Her Rodeo Man

Of course he didn’t. “You need to give Mr. Beckett a rest. He must be tired.”

“How about I go with you?” Ryder offered.

Drew bestowed a Christmas-morning smile on him. “All right!”

“Wanna ride,” Adam said, refusing to be left out.

“If it’s okay with your brother.”

“Okay.” Drew’s joy visibly dimmed. He didn’t want to share his new best pal with his brother, but he’d rather share than miss out entirely.

Using one hand, Ryder lifted Drew off his back, then lowered Adam to the ground. He didn’t resume sucking his thumb, but he did grab Ryder’s leg.

“Daddy!”

Uh-oh. Tatum’s stomach dropped to her knees. Could her children not go fifteen minutes without embarrassing her? “Honey, he’s not—”

“You stupid dork!” Gretchen shoved her little brother, nearly knocking him over. “He’s not our daddy.”

“Gretchen! No name-calling. You know better.”

Adam burst into sobs. Drew looked ready to cry but held himself in check. Tatum wished for the ground to open up and swallow her and her children whole.

“I’m not your daddy.” Ryder lowered himself so that he was eye level with both boys. “I am your friend, though. And that’s good enough. Now, let’s ride Cupcake.”

Like a miracle, Adam’s tears dried, and Drew’s smile reappeared. Gretchen, however, was another story, and she remained aloof.

The boys rode Cupcake a full twenty minutes before tiring. Ryder stood in the center of the pen, giving them instruction. Correction, giving Drew instruction. Adam sat behind his brother, holding on. Tatum couldn’t resist and took several pictures with her phone. All right, she admitted it. She took a few shots just of Ryder. Who could resist?

“Time to get home, boys.” Tatum scanned the area for Gretchen. Her daughter had found twin sisters to play with, children of Liberty’s client. Confident her daughter was fine and adequately supervised, she returned her attention to Ryder.