Page 33 of Her Gentle Protector
“Baxter?” she hesitantly took his hand.
Rex grinned. “He’s my older brother.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. He told me he had brothers. I just didn’t learn their names. Nice to meet you, Rex.” Turning to the cowboy with the long hair, she gave him a small smile. “Are you all brothers as well?”
The cowboy laughed. “No ma’am. Name is Ranger Hardin. This is my cousin, Tommy Moore. We work for the Chapmans.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hardin.”
Ranger lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. “The pleasure is all mine. If you aren’t taken, I’d love to take you for a spin around the dance floor. The fiddle player plays a fine Virginia Reel.”
“She’s taken, Hardin.”
Midge twirled around to see Baxter had moved up behind her. “Baxter.” His name came out on a breath as she drank him in.
“Well, you can’t blame me for trying. Miss Beale.” The cowboy tipped his hat and moved toward the front of the barn.
“You said Rex was teaching you trapping?” Tommy asked. “I can’t believe a girl as pretty as you is a trapper.”
Midge was taken aback by the unfamiliar sound of her sister’s giggle. “I’ve been setting traps along the creek bed by the old Callaghan property,” Petunia responded. Their voices faded into the distance as Tommy led her towards the dinner buffet, but Midge couldn’t take her eyes off Baxter.
He was dressed in a well-fitted plaid shirt and black pants that hugged him in all the right places. Midge felt her chest tighten as she let her eyes linger on the defined muscles on his arms and chest. She traced every line and crevice on his face. He had a fresh cut on his cheek that added a rugged edge to his already sharp features.
“Midge,” Baxter said, his voice low and husky, “you look beautiful tonight.”
Midge felt her cheeks warm at his compliment. “Thank you,” she said, feeling shy under his gaze.
Baxter reached out and took her hand. “I’ve missed you.”
“Where have you been?”
“I had some things I needed to take care of at home.” He looked around the crowded room. “Are all your siblings here?”
“Everyone but Peter. I’ve not seen him since you left the farm.”
“Hmmm. I’m sure he’ll be back. I guarantee it.”
“Pet said your brother was teaching her how to hunt? How did that happen?”
Baxter shrugged. “I found her hunting quail when I went to get the kittens. Rex and I taught her some basic things. Mostly Rex.”
“I know that means a lot to her. I think she’s sweet on him.”
“Rex?” Baxter scoffed. “I don’t think so. She’s like a kid sister. Someone he can look out for, and I think she’s glad to have the guidance.”
“She’s been bringing home some nice rabbits lately.”
“Rex has been teaching her snares.”
“What have you been doing?”
“I had some business in town to deal with. Recently purchased property. Two, in fact. I’m trying to fix one up and determine what to do with the other.”
Midge tried not to be hurt. That he abandoned them to go fix up some place else was unsettling. “Oh, that sounds like quite the project,” she said, with a little more venom than she intended.
Baxter nodded and took a sip of the drink in his hand. “It is.” There was an awkward pause before he spoke again. “Listen, Midge, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Midge felt her pulse quicken. “What is it?”
