Home on the Ranch--Tennessee Homecoming Read online

  Even his, apparently. Since his chat with Amber and after sharing that pleasant moment with Katie outside the school after her first chorus practice, he hadn’t been able to stop himself from thinking about Katie. Well, about Katie and him. About them raising the kids together and how different and exciting things might be if she were to stay on a permanent basis. Something Amber had been very clear in advising him against.

  But there was no harm in just imagining. Not when he had no intention of actually pursuing a permanent partnership with Katie, right?

  Landon nodded. “The kids are enjoying Katie’s visit and with her so close, they’re warming up to her. Matthew has taken up with her a lot more since Katie started leading the choir.”

  Clint’s smile returned as he pointed toward the stage. “All the kids are warming up to her. Even the more challenging ones.”

  Landon glanced at Katie. She and Melody chased a small boy—around six, maybe?—up a set of stairs, across the stage then back down again.

  “Don’t you do it, Heath,” Melody said, blocking the boy’s path back up the stairs. “I mean it. We eat food in the cafeteria—we don’t throw it.”

  The boy made a face then unwrapped the candy bar in his hand. “I ain’t gonna throw it. I’m too hungry.”

  “Could you please eat it later?” Katie asked, holding out her hand. “After we finish practice? You can’t sing with food in your mouth and it would be a big help to me and Ms. Melody.”

  Heath looked up at the ceiling and pursed his lips. “How big of a help?”

  “An immense one,” Katie said.

  He wiped his nose. “What’s e-miss?”

  “Immense.” Katie shook her head. “It means big. Real big.” She pointed in Landon’s direction. “We have guests tonight, see? It’d be nice if we could make a good impression.”

  Heath considered this for a moment then sighed, slapped the candy bar in Katie’s hand and darted past Melody back onto the stage.

  “See?” Clint put his shoulders back. “She’s a natural with kids.”

  “Yeah,” Landon murmured.

  She walked over to the piano and he studied the graceful swing of her arms by her sides, his body itching to feel her hands on him again, recalling for the millionth time just how fantastic her kisses had felt.

  It was irrational of him. Not to mention irresponsible. She was the kids’ aunt and a temporary guest in his house. He should heed Amber’s warning and not entertain those kinds of thoughts or feelings. But no matter how much of a complication it might pose, he found himself wishing Katie would kiss him again. He wanted to feel the light brush of her breath against his cheek. Wanted to touch her soft hair and trail his palms over her slim back.

  The residual effects of her two kisses lingered on his lips and heated his blood. That was the root cause of his behavior, damn it. That and those voodoo bath bubbles, casting spells of aromatic enchantment every time she used them. That was why he’d overreacted to Clint the way he had.

  “Now watch this,” Clint whispered, gesturing toward the piano.

  Katie sat on the piano bench, leaned in then put those beautiful hands of hers on the keys. Moments later, a gentle rhythm of cheerful notes peppered the air. The chords cut through the idle chatter, stomping feet and laughter. One kid stopped running, stepped onto the riser and started singing. A few more took notice, found their places and joined the chorus. And within thirty seconds, all kids were lined up according to height on the risers, their arms still by their sides, faces lifted and happy voices filling the cafeteria.

  Four kids were off-key, and two coughs and one sneeze momentarily distracted from the unity of the presentation, but it was a sight to behold.

  A sound of approval escaped Landon and there he was, back to wanting Katie for his own all over again. “She’s amazing.”

  “Told you.” Clint walked off and joined Melody as she took her position in front of the chorus, leading the performance with wide sweeps of her arms.

  Landon glanced down at Sophia. “Whatcha think, gorgeous? Did your aunt Katie make a splash or what?”

  Sophia, eyes wide on the group of kids in front of her, made a delighted O with her mouth and kicked her arms and legs.

  He laughed again. “I take it you agree.”

  For the next two hours, the cheerful sounds of kids singing and dancing in time with Katie’s music washed over the room then slowly drew to a close when night descended outside the large windows lining the wall. Parents arrived and the kids dispersed, waving goodbye and laughing. Matthew and Emma were all smiles as they bounded down the steps toward Landon.

  Joyful warmth radiated throughout him at the sight.

  “How’d we sound?” Matthew asked, drawing to a breathless stop.

  Landon ruffled his hair and smiled. “Fantastic. Y’all are gonna do great at the festival tomorrow night. But I didn’t see you and Katie practicing your duet. Is it still on?”

  Matthew grinned wider, a secretive gleam in his eyes. “It’s a surprise.”

  “Aunt Katie says it’ll be stupid-us,” Emma piped up, hopping in place.

  Matthew scoffed. “Stu-pen-dous. She said our duet is going to be stupendous.”

  Landon stared as Matthew shook his head and laughed, the sound of it so similar to Katie’s. The warmth radiating inside Landon grew as he imagined having Katie under his roof every night, laughing with the kids. Laughing with him.

  But would Katie consider the idea of staying? Or, even worse, would she consider leaving with the kids?

  Shaking off the chilling worry, Landon summoned a proud smile. “I believe Katie’s right. Your duet will be stupendous. If it’s even half as good as the whole choir’s performance, the two of you are destined to be the highlight of the festival.”

  A little girl skipped past Landon, waving over her shoulder. “Bye, Ms. Richards.”

  Katie followed in her wake and waved at the students and parents filing through the exits. “See you guys at the festival tomorrow night at seven o’clock. And don’t be late, I’m eager to show all of you off.”

  Matthew headed for the door, too. “Are we going to Aunt Amber’s café now? I’m starving.”

  Katie tilted her head and smiled at Landon. “Sorry. I forgot to mention to you that I asked my mom to meet us at Amber’s. She hasn’t seen the kids this week, what with both of us juggling work and me and the kids coming to chorus practice. I thought we could meet her there for dinner and dessert on the way back home.” She blushed and glanced around at the curious looks they were receiving from nearby parents. “I mean, on the way back to your place. My mom said she was helping friends set up a booth for the festival and may not make it, but I’m hoping she will. Is that okay?”

  Okay? All of it felt okay to Landon—including the slow, tender way the words we and home rolled off her tongue. Plus, the thought of sitting down and sharing a meal with her, the kids and Patricia made it feel all the more like they were becoming a family. A real one.

  Landon tried to sound nonchalant. “That’d be fine.”

  “Yes.” Matthew pumped his fist in the air and ran off.

  Emma whooped and chased after him, both of them chanting in a singsong voice, “Let’s go.”

  Silky hair brushed Landon’s cheek and he turned his head to find Katie leaning close to his ear, her soft breath tickling his skin as she whispered, “Did you hear what they called me?”

  Sweet heaven, she always smelled so delicious. Today, she smelled like sun-warmed honeysuckle. There was a pulse fluttering just below her jaw. He wanted to nuzzle his nose against the warm throb, breathe her in then trail open-mouth kisses down her neck to the gentle slope of her collarbone. Touch his tongue to her smooth skin.

  “I...” Landon blinked hard, his attention straying to the small diamond stud in her delicate earlobe. That sensitive curve of her ear would pro
bably feel like velvet against his thumb. “Huh?”

  “Ms. Richards,” Katie said. “That’s what they called me. They don’t see me as plain ol’ Katie, that bad little girl who barely passed math or Jennifer’s black sheep sister.” She pressed closer, eyes bright, cheeks flushed and smile trembling. “Right here, in this little choral corner of the world, I’m known as mature, responsible Ms. Richards. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  Landon’s mouth parted as she started that bounce of hers again. The one that preceded the gentle pressure of her embrace, the soul-searing pleasure of her lips parting his and her soft feminine sigh of satisfaction. And it had been so long since she’d kissed him.

  Landon leaned in, eyes heavy and entire body aching for it.

  Seeming to catch herself, Katie stopped bouncing and her cheeks turned bright red. She glanced around once more, patted his chest then stepped back. “Welp. I’ll meet you at the truck.”

  She bent, kissed Sophia’s cheek then hurried off, her long hair rippling across her back as she walked away.

  Landon glanced at Sophia, who looked up at him and flashed a toothless grin. Scowling, he muttered something which, upon later reflection, he admitted didn’t make for his finest moment.

  “How come you got a kiss and I didn’t?”

  * * *

  Katie took great pride in the fact that she’d managed to make it four whole days without smooching Landon or grabbing his butt. And there was no better way to keep her mind—and hands—off Landon’s sexy backside than arguing with her mother.

  “You would think a daughter who happened to be staying just twenty miles away would visit her mother at least once over the span of a week.” Patricia unfolded a napkin, placed it in her lap then made that sound—a cross between a sigh and a moan—to signify she’d been neglected. Yet again.

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” Katie said. “I know I should’ve come by to visit sooner, but I’ve been so busy with the kids lately that I truly haven’t had much spare time.”

  “Well, I wish you would’ve made time for at least one night’s stay at home.” Patricia frowned. “As it is, I’ve been repeatedly forced to fabricate justifications to my friends for why you’re living with Landon and not with me and your father. Darlene Norton just grilled me about you and Landon last night.”

  Good Lord. Darlene Norton, a retired schoolteacher, had prided herself on being in everybody’s business and had made Katie’s high school years sheer torture. From the sound of things, Mrs. Darlene was still intent upon giving her advice on how Katie led her life.

  Katie glanced around Amber’s café, noting the curious stares they received from a couple in a corner booth. When she’d suggested bringing the kids to meet her mother for dinner after the last spring festival practice, she’d planned to fill Patricia in on her recent success with Matthew and the school chorus. She’d hoped the café would be relatively empty so there’d be less witnesses to any head-butting that occurred. Rumors surrounding family strife were almost as popular as whispers of scandalous sex in tiny Elk Valley, and Katie had been very careful to avoid stirring up talk of either of those things over the past week.

  At least Landon and the kids were on the other side of the room, talking to Amber at the bar and unable to hear her latest argument with her mother at their table.

  “Mom, I’m not living with Landon in a carnal sense—I’m visiting my nieces and nephew. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Just tell them my whereabouts are none of their business.”

  Patricia blinked wide eyes. “I don’t speak to my friends in that way.”

  “Darlene Norton isn’t your friend if she’s pumping you for gossip. Your real friends will accept what you choose to tell them and not dig for the rest. Besides, don’t I mean more to you than petty Elk Valley gossip?”

  Patricia’s cheeks reddened.

  Katie sighed. “I know I have a tendency to embarrass you, but can we please not do this now? Landon and the kids will be back over here any minute. I have good news to share and I want us all to have a nice dinner together.”

  “I suppo—” Patricia stopped, her eyes widening as she looked over Katie’s shoulder. “Oh, no.” She smoothed a shaky hand over her topknot. “Here comes another inquisition.”

  Katie glanced up just as Darlene Norton stopped beside their table.

  “Well, look who I’ve finally managed to bump into,” Darlene said, a sly smile appearing as she looked Katie over. “Poppy Hadden told me you were back in town and I just asked your mother last night at canasta where you’d been hiding yourself.”

  Katie stifled a groan. She had a pretty good idea what all Poppy had told Darlene.

  Katie smiled and glanced at her mother. “Canasta? The ladies’ group still throwing down money on cards every Thursday night?” She looked at Darlene and tsked her tongue. “Didn’t you fuss at me once in high school for playing poker in the cafeteria? If I recall correctly, you said gambling was crass and unladylike.”

  “Katie.” Patricia’s voice held a subtle note of censure.

  Darlene adjusted the gold necklace at her throat. “Gambling is crass when it involves large sums of money, but we only play with nickels and dimes.” She shrugged one slim shoulder. “There is a difference, dear.”

  Katie laughed. “If you say so.”

  She’d bet good money Darlene’s so-called difference applied only to those people of whom Darlene approved.

  “Poppy mentioned you were living with Landon,” Darlene said. She glanced at Landon, who still stood at the bar with the kids, then turned back to Katie. “I was surprised to hear that. I wouldn’t have thought you were Landon’s type, though I can understand him needing a mother-type figure around for Jennifer’s children.”

  Katie bristled. “Mrs. Norton—”

  “Now, don’t get offended, dear.” Darlene patted Katie’s shoulder. “I just meant that I thought Landon would prefer a calmer, more focused kind of woman. Someone responsible and dependable.” Darlene smiled softly at Patricia. “Like dear, sweet Jennifer. We all miss her so much, Patricia.”

  Katie looked down and picked at her napkin. Oh, how she wanted to tell Darlene off, but...there wasn’t much she could say. Jennifer had been a wonderful, dependable woman and no matter how much Katie changed, she’d never truly compare with her sister. At least, not in her mother’s eyes or, she was beginning to believe, in anyone else’s, either.

  “Thank you, Darlene.” Patricia’s words were clipped. “But I’ll also thank you not to question my daughter anymore about Landon. Whatever might be going on between Katie and Landon is their business and neither you nor Poppy should concern yourselves with it.”

  Katie’s head shot up and the stern look in her mother’s eyes surprised her.

  “I’m sorry, Darlene,” Patricia continued, gesturing toward the table. “I don’t mean to be rude, but Katie and I have some catching up to do over dinner.”

  Darlene, clearly disappointed at having not gleaned more gossip, waved a manicured hand and smiled. “Of course. I apologize for intruding.” She glanced at Katie and, before walking away, said, “It was good to see you, Katie.”

  “You, too,” Katie said, forcing a smile. After Darlene had left, Katie chanced a glance at her mother’s red face then gulped her iced water, wincing a moment later as the cold liquid shot a pain through her head.

  “I am sorry I haven’t visited sooner, Mom.” Katie rubbed her temples. “Not just this week—I’m sorry for not being around much the past three years, too. But right now, it’s important that I continue focusing on Matthew, Emma and Sophia.”

  “I’m well aware of that.” Patricia grabbed pink packets of sweetener from a wire holder on the table. “I just wish you would have realized that sooner.”

  “You mean before Jennifer messed up and designated me primary guardian?”

  Patricia stopped sprinkling sweet
ener into her coffee cup.

  “Matthew overheard you talking to Dad a few days ago,” Katie added.

  She looked at Matthew and Emma, who sat on bar stools at the front counter, smiling and chatting with Amber. The sight of Matthew smiling still warmed Katie’s heart and made her long to wrap protective arms around him and prevent anything from ever hurting him again.

  Lowering her voice, Katie continued, “Matthew heard you saying that the only reason I came back home was because Jennifer—” No. She couldn’t say it out loud. Not yet. Instead, she swallowed the tight lump in her throat, turned back to her mother and asked, “Do you really believe that I don’t care about them at all? Do you really think so badly of me?”

  Patricia set the sweetener packets aside and met her eyes. “I’m sorry Matthew overheard me say that and I’m even more sorry he repeated it to you. I don’t think badly of you, Katie, and I know you care for them. But to be honest, I never imagined you’d be interested in anything more than a short visit. I certainly didn’t expect you to be interested in anything long-term.”

  “Well, I am interested. Very interested, as a matter of fact. It’s one of the reasons I volunteered to help Matthew.”

  “Ah, the festival.” Something odd flickered across Patricia’s face. “I had an inkling that might be why you invited me to meet you today.”

  Katie leaned closer. Narrowed her eyes. “What’s that?”

  “What?” Patricia glanced down at her blouse.

  “That.” Katie snapped her fingers and pointed her finger at Patricia’s nose. “That look on your face right now. It looks almost like...”

  “Pride,” a deep voice said.

  Katie looked up, and there he was: said owner of sexy butt and the most skillful mouth in Tennessee.

  Landon smiled. “Sorry. The kids had a longer talk with Amber than I thought they would. Hope we didn’t hold you up?”