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Thirty-Nine
Nick ended up with three extra children crammed into his truck two days later. The rain had cut their trip a little short. They probably would have been fine if they’d moved their tents back a bit, but he and Phil had decided not to risk it.
And to teach the kids to respect the Wyoming weather.
They’d lost their brother and his wife—his nephew Chandler’s parents—in a freak flash flood several years ago. The creek that ran through their properties was prone to flooding. There wasn’t any sense in being stupid.
And…Nick was beyond exhausted.
He wasn’t used to keeping up with a dozen kids.
Phil had looked even worse—and he had to take seven of the devil creatures home with him, including his grand-daughter Ivy, whose parents had been called in to the hospital.
Nick could handle five kids—if he was dropping three off with Robin.
He pulled into her driveway, and there she was. Dressed in thin ripped jeans that showed off her legs to perfection. The woman was enough to make an icicle burn, without even knowing it.
His exhaustion from a two-day camping trip with twelve kids vanished when she turned toward his car. Watched. And waited.
“Stay in the car until he stops,” Noah cautioned. That was Noah, always cautious, always taking care of his sister. And now Becky.
He parked and killed the engine. Becky would need help out of her booster seat. He’d learned that early on.
She was Robin in miniature—looks and personality. The twins were in their own way as well. But they were quieter, more analytical. Becky was pure energy and love.
He lifted Nova out of her booster, then freed Becky from hers. She ran toward Robin, screaming Mommy at the top of her lungs. Robin laughed, and scooped her close.
She smiled at Nick, an actual welcoming expression on her gorgeous face when she looked at him.
He froze, right where he was. Perfect. She was perfect in every way.
This was what he wanted. He wanted to have her looking at him just like that. Forever. Until the day he died.
Just like Glenna looked at Phil, and his sisters-in-law Susan and Pam looked at his brothers Bill and Ned.
He wanted to be Robin’s world, too. Just like she was fast becoming his. He wanted the right to walk up to her, take her in his arms and have her welcome him in a totally different way. Like he was where he belonged.
King of this castle. With her as the queen.
The boys were more sedate as they greeted their mother, but their chatter was still fun to hear.
Somehow, she managed to listen to all three of her own children, greet Noah, and hug Nova close—without missing a beat. The woman was phenomenal.
“Take your stuff inside. It…smells…like it’s going to be bath time very, very soon,” she told her kids. “Noah, Nova, there are cookies in the jar in the kitchen. I made them this morning. And there are chocolate milks in the fridge. Why don’t all of you go inside and relax while me and your dad get some stuff unloaded?”
Just like that, it was him and Robin. Alone. On her porch, in the sunset.
Nick wasn’t a fool. Here he was, watching the sunset with the most gorgeous woman in Masterson County. How could he not take advantage of that? He’d be stupid not to.
“I’m glad to see you survived. I had visions of them roasting one of you alive, and using barbecue sauce. I just couldn’t figure if it would be Phil, since he’s probably a bit easier to catch—or you because there’s a bit more meat on your bones and I’ve seen them all eat…It was a total toss-up. Glenna and Rory are meeting me in a few hours to talk floral arrangements. We just need to figure out what to do with the kids.”
“It was close. They got extra hungry a few times.” Nick couldn’t help himself. He slipped his hands around her waist. Pulled her away from the step off the porch and closer to his chest.
“What are you doing?” But her fingers were trailing up over his chest, toying with him. Teasing him.
“Probably something a bit on the crazy side. Considering the closest thing to a shower I had was a dip in a very, very cold mountain stream this morning. Important parts of me are still shriveled…I mean my fingers, woman. Get your mind out of the gutter.” He shot her a wicked grin. “I could probably use another dip right now. You’ve heated me right up. It should be illegal to wear pants like this. There is a hole right over your…”
“I was cleaning my house. These are my oldest pair…you pervert.” Big blue eyes blinked up at him. Her fingers spread over his chest. He wanted to feel those fingers on his naked skin. “What…what are you doing?”
