Page 51 of A Cowboy's Claim
“The longer High Water exists, the more people know it’s here.” Aiden shrugged. “That’s just a fact.”
“And one we have to be comfortable with.” Declan stood and made a move before Logan could back off. He offered a hand, and this time Logan was the one to move forward and accept an embrace.
People moved in different directions to get dinner ready. Declan caught Sydney heading for the door. “You’re staying.”
She shrugged lightly. “I was out on a call this afternoon. I need to shower and unwind. Thought I might do that at home.”
“None of us mind if you stay.” He examined her face, trying to see if this was what she really wanted or if she was just taking an easy out. “Iwould like you to stay.”
She lifted her gaze to his, and for the first time that day, without her blustering energy as a distraction, every line on her face declared how bone-tired she was.
“Syd, grab a shower, and stay for supper.” The command came from Petra, sliding across the room and wrapping an arm around Sydney’s waist. Without another word, she guided her friend back across the room to the women’s quarters.
Declan didn’t know if he was more worried by Sydney’s quiet acceptance or the questioning look in Aiden’s eyes as his brother watched the entire exchange from a distance.
Screw it. If his brothers were aware of his plans, Declan might have backup.
Scratch that. If they all knew he wanted to get together with Sydney, he absolutely would have one hundred percent support from them and their partners.
They moved dinner outside by the fire pit, the makeshift table covered with quickly assembled salads and burger fixings and the massive pot of macaroni and cheese Tansy had miraculously produced.
All through the meal, though, Declan’s attention was riveted on Sydney.
A gentle bump to the shoulder got his attention back on Jake. “Tansy and I have plans tonight, but first thing in the morning, how about you, me, and Aiden talk through some options. Once we have some specific ideas we can have a family meeting, but I’d like to start with the three of us.”
“Sounds good.” Declan checked Petra and Tansy quickly. “The girls don’t look worse for wear after the excitement.”
“They’re tough,” Jake agreed. “I just don’t want them to have to be.”
“Amen.”
After the food was gone and most of the cleanup done, Sydney said her goodbyes to the girls and headed to her truck.
Declan had been watching closely and timed his interruption perfectly. “Come for a walk with me?” he asked.
“Deck, I’m tired,” Sydney began.
He held out his hand. “Just to the barn. You look like you could use some kitten therapy.”
Her lips twitched, but she slipped her fingers into his and let him guide her toward the animal rescue. “Is this a little bit of the hair of the dog that bit you? Returning to the scene of the crime so it’s doesn’t become a frightening spot?”
“I should’ve thought of that, but no,” Declan admitted. “This really is about the kittens.”
The current batch were old enough to be at the super-entertaining stage, but it was late enough in the evening they were tired. Instead of pouncing all over Sydney, the little black and white female he dropped in her lap meowed prettily as she stretched her back and then eased her head under Sydney’s palm, begging to be scratched.
They sat on hay bales directly in front of the wide double loft doors that Declan swung open to the west. The sun had reached the top of the mountains, and sunset glows filled the sky with streaks of gold and orange.
For a long time, neither of them said anything. Just petted the kittens and stared at the sky. Side by side, Declan was content in a way he hadn’t been in a long time. Not even that afternoon, because now he was with Sydney?—
Declan finally broke the easy silence. “Thanks for letting me know where you were headed today.”
“Yeah, maybe I should have let you drive out and join me.” Sydney let out a huge sigh. “Nothing dangerous to me,” she offered quickly, “but it was a tough one.”
Declan snuck his arm around her waist and eased her body against his, holding her there in a gentle embrace. “Want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” she said. “Other than to confess I do not like delivering babies.”
Huh. He hadn’t seen that one coming. “Everything okay?”
