would be nice if we spent more time together, and I know that means spending time with Paxton.”
She blinked several times. “You… want to spend time with my son?”
He reached forward and traced a line down her jaw, smiling when she shivered at his touch. “Let me take you and Paxton for a ride. He’s been getting real good at riding.”
“That was before he broke his collarbone.” She shook her head. “It’s not a good idea for him to do any physical activity?—”
“I’ll make sure he’s not jostled. He can ride with me on my horse. I swear he’ll stay safe. We can go for a short ride to this great place we have on the eastern side of the property. We can make an afternoon of it—take a picnic. We can bring music and play some games. It’ll be great.”
She bit down on her lower lip as she considered his offer. Already, he could see that her hesitation was fading. All he had to do was tip the scales in his favor and he’d get what he wanted.
“We don’t have to go today, of course. But we could do it on Saturday. That will give you a few days to prepare something simple for meals so you won’t have to worry about feeding the men.”
“He would probably like to get out of the house,” she lamented. “He’s been going stir-crazy since he broke his collarbone. And since he can’t do his riding lessons until it’s healed…”
“Exactly. This will be perfect for him.”
Nikki stared at him, her focus diving deeper into his mind and his soul. He shifted beneath that scrutiny, wondering if he’d pushed too much too soon. Technically, they’d only been on the one date. Nikki didn’t seem like the type to want to jump into something so quickly.
He placed the cardboard cup carrier on the counter at his side and took her hand in his. “I don’t want to rush anything if you’re not comfortable.” Even as he said the words, his heart lurched. There was a part of him that was worried if he didn’t hold tight to what he’d found with her last night, he’d lose it.
For a moment, she didn’t move. But then she shook her head. “I don’t feel like you’re rushing anything,” she hedged. “And Paxton is clearly comfortable with you. I don’t see why we couldn’t do something on Saturday. You’re sure it would be okay for him to ride with you?”
He expelled a breath of relief. “Positive.”
* * *
“Look, Mom! Look, there’s a bird over there.”
Mateo’s arm tightened around Paxton’s waist. “Easy, kid, you’re squirming too much. Can’t have you falling off this horse or your mother will have my hide.”
Paxton twisted his head around to grin at Mateo. “Sorry,” he said.
A chuckle reverberated from Mateo’s chest. Up until he’d gotten to know Paxton, he hadn’t realized just how fun it was to spend time with a kid. When he’d dated Caroline, he’d known he’d wanted children. He’d planned on having a big family just like his parents. Unfortunately, that dream had died along with his marriage.
Now, it was coming back to him, and it didn’t terrify him nearly as much as he’d thought it would.
His eyes glanced to Nikki’s from where she rode her own horse. Man, he loved seeing her smile. She had to be the most beautiful woman in the world, and he got the strongest feeling that she’d never quite see that.
It wouldn’t matter how much he told her; she’d always see herself as less than others that surrounded her.
Nikki’s eyes all but sparkled as they continued their ride. They’d passed a fox, numerous pheasants, and other birds in the trees. Paxton had missed the rabbit that skittered across the trail because he’d been distracted by a different critter.
Each and every animal that captured the kid’s attention had him twisting and squirming in the saddle. Mateo had long since gotten used to his movements, but that didn’t mean his heart didn’t stutter with each jerky motion. He’d sworn Nikki’s kid would be safe. He wasn’t going to let her down.
Nor would he let down this little boy.
They made it to the picnic area. Nikki dismounted first so she could get Paxton from the saddle and his feet on solid ground. Mateo followed suit.
“Okay, kiddo. I have a big favor to ask of you. It’s really important. Do you think you can help me out?” Mateo said.
Almost immediately, Paxton straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest. Between that stance and the cowboy gear he wore, he definitely looked like he belonged here. And that fact made Mateo’s heart swell. Paxton grinned and nodded. “Okay, good. I’m gonna need you to find the best place to put our picnic blanket. Do you know how to pick a good spot?”
Paxton nodded resolutely. It took everything in Mateo’s power not to react to just how awesome this kid was.
Mateo held out the blanket to the boy. “Can you carry it under your good arm? Or do I need to help?”
“I can do it,” he said firmly.
Mateo could feel Nikki’s eyes on him throughout the whole exchange, and she only approached him when Paxton hurried off with the blanket in hand.
She sidled up beside him and slipped her hand into his. “You’re really good with him.”
He cut her a look out of the corner of his eye. “He’s a good kid. Makes it easy.”
Nikki leaned into him, and the tightness in his chest increased. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman made him feel this way—like he belonged solely because he wanted to be claimed by her. Spending time with her had been amazing. It had fueled his desires in a way that hadn’t happened in years. But being here with her boy?
It completed him in a way he hadn’t realized he needed.
Mateo pulled his hand free and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close and kissing her temple. He could get used to this—being here with her, with Paxton—having them be a part of his family.
“Thank you,” she whispered just as Paxton called out to them.
“Here!”
Mateo glanced down at her. “For what?”
She turned her eyes up to meet his. “For including him. For making him feel special.”
“He is special.” As much as he wanted to kiss her, to claim her lips for his own selfish needs, Paxton called out again.
“I can’t get the blanket spread out. Can you help me?”
Nikki’s lips parted with a soft laugh and a smile. “You’re being summoned.”
“I can’t think of a better reason to leave your side.”
She laughed again with a roll of her eyes as she shoved him in the direction of her son.
He walked backward, his palms up. “You’re going to owe me, though. Next chance I get, I’m stealing that kiss.”
Nikki’s blush said it all. She was enjoying this as much or more than he was. Nothing could get more perfect than the moments he spent with her. Fate was finally smiling down on him—giving him everything he’d ever wanted and more. If he stayed on this trajectory, in a few months he could see himself asking for her hand.
Of course, he wouldn’t be telling her that. Nikki needed more time. He could sense it. But as for his heart, he knew exactly what he wanted, and it was to be part of her family.
Mateo winked at her. “How about you make yourself useful and get our supplies? I’m sure Paxton is completely famished after his hunt for the perfect spot.”
Nikki was practically glowing. He hadn’t seen her this happy in all the time he’d known her.
And he’d been the one to make that happen.