“You’re still in shock.”
“Yeah.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “That about sums it up. I need some…time.”
She nodded.
“But I can tell you one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I could never go on with my life as if you and Josh didn’t exist.”
Chapter Two
Ever since yesterday, Emma had spent every waking minute worrying about how Gage would react to this news. She’d only known the fun-loving side of him, which made predicting his response to something life-changing nearly impossible. So far he’d handled the situation admirably.
“This may sound crazy.” He glanced over at Josh. “But he looks at me like he knows we’re connected somehow.”
“That’s a sweet thought, but he dishes out that soulful stare to lots of people. My mom, my brother, strangers in the grocery store—they all get that treatment.”
“Oh.”
“He was giving the lady at the bakery his best melt-your-heart look and she was falling for it. He’s a charmer.” Much like his father.
She still hadn’t adjusted to interacting with him again. Much as she tried to lock down her reaction, he still made her heart race.
He’d had that effect on her every time he’d sauntered into the neighborhood bar where she’d worked. He’d flash her a smile and she’d turn into a puddle of lust.
They’d flirted for a while, long enough for him to learn she wasn’t in a relationship. He’d asked her out the first part of December. Both of them were only looking for a fun time with no strings attached.
He’d come into town from the ranch where he’d been working as a wrangler, spend the night with her, and return to the ranch in the pre-dawn hours. Then he’d taken a new job in Idaho and that had been the end of it.
“I should have asked you this before. Are you driving home today?”
His question interrupted her trip down memory lane. “Tomorrow.”
“Do you have a place to stay?”
She was so glad she’d made arrangements in advance. “The Nesting Place.”
He frowned. “I don’t—”
“The B&B outside of town.”
“Guess I have heard of it. Forgot what it was called.” He hesitated. “Do you have to get back to Great Falls right away?”
“I only planned for one night.” She kept an eye on Josh, who’d abandoned the coffee table and was crawling across the hardwood floor in the general direction of Gage’s chair. “Josh is on the move.”
“I see him. Listen, if you could change your plans, I’d like you to stay longer.”
“That really wouldn’t be conven—”
“I’d pay for it. But we’re coming up on a weekend. You might have trouble getting someone to cover for you.”
“I’m not a bartender anymore.”
Josh stopped halfway across the room and sat down to look around and blow bubbles.
Gage gave him an amused glance before turning back to her. “You left the bar?”
“A month before Josh was born. I started an internet business that I can do from home.”
His eyebrows lifted. “What sort of business?”
“I’m a virtual assistant.”
“That’s cool.”
“It’s working out great.” She was proud of herself for creating a baby-friendly solution for her new life.
“Any chance you brought a laptop with you?”
“I did, but I didn’t pack enough clothes or baby food for more than one night.”
“I can help you solve those issues. If you’re willing to stay.” He resumed watching Josh, who’d started toward him again.
“I don’t know.” She sighed. “Wouldn’t it be better if we took a break and let the dust settle?”
“I’m not convinced that’s the best way to—well, hello, buddy.”
“Da-da!” Josh used Gage’s pant leg to pull himself upright. Then he patted Gage’s knee. “Da-da-da-da.”
“Should I pick him up?”
“Not unless you want to. He’s fine right there. It’s not like he’s asking to be picked up.”
“How do you know?”
“He’ll try to climb in your lap if he wants to cuddle.”
“And are you absolutely sure he isn’t saying daddy?”
“Positive. It’s just an easy syllable for him. He likes hearing himself make noise.”
“It’s just that he seems so focused when he says it.”
Josh chose that moment to blow a raspberry, which always made her laugh. “Great timing, kiddo.” She glanced at Gage. The raspberry had coaxed a smile out of him, too.
Ah, that smile. Sunshine through the clouds. She’d put the poor guy through it today. If he needed her to stick around a little longer, then she would.
“All right,” she said. “If you can help me find what I need, I’ll stay through the weekend and go back Monday morning.”
“Great. Thank you.”
Josh grabbed onto Gage’s jeans and climbed onto one booted foot.
“Now he’s asking you to pick him up.”
“Uh…okay.” Leaning over he slid his hands under Josh’s armpits and lifted him into his lap. “What do I—oh, hey, there.”
Turning in Gage’s grip, Josh yawned and snuggled against him.
Gage’s reaction was priceless. Shocked surprise was followed by a quick grin that morphed into a relaxed smile of happiness. Then Josh shoved one foot against the fly of his daddy’s jeans. Ouch.
Gage winced and gently adjusted the position of that little foot. Then he gazed at her. “Now what?”
“He needs a nap.”
“Here? I mean, that’s fine, but I—”
“No, not here. I’ll head back to the B&B. He’ll be better off in the crib they provided.”
“Good plan.” He looked relieved. “But can I take you both to dinner after his nap?”
“Have you ever eaten in a restaurant with a little kid?”
“Can’t say that I have. Why?”
“It might be somewhat different from what you’re used to.”
“That’s fine. I’m flexible.”
Dollars to donuts he was clueless. “Wherever we go needs to have highchairs.”
“The Eagles Nest Diner should. They cater to families. The food’s good. While we eat, we can work out some of the—”
“Don’t expect to have an uninterrupted conversation.”
“Why not?”
“Usually when I take him out to eat, I spend a fair amount of time monitoring him so he doesn’t disturb other people.” She marveled at how relaxed he looked curled in Gage’s lap. He was fighting sleep, but his eyes kept drifting shut.
“I can help monitor him.”
“I also try to minimize fallout.”
He frowned. “Fallout?”
“If I don’t watch him, he’ll get food everywhere, which is okay if he’s at home. I spread out a drop cloth, but—”
“Now that you say that, I think we did the same thing with my little sister.”
“You have a sister?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She stared at him. “You know what? I just realized that the only thing I ever heard about your family is that they live in Spokane.”
“Except they don’t anymore. Everyone’s moved here. The guy I was sitting with at the bakery is my brother Wes.”
“There’s definitely a family resemblance.” But she’d only had eyes for Gage. Whenever he was around, everyone else faded into the woodwork.
“They’re part of the reason I’d like you to stay. They’ll want to meet you and Josh.”
“Of course.” Getting tangled up with his family would complicate things, though. She’d counted on his relatives being conveniently tucked away in Spokane. “Could we wait until tomorrow?”
“We can.”
“How many people are we talking about?”
He gazed at her. “My immediate family is only
five total—my dad, my sister and two brothers, Wes and Pete. But now there’s…you know what? We don’t have to go into all of that yet.”
“Probably better to wait until we’re closer to the time I’ll be meeting them. I might not remember what you’ve told me. I’m a little stressed.”
“Join the club.”
“Josh sure isn’t, though. He’s almost asleep.”
“Is he?” Gage peered down at him. “Huh. Guess so.”
“He must find you calming.” Her son was way more chill about this adventure than she was. She didn’t find Gage the least bit calming. She took a breath. “Listen, I appreciate the offer of dinner, but I can just pick up some fast food and I have stuff for Josh in the room.”
“What’s billed as fast food in Eagles Nest isn’t fast. You can burn a quarter of a tank of gas sitting in the drive-through waiting for it.”
“That’s okay. I can—”
“Please let me take you to the diner. If you’ll only be here a short time, I want to make the most of it.”
She hesitated.
“Think of it this way. You’ll have a chance to put me through my paces, see how I stand up under pressure.”
“I already did that.” She smiled. “You handle pressure just fine.”
“That’s what you think.” His dark eyes sparkled. “You can’t see the sweat marks on the back of my shirt.”
“Seriously, you did great.”
“So did you. Driving down here must have been a scary proposition, but you acted cool as a frozen daiquiri.”
“It’s an illusion I created by wearing this light green top.”
“Which looks nice on you, by the way. Matches your eyes.”
“Thanks.” The compliment created a flutter in her stomach.
“Your hair’s shorter.”
“Easier to take care of.” With Josh asleep on Gage’s lap, the mood was growing more intimate by the second.
His warm glance lingered on her mouth before returning to meet her gaze. “I’ve missed you, Emma.”
Her lips tingled. He kissed better than any man she’d ever been with. But he wouldn’t be kissing her now, even if he looked as if he wanted to. “I…I should get Josh back to the B&B.”
“Right.” He took a deep breath. “Right.”
Chapter Three
Since Josh had fallen asleep in Gage’s lap, it was only logical that he should take the little guy down to Emma’s SUV. When he stood, the baby melted right into him, boneless and trusting.
The kid was so limp he was afraid if he let go with either hand the kid would slide right to the floor. “Emma, could you please put my hat on for me?”
“I can do that.” She picked it up. “Lean down a little.”
He stooped so she could reach him. Her scent enveloped him as she moved in close.
“I don’t recognize this hat.”
“It’s my every-day one.” He breathed in heaven as she settled it on his head.
“Do you still have the black one?”
“I wore it yesterday.”
“Oh. Maybe you did. I was so freaked out I didn’t notice your hat.”
Ha. That effort had been totally wasted.
She stepped back and glanced at him. “Hang on. The brim needs to come down a little.” She made the adjustment. “There. That’s better.”
“Appreciate it. I would hate to go out in public when my hat’s not right.” But he was tickled that she remembered how he liked to wear it.
“That’s what I figured. I’ll go first so I can get the door and unlock the car.”
“All right.” He took the stairs much slower than she did. Tripping wasn’t an option. By the time he reached the gray SUV, she had all four doors open, probably to air it out.
If she lived in Eagles Nest and adopted the habit of the locals, she wouldn’t have to do that. On warm days, everyone left the windows down on their parked vehicles. It was just that safe in this small town.
She shoved her sunglasses to the top of her head and gestured to the car seat in the back. “You should be able to slide him in without waking him up.”
“Is the seat supposed to be bassackwards?”
“Yep. Much safer.”
“But he has no view.”
“Which is one reason I don’t take him on long trips. This is the most time he’s ever spent in a car. Luckily he slept most of the way.”
“What happens when he’s awake, staring at the upholstery?”
“I sing to him.”
“Lullabies?”
“No. He prefers classic country.”
Gage smiled. “He got that from me.” Maneuvering around the car door, he leaned down and tucked the sleeping baby into the padded seat. “I’ll let you cinch him in. I’m not familiar with these contraptions.”
But he’d educate himself because he didn’t like the idea that he might not be qualified in this area. Men who’d been given notice of impending fatherhood had time to prepare. He wasn’t used to being at a disadvantage in any scenario.
He watched Emma strap the kid in and memorized each step. Got it.
Emma closed the car door and turned to him. “I just happened to think. Is this development interfering with your plans?”
“I’ll have to cancel my weekend in Malibu, if that’s what you’re asking.” He stuck his thumbs in his belt loops. “But they love me there and I can reschedule.”
“Be serious. Am I taking you away from your job?”
“I’m between jobs.”
She frowned. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“As a matter of fact, it’s very good. This is the first honest-to-God vacation I’ve had since I left home.”
“How long have you been out of—I mean, on vacation?”
“Since the middle of July.”
She stared at him. “But this is September! Is that why you’re in Eagles Nest with your family? You can’t get work and you’re broke?”
“I’m not broke. On the contrary, so don’t go telling Josh that his daddy’s a deadbeat. I’ve been saving and I’ve learned a little something about investing. I can afford this vacation.”
“Oh.”
“I can also afford to contribute to Josh’s upkeep, and that’s another thing I know for sure. I plan to do that.”
“You’re full of surprises, Gage.”
“It’s my mission in life.” But come to think of it, Emma was no slacker in that department, either, showing up the way she had today. “What time should I fetch you and Josh?”
“I’ll just meet you there.”
Not his style. “I’d rather—”
“The car seat won’t fit in your truck. Which reminds me, why isn’t it parked out here?”
He shrugged. “The weather was decent. I walked.”
“You live near here?”
“Not too far. Anyway, the diner’s on Main Street. It’s the only restaurant besides the Guzzling Grizzly. Easy to find.”
“I’m sure it is. Main Street isn’t very long.” She glanced up at him. “I can’t imagine what it’s like living here. This town is really small.”
“It’s nice, though.”
“You like it, then?”
“I do.”
“But you haven’t found a job, yet.”
“Haven’t looked.”
“Aren’t you bored?”
“I was tending in that direction and then a woman I used to date showed up with my kid. I’m not the least bit bored, now.”
“Glad I could help.” She put on her sunglasses. “You’re just as crazy as ever, Gage.”
He tipped his hat. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Guess I’d better shove off.” She closed the two doors on the passenger side and walked around to the driver’s door.
He followed. “Thank you for bringing him down, Emma. I know you didn’t have to do it.”
She gazed at him. “I think I did. See you at six.”
“See you then.” He touched the bri
m of his hat in farewell before returning to the sidewalk.
When she fired up the engine and backed out, he turned away and went back to lock the door. Wes’s truck was gone, which meant he’d be hoofing it back to his dad’s after all.
He pulled out his phone and read his brother’s text. Had a client call. Hope everything went well. Sorry I can’t give you a ride. Leave the key with Ingrid.
Both Abigail and Ingrid were busy with customers so he waited for a break in the action before walking over to the coffee counter.
Ingrid’s brow puckered. “Are you okay?”
“A little shell-shocked. Did Wes give you the deets?”
“A few. We didn’t have much time to talk.”
Abigail came over, her usual cheerful expression subdued. “How did it go?”
“As well as could be expected.” He gave them a quick rundown.
Abigail glanced at the clock on the wall. “Just FYI, this place was buzzing after you left with her and the baby. And news travels fast.”
“Meaning someone might have already alerted my dad.”
“Maybe not,” Ingrid said. “If he hasn’t called you yet.”
“He wouldn’t call. Even if he’d heard something, he’d wait for me to contact him. I’d better text and see if he’s home. Excuse me a minute.” He sent a quick message to his dad. The instant response—I’m here—was all the info he needed. He looked up from the phone. “He knows.”
Abigail nodded. “Thought he might. Want a brownie for the road?”
“No, thanks.” He dug in his pocket, pulled out the key and handed it to Ingrid. “I put the brownies in Wes’s fridge. Emma didn’t think giving one to Josh was a great idea.”
“Probably not.” Ingrid took the key.
“She seems like a good mom,” Abigail said. “And Josh is adorable. He has your eyes.”
“Yes, ma’am. That he does.” He tipped his hat to them. “See you two later.” He vacated the premises quickly. After texting his dad that he was on foot and would take a little longer than usual getting home, he set off at a brisk pace.
He’d gone about a quarter of a mile past the edge of town when somebody beeped at him from behind. He looked back just as Kendra McGavin pulled the Wild Creek Ranch van over to the shoulder in the far lane.
A Cowboy's Baby (The McGavin Brothers Book 11) Page 2