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“What if it goes well, and I’m happy for the rest of my life?” I questioned as I pulled my boot on.
“Then we have to put up with you being happy and lovey dovie. I’m not sure which I prefer. Look Kipp, I know you don’t act like this, something is different and I’m happy for you. Just don’t screw it up. You deserve to be happy.” He slapped me on the knee and wandered off. Philosophy, according to Linc, always made me think a little too hard. The thing was what he was telling me. He needed to take that into consideration for himself too.
“Come on, lover boy. We have a day of work to get done,” Linc yelled across the yard. Shaking my head, I stood and walked past the kitchen window to see if I could sneak one more glance at Nora but I didn’t see her.
The barn was quiet as I stepped into Pepper’s stall. Running my hand up the back of the horse to let her know I was there was something I’d always done. She already knew I was in the barn, but this old girl needed reassurance sometimes. She reminded me a bit of Nora. They would be good together. Pepper was ready to not be a working horse anymore, which gave me an idea.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
NORA
There were fewer people around today, which meant things weren’t quite as crazy, but I also had less help in the kitchen. I had Kristin, who buzzed around like a bee. “Okay, we’re taking a break,” she said arbitrarily, letting her knife fall to the counter and pulling me away from the stove. “What happened last night? Something is different.” She wagged her finger at me and pulled out a chair at the table. Grabbing the coffee pot, I poured her a cup and one for myself. I had a while before Cooper would wake, so I sat down.
“After everyone left, or went to bed, we might have made out.” I rolled my lips together, hoping the red flush over my cheeks wasn't flashing neon.
“I knew you would.” She squealed and tapped her feet on the floor. “Oh my God, Nora, what’s happening?”
“You mean are we getting married after branding is over, having three kids, and living happily ever after?” I lifted my cup and took a sip of the scalding hot liquid. Kristin stared at me, mouth hanging half open, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Come on, we’ve kissed a lot but that’s all.”
“You two need to make babies. They’d be so cute. I mean, look at Cooper. He’s adorable and you didn’t have Kipp that time. The next ones will be gorgeous,” she declared, reaching for her cup. All I wanted her to do was stop talking, but I treasured her as my first real adult friend.
“Mommy?” Cooper came into the kitchen dragging his feet and rubbing his eyes. “Mornin’ Miss Kristin,” he said, hugging her before climbing into my lap.
Kristin smiled and wrinkled her nose and mouthed silently to me, “Little Kipp.” She grinned and I flattened down his wayward morning hair.
“So, what’s the plan today, cowboy? Are you helping the guys again?” He nodded his head, but his eyes were still closed. “Ready for breakfast?” He nodded again, but I was in no hurry to make him move off my lap. These days would be few and far between soon enough, and I wanted to keep him a little boy as long as I could.
“Nora!” Kipp hollered as he came flying into the house and into the kitchen. I slid Cooper over to Kristin and went to where he stood. He motioned for me to follow him to the porch.
“Kipp, what’s wrong?” He searched my face, like he’d forgotten what he was doing. “Kipp?”
“Griff got thrown. Do you think you could spare some time and come help? Linc’s going to take him to the hospital but until they’re back, we’re short.” He was back to his sure self.
“Don’t you think Kristin will be more helpful? I mean, I don’t have much experience.” He pulled his hat off his head and ran his hands through his hair.
“Look Nora, I don’t know where you grew up, but I know from yesterday you can throw a rope better than most of the guys here.” I nodded and took a deep breath. “We’re going to need Kristin too, get Cooper ready and be out as soon as you can.” He turned to leave the porch, but stopped and moved back to me. “Please,” he whispered before claiming my lips with a savage kiss. Running off the porch, he grabbed something from his truck and went back to the corral.
“Kristin, Cooper, we’re being drafted into service. Run, get dressed, and I will get your breakfast.” Cooper didn’t question me, just ran out of the kitchen to find his clothes. “Griff’s hurt. Linc is taking him to the hospital. They need our help until a few more people show up.” Kristin nodded, and her brows furrowed together.
Cooper ate faster than he ever had before and the three of us strode across the yard in under ten minutes. Griff looked pale as Nash and Linc loaded him into the back seat of the ranch truck. He had a rope tied around his shoulder and, with his good hand, held a cloth pressed to his head that was covered with blood. “Griff, are you okay?” Cooper asked as he grabbed my hand.
“Coop, I’m fine. I’ll be back in a few hours and then you and I can sit on the porch and let these guys do all the work. How does that sound?” Griff, grimaced but still smiled at my boy.
“Sounds perfect. I will get you anything you need me to.” Cooper patted him on the foot before Linc closed the door. Linc’s eye roamed to Kristin, who was still looking a little pale. Their stare lingered for a few seconds too long, and I glanced from him to her. She faced me and rolled her eyes.
Nash grabbed Cooper and handed him to Kipp, who settled him in front of him like they’d worked all day yesterday. Kipp was on a different horse that I hadn’t seen before. “Nora, Jasper is saddled for you,” he said as I turned to look at the big chestnut horse. Kristin was already on a horse I assumed was hers. “Need help?” Nash asked, and I rolled my eyes.
“Men.” Putting my foot into the stirrup, I pushed off the ground and swung my leg over the back of the horse.
“Guess that’s a no.” Nash grinned and headed back to his horse. “You’re roping with Kipp.” Nash handed me a lariat and rode off with Kristin. Turning my horse, I looked for Kipp and spotted him tall above the other riders.
Moving the horse effortlessly, I rode up beside him and Cooper looked over at me, eyes wide and a grin on his face like he’d just found the pot of gold. “Heading or heeling?” I asked while I watched Nash and Kristin rope their calf.
“I’m heeling,” Kipp clarified without looking at me. He didn’t talk any more, just kicked his horse when it was our turn. I swung my rope and caught the calf and he hooked the legs. We ran like a well-oiled machine. We worked together in silence for over two hours. My arm ached and my rear end was mad it was in a saddle that didn’t fit.
Looking around the pen, more riders had showed up, and I roped one more calf with Kipp, and we went to the end of the line. “Do you have someone else you can work with? I need to go get lunch ready.”
“You’re leaving me?” he said, suddenly realizing that I was human and beside him.
