Slade guffawed even as he shook his head. "Like I haven't heard that one before. I told Granny not to get me ap.r.o.ns with my name on them cause I wasn't gonna be working here long."

"And six months later, my dear brother has earned something of a reputation as a fine chef-or at least a good cook." Sydney walked over and linked arms with him. "You've increased business so much I doubt Granny will ever let you go."

"Don't say it." Slade rolled his eyes in mock horror. "Take a tumble from a bull, bust some stuff, and end up back at the cafe. I can guarantee you this wasn't on my life trajectory plan."

"Uncle Slade, there's nothing better than good food-unless its horses." Storm wrapped her arms around his legs in an obvious effort to comfort him.

Slade picked her up and gave a slight wince before he took a wider stance and set her high on his shoulder. "That's right. Who'd be crazy enough to want to ride a wild bull anyway?"

"Exactly." Storm giggled as she patted him on top of his head. "Let's ride, horsey!"

"This isn't play time," Sydney said, interrupting the antics. "Your uncle is working right now."

"Go, Uncle Slade, go!" Storm pretended to snap reins.

As Kent watched, he felt a yawning chasm open up under his feet. By now he thought he'd be the one carrying his own giggling little daughter around on his shoulder while her mother looked on with such love and devotion. He glanced at Lauren and saw the same adoring look in her eyes. If he wasn't careful, he was going to be struck by the green-eyed imp of jealousy.

He'd thought he was on the path to family happiness with Charlene, but that notion was blown to h.e.l.l and gone. He'd thought he'd let his disappointment and resentment go, but here it was back again in spades. He had a lot in life, but he wanted so much more in the way of love and family. But that was a priceless commodity, and it wasn't something a guy could go out and rope.

"Lauren's got a little girl, too." Sydney held up a hand to her daughter, obviously determined to switch Storm's mind from fun and games.

"Is that right?" Slade turned toward Lauren in surprise.

"Yes." Lauren gave him a big smile. "Hannah is four going on five."

"Congratulations." Slade carefully set Storm on the floor and eased her toward her mother. "Did your daughter's dad come along with you?"

"No." Lauren hesitated, as if searching for the right words to explain her situation.

"Lauren's husband isn't around anymore." Kent stepped in to help ease this information to the family. "Small plane accident."

"I'm right sorry to hear it." Slade shook his head in concern. "Accidents happen to the best of us."

"Thank you," Lauren said quietly.

Sydney stepped forward and squeezed Lauren's hand. "You aren't the only one with that type of loss."

"You too?" Lauren turned to look at Sydney in surprise.

Storm grasped Lauren's other hand. "Daddy's gone to Heaven. Do you think Hannah's daddy is there with him?"

Lauren knelt and clasped Storm in her arms. "Sweetie, I don't know, but I hope so."

Storm patted Lauren's back. "Don't be sad. Mommy says folks that love us watch us from Heaven. I'm riding hard so Daddy'll be proud of me. I'll teach Hannah to do the same-if you like."

"I'd like that very much. And I think Hannah would as well."

Storm gave Lauren a quick kiss on her cheek before she tiptoed back over to her uncle.

Slade clapped his hands together. "Sounds like a plan. Let's celebrate Lauren's return to town. Blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream all around."

"Yum!" Storm grabbed Slade's ap.r.o.n and swayed back and forth.

"Sounds good, but I've got to return the booster to the station," Kent said. "We just stopped by to pick up barbeque on our way to Ruby's place. Hedy and Hannah are waiting for us there."

"Rain check?" Lauren asked, smiling around at the group.

"Only if Hannah can come." Storm gave everyone a big, bright grin.

"You bet," Kent agreed.

"Okay then, that's a plan, so we'll be on our way." Sydney started for the front door with Storm by her side. As she opened the door, she glanced back. "Lauren, when you get settled in, call and we can get the girls together for a play day."

"I'll give Lauren your number later," Kent said.

"Perfect!" Sydney shooed Storm out the front door.

"I'm looking forward to catching up while the girls get to know each other," Lauren called as she waved good-bye.

"Soon!" Sydney gave a little wave before she shut the door with a solid click behind her.

"Guess we better get on our way soon, too." Kent turned to look at Lauren. She was making all kinds of plans with others when he wanted to keep her for himself. But that was the way of a small town where everybody knew everybody. Maybe he'd better plan a trip up to Lovers Leap like the old days where they could be alone.

"What kind of barbeque do you want?" Slade grabbed a plastic menu off a nearby table and held it out to Lauren.

She held up her hands in mock surrender. "No choices for me. I want everything!"

Slade guffawed as he tossed the menu back on the table.

"I haven't eaten food from the Chuckwagon Cafe in so long that I've got to have it all." Lauren joined his laughter.

Kent couldn't help but smile at her happiness, even as he wished she wasn't looking quite so interested in Slade.

"You got it," Slade said. "I'll pack up a variety of meats. Coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans sound good?"

"Wonderful!" Lauren clapped her hands together in delight.

"You're taking food to Hedy, too?" Slade turned toward Kent with a slight frown on his face.

Kent nodded, wondering why Slade was making a point of it.

"Truth of the matter, Hedy's been coming in when she's working at her store and ordering her usual. I don't know if it's my cooking or not, but she's been leaving most of her food on her plate." Slade shook his head, obviously concerned about Hedy.

"Do you mean she's not eating right?" Lauren appeared worried about her aunt.

"Maybe Hedy eats more at home." Slade c.o.c.ked his head to one side. "But I kind of doubt it. She's always been bantam weight and now she's getting downright skinny."

"Something's just not right with her," Kent agreed.

"Lauren, I'm glad you're back in town for lots of reasons." Slade stepped close to her. "We'll all trust you to get to the bottom of what's going on."

"I'll do my best." Lauren nodded as she emphasized her words. "First of all, we'll make sure she cleans her plate tonight."

Kent smiled at the old saying that every child had heard a million times growing up in Wildcat Bluff, but he wasn't amused at all. Too many people were noticing too many things that didn't bode well for Hedy.

"Tell you what," Slade said, "one thing that seems to tickle Hedy's fancy are my pies. I've been making sure to give her extra big pieces."

"And she eats them?" Lauren asked.

"Some better than others," Slade explained. "I've been trying different pie recipes that are in Granny's old recipe book. I think some of them go all the way back to her grandma. Anyway, I'm doing my best to tempt her with something she'll eat."

"Thank you." Lauren reached out and squeezed his arm.

"I made a rhubarb-blackberry pie today with her in mind. I'll send it with you."

"Just a piece will do," Lauren said. "I don't want to take a whole pie that you could serve to others."

Slade grinned, revealing white teeth against his tanned skin. "I can make more. Anyway, what else have I got to do while I heal-if I ever do."

"You'll heal," Kent cut in, feeling lower than a snake at his earlier jealousy. Slade was hurting all the time, not just from his injuries but from losing the life he'd loved since high school. Kent ought to be glad for anything that'd perk up his cousin. If making delicious pies would do the trick, he and every other member of the family would happily eat them.

"I really appreciate what everyone is doing for Aunt Hedy," Lauren said. "I was concerned before I got here, but now I'm flat-out worried about her."

"Hedy belongs to us all," Kent said. "We'll do anything to help her."

"If she'll let us help her. That's the big bugaboo," Slade added, shaking his head. "You know she's got an independent streak a mile wide."

"We'll find a way," Lauren insisted. "Just give me a little time to figure out what's going on."

"You got it," Slade agreed as he turned toward the kitchen. "Now let me box up your vittles."

On a sigh, Lauren turned to Kent. "n.o.body's life is perfect, is it?"

"Not by a long shot, but with close family and good friends, we can make it through the hard times together."

"Thanks." She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "For everything."

And in that moment, he felt as if he'd come home-and he hadn't even known he'd been gone.

Chapter 9.

A little later, Lauren sat with Kent in the booster. She'd wedged two brown paper bags filled with Chuckwagon Cafe goodies between her feet. She could feel heat from the food containers against the bare skin of her feet. Soon the tantalizing aroma of barbeque had her stomach growling in antic.i.p.ation.

"Hungry?" Kent glanced her way, then back at Main Street as he drove toward the fire-rescue station.

She patted her tummy. "Guess I'm ready for the best food in Wildcat Bluff County."

"Or anywhere?"

"I wouldn't deny it, not with a Duval sitting this close to me."

"Smart gal." He chuckled as he turned right onto Cougar Lane and slowed to a crawl.

"Something wrong?" She felt a little twist of alarm run through her because he drove so slowly. Was there a problem with the booster?

"Yes and no." He eased into the station's parking lot, stopped under a bare-leafed mimosa, and put the vehicle into park. He turned to face her.

"Kent?" Now she doubted if the problem was with the booster. She didn't look at him, not sure if she wanted to see what was in his eyes or learn what was on his mind.

He sighed as he rubbed a hand across his beard stubble. "Today's brought back all kinds of memories."

"Good ones?"

"Yeah. I feel like I'm eighteen again and trying to get you alone."

She smiled as she saw his sincerity and remembered only too well what he meant. "Lots of friends and family around here. Aunt Hedy used to help us make excuses to get away."

"We ought to be grown up enough now not to need help, don't you think?"

She sighed, knowing she should tell him they didn't need to be alone, but she felt heat rising up and flooding her body. He was making her hot like he'd always done. But that was then. And now was now. They were well beyond such youthful fancies. Yet her thoughts didn't douse the fire that was building inside her, making her feel damp and achy in the deepest, most sensitive part of her. It wouldn't do. Not anymore. She tried to cool down with thoughts of ice cream, but that was too much of a sweet reminder of Kent. A snowstorm like she'd experienced in Connecticut was better for putting out fires.

"Others are waiting to spend time with you, but before I give you back I want to let you know that I'd like for us to find time to be together."

She swallowed hard at his words. Did she dare go down that dangerous-to-her-heart path again?

"Am I asking too much?"

"No," she heard herself say, even as she tried to come up with a good reason to stay away from him.

He clasped her hand and raised it to his lips. He kissed each fingertip before he placed a warm kiss on her palm. "You still have the softest hands."

"Kent, I'm not sure-" But her words caught in her throat as he gently tugged her toward him, leaned forward, and nuzzled her cheek with his face. She could feel the scratch of his afternoon shadow against her skin, smell his scent, and feel the heat of his body. All were more tantalizing to her senses than the rich smell of barbeque.

"Can we go back up to Lovers Leap?"

She shivered even as he stoked her like a fire, driving her flames higher and higher. When he captured her shoulders with his large hands and caught her lips with his mouth, she felt smart reason and good intentions fly out the window. Instead, she leaned into him, feeling the hard muscles of his chest against her soft b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She moaned softly as he gently traced her lips with his tongue, as if tasting her again. When she nipped his lips in return, he deepened the sensual kiss.

And she reeled back in time to those heady days of youth when hormones ran wild. She grasped his shoulders, pulling him closer, needing his heat, his strength, and his desire in a way she'd thought long gone. She kissed him back, harder, longer, stronger as she reached up to dig her fingers into his thick hair and hold on against the rising risk of losing him all over again.

When he thrust back the seat, picked her up, and set her across his lap, she could feel the hardness of his desire for her, and that sensation drove her even wilder. He tore his mouth from hers and rained kisses across her face, down her neck, up to her ear where he lingered, teasing with his tongue as he obviously remembered her sensitivity. He stoked her flames just as she ignited his fire, and he brought her closer to fulfillment than she'd been in years.