Page 18 of Duke
I breathe a sigh of relief when I slip into the kitchen unnoticed. Keeping to the far side of the room, I’m about to escape through the little hall that leads to the mudroom when I draw up short at the sound of my name.
“Wheeler! I thought I saw your car earlier today. Welcome back to the ranch.” Duke is standing at the counter with a red onion in one hand and an enormous chef’s knife in the other. He smiles, his mouth and eyes creasing in the most handsome wayimaginable, and I feel weak in the knees again. “I hope you’re staying for lunch.”
I blush, hard. All the boys plus Patsy are looking at me now. I got dressed in real clothes this morning—jeans, a cute top that’s cropped enough to show a sliver of stomach, and my favorite pair of short Bellamy Brooks boots—but I still feel unprepared for the onslaught of attention.
Really, Duke’s attention. Damn does he lookgoodin his cowboy getup. Dusty jeans that fit just right. A weathered chambray button-up, the sleeves rolled up to reveal deeply tan, slightly sweaty forearms. A bandana and boots and a sun-bleached Stetson that,wow, does something to me.
“Um,” I manage. “I was—work—I have so much to do. It’s month end, so…”
Patsy wrinkles her forehead. “You sure, honey? My pimento cheese and bacon burgers aren’t to be missed. They’re best fresh out of the frying pan.”
“She’s right.” Duke tilts his head toward the bowl of pimento cheese Patsy’s just pulled from the fridge. “Besides, you can’t work if you’re hungry.”
“Please stay, Wheeler.” Ryder plucks a bottle of Texas Pete from a cabinet. “If only so I have someone to talk to besides these assholes.”
“Hey,” Cash barks. “You’d best watch that mouth. Ella’s gonna be here any minute—”
“I’m alreadyhere, Uncle Cashy!”
I glance over my shoulder to see a little girl with big blue eyes and brown hair burst into the kitchen. Mollie is right behind her, smiles on both their faces.
“Shit.” Ryder slaps a hand over his mouth. “I mean, shoot. Hope she didn’t hear that.”
“Oh, I’m sure she did.” Sawyer scoops his daughter into his arms and presses a noisy kiss to her cheek.
“Hey, Wheeler!” Mollie pulls me in for a hug. “Drive go okay?”
“It was easy.”
“How was school, Elly Belly Boo?” Sawyer asks.
“Ew, Daddy, your scruffies are very scruffy today.” Ella runs a hand over his face. “But I still love you.”
“Thank goodness. Did you eat your lunch?”
“No. I don’t like your sandwiches very much.”
Everyone laughs at that. I forgot how cute kids can be. Haines was born when I was five and a half, and I loved having an adorable younger brother to tote around and play with when I was little. My parents joke that he was my first—and favorite—baby doll.
“Well, lucky for you, I made an extra cheeseburger.” Patsy says. “And maybe some extra dessert too.”
Ella gasps. “Is it cake?”
“Even better. It’s chocolate peanut butter pie.”
“Oh!” The little girl screams with delight, and I feel that tug in my chest again. “Oh mygoodness! That’s my favorite! Thank you, Miss Patsy!” She leans over, arms outstretched to Patsy.
Patsy lifts Ella out of Sawyer’s arms and settles her on her hip, bopping her on the nose. “You’re so welcome.”
When was the last time I let myself be delighted like that? The last time I was so happy I couldn’t help but holler? I honestly can’t remember.
“Lord, and I been tryin’ to eat healthy.” Ryder pats his stomach. “So much for that.”
Patsytsks. “Diets are not allowed in my kitchen. Neither are picky eaters.”
“Well, I’m screwed, then,” Ryder replies.
“Now y’all go sit while I put these burgers together.”
