Free Matt (The Cowboys) by Leigh Greenwood

enabled him to enchant Tess and command the allegiance of a boy like Toby?
    Ellen lifted Noah’s head from her lap and settled him on his pillow. Matt eased off Tess’s bed. They covered both the children and tiptoed from the room. Thankfully the door closed without squeaking.
    “How did you know a story would put her right to sleep?” Ellen asked.
    “It always worked with Will.”
    “Did you tell him stories about birthday parties?”
    “No, but I didn’t tell him about Indians, either.”
    “I’d like to meet him.”
    “You will get your chance tomorrow.”
    An awkward silence settled between them.
    “We’d better get to bed,” Matt said.
    He opened the door to the bedroom. She picked up the lamp, stepped inside, and immediately all feeling of lethargy left her body. Tension snapped like sparks along her nerve endings. Even though Matt stood several feet from her, she was achingly aware of his physical presence.
    She went to the wardrobe, paused while she tried to remember where she’d put her nightgowns, then took out a blue flannel. It would probably be a little too warm for late spring, but the thick material made her feel safer. She didn’t understand herself. This morning Matt’s telling Tess a “dumb girl story” would have disgusted her. Now it increased his attractiveness even though it wasn’t a talent that would make him a more successful rancher or help him outwit Wilbur Sears.
    She pulled herself together. She had to find a way to get ready for bed without having to undress in front of Matt. “Aren’t you thirsty?”
    “I’m glad you thought of it. A long drink of water is exactly what I need. I’ll be outside. Let me know when you’re in bed.”
    Ellen didn’t know how long he meant to wait, but he remained outside while she changed and washed her face and hands. She knocked on the door, then practically jumped into the bed.
    “Tess is sleeping soundly,” Matt said when he entered the room. “Noah is still curled up in a tight ball.”
    She was surprised he had thought to check on the children.
    “How about Toby and Orin?” She was ashamed to admit she hadn’t remembered either boy until then.
    “Toby is fast asleep, but Orin’s still awake. It’ll take him a while to settle down. Change upsets him.”
    Matt turned down the wick in the lamp until it went out. Ellen heard him open and close a drawer in the wardrobe. “I’m sorry we had to move him out of his room,” she said.
    “It was Wilbur Sears who upset him. He likes having Noah and Tess here. It would be good if you could give him a little attention, even a hug once in a while. He pretends he’s grown up like Toby, but he’s still young enough to miss his parents.”
    She heard the soft sound of clothes dropping to the floor and had to try very hard not to picture Matt standing naked in the dark. Just the thought of it caused her to swallow hard.
    “I’m not very good with boys,” she said. “I have more experience with men.” Not that she was very good with them, either. She had no idea what to do with a boy yearning for a woman’s touch… or a man who seemed not to need or want it.
    “There must be some similarities.”
    “I hope not, at least to the men I know.”
    She felt the bed sag under Matt’s weight, and her breath caught. Had he had time to take off his long underwear and put on a nightshirt? The possibility that he had gotten into bed naked was too nerve-racking to consider.
    “Why were you so uncomfortable when Tess took hold of your hand?” Now was a good time to ask him about that, anything to take her mind off his lying next to her.
    “I’m not used to touching,” he said. “Boys don’t do it much.”
    Something about the tightness in his voice hinted that there was more than unfamiliarity at work. She wondered what.
    “You were right about Orin needing a hug once in a while. Children need touching to feel secure, especially girls.” But not grown women. The thought of him touching