Montana Rescue (The Wildes of Birch Bay Book 2) (10 page)

Chapter Ten

W
hy aren’t you out there, Uncle Nick?”

Nick looked down at the dark-haired beauty in his lap and wrinkled his nose at the five-year-old. “Because bull riding is
better
than calf roping.”

Haley wrinkled her nose in return and stared at him, her green eyes seeming to be assessing him, sorting through whether he was serious or not. When he winked at her, her confusion cleared and her giggles rang free. She snuggled in tighter against his chest. “You’re silly, Uncle Nick.”

They were at a charity rodeo in Missoula, only an hour from home, and Dani, Ben, and Haley had come down for the event.

“My friend Leslie’s uncle ropes the cows, and she says he’s the best ever.”

“Yeah?” Nick drawled. “Well, has he ever ridden a bull?”

“Reel your macho back in, big guy,” his sister muttered at his side.

Nick looked at her. “I’m just saying, there’s a difference.”

“And each sport is perfectly acceptable.”

Nick shot his sister a bored look, then once again winked at Haley. “I’m sure Leslie’s uncle is great at roping, sweetheart. But just wait until you see me ride tonight. You’ll
love
bull riding then.”

The corners of her mouth turned up. “I already love it. Because that’s what you do. And you’re my favorite uncle.”

Dang. He was head over heels for this kid.

The action in the arena switched as the next group of ropers began making their way to the chutes, and Nick stood, Haley on his hip. “How about we find ourselves some hot dogs?”

“I love hot dogs!” Haley shouted.

Ben and Dani chuckled, rising to follow them out of the stands. Nick had been thrilled to get a text from his sister that the three of them would be there tonight. Though she’d stopped by the house earlier in the week, they hadn’t had time to stay long, and Nick hadn’t seen them since.

“Hey, Wilde,” another rider greeted him as they approached the concession area. He tipped his hat at Haley. “Looks like your taste in women has improved.”

Haley wrapped an arm around Nick’s neck.

“I’d say my taste is about perfect these days,” Nick confirmed. Which also included a certain blue-haired woman he hadn’t seen in days. “Haley Denton”—he looked at his niece and nodded toward James—“I’d like you to meet the
worst
bull rider you’re going to see tonight.”

“Hey.” James straightened. “That’s not right.” He faced Haley, his tone serious. “I’d suggest you root for me tonight, darlin’. I’m actually better than this one.
And
I’m better looking.”

“My uncle’s the best,” Haley informed the other man without pause.

Nick grinned with triumph. He’d known James since the other man had joined the circuit six years ago. He was a good guy, and he not only rode bulls, but he would complete a master’s program the following spring at Montana State. He’d been working at his father’s apparel company since graduating high school—his intention to take over someday—and while both working and going to school, he’d managed to pull in enough money from riding to pay for his education.

And as if lightning struck him where he stood, it occurred to Nick that he, too, could do something at the same time as riding. Something other than volunteering and taking random jobs in his downtime. He could work toward an actual career. He’d gotten a semester of college under his belt back in the day. Maybe he should consider going back.

James got a drink and left, and Nick stood silently, remaining deep in thought as Ben and Dani stepped to the window in front of him. When he’d turned eighteen, he’d headed off to college as his sister and dad had presumed he would. As all of his brothers had done. Only, he’d had more to prove than getting an education, so he’d ditched that plan after one semester and gone to bull-riding school. It had felt more like the real him. He’d once pushed all the limits as a kid. Breaking bones, getting into fights. Always up for the biggest, baddest things. He’d been intent on showing the world how tough he was.

But when his mom died, Nick lost the urge to fight. Dani didn’t need that crap from him. She had too many other issues to deal with. So he’d calmed down. At least, until he’d dropped out of school and started climbing onto bulls.

When Dani looked back at him now, a question on her face, his thoughts came to a screeching halt. “What?” he snapped.

He had no idea what he’d missed, and thoughts of his mom threatened a bad mood.

Dani eyed him carefully. “Did you want something to eat or not?”

“Oh.” He glanced at Haley, who remained in his arms, and caught her smiling oddly at him.

“What was you thinking about, Uncle Nick? My Momma said your name three times.”

“Just”—he tucked his chin, pulling in a breath and banishing thoughts of his mother from his mind—“whether I wanted a hot dog or pizza.” He brought his gaze up, aware that his breathing had grown ragged, and found his sister still watching him.

Nick ignored her and leaned in to place his order. Dani knew him well, she’d practically raised him, after all, but that didn’t mean he’d spill his guts to her simply because she gave him a look.

“How about we sit at that table over there,” Ben said. He pointed toward a long bench already half full of people that was situated directly in front of the balloon-animal booth.

“Can we get me a balloon, too?”

Ben picked up the tray of food. “A rodeo wouldn’t be complete without one.”

He led the way to the table, but before Dani followed, she stopped Nick. “Are you okay?”

“Couldn’t be better,” he answered.

Her mouth turned down in a frown, and when she opened it as if to question him further, Nick pushed past her and moved to the table. He settled in beside Ben, and the two of them talked about manly things. Not feelings and whatever other shit he could see sitting inside his sister’s head. Ever since she’d come back from New York, she’d made it a point to call each of them on a regular basis. She was seeing a shrink to work on her remaining issues with their mom, and she’d gotten it into her head that the rest of them needed to talk about their feelings, as well.

But Nick didn’t need to talk about anything. He was good.

The flat stance of being “good” reminded him of Harper. Didn’t she claim to be “fine”? At the same time that she crossed his mind, his gaze landed on her. She stood beside Jewel a couple of buildings down, her jeans outlining her perfectly tight rear and her hands propped on her hips. He’d given her space the last few days. She’d been busy, and he got that. She’d needed to sort through her thoughts. So he hadn’t bothered her.

But looking at her now, he was suddenly in the mood to bother.

She might say they needed to slow down, but he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Or wanting her. Or wanting to make sure she was thinking of and wanting him.

He hadn’t lied when he’d said he’d enjoyed hanging out with her as much as kissing her. Or, it had only been a partial lie. He enjoyed the kissing a hell of a lot. But it had been a long time since he’d run into anyone whose company he truly enjoyed. Harper was smart and didn’t mince words. She called it like she saw it—and her seeing
him
made him want to open up and show her more.

Which was scary in its own right. He’d never wanted anyone to talk to.

“We didn’t just come to watch your ride tonight,” Dani said, pulling his attention away from Harper. His sister scooped up some baked beans with her fork but paused before shoving them into her mouth. “We wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow. We’re heading out of town for the next few weeks, going to be spending some time traveling across Canada.”

“A few weeks?” Nick parroted.

Dani nodded. “We’ll be back in July.”

“So you won’t be home until after I’m gone?” He suddenly felt even more alone than he did at the house all by himself.

“Well, yeah, but”—worry crossed Dani’s face—“you’ll be back for harvest, right? We’ll see you then.”

“Sure.” Nick tried to remove the look of sulking from his face. This was good for his sister. He knew that. She’d been stuck here in Montana watching after them for years. She deserved to travel. And it wasn’t as if he’d gotten to see her much since he’d been home, anyway.

Still. Knowing that family was near had been nice.

“Say yes.” Ben spoke around his hot dog. “I’m cooking.”

“Daddy’s a good cooker now. The last time it was good.”

Nick eyed his brother-in-law. The last time was good?

“They got me a grill for my birthday,” Ben explained. “I’ve been practicing.”

Laughter from two buildings down caught Nick’s attention, and he flicked a quick glance at Harper. “Sure,” he agreed. “I’ll be there.” He took a casual sip of his drink. “Okay if I bring someone?”

“Who would you bring?” The question burst out of Dani.

“Bring whoever you want,” Ben answered. He shot Dani a look.

Nick’s sister ignored her husband and peered at the area around them, as if expecting someone to show up at their table at that very moment. Nick worked on his food and gave nothing away. He might not ask Harper, anyway.

“Is she pretty?” Haley asked.

His back went straight at the unexpected question.

“Leave your uncle alone,” Ben said, his words coming before Nick could figure out how to politely dodge the question.

“But, Dad . . .”

Ben nudged his chin toward his daughter’s plate. “Finish your food so we’re ready to watch when it’s Nick’s turn to ride.”

The little girl’s face twisted up in irritation, but she shoveled a bite of hot dog into her mouth. “I just wanted to know if she’s pretty,” she muttered softly, but she continued eating without additional complaint. However, when she cut a look in Nick’s direction a few minutes later, and gave him the kind of smile that melted an uncle’s heart, he couldn’t help but smile back. Then she leaned into his arm, her warm body melting against his, and whispered, as if to no one, “I’ll bet she’s very pretty.”

Nick couldn’t help it. He caved. She
had
said he was her favorite uncle, after all. So why not play the role of favorite uncle? He leaned down and whispered, “If I tell you, will you keep it a secret?”

Haley nodded, her enthusiasm restored.

He glanced around the table as if making sure no one else was listening—ignoring his sister’s curious stare as he did so—then cupped his hand over his mouth and Haley’s ear. “She’s gorgeous,” he confirmed. “And she has
blue
hair
.”

Haley’s eyes went wide.

“But remember, you can’t tell anyone.” He puckered his lips and put a finger to them in the universal sign of silence. “Just between you and me.”

She nodded again and mimicked his motion with her finger, and Nick rose from the table.

“And speaking of riding, I need to head off to do just that.” He pinched Haley on the tip of her nose as he stepped over the bench seating. “I’ll be listening for you to yell the loudest for me.”

“I will, too.” She jumped up on the bench and wrapped her arms around his neck, and Nick wondered for the first time in his life what it would be like to have this kind of love waiting for him at the end of every day.

He confirmed the time for dinner after Haley released him, then headed away from the table. Harper still stood with Jewel, but he didn’t move in their direction. Ben might have given him an out with Dani by shutting down her line of questioning, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t watch him with an eagle eye for the remainder of the night. She’d probably grill her stepdaughter, as well, to find out what he’d said to her. And all Haley would have to do was mention blue hair.

He definitely should have kept that one to himself, no matter how cute and imploring his niece could be. He simply wanted to spend more time hanging out with Harper. Not have his sister wearing him out with questions about what Harper might or might not mean to him.

A bead of sweat trickled down the front of Harper’s shirt as she tugged at the metal door of the trailer. The danged thing kept getting stuck. She yanked once more and the rod slid out, moving with such ease that she almost landed on her backside in the dirt.

“You mad about something?” Jewel asked. She’d just come around the side of the truck.