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“Yes, tell him, Evan,” Reed drawled with underlying humor.
Slade cut his gaze to Reed, not appreciating his amusement. “All those pranks were not funny.”
“Don’t get mad at anyone except me.” Guilt suffused the younger man’s face, but he didn’t shift away from Slade’s pointed stare again. “Casey Kincaid was my father too. My mother broke the news to me when I graduated high school. She never told him about me because she wanted nothing more to do with him after he dumped her. I was pissed, missing out on having brothers and yes, sharing in the Kincaid ranch.” His chin went up in defiance at odds with the regret shimmering in his green eyes, eyes the same shade as their father’s.
“His claim is easy to verify through a simple DNA test. Reed and I figured he was telling the truth. That, and we can now see Kincaid written all over him, in looks and attitude,” Brett said.
“Your behavior, however, was not that of a Kincaid.” Slade had no problem believing their dad had sired another kid, and could drum up compassion for the teenager dealing with that news. Forgiving him outright for his retaliation was another matter. “You did a lot of damage, and I’m not talking about materialistic harm we can afford to replace. Relationships, if you want them, will have to be repaired, which requires effort from you money can’t buy.”
Evan looked at each of them then asked him, “Are you willing to let me try?”
What the hell,he mused. At his age, he never thought he would have another sibling or want to settle down in a committed relationship. But he’d quit trying to understand human nature when he couldn’t stay away from the unwelcoming neighbor.
Brett pulled into Slade’s driveway then swiveled to look at Evan. “I am, but I still want DNA confirmation before we discuss a four-way partnership in the ranch. I agree with Slade. You have to earn our trust before you can reap the rewards of our father’s hard work and legacy.”
The outdoor lights came on automatically, shedding illumination in the dark. Opening the door, Slade told Evan, “Go home, come clean with your friends, and return to work tomorrow.” The rest was up to the kid. “Thanks again. I’m going to get Chace and return to Nicole’s. See you tomorrow.”
He went inside and fed Chace, cleaned up the bullet graze on his arm and wrapped it, then made a quick sandwich. After tossing a few things in an overnight bag, he couldn’t wait another minute to drive back to Nicole. The drastic change in plans from going to Casey’s to finding himself aiming a gun at a person again had left him drained, even though the hour wasn’t that late. He knew she was as emotionally and physically exhausted as he, and planned to do nothing more than relax and just be with her, without pressure or angst between them.
Nicole’s light above the front door was on, and he rapped twice then entered to see her taking a seat at the table across from Paul. “We’re having meat loaf. Did you eat?”
“I grabbed a sandwich.” Making himself at home, he hung up his jacket and hat and walked around the wrestling dogs to join them. “There’s always room for meat loaf though. Paul, thank you for getting hold of everyone.”
“Nicole filled me in and it sounds like I had the easy task,” he answered, taking the spatula from her to serve himself.
“Over and done with. Talk about something else,” she insisted.
Slade recognized the glint in her eyes and the determination stamped on her face. Wasn’t that gumption one of the things he admired first about her? She might get frayed around the edges, yet she continued to maintain that admirable trait of holding her own following a strenuous ordeal.
“Okay. It looks like you’re ready to start fostering. Why don’t we stop at the shelter tomorrow after giving our statements and bring back the dogs they have for you to foster?”
Her eyes lit up at that suggestion, and they spoke of her plans and what Paul’s role would be going forward. It didn’t surprise him when she expressed a desire to take in neglected horses once she learned more about the care they required. The traumatic episode that ended with Tony’s death at her hands hadn’t deterred her from her ambitious career goals of illustrating children’s books while continuing to help ill-treated animals in some capacity.
“I can help you with that,” he offered as they cleared the table. “Along with veterinary care, you’ll need regular hoof maintenance from a farrier and dental checkups.”
“I went with my wife to our kids’ riding lessons once.”
Nicole closed the dishwasher, glancing at Paul with compassion. “That sounds like a good memory.”
“It is. I’ll turn in now, and do the chores while you’re gone tomorrow. Thank you for dinner.” He grinned at Slade. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan on intruding on you two every night.”
“You’re welcome any time I’m here, Paul.”
Lily had done right by this man, he mused, thinking his brother had also made an excellent choice when he’d pursued his fiancée. After Paul left and they let the dogs out for a few minutes, Slade drew Nicole onto his lap on the sofa and picked up the remote control for the television.
“Relax. I want to say one thing and then we’ll find a movie and sit quietly before turning in.”
The tenseness went out of her muscles, and she leaned against him. “Okay. What do you want to say?”
“Only that I reciprocate your feelings.”
***
NICOLE SANK AGAINSTSlade’s chest, relieved to hear him say that. Now she could allow herself to enjoy his comforting embrace when he wrapped his arms around her, appreciating his keen insight for once. The harrowing moments cringing behind the ridge followed by Slade’s rescue had left her body and mind drained.
She let him pick the movie,The Lincoln Lawyer, which she’d never seen. The plot kept her engrossed and awake until the end. The silence between them seemed natural, and it wasn’t until the credits started rolling and he nudged her up that she broke it.
“Good movie. Thanks. I work on my illustrations in the evenings and rarely sit down to watch a show.” He rose, towering over her, and she resisted the urge to lean on him again. “You brought a bag, so I’m assuming you’re staying the night?”
