Chanel allowed him to pull her from the chair. He kept one of her hands in his own and led her from the camp into the trees, making sure to go in a different direction from Mitch and steering clear of the horses and David. They walked in silence, Soda trotting along at Chanel's heels. Maddox wished she'd say something, so he knew what to do to make her feel better.

"I can't believe he's even related to us. I've never known such a self-centered jacka.s.s." Chanel released Maddox's hand and kicked a pinecone, sending it soaring between two pines in front of them.

Before he could stop himself, Maddox lifted his arms to signal a good field goal, wincing when his shoulder protested. "Three points!"

She shot him a withering look, and he lowered his arms and continued walking, eyes straight ahead. Didn't she realize he was trying to be nice?

Chanel stopped and whirled on him. "Please tell me you aren't trying to take advantage of the situation to get in my pants."

She might as well have kicked him in the gut. "Where did that come from? You needed to get out of there. Your family just had a meltdown. I'm trying to help you."

"You're right. You're right." Chanel scrubbed her hands over her face and then met his eyes with hers. "I'm sorry."

Maddox nodded and kept his mouth shut. He was still mad, but she'd apologized. It was more than she would've given him a month ago.

"Love is a weird thing around here." She started walking again.

"How so?" Maddox fell into step beside her.

"All of us kids lost a parent really young. We didn't have a chance to see it in action, to figure out how to have it."

Maddox took her hand again, making her stop. "I'm sorry."

Chanel looked up at him and shrugged. "There's nothing to be sorry for. I was ten. It was breast cancer." Her gaze slid from his face to the ground. The words sounded so matter of fact, but her expression said something else.

Not knowing what to say, Maddox remained silent, giving her the chance to talk out whatever it was she needed to work through.

"Christine has been like a mom to me ever since. It's not the same, though. And Dad is so lonely. Did you see his face just now?"

"Yeah." Maddox shifted his weight, not sure what to do next. Maybe his family life where they all sorta ignored each other wasn't so bad. He had two parents, and because they didn't talk much, there wasn't an opportunity for drama. Yet, he hadn't learned to think of anyone but himself either. Being around the people at the Double O had made him aware of that. And then the lightbulb came on. These guys were a team. Chanel's voice took him out of his own head. He'd have to sort all that out later. Chanel needed him now.

"I think Dad's had feelings for her for a long time. Christine told me recently that years ago they kind of explored the idea, but it wasn't meant to be. I'm thinking that meant it wasn't right for her."

"Are you upset about her and Fritz?" Maddox remembered what David had said about Mitch and Christine, how angry he'd been about it. Now he was thinking there was more to whatever David thought he'd seen.

"Nope, really happy, actually. They both deserve to have someone. It's a b.u.mmer it couldn't have been Dad. Or maybe, that would've been weird. Either way it means there's someone else out there for him. I'm glad they went for it."

Chanel glanced down at their joined hands, and her cheeks flushed. Quickly letting go, she rubbed her palms on the front of her jeans like she was wiping him from her skin.

"What're your parents like?"

The table turned so fast he wasn't ready.

"Um, well..." How did one describe his parents' relationship? "Busy. Mom's a doctor, an internist, and Dad's a lawyer. You know, the typical rich kid combo. They only got around to having me, hired a nanny, and got right back to work. I was kind of something to check off the list. We had a cook and a housekeeper. Still do. I discovered I was good at football when I was six or seven. That's pretty much all I cared about until I discovered girls." He glanced over at Chanel, sure she'd have an eye roll or something for him, but her features were neutral as she listened, so he continued.

"A lot of schools recruited me. I could have gone to the Big 10. That's what Mom and Dad wanted, so I went with Doumit. You know, just to get their attention."

"Did it work?"

Maddox laughed remembering the brief moment of shock on his parents' faces, but they'd quickly concealed it with their plastic smiles. "For a minute. Then they spun it like it was their idea all along. Of course a smaller school was a good idea. I'd get more playing time right from the start, get that NFL stock climbing." It was his job to make them look good.

"Every family has their flaws. I think it'd be easier to just be a dog." Chanel squatted and hugged Soda. The black and white dog's tail wagged with pleasure, her pink tongue flicking out to give her owner a gentle kiss. Maddox envied the dog, wishing he could get away with giving Chanel a kiss, but he was still wary from the last time he tried.

Chanel stood and stepped in close to Maddox, wrapping her arms around his waist. She gave him a quick squeeze before backing away. "Thanks."

"Sure." Not sure what to do with his hands, a first for him, he stuck them in the pockets of his baggy jeans.

"I should go check on everyone."

"Yeah."

Together they headed back toward the little cabin, a feeling of ease between them that hadn't been there before.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

Hot water pounded Chanel's skin erasing the dirt and some of the physical exhaustion from the yearling drive. She hadn't had a proper shower in two days. When the water temperature began to cool, she reluctantly turned it off and stepped into the steamy bathroom. The rest of the drive had been uneventful. Christine and Jessi joined them, along with Old Theo. David's truck was gone when they reached headquarters with the herd. Everyone a.s.sumed he was in town with Faith, and that was just as well for the time being.

Too tired to cook, Chanel decided to dig some frozen fish sticks and tater tots from the chest freezer for dinner. As she pa.s.sed the master bedroom on her way to the kitchen, she spotted Mitch standing in front of his dresser, head bowed. He was still wearing his dusty work clothes, though he'd taken off his boots in the mudroom.

"Dad?" Chanel paused in the doorway.

Mitch looked over at his daughter. His eyes were red, and she was pretty sure it wasn't from the dust of herding several hundred head of cattle for the last couple of days.

"What's wrong?" She entered the room and spotted the framed picture in his calloused hand. It was a candid of her mother on their wedding day. Someone had snapped it just before she left the bride's room. She was being silly, peeking around the doorframe to make sure no one was going to spot her before her big entrance.

"I'm fine, Chel. Just missing her."

Chanel put her hand on her father's arm. "Me too. Every day."

"I'm glad for Christine and Fritz, I really am," Mitch said, his eyes locked on the picture again. Chanel thought the statement sounded like he was trying to convince himself that was how he really felt.

"You hoped for something else didn't you."

Mitch heaved a deep sigh, lowering himself onto the bench at the foot of the bed. "Seemed like it might work at one point, but I was never the right one for her. And looking back, I wonder if it was mostly loneliness and convenience talkin' instead of love."

Tears p.r.i.c.ked Chanel's eyes. Mitch had been so busy running the Double O and taking care of her, he hadn't had time to date. Not that there were many single women to choose from in their small community.

"I might be a little jealous of them," Mitch confessed, lifting his eyes to meet his daughter's.

"Oh, Dad." Chanel crossed the room and sat down beside Mitch, laying her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"Nothin' to be sorry about. It's just the way it is. I'm a blessed man. I've got you, the ranch, good men working for me. Christine is a good friend, and she deserves happiness. They don't come much better than Fritz."

Chanel smiled for a moment and then remembered David. "What are we going to do about David?"

"What's David going to do about David?" Mitch said. "He can decide to come back and be a part of things, or he can leave. I hate to see him go, but he can't stay here and not respect Fritz and his mother. He's been terrible to her for years. This might make it worse. Or, it might be just what was needed to bring him around."

"He has a share in this place." Chanel sat up so she could see Mitch's face.

Her father shrugged. "I'm happy to pay him out and send him on his way. Hoping it won't come to that. He's young and hotheaded. We'll give him some time to cool off and see what happens. It wouldn't surprise me if Faith sets him straight. You girls tend to do that."

Mitch stood and placed the picture back on the dresser. "Looks like you've done a little of that yourself here lately."

Chanel raised a brow at her father. She had no idea what he was talking about.

"Maddox has settled down quite a bit."

"That has nothing to do with me. Things started changing when Seth got here. For some reason he's able to get through to him." Chanel stood and headed toward the door. She was not going to talk about Maddox with her dad. Her insides were still a little squirrely after their walk up at cow camp.

"To some extent, but I'm pretty sure you're the driving force."

Chanel didn't know what to say. She'd been surprised when the big oaf had taken her out of the intense situation and helped comfort her. He'd been doing good work taking care of the hay fields; in fact, he was going to start swathing the first cutting the next day. Except for when they needed an extra body to help with the cattle or repairing fence, Maddox had been quietly doing his thing. Chanel had kept a sharp eye out to make sure he was starting work on time and not knocking off early. A person could set her watch by him these days. For the most part, he'd stopped arguing with her. He even sought her out after hours to help with roping practice. And then he didn't seem like he was trying to hit on her, which she had mixed feelings about. Despite the evidence, she wasn't about to take the credit, so she dropped the topic. "I'm throwing some fish sticks in the oven. You better get through the shower."

She didn't appreciate the little grin on her father's face as she turned away and hurried down the hall.

Maddox sneezed for the umpteenth time in the cab of the giant swather. Alfalfa dust swirled around making his nose and eyes itch. He'd been working out in the hayloft for two months and not had this much trouble, but being cooped up in the tiny, sweltering s.p.a.ce as he cut the ripe hay had made him a mess. Sweat trickled down his neck and back. His hair was tied up in a most unmanly fashion on top of his head with the hairband Chanel had given him at the branding.

Muscles he'd never felt before screamed from days in the saddle. Maddox shifted on the uncomfortable seat. It was sometime after lunch, and the sun was too high for it to be quitting time. Unable to stand it a moment longer, he decided to park at the end of the row and hike down to the nearby pond, though he'd never seen it. Chanel had pointed off in the direction of a cl.u.s.ter of trees at the edge of the field one day while talking about fishing in Mackey Pond. How hard could it be to find? He'd take a quick dip to cool off and then hit the tractor again.

The day was still as Maddox crashed through the trees and brush. All the critters had holed up to avoid the heat. Maddox wished he were back on campus in an air-conditioned gym. He could be pumping iron in relative comfort right now. When the large pond came into view, he stripped his t-shirt over his head. There was a rickety looking wooden dock with an ancient rowboat tied to it. The water was a bit sc.u.mmy around the perimeter of the pond, but a pipe at the far end created enough movement to keep the center relatively clear. At this point, Maddox could care less about pond sc.u.m. He just needed to knock off a layer of sweat and alfalfa dust.

Not paying attention to where his work boots were clomping, he tripped over something soft, but solid. Maddox stumbled, but used to fighting to keep his footing on the football field, caught himself with one hand before he could hit the ground. A high-pitched mewling sound made him look back over his shoulder. A mound of brown fur a little larger than the calves they'd branded in May stared at him with big gla.s.sy eyes. His brain said deer, but this thing didn't look quite right. Maddox studied it for a moment longer until he heard something large crashing through the trees. There was no mistaking the mother moose coming his way faster than any linebacker he'd ever seen.

"s.h.i.t!" Maddox hollered in shock and in hope of scaring the beast, but it kept running on those long, skinny legs.

He took off toward the pond, dropping his shirt in the process, and didn't look back until he hit the dock. Head lowered, the moose continued to charge toward him and before he knew it, her hooves were striking the wood of the dock. Maddox plunged into the murky water and stroked to the middle of the pond. Finally, he paused and looked back to see the mother moose standing on the dock, glaring at him. She snorted while he treaded water, his heavy boots pulling him down. How long would she block the dock? Would she pursue him if he tried to exit the pond on the other side?

Knowing he couldn't tread water forever without ditching the boots, he decided to make his way to the far end of the pond. A moment later, the baby cried luring its mother from the dock. Maddox paused in his swimming to a.s.sess where she was heading. She was most definitely keeping an eye on him. As she put more distance between herself and the dock, Maddox changed direction and started back that way. Sensing his plan, the moose whirled around to face the pond again.

How in the h.e.l.l could something so big and gangly move so fast? She held her ground but didn't move forward, so Maddox decided to keep going. Even getting in the boat would be an improvement. Reaching the dock, he discovered a rebar ladder on its side. He began to climb out of the water, keeping a wary eye on the moose still standing about a hundred yards from the dock. The baby must've gotten tired of waiting for its mom, as it ambled out of the trees to stand beside her. Maddox stood motionless on the weathered wood wondering what to do next. He was glad to be out of the water, but he was stuck until those moose moved on.

Something pulled at the skin on his stomach, and he looked down to see a shiny black worm clinging to him. A case of the w.i.l.l.i.e.s zipped through him with a shudder. The movement provoked the mother moose, and she headed his way again.

Grumbling a curse, Maddox dove into the rowboat praying there was an oar or two inside. He shoved the rusty boat away from the dock with every ounce of strength he had, sending him sailing back toward the middle of the pond. Finding a set of oars, he positioned them in the rings on either side of the boat and rowed until he hit the weeds at the far end of the pond. He sat there staring back at his new nemesis, debating once again if she'd race around the pond if he attempted an exit.

The drone of an ATV was music to his ears. A moment later, Chanel drove through the trees from the hayfield side, Soda perched on the seat behind her. Maddox watched her a.s.sess the situation and immediately start fumbling with a bag strapped to the front rack of the four-wheeler. A second later, two sharp gunshots pierced the air. The moose turned and loped off the dock, sweeping past her baby, who fell into step beside her as they disappeared into the trees.

Maddox released a deep sigh, scrubbing his hands over his face. He'd just been held hostage by a moose.

Chanel buzzed over to his end of the pond and killed the motor. When Maddox removed his hands, he was greeted with the biggest smile he'd ever seen her wear. It took his breath away despite the laughter dancing in her eyes as she shook her head back and forth.

"How on earth did you get yourself into this one?"

Maddox rowed the boat to sh.o.r.e and drug it up far enough, so it wouldn't slide back into the water. "I just wanted to cool off."

"Where's your shirt?"

"Dropped it over there," he gestured to where the moose had disappeared. "And I'll be d.a.m.ned if I go look for it."

Still sitting astride the four-wheeler, laughter rolled from deep within Chanel. She gasped for air and wiped her eyes. Concerned, Soda worked her way into her owner's lap and gave her a couple of quick licks on the face.

"Stop, get down," Chanel managed to say to the dog, who hopped lightly to the ground. After a moment, she managed to sober up a bit. She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. It's just this was the last place I thought I'd find you. When I saw the swather parked I wondered if it broke down or-," she stopped midsentence and leaned forward squinting at his stomach. "Is that a leech?"

"Gah!" Maddox jumped when he remembered the black worm stuck to his belly. "How do I get it off?" The nasty thing had swollen to twice the size it had been when he discovered it.

"Hang on," Chanel said getting off the ATV and approaching him. "Stand still and relax. I'm going to slide my nail between its sucker and your skin and flick it away." In one swift motion, Chanel did just that. When the leech hit the ground she squished it with her boot, making Maddox shudder once again. A small trickle of blood ran down his stomach from the small wound the leech created.

"We need to find your shirt," Chanel said. Her eyes roved over his skin, igniting it as if she were touching him.

"The moose can have it. I've got more at the house." There was no way he was going back over there.

Chanel laughed. "Don't worry, Soda and I will protect you if needed, but I'm almost positive she's on the other side of the hayfield by now. C'mon." She jumped back on the four-wheeler and looked at him expectantly. When he didn't move, her brows moved down into a frown. He could see the impatience coming as her knuckles turned white on the handlebars. "We need to keep moving on this hay. I just came out here to check on you, make sure you weren't having any technical difficulties."

Another smirk crossed her face. "And I'll be d.a.m.ned if you weren't."

Man up, Maddox coached himself. So what if he was almost killed by a raging, overgrown deer and attacked by a bloodsucking worm. It was time to get back to work. What he really wanted was to throw up and take a nap. The feeling intensified when he realized he'd been saved twice from wild animals with gunfire. Good G.o.d, this really was the Wild West.

Swallowing the bile creeping up his throat, Maddox nodded, mostly to convince himself everything was okay and climbed on the four-wheeler, fighting the urge to grab her body and hold it close for comfort.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

"Up next, folks, we've got a real treat for you. The dynamic cousin duo from the Double O Ranch reunited in the arena after a three-year hiatus. Chanel and Seth Eber. Let's give them a big round of hometown applause!" The announcer's deep voice echoed over the fairgrounds, followed by claps, whoops, and hollers from the stands.

Chanel grinned at Seth as they rode into the arena. He winked at her in response. They'd been practicing every night for two weeks and had their rhythm down pat. They settled their horses in the boxes on either side of the chute, and the barrier ropes were strung over the front of the boxes.

"You ready?" Chanel said to Seth.

"As I'm going to be." He pressed his straw Stetson further onto his head.

Chanel nodded at the cowboy running the chute, and he released the steer. It shot down the arena. Spurring their horses, the cousins galloped after it, Chanel's rope swinging, waiting for the right time to release her loop over its wide horns. She snagged it within seconds, taking a quick dally and spinning the animal around to present Seth with its heels. The crowd's cheers and the hard rock music pounding from the speakers made her adrenaline soar. d.a.m.n, she missed rodeoing.

Seth flicked his loop at the steer's heels, just barely missing.