Protector Cowboy (Whiskey Valley Bryant Brothers)

I can’t deny him, and so when I agree, he pulls me toward the main house. He pulls his phone from his pocket. “Hey. Have Eli come up to the house when he’s done.”

He must get the answer he wants because he hangs up just as we walk up onto the porch. The house is huge with a big, wraparound porch. I know my eyes are big as saucers when I walk in. I knew it would be nice, but this is a lot fancier than I expected. I start to tug at my hair and then remember that I have a T-shirt and yoga pants on with no makeup. “You know, maybe we should do this another time. I’m not really dressed for dinner.”

He laughs and pulls me toward him. “No way. You look beautiful, Nat. I’m not letting you go now.”

I look toward what I assume is the kitchen when I hear the sounds of pans banging together. “Are you sure it’s okay? Maybe you should ask...”

“Is she staying for dinner?” The woman’s voice interrupts me, and I turn to see a woman in her mid to late fifties looking at me hopefully.

“Yes. Paulina, this is Nat. She and Eli are staying for dinner.”

“If that’s okay,” I finish for him.

She looks between King and me. “Okay? Are you kidding me? These yahoos need a woman at the table. I can just imagine their conversations. Oh, and if Eli’s coming, I’m going to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies for dinner.”

“Oh no, you don’t have to do...” But I don’t even get it out. Paulina’s already back in the kitchen, and King is covering my mouth. “Don’t tell her that. I’d love some cookies, and if I have to use Eli to get them, I’ll do it.”

I laugh because he sounds like a little boy instead of the grown man he is. I’m about to call him out on it when the doorbell rings. “I wonder who that is? I haven’t heard a doorbell here in years.”

He walks to the entryway and calls through the screen door. “Eli, you don’t ring the doorbell around here, son. You don’t even have to knock. Just come on in.”

I cut the corner as Eli comes in and spots me. “Mom?”

“Hey, buddy, King invited us for dinner. Is that okay with you?”

“Oh yeah, is Paulina still here?” he asks.

King nods. “Yep, in the kitchen. Help yourself.”

Eli walks briskly toward the kitchen as King comes back over to me. “We’re going to have to do something about this.”

“What?” I ask.

His hand comes to my cheek. “Well, this need to kiss you. I need some time alone with you.”

I want that. I really do. But I’m still scared because there are no guarantees. “King, this doesn’t change anything. I don’t know how long I’m going to be in Whiskey Valley.”

He puts his arm around my shoulder and tucks me against his hard body. “You’re not leaving, Nat. I’m going to take care of it.”

“Dinner’s ready!” Paulina calls from the other room, and almost instantly I hear the front door and a bunch of stomping boots.

The three men that I recognize as King’s brothers are standing with their mouths hanging open, staring at me.

“Guys, this is Nat, Eli’s mom. Nat, this is Griffin, Chance, and Ryan.”

They don’t move; they just continue to stare until King starts flicking his fingers. “Hey guys.”

Griffin is the first one to come forward. “Sorry, we’re just not used to seeing King with a woman.”

King blushes, but it doesn’t last long before King is giving as good as he takes.

We all sit down, and Eli asks, “Where’s Mia?”

King sees the curious look on my face. “Mia is the administrative assistant. We do the labor, but she’s the one that keeps the ranch running and the bills paid,” he explains. “I’m not sure where she’s at. She may have had plans tonight.”

Ryan starts to laugh. “Plans? Right!”

Griffin starts talking, and everyone drops the subject of Mia. It’s obvious the brothers are close, and as we all sit around the table, they all talk and cut up. I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in a long time, and it’s great that Eli is getting to witness it. I almost get choked on the perfectly fried chicken from laughing so hard. This must be why Eli enjoyed dinner here so much the other night. Ryan is the flirt and is doing his best to grate on King’s nerves by flirting with me. Chance is probably the quietest and seems to observe everything, but he’s still laughing with the rest of us. Griffin is the fastest on his feet, it seems, and says whatever he’s thinking.

I’m sitting back enjoying it all when Ryan leans toward me. “So how about it? You dump this guy and let me take you out.”