When It's Right(33)

It took several pitchers of water to rinse all the dark golden hair. When he was done, he took the towel from her shoulders and put it over her head. He gently rubbed her scalp dry and pulled the hair through the towel from her crown to the tips. Satisfied, he turned her toward him and used his fingers to comb the strands from her face.

His gaze met hers and held. Everything inside him went still. His heart pounded. He kept his hands on her neck, his fingers tangled in her wet hair. He let the moment stretch so they could both settle into the vibrations between them.

Gillian’s eyes held a touch of fear. That was as natural for Gillian as breathing. Would she ever get past what her father did to her? Given time and her innate strength and perseverance, yes, she’d learn to be happy. Here on the ranch, where he worked and lived and promised to take care of her—­not date her.

Off limits, man. Get your head straight.

“Come on. I want to see the horses.” Justin broke the strange tension.

Blake and Gillian shot apart from each other, like teenagers caught doing something they shouldn’t. Dee stood behind Justin, smirking.

Gillian needed to get away from Blake. He did things to her system that shouldn’t happen after only meeting him yesterday. Her fingers flexed, and she balled them up so that she wouldn’t reach out and touch him. She had a real need to put her hands on his chest and see if it was as hard and strong as it looked. She wanted to slide her hands over it and around his big shoulders and feel his arms come around her and hold her. Only trouble with that, she feared if he did, she would break into a million tiny pieces. Better to keep her guard up and escape this strange pull that sucked her into him every time he was near.

“I’ll just go up and brush out my hair. I’ll meet you down at the barn.”

“You sure you don’t need any help?” Blake asked, all casual and kind.

He stayed in front of her, blocking her escape. They’d shared something elemental a moment ago. This was the closest she’d let him get to her, and he didn’t seem inclined to give her any space. Not anymore. A dangerous man. Maybe more dangerous than her father, because he touched her heart, and it just wasn’t up for another beating. This man had the power to break her, where her father never had.

“I can do it. You’ve done enough. Thank you.” Yep, another dose of pride down her gullet. She appreciated the help but resented the need for it. She hated not being able to do for herself.

“You’re welcome. No trouble at all. We can do it again tomorrow.”

“I’m sure you have better things to do than wash my hair.”

“Not really. I’ve got all kinds of time for you, Gillian. Get used to it.” He grabbed Justin under the arms and hauled him up onto his massive shoulders. “Let’s go, buddy. I’ll introduce you to a horse. Have you ever seen a horse up close?”

“No. I’ve seen a sea lion at the wharf. Gillian took me. They bark like dogs. How come there isn’t a dog here? There’s lots of room, and you got lots of animals. Couldn’t I have a dog?” Justin asked as Blake walked out the door with him.

“That boy has a one-­track mind.” Dee smiled.

“About the dog. This is your house and ranch, and if you and Grandpa don’t want a dog here, I’ll divert Justin’s attention to something else. He’ll probably get interested in the horses and forget all about the dog.”

“Gillian, Bud and I would get Justin a dog today to make him happy and feel more at home here.”

“You would?”

“Sure. This is your home, and a dog would be a great pet for Justin. But last night Bud and I also discussed the fact that you’ve been Justin’s mother his whole life and it wouldn’t be right for us to interfere in the way you raise him. You’ve done a fine job so far, and there’s no reason for us to take over. That isn’t to say we don’t want to help you. We do. We’d just like you to know that we’ll follow your lead with Justin. If you think it’s time for him to have a dog, and you want to get him one, we’ll help you get one for him. We want you to be at home here, Gillian.”

Shocked, Gillian didn’t know what to say. They’d discussed the best way to help her and Justin, not take over her life. After she’d arrived and they’d discovered they were taking on Justin as well as her, she’d expected them to discuss how to get rid of them, or how they’d take care of Justin without her.

“Although we weren’t expecting him, we’re so happy to have you both. Bud has spent a lot of years wishing things with Erin could have been different. He carries a lot of guilt, especially about the way Ron treated the two of you. He wants to make up for not helping you sooner.”