Little Cowgirl on His Doorstep (Mills & Boon Cherish) (Cadence Creek Cowboys - Book 3)

by Alward, Donna

  She put the first pan in the oven and went to the patio door looking over the pasture. Callum was standing by a fence with Nell perched on the top wooden rail, ensconced in his arms as the sun began to set, washing everything in a peachy-orange glow.

  When she’d arrived she’d wanted Callum to know the truth and for him to send them back to Burlington with his blessing. He was prepared to do that, too. She was the one who’d changed.

  Because looking at the two of them together, she wasn’t sure she had it in her to tear them apart.

  Avery took another pan of cupcakes out of the oven and set them on top of the stove to cool before taking them out of the tin. This made four dozen, with another four to go. Just over one hundred miniature red fondant Stetsons were placed precisely on parchment paper, waiting to be perched on top of the cream cheese and chili buttercream she had yet to make.

  Callum had been true to his word about spending time with Nell. Once milking and breakfast was done, he’d spend some time playing with her or taking her for a walk outside. He took her on a trip with him to the feed store, which surprised the heck out of Avery as it was rather public when all was said and done. At night he learned how to feed her cereal from the soft-tipped spoon and gave her her last bottle before bed. He’d even given her a bath when she’d had a diaper explosion during the hour that Avery had zipped off to the grocery store for more supplies.

  In a matter of weeks he’d gone from outright denial to being a hands-on dad.

  She relined the tin with cupcake papers and frowned. As much as he’d taken to spending time with Nell, he’d been noticeably avoiding Avery. Nothing she could put her finger on, but he seemed careful that there was always a space between them. There definitely were no more kisses, no more accidental touches. Which was probably just as well, but Avery was disappointed just the same.

  Right now he had Nell over at Diamondback Ranch—he’d gone to talk to Sam and Tyson about farm business and said it would be good for Nell to see the other children. Avery smiled to herself. Nell wasn’t even mobile on her own, and neither was Sam and Angela’s son, and she expected either Clara or Angela would end up having an extra baby on their hands.

  But she didn’t say a word about it because she didn’t feel she could deny him anything when it came to Nell right now.

  When they finally came back, she was putting the last swirls of buttercream on the final cupcakes. He entered the kitchen with Nell on his arm and Avery’s heart gave a little kick, seeing them together. She dropped her gaze and focused on piping the frosting evenly. “How was your visit at Diamondback?”

  “Good,” he answered. “I got a good look at how they’re running things over there. Those guys are smart.”

  “You’re not moving into beef, are you?”

  He shook his head. “No. And I don’t want to build an operation that huge, either. But I have been thinking about trying some new stuff. Raising some sheep, maybe. Or some free-range chickens. The market’s growing for both. Realistically I probably won’t be able to buy up more quota for a bigger dairy herd. Anyway, right now it’s just talk. I’ve got to do a lot more research and get things much more settled here before I look at expanding into something new.”

  She put down her decorating bag. “But you’re excited about it, I can tell.”

  He grinned. Nell had a hold of one of his fingers and was shaking it up and down. “I am excited. I loved working on the farm in the summers when I was a kid. Never thought it’d be my livelihood, but I have no regrets about buying this place.”

  He belonged here. It wasn’t like he could up and find another job in his field to be closer to his kid, was it?

  Avery swallowed and reached for the tray of hats. “Sometimes you just never know what life has in store for you, do you?”

  He laughed. “Your being here is a prime example of that.” He leaned closer. “Are those hats?”

  “Do you like them?” She put one in the palm of her hand. “I had to hand-shape them from the fondant. I think they turned out pretty well.”

  “That’s amazing! Perfect for the rodeo, too.” He nodded at the cakes. “Chocolate?”

  “Sort of. Here. There’s a spare. Try it.”

  She handed him a cake that was frosted but without the cowboy hat. Holding Nell tightly, he managed to peel off the cupcake paper and took a huge bite.

  He chewed, swallowed and his eyebrows went up. “Whooo!”

  “Chocolate and chili. I figured a rodeo would need a little kick.”

  “It shouldn’t work, but it does.”

  “The cinnamon helps.” She grinned. “They’re really okay?”

  He nodded. “Delicious. With a little added surprise.”

  “Good,” she said, plucking a hat from the tray and placing it on the buttercream at a jaunty angle.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  She was surprised at his offer but took him up on it because she knew that in a few days not only would he not be able to see Nell but Avery wouldn’t be able to see him, either. And while she would never come right out and say so, she was going to miss him.

  “There’s a stack of bakery boxes over there. They need to be popped together. Other than that, I think everything’s under control.”

  “I can do that.”

  He sat at the table and balanced Nell on his knee while taking the white cardboard boxes and tucking in the side tabs. In no time at all they were ready to go.

  “What time do you have to have them at the grounds?” he asked. “If it’s not too early, I can take you.”

  “Not until one. The chili cook-off starts then with the judging around four.”

  “Perfect. Gives me time to do what I need to here before watching the events.”

  “You mean you’re coming?” Her mouth dropped open. “To the rodeo?” She didn’t add the words “in public” and “with us” to the question, though she thought it. The man was so private, so conscious of minding his own business, that the idea of him not only taking them there but staying for the afternoon was surprising.

  “Sam and Ty convinced me, saying it’s not to be missed. Did you know Ty used to be a bull rider?”

  Avery blinked. “Really?”

  “A pretty good one, too. He retired when he came back to the ranch and married Clara. Besides, you’re going to be busy, so we can trade-off looking after Nell.”

  She nearly bobbled the fondant hat in her hand.

  “That sounds great,” she answered. “I’ll make sure I pack what she needs for the afternoon.”

  “I’ve got to head out to the barn. She’s okay here now, right?”

  “Of course.” Avery felt badly that Nell was going to be put in her carrier yet again—even though she had the activity bar that snapped on. Back home she had a saucer that Nell could sit in and be surrounded by brightly colored and textured toys. If she’d known how long they were going to be here…

  But nothing about this trip had gone to plan. And in some ways she was very glad.

  He buckled the T-straps easily. “Bye, pumpkin.” He pressed a kiss to Nell’s forehead and then was gone.

  Avery melted.

  All day she’d gone back and forth about what to do, finally telling herself it was crazy to think about uprooting her life. Reminding herself that all along she’d had a plan to make it work. Callum had a home office. They could keep in touch by video in between visits, and she could send pictures.

  But there’d be no kisses, no playtimes, no rocks before bed or tucking her under the covers for Callum.

  More confused than ever, Avery went to work filling the boxes with the cakes. And when Nell started to cry, Avery found herself close to tears as well.

  CHAPTER TEN

  THE DAY COULDN’T possibly have dawned more perfect. The August sky was a clear, unmarred blue, the temperature forecast to be hot but not scorching, and a fresh breeze made the heads of the daisies bob merrily. When they arrived at the fairgrounds, Callum put Nell in he
r stroller while Avery took a stack of cupcake boxes and headed for the shaded tent set up for Butterfly House’s event. Clara followed her back to the truck and helped bring along the last of the treats, grinning from ear to ear.

  “What’s got you so happy this afternoon?” Avery asked.

  “Oh, this and that. It’s a beautiful day and there’s going to be lots of fun. Are you and Callum staying for the dance and fireworks later?”

  There was a dance? And fireworks? Avery swallowed and took a moment to absorb the sound of her and Callum being paired up in conversation. It gave her a funny, tingling sensation that she knew came from fantasy and not reality. “Probably not. Callum will want to get back to do the milking.”

  “That’s too bad. Well, maybe he’ll change his mind. Though to be honest, even seeing him here today with Nell is quite something, isn’t it? He’s always been so reserved.”

  “I’m as surprised as you are,” Avery admitted. “But he said that I’d have trouble trying to manage Nell and man the cupcake station, so he’d come along.”

  Avery caught sight of the two of them heading toward the stands; the afternoon’s events were going to begin soon. Her heart seemed to go all mushy as she watched his tall, lean figure pushing the stroller and carrying a pink-and-white diaper bag.

  “Hey, are we going to set these out or what?” Clara’s voice jolted her out of her stupor and she reluctantly pulled her gaze away from Callum.

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “Can’t blame you for being a bit distracted. Callum’s a good-looking man. Especially since he cut his hair. I wonder why he did that?”

  Avery focused on the bakery boxes rather than looking at Clara. “Nell was pulling on it, and Callum isn’t quite the ponytail type.”

  Clara laughed. “Are you sure it didn’t have something to do with you?”

  It was torture, trying to keep her voice even and her body language nonchalant. She couldn’t deny that his appearance set her pulse racing, especially since the new haircut seemed to bring out the intensity in his eyes. “I’m sure. It’s all about Nell.”

  Angela came over then, with baby Ryan tucked in a Snugli carrier. His tiny head poked out, covered with a blue sun hat. “Hey, how did you two manage to end up kidless today?”

  Clara shrugged. “Molly’s got Susanna and is bringing her later. And Callum has Nell with him.”

  Angela’s gaze flew to Avery’s face. “How did you convince Callum to come? And to watch the baby? There’s no way Sam or Ty would do it. They insist that they need to be around the livestock, blah blah.”

  Avery laughed. “He offered.”

  “Dairy farmer,” Clara supplied.

  Angela and Clara laughed and Avery knew they were joking but the offhand comment did make her a bit defensive. “He says he’s talked to Ty and Sam and he’s thinking about expanding and raising some sheep and maybe chickens. He says there’s a growing market for grass-fed and free-range meat.”

  Clara’s eyes softened. “We didn’t mean anything against Callum,” she apologized. “You’ve got to understand, though, that raising beef and rodeo…it’s serious business around here. Especially for Ty. He only retired from bull riding a few years ago. Thank goodness. I like him safe and sound and in the stands.”

  Angela nodded. “Sam thinks Callum’s a pretty smart guy, from what I gather. He just takes a while to warm up to people. I heard he was in the military before buying the farm. Sometimes transitioning can be difficult, you know?”

  Angela had her social worker hat on but what she said made sense. What if part of Callum’s problem wasn’t Crystal or Jane at all, but something from his former life? Something he hadn’t told her? She’d had the sense for some time that there was more bubbling beneath the surface of Callum Shepard.

  More people arrived and Angela excused herself to help organize spots and make sure everyone had a power bar to plug in their Crock-Pot of chili. Clara helped Avery arrange the cupcakes on a couple of pretty stands that Avery had brought along.

  “These hats are adorable! You didn’t make these, did you?”

  Pleased for the change of topic, Avery smiled and nodded. “Yes, I shaped them all by hand.”

  “All of them?”

  Avery grinned. “Actually that’s one of my favorite parts.” She told Clara about the graduation order and the mortarboards complete with gold flake tassels. “And I came up with a special recipe today. I figured a rodeo cupcake needed some kick. Do you want to try one?”

  Clara nodded. “Absolutely.” She peeled off the paper and took a bite. Her blue eyes widened and met Avery’s. “Whew! I wasn’t expecting that!”

  “Good, though, right?”

  “What is that, chili?”

  “Mostly cayenne.”

  “It really complements the chocolate. These are delicious! And so much better than what’s at the bakery here. Don’t get me wrong, they do an okay job, but there’s not much invention if you know what I mean. You’re going to do a brisk business today, you wait and see.”

  She was right. As the chili stand opened, the lineups began for a taste of the various recipes. The air around them was rich with the scent of tangy tomato and spice and there was a noticeable clink of coins as people paid a dollar for the chance to sample each kind. For another dollar they got a cupcake ticket, and more often than not people went back to pay fifty cents for a bottle of water that had been donated by a local supermarket.

  ()$

  Avery collected tickets and handed out cupcakes, getting several comments on the appearance of the treats. But best of all were the snippets of conversation she heard as they took their first bites.

  This was the one reason why she hesitated making a move. She was so good at this, and the opportunity to run her own location was oh-so-tempting. It would also mean a more secure future for her and Nell, wouldn’t it? She had that to consider, too. The Icing on Top was established and successful. In Cadence Creek she’d have to start building from scratch—and with a limited market.

  The grandstand announcer’s voice was calling events and her supply of cupcakes was dwindling when Callum showed up at the tent, pushing an empty stroller and Nell in his arms, her head nestled against his shoulder as she slept.

  “She was fussy so I gave her the bottle you packed, and then she fell asleep. I thought I should get her out of the sun, though. It’s pretty hot in the stands.” He wiped his brow with his free hand. “Not much better in here.”

  “Come in behind the table. There’s a fan behind me that’s moving the air a bit. The judging is about to begin, and I’m starting to run out of cupcakes anyway. I only have maybe a dozen left.”

  “I heard a few people talking about them.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “Said they wished there was somewhere to get things like that around here.”

  Avery smiled but her mind was turning. Clara had commented about the local bakery and she’d had a few people ask if she were new in town and if she could do a wedding shower and birthday party. Of course she’d had to turn them down, but she’d been flattered just the same.

  It meant there was an opportunity here, but it also meant she’d have to do a lot of thinking. Making the treats for today was one thing, but this wasn’t the type of venture she could run out of a regular home kitchen. And anything else meant a lot of start-up money.

  “I’m glad they’re a hit,” she said as she accepted another ticket and handed over a cupcake and napkin with a smile.

  Callum hung around for a few minutes as the judging took place, the ribbons were handed out and the last cupcake left the box. She tidied up her area as Angela counted the take for the afternoon. Molly Diamond showed up with a curly-topped Susanna itching to see her mother.

  “Nice to meet you, Avery,” Molly said, smiling. “I brought Susanna over to watch the last of the events. Have you had a chance to see anything yet?”

  “I’ve been manning the cupcake station,” she confessed.

&
nbsp; “Why don’t you come with us? Callum, I think Sam and Ty were looking for you, down on the south side of the arena.”

  “You’re okay to take her?” Callum asked.

  “Of course. Thanks for keeping her all afternoon. Go, have fun with the boys.”

  He grinned, that rare, lightning-fast smile that stole her breath. “I won’t be long. I have to get back to do the milking.”

  “That’s fine. See you in a bit.”

  She followed the Diamond women to the stands, relieved when they chose a section that wasn’t in the direct sunlight. Ryan was spooling up after his nap and Angela fed him, and Clara kept the precocious Susanna occupied with a container of Goldfish crackers and a sippy cup. The saddle bronc event was just finishing up and the deep voice of the announcer told the crowd that during a short intermission before the final event—bull riding—there would be a wild cow milking contest.

  Angela laughed. “This is one of my favorite parts—next to the mutton busting.”

  “Mutton busting?” Avery looked over, intrigued.

  Molly grinned. “Kids riding sheep. Cute as all get-out. Ty loved it. I think we should have realized right then that rodeo was in his blood.”

  The first team came out and Avery found herself grinning as they roped the animal and one brave member had to squeeze the milk into a glass bottle. The time was recorded, the arena cleared and the next team poised to go.

  “And now we have the Diamond team set to go, and hoo-eee, they brought themselves in a ringer this year. Now we all know that this is beef country, but this gent might just come in handy today. This afternoon’s milker for the Diamond team is Callum Shepard. Sorry, Callum, couldn’t find you a Holstein. This old girl’ll have to do.”

  Avery’s hand flew to her mouth. “This is what Ty and Sam wanted him for?”

  Clara burst out laughing. “Yep. I think Ty’s words were ‘it’s about time he got welcomed to the community.’”

  “Did you both know about this?”

  Angela grinned, patting Ryan on the back. “Of course.”

  Butterflies turned over in Avery’s stomach. Goodness, Callum had no experience with rodeo! And though this was a fun event, it still was dangerous. She’d seen the last animal fight against the ropes, hooves going in every direction. She bit down on her lip as the bell rang and the cow—and roping team—came rushing into the ring.