Family of Her Dreams. Keli Gwyn

fence, gazing into the distance.

      Loath to disturb him and yet having no choice, she crossed the yard, her boots making little sound on the hard-packed earth. She reached him and rested a hand on his shoulder.

      He started.

      “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to surprise you, but supper’s ready.”

      His eyes widened, and he shook his head as though clearing it. “The smell. It’s you. I wasn’t imagining it. I thought...”

      “Luke noticed it, too. I didn’t know your wife wore rosewater. My intention was to help, not to stir up memories.”

      “It’s fine. The job needed to be done. I was just...surprised.”

      “I know it’s hard. I’m sorry for that, truly I am, but you’ll be happy to know that Luke fell asleep on your bed with the quilt his mother made him, breathing in her scent. He rested peacefully. No tossing and turning. When he woke he was more amiable than I’ve ever seen him. Not that I’m expecting the change to last, but this was a start. He can begin his healing.”

      Spencer stretched a section of the rope taut and snapped it. She resisted the urge to jump.

      “He’s a strong boy. He’ll be fine.”

      Eventually yes, but now wasn’t the time to delve into the merits of dealing with one’s grief instead of acting as though nothing was wrong. She had a more pressing matter to discuss. “I found some letters hidden among your wife’s things. I felt sure you’d want to keep them.”

      Concern creased his brow. “Those are personal. You didn’t—”

      “Read them? Of course not. I just wanted to know what you’d like me to do with them.”

      The silence hung heavy until he broke it. “Hide them somewhere. I couldn’t bear to see them again.”

      “I understand. I’ll do that.” She started for the house but turned when he called her name.

      “I’m expecting a shipment soon. A bull. I thought you should know.”

      “A bull?” She wouldn’t have expected Spencer to send for one, although she shouldn’t be surprised. He was a rugged, manly man who had quite a way with a rope, so it made sense he knew about raising cattle.

      Without realizing it, he’d given her a way to gain a foothold as she attempted to scale the walls the Abbott males had erected—and have fun at the same time. “Would you teach me how to lasso something?”

      “You were watching me?” His impassive expression gave no indication of his thoughts.

      Heat sped to Tess’s cheeks. Since she’d already blurted her request, she might as well make it sound like a reasonable one. “I’d like you to teach me, so I can show Luke how. Or better yet, you could teach us both. He’d love it if you were to spend time with him.”

      “Would he?”

      Although they were talking about Luke, Tess got the distinct impression Spencer was challenging her. Well, she hadn’t backed down before, and she wouldn’t now. “Your son is much like you. He needs an active outlet for his emo—his energy. I’d love to see him use it for something as impressive as r-roping.”

      If he’d stop staring at her with that quirked eyebrow, she might be able to complete a sentence without stumbling over her words and saying more than she’d intended. Impressive indeed! What would he think of her now? She sounded like a smitten schoolgirl instead of the levelheaded housekeeper she was. “If you’ll give it some thought, I’d appreciate it. Now, I must go inside and get supper on the table. I do hope you’ll be joining us soon.”

      She’d taken a total of ten steps when a rope encircled her, tightened around her waist and pinned her arms to her sides. The force jerked her back, causing her to stumble as if she’d run full tilt into a clothesline.

      Before she could turn, a tug on the rope spun her to face him. A flash of anger sent a renewed rush of warmth to her face. She struggled to free her hands. “You lassoed me?”

      The shocked look on his face showed he was as surprised by his out-of-character behavior as she. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t want you to leave, and then—” he shrugged “—it just happened.”

      Although the leather rope was smooth and the binding not uncomfortably tight, she didn’t cotton to the idea of being bound. “I’m not a cow. I’m a woman.”

      “You are. And a fine one, too. Here, let me take it off.” He rushed to help her. His gaze locked with hers as he gently loosened the rope and slipped it over her head.

      The warmth in his eyes melted much of her anger and ignited a different emotion. Her heart was racing so wildly she felt lightheaded. “I could have fallen.”

      “I wouldn’t have let you. I had a solid grip on the rope.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “I am sorry. Mostly.” Mischief glinted in his brilliant blue eyes, and a corner of his mouth twitched.

      “Is this what cattle ranchers do for sport?”

      He shook his head, his earnest expression reminding her of Luke when he explained his actions following one of his antics. “I like roping. Always have. I’ve roped a lot of things, but never a pretty woman—until now.”

      Pretty? Even if he was teasing, the possibility that he might mean it chased away the remnants of her anger. She smiled. “Thank you for the compliment. I’m flattered.”

      “You’re different from any woman I’ve ever known. You have a ready laugh, and you don’t make a fuss when I—” He averted his gaze and kicked at the ground. “I don’t know why I’m rambling. It’s not important.”

      It was to her, but she knew from experience Spencer wouldn’t say any more. Once he put the stopper in the bottle, she couldn’t get another word out of him.

      He turned away and coiled the rope. “Thank you, Tess.”

      For what? For packing up his late wife’s things so he didn’t have to? For making inroads with his son? For finding a way for father and son to spend some time together?

      Once again he left her guessing what he’d meant. But one thing was clear. He’d reached out to her. Not in an ordinary way, but in his own extraordinary way.

      A tingling sensation stole over her, unexpected but not unpleasant. Perhaps she could help this family travel the path from their pain-filled past to a promising future, after all.