Mallory's Bears(15)
“This is insane.”
“Mal, are you okay?”
Had Kid stood outside her room all this while? “I’m fine. Go away.”
“I think we need to talk.”
The last thing she wanted to do was talk about her strange feelings. But she knew Kid well enough to know that he wouldn’t give up. He’d stand outside her bedroom all night if he had to.
Checking her appearance in the mirror—why are my cheeks so pink?—she opened the door and found his big mug staring at her, worry emphasizing the lines in his lovable face. Guilt swamped her. He cared for her like a sister and she’d slammed the door in his face.
Determined not to let him get the first word in, she preempted his first question with one of her own. “I’m starving. Want to raid the kitchen? I didn’t get much to eat at dinner.”
Kid was never one to turn down food. “Sure. You know what I always say. If there’s a fridge, I’m a-eatin’.”
She led the way, easing around corners, then checking below before they hurried down the stairs. Only a couple of lights were on, but they gave her enough room to find her way to the kitchen.
“I guess Rick and Gunner have already gone to bed. Do ranchers do the ‘early to bed, early to rise’ thing like farmers?”
She hunted for plates, utensils, and whatever food she could find. After getting two plates, she found the walk-in pantry and a loaf of what looked like homemade bread. Did people still make their own bread?
“Beats me, Kid. Either that or they’re trying to avoid their house guests.”
“There’s no way they’re avoiding us. Or at least, not you. Not after the way they were looking at you over dinner. I’m surprised they remembered I was there.”
She rummaged in a drawer and found a knife. “See if you can find some jelly in the refrigerator. And maybe some raw veggies.” Getting out six pieces of bread, she began spreading the peanut butter along its smooth, soft surface. Kid would no doubt eat three of the four sandwiches.
“Here you go.”
She took the grape jelly and dipped her knife into its gooey goodness. “I am so hungry.”
“Then you eat two of them.”
She gave him a “yeah, right” face and had them both laughing. “Shh. We don’t want them to find us. In fact, grab a couple of those water bottles and let’s take our food out to the porch.”
The night was balmy whenever the slight breeze let up. They sat in two rockers with a small table between them and began eating. For several minutes, nothing was said. Instead, she leaned back and studied the bright stars above her.
“I could live on a ranch like this.”
Kid stopped rocking, almost as surprised as she was at her admission. “Could you live on this ranch?”
She tried to make a sound somewhere between a laugh and a scoff, but fell short. “Where did that crazy idea come from?”
“From the fact that they’ve got a hankerin’”—he grinned at using the old-time word—“for you big-time. If I had to make a bet, I’d say those two guys fell head over boots in love with you the second they saw you.”
Did he really think so? A flutter erupted in her stomach that had nothing to do with her hunger. “Oh, my God, Kid, you’re such a hopeless romantic.”
“Yeah, I am, but I know what I saw. And I saw the same thing from you.”
Obviously, he wasn’t going to drop the subject. She took a sip of her water, determined not to meet his intense gaze. “I think you were in the sun too long.”
“Go on, Mal. Try and deny that you feel something for them.”
She could try to lie, but Kid had a way of knowing whenever she did. “Fine. I admit it. I’m attracted to them. But simple lust is a far cry from falling in love with two men I don’t even know.”
Kid finally leaned back in his chair, letting her relax. He took a huge bite, devouring half his first sandwich. “Normally, I’d agree with you, but not now. Uh-uh. I don’t know what’s going on, but something sure is.”
She worried her lower lip, then decided to tell him. Setting down her plate and drink, she gripped the arm of the chair and dived in. “Maybe you’re right. At least about something going on.”
His eyes grew big as he put his food and drink down and leaned toward her. “Finally. You admit it. Spill.”
“I can’t explain it, but every time I’m near them, hell, even now when they’re not right here, I get this strange sensation inside me.”
“What do you mean strange? Good strange or bad strange?”
“Good.” She thought about it a moment longer. “Yeah. Definitely good. Amazing. Exhilarating. Like I can’t wait to run my hands and tongue all over them. Like I want to crawl on top of them and have my way with them.”