Chapter Ten
Blake looked her up and down as she stared at him. He would have been worried because she still hadn't said anything, but he caught the flush of desire on her face and was pleased beyond belief. Now he had something he could use to keep her with him.
He took the two steps he needed to stand very close in front of her and then cupped her face in his hands.
“I’m going to kiss you, honey. If you’re going to object, now is the time to do it.”
She stood mute.
He bowed his head and took her mouth, moaning when his lips touched hers for the first time. He’d dreamed of this for years, and it was so much better than he thought. He started off slow and tender, but when she set her hands on his waist and opened her mouth, it grew hungry.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly against his chest. When he lifted his head, he groaned at the desire he saw on her face and knew she felt the depth of attraction as much as he did.
“I could stand here and kiss you all day, baby, but I know you probably didn’t eat at all yesterday. Am I right?”
She nodded.
“Then that has to happen before anything. After, if you’re up for it, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“A surprise? I can’t remember the last time someone surprised me.”
“Come on. I’ll tell you about it while you eat.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist, and it felt like he’d been doing it for years instead of a day.
“Dottie, I want you to meet Hanna.” He looked down at her. “Honey, this is Dottie. She runs the house and my life.”
He saw Hanna smile when Dottie snorted.
“He’s just afraid of me because I’ve been here longer than he has, and I’m the one who changed his diapers.”
“Really?” Hanna asked.
“Yes. My dad hired her a few years before I was born, and for some crazy reason, she’s stayed this long.”
Dottie chuckled. “You have even fired me a few times, but I’m still here.”
Hanna’s eyes widened when she looked up at him. “You’ve fired her? Why?”
Blake saw the pleasure on Dottie’s face and knew she would enjoy this.
“But she’s also quit a few times, too.”
“Why?”
“When he gets too big for his britches or is disrespectful, which doesn’t happen often, I tell him I quit, and it shapes him right up.”
Hanna laughed.
“And,” he said, “when she gets too bossy, I fire her, but it doesn’t do a damn bit of good. The woman just snorts and keeps doing what she was doing.”
His heart tripped in his chest when Hanna laughed. He realized it was the first time he’d ever heard her laugh, and he pledged at that moment to make her laugh every day for the rest of their lives.
“I like this girl, boy. Is this the one you’ve been talking about for years? I’m guessing yes since there aren’t too many Hannas living around here.”
Blake rolled his eyes. “Yes. She’s the one.”
Dottie smiled at her. “I’m glad you're finally here to put this boy out of his misery. I know I’m sick of his whining because you weren’t here. Please tell me you’re staying?”
Blake grunted. “See what I mean? She’s so bossy. You feel sorry for me, right?”
He was glad to see the confusion disappear and her smile again.
“Can we get some food for her? She didn’t eat at all yesterday.”
Dottie walked up to her and grabbed onto her shoulders.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, honey. She was one of the best people I’ve ever known, and she was so proud of you.”
His stomach tightened when he saw tears fill Hanna’s eyes.
“Thank you,” she said. “I thought she was pretty special, too.”
“Well, you come and sit down, and I’ll get you fed. It’s a beautiful day out, and I know this boy wanted to take you out and explore.”
She glanced up at him. “Explore what?”
“That’s a surprise,” Blake said.
Hanna chuckled.
He led her over to the table and sat her down.
“Can I get you orange juice and coffee?”
“Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“Sugar or cream?”
“Neither. I like it black.”
Within a few minutes, he set a cup and glass down and sat beside her.
“Oh, my,” Hanna said when Dottie set down a large plate filled with eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
“Thank you, Dottie, but this is too much food.”
Dottie laughed. “I know, honey, but knowing that man next to you, he’ll help you finish it.”
Hanna glanced up at him. “You’ll help?”
“Yes. I’m always hungry.”
“That’s no lie,” Dottie said and walked away.
Blake picked up the only fork, speared a bite of eggs, and put it up to her mouth.
She looked shocked. “I can feed myself.”
“I know. But since we’re sharing, I thought this would be easier.”
He knew she wanted to decline, but instead opened her mouth. It felt amazing to him to care for her in any way, and the fact that they shared a fork felt intimate to him. He hoped it did to her, too.
She waved her hand before the bite of pancakes he brought to her mouth. “I can’t eat another bite.”
He didn’t think she ate nearly enough but didn’t push it. He planned to feed her again in a few hours.
After he finished, he picked up the dishes, set them in the sink, and kissed Dottie on the cheek.
“Thank you.”
He saw Hanna grin when Dottie tried to push him away.
He came back and sat down next to her. “So, part of my surprise is horseback riding. Do you like to do that?”
“Oh, I love it. I just haven't done it for so many years.”
“It’s like a bike. Once you know how to ride, you never forget.”
“Okay. I’d like that.”
“You can’t wear sandals.”
“I’ve got a pair of tennis shoes in the Tahoe.”
“I went ahead and got you a pair of boots. They’re safer.”
“You bought me boots?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes.” He reached to get the box he had set on the chair seat next to him, and then opened the box and pulled out a tan leather boot. It looked feminine and should fit comfortably since he checked her shoe size.
“If you don’t like them, we’ll get you another pair when we go into town. It’s good to have more than one.”
“I ... I can’t believe you’d do that. You know this isn’t my home anymore, and I won’t be able to use them in the city.”
“We’ll worry about that later.” He handed her some new socks. “Put these on and then try the boots.”
She looked undecided, but he also caught a spark of excitement.
After putting on the boots, she walked around a bit.
“These are really comfortable.” She walked over to him and hugged him. “Thank you. I love them.”
He cleared the emotion out of his throat. “Good. Now you just about look like a cowgirl.”
She laughed. “Just about?”
“Yeah.” He reached for a hat on a hook and put it on her head. “You’ve got a hat, too.”
“You bought me a hat?”
He grinned at her shock. “Well, yeah, you can’t be a cowgirl without one. Besides, we’ll be out in the sun, and I don’t want you to get sunburnt.”
He saw the tears fill her eyes, and he would have panicked if she hadn’t been smiling. “Okay, then, let’s head down to the barn.”
Dottie got his attention. “I had one of the guys take everything you wanted, so it’s already down there.”
“Thank you, Dottie.”
“You’re welcome, boy. Now take care of your girl.”
“I plan on it.”
He had Hanna’s hand in his, and they walked down to one of the barns where two horses were ready to go.
They came to the first smaller one. “This is Betsy. She’s a sweetheart. I gave you her because I guessed it had been a while, and I want you comfortable and secure.”
There was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.