Touch Me Gently by J.R. Loveless Page A

was good at hiding his emotions for the most part, except for when it came to fear. Fear seemed to be ingrained in the teenager, and he was glad that he hadn’t seen that emotion from Kaden at all that day.
     
    The three of them sat down to eat. Most of the meal went by silently with a few words injected here and there. Unable to take the silence anymore, Shea let out a sound of frustration before dumping her plate in the sink and leaving. Logan watched her go with an uncaring expression before turning back to look at Kaden. “So you’ve been here almost a week now. How do you like it?”
     
    Looking up from his bowl, Kaden smiled softly. “I think this is the best place I’ve ever been. It’s beautiful, quiet, and you and Shea are the kindest people I’ve ever met. When I leave in a few months, I’m going to miss you guys.” With that he stood up, walked over to the sink, and placed his bowl in before starting the water.
     
    Something akin to dismay prodded at Logan, telling him to tell Kaden he didn’t have to leave. Before he could make a fool of himself, Logan stood and moved over to Kaden’s side to drop his plate in the sink. He noticed that Kaden didn’t jump this time, and grinned like an idiot on the way out of the kitchen.
     
    Kaden finished up the dishes before going to bed. He’d started sleeping more now, every night for at least a few hours even if not the whole night. He hadn’t been lying to Logan when he said he would miss him, his sister, and the ranch. It was a beautiful place to live, and he could only dream of staying here. His mind knew that it wasn’t right, what his heart longed for. To keep from having his heart broken yet again he would have to distance himself, but it might already be too late. He put away the few dishes and snapped off the light, walking to his bedroom. Something told him this would be another restless night.
     
    A couple of weeks went by with the same routine. Kaden, of course, making the meals during the six days the men were out on the ranch, and also Shea kept giving him his riding lessons. He still went out to see Mantacor in the mornings after the men left. The horse had really started to trust him, and he was trying to keep it from being obvious whenever Shea or Logan happened to be around. The horse would stand at the fence and call for him, nickering quietly and pacing back and forth, watching him. It made him feel guilty that he couldn’t say hello or go over and rub his nose. But he knew Logan would be really upset with him.
     
    To his distress, Logan found out. It was about a month into his reign as cook on the ranch, and he went out right after the men left, practically racing to the fence where the horse stood waiting for him. “Hey there, Mantacor,” he crooned softly, laughing quietly as the horse lapped up the sugar cubes in his palm. He patted the side of his neck and laughed louder as the horse nuzzled at his neck.
     
    “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He heard that deep voice shouting from across the distance, and Kaden saw Logan racing toward him, causing him to back away from the advancing figure in fear.
     
    “Didn’t I tell you to stay away from him? He’s dangerous!” He was shouting at Kaden and without thinking, reached out to grab Kaden’s arm lightly.
     
    Kaden froze. He wondered if Logan intended to hit him and closed his eyes tightly, seeming to scrunch in on himself. Logan realized with horror what Kaden thought and immediately let him go, clenching his hands into fists at his side. “I would think after being around me for the last four weeks you would have figured out by now that I would never, ever hit you, Kaden.” His voice was dangerously low, and Kaden sensed that he’d hurt the older man.
     
    “Stay away from that horse.” With that, the cowboy spun around and stomped to the tool shed behind the barn.
     
    Anger radiated from Logan as Kaden watched the stiff, broad back moving away from him.