Harlequin Romance July 2013 Bundle: A Cowboy To Come Home ToHow to Melt a Frozen HeartThe Cattleman's Ready-Made FamilyRancher to the Rescue

by Donna Alward

  But after dinner, when her father had gone to watch his favorite game show, Mel and her mother were alone in the kitchen washing dishes. “So you and Cooper are on speaking terms,” Roseanne said. “That’s a surprise.”

  “It was time to let go of being mad. It doesn’t matter anymore, right? Coop explained some of what was going on at the time. He was in a tough position. And honestly, Mom, my marriage wasn’t what it should have been.”

  Rose set down the plate she was drying and put her hand on Mel’s arm. “You’ve never admitted that before.”

  Melissa focused on the casserole dish she was scrubbing. “I didn’t want to face how I’d messed up, too. It was easier to blame everyone else.”

  Rose withdrew her hand. “So you and Cooper...”

  Mel shook her head. “Speaking terms. You said it yourself.” She kept scrubbing. If Mel looked at her mother, Rose would see the lie.

  “Hmm. I suppose this doesn’t change your plans for...the other.”

  This was the problem. It had been so clear only a few weeks ago. She wanted a baby. She was going through steps to have a baby. Now she had to decide whether or not to try again, or try adopting, or... There shouldn’t actually be another choice. She was still not interested in getting married. That hadn’t changed. And yet she hadn’t contacted the clinic, nor had she taken steps to sign up at the adoption registry.

  “You’re worried about what people will think,” she said to Rose. “I get it. You know, I worried about that when it came to my marriage, and made sure all the outward appearances were beyond reproach. Inside we were a mess. I find I worry less about appearances these days, Mom.”

  Rose sighed. “I can deal with appearances. Honey, I worry about you. Being a parent isn’t easy even at the best of times. I can’t tell you how great it is to know that at the end of the day there’s someone there. Just...there to share the load. So you’re not alone.”

  Her words sent an ache through Mel. “To be honest, I’ve been too busy lately to worry about it much.”

  The conversation changed after that, but Mel knew very well that her mother would think it wonderful if she dropped the single-mom idea altogether. Later that night, lying in the dark, she told herself that she needed to refocus and get back to her plan. Maybe it wasn’t ideal, but Mel had learned ages ago that any situation was what a person made of it.

  But when she closed her eyes, it was Coop she saw behind her eyelids. Coop, with his faded jeans and bedroom eyes and slightly crooked grin. Steady, reliable Coop, shaking a rancher’s hand with a firm grip and a smile, wielding a hammer for a neighbor, stroking the mane of a fuzzy colt on a warm afternoon.

  Coop.

  * * *

  The following Sunday Mel dressed in her favorite plum knit dress and black heeled boots and went to church, something she usually only did on special occasions and holidays, much to her mother’s chagrin. She’d stopped going each week when the gossip about her divorce had reached a fever pitch, and she’d never gotten into the habit again. There was only so much she could face down with dignity. But today was special—the baptism of Callum and Avery’s daughter, Nell. Melissa had been personally invited to the service and to lunch at the Shepard house afterward, and she couldn’t say no.

  She liked Avery. The pretty blonde had opened up her cupcake shop down the street and had fit into Cadence Creek society as if she’d always lived here. And Callum had come out of hiding, smiling and being a proud papa. When they’d stopped in at the shop asking if she’d do a few special arrangements for the church, she’d agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

  The church was packed. She spotted her parents halfway up on the left, but their pew was full. She waggled her fingers at them and scanned the sanctuary for a free space. A pair of fingers waggled back at her—Jean Ford. Was there really nowhere else to sit? But Mel didn’t see any sign of Coop, so it was probably safe. She walked up the aisle and slid into the seat. “Thanks,” she said to Jean. “It’s full up today.”

  “Baptisms usually are,” Jean remarked. “And everyone is so taken with Callum and Avery and that little Nell. She’s such a doll. Callum’s family even came up from the lower mainland.”

  Mel stretched her neck to peer at the front of the church. Sure enough, in the front pew with Callum and Avery was another couple—Callum’s parents, she guessed—and a younger man and woman, who each bore a striking resemblance to Callum. “Brother and sister?”

  “Yes. Apparently she’s some big event planner in Vancouver and is going to help Avery with the wedding. They’re getting married at Christmas, you know.”

  “I hadn’t heard. Last I spoke to Callum, he was buying flowers and an engagement ring.”

  “Fancy meeting you here.”

  Tingles shivered up her spine as a warm hip nudged against hers on her left. Everyone scootched over a bit, but it was still rather cozy when Cooper slid in beside her.

  “I didn’t think you were coming,” Melissa whispered.

  “Or you would have sat somewhere else?”

  “Something like that.”

  He chuckled, the sound low and intimate. “It’s church. I think you’re pretty safe.”

  Except that this was a small town and they were two people of the same age sitting together at a church service. That was tantamount to an announcement.

  The service started and Cooper of course hadn’t grabbed a bulletin, so Mel was forced to share hers as they went through the opening prayers and announcements. They stood up to sing the first hymn and she was ultra-aware of him. He’d left off the jeans today and wore dress pants and shoes along with a striped shirt and tie. And he smelled good—as if he’d just gotten out of the shower and dashed on some übermasculine cologne loaded with pheromones or something. He sang on key but quietly, and once, when she turned the page of the hymnbook, he slid his finger over to brace the spine, and his skin brushed against hers.

  This was church. There should not be butterflies winging their way through her stomach at a simple touch of finger to wrist. Or, as they sat down, at the pressure of his hip pressed against hers.

  She definitely should be listening to the scripture rather than remembering being kissed beside the creek.

  Coop was a mighty distraction through most of the service, but after the sermon came the baptism. Callum and Avery rose and went to the front, Nell cradled in Avery’s arms, dressed in a flowing white christening gown. A lump formed in Mel’s throat as she watched the proceedings. Callum’s hand was along the small of Avery’s back and they were both smiling. The minister reached for Nell and went through the ritual, saying the words and making the sign of the cross on her forehead with the water. It was so beautiful, watching them as a family. This was what Mel wanted so badly. They looked so close, like a real unit up there. She knew she could still go through with it all and do it alone, but she finally acknowledged that a small part of her longed for the total package: husband, wife, family.

  And that scared her to death.

  Nell started to fuss and the minister handed her over to Callum. The baby looked so small and fragile and white in Callum’s big, broad arms. She cried for a moment, but Callum nestled her in the crook of his elbow and she settled.

  Coop reached over and, between their thighs, cupped Melissa’s hand in his.

  That one, innocent touch took her reinforced, guarded heart and put a crack right down the center of it.

  He squeezed her fingers as the baptism ended, and she squeezed back. He knew. He understood. More than anyone else had or would, he knew what she was feeling in this moment.

  When she had been fourteen, Coop had been the guy who had just got her. Even if they’d argued, there’d been no drama as there was with girlfriends. The next day it was like nothing had happened. It had been so easy with him. The only thing she’d wanted was for him to look at
her like she was a girl.

  He was surely looking at her that way now. But she wasn’t the same girl she’d been. Back then she’d had an open heart. He could have had it for the asking. Now she didn’t trust so easily.

  She hoped nobody could see them holding hands, but she didn’t pull out of his grasp. It felt too good. Like an anchor in a day that would otherwise make her think and feel a little too much about all that was missing from her life.

  He released her fingers when the last hymn was announced, sharing the hymnbook once more and putting it away during the benediction.

  When everyone filtered out of the church, Mel took care to slide over next to her parents and walk out with them rather than remain paired up with Cooper. But outside they went their separate ways; Melissa had brought her own car in anticipation of driving out to Callum’s, and her parents hadn’t been invited to the lunch. Likewise, Bob and Jean left while Coop remained in the middle of the throng in the sunshine, talking and laughing with Ty and Sam Diamond while their wives, Clara and Angela, buttoned their kids’ jackets.

  Coop caught Mel’s eye, and without breaking the link, put a hand on Sam’s arm and excused himself.

  She really, really wished he wasn’t so good-looking. Wished that she could stop thinking of him in more-than-friendly ways. Wished they had less history, less baggage, so she could explore the attraction burning between them. But of anyone in this town, Cooper was the one man with whom she could not play games. He was too important.

  “Hey,” he said, coming to stand in front of her. “I didn’t have a chance to say it before, but you look pretty today.”

  “Thanks.” She chanced a look into his eyes and her whole body seemed to warm beneath the appraising glow.

  “You going out to the lunch? I hear Martha Bullock is putting on the spread.”

  Martha was the best cook in Cadence Creek and the owner of the Wagon Wheel diner, not to mention the mother of their friend Rhys. “I was invited, yes.”

  “Want to drive out there together?”

  Mel scanned the parking lot, and there was no denying that at least some members of the throng were curious. “I don’t think so, but thanks. I’ll take my own car.”

  “Screw gossip,” he said easily.

  Her gaze flickered to his and she kept a smile pasted on. “Easy for you to say.”

  A shadow passed over his face, just a little one, but she noticed it. Lately she seemed to notice everything. “It was really bad, wasn’t it?” he asked.

  “Yes. The worst was the pity. Poor Melissa, hadn’t had a clue what was going on right under her nose. But I don’t like being the topic of the week under any circumstances. I’ll see you out there, okay?”

  “Fair enough.”

  But before he left, he gave her arm a squeeze. She felt the heat of it through the knitted sleeve and bit down on her lip. Cooper wasn’t giving up. And knowing what she did now about his feelings and how deep they went, she felt a strange pressure to equal his devotion or just let him go. The worst thing was, she didn’t quite know how to do either.

  He was just going to have to be patient, she thought as she got into her car. He’d have to wait until she thought things through.

  * * *

  Cars and trucks lined one side of Callum’s gravel driveway, parked on the grass. The beautiful fall weather meant that the party was set up outside. People brought their own lawn chairs, but the food was organized on tables beneath a collapsible gazebo. Mel opened the trunk and took out her foldable chair, and then made her way to where people were gathered. After depositing her chair, she went to offer her congratulations to Callum and Avery.

  “Thanks for inviting me,” she said, giving Avery a quick hug. “It was a beautiful service.”

  “The flowers were so pretty,” Avery declared. “You’ll do the ones for our wedding, won’t you?”

  Mel’s heart warmed. “Of course I will. And look at this christening gown.” Callum still held Nell in his arms and Mel touched the lace edge of the hem. “Where did you ever find it?”

  Callum smiled. “My mom and dad bought it. The one they used for us was too small. Nell’s six months old now.”

  Avery touched Callum’s arm. “Be right back, okay?” She scooted off to greet the minister and his wife as they arrived.

  “She’s precious,” Mel said. “And looks just like you, Callum.”

  “Poor girl. Would you hold her for a moment? I’m going to grab a few extra chairs. I don’t think the minister brought any.”

  “Sure.”

  What else could she say? Mel’s heart thrummed heavily as she reached out and took the baby in her arms. The satin-and-lace dress was silky against her skin and Nell smelled like baby lotion. “Hello there,” Melissa said quietly, unable to stop the smile from spreading across her face. “Look at you, gorgeous girl.”

  Blue eyes stared up at her from beneath long, dark lashes, and Mel pressed a kiss to the soft, fine hair. “Oh my,” she whispered, and by simple instinct rocked her hips back and forth a little. To her surprise, Nell, who’d been the center of attention for quite a while, tucked her head into the curve of Mel’s neck. Mel felt a tiny wet spot of baby drool just above the collar of her dress. It was a wonderful feeling. She’d be a good mother, she just knew it. And then her little house wouldn’t seem quite so lonely.

  She turned around and found Cooper watching them.

  Her heart squeezed. He was standing with Rhys Bullock, but his gaze was locked on her and his dark eyes fairly glowed with what looked like appreciation and possession.

  “Excuse me, you’re Melissa, right?”

  Mel broke her gaze away from Coop and turned to the voice on her left. The woman wasn’t from Cadence Creek. While Mel had felt quite dressed up in her dress and boots, this woman made her feel slightly dowdy. It wasn’t that she was heart-stoppingly gorgeous, not in the strictest sense of the word. But she had an aura of worldliness and capability that Mel envied—and all that from a simple greeting.

  “Yes, I’m Melissa.”

  The woman held out her hand and smiled. “Hi. I’m Taylor Shepard, Callum’s sister.”

  “The one from Vancouver. The event planner.”

  “That’s me.”

  The woman practically oozed sophistication. Her dress was simply cut and color blocked with red, black and tan, and her designer shoes were black but with impossibly high heels showcasing perfect legs. Her dark hair was pulled back and braided on an angle so the tail fell over one shoulder.

  Mel shook Taylor’s hand quickly, then shifted Nell’s weight on her arm. Taylor smiled. “She’s something, isn’t she? I still can’t believe my big brother’s a dad.”

  That statement helped make Mel feel slightly less inadequate. “She really is,” Mel replied. “Callum’s a completely different person since the two of them came into his life.”

  “Oh, he’s not, not really. He’s just back to the man we all knew and loved. Anyway, I’m going to be around a bit, helping Avery plan the wedding. Sort of my wedding gift to them. She told me you did the flowers for today and I wanted to touch base and introduce myself. I’m sure we’re going to be seeing more of each other.”

  “And your other brother’s here, too, right?”

  “Yeah, Jack’s here for another few days. Said he wants to explore the area. He’s the sporty one in our family, so all this open space and proximity to the mountains has him pretty jazzed. Speaking of, I’d better get back. I told Martha Bullock that I’d help and I’m over here socializing instead. Nice to meet you, Melissa.”

  “Just call me Mel. Everyone else does.”

  Taylor smiled, stroked Nell’s cheek lightly. “You’ve got the touch,” she said softly. “She’s asleep.”

  Melissa angled her head to look down at the baby as Taylor walked away, perfect
ly balanced on her stilettos. She was right. Nell had drifted off, completely relaxed in Mel’s arms.

  “Looks good on you,” Coop said, from just behind her. His voice was soft and low and sent shivers down her spine.

  “You have to stop sneaking up on me,” she replied. She kept one hand on Nell’s back, lightly rubbing.

  “I do?”

  “Coop.”

  She said it with such meaning that he laughed.

  She sighed. “I thought after the other day...”

  “That I’d give up?” He shook his head. “You needed time to think. I got that. I backed off. I didn’t go away.”

  “I sort of wish you would.”

  “You don’t mean that.”

  She wished she did. She wanted to mean it. It would make things so much simpler.

  “You are seriously messing with my plans,” she murmured. “It was easier when I was mad at you and not...”

  She didn’t finish the sentence, but Coop did it for her. “Not thinking about kissing me all the time?”

  “I’m not thinking that!” She said it a little louder, and Nell shifted in her arms. “I’m not,” she said quietly, frowning at him.

  “You are such a liar,” he replied easily.

  “Coop...”

  “See? You can’t even come up with a good argument other than I’m messing around with your plans. Why does everything have to be planned out, anyway?”

  “Less chance of disappointment,” she answered promptly.

  “Ah, says the voice of the disappointed,” he replied.

  The truth stung a bit and she lifted her chin.

  “Oh, now don’t get all like that,” he cautioned. “I know I dumped a lot of information on you the other day and I know you’ve had a lot to think about. But you think too much. The truth of it is, you had a crush on me when I was too stupid to realize it, and I had a thing for you when you weren’t available. Now we’re both here and we’re both available and all I’m suggesting is that we see where things go. Nothing heavy.”