Courage (Heroes of Big Sky 1)

“She has a manager for that,” I remind her. “And she’s married to a damn prince. I think she can afford to take a morning off.”

I’m already calling Aspen’s number.

“Hey, Sam. How’s it going?”

“Oh, you know. Never a dull moment around here.” I quickly run down what’s happening. “Do you have time to take the kids for a couple of hours while we have her hand seen to?”

“Of course. Actually, I’m on my way to Drips. I’ll swing by and pick them up. They can come with me. I’ll put them to work.”

“Sounds damn good to me.”

“See you in five.”

“I heard,” Tash says when I hang up. “Thanks.”

She holds her towel-wrapped hand against her chest as we walk down the hall and find the kids still sitting in the living room, sniffling.

“Hey, no need to cry,” Tash says and kisses their heads. “I’m going to be just fine. It’s just a cut on my hand.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Kevin says and clings to her. “I’m so sorry.”

“Of course, you didn’t mean to,” Tash assures him. “Uncle Sam is here, and he’s an expert in these things. He thinks I should go have a doctor have a look at it.”

“How about instead of going to school today, you go spend some time with Aspen?” I ask the kids and see their eyes light up. “She’s going to take you to the coffee shop.”

“Okay,” Kelsey says. She’s always been the more laid-back of the two.

“I want to go with Auntie,” Kevin says, still clinging to her hip.

“We won’t be long,” Tash assures and squats down next to him. “And when we get home, you and I can curl up and watch a movie, okay?”

He nods, and I hear Aspen pull into the drive. “Okay, let’s go.”

“Hi, guys,” Aspen says with a smile when we all come outside. “What a fun surprise.”

“Thanks,” Tash says with an apologetic grin. “Sam says I need stitches.”

“Ouch,” Aspen replies. “Well, don’t rush on my account. I’ve got things handled with these little monsters.”

They pile into Aspen’s SUV, and I lead Tash to my truck.

“This throbs like a bitch,” she says when I boost her up onto the seat and buckle her in.

I accidentally brush her breast with my arm and feel the contact all the way to my cock.

Jesus, when did Tash turn into a sexy, curvy woman?

I’ve always seen her as my little sister’s friend. That’s it.

But now that we’ve been in close quarters for the past couple of months, I’m seeing her differently.

Maybe it’s just my long-ignored libido talking.

But I don’t think so.

“Sam?” Her breath is on my neck. I didn’t realize that I’d frozen in place. “You okay?”

“Sorry,” I mutter and click the belt into place. “Spacey today, I guess.”

I shut the door and hurry around to the driver’s side.

“Let’s get you all fixed up.”

* * *

“The end.” I close the book and kiss Kelsey on the forehead. “That’s it for tonight. You both need to get some sleep.”

“Just one more story?” Kevin asks from the twin bed across the room.

“I read four stories, and that’s one more than usual. Because you were extra-good for Aspen today. Thanks for that, by the way.”

“It was fun,” Kelsey says, her big blue eyes droopy with sleep. “She let us have a cookie.”

“That was nice of her.” I can’t help but lean over and kiss her little cheek.

“Is Auntie Tash’s hand really okay?” Kevin asks. Even though this dude has given us a lot of trouble over the past couple of months, he’s been so worried today. He loves Tash. They both do.

“Yes. The doctor stitched her right up. She’s going to be sore for a couple of days, but it’ll heal.”

There’s no need to tell them how she fainted when they brought out the needle for the stitches.

That’ll be our little secret.

“Okay.” Kevin snuggles down under the covers. “Good night.”

I cross to him and kiss his head. “Good night, buddy.”

After I turn out the light, I close the door and walk down the hall. I find Tash in the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher with one hand.

“Let me.” I scoot her aside and start pulling out glasses and mugs. “You should rest.”

“It’s just my hand,” she reminds me but doesn’t argue about stepping aside as she leans against the kitchen island. “Did they fight you at all?”

“Not much. I read an extra story. Where does this go?” I hold up a colander.

She points to a cabinet, and I stow it away. “How does it feel?”

“Aches like a bitch,” she says. “Now that the numbing stuff has worn off.”

“He gave you pain meds. Take one.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “I’ll take ibuprofen or something. I have the kids. I can’t take the hard stuff. What if they needed me and I’m out cold? Not gonna happen.”

I empty the silverware tray. “Jeez, you go through the spoons.”