Cowboy's Heart

by Rhonda Laurel

  “I love you, Momma,” Tate said as another breeze blew by, hoping it would carry his message up to her in heaven.

  * * *

  Isabelle went into labor one night at Teri-Lyn’s kitchen table after her third helping of ribs. Tate remained perfectly calm, even though he was freaking out on the inside and drove her to the hospital with the family in tow.

  Matthew Jacob McGill, or Curly as the family nicknamed him, was born in the wee hours of the morning after a long, tiring night they thought would never end. It was only when Tate sang him one of the lullabies he’d written that the boy was finally coaxed from his mom’s belly.

  Tate was so overjoyed when he held his son for the first time and looked into his beautiful blue eyes that he cried right along with Isabelle.

  “Matthew Jacob, you are going to have such a good life on the ranch with your momma and me. And there’s a whole slew of crazy relatives in the waiting room who can’t wait to welcome you into the family.”

  “I like that name, Matthew Jacob. It has a strong, yet gentle, ring to it.” Isabelle smiled.

  * * *

  Their whole world had changed in the month since Matt was born. Isabelle’s parents visited often, giving the colonel and Tate a chance to start over. They always came armed with presents to add to the baby gifts already piled up on the dining room table that had yet to be opened. It was a work in progress, but Isabelle’s parents loved her enough to give the relationship a chance.

  Jake and the boys wanted to know when cousin Matt would be able to play with them. It touched her heart that they were already protective of him, including him in their fun.

  Isabelle finally got that call from the Dallas symphony, and after much consideration, she passed on the position. She did, however, take a job with a smaller symphony in another city that was closer to the ranch and had a less aggressive schedule. Tate was seated in the front row of every performance, cheering her on. She took Kate up on her offer and was slated to release her own classical CD in six months.

  “I can’t believe he’s growing already.” Isabelle smiled as their son tried to focus his beautiful blue eyes upon waking from his nap. She could tell the subtle differences in him from day to day. And she knew that look. He was ready to eat. “And he has his daddy’s appetite.”

  “He’ll be eating barbecue and doing ranch work in no time.” Tate picked up their son from his crib and held him for a while.

  “How about we let a tooth or two come in before you go lighting up the grill?” She shook her head.

  “I’ll give him six months, and he’ll be walking, talking, and playing the guitar.”

  “And singing at the Bright Star?”

  “You know it.” Tate kissed her.

  Her cell phone pinged; it was an update from Sam. “I was right. Sam ate too much spicy food last night. She is not in labor.”

  “J.J. probably needs a stiff drink right about now.” Tate laughed.

  “Sam isn’t going to give birth before her due date. I told you that was a sucker’s bet. But if she’s right on time, I win the ranch pool.” She touched her son’s cheek. “Matt, I’m going to feed you and change your clothes because Grandma and Grandpa are coming over for a visit.”

  Teri-Lyn and John Jacob were coming to dinner tonight, so Isabelle wanted to make sure Matt was ready for some spoiling from his grandparents. They’d volunteered to babysit every day since Matt came home from the hospital. She picked up a few odds and ends around the nursery. There were so many toys and clothes and gifts around the house that sometimes it was hard to find the baby in the middle of it all. Tate had even gotten their son a guitar that looked like Loulabelle.

  “Babe, can you get the blue-striped Onesie that your momma bought to match Matt’s eyes? I think she’d like to see him in that.” Isabelle smiled as Tate handed over their son so she could breastfeed him.

  “Need anything before I start dinner?” He kissed her and the baby.

  “No, we’ll be down as soon as he’s done.” She smiled.

  Tate took one last look at his family before heading downstairs to the kitchen. He never thought it was possible to be so happy. The painful past melted away, and as it dissolved he’d found Lila again. After reading the correspondence between her and Teri-Lyn, a place in his heart opened up after being angry so long. Fate had sent him to the Blakes, just like fate had sent Isabelle to him. He looked forward to a wonderful life filled with love and kids, and with the only woman who heard the music in his heart.

  END

  ~ About the Author ~

  Rhonda Laurel is a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human spirit and the beauty of the world around her. Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Masquerade were released in 2012. Shutter, Memories of You, Star Crossed, MVP, California Bored and Tourism and The Blake Legacy in 2013. The print anthology, The Rhonda Laurel Collection, featuring Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Shutter released June 2013. Texas Heat, Love Notes & Football and The Perfect Storm, books 4, 5 and 6 in The Blake Boys Series released in 2014.

  The author is happily building her backlist.

  Discover more about Rhonda Laurel here

  http://www.rhondalaurel.com

  http://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel

  http://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel

  http://pinterest.com/rhondalaurel/

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