The mulish expression was back. “I don’t need anything.”
“Very well.” Rachel left the cookhouse and called for Will.
“Ma, Rusty said I could ride with him today. I don’t want to go to town.”
Since their kiss last week, Rachel had stayed mostly out of Rusty’s way. He seemed happy to avoid her as well. When she thought back to how wanton she’d behaved, and how her son caught her in that embrace, her face would flame anew. Best to push all of that aside, and pretend it hadn’t happened.
Rusty strode up behind Will. Much to her annoyance, her gaze immediately dropped to his lips. The lazy grin that broke out on his face told her he knew where her thoughts had wandered. Stiffening her spine, she raised her chin. “I don’t think leaving you here by yourself all day is a good idea.”
“I won’t be by myself, Ma. Mr. McIntyre and me have things to do.”
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at his comment and serious expression. Since Rusty stood behind Will, he had no reason to hide his grin.
“I assure you, ma’am, I will take good care of the boy. He actually helps me quite a bit by jumping down and looking at things close hand and reporting back. Helps get rid of all that energy Will is blessed with.”
Will getting close to Rusty, Amelia living in her house, and that kiss. It was all a bit too much. She didn’t want involvement with this man. But, somehow they were being pushed together from all sides. A day away from it was just what she needed.
“Very well, but I want you to promise me you will listen to everything Mr. McIntyre says. No going off on your own, understand?”
“Yes, Ma. I promise.” He jumped up and down, his face and body full of enthusiasm. Lord, this was not good. Hopefully when school started up again in another few weeks, she could get him away from his cowboy adoration.
***
No matter how hard Rusty tried to push the kiss to the back of his mind, he failed. He’d had several women over the years since Beatrice, and was always able to walk away when it was over. Not so this time. That was what he got for messing with a ‘forever’ woman. ‘Forever women’ got into your blood and under your skin until you were tied in knots. And women being the unfaithful creatures they were, they were all best left to a once-in-a-while thing.
He watched the exchange between mother and son. She tried unsuccessfully to keep Will from spending the day playing at being a cowboy. Although the kid was young, it was doubtful he would love college and all that it offered as much as he loved riding the range and tending to the cattle. When he looked into Will’s eyes, he saw himself at that age. Once it was in your blood, it was hard to get out.
Much like ‘forever women.’
“Are you going into town alone?”
Rachel tugged on her driving gloves. “Yes. I do most of the time. Why?”
“I just wonder how safe it is for a woman traveling alone back and forth.”
“I’ve never had a problem before.”
“Except when you got stuck in the mud.” He winked at her.
“One trip out of the dozens I’ve taken. I’ll be fine.” She bent and bussed Will’s cheek. “Be good. Mind Mr. McIntyre and don’t cause trouble. Remember this is his work, not a game.”
“I know.” he rolled his eyes and glanced red-faced at Rusty. “You’re treating me like a baby, Ma.”
The genuine smile of deep love as she gazed upon her son softened Rachel’s face, leaving Rusty with a yearning so strong to see that love directed at him that he broke into a sweat.
You’re getting yourself into deep trouble here, buddy.
“Let’s go,” he snapped at Will. He had to get away from her and these feelings before he did something incredibly stupid, like haul her against him and kiss her in front of her kid and the whole world.
He and Will headed to their horses and saddled up. They were no more than a few yards from the barn when the questions started. But this time Rusty’s unease grew as they rode.
“Mr. McIntyre, did you kiss my mom again?”
“Ah, no.”
“Why not?”
“Why not?” How the hell was he supposed to answer that question?