One Night with a Cowboy - Sara Richardson Page 0,19
have to be sorry for sleeping in.” The man ran a gaze down her pajamas. “You must’ve needed the rest. That’s nothing to feel bad about. You’re supposed to be on vacation.”
She had needed the rest. Even with the embarrassment of nearly plowing the man over in a panic while wearing skimpy pajamas and then the ensuing panic when she realized what had happened, she couldn’t deny she’d felt more rested when she’d woke up that morning than she had in a long time. But she still felt bad about it. Wes obviously wasn’t acquainted with the high potency of mom guilt.
“And you don’t need to feel bad about bringing up my father either.” His crooked smile somehow made him seem more approachable than he had last night, all shirtless and hot. He was still gorgeous, of course, but the smile he wore now seemed more real somehow. “My dad was a master at finding ways to make the punishment fit the crime. I’d forgotten that. Thank you for reminding me.”
She really should say no problem and then run back inside to get dressed. But she had to ask. He’d already seen the jammies anyway. “What do you think your father would’ve chosen for your punishment if you had snuck onto the lake by yourself at ten years old?” Because she was kind of at a loss. She couldn’t fault the kid for having a passion to fish. And he never got to fish at home, so she couldn’t exactly take away his fishing time during this retreat.
Wes seemed to think, clicking his tongue, gazing out over the lake. “If you want the truth, I think my old man would’ve climbed into that canoe with me and made me row the whole length of the lake and back all by myself while he kicked up his feet and relaxed to prove how hard it is and that I shouldn’t be out there without backup.”
Thea laughed. “That’s kind of brilliant. I might have to borrow that.”
“I’m happy to help.” Wes glanced down at her pajamas, but then quickly directed his gaze back to hers. “The more weight in the boat, the harder it will be to row.”
This time the heat that flashed across her face didn’t have anything to do with embarrassment. Was he checking her out? Did she want him to? Thea cleared her throat. She was clearly still groggy. “Um…okay. And thanks again. I know you said not to apologize, but I am sorry. I usually keep better track of my kids.”
“I’m the one who should apologize to you.” His smile disappeared. “When you arrived yesterday, I should’ve kicked my friends out so we could’ve gone over the details for the retreat. This should be like a vacation for you. I’m sorry I didn’t make myself available.”
Thea was too stunned to speak.
“But Louise has breakfast ready for us,” Wes went on. “So maybe we can talk through the details over waffles?”
“Sure. I need a few minutes, though. I should probably get dressed first.” She probably should’ve gotten dressed a long time ago.
“Take all the time you need.” There went that crooked smile again. “I’ll meet you up at the lodge whenever you’re ready.”
* * *
Wes pulled off his shirt and tossed it into the laundry basket in the closet. The danger Ryan had put himself in had long since passed, but his heart still pounded like it was trying to break out of his chest. There were other things, too…feelings.
He quickly stripped off his boxers and jeans before pulling on new ones. He couldn’t explain what had happened to him when Thea had started crying. Instinct had kicked in, and before he knew what was happening, he’d reached for her. When he’d pulled her into his arms, shock waves had coursed through him. It was different than the rush he got in the arena, but it wasn’t any less powerful. Maybe the impact had come from seeing how deeply she loved her kids. He’d seen the fear in her for sure, but there was also this underlying courage in her demeanor. She would do anything for her kids; he didn’t doubt that.
He didn’t doubt that he’d best find a way to put out the heat the woman had generated low in his gut either. He wasn’t looking for a distraction like Thea Davis. He was about to take the biggest step up in his career. Hopefully, after this short delay, he’d find himself at the top.