Twins For The Bull Rider

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Face burning, she groaned and dropped her eyes to her wrinkled shirt. She’d worn her clothes from yesterday to bed, and they were rumpled almost beyond recognition. And she’d torn out of the room in such a hurry she’d left her shoes behind.

This had to be a nightmare. She wiggled her unpolished toes against the gleaming hardwood floor just to be sure she was awake.

“Here,” Kayden called. A sharp tug on Cissy’s wrist had her at eye level. “I’ll fix it.”

“No, Kayden, wait.”

Dominic’s deep tenor and heavy footsteps registered right before Kayden jabbed his hand in her hair, fingers snarling in her bangs.

“Ow.” Cissy grabbed his wrist and yanked, but something sticky snagged every strand.

“It’s the syrup,” Dominic whispered softly into her ear as he gently untangled Kayden’s hand. “They just had pancakes.”

She peeked at him from the corners of her eyes. His chiseled jaw was fresh shaven and the soft scent of soap and detergent accompanied each of his movements. His deep chuckle rumbled at her side, the heat of his palm caressing her scalp sending a thrill down her spine.

“Thanks,” Cissy mumbled. She stepped away and smoothed a shaky hand over her matted hair.

“The pancakes were awesome, Aunt Cissy.” Jayden reached her side and wound his sticky fingers through hers. “Ms. Betty cooked some for you, too.”

“Ms. Betty?” Cissy couldn’t help but smile at his excited expression.

“Head chef,” Dominic answered for him. “Though she refuses the title. Ms. Betty’s been heading up the meals here for years.”

Cissy nodded, eyeing Kayden. His knuckles tightened around the rope, wiggling the end that trailed along the floor. She stooped, grabbed it with her free hand and tugged.

“Have you been torturing your brother with this all morning?”

“No,” Kayden said, pulling.

Cissy narrowed her eyes and gave it a firm jerk. He snatched back.

“No, ma’am,” Kayden reiterated, chin jutting. “Ain’t had time to. Mr. Dominic took us out on the paddleboats before breakfast and showed us everything. They have a pool, and game room and—”

“Lots of horses,” Jayden added, leaning against her hip. “They have lots of horses, Aunt Cissy.”

“Uh-huh.” Cissy relinquished her hold on the rope and nudged the bedroom door open with her heel. “Why don’t you two go on in the room and wash up?”

“But Mr. Dominic said he’d let us pet the horses.” Kayden frowned in concentration, winding the rope up in his fist. “He said they have painters and nickels.”

Kayden whipped the rope out against the floor with a sharp snap, causing them all to jump.

“Easy, now.” Dominic reached out, big palm up, for the rope. “And they’re paint and quarter horses,” he stressed with another dimpled grin.

“Yeah. That’s what I said.” Kayden’s face puckered in affront but he handed over his prized possession with no resistance.

Cissy fought to keep her jaw from hanging open. Who would’ve thought this handsome, muscled flirt would be so good with kids? Most men only thought of kids as a nuisance. They dropped tail and ran at the sight of them.

Jayden squeezed her hand. “Mr. Dominic promised we could feed the horses.”

“Regardless—” Cissy bent and steered the boys by their elbows through the door “—we all need to freshen up a bit. And I’m sure Mr. Dominic has other things to do.”

Dominic cocked his head and shrugged. “Well, I did promise them. And I try not to break my promises.”

His deep tone made her blood rush. It was husky and warm. The kind of voice a woman would expect a man to have first thing in the morning, his arms wrapped around her and his body hard.

Cissy firmed her mouth. Promises. She’d made one of those, too. And so far, she hadn’t delivered. She had to get her feet back under her, regain her focus and avoid distractions. She averted her gaze from Dominic’s knowing eyes.

All distractions.

“Yeah,” Cissy muttered, “most men try not to break promises. But they’re usually not successful.”

Dominic’s bright smile dimmed.

Cissy cringed at the bitter tone lacing her words. He’d been nothing but kind and she was being an ungrateful guest. Crystal would’ve kicked her square in the rump right about now.

She dragged a hand across the back of her neck and regrouped before speaking with more care. “That was nice of you to offer. But I’d hate to interrupt anyone’s day.”

“It’s not an interruption.” Dominic moved closer, bracing his hand on the door frame above her head. “I’ll bring your bags up and tell Ms. Betty you’ll be down soon. After you’ve had some breakfast, we’ll head out. I’ll show you around.”

Cissy deliberately avoided the bulge of his biceps and focused on a point over his broad shoulder.

No distractions. If she had any sense about her, she’d turn him down flat.

But she couldn’t disappoint the boys. It was rare for the three of them to be able to spend a day of leisure together. And lately, a day where she wasn’t dragging them around in search of work from sunup to sundown.

“Okay.” Cissy paused at the threshold. It was best to be straight with him from the get go. She clarified over her shoulder, “For the boys. I’d hate to disappoint them.”

“I’ll take it.” Another grin crinkled the corners of his eyes and sparked a flirtatious glint in the dark pools.

She spun back around, placing the door between them with no finesse. Dominic’s genteel tone and rugged charm were enough to reduce a woman to a puddle at his feet. And she refused to melt.

A quick shower, fresh set of clothes and pair of sneakers had her feeling halfway decent again. The boys showered next, taking full advantage of the toiletries provided in the en suite bathroom. Most of which ended up on the floor.

Mouth full of toothpaste, Cissy rubbed a towel over the boys’ wet heads. Her cell phone vibrated with a clatter across the nightstand. She froze. It could only be Jason again.

“I can’t breathe.” Kayden’s whine barely broke through the fluffy cloth of the towel draped over his face.

“Sorry,” she muttered absently, slinging the towel away and rinsing her mouth in the sink. “You two finish up.”

Unplugging her cell from the charger, she scrolled through and found over a dozen missed calls since last night. All of them from Jason.

Cissy shoved the cell in her pocket, her jaw clenching. That was it, then. She had to take his next call. If she didn’t, she’d only make things worse. There was no way around it.

She helped the boys dress, then they made their way down to join Dominic. A large plate of pancakes, warm syrup and crisp bacon was waiting for her. Ms. Betty turned out to be a small, bubbly woman with a bright smile. And the boys weren’t exaggerating. She had to be the best cook in Georgia. Kayden and Jayden even found room for second servings.

After waiting patiently for the boys to refill their bellies, Dominic led them outside and down a trail to the paddock. Cissy followed behind him and the boys, taking in the sights around her.

The bright morning sun hadn’t quite begun blazing yet, making the air less humid. Several guests strolled about the grounds or splashed in a large pool on the side of the main building. Azaleas, grouped around the walkway, boasted brightly colored blooms.

Cissy inhaled, pulling in the sweet fragrance of the flowers and savoring the stroll down to a paddock below. The boys’ giggles mingled with Dominic’s deep tones, stretching a smile across her face. It was nice to ease her vigilant grip on them and relax.

She glanced around once more, noting the extensive grounds peppered with bunkhouses, roaming horses and guests enjoying outdoor activities of all kinds. Surely a bustling business like this would have a need for extra help.

Cissy smiled wider. A job. The first step of a solid plan to salvage the mess she’d made of her life. She’d ask if there were openings. Hopefully, there’d be something. If she could secure a job and board here, she could earn enough money to fix the car and save to pay for a new apartment. She’d work every hour of the day if she had to.

That was it. A strategy she could swing. A job, money and a new home.

She turned back and sighed with satisfaction at the boys’ excited skips ahead of her. They bounced at Dominic’s side with glee, stretching up every now and then to snag his jeans and tug for his attention. Each eager pull drew the denim tighter across his muscular thighs and buttocks.

Cissy’s skin tingled. Dear Lord, that man had a fantastic a—

Stop. She had a plan now. Job, money, apartment. There was no room for diversions. And there sure as heck wasn’t any room for a man. Even if he did have the sexiest butt on the planet.

Kayden released his hold on Dominic’s jeans and tore off to clamber up a white fence surrounding the paddock. Jayden held Dominic’s hand, pulling at it as he ran.

Dominic’s attention clung to the lithe man who’d opened the door to them last night, who stood a few feet from them, grooming a horse. “I brought you some help, Logan.”

Jayden added, “Mr. Dominic said we could pet the horses.”

Logan’s arm stilled, the brush hovering over the horse’s back as he smiled at the boys. Tipping his hat, he stepped forward and held out his hand to Cissy. “Morning. Don’t think we had a proper introduction last night. I’m Logan Slade. Dom’s older brother.”

She took his hand, his warm greeting putting her at ease. “Cissy Henley. I’m sorry about us barging in on you last night.”

Logan waved away the apology. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry I wasn’t more cordial.” His eyes cut to Dominic. “Just didn’t know company was dropping by.”

“Yeah, well, that’d be my fault.” Dominic moved to the fence, lifting Jayden up on the rail beside Kayden. “Didn’t think I needed to call seeing as how I’m family.”

“You don’t,” an older man said, ambling up to the fence. “Both my sons can come and go as they please.” He gripped Logan’s shoulder, then stretched an arm out over the fence to shake Cissy’s hand. “I’m Tate Slade. Dominic and Logan’s dad. But you can call me Pop. Everyone else does,” he added with a wink.

Cissy smiled, briefly shaking his hand and thanking him for allowing them to stay the night. He had a kind face and gentle voice. She could easily see where Dominic and Logan got their gentlemanly qualities.

Sidestepping the men, Cissy took up a piece of the fence, too. She lifted a foot and braced it on the lower rung. The rail’s warmth seeped into her palms.

“Can we pet the horses?” Kayden asked.

He seemed fascinated by Logan’s movements. His eyes clung to Logan’s hand as it pulled a brush through the horse’s hair with whispering sweeps.

“Sure.” Pop retrieved an apple from a bucket. He handed it to Kayden and motioned toward a horse lingering nearby. “That one’s named Oreo. Call him.”

“Come on, Oreo,” Kayden urged, holding out the red apple.

“Gentle,” Dominic said. He lifted Kayden higher on the fence. “Stretch your arm out a bit farther. And hold your hand as flat as you can.”

“What if he’s not hungry?”

“Don’t worry. Oreo never turns down a treat. He’ll come when he’s ready. You just have to be patient.”

The large horse moved with ease toward Kayden’s arm. Spots of midnight black and creamy white covered the horse’s sleek muscles. Oreo dipped his broad head and nuzzled Kayden’s hand with his nose, tugging on the apple with his teeth and chomping off a generous bite. Kayden dissolved into a fit of giggles.

“Oreo likes it,” Jayden announced, promptly scooting closer to Dominic to lean over the fence, as well.

The boys’ eyes sparkled and their faces flushed. Cissy smiled. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen them this excited over anything. Of course, Crystal’s illness had cast thick shadows over them for so long.

But watching them now, they seemed like their old selves for the first time in forever. Their laughter was genuine. Their comfort obvious.

Cissy closed her eyes and dropped her head back, enjoying the peaceful moment. The sun’s heat poured into her muscles and her body relaxed on a deep exhale.

This was her promise to Crystal. Providing the boys with full bellies and the comfort of a permanent home. A life free of poverty and displacement. Something she and Crystal had never known growing up.

A buzzing in her pocket shot vibrations down her thigh. Cissy snatched the cell phone out, her fingers fumbling to keep it from falling to the ground. Here we go.

“Aunt Cissy, come look at this,” Kayden called.

Pop had taken over with the boys and laughed with them as Oreo nuzzled their palms.

“In a minute,” she hastened, shrugging as Dominic twisted to survey her. “I have to take this.”

Spinning, she moved a few steps away and pressed the phone to her ear.

“Jason.” It was impossible to drudge up a more polite greeting than that.