Catching the Cowboy: A Small-Town Clean Romance (Summer Creek Book 1) Page 21

  He stepped into the kitchen and smiled at his daughter as she stood on a chair next to his grandmother, helping make a green salad. Cricket jumped off the chair and raced toward him.

  “I’m a mess, baby girl, so just give me a kiss. You get two extra hugs right after I take a shower.” He bent down and turned his face for Cricket. She pressed a noisy, slobbery kiss to his cheek, making him chuckle as he straightened and looked at his grandmother. “I do have time to shower before dinner, don’t I?”

  “You sure do, and even if you didn’t, I’d wait. A hot shower and good meal will perk you right up, Hudson. You’re probably frozen and hungry.” Nell shook a spoon at him. “Just don’t take too long. Cricket has proclaimed she is starving to death.”

  “To death?” Hud asked with mock seriousness. “Well, we can’t have that. I’ll hurry.”

  He turned to go down the hallway to his room and smacked into Emery as she walked into the kitchen.

  “Oh!” Startled, she glanced up at him as her hands and arms connected with his bare chest. His hands cupped her elbows to keep her from falling over. The blue of her eyes darkened and Hud fought to keep from tumbling into their depths.

  Cold most of the day with his wet clothes plastered against him, he suddenly felt overheated. Emery’s hands pressed against his skin felt like fiery brands. Zaps zinged through him, as though Emery channeled an electrical current in her fingertips.

  When his gaze settled on her face, pink, provocative lips practically begged for his kiss.

  For a moment, Hud forgot he was standing half-dressed in the kitchen, his feet like blocks of ice on the cool hardwood floor. The presence of his daughter and grandmother completely fled his mind as he stared into Emery’s lovely face. He longed to pull out the clip at the back of her head and tangle his fingers in her golden hair, maybe trail his hands up and down her back. The urge to hug her, to hold her close and breathe in her essence, nearly overtook him.

  But he didn’t let it.

  Instead, he released his grip and stepped back, keenly aware of the mess his filthy jeans made on the simple navy-blue skirt she wore.

  “I’m sorry, Emery. I didn’t mean to plow right over you.”

  “It’s not a problem. I was going to run upstairs and change anyway.” She looked down at her skirt and back to him. “Did you get the cattle moved?”

  “Sure did. I’ll go back in a few days to check on them, but I can drive over to do that.”

  Emery nodded, but her eyes appeared fixed on his bare chest.

  Hud wasn’t one given to vanity and rarely thought about his appearance. The way she kept eyeing him, though, certainly boosted his ego. Intentionally, he flexed his pectoral muscles.

  Smug satisfaction settled over him as Emery’s eyes widened and she looked as though she considered reaching out to touch him. Before she did, Cricket grabbed onto her hand. “Emery! We’re having stew and bread, and Grammy’s yummy jam, and salad, and we made pie, too!”

  Emery bent over and kissed Cricket on the forehead. “My goodness! You’ve been busy today. I’ll hurry and change, then we can set the table.”

  “Okay.” Cricket skipped back over to where her grandmother sliced a cucumber to add to the salad.

  Hud hastened to his bedroom, wondering what might have happened if his grandmother and daughter hadn’t been watching every move he and Emery made. While he showered, his thoughts lingered on the woman who’d not only taken up residence in his home but had somehow broken past the barriers he’d erected around his heart and carved out a place there. One he hadn’t wanted anyone to fill.

  Emery had turned out to be nothing like he had expected, yet exactly what he’d needed. Her presence at Summer Creek Ranch was truly like having a burst of sunshine with them, even on the grayest day. She was vibrant and sweet, smart and driven, and she made him feel again.

  Years ago, he’d vowed to spend the rest of his life alone, but Emery made him want more. So much more—with her. No one had ever made him feel the things he felt when he was with her.

  There were times she drove him absolutely crazy. Then she’d laugh or smile, and he’d forget everything but the joy on her face and how it transformed into happiness in his heart. Despite his intentions to keep his emotions in check, he felt like they were running in a hundred different directions, all winding back around to Emery.

  Convinced his tiring day had him far too contemplative for his own good, he dried off, pulled on a clean pair of jeans, and thought, for just a minute, about going to the dinner table without his shirt. His grandmother would comment on it, then tell Jossy, who’d tease him mercilessly.

  Quickly grabbing a T-shirt, he pulled it on, shoved his feet into a pair of fleece-lined slippers, and hurried back to the kitchen.

  The glimpse Emery shot at him held enough yearning to make him stumble over his feet. He caught himself on the end of the counter, then did his best to act as though everything was normal. His daughter wrapped her arms around his legs, so he picked her up and gave her a tight squeeze.

  “Daddy! You’re smuffering me!” She squirmed against him.

  “I am?” he questioned, feigning innocence as he rubbed his stubble-covered chin on her cheek.

  “No! Not scratchies.” She giggled and continued squirming. “Daddy! You got to behave.”

  “I do?” He pretended to look confused. “Since when was that a rule?”

  “Since right now.” Cricket huffed and leaned back in his arms, scowling at him. “You can’t smuffer me or rub scratchies on me. That’s a very important rule.”

  “So it is,” he said, kissing her cheek and making growling noises that drew out her laughter as he settled her in her chair at the table.

  He pulled out chairs for Emery and his grandmother and waited until they were seated before he sat in his chair.

  “Emery, would you please offer thanks for our meal this evening?” he asked, hoping he wouldn’t catch her off guard. She’d told him she’d never been one who attended church often, but since she’d been in Summer Creek, she’d attended services every Sunday. He’d seen the changes taking place in her and thought perhaps developing her own relationship with God had played a key part in it.

  She took Cricket’s hand in hers, then his, before she bowed her head and offered a simple, heartfelt prayer.

  Hud nodded to her in appreciation when she once again lifted her gaze to his.

  Dinner was delicious and filling. As they ate, Emery updated them on her progress with her Walk Through 1910 project, as she’d dubbed the tours she hoped to soon begin in the old buildings. The historical society had agreed to her suggestion to make a big community celebration out of opening the buildings for the first time in years, in hopes of getting the residents involved in the restoration process and excited about the possibilities. Hud promised he would be there. He knew his grandmother and Jossy had committed to not just participating, but also providing food for the community potluck that would follow the opening of the buildings on Saturday.

  The historical society board all supported Emery’s idea of picking a specific point in time for the focus of the tours and the buildings. By 1910, all of the older buildings in town had been constructed, some for the second time after the devastating fire.

  Emery had talked, at length, about the day in the future when new businesses might eventually occupy the buildings. She thought it would be fun if they kept 1910 as a central theme. For her sake, and the town’s, he hoped her vision for Summer Creek came true.

  Honestly, she’d poured her heart into the town and he couldn’t picture what the future, his future, would look like without her there.

  At least she’d stay as long as she still had community service hours to work off. He’d been so busy, he’d turned over keeping track of them to his grandmother. It had been about three weeks since he last verified her hours, and he wondered how many weeks she had left before she’d complete them.

  After dinner, Hud went to the office and turned on hi
s computer. He entered details in the records he kept about the ranch, noting the date and how many head of cattle he moved to the summer pasture. It was a few weeks earlier than they normally moved them, but spring’s early arrival made it possible to turn them out onto the rich, green grass.

  Hud added a few more notes, then glanced at the time. Mindful it was close to Cricket’s bedtime, he turned off the computer and headed back to the kitchen. His grandmother sat at the table thumbing through an old book of recipes that had belonged to her mother while Emery sipped tea from the teacup he’d given to her for Easter.

  Cricket sat on Emery’s lap, listening as she read one of his daughter’s favorite stories. The two of them together just seemed so right, so perfect, it made his heart feel as though it was flopping around inside his chest, untethered and anxious.

  Although he hated to disturb such a sweet scene, Cricket could barely keep her eyes open. When she yawned and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, he decided it was past time to settle her in bed for the night.

  “Baby girl, it’s time for you to be in bed.” He walked over to where she sat with Emery and held out his hands to her.

  Cricket turned away from him, wrapping her arms around Emery’s neck and holding on. “I want Emery to tuck me in, Daddy. Please?”

  Disappointed Cricket had once again chosen Emery over him, he managed to hold back his scowl as he nodded his head.

  “If Emery wants to tuck you in, that’s fine.” Hud bent down and kissed Cricket on top of her head. Her curls were still slightly damp from her bath and smelled of the strawberry shampoo she liked. He wondered if it was his grandmother or Emery who had overseen her bath time. Hud felt like he was failing as a parent since he hadn’t even thought about her typical evening routine in his exhausted state. He set all that aside and kissed his daughter’s temple. “I love you, Cricket.”

  “Love you, too, Daddy.” She smiled at him as she rested her head on Emery’s shoulder.

  Emery set down the teacup she still held and pushed away from the table, rising to her feet with Cricket in her arms. She gave him a questioning look, but he merely nodded at her, then watched as she left the room.

  “Here, Hudson. Have a piece of pie. It’ll make you feel better.” His grandmother set a warm piece of pie made from berries she’d frozen last summer in front of him along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

  He took a bite of the sweet raspberry filling and smiled. “It’s so good, Grammy. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She studied him as he ate, then finally cleared her throat. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re pouting that Cricket wanted Emery to tuck her in.”

  Indignant and slightly irritated at his grandmother’s continual insight, Hud narrowed his gaze. “I do not pout.”

  Nell laughed softly. “Is brood a better word?”

  “No,” he barked, then took a big bite of pie and ice cream so he wouldn’t have to talk.

  “Honey, I know you have feelings for Emery.” At his startled expression, she reached over and patted his back much like she had when he was six and had found out a coyote had killed his kitten. “It’s okay, Hud. We all like her, and Cricket adores her.”

  “That’s all fine and dandy, but Emery will head back to Portland as soon as she finishes her community service hours. Where will that leave me and Cricket?” He shook his head. “Nothing good can come from a relationship that would only last a few months. I think it’s best to go on as things are.”

  A snort rolled out of his grandmother and she looked at him as though he’d left his brains somewhere between their ranch and the summer pasture. “You might be the most handsome thing anyone has seen in a while, but sometimes you are such an idiot, Hudson Carter Cole. Emery finished her community service hours three days ago and hasn’t mentioned returning to her former life at all. In fact, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if she decides to stay here.”

  “What?” Hud stared at his grandmother, convinced he had rain in his ears, making him hear things. “She finished her community service hours? How did that happen?”

  “Well, if you hadn’t been so busy with ranch work that you’ve hardly been around the past few weeks, you’d know that Emery has been working practically nonstop, trying to get the Walk Through 1910 project off the ground. She’s pestered every business in town, gone to the courthouse in Burns multiple times, and has spent most of the money she’s earned working here on necessities for the historical society.”

  Taken aback by the thought that Emery was free to leave Summer Creek, Hud could hardly process anything else his grandmother said. The pie he’d just eaten settled like a lump of lead in his stomach as he glared at Nell. He wasn’t sure he could survive if Emery left Summer Creek. Left him.

  “Well? What are you going to do about giving her a reason to stay here?” Nell asked.

  “Nothing. I can’t ask her to stay. She’s used to spas and coffee shops, and luxuries I can never provide.” He raked a hand through his hair and sighed. “There’s no reason for her to want to remain in Summer Creek.”

  “I can think of two.” His grandmother grinned at him. “You and Cricket. She loves you both, even if you refuse to see it. And even if she didn’t, she claims she’s found her purpose in life in those old buildings in town. Emery is determined to revive Summer Creek.”

  When Hud remained silent, Nell reached out and covered his hand with hers. Absently, he wondered when her hands had become covered with age spots and her fingers knotted with arthritis. He looked up into the face of the woman who’d raised him. Who’d always encouraged and supported him. Who’d been more than just a mother to him.

  “I know you’re afraid to give your heart away a second time, Hud. I would be, too, if I was wearing your boots. But Emery is nothing like Bethany. Both of them came from a privileged background and have blonde hair, but that’s where the similarities end. Bethany would never have spent time with Cricket like Emery. And she would never have given her time or money to do something to help the town. She hated it here. Unless I’m completely mistaken, Emery loves Summer Creek. And you.”

  Hud rose and carried his dirty plate to the sink, then got a drink of water to give himself a minute to think before he looked back at his grandmother.

  “Just consider what I’ve said, honey. Now, get yourself to bed. You look like you could fall over from weariness.”

  He set down the glass, then gave his grandmother a warm hug. “I love you, Grammy. Thank you, for everything.”

  “I love you, too, Hudson. Good night.”

  Hud went to his room and closed the door, then listened to Emery and Cricket talking. He’d forgotten all about the baby monitor he kept in Cricket’s room. At night, it gave him peace of mind. If his daughter awakened and needed him, he’d be able to hear her even though she was on the other end of the house.

  An inner debate of whether to listen or go brush his teeth ensued. The need to hear Emery’s voice trumped any guilt he might have felt over listening to their conversation. Slowly, he sank onto the edge of the bed and stared at the baby monitor on his nightstand.

  “I want you to stay here with us forever and ever, Emery,” Cricket said in a voice that sounded half-asleep.

  Hud pictured Emery sitting beside her on the little bed, brushing Cricket’s wild curls out of her face. “There’s nothing in the world I’d like more than to stay here with you, Cricket. I love you so much, and I’m so, so glad I got to live here with you for a while.”

  “Do you love Grammy?”

  “Of course.” Emery’s tone held a bit of amusement. “Your grandmother is one of the biggest-hearted people I’ve ever met. Not everyone opens their home and arms to strangers like Nell does. She’s a very special person. Besides, nobody bakes mothball cookies as good as hers.”

  The sound of Cricket’s giggles mingled with Emery’s gentle laugh.

  “What about my daddy? Do you love him, too?”

  Hud stared at the monitor, wishing i
t was a model with a screen so he could see Emery’s face. Instead, he held his breath, anxiously awaiting her answer.

  Emery cleared her throat. “I do love your daddy, Cricket. Very much.” Her voice sounded breathy, rather wistful.

  “My daddy loves you, too. So does Aunt Jossy, and Wrigley and Gizmo, and Luna, and my pony.” Cricket yawned loudly.

  “Let’s say your prayers, then you better drift off to dreamland, little one.”

  Hud listened to Cricket’s prayers and started to rise when he heard her whisper, “I wish you were my mommy.”

  A sharp pain stabbed through his chest and he slumped back onto the bed.

  “I wish I were, too, Cricket. Love you, sweet girl. Good night.”

  The monitor was silent, except for the sound of Cricket’s even breathing, letting him know she’d already fallen asleep. He changed into his pajama bottoms, brushed his teeth, and slid into bed.

  Although he was tired beyond endurance, sleep eluded him far into the night as he thought about Emery and Cricket, as well as his conversation with his grandmother. Would love be enough to convince Emery to stay?

  He turned his thoughts to prayers before finally succumbing to sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  On her knees beside the fountain located in the center of the old building complex across from City Hall, Emery watched Jason Hart, the local plumber, work as he attempted to get the fountain functioning once again.

  Every time she glanced at Jason’s service truck, she smiled. Emblazoned across the back was the phrase, “A flush beats a full house, every time!” It was parked nearby as the plumber rushed to complete the job.

  He’d taken a look at the fountain right after Emery had started the historical society. Although he needed to order parts, he’d told her he thought he could get it running again. Thankfully, the parts had arrived two days ago. Jason had devoted every spare minute he had to the repairs.