True Love at Silver Creek Ranch(88)
“So I stole a car—and it happened to be the football coach’s. My parents were going to let me rot in jail, but Coach McKee stood up for me, just like your mom stood up for you.”
“How’d you know that?” Tyler demanded.
“It’s a small town, isn’t it?”
“What did the old guy do to you?”
“Let me serve my community service with him as a manager on the football team. I found better kids to hang out with, and Coach—he didn’t preach to me, just showed me how to take responsibility. It felt good. And since Coach impressed me, I decided to do what he’d done, and enter the service. But whatever you choose to do is up to you. As long as you go forward, not back, you’ll find the next stage of your life.”
Tyler let out a heavy sigh, his expression bleak. “It’s hard to get away from those guys, you know?”
“I know. But you have to do what’s best for you and your family. Your mom is dealing with a lot, right?”
Tyler nodded. “She cries at night. She’s worried I’m going to do something stupid like Cody. Cody’s worried about that, too.”
“It’s good that they both care. That must help.”
Tyler pushed away from the rail and headed toward the open door. He paused, and said over his shoulder, “Thanks.”
Adam followed him a minute later, to find Brooke just closing a stall door nearby. She gave him a searching look.
“You overheard,” he said.
She glanced toward the barn doors, and although they were open, he could see no one in the yard beyond. She came to him, put her arms around his waist, and gave him a gentle kiss.
“You’re good with him.”
He shrugged. “Not much to figure out. I’ve been there. At least his mom cares. Mine didn’t even want to be a mom. Condom broke.”
She winced. “And she actually told you that.”
“Oh yeah, every time she was furious I didn’t get her a beer or, later on, cook them some food. I’m glad Tyler’s got a better mom. Makes me think he’ll be all right.”
She kissed him again, slowly, sweetly, and he found himself so hungry for the taste of her, the scent of lemons and coconut in her hair. He almost pulled it out of its braid before he remembered himself.
They heard a casual whistle from the yard and just broke apart in time.
Josh came strolling in. “So how’d it go?”
Brooke grinned. “It was so fun, Josh! You could have joined in, you know.”
He raised both hands. “Just like you, I’ve got to prove I can do two jobs. Lots of purses to make—which sounds a little strange coming from a cowboy.”
Adam grinned. “You said it first.” He glanced at Brooke. “Good night, boss—bosses,” he added for Josh’s benefit.
Brooke gave a wave, and Josh glanced over his shoulder as if making sure Adam had gone.
Brooke’s relief was quickly replaced by tension. “Something wrong?”
Josh eyed her. “You seem to think so, by the way you’re hiding what you’re doing with Adam.”
Brooke tried one more bluff. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw you kissing. I backed out and gave a whistle because I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
Brooke winced. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Josh asked, surprised. “Why would I care if you’re dating him? Why the secret?”
She lowered her voice. “So if Nate had some hot new secretary, and you decided to go after her, you don’t think Dad would have a problem with that?”
He hesitated. “I don’t know. So you’re going after Adam?”
“No, not like that.”
Josh’s brows came together. “So he went after you?”
“Of course not. We both felt it, and we both resisted, then we caved. But it’s temporary. I don’t want anyone else to find out. Can you keep this between us? Please?”
He sighed. “Of course. As long as you don’t frighten the horses, guess I shouldn’t care what you do. You kept enough of my secrets.”
“You bet I did. I remember Jill.”
“Oh, come on, we were seventeen!”
“And you kept sneaking out of the house at night and riding off to meet up with her. I never told a soul.”
“And I’ll never tell your secret. But Brooke, how do you know it’s temporary?”
“I just know,” she said, feeling bleak at just the thought, and that scared her. “He’ll be leaving when he thinks his grandma no longer needs him.” And if he found out she was faking her decline—he might leave even sooner. She didn’t want to feel anything more for Adam, knew it wasn’t a good idea. But more and more, she couldn’t imagine her life without him.