Southern Hearts Read online

  Donna snapped her hand away from him. She hadn’t considered that McLean would be there with her. That was an entirely different layer of trouble. There was something about him that irritated her. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but every time he came to the saloon, her blood pressure rose. He was too cocky for her taste, and she considered him reckless. That wasn’t the type of help she needed with Evie.

  She wasn’t totally ignorant; she found him absolutely gorgeous. He was strong and rugged, and his dark eyes could melt her. There was no way she should be playing anything, mostly house, with him for a day, never mind a week. It’s going to be like pouring water on an ice rink. It’s deceiving and dangerous as heck.

  She wasn’t going to let him know she was anything but confident. Placing her hands on her hips, she shrugged her shoulder and said, “I think you’ll be in the barn.”

  He looked her over and shook his head before putting his hat back on. “Nothing would please me more, ma’am.”

  Donna didn’t miss the look in his eyes. McLean didn’t believe she could do this. It was ironic because she’d been hoping someone would notice her lack of ability. Somehow McLean noticing only pissed her off. He had some nerve assuming anything about her. “If you’ve come here to insult me you can turn right around.”

  McLean didn’t budge. “Trust me, Miss Watson, I’ve got better things to do. Now if you don’t mind, I reckon you better get your bags ’cause my day is far from over.”

  “Bags?”

  “Nash sent me for you. They’re heading out. I reckon they have things to talk to you about first.”

  Donna forced a smile. “I can’t wait to see that precious baby girl again.” That was true. However, she wished it was only going to be for a visit.

  “Then you’re already packed and ready?” McLean asked with his arms crossed.

  She’d delayed packing in hopes of a miracle occurring to get her off the hook. “You bet. Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll be right down.”

  Donna left McLean waiting for a bit longer than expected as she quickly grabbed things out of the closet and drawer and crammed them in a suitcase. She wasn’t sure if she had everything, but it didn’t matter. Whatever she forgot would give her a reason for Sissie to come by for a visit. Maybe I should pack lighter.

  When she arrived downstairs, McLean was still standing where she’d left him. The scowl on his face said he wasn’t amused with the delay. He grabbed her bag and walked out of the Sass.

  “Well that ain’t like him,” Sissie said from behind her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “McLean is tough, but never gruff.”

  “I don’t think he likes that I’m going to be watching Evie.”

  Sissie shook her head. “I don’t think this has anything to do with her.”

  Donna was puzzled. What else could it be? McLean didn’t hide his doubt in her abilities. “I guess I’ll find out, won’t I?”

  Sissie grinned and said, “I don’t doubt that for a minute.”

  Donna wanted to ask her what that meant, but Sissie turned and headed back toward the bar. With Sissie, there was no guessing what she’d been hinting at. All Donna knew was this was about to become the longest week of her life.

  Why didn’t I take up Dad’s offer and stay with him instead of staying here in Honeywell?

  Chapter 2

  Donna stood on the porch with Evie cradled in her arms as she watched Derrick and Casey take off in the chopper. She was wondering if this was some type of plot since that chopper belonged to her father.

  Once it was almost out of sight, she gazed toward the barn. McLean was leaning against the fence, and even with his hat tipped down she sensed he was watching her. She didn’t know why. The sun was about to set, and surely he had plenty of work to do, but he didn’t seem in a rush to get to it. If anything he seemed relaxed. Is he taking pleasure knowing I’m out of my element?

  Donna wasn’t about to give McLean any reason to enjoy her discomfort. Actually, she found she wasn’t as nervous as she’d been when Casey first reached out. After sitting down with her and Derrick and going over everything she needed to know, she had a newfound calmness. I just hope it continues.

  Smiling down at Evie, Donna said, “Okay little one. How about you and I go and get acquainted.”

  Evie looked up at her with eyes wide open. At first, Donna thought she saw a smile forming, but it quickly changed to wailing.

  “Ya need a hand?” McLean’s deep voice called out.

  She could barely make out his words over Evie’s crying. McLean was a lot of things, but he didn’t strike her as more knowledgeable with children than she was. How to make Evie stop crying didn’t come naturally, yet one thing she was positive about: more yelling wasn’t the answer. Instead, she raised one hand letting him know she didn’t require his assistance then headed toward the front door.

  Pulling her closer, Donna softly said, “I know. I miss them already too, but we’re going to have a great time together. You wait and see.” That little pep talk was more for her than the baby. She wasn’t going to forget Casey’s words of wisdom. Babies don’t know the words you say but pick up on your emotions. She couldn’t afford to let Evie know she was scared. It was going to take a lot of effort to hide it. Not only from Evie.

  Once inside she walked to the rocking chair and pulled it away from the window. She didn’t want McLean watching her more than he already had. It wasn’t going to be that difficult to avoid him. He had a ranch to run, and she had her hands full with Evie. Literally. As far as she was concerned, there was no reason to leave the house until Evie’s parents returned.

  Sitting down, she began rocking Evie as she tried to recall a lullaby. Nothing came to mind. So she began humming her favorite song. It was a country love song, but without the words, it sounded as though it could be a sweet lullaby. Evie must’ve agreed because she started to quiet, and after only a few minutes she was sound asleep.

  She looked like an angel. It was hard to believe something so tiny and delicate could make such a racket, but Donna’s nerves hadn’t forgotten. Although she didn’t want to move and chance waking Evie, she recalled strict instruction on making sure Evie slept in her crib. Guess they didn’t want me encouraging any bad habits. Carefully she tiptoed up the stairs to the nursery. She placed her gently on her back and waited a moment to make sure she was still asleep. Donna noticed how much she’d changed in just two months. Evie looked more like Casey. I hope you get her personality too, but with those lungs, you might have a bit of your dad in you.

  She wasn’t ready for any of that, but she didn’t want to be anywhere except right there, watching over Evie. She loved the little girl, and knowing that her best friend trusted her to care for Evie touched her heart even more. Donna knew Casey had options. She truly was surprised Casey hadn’t asked Sissie. For all the fuss she’d made trying to find a way out of this, she was glad she hadn’t found one.

  Donna laughed softly. Her eyes welled up when she realized how lucky she was. Almost half her life she’d been searching for a sense of family or belonging. Now she had both. Not only did she have her father back in her life, but the Collins and Nash families accepted her in their innermost circle. They were people who didn’t do that lightly. She wouldn’t let them down. Not with Evie or anything else they entrusted her with.

  Donna kissed her fingers then placed them on Evie’s forehead. Sweet dreams. Then she grabbed the baby monitor off the charger and forced herself to leave the nursery. She contemplated going downstairs, but the sun had already set, and somehow she had a feeling she’d be back before long. Casey had apologized that Evie didn’t sleep through the night, so she wanted to make sure to be rested when Evie did wake.

  When she entered the spare bedroom that had been prepared for her, she stopped and looked out the window before getting ready for bed. Under the moonlight, she could see McLean riding toward the barn. She wanted to close the curtains and walk away, but she fixated on
him. Donna may have grown up in Texas, but she was a city girl and hadn’t been around ranch hands before. There was something sexy as sin in the way he handled his horse. She watched as he dismounted. Even from this distance, she noticed how his jeans hugged his butt as he lifted a leg over the saddle. God help me.

  She wished she wasn’t physically attracted to him. Normally she was drawn to clean-cut businessmen who rarely spent time outdoors. That wasn’t anything like McLean. He wasn’t only rugged looking from the way he dressed, his hands were rough too. Workingman’s hands. It turned her on in a way she couldn’t explain. There had been nights when she woke in a dead sweat from dreaming of his hands touching her in places that ached to be touched. Thinking of it warmed her. Easy girl. This can’t happen, not now, not ever.

  Donna hadn’t been blind to the fact women blatantly flirted with him at the bar. McLean didn’t seem to mind either. He didn’t have to do the asking; they approached him to dance. And who knows what else. It wasn’t just the fact the women were pretty, but they had things in common with McLean. She’d overheard them as they sat at the bar having drinks together. What do I know about horse feed or fencing? Nothing.

  It was stupid to be jealous of something so simple, but to Donna it magnified their differences more than their similarities. I’m not sure we have any. She needed to remember that, so she wouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking there could be anything real between them. He looks at me like I’m daddy’s little girl. Not like I’m my own person.

  He’d never actually voiced that to her. It was more how he reacted when he found out who she was. It’d been written all over his face when someone said, “Ryan Watson’s daughter.” His demeanor had changed instantly; she was no longer just Donna.

  That was sad because for a brief moment in time when they’d first met at the Sass she’d thought there had been a connection between them. I guess it’s better than him pretending to want me because of who my father is.

  As she continued to observe him, she’d forgotten the light was on in her room, which meant she was just as visible, if not more so, than he was. Before she could step away, McLean turned and looked in her direction. She couldn’t see his expression, but he tipped his hat as though acknowledging someone. Since Bubba, the only other ranch hand, was in town for his normal get rowdy party night, Donna knew she’d been caught.

  Darnit! She quickly grabbed hold of both curtain panels and pulled them shut. It must’ve looked ridiculous from where McLean had been standing, but she didn’t care. Well, at least not that I’m going to admit.

  She plopped herself on the bed. It’d been so much easier to go undetected at the saloon. What excuse was she going to come up with for ogling him here? I could say I heard something outside and was concerned. It sounded plausible, but she didn’t want him thinking she was worried something might have happened to him.

  Donna had good reason to worry about him. McLean had been shot a few months ago while protecting the ranch and all its occupants from some very unscrupulous people. When she’d learned of his injury, it’d felt as though she’d been physically hurt as well. If she hadn’t been in protective custody, she would’ve found a way to be by his side. It made no sense then and still didn’t. They were nothing to each other. Yet she couldn’t get him out of her mind. Bittersweet torture.

  She knew she should try to sleep so when Evie woke she’d be alert. Donna normally was a morning person. She started the day off bright and early, but it drove everyone crazy that she was cheery before her first cup of coffee. She laughed softly. “I’m sure Evie won’t mind one bit.”

  Yawning, she laid back on the bed. She didn’t bother undressing or pulling up the covers. The price of being an early bird meant she was no night owl. Donna’s eyes closed as soon as her head hit the pillow. Rolling over, she realized the baby monitor was still in her hand. She opened her eyes to confirm the volume was all the way up. Then she relaxed enough to fall asleep, even though it was a restless one.

  McLean had no idea how long Donna had been watching him, but that fact she had, surprised him. That woman is as complex as they come. She acted as though she wasn’t happy to see him when he picked her up. Then on the ride from the bar to the ranch, she didn’t say one word. He intentionally had turned the radio on and sang the entire way. She refused to look at him or join in, but he’d seen her toes tapping along. For some reason, she worked hard at keeping a wall between them. As far as he recalled, he’d never said anything inappropriate enough to earn the cold treatment. Then again, charming isn’t something I’m known for either.

  He removed the saddle and put his horse, Journey, into his stall in the barn. He gave him a quick brushing before giving him feed. He checked on the other horses one last time before shutting off the lights. He normally would hang out in the barn for a while, but tonight he had something else he wanted to do.

  Once outside he looked at Donna’s window, well the window he’d spotted her in earlier, and since she was the only person in the house, it had to have been her temporary room. Even though the blinds were closed, he could tell the light was still on. What’s keeping you up? He wished it was him, but the odds were it was Evie. Derrick had informed him Evie wasn’t the best sleeper at night. Damn.

  He hadn’t meant to laugh when Evie was screaming earlier, but somehow his smart ass remarks flew out easily around Donna. Being an ass wasn’t what she needed. She only had him and Bubba, when he finally got home from the bar, for backup. Instead of heading to his quarters, he went to the porch of the main house. It was never locked, and even if it had been, he had the keys. He opened the door and went inside. Just make sure everything is all right then leave.

  McLean was confronted by silence. He went from room to room downstairs and found them vacant. He should be glad Evie was upstairs sleeping, but it wasn’t what he’d expected. He thought for sure Donna would be struggling and about to pull her hair out. He wasn’t going to lie to himself. There was a part of him, a not so nice part, that wanted her to be panicked and needing him. But there was no evidence of that. Maybe I’m not right about her, but it’s only day one.

  McLean flipped off light switches as he prepared to leave the house. There was one thing he needed before heading out. Walking to the kitchen, he opened a cabinet that held ibuprofen. Popping four into his mouth, he opened the refrigerator, grabbed a cold beer, and downed it. His shoulder was throbbing from being overworked today. That was his own damn fault; the doctor had given him strict instructions, which he chose not to follow. Physical therapy and rest were two things he had no patience for and weren’t conducive to running a ranch. That didn’t mean his stubbornness didn’t come with a price. Pain.

  “What are you doing in here?” Donna’s voice boomed from behind him.

  As he spun around to see her, he almost burst out laughing. She was waving a dinner fork in her hand as though she thought she could actually do some harm with it. Once again his snarky remark didn’t go over very well. “Do you plan on forking me?”

  When she caught his innuendo, her beautiful brown eyes practically turned black. Oh yeah, she’s pissed. She didn’t put it down. Instead, she raised it farther in his direction as she glared at him. “I asked you a question.”

  He honestly wasn’t trying to be a jerk, but somehow she brought it out in him. That wasn’t a good thing. McLean decided not to tell her he’d entered to check on her. Some truths were best left unsaid.

  “I needed ibuprofen.”

  Still holding onto her fork, she said, “One of us can’t read because that bottle clearly says beer.”

  He found her as sexy as hell when she was giving snappy snark back to him. McLean couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Washing down the meds.”

  “It’s a spoonful of sugar.”

  “Huh?”

  She shook her head and continued, “Helps the medicine go down.”

  He was lost as though it was a private joke. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

&
nbsp; Donna tossed the fork into the sink and said, “Guess you don’t watch classics either.”

  “If this is a movie reference, unless it’s an action or thriller . . . no.”

  “You must’ve grown up under a rock as a child.”

  McLean opened the fridge and took out two more beers, holding one out to her. She hesitated taking it at first, so he placed it on the counter between them. He twisted off the cap of his and sat down.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I would think it’s obvious.” McLean took another swig while keeping an eye on her. He could tell she was uncomfortable with him there. But why puzzled him. He wasn’t about to leave until he had the answer.

  She crossed her arms and asked, “Don’t you have your own living quarters?”

  “I do, but I’ve always been welcome in the main house anytime I wanted. Is there a reason you don’t want me here?” He could hear her foot tapping on the floor, and her expression confirmed his statement. She didn’t seem to appreciate his presence or his question.

  “Why don’t I believe this is your normal routine?” She sat across from him but didn’t touch the beer.

  “Did you want me to review my day for you?” He knew she had to suffer through all that talk of shop back at the bar. There was no way she wanted to listen to his.

  She picked up the beer and handed it to him. “Can you open this please?”

  For the second time that night she’d surprised him. He twisted off the cap and handed it to her. She took a sip then her eyes widened, and she stood and bolted from the room. He watched the kitchen door swing on its hinges and was left alone.

  He downed the rest of his beer and stood. McLean had accomplished what he’d come for. Donna appeared to have things under control. More than I thought at least. Morning would come quick, and with Bubba staying in town that night, he was left to take care of things. He was at the front door when Donna came down the stairs.

  She looked and him and asked, “You’re leaving?”