Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
T he drive to his ranch was quiet. Rachel stared out the window. The landscape was dark, and only with the light from the moon did she make out shapes of clusters of trees on the tiny hills. Off to the west she saw the snowcaps of the high mountains shining in the moonlight.
She didn’t know what to say. Greg had clearly lost his mind. Should she have seen this happening? Maybe she should have. She thought back to their move and his behavior in New York and refusing to abide by the restraining order. Rachel knew she’d have to file her restraining order here in Denver, but she was grateful that the New York RO was good from state to state. She’d wondered how much trouble getting a new one would be. Hopefully, when she showed them the paperwork from New York, they would grant the order. He was supposed to stay at least one hundred feet away from her. This was clearly in violation of that RO.
Nick looked over at her. “You should call your mother and let her know what’s happening and where you’ll be. I don’t want her accidentally walking in on him.”
“Good idea.” She pressed a button on her phone and waited for a few rings.
“Hello.”
“Mom, hi. How are you?”
“I’m painting your old bedroom.”
“Why didn’t you get one of my brothers to do that for you? There are three of them, surely one was available.”
“I like to paint and decorate the house. So, what are you doing?”
“I’m on my way to Nick’s ranch. I need to tell you something.” She relayed all that had happened with Greg.
“Oh, my God. I’m glad you called the police. That man needs to be arrested. He’s a menace.”
“He is, I don’t deny it. Nick says we’ll be safe at his ranch, so Jake and I will be there for a while anyway. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to the house. I don’t feel safe there. Look I have to go, but I wanted to let you know where we are. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Ladybug. I’ll see you soon. Stay safe.”
“I will. Bye, Mom.”
“Bye.”
Rachel ended the call and dropped her phone back into her purse.
Nick turned off the highway onto a paved driveway. It stretched forever before the house came into view. Actually, when they got close, she realized it wasn’t a house but a mansion. The two-story brick home had what looked like marble pillars across a wide porch holding up the roof, which jutted out from the second story. The roof had a wrought-iron fence around it. The entire structure reminded her of the plantations in Louisiana.
“Wow! This looks amazing. If it’s half as impressive inside as outside, I won’t know what to do. It’s really beautiful, Nick. Not at all what I imagined for a ranch house.”
“My ranch isn’t what you expect from a ranch, either. I don’t specifically raise cattle; I breed cutting horses. I got the idea from Ray; he breeds and races thoroughbreds.”
“What are cutting horses?” asked Jake from the back seat.
Rachel turned and gazed at her son. He’d put his game away and watched as the car made its way up the long driveway.
“Cutting horses are especially bred and trained to cut cattle from a herd. Suppose you want just one cow out of a herd. The cutting horse and rider go into the herd and move that one cow out from all the others. That’s called cutting. The horses are great to watch in action. I do have cows they can practice on, about twenty of them.”
“That sounds like fun. Do you have horses we can ride?” asked Jake.
Nick nodded as he steered slowly down the driveway. “I sure do. Do you know how to ride a horse?”
Jake shook his head. “Nope, but I want to learn. Being out here in the wilds of Colorado, as my father called it, I figure I need to learn how to ride a horse so I can make friends.”
Rachel turned and gazed at Nick. “I think if you can teach him to ride, that would be a good thing.”
Nick chuckled and looked at Jake in the rearview mirror. “I’ll have Smitty teach you to ride. He teaches my daughter, Bailey, and he’s a great teacher. But I think you’ll find that most of the kids in school don’t know how. Very few of them live on ranches or farms.”
“How far out of town are we?” asked Rachel.
“We’re about thirty miles northeast of Denver. I have a security team. No one can get onto the ranch without my permission.”
Rachel placed her left hand on Nick’s thigh. She was so thankful that he was taking such care of her and her son. “Thank you, I have to admit, I was worried about what to do. I still have to get someone out there to at least board up the door and wash the wall. Then I’ll have to go take care of the living room...”
Nick turned his gaze toward her and covered her hand with his. “Don’t worry about that now. I’ll go with you and help you. I’ll have some of my security team with us, so you won’t have to worry about Greg.”
“Thanks. I feel better already.” She sighed and took a deep breath. “Tell me about your family. You have a daughter, what about a wife? And how are your brothers and Megan?”
“I’m divorced and I have custody of my daughter, Bailey. The rest of the family are all good. Adam runs our company, Kincaid Holdings, which not only holds all the rights to our video games but buys and sells other companies, too.” Nick returned his eyes to the road. “Ray is in the tech business like me, plus he has a thoroughbred racing stud. Both Adam and Ray have done just as well as me. Cole is into oil. I guess you’d call him an oil tycoon. Peter is an artist and does the initial artwork for the games we write, plus his art hangs in galleries all over the world and commands millions per painting or sculpture.
“As a matter of fact, all of us are billionaires now, even Megan. We each took the money Mom and Dad gave us and turned it into successful businesses. And we all have ranches in the area.”
Nick scratched the right side of his nose. “Megan’s turned her love of cooking into an empire. She sells cookware, bakeware, cookbooks, and has a cooking show. She also operated bakeries which she sold, along with her special recipes for those bakeries, for a ton of money, kind of like Mrs. Fields did.
“I’m surprised you haven’t seen her show. It’s syndicated all over the world. She has a ranch out here, too, and raises quarter horses in a joint venture with Peter. They’ve done well and have had several winners that are now in the stud portion of their business.”
“I probably have seen it and didn’t realize she was the Megan Kincaid I know. What kind of tech do Megan and Peter do?”
He kept his hand on hers. “They went into providing specialized software to the military. The system has something to do with their planes, but I don’t know what it is. It’s Top Secret and I don’t have clearance any more than they have the clearances to know more about my chips for the guidance systems. You know how much we all liked developing computer programs. And then we developed some games, and well, it finally paid off for all of us, just in different ways.”
To think I knew all these wildly successful people most of my life. I just can’t believe it. She nodded. “I remember. You tried to get me interested in it, but I just couldn’t see the potential, I guess. I’m so happy for all of you. You deserve it, and I knew you would succeed even all those years ago.” She looked in the backseat to check on Jake.
He was busy with his tablet again, playing his game and totally ignoring their conversation.
“What about you, Rach? How have you been, really?”
She pulled her hand back. “I told you most of it. I was so excited to get the Chief of Staff position at Colorado General Hospital. It’s what I’ve always worked toward despite what Greg wanted. And now that I’ve got it, I wonder if it’s really what I want.”
“I’m sorry you went through that with him. But why would you be questioning your choices now?”
“I just wonder if this is what I really want or was it something Greg convinced me that I want.”
“You probably should decide that before you start the job.”
“I know you’re right and that is exactly what I intend to do.”
Nick kept his speed steady and slow.
“Why are you going so slow? That’s not like you. You always used to speed down these roads.”
“Animals. I don’t need to hit a deer while I’m on my way home. To change topics, I’m eager for you to meet my daughter. Her name is Bailey and she’s eight now, too.”
“What happened to her mother? And why didn’t Bailey join us for dinner?”
“Janet left just after Bailey was born. I know her decision to divorce was post-partem depression for the most part, but she didn’t want to come back until the company started making a lot of money. Then she decided the divorce was a mistake, and we should get married again. I didn’t fall for it. I knew she hadn’t changed. She still didn’t want to be an actual wife and mother. She only wanted the money. As to dinner, the ranch was too far away to get her, come back and go to dinner, then get her home by her bedtime.”
He pulled up to the gate and lowered his window.
A burly man who could have been The Rock’s double stepped out of the guardhouse. Then bent over to see in the car. “Are you back in for the night, Nick?”
“We are. Earl, this is Rachel Foster-Bennett and her son Jake. They will be staying with me for a while.”
Earl nodded. “Nice to meet you both.”
She leaned toward Nick so she could talk to Earl. “Happy to meet you, too, Earl.”
Jake leaned up and was watching the man with unveiled interest. “Is that a real gun?”
Earl’s right hand rested on his gun. “Yes, son, it’s as real as it gets.”
“Have you ever shot anyone.” Jake leaned forward more.
“Yes, I’ve had to. I don’t do it lightly. Shooting someone is a difficult thing to do...at least if you have a conscience.”
“Oh. I don’t think I could ever shoot anyone.” He looked over at his mother. “Well, almost anyone. I could shoot my dad if he hurt my mother again.”
“I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen. You and your mother are perfectly safe here.”
“Thank you, Earl.” She was more relaxed than she’d been since Greg had his hand around her throat.
“We should get going.” Nick shifted his gaze to Earl. “Be extra vigilant tonight, there might be some trouble.
“I will. No one will get by me.”
“Good. I’ll have the security system switched on and men patrolling, too.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Earl. “We have a lot of land to cover.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight. Nice again to meet you, Ms. Foster-Bennett.”
“Thank you and you as well.” Rachel waved at the man, then sat back and stared at the house.”
Nick put the car into drive and headed for the structure.
“I look forward to meeting your daughter.” The fact that Janet wanted to take advantage of her old friend made Rachel angry on Nick’s behalf. He is a good man and deserves to have a wife who loves him. “I’m sorry, Nick. Janet obviously didn’t know what a great husband she was giving up. Sounds like we both made mistakes with our first marriages. Do you think you’ll marry again?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I have a hard time trusting a woman now, present company is excluded. I believe they are all after my money.”
Rachel huffed out a breath. “I feel the same way about men. I don’t let anyone get close. Greg and his abusive behavior was enough to put me off men forever.” Then she chuckled. “Present company is excluded.” She began pulling at the pills on her sweater. “Um, Nick, what’s the plan? I can’t stay at your ranch forever. I have a job that I need to do. Sure I don’t start it for another two weeks. But despite that, I have to go back to the house eventually.”
Nick ran a hand through his hair, keeping his other hand firmly on the steering wheel as they approached a large garage. “I don’t know. I just knew I had to get you out of that house. You couldn’t stay there. It’s obviously too easy for him to break in even with the new deadbolts on the doors.”
He pressed the button on the visor to lift the door on the first garage. The thing was huge. It held spaces for six cars. A second garage, which looked just like the one he drove into, stood off to the side.
When she saw the other cars in the garage, Rachel’s jaw dropped. He had a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, and a Camaro that looked like it had been souped up—with two chrome vents on the hood.
“Ray has all these cars, too. I guess it’s a brother’s thing.”
She noticed that he also had a SUV, and a Ford F350 pickup truck was parked in the spot adjacent to the one he pulled in to.
“Wow, I’ve never seen this many expensive cars together anywhere but at an auto show.” Rachel turned around to the back seat. “Jake, put your tablet away. We’re here at Nick’s ranch now. Time to get out of the car.”
Jake looked up from his tablet. “I thought it would take longer to get here.”
Rachel chuckled. “We’ve been driving for more than half-an-hour. You were lost in your game.”
“Oh.” He looked at the truck next to him. “That’s a big truck. Do you drive it a lot? Do you use it for feeding the cows? I’ve seen them do stuff like that on TV.”
Nick opened his door. “Sometimes, but I have other trucks for that...work trucks.” He hurried around the car and held Rachel’s door while she got out.
Jake bounded out of the car and ran around to the front of the truck. He turned back to his mother, eyes wide. “Oh, wow. Mom, did you see all these cars?”
Rachel smiled. “I bet Nick will show them all to you once we get settled.” She turned toward the man in question. “What about it, Nick? Can he see the rest of your cars?”
He walked to the front of the Mustang. “Sure. Let’s do it now, while we’re out here.” He looked over at Rachel. “Come on, you’ll enjoy this, too.”
For the next twenty minutes, they looked at each car, and Nick told Jake the story behind each one.
Of course, Jake liked Nick more and more.
Rachel couldn’t blame him. She’d liked Nick for years, since kindergarten, but not until high school did she realize she more than just liked him. He was her best friend and, yet, she wanted more. But if she voiced her desires, she was afraid she’d lose him as a friend. Now, she wondered if she’d been wrong. Maybe if she’d acted on her feelings back then, she could have changed the course of her life.
Then she looked at Jake. Even with everything that happened, she couldn’t regret her marriage because she’d do it all again to get Jake. He was her life, and she loved him more than anything.
“Rach?” Nick snapped his fingers in front of her face. “Rachel. Are you ready?”
She shook herself. “Huh? What?”
Nick chuckled. “Are you ready to go into the house?”
Her cheeks heated, and she was sure they were red. She’d always blushed easily. Red hair and pale skin allowed for easy blushing. She couldn’t believe she’d been caught daydreaming about Nick. “Yes, I’m ready, and I expect the full tour.”
He gave her a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am. Follow me.” He removed their luggage from the trunk and then headed to the door into the house.
They entered into a mudroom. Shoes were stacked neatly against the right wall as they entered.
Nick waved toward the shoes. “We only take off our shoes if we’re planning on staying in. It’s just too difficult going in and out of the house all day to take them on and off each time. Through here is the kitchen.” He waved an arm towards an arched entrance, but stopped beside a panel on the wall. He opened the door and pressed a button. “There. The security system is active.”
“Thank you, Nick. I feel safe now. Just being away from that house is a load off my mind.”
“Glad I could help.” He held her gaze. “You know I’m always here for you.”
She reached over and gave his arm a light squeeze. “I know and I’m grateful.”
The kitchen was amazing. An enormous island dominated the space. It was black granite with gold flakes running through it. The island was shaped like a guitar body.
On the island was a double stainless-steel sink that boasted a high curved faucet. Below the granite countertop on the right side of the under-sink storage was the dishwasher and a trash compactor. On the left side was a cabinet and drawers.
On the side of the kitchen, directly to her right, was a giant stone fireplace glassed in, so it was open to the family room. The wall directly opposite the entrance was all glass looking out into the backyard and had a rectangular oak table to seat six people. The family room had a beautiful cream pit-style seating area, facing the biggest TV screen she’d ever seen. The rest of the kitchen walls contained cupboards, the refrigerator and stove top with double ovens next to it.
Her entire house could fit in this kitchen, family room area alone.
A hallway ran behind the kitchen and off the entrance to the mudroom. The foyer and main entrance were to the left as they exited the mudroom. On the right side of the foyer was a formal living room and at the end of a hall was a curved staircase with a landing at the top and a long hallway on each side.
“I’ll put you in the west wing with me. I hardly ever use the east wing, and it’s basically the same design as the west wing. Each wing has four bedrooms, and each bedroom has a private bathroom.
He stopped at the first bedroom on the left. “This is Jake’s room.” He opened the door.
The huge room was done in shades of blue, from the sapphire blue curtains and matching bedspread to the pale blue carpet on the floor and the pearl blue paint on the walls. An oak bunk bed with a full-size bed on the bottom and a twin bed on the top stood against the far wall. The dresser and chest of drawers matched the bed. Two doors were on one wall.
Nick went to the closest door and opened it. “This is the closet, and the other door leads to your bathroom.”
“I’ve never had my own bathroom. Even in our New York apartment, Mom and Dad had one, but I used the one in the hall.”
Nick smiled. “Well, now you do young man. Do you like the room?”
The boy nodded enthusiastically. “I love it. It’s great. Where will Mom be?”
Rachel detected a slight tremor in his voice. “I’m sure I’ll be close, sweetie, you don’t have to worry.”
Nick nodded. “That’s true. She’s right next door. Shall we look at her room?”
“Yes, please,” said Rachel.
He went back out into the hall and down to the second room on the left. He opened the door and let Rachel go in first.
Her room was similar in size to Jake’s, but it had a king-size bed, with nightstands on either side and a matching six-drawer bureau and five-drawer chest of drawers.
Shades of purple graced the room, from the lavender carpet to the walls painted with such a pale lilac shade, they almost appeared white. A royal purple bedspread and matching curtains finished the room.
The two doors in the wall held a walk-in closet and a full bathroom with a glassed-in shower and a large tub with jets.
Rachel could already imagine taking a bubble bath with those jets on after a long day at the hospital.
“Will this do, Rach?” asked Nick as he set the luggage against a wall.
Did she detect something like need in his voice? Did Nick need her to like the room?
“This is fantastic, my friend. Thank you for letting us stay here while I get the house taken care of.”
“You’re welcome to stay for as long as you want to. It’s not like I have a ton of people here with me. I have to admit it will be good to have someone besides me and Bailey in the house.”
“Where is Bailey, by the way,” asked Rachel.
“She’ll be in anytime now. She’s having riding lessons from one of my cowboys.” He spoke to Jake. “That’s who will teach you, too. We’ll go down to the arena in a little while.” He snapped his fingers. “Better yet, let’s leave the suitcases and go down there now.” He turned toward Rachel. “Oh, by the way, my room is across from you, and Bailey’s room is across from Jake’s.”
Rachel and Jake left their suitcases in their rooms and followed Nick outside to the arena. Even though it was evening, it was still light out, which Rachel appreciated. Jake had a harder time adjusting to the time change than she did. Usually, it was still light out when he was supposed to go to bed and he wanted to stay up.
“I was surprised you have an arena, but I guess you need somewhere to train your horses.”
Nick nodded. “Yes, that’s true, especially because we train in the winter, too. But it’s also a great place to teach someone how to ride. Come on, let’s go down there.”
“Great. I can’t wait to meet Bailey.” Rachel smiled and took Jake’s hand.
They headed toward the front door.
Nick stopped in front of the door, then he moved to the right side. “I wanted to show you this.” He pointed at the keypad on the front door. “Once we’re inside for the night, this will be set. There are cameras outside and motion sensor lights when this is engaged. The code is Bailey’s birthday, January 12. Zero-one-one-two. Remember it. If something happens and you need to get out or you’re outside and need to get in, that’s how you do it.”
“Thanks, Nick. we’ll remember.” She looked down at Jake and ruffled his hair. “Won’t we, Jake.”
Jake shoved her hand away. “Mooomm!” Then he turned toward Nick. “I’ll remember. Zero-one-one-two. Got it.”
“Great. Let’s go.” Nick led them out the door and toward the arena.
With the arena in sight, Jake shook off her hand and skipped ahead. “Come on, Mom. Hurry. I want to see the horses.”
Rachel laughed. “We’re coming. You just hold up.”
Nick chuckled. “I always like to see a child excited about riding.”
“He’s wanted to ride since he first saw the mounted patrol officers in Central Park. He didn’t talk about anything else for weeks. He was four.” She smiled at the memory. She really wanted to take Nick’s hand. They used to walk hand-in-hand all the time, but that had been before. Before she left, before he became a billionaire. Just...before.
She arrived at the arena just as a little girl dressed in jeans, western long-sleeved shirt and cowboy boots, pulled the horse to a stop and was lifted from the saddle by a cowboy.
“Bailey!” Nick climbed over the rails surrounding the arena.
She turned and looked over. “Daddy!” Bailey ran over and launched herself into his waiting arms.
He hugged her tight, then swung her onto his hip. “Bailey, I want you to meet my best friend in the world. This is Rachel Foster-Bennett and her son, Jake. They’re staying with us for a bit and Jake is going to learn how to ride. I thought you might help him with that. Think you’re up to it?”
Bailey nodded quickly, with her arm around Nick’s neck. “I can.” She removed her arm and lowered it. “Let me down, Daddy.”
“What do you say?”
He lifted a brow and pursed his lips.
“Please. I want to meet Jake.”
Nick lowered her to the ground. “There you go.” Then they walked to the gate and exited the arena.
Rachel and Jake followed them to the gate.
The little girl moved in front of Jake. “I’m Bailey.” She pointed to the horse she’d just ridden. “That’s my horse, Buttercup. She’s a palomino. My mother named her.”
Jake looked at the horse. “She’s really pretty.” Then back at Nick. “Can you really teach me how to ride?”
“Well.” Bailey put her hands in her jeans’ front pockets. “I can help while Smitty teaches you. He’s the best teacher in the world. He can teach anyone, even an old person, like our parents. Daddy knows how to ride. Does your mom?”
He turned back to his mother. “Mom, can you ride a horse?”
She nodded and crossed her arms over her chest so she didn’t ruffle his hair. She didn’t want to embarrass him in front of Bailey. “I can. Nick is the one who taught me, and we were about your age. His parents owned a ranch even then.” She looked at Nick. “Do they still have the ranch? Wasn’t it out here somewhere, too, though I don’t remember exactly where.”
“Yeah, they’re up the road a couple of miles. Their property is adjacent to mine. Ray’s ranch is on the other side of Mom and Dad’s place. I think I went overboard on the house, but it’s what Janet wanted. She was dirt-poor but we fell in love almost instantly. We only dated for six months before I asked her to marry me. We were only together for three years before she left and divorced me.”
Rachel took his hand. “I’m so sorry Nick. Truly, I am. You shouldn’t have had to go through that alone. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
He shook his head and squeezed her hand. “It’s okay. It happened for a reason. I think I know what the reason is, but I need to think on it some more.”
She cocked her head and furrowed her brows for a moment, but then nodded. Pushing him to reveal things wasn’t her place. She’d been gone for so many years. Years they couldn’t get back, but she hoped they could get over. Rachel missed her friend—had missed him since the day she left for college, but she knew what she wanted to do. She’d wanted to be a doctor since she was ten years old and her parents gave her a doctor’s bag for Christmas. She and Nick used to play doctor. He was always the assistant, and she operated on her baby dolls.
Rachel smiled at the memory.
“What are you thinking of Rach?” Nick cocked his head, looking through slightly narrowed eyes.
She laughed. “You’ll think it’s silly.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders...just like the old days. “You can’t say anything that I would think is silly.”
“I was thinking about my first doctor’s bag my parents gave me. You remember we used to operate on my baby dolls.”
Nick chuckled. “I remember, though I haven’t thought of it in a very long time. From that day on, you wanted to be a doctor. And you worked hard for it. Going to school, doing residency, and having a psycho for a boyfriend and then a husband must have taken it out of you.”
Rachel shrugged. “I made it, and I wouldn’t trade any of it because it gave me Jake. He’s everything to me, Nick. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“I understand. I feel the same about Bailey.”
Nothing felt as safe as his arm around her. She felt like nothing could ever harm her as long as he was there. She wrapped an arm around his waist.
Bailey and Jake walked over to her horse.
Nick headed them that way, too. “Come meet Buttercup. She’s a great horse. Well trained and gentle. She’s the perfect horse for Bailey.”
“I’d love to meet her, then if you don’t mind, I think I’d like for Jake and me to get settled in. I want to keep things as normal as possible. He usually gets his video game time before bed. I know it’s not the best time, but it works for us so far.”
“Understood. This won’t take but a few minutes.”
“Buttercup is a mare; that’s a lady horse.” Bailey petted the horse’s neck.
Jake ran his right hand down her mane. “She’s really pretty. Do you think I can ride her?”
Bailey shook her head, her dark brown braids flying with the movement. “You won’t be learning on her. Daddy has special horses for learning to ride. They’re all good, though, so you don’t have to worry.”
Jake ran up to Rachel. “Did you hear that, Mom. Nick has horses to teach people how to ride.” Then he turned toward Nick. “When can I learn? Will it take long? Will I get as good as Bailey? Can we start tomorrow?”
“Whoa, there partner.” Because Nick was so tall, he kneeled in front of Jake to be more on his level. “You can start the lessons tomorrow.” He turned toward his daughter. “And Bailey will help, won’t you, Pooh Bear?”
Bailey nodded quickly. “Yup. I’ll help cause I’m the bestest.”
“That’s right, you are.” Nick stood and turned toward Rachel. “I’ve had her on a horse since before she could walk. I never wanted her to be afraid of the animals, even though they’re so big.”
Rachel laughed. “Well, I’d say it worked, because there is no way that girl is afraid of the horse. I think she’d be one with the animal if she could. Do you have a mounting block for them to use?”
“Of course. Bailey likes to mount by herself. She lets me swing her out of the saddle, though, if I’m around.”
She walked back toward the arena’s gate with Nick. “I imagine it’s quite exciting to be swung out of the saddle by you.”
Nick’s lips quirked up. “Exciting, huh? Is that something you would like, Rach? I’m sure I can arrange it.”
Rachel’s cheeks heated, and she was sure she looked like a tomato. “I, uh, I...”
Nick roared with laughter. “You’re still so easy, Rach. You blush easier than anyone I’ve ever met.”
She swatted his chest. “I do not. Only you can make me blush all the time. You always have been able to.”
He laughed again. “That’s my superpower. I’m the Blush Man.”
Now she laughed. He’d always made her laugh. “Let’s get Jake and me settled. I could use a cup of hot chocolate before I put Jake to bed. And I bet the kids want to play some video games.”
Nick hooked his thumbs in his front pockets. “Bailey, let’s go inside and let Smitty take care of putting Buttercup to bed for the night.”
“Ah, Daddy, I want to show Jake how to ride.”
Nick shook his head. “Not tonight. You can show him tomorrow before he starts his lessons.” He windmilled one arm. “Come on now, let’s go.”
Both kids came running. They stopped in front of Nick and Rachel.
“Daddy, can we play Roblox? Jake said he knows how to play. Please, Daddy. Please.” Bailey looked up and put her lower lip out.
Nick chuckled. “Okay, but only for an hour and then you have to go to bed. It’s been a rough day for Jake and Rachel.”
“Yay,” shouted Bailey.
“Yay,” shouted Jake.
“Follow me.” Bailey waved an arm and started running toward the house.
“Remember, no running in the house,” Nick called after them.
Rachel watched the kids, smiling as she shook her head. “Jake’s so excited he can barely contain himself. This is like a dream come true. He’s always wanted to be a cowboy.”
She and Nick walked at a more sedate pace toward the house.
As she followed Nick into the kitchen, he pointed at the breakfast bar. “Have a seat, and I’ll make us all some hot chocolate. I’m sure the kids will like some, too.”
“Are you kidding? Jake would eat grasshoppers as long as they are covered in chocolate.”
The smile that spread across his face made her remember just how handsome he was. If he wasn’t her best friend, then she’d definitely ask him out. Oh, who am I kidding? I wouldn’t ask him out. I’ve never asked a man out in my life, but if I were to start, my choice would be Nick.
“You’ll have to get the kids. I have no idea where they went. You need to give me the tour, too. Did I see a helicopter out behind the arena?”
He grinned. “You did. I have my pilot’s license.”
Her eyebrows shot up, and her eyes widened. “You have a helicopter pilot’s license? Where do you fly?”
“Mostly to my office in Centennial. I keep a car at the airport there. It’s easier than sitting in all that traffic for an hour-and-a-half. That one is a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, and it cruises at 178 miles per hour so it only takes me about fifteen minutes. No cars honking or people yelling or shooting me the finger.”
She leaned her forearms on the bar with her hands clasped in front of her. “That would be much nicer. I’ve never been in a helicopter before. You’ll have to take me sometime.”
He poured four cups of milk into a large saucepan. After it heated, he stirred in cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla. After the mixture was hot, he poured it into four mugs and put the empty pan into the sink.
“Pick up your mug and Jake’s and let’s go find the kids. Then I’ll give you the rest of the tour. I doubt Jake will want to come. If he’s into Roblox like Bailey is, then that’s probably all he wants to do. Some days I have to practically order Bailey to go ride Buttercup because of that game. I’d even be happy if she just wanted to skip rope in the yard. Anything to get her outside.”
Rachel nodded. “I have the same problem with Jake. Well, you saw him tonight. All the way over here in the car he was playing that game. He wants me to hook the game up to the Internet, but I won’t. I worry about predators. Maybe I don’t need to on that game, but still...”
Nick lifted his hands carrying the hot cocoa, in front of him. “I’m the same way for the exact same reason. As far as I’m concerned, she’s too young to play online. I, of all people, know exactly who might find her out there. I did that for a little while...searching for predators online. I found a few and reported them back to my superior at the FBI. Then my company took off, and I had to quit the FBI.”
She sipped her sweet, rich drink and wondered where they would be if she hadn’t left twelve years ago. Would they still be friends, be lovers maybe, or even married to each other?
“You’re thinking too hard, Rach. Come on. Let’s find the kids and deliver their hot chocolate. Then, by my calculation, they’ll have about thirty minutes to play, which is just long enough for the tour. That’s if you’re up to it tonight.”
“Oh, I’m ready. I’m about to bounce off the walls, I’m so ready.”
Nick snickered. “You’re a funny woman, Ms. Rachel.”
She grinned. “Well, you’re a funny man, Mr. Nicholas. I guess we’re made for each other.”
Nick didn’t smile or snicker at her comment, like she’d expected him to. Instead, he looked at her intensely. His mouth was ticked slightly up on one side, but his gaze bore into her like he was seeing her every thought.
Suddenly, she wasn’t smiling anymore either. She leaned slightly forward.
So did he.
The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers. Rachel wanted to put her arms around his neck, but that wasn’t a good idea considering she was holding two cups of hot cocoa.
His kiss was something she’d dreamed about for so long, and it surpassed all of her dreams. He had the softest, smoothest lips, yet they were firm as they pressed against hers.
Rachel didn’t know how long they kissed. She felt like she’d been waiting for this forever, and when she sensed him pulling away, she knew this kiss had ended too soon.
“Rach.” He gazed into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, but I’ve waited twelve years for that kiss. I couldn’t wait any longer. I?—”
“Shh, don’t ruin the moment by saying you regret it. You’ll hurt my feelings.”
His eyes widened at her words. “I don’t ever want to hurt you. I’ve put our friendship in jeopardy, and I never wanted to do that. You’re still the best friend I’ve ever had. Please tell me we’re still friends.”
She gazed up at him and smiled. “Of course, we’re still friends. You’ll always be my best friend and I’ll always be yours. That won’t change because of one kiss.” Even if it was the best kiss I’ve ever had. Even if my pulse is still racing like I’ve run a 100-yard dash. Calm down, Rachel. It was just a kiss. Yeah, right. “Shall we continue with the tour?”
Nick nodded. “Let’s get these to the kids and then I’ll give you the tour I promised.”
Rachel didn’t miss the change in his tone. She felt like he regretted the kiss, and she didn’t. She would never regret something so wonderful.
Did this mean their friendship was over? Would he still help her with Greg? Would he still let her stay for as long as necessary?