Chapter 9

Scarlett was preoccupied.No doubt about it.

She'd forgotten to pack extra diapers in Hank's bag, which meant she was crossing every finger she owned, hoping he didn't go on a poop spree. She couldn't remember the last time he'd blown through a bag of diapers, so he was definitely due. She'd remembered the sunscreen but not sunglasses, and to make matters worse was wearing pink fuzzy slippers, not the cute white sandals she'd meant to, the ones that looked great with the plain white tank top and jean cut offs she currently sported.

She'd been hoping to find a vendor selling flip flops, but the closest she'd come had been moccasins, which she would have gladly bought, but there'd been none in her size. She was destined to spend the day traipsing through the park in cotton candy pink slippers.

"I should have just worn my pajamas again," she muttered to herself, as she adjusted the top of the stroller to keep Hank shaded.

"Auntie, Scar, watch me!" Nora's excited voice drew her attention, and she couldn't help but smile as she watched her niece get busy in the bouncy castle. Benton had gone off in search of cold refreshments, and she was in charge.

"You finally had him, did ya?" The accent was British, one she recognized, and with a smile the size of Montana she turned, shading her eyes for a better look. A man stood a few inches from her, dressed in a plain black T-shirt, well-worn jeans the kind of boots meant for kicking, not dancing. Tall and built like a linebacker, he was ruggedly handsome with longer hair than was fashionable, a dazzling smile, and enough ink on his muscular arms to make any tattoo artist drool.

"Ollie," she said with a laugh, accepting his hug and squeezing him tightly. "I knew Cal was picking you guys up from the airport, but I thought I'd see you at the ranch, not here."

"The rest of the crew went to grab some beers, but I thought I'd come along with Cal." He winked. "I'm glad I did."

"Where is he?" She looked past the giant but didn't spy her brother.

"He ran into Millie and a friend of hers, but they should be along any minute." He glanced down at her feet. "This a new fashion statement?"

"Yes," she replied dryly. "You'll only find it in Big Bend."

He chuckled. "Good to know." Ollie stepped back and gave her an exaggerated once-over. "Being a mother looks good on you."

She actually blushed, pleased at the compliment. Ollie peered into the stroller. "Handsome little guy. What's his name?"

"Hank."

"I like it."

"I grew up listening to Hank Williams. He was my mom's favorite and," she followed Ollie's gaze, her heart blooming at the sight of her boy. "When I first saw him, the name fit perfectly."

"It's a keeper. You did good, kid." Ollie's expression was serious. "I know how hard it is for a single mum."

They'd had many heart to heart chats when the musician was last in Big Bend. For whatever reason, Scarlett had found it easy to open up to the man. He was a walking, talking confessional.

"Thank you," she replied, softly, searching the bouncy castle for Nora. Once she spied her niece she relaxed a bit. "How long are you here?"

"As long as it takes. I think the plan is to try and get these new songs down before the next little Bridgestone makes an arrival." Ollie raised his chin, eyes somewhere behind her. "Here they come now."

Scarlett turned and immediately felt her heart drop all the way down to her toes. She gripped the stroller, thankful to have something to hold on to. It was that or wrap her arms around Ollie.

She spied Benton and Cal walking slowly, deep in conversation, each of them holding onto trays of fries and hotdogs. By their side Millie Sue looked adorable with her baby bump and eyes that told the world she was the happiest woman on the planet. But it was the man several feet behind them who had all of Scarlett's attention. Mouth dry, she watched as the blonde child, Ryan she thought, twirled in a circle chatting animatedly at her father while he fixed Cameron's ponytail.

He was focused. Unaware of the interest he stirred. And somehow, that made him hotter. Scarlett wasn't the only one who couldn't drag her eyes away. Heck no. There was a crowd of women by the refreshment booth, all of them focused on Taz and his girls, whispering, pointing, giggling like a bunch of teenagers.

"You'll catch flies if you don't close your mouth." Ollie's amused voice broke the spell and she blushed, clearing her throat, and making a show out of rooting for some unknown thing in Hank's diaper bag.

Benton, Cal and Millie Sue arrived, with Taz and the twins not far behind. For a moment or two, Taz's eyes were solely on Scarlett, then he introduced himself and shook Ollie's hand. She didn't realize she was holding her breath until he smiled at her.

"Hey," Taz said softly. "Nice surprise."

The butterflies that had exploded in her stomach were now in her throat making it impossible to say anything. She made a noise, a grunt or something close to it, and felt her cheeks redden more than they already were. Aware that everyone was staring, that Cal's eyes had narrowed, and even Benton, who was oblivious to most things, was looking at the two of them questioningly, she finally managed a hello.

"I know you. You're daddy's friend." Cameron did a pirouette, while Ryan looked up at Scarlett.

"Did you bring your baby?" Ryan asked.

Good. Babytalk she could do. Scarlett moved out of the way so the girls could see her stroller. "I did, but Hank is sleeping."

They inched forward, both of them whispering gibberish to each other as they peeked over the top. Ryan wanted to touch his head, but Taz pulled her away. "We don't touch unless we ask, remember?"

"Can I touch him?" Ryan looked up at Scarlett, her round eyes hopeful.

"When he's awake, you can hold him."

Cameron backed away from the stroller, eyes still on Scarlett. "Did you say the F word when you were growing your baby?"

"I…" Good Lord. She raised an eyebrow at Taz.

"You don't want to know," he said, trying to hide a smile as he turned to the girls. "We don't need to be talking about the F word anymore."

Cameron opened her mouth, but he put his finger on over her lips. "And we really don't need to be talking about growing babies either."

"Can we go in the bouncy castle with Nora?" Ryan asked, tugging on her sister's arm.

Taz nodded. They took a few steps and then both of them turned back around, exclaiming together. "Watch me, Daddy!"

He pointed two fingers at his eyes and then back to the girls. "I'm not going anywhere."

Cal motioned toward an empty picnic table under the old oak tree by the water fountains. "We're going to head over there. You coming?" The question was aimed at Scarlett.

"No. You guys go. I'll watch Nora and bring her over when she's done." Were her cheeks as red as they felt?

"I'll take the wee one," Ollie said, reaching for her stroller. He didn't give her a choice and after a few lingering looks from her brothers, she was left alone with Taz.

It wasn't fair that a pair of jeans could look that good on a man, but then his long legs and round ass showed them off to perfection. Coupled with a plain white T-shirt and ball cap, he was dressed simply and had opted not to shave, his square chin and chiselled jaw shadowed with dark hair.

He dipped his head and Scarlett froze, bottom lip between her teeth, because she knew his mouth was inches from her neck.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, eyes darting here and there, watching folks watching them.

"Just checking," he said slowly, drawing out each syllable in a way that made her knees weak. "I wanted to see if you still smell like peaches."

Scarlett didn't dare look at him, no way did she want Taz to see the visceral reaction she had, just standing next to him.

"Do I?" she asked lightly, focused on the girls.

"You do." His grin was wicked. "And now it's got me thinking some things."

Don't do it. Don't do it.

"What things?"Too afraid to look at him, she stared straight ahead.

"I'm wondering if you smell like peaches behind your knee."

Good. God. She gulped in some air.

"The skin's real soft there."

He was wicked. Sinful.

"I'm also wondering if your ankles smell like peaches." A heartbeat passed. "You have nice ankles."

Scarlett was burning up. If this didn't stop she'd combust and burn out before anyone could save her.

"But mostly I'm wondering if you smell like peaches between?—"

"Jesus, Taz. Stop." She turned and would have liked nothing more than to wipe off the smile on his face. "We're in the middle of people and dogs and kids and pony rides, and you can't be talking to me like that. It's not appropriate."

"No one can hear me."

"But they can see. They'll be talking about us."

Taz studied her for a few seconds, his light eyes seeming to reflect the very sun itself. He shifted, angled his head, and she knew he'd spied the group of women by the refreshment stand.

"Do you care what they think?" His voice was low, hitting that timbre that did funny things to her stomach. Which she so didn't need, on account of she was still dealing with all the other crap going on inside her.

"No," she replied hotly. "But maybe I should. I have a son to think about now."

"Being the person who doesn't care what folks think, the kind that doesn't need that kind of acceptance, that's the mom Hank needs."

Scarlett didn't know how to reply to that, so she said nothing. They spent the next few minutes in silence, watching the girls squeal and jump and carry on. There was no small conversation between them. Heck, Scarlett couldn't think about anything other than the kiss the night before, how she'd relived said kiss once she'd managed to find new batteries for her purple dolphin, and how she wanted him to taste every inch of her and decide for himself if she smelled like peaches between her…

"I think you should come for a swim."

"What?" Head still stuck in her fantasy, and now hotter and more bothered than ever, Scarlett turned to Taz, her body liquefying at the look on his face.

"Later, after we're done here. I think you should come for a swim. It's a nice night for it. I'll grill some steaks."

Mouth dry, she considered the option. "Are Cal and Millie Sue?—"

"No," he interrupted, his nostrils slightly flared. "Not that I don't enjoy their company, but this is more of a private affair." A ghost of a smile touched the corners of his mouth. "I think it could be real nice."

She knew she should say no. That she should pack up Hank and walk the rest of the carnival and go home where it was safe. Maybe take him up to the Founder's Cabin and have a visit with her father. But that's not what she wanted to do. Because aside from the physical attraction she felt for Taz, there was the mental stimulation she enjoyed. He was smart and funny, and he liked to argue but he wasn't an asshole about it. He filled up some of those empty spaces inside her and it had been too long since she'd felt anything like it.

"If I come it's not a sleepover."

"Now, you're getting ahead of things, Peaches. I don't put out on the first date."

"I find that hard to believe."

"I might have stretched the truth a bit." That ghost of a smile was now a full-on grin.

"And it wouldn't be a date."

"Of course not."

"I mean it, Taz." She exhaled, suddenly serious. "If we do this, whatever this is, it has to be slow."

"Okay." Taz nodded. "You're in charge, Peaches. Whatever you want."