Her Wyoming Hero. Rebecca Winters

Andy had had with his grandfather earlier still puzzled him. Until the phone call, the boy hadn’t said two words. Then he’d switched to talking mode, but only after he’d been urged by his mother to come to the phone. Ross didn’t know what to make of the tension.

      “Are you all right?”

      “Ask me in a week.” Ross couldn’t take more of the interrogation. He finished off his sandwich, knowing sleep wouldn’t come for a while. “Good night.”

      The guys had warned Ross that lightning could strike three times in the same place, and they had the documented video to prove it. He’d laughed off their teasing, but for some reason he wasn’t laughing now.

      Chapter Three

      After washing and blow drying her hair, Kit got ready for bed. When she peeked in their bedroom, she discovered that Andy had fallen asleep. Considering their long day, it didn’t surprise her. Without waiting another minute, she went into the living room to phone her in-laws.

      “Hello, Florence? Andy told me you wanted me to call before we went to bed.”

      “We expected to hear from you before now.”

      “I’m sorry, but we swam until late with the owner’s son, Johnny Lundgren. He’s two years younger than Andy, but a real joy and a lot of fun.”

      Ross’s suggestion that they all swim had turned out to be inspirational. By dreaming up that little competition, Ross had nudged Andy out of his mood. Andy hadn’t been able to resist joining in and had won a round. The praise their host had given him had made a subtle difference in her son, increasing his confidence. Kit could have hugged Ross for it.

      “Where’s Andy?” Charles spoke up from another extension.

      “In bed, sound asleep.”

      “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

      She frowned. “I don’t know yet. Probably riding. Why?”

      “I’m concerned about Andy. The weather can change on a dime out there. I don’t want to hear you took my grandson up on the Grand Teton with all those lightning strikes. You shouldn’t have gone to Wyoming.”

      He’s my son, Charles, she wanted to shout at him. But she understood that after losing Winn, her in-laws were fearful of other losses. Instead she said, “There are too many other activities planned right here on the ranch for you to worry about that. It’s supposed to be warm weather the whole time while we’re here. We’re going to concentrate on riding horses and fly-fishing on the Snake. This is a glorious place.” Like a piece of heaven.

      “I was there years ago. The Snake River can be dangerous.”

      She took a deep breath. “Charles? I promise our hosts aren’t going to allow us to do any activity where we can get hurt. They’re trying to make this an exciting adventure for Andy.” Kit had already been given proof of that at the pool with Ross.

      “But you’re there without Winn.”

      “Andy and I have each other, Florence. Now if you’ll forgive me, I’m exhausted and need to get to bed. It’s late for you, too.”

      “We’ll talk tomorrow,” Charles announced in his imperious voice.

      Oh, she knew that. Twice a day and every night like clockwork. “I’ll have Andy call you after our ride tomorrow. He’ll have lots to tell you, I’m sure. Good night.”

      She hung up and hurried to bed. Moonlight kept the cabin room from being totally dark. Sleeping in the same room with her son was a brand-new experience. When Winn had been home, he’d never allowed Andy to get in bed with them, even when he was a small child.

      And when he’d been away, he’d insisted Andy stay in his own bedroom on the next floor, and his parents had enforced his rule. She’d slept by him a few times over the years when he’d been sick and needed comfort, but this was different. While they were on vacation, she relished this time alone with him so they could really talk.

      Kit turned on her side to face him. As she drifted off, her mind relived those moments in the swimming pool with Ross. She wished she didn’t find him so appealing. She hadn’t come here with the idea of meeting a man. Anything but.

      Unfortunately, Ross was the first person on her mind when she woke up the next morning. The knowledge that he’d be coming for them in a few minutes gave her stomach flutters.

      Andy had already gotten out of bed and was watching TV. She called to him to come and get ready.

      “How did you sleep?”

      “Good.”

      “Are you hungry?”

      “Yeah.”

      She mulled over his answers while they put on their shoes. “Good” and “yeah” were signs his mood had improved. If only he would stay this way...

      “Mom? Did you call Grandfather last night?”

      He’d been her little worrier for years. “I did, but let me ask you something. What would you think if I hadn’t phoned him?”

      Andy swung his head toward her. She saw that nervous look he often got. “You know,” he muttered.

      She’d finished doing her hair and put the brush down. “You mean he’d get mad. You can say it, honey.”

      His eyes slid away.

      “It’s not much fun to be around someone grumpy, is it?”

      He didn’t respond.

      “He and your grandmother get mad at me, too.” She applied some lipstick.

      “I know.”

      Her son understood a lot, but she still had to probe to get at the truth of how he truly felt about his life.

      “That’s why it’s nice you and I can be on vacation by ourselves. We all need a break, don’t you think?”

      His faint nod gave her the sign she’d been hoping for, but they both heard a horn honk out front. She would have to continue this conversation with him later.

      “Let’s go.” She put the card key in her pocket. With a happier heart, she followed him out the door into another day filled with sunshine, sage and Ross Livingston as she lived and breathed. He’d dressed in a brown-and-white plaid Western shirt and a pair of jeans that molded powerful thighs.

      She felt his eyes on her as they filed out to the truck. Then they flicked to her son.

      “Hey, Andy—how’s it going?”

      “Good.”

      “If you want, hop up in the back of the truck. You can ride on one of those bales of hay.”

      “Sure.” Kit watched him heave himself up without Ross trying to help. Their host was the opposite of Charles who micromanaged him every second of his life.

      “One of these days Johnny will be able to do that,” he confided to Andy.

      Thank you, Ross. His way with Andy, combined with his goodness, wrapped itself around Kit’s insides, warming her through to the empty spaces in her heart.

      “On the way to breakfast we’ll pick up Johnny. Between him and Buck’s new stepdaughter, Jenny, you’ll be among friends. I know they’re two years younger than you, but they’ll like being with you. You’ve lived in Maine and know a lot of neat stuff they don’t. And one more thing. They’re fun.”

      “Johnny makes me laugh.”

      “He makes me laugh, too.”

      Keep this up, Ross. You’re a genius.

      His grin was infectious. Kit felt it radiate until her toenails curled. When Ross turned around, she was caught staring at him. “What about you?