support, then how could he possibly not help her out?
“Jeez,” Kaiden muttered to himself. “Wow, you’re so noble, and this has nothing to do with the fact that you want her like crazy, and you always have.”
She’d be going back to San Francisco in a week or so, and if she was her usual efficient self she wouldn’t need to come home much again—because her dad would be well taken care of, and fully capable of getting on with his life in his newly adapted house. Did he want another fleeting physical relationship that never went anywhere? He’d done that before and, even if Julia wanted that, he wasn’t sure he could give it to her.
Kaiden glanced back toward the house. He’d successfully talked his body back under his control without the need for a cold shower, so he might as well go back and make sure that his father had at least attempted to make things right with Ben.
When he entered the house, Julia was sitting talking to Lizzie and Daisy while the men cleared up. Adam glanced over as he came in and beckoned Kaiden to join him. Ben and Silver were standing with his dad and everyone was smiling.
“I’m not sure what you said to Dad, but thanks.” Adam clapped him on the back. “He came in a different man.”
“I told him he was being an ass.” Kaiden shrugged. “You know, the usual.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself.” Adam lowered his voice. “You’re the only one of us apart from Daisy he ever really listens to.”
“Lucky old me.” Kaiden took the dishcloth out of his brother’s hand. “How about you go and talk to Lizzie? You did all the cooking. I’ll take it from here.”
“You sure? Don’t you want to get it on with Julia?”
“Don’t even go there, Bro.” Kaiden shuddered. “She’s way out of my league. She always has been.”
“Lizzie thinks Julia likes you.”
“Yeah?” Kaiden perked up and Adam grinned at him.
“See? You do like her.” His brother punched him gently on the arm. “Go for it, my man.”
“Yeah, right.” Kaiden cracked the dishcloth like a whip toward Adam’s Wranglers. “Get out of here.”
He went back to the sink where Danny was patiently washing and rinsing the huge pile of dishes. Kaiden took one look at him and held up his hand.
“Don’t you start.”
“Start what?”
“You know—that I’m panting after Julia Garcia.”
“Are you?” Danny frowned. “Can’t say I’ve noticed—except the way you keep tripping over your tongue because it’s hanging so far out of your mouth every time you look at her.”
“Sometimes this family just doesn’t know when to stop,” Kaiden grumbled as he picked up a dish and dried it vigorously.
“Says the biggest joker of them all.” Danny grinned. “How does it feel to be on the other end of it for a change, Bro?”
“Just you wait until you meet a woman you like,” Kaiden said. “I’ll remind you of this moment.”
His brother’s smile dimmed. “Don’t worry about me. I’m never going to put myself through that again.”
Kaiden nudged him with his elbow. “You will, Danny. You’re way too sweet to give up on love just yet.”
Chapter Seven
Sunday morning started early because Juan wanted to go to church, and Julia offered to drive him. There wasn’t a Catholic church in Morgantown, but the current pastor tried his best to appeal to all denominations, and Juan seemed to enjoy the sermons. Julia couldn’t say she was a regular churchgoer, but she was finding it surprisingly soothing to participate in the service surrounded by people she’d known all her life.
She was also surprised to see that Kaiden and Danny had accompanied their father, who was uncharacteristically quiet and well behaved. After the service, she wheeled her father out into the spring sunshine, and waited as he spoke to the pastor about the Catholic priest who would be coming through Morgantown that afternoon to offer communion and confession to the faithful.
“Good morning, honey.” She didn’t have to turn around to know that Kaiden Miller had come up behind her. “Nice to see you getting your prayer on.”
She finally looked up at him. He wore a blue shirt that brought out the color in his eyes, and carried a white straw Stetson that he immediately slapped on his head.
“I’m surprised you didn’t burn to a frazzle at the door,” she retorted.
His wide, appreciative smile made her want to smile back at him. He leaned closer and murmured, “I figured that if they let my old man in, they wouldn’t have a problem with