Sweet-Loving Cowboy (Kinky Spurs 2)

“Wouldn’t you think that?”

Mom stepped forward until she squatted next to the chair. She gently pressed her hand against his arm. “My dear boy, you’re so much like your father, you know.” She patted his arm. “I remember when your dad first opened Blackshaw Cattle, he was so nervous about not doing the right thing. About the little things that could go wrong. And you know what?”

“What?”

“Everything went wrong.”

Chase snorted. “Is this supposed to be a motivational speech, Ma?”

She gave him her sweet smile that usually made everything better. This time, it did not make a dent in the tension along his shoulders. “Things will go wrong, Chase,” she said softly. “Let them go wrong. You have created this life for yourself where you need to make sure everything is right around you all the time. You can’t create a perfect world. Things sometimes fall apart. Believe me, you’ll come out stronger because of it.” She pointed to the paper again. “This is life. There are hiccups in the road. Things you need to change to make something better. But you always keep forging ahead, keep staying true to that sweet heart of yours, and you’ll be just fine.”

She wasn’t wrong—he did like things perfect. No mistakes. No regrets. Those were the rules he lived by. Regardless of the fact that nothing she said had improved his mood, he squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Ma.”

“You’re welcome.” She patted his cheek. “I mean that about women too.”

“Mother.” He sighed, not wanting to get into his love life.

“I’m just saying,” she said with a laugh, rising slowly due to her bad knees and pressing her hands against the armrest of the chair for support. “You’re never going to find anyone who is perfect, but it’s within those imperfections in someone where you find love.”

He never looked at himself like a man who sought perfection in anything else but himself, but now, he wondered if maybe he didn’t risk enough along the way.

Not getting too trapped in his head and staying on task about getting this project done, he said to his mother, “You know what is perfect?”

“What?”

“This pup right here.” He gestured at Houdini in his lap.

She shook her head firmly. “Nice try. I already said no to taking him. You should keep him. He’d be good for you. Shake things up a bit.” She stroked Houdini’s head then grinned. “Besides, I think I’m long overdue for a grandchild.”

When her shoulders shook with her silent laugher as she walked away from him, Chase called, “You do realize he’s a dog, not a baby?”

“He’s close enough.”

* * *

The clock on Harper’s dashboard read 4:02 when she parked her car behind Chase’s truck at the ranch. She’d spent the better part of the day packing and continuing to clean out her bedroom. Now she grabbed the plastic bag off the passenger seat and stepped out into the warm afternoon. The sun would set behind the mountain peaks within the next couple hours, and the fresh air filled her nostrils. She took in as much of it as she could, staring out at the horses grazing the field off in the distance. Intent on squeezing in as much time with Chase as possible before heading off to work, she strode forward, noting Shep’s truck parked near the farmhouse. Up ahead, she squinted, discovering Nash standing in the doorway of the third cabin to the right.

She could only assume Chase’s brothers were there for the same reason she was. Chase’s text: The inspector found some problems. Eat without me tonight. I sent the team home for dinner but I’m going to keep working. We’ve got a late night ahead of us.

I’m sorry, she had texted back.

Though those two words that most times seemed like enough did not feel so now. Chase was not the type of man to want a fuss over him, but sometimes everyone needed to be reminded they weren’t alone.

She drew closer to the cabin, overhearing Shep saying, “Cut yourself a break, Chase. I imagine these little things happen to everyone.”

A pause. Then Chase grumbled, “The last thing I fucking need is word getting around that my work is shoddy.”

“Please. Your work is solid,” Nash retorted. “Anyone who comes here will see that.”

Warmth touched her soul, bringing her smile. The Blackshaw men were these tough, manly men. Yet when it came to family, they had the biggest hearts. They weren’t necessarily emotional, but she had seen how protective they were over each other. Nothing, and no one, came between them.

She liked that about them. Brody’s way was so in-your-face. The Blackshaws were subtler, and yet that seemed even more effective when the time came, proving the strength of the family.

When she reached the door, she knocked on the wooden log. Nash stepped out of the way, and three sets of eyes all turned to her. “Am I interrupting?” she asked with a smile.

“Of course not.” Chase immediately came to her, taking her hand and leading her inside the cabin. He dropped a soft kiss to her mouth, as if he had done just that a thousand times before now.

Her heart skipped at his bold statement, and she melted into that confidence, feeling like with him, she mattered. When he leaned away, both Shep and Nash gave her a small smile, indicating that Chase had already told them of their arrangement and showing their approval.