Read Online Home Is Where Hank Is (Cowboys To The Rescue 1) by Martha Shields - Free Book Online Page A

It’s just that she’s about grown up. If you would explain things to her, let her know what’s going on, she’d understand why you’re making her do the things you do, or not letting her do the things she can’t. Open up a little. You’d probably be surprised at how much closer you’ll be.” She smiled wryly. “It’d work with the hands, too, you know. I’m sure you have good reasons for the orders you give. If you told them why they’re cleaning the tack for the second time that day, they probably wouldn’t grumble so much.”
    He leaned back in his chair, as if he could get away from her words. Alex had just described his father. John Eden had never explained anything. Never told the crew why they had to work through lunch. Never told his sons he was proud of them, or that he loved them.
    If Hank could dive into his gene pool and zap the genes he’d gotten from his father, he would. Hank had sworn years ago that he’d never walk in John Eden’s boots. He would’ve punched any cowpoke that claimed he did.
    Hank looked down at the arm he’d placed alongside his plate and saw that his hand was only inches from Alex’s. Funny, he didn’t feel like punching her. His fingers ached to stretch out and touch her helping hand. For the first time in eight years he had someone to help him, especially with Claire. Oh, the other cooks helped some, but only because they’d been paid to. None would’ve considered giving up their day off for a twelve-hour drive with two giggling teenagers. He felt a tiny bit of the weight on his shoulders lift, and the heat that had centered in one part of his anatomy spread throughout his body, warming even the marrow of his bones.
    “I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn,” she said into the silence. “And if the thought of talking to Claire is that hard, I’ll tell her that you were planning to—”
    “No, it’s not that. It’s...too complicated to go into.” Damn, he was clamming up again—just like his father. He drew breath to explain further and was relieved when Alex spoke first.
    “If all this was so much trouble, why did you insist Claire go to the prom?”
    Hank straightened in his chair. “If she doesn’t go, she’ll regret it one day. It’s a part of growing up, and she needs to experience it. Hell, she’s not involved in anything at school. She can at least do this.”
    “Didn’t you go to your senior prom?”
    Surprised, he met her eyes squarely. She had a way of seeing straight to the heart of the matter that disturbed him, but at the same time made him hot. “No.”
    “Why not? With your good looks, I’m sure you could’ve found a date.”
    He paused for the space of two ragged breaths. “You think I’m good-looking?”
    Her face went white and she looked down at her glass. “I didn’t mean—Well, you—” Her wide eyes shot back up to his. “You know you are.”
    “I do?”
    “Hank!”
    The comers of his mouth curved upward.
    Her mouth fell open.
    “What?” he demanded.
    “Do that again.”
    “Do what?”
    “Smile.”
    He couldn’t keep his mouth from obeying. That it almost hurt told him how long it had been since those muscles had made the effort. That it was this woman who made him feel like smiling worried him enough that it faded.
    “You should do that more often,” she said breathlessly.
    He scowled. “I smile.”
    “Not so anyone would notice,” she insisted. “But you still haven’t answered my question.”
    “What question?”
    “Why didn’t you go to your senior prom?”
    He tore his gaze away from hers. “I didn’t go because I didn’t have a senior year in high school.”
    “You didn’t graduate?”
    “I took the GED in March of my junior year so I could cut out.”
    “Cut out of what?”
    “Hell, home. The ranch. What else?”
    “Why?”
    He shoved the chair back with a loud scrape, about to get up. He’d never told anyone how he felt about his father. He didn’t know if he could start now.
    But Hank