Free Taming the Moguls by Christy Hayes Page A

and make fun. I lost my job, my
home, and my wife. Thanks to Dodge, I’m working. If I’m lucky
enough to get my wife back, we’re going to have to bum some favors
off family until we’re back on our feet.”
    “I’m not trying to kick you when you’re down.
God knows, I lived with Mom and Dodge for almost a year before they
kicked me out.”
    “Technically, you’re the reason I was only
allowed to stay a week.”
    “Well, you are married.”
    “That remains to be seen.”
    “Come on, Kev. You know she’s coming
back.”
    “I don’t know. Hopefully I will today.”
    Lyle looked around at his new home and
sighed. Images of Erica wrapped only in a blanket prancing through
the den to the kitchen brought a smile to his lips. No more walking
around naked. No more sex by the fire. They’d be locked in his room
trying to keep their voices down. They could stay at her place, but
something about that didn’t feel right. He was the man. She ought
to stay with him, not the other way around.
    “Go talk to her and make some plans,” Lyle
said. “I’ve got work to do.”
    “How’s the book?”
    “It’s humming along. I promised Jack a first
draft before Christmas.”
    Kevin stood up. “Sorry about your office,
man. I want out of here as much as you want me out.”
    “Just fix your marriage. Lucky for you I can
work from anywhere.”
    Kevin slapped him on the shoulder. “I intend
to.”
     
    ***
     
    Kevin waited until he knew both the Robinsons
had left for work before driving to their farmhouse and knocking on
the door. His car was under the carport, so he figured Shiloh was
home. How many times had he stood on the porch with his heart in
his hands and a bucket of butterflies in his belly? He’d have felt
fifteen again if the consequences hadn’t been so high or his
confidence so low. He heard her footsteps pause before she opened
the door. He knew she was contemplating whether or not to let him
in. He shuffled his feet and tried not to appear impatient. He’d
wait for her forever.
    The knob turned, the door began its familiar
creaking, and one of Shiloh’s big blue eyes appeared in the crack.
“What are you doing here?”
    “We need to talk.”
    She stared at him, her expression serious.
“You took your sweet time getting here.”
    Kevin dropped his head and rubbed the toe of
his boot on the bristles of the welcome mat. “I needed some time. I
thought you might, too.”
    She opened the door wide enough so he could
see both her eyes and the flannel pajama pants she favored on cold
winter mornings. She’d paired it with one of his old Hailey High
sweatshirts. A lock of her blond hair fell across her forehead when
she dipped her eyes and took him in from head to toe. “Why are you
so dirty?”
    Kevin looked down. He’d gotten motor oil on
his jeans when he’d loaded up the tractor to take it into the shop,
and his boots were covered in mud. “I’ve been helping Dodge around
the farm.”
    Her eyes widened in surprise. “You hate
helping Dodge.”
    Kevin lifted a shoulder. “I don’t mind so
much. Can I come in?”
    “My mama’ll kill you if you traipse mud all
over her floors.”
    That was the scent he recognized. Wood oil.
“I’ll leave them outside.”
    He toed off his boots and followed her
inside. Herbs were on the kitchen windowsill and a half-eaten pie
sat on the stovetop. Kevin followed Shiloh into the den. She
scooped laundry into a basket and used the remote to shut off the
TV. She didn’t sit down.
    Kevin stood before her. He knew everything
about her from her tiny pinkie toenails to the feel of her hair. He
loved her heart the most, and yet he knew the least where it stood.
“I’m sorry, Shi. For so many things I’m not sure where to
begin.”
    “I’m sorry I hit you. That was wrong. I’ve
asked the Lord to forgive me, and I’d like to ask you as well.”
    “I’d say I deserved it and maybe a few more
after everything was said and done.”
    “I won’t ever raise my hand