Free Cowboy Daddy by Carolyne Aarsen Page B

you that he’s their grandfather?”
    â€œThat hasn’t been proven beyond a doubt.”
    â€œYou were willing to let me visit them based on this doubt.”
    Kip’s eyes narrowed and she knew she had gone too far. “Only because my lawyer told me I should. No other reason.”
    Nicole knew Kip had not let her willingly onto the farm. She was here on suffrage only. “Regardless of how you see the situation, the man I just spoke to is Tricia’s father—”
    â€œAnd he was never part of the agreement.” Kip took a step closer and it was all Nicole could do to keep her cool. “You’re not to let the boys talk to your father again without talking to me about it,” he warned, his voice lowering to a growl. “Those poor kids lost their father six months ago, and they don’t need to have any more confusion in their lives.”
    Nicole struggled to hold his steely gaze. “Finding out that they have a maternal grandfather can hardly be confusing to any child. In fact, many people would see it as a blessing.”
    That last comment came out before she could stop it, as did the tiny hitch in her voice. She hoped he would put it down to her anger rather than the fact that she had found herself jealous of these boys. Jealous of Kip.
    He had family that had no strings attached. A mother who doted on him and a sister who, in spite of her rebellious ways, still cared for him. He didn’t have to try to earn his mother’s love, try to atone for what he did.
    Kip’s mouth settled into a grim line and she felt as if she scored the tiniest point.
    â€œThat may be, but at the same time I’m their uncle and guardian and responsible for their well-being. Anythingyou do with them gets run by me. The boys are my first priority, not you, or your father.”
    Nicole bit back a retort, realizing that to some degree he was right. Much as it bothered her, she couldn’t argue with him.
    Kip shoved his hand through his hair and released a heavy sigh. “I’ve got too much happening right now. I can’t give the boys the explanations they will need if you start complicating their lives.”
    Nicole held his gaze and for a moment in spite of her anger with him, sympathy stirred in her soul. Sympathy and something more profound. Respect, even. Regardless of whatever claim Nicole may have, the reality was that this man was putting as a first priority the welfare of two little boys that weren’t his children. Even though his guardianship put them at odds, at the same time she respected what he was doing.
    She thought of how easily her biological father seemed to give her up. How happy her aunt had been when Social Services came to take her away for good. In spite of her aunt’s antagonism, Nicole had wished that she could stay, but her aunt wanted her gone.
    Those boys don’t know how good they had it. In fact, Nicole was jealous that they had this strong, tough man on their side. A man who had made sacrifices for his nephews. A man who was willing to fight for them.
    What would have happened in her earlier life if she’d had the same kind of advocate? If she’d had someone who was willing to go to the mat for her welfare? What if she’d had someone like Kip on her side?
    â€œI’d like you to leave now,” Kip said quietly.
    Nicole opened her mouth to protest.
    â€œIt’s past five,” Kip said.
    â€œOf course,” was all she said. “I’ll be back tomorrow then.”
    Kip just nodded.
    Nicole got up and walked past him, then got into her car. As she drove off, she could see him in her rearview mirror watching her.
    He could watch and glower all he wanted. She wasn’t letting him intimidate her.
    She had rights and she was going to exercise them regardless of what he thought of her.

Chapter Seven
    â€œI’ m not doing the dishes again.” Isabelle glared at Kip, her hands on her hips.