Mail Order Bride - Westward Secrets: A Clean Cowboy Romance Novel (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 13) by Linda Bridey Page B

rested.
                  “Aw, he’s tuckered out,” Gina said.  “I would be, too, after all that running and jumping.”
                  Rick crouched and gave Curtis the whistle to get back into his pocket.  The ferret instantly complied amid protests from the kids.
                  “Sorry, but Curtis is tired now.  I’ll bring him again,” Rick promised.  “What’s behind your ear, Ryan?”
                  Ryan checked and said, “There’s nothing there.”
                  “Hmm.  I thought for sure I saw something.  Let me check,” Rick said as he put a hand behind the boy’s ear. 
                  He pulled a penny from behind Ryan’s ear and held it up.  “See?  I told you I saw something.”
                  Ryan laughed and grabbed the penny to look at it.  “Wow.  How’d you do that?”
                  “It’s magic,” Rick answered with a smile.
              Gina watched as Rick played with the children.  He sat cross-legged on the floor and did a few magic tricks for them before telling them a story about a boy who trekked through the jungle to find treasure.  Gina was entertained along with the children and she lost track of time.  Rick’s deep, slightly raspy voice had a hypnotic quality to it and his laugh was soft and attractive she found.  There was a hint of stubble on his jaw and Gina wanted to reach out and touch it.
                  His chiseled cheekbones and sensual mouth drew her eye as well as his long, brown hair. Suddenly he turned his light brown eyes on her and Gina couldn’t look away as he smiled at her.  Rick was surprised at the soft light in her eyes and the hint of color in her cheeks.  He’d caught her looking at him and he smiled a little broader with the realization.
                  “So what do you think about coming out to see my critters?” he asked her.
                  “I’d like that and I know the children certainly would,” Gina said.
                  “Good.  I don’t have to work until early afternoon tomorrow, so I could pick all of you up around ten,” Rick said.
                  “Yay!” Ryan shouted.  “We’re goin’ to Rick’s house to see his pets!”
                  Rick grinned at the boy.  “Yes, you are.  We’ll have fun.”
                  Chloe said, “What kind of pets do you have?”
                  Rick said, “You’ll just have to see tomorrow.”
                  “Aww.  That’s not fair,” Chloe said.
                  Standing up, Rick said, “All right, little people.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”
                  Ryan stepped over to Rick and held up his arms.  Gina was surprised by this.  Rick picked up Ryan with ease.  The little boy put his arms around Ryan’s neck and hugged him tight.  Then he kissed Rick’s cheek and wiggled to get down.  Rick set Ryan down and smiled at him.
                  “You be good, Deputy Ryan,” Rick said.
                  He received the same treatment from Zach and Emily.  Though she smiled at Rick, Chloe didn’t participate in the hugging.  Rick gave her a wink and turned to leave.  Gina followed him down the hall to the parlor.
                  “Thank you again for all of your help,” she said as they entered the foyer.  “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have a place to stay.”
                  Rick smiled and said, “I was happy to do it.  I hate to see people suffer or go without.  Have a good night.  I’ll see you in the morning.”
                  “Yes.  We’ll see you then,” Gina said.
                  Rick gently cupped her jaw as he looked down at her.  “Gina Silvetti, one of these days I’m going to kiss you.