Wyatt's Ready-Made Family

Again he nodded.

“You get scared?”

“I have a mother and my brother.”

“Is he mean to you?”

Wyatt had to smile, remembering how he and Dylan had fought when they were kids. “We had fights, but not too many anymore.”

“Jeff is a mean brother. He calls me a dumb girl all the time.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m not dumb.”

Wyatt wiped off his hands. No sooner had he turned to the girl than more tears began to run down her angel face.

“Now, don’t go cryin’ on me, princess.” He took the towel and dried her wet cheeks. He’d never felt so awkward and clumsy in his life as he patted her back trying to soothe her.

Maura stood in the doorway and watched the touching scene between her daughter and Wyatt Gentry. Kelly had never known the gentleness of a man. Her own father had never wanted her around. So Maura had done everything to keep out of his way. She was surprised that her daughter would seek a man’s attention.

Just then Wyatt looked at her and their eyes locked. A spark of desire shot through her and she wondered what it would be like to have this man’s arms around her.

Just as quickly the moment ended. “Kelly, look, your mother’s here.”

The child suddenly brightened. “Mommy, I’m helping Wyatt do the dishes.”

“I can see that.” She walked to the sink and asked her daughter, “Are you okay?”

Kelly nodded. “Jeff hurt my feelings.”

“I’ll talk to him after school.”

Maura saw Wyatt tense. She knew her son’s behavior wasn’t perfect, but he’d gone through a lot in the past months. She would deal with it…later.

“It’s time to leave for work.”

“Okay,” Kelly said as she climbed off the stool, then looked up at Wyatt. “I liked helpin’ you.”

“Thank you, princess. See ya after school.” He waved as she started out the back door.

Maura braced herself for Wyatt’s criticism for her not disciplining her son, but he didn’t say a word.

“If it’s okay with you,” he began, “I’m going to have an exterminator out to spray the place.”

“How long will we have to be out?” she asked.

“I’m hoping I can get someone out today, tomorrow at the latest. At any rate you should be able to come into the house the same evening.”

How considerate. There was a kindness that showed in his eyes, along with something else that she didn’t want to examine. He looked strong and dangerously masculine. Maura felt a shiver of awareness and realized she was a little breathless. “I’d appreciate that,” she managed to say.

“So you won’t mind if I use my key?” he asked.

“Of course not. It’s your house,” she said.

“No, it’s your house for the time being. I won’t come in here unless you say so.” He studied her for a moment. “I realize you don’t know me very well and I guess that’s my fault. There’s not much to tell, though. I was born Wyatt Alan Gentry thirty-one years ago, five minutes before my twin brother, Dylan.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “He claims he’s the good-looking one. I’ve lived on a ranch outside Tucson, Arizona, all my life. My mother is Sally and my stepfather is Earl Keys. They’ve been a rough-stock contractor to the rodeos for years. So most of our lives were spent traveling around Arizona and California. Most of the time we lived out of a trailer.”

“It must have been crowded.” Maura had lived in a mansion growing up, and had been so lonely.

He tossed her one of those easy grins. “That’s one of the reasons I bought this ranch. I got tired of traveling. So I plan to stay put. My goal is to board and train rodeo stock here, hoping when Dylan retires from bull riding he’ll join me.” He sighed. “That’s about it. Unless you want some references, then you can call any rodeo grounds from Arizona through southern California. They’ll vouch for the Gentrys.”

Wyatt held his breath while Maura took her time studying his face. She looked so pretty in her crisp white blouse and bright flowered skirt. Her blond hair shimmered as she tugged the long strands behind her ears.

“You don’t need to provide me with any references,” she insisted.

“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable with me around. Like I said, I can eat in the foreman’s cottage.”

“I’m not uncomfortable,” she said. They both knew she was lying. “And you’ll eat your meals—at this table—with us. That’s our arrangement.”

He folded his arms across his chest and peered back at her. “What about you?” he asked. “Where you from? Your accent doesn’t ring native Texan.”

She shook her head. “I’m originally from the east, New York State. I’ve been here for nearly eight years, but we’ve moved a lot…” Her gaze moved around the room, anywhere but at him. “I should get to work.” She pulled her car keys out of her purse and headed for the door. “Speaking of our agreement, just let me know when you want to discuss any ideas or color scheme. I could help you with the painting inside.”

“I still have so much to do outside,” he said. “I need to get the place repaired and painted before winter gets here. But I would like to hear some of your suggestions for the inside of the house.”

She nodded. “I’ll be home around five-thirty. Any suggestions on supper?”

He smiled. “Surprise me.”

For the first time she returned his smile. “Oh, it will definitely be that. See you tonight.” She turned and walked out.

Wyatt realized that he was looking forward to when she came home, to seeing her again.

That was not good.

Just as Maura had said, she and the kids arrived home about five-thirty as he worked tightening the hinges on the screen door.

Jeff was the first out of the car. He ran up to the porch without even a word of greeting.

Not Kelly. She jumped out of the car, smiling. “Hi, Wyatt.” She took off her backpack and pulled out a piece of paper, the corners a little bent. “See what I made today? A picture. That’s you.” She pointed to the colorful rough stick figure on the page.

“Really? You made a picture of me?”

She nodded proudly.

“No one has ever drawn me a picture. Thank you.”

She twisted her fingers together. “You’re welcome.”

“Where should we put this? How about on the refrigerator? That way I can see it every day when I eat.”

“Okay, I can hang it up for you.”