Page 14 of Rancher's Pride

“She came out looking for you and just went to him. He introduced her to Lottie, and then she decided he was stuck with her for the night. But he didn’t put up much of a fight about it.” Mom chuckled.

“Should we move her?” I asked.

“No, go back to bed.” His low voice rumbled from the couch and he turned to look at us. “Why are you up? You should be resting.”

“Well, I just needed to move.”

“You’ve moved. Go lie down, I’ve got this one handled. Please go lie down, Toots, let us help.” He shifted on the couch and closed his eyes again. Mom patted my back, and I walked down the hallway toward the bathroom. I suddenly felt dizzy and was thankful for a place to sit.

“When you’re done, I’m going to get Nash to help you back to bed. You’re as white as a sheet.” Mom put acold cloth on my neck. I wanted to argue, but I wasn’t sure I’d make it back to bed. She disappeared when I was done.

Nash walked into the bathroom and I expected him to let me lean on him, but he scooped me off the side of the tub and carried me back to bed. “I mean it, you don’t get up without me helping. Do you understand?” He pulled the blankets back up over me and I nodded. Lottie fussed and Nash walked over to her, picking her up gently.

“What’s wrong, sweet one?” He patted her back gently with his massive hands and she let out a burp. “There you go. That must feel better. Think you can let your mamma sleep for a bit before you need her again? I’ll make you a deal. I’ll pick out a horse for you. It will be the best one we’ve got, but you have to let her sleep.” My eyes grew heavy and as much as I tried to fight it, I fell asleep to the sound of him making deals.

Opening my eyes again, I watched him walk around the room with Lottie in his arms. This man was a mystery to me. And I was determined to figure him out quickly, before he figured out the truth.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

NASH

When I’d gotten Lottie settled, I’d found Julie asleep in the chair. “Julie,” I whispered as I shook her shoulder. She stirred and frowned at me. “Go home. I can sit with Fallon.”

“No, I can’t leave her. What if she…” Her voice trailed off, and I knew where her head was going.

“I won’t let her go and right now she won’t get far. Go home, get some rest. I have a feeling that everyone will be required to pitch in and work together here for a while.”

“Thanks, son.” She patted my arm and moved to walk past me. “Phil is looking into her ex. I’ll have him send you any information he finds.” We walked to the door, and I held her coat as she put it on. I knew more about this fucker than I could let on right now. I’d made a promise to Fallon not to tell anyone I’d known where she was, but things were different now.

“Take my truck. It’s in the shop, and it will be warm. I’ll go get it for you.” The chilly night air hit me before I finished slipping on my jacket and walked to the shop and got my truck. What was I thinking when I offered to take care of Fallon? Or the girls? I didn’t know the first thing about babies or toddlers. It must have been the lack of sleep, or the wanting to be close to her after this long.

When I pulled up to the main house, Julie met me at the truck. “You’re a good man, Nash.” She patted my face before rounding the waiting vehicle. She wouldn’t think I’m a good man if she knew I’d known where Fallon was all this time, or that I’d seen her three years ago.

Turning the lights off in the kitchen, I picked Josie up off the couch and carried her to bed, gently placing her next to Fallon. Lottie was still asleep in her cradle and I sat in the rocking chair beside the bed. Propping my feet up on the bed, I grabbed the blanket that was discarded on the floor.

As I closed my eyes, this felt oddly right.

Lottie’s cry woke me up with a start, and I jolted upright. I’d forgotten where I was as my heart hammered in my chest. Fallon placed her hand on my leg, and I looked over at her. “You snore,” she grumbled.

“I do not.” I argued back as I got up from the chair and picked Lottie up.

“What time is it?” Fallon asked as she stretched.

“A little after six,” I said, glancing at my watch. “I suppose you need to feed this little lady.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, I handed Lottie to Fallon.

“I’m sure that’s why she’s squawking.” Her hair was wild and all over the place, she was relaxed and even the bruising around her eye didn’t look as bad, but it still made my blood boil to see it. I wanted to dare that fucker to set foot on this ranch. I’d do to him exactly what he’d done to her and more. She looked small in that enormous bed and my heart ached that I couldn’t protect her all these years.

“I’ll give you some space.”

“Nash,” she said as I reached the door. Turning, I watched her smile. “Thank you for being here.” She lowered her gaze to Lottie. but let her eyes flit back to me for a split second.

“Anything for you Toots, you know that.” Leaving the room, I walked into the kitchen where Kipp was already sitting with two cups of coffee.

“Thank you for staying with her. I didn’t realize Mom had left.” He pointed at the coffee as I sat at the table.

“I figured your mom would need to be around to help and she looked exhausted.” Shrugging, I lifted the cup and took a slow stop of the steaming hot liquid.

“So what are we doing about this fucker?” Kipp said as he leaned his elbows on the table.

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