Protector Cowboy (Whiskey Valley Bryant Brothers)

I work through the class, and by the end of it, I’m dripping in sweat. I’m wiping off with a towel and rolling up my mat when I overhear the other moms. They’re standing right next to me, so when I stand up, it’s like I’m automatically included in the conversation. “Can we count on you to volunteer at the carnival next week, Natalie?”

With my mat under my arm, I nod. “Yes. Absolutely,” I assure them even though Eli was just talking the other day about how he didn’t even want to go to the carnival because it’s so babyish. Ugh, my son is growing up on me.

“Do you think the Bryant brothers will be there?”

I try to keep my facial expression clear as I look at the other moms. Since my interaction with Jacqueline yesterday, I’m now on guard wondering what the angle is.

Janice, a very sweet woman I’ve volunteered with before, says, “Man, I hope so. It’s worth the price of the ticket just to see them.”

They all laugh before Janice puts her hand on my arm. “Eli’s going to the Bryant Ranch Camp, isn’t he? You lucky thing, you get to see all the brothers, I bet.”

I blush. “Yeah, well, Eli was awarded a scholarship to go. He’s loving it,” I say, not commenting on the brothers.

Amy, one I recognized from the PTA, says, “Do you know King donates all the camp fees to the school? Basically, he’s running the ranch camp and makes no profit off of it.”

Janice chimes in, “He really is a good guy.”

My head is moving back and forth between the women, trying to keep up.

Amy’s eyes get really big, and she bounces on her toes excitedly. “Do you have any idea how much money we could make if we did a kissing booth and had King Bryant—or any brother, for that matter—as a volunteer? We would make thousands.”

Janice and the other mom whose name I can’t remember both nod in agreement before Janice’s nose curls up in disapproval. “Jacqueline would probably bid the whole McCoy ranch to get her hooks into King.”

I hate gossip, but I can’t help myself from butting in. “Does Jacqueline like King... I mean, Mr. Bryant?”

Amy shrugs. “Like isn’t a strong enough word. More like stalks.”

Janice nods. “It’s sad really, and with her married. But King doesn’t want any part of it. It was awful at last year’s big dance. Jacqueline was drunk and was all over King. He wasn’t having it, though. I feel sorry for her husband. I heard he’s finally filing for a divorce.”

They go on, but I get lost in thought. If I felt guilty before, I feel even worse now. At every turn, King has been nice to me. The scholarship, letting me drop off Eli two hours early, bringing Eli into town so I can work and Eli wouldn’t miss camp... that kiss. Oh my God, what have I done?

“I have to go,” I tell them. We all say bye, and I walk across the street to the apartment complex and run up the stairs. I take a five-minute shower, and in twenty minutes, I’m back out the door. I should have dried my hair or put on makeup at least, but I didn’t. I have to apologize to King and just pray that he forgives me.

The whole way out to the ranch, I think about what I’m going to say, and when I pull onto the long dirt driveway, I can feel the butterflies in my stomach. I’m so nervous that it seems the yoga class from earlier was wasted because I’m in knots again.

I get out of my car and start to walk toward the barn. Eli sees me and runs toward me. “Hey, Mom!” he says. “Do I have to leave?”

I shake my head. “No, I had to talk to King about something.”

He points to the other side of the barn. “I think he’s over at the corral. I’m going to go back and unload the feed.”

I nod, but he doesn’t pay me any attention. I watch as he walks over to the back of a truck where a few other boys are unloading big bags of feed and carrying them into the barn.

When he disappears inside, I take a deep breath. I can’t put it off any longer. I walk toward the corral and almost instantly spot King leaning against a fence. There’s men inside the ring working a horse, but my whole focus is on King. I can tell the moment he realizes someone is approaching because his back straightens. I hold my breath and wait for him to turn around, but he doesn’t.

It’s up to you, Nat.

I take a deep breath and walk up to the fence and lean against it next to him. I can feel his gaze on me, but when I turn to look at him, he’s still watching the horse in the center of the circle.