A Baby for the Deputy

by Cathy McDavid

  “Maybe I’m not the best role model. Children do need a father.”

  Mel started crying again. “I want my husband to be in love with me.”

  “We all want that, honey. But I’m not sure it’s possible.”

  “What’s wrong with us?” Mel lamented.

  “Bad timing, I guess. Bad choices.”

  “I think if I had met Aaron a couple years from now, we’d be dating.”

  “Possibly. But what good does playing that kind of game accomplish? Other than making yourself feel worse?”

  Her sister was right.

  “I really wanted things to work out with Aaron. I’ve never admitted that before. Not to myself, not to anyone.”

  Frankie put an arm around Mel. “Are you in love with him?”

  “I might be. Yes, a little. I think so.” She sniffed. “Not that it matters. I screwed up.”

  “Been there, done that.” Frankie’s tone had the ring of personal experience.

  “I shouldn’t have gotten mad.”

  “He hurt you. Anger is a natural defense.”

  “What am I going to do?”

  “About what?” Frankie asked. “The baby? Aaron? The fact you’re clearly in love with him?”

  “All of the above?”

  Frankie became instantly pragmatic. It was how she dealt with life’s blows. She’d done it when Samantha appeared at their father’s birthday party and when Spence left, forcing her to raise their two daughters on her own.

  “About the baby, you and Aaron will talk. Once you’ve had some time to think. About Aaron, you’ll get along with him because it’s best for everyone involved. About being in love with him, he’ll own a small piece of your heart forever.”

  “Like his late wife owns a small piece of his,” Mel said glumly.

  “Look. If you’re not going to marry him, then hire my attorney and get yourself an airtight custody agreement. You don’t want him taking your baby from you.”

  Was that what Frankie feared? Spence returning and wanting custody of their daughters?

  “Aaron wouldn’t do that.”

  “A legal contract will make sure he doesn’t.”

  What strength Mel had left seeped slowly out of her. She’d just turned down a proposal from a wonderful man any woman would be thrilled to marry. She still believed her reasons were good, but doubts were starting to creep in and take hold.

  She stood. “I should get home.”

  “Are you okay to drive?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Frankie walked her to the door. “Call me anytime. Day or night. I don’t care.” They hugged. “Love you, honey.”

  Mel went outside. Once removed from Frankie’s calming influence, her anger returned. Not at Aaron but at herself. She’d walked eyes wide open into a situation that couldn’t possibly end well. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

  Starting tomorrow, she was making a new plan, one based entirely on logic and without emotion. One that made her baby a priority. And she’d stick to the plan, come hell or high water. No breaking the rules just because some sexy cowboy came along who turned her head and awakened her long slumbering libido.

  She’d learned her lesson, thank you very much. Love was for dreamers and people with their heads in the clouds. Not her. Not again.

  * * *

  AARON HAD ONLY been to Dos Estrellas Ranch once before, and it wasn’t on business. Though he didn’t know the Dempseys well, he’d been invited to the wedding reception for Josh, the oldest of the three brothers who owned the ranch, and Cara, the manager of the mustang sanctuary.

  Of course, half the town had been invited to the reception. He supposed no one wanted to exclude the local deputy.

  This time the reason for his visit was official. He’d just completed a lengthy interview with Mike O’Donnald, the young, newly hired ranch hand who’d come under suspicion related to the recent spate of horse thefts.

  Initially, Aaron had dismissed the kid as an unlikely suspect. But, then, he’d heard a second rumor and was compelled to follow up. After nearly two hours, he was leaving the ranch with the same opinion as before. Mike wasn’t their man. Or, teenager in this case. Besides his alibis checking out, he simply didn’t strike Aaron as the type to steal horses. An aw-shucks personality like his couldn’t be faked.

  Aaron tended to blame the rumors on folks being scared enough to point fingers without thinking. Mike was new to the community and had admitted when hired at Dos Estrellas that his dad was currently in prison, serving time for stealing a car.

  The interview had been Aaron’s last call in what had turned out to be a long, grueling day. Shortly after coming on duty, he’d been dispatched to break up two neighbors exchanging verbal blows over the placement of a fence. He’d hardly finished with them when he was summoned to the local market to arrest a shoplifter—who turned out to be a scared seven-year-old unable to stop crying. Before going to Dos Estrellas, he’d written three tickets for illegally parked cars. In this heat, no one wanted to walk one block farther than necessary.

  Being busy wasn’t all bad. It did give him a few minutes reprieve here and there from thinking about Mel.

  Damn, he missed her. More than two weeks had passed since their night at the motel when they’d gone from making incredible love, to his rejected marriage proposal, to ending things completely and not seeing each other at all.

  They kept in regular contact though. He made sure she was eating right, getting enough rest and that she knew without a doubt he’d help in whatever way she needed. He’d asked to tag along at her next doctor appointment, and she’d agreed, if hesitantly.

  Their conversations were always polite and sometimes bordered on nice. Aaron wondered if someone else was in the room during those calls. Like her sisters or Dolores.

  As he cruised the road from the ranch to town, tired, grouchy and hungry, he tried to pinpoint exactly when Mel had gotten under his skin, though that hardly described his feelings for her. Not right away, for sure. He’d been too cautious to let anyone in, too convinced he was making a mistake.

  What had Mel said about falling in love? You either did or you didn’t.

  To him, she was like an addiction that started out as an occasional indulgence. Before long, he couldn’t go a day without seeing or hearing from her.

  Was that love? Aaron didn’t know. The only woman he’d loved was Robin, and their relationship had taken an entirely different course than his and Mel’s.

  Aaron rubbed his temple. He’d been nursing a headache off and on for days. Sixteen days to be precise.

  A chime from his personal cell phone distracted him. He was startled, then alarmed, to see Frankie’s number. Was she calling about Mel?

  “Hi, Frankie,” he said with forced calm. Mel’s sister knew the story. By now, her entire family had been told about her pregnancy and former relationship with Aaron. He had no idea what they thought, not having talked to them since his falling out with Mel. “What’s up?”

  “Just wondering if you’re busy tomorrow. The girls have been begging me to invite Kaylee over for another playdate. Thought I’d give you a call and ask if you’re free.”

  “We are. And I’m sure Kaylee would love to come over. What time and what can I bring?”

  “Kid snacks, if you’re inclined. And be sure Kaylee doesn’t forget her swimsuit. Also, there’s something else...”

  Forget being calm. “Is it Mel? Tell me.”

  “No, she’s fine. Stubborn. What else is new?”

  Interesting. This was the first time Frankie had dropped a hint of how she felt about Mel and Aaron’s breakup.

  “We recently took in a stray puppy,” Frankie said. “About three months old. He’s really cute and superfriendly, if a bit excitable. Perfect size for a kid. Half Chihuahua and half terrier. Kaylee always loves playing wit
h the animals when she comes over. I thought she might want a dog of her own.”

  Aaron liked pets. Robin had owned a clownish yellow Lab when they married. Unable to care for a dog and a brand-new baby in the wake of Robin’s death, Aaron had given the dog to his parents, who still owned him.

  He always thought of getting another pet when Kaylee was older. A puppy might make a perfect early birthday present.

  “Sure.”

  “Really?” Frankie’s voice rose with delight.

  “We could use a positive change in the house.”

  “I’m sorry.” There was no need to ask what or who she was referring to.

  “Me, too.”

  They discussed a few more playdate details before disconnecting. Aaron contemplated how he’d break the news of the puppy to Nancy. She might not be too pleased, having to watch a puppy while he was at work. But she’d liked Robin’s Lab and would do anything for Kaylee, so maybe he was anticipating a problem where there wasn’t one.

  Passing through the center of town, Aaron decided to stop at the feed store. They stocked a small inventory of pet supplies, including dog and cat food. Might be a good idea to have a bag of puppy chow on hand before tomorrow.

  A bell over the door announced his arrival. Glancing at the wall clock, the face of which advertised a popular grain supplier, he calculated he had about fifteen minutes before closing time.

  “Howdy.” He nodded at the assistant manager behind the counter, trying to recall her name.

  “Be right with you.”

  She was waiting on another customer. The middle-aged man in dusty boots and an old T-shirt leaned casually against the counter, giving the impression he was a frequent and welcome visitor to the store. But Aaron immediately picked up a negative vibe from him, which could be because he and the manager had been caught socializing when she should be working.

  “Where’s the dog food?” Aaron asked.

  “First aisle on the left.” Her smile appeared strained.

  Aaron didn’t think much of it. Uniforms intimidated some people, even innocent ones.

  Looking over the available supply of puppy chow, Aaron selected a small bag, along with matching water and food bowls. He and Kaylee could make a trip later in the week to the pet-supply store in Scottsdale for a collar and leash and anything else they needed.

  Did Mel treat small animals? Should he ask her to give the puppy its vaccinations and a checkup?

  By the time Aaron carried his purchases to the counter, the other man had left. The assistant manager stared out the large window, but not at her friend. Ray Hartman had arrived and was climbing out of his truck.

  The assistant manager shot Aaron a glance. Evidently, she and the entire town now knew about Mel and Aaron. The assistant manager must be worried he and Ray were going to have a showdown.

  Aaron didn’t duck and he didn’t hide. He was going to be a part of Mel’s life for a very long time. He intended to get along with each and every member of her family.

  Setting the puppy chow and dishes on the counter, he reached for his wallet. While the assistant manager checked him out, Ray entered the store. He spotted Aaron immediately.

  Glancing at Aaron’s purchases, he smiled. “I thought you might be here on a call. Apparently not.”

  “It seems Kaylee is getting a new puppy courtesy of Frankie.”

  “Ah. That one.” He shook his head. “Always rescuing some stray.”

  Not only was their exchange civil, it was downright sociable.

  The assistant manager completed the transaction and handed Aaron his change and receipt. “Thanks for coming in.”

  He grabbed his purchases and, rather than leave, walked over to Ray, who was reading the notices on the bulletin board. “I’m not sure what Mel has told you, sir.”

  His smile returned. “She’s having a baby. I’m going to be a grandfather again. And you’re the dad.”

  That about summed it up. “I wanted you to know, I’m going to support the baby and share in raising him or her.” He considered mentioning to Ray that he’d proposed but decided against it.

  “Mighty admirable of you.”

  Aaron almost asked Ray to repeat himself. Had he heard correctly? It sounded as if the older man wasn’t angry. Hard to believe. If Aaron was confronting the father of his precious daughter’s baby, he’d have a few choice words to say if nothing else.

  “You aren’t leaving Mel in the lurch,” Ray said. “I give you credit for that. Wish I’d done the same with Samantha.” Ray held out his hand for Aaron to shake. “We’re going to see a lot of each other from now on. No reason we can’t get along.”

  “I couldn’t agree more, sir.” Aaron accepted Ray’s hand, impressed by the older man’s firm grip.

  “I figure any man Mel takes a liking to can’t be all bad.”

  Aaron chuckled mirthlessly. “Did take a liking to.”

  “Did. Does.” Ray gave Aaron a clap on the shoulder. “I’d best finish my shopping before the store closes. Dolores has dinner waiting for me.”

  The assistant manager seemed relieved when Aaron left.

  He barely noticed, unable to get the encounter with Ray out of his head. The man’s attitude was unexpected. But what had Aaron replaying the scene over and over in his head was Ray’s remark about Mel.

  Did... Does? Was it possible she still cared? And how did Aaron find out?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kaylee greeted Aaron the second he walked through the door, crashing into him and hugging his knees.

  “Daddy, Daddy!”

  He lifted her into his arms, and she rewarded him with a wet, sticky kiss on the cheek. Not that he minded.

  “You’re home,” Nancy said from the kitchen. She stood at the counter, cutting up tomatoes for a salad. She and Kaylee usually ate earlier, and Aaron had leftovers.

  “I have a surprise for you.” Aaron tickled Kaylee’s neck before putting her down. “Two, actually.”

  “What? Tell me.”

  “Paige and Sienna’s mom invited you over tomorrow. After lunch.”

  “Yay!” Kaylee jumped up and down in excitement. She’d just seen her little friends at preschool that day. Apparently, that wasn’t enough time together.

  “And, if you want, she has a puppy for us!”

  Kaylee’s face brightened as if she’d swallowed a ray of sunshine. “A puppy! For me?”

  “We have to see him first, then decide if we want him.”

  Kaylee had already made up her mind for she ran to her grandmother and shouted, “Gramma, I’m getting a puppy.”

  “I heard.” Nancy wiped her hands on a dish towel, and then tossed the towel onto the counter. “Shouldn’t we talk about this first?”

  “Okay.” Aaron went over to the table, pulled out a chair and sat. A plate and silverware was already set out for him. “Let’s talk.”

  He’d mostly made up his mind. But letting Nancy have a say in the decision might improve her willingness to cooperate.

  “A puppy requires a tremendous amount of attention.” She joined him at the table.

  “I know I’m asking a lot from you. I’ll help as much as possible. And Kaylee can take on some responsibility.”

  Nancy looked skeptical. “A three-year-old?”

  Aaron inhaled slowly. Getting mad would gain nothing. “Please, Nancy. I’d really like to get her this puppy. She could use a boost. We’ve all been a little out of sorts lately.”

  “We? I’d say you’re the only one in a bad mood.”

  “Daddy,” Kaylee interrupted. “Can the puppy sleep in my room?”

  “Sure. But you’ll have to make a bed for him.”

  Kaylee hurried off, presumably to her room to construct a puppy bed. Just as well. Aaron preferred she not hear his conversation with Nancy.

&nb
sp; “I didn’t realize my mood was affecting everyone.” He’d been trying hard to put forth a pleasant—if not happy—face.

  “Don’t get me wrong,” Nancy said. “I’m glad you aren’t seeing that woman anymore.”

  That woman? Her tone rubbed him the wrong way. “Her name is Mel.”

  Nancy ignored his remark. “Are you sure taking Kaylee tomorrow is a good idea? What if she’s there again?”

  She? Aaron was definitely getting tired of this. “Just in case I wasn’t clear earlier, you should know I really care about Mel. She’s more than a friend.”

  “I see.” Nancy drew herself up. “I wonder what Robin would have thought of her?”

  “She was one of the most practical, and generous, people I’ve ever met. She told me before she died that she wanted me to be open to finding someone new someday.”

  “Is Mel that someone new?”

  She might have been. Regretfully, Aaron had blown his chances with her before finding out.

  “She’s important to me. And she’s going to remain important for a long, long time.”

  He was yet to tell Nancy about Mel’s pregnancy. Yes, he should have done so before now, but he hadn’t wanted to deal with her reaction. Not while he was still coping, apparently poorly, with his and Mel’s breakup.

  “She’s having a baby. My baby.” Aaron spoke quickly, as if that would soften the blow. “I’m going to be an involved parent, and Kaylee will be an involved sister.”

  Nancy went stone still. For a full minute.

  “I understand you’re upset,” Aaron finally said.

  “Actually, I don’t think you understand me at all.” She stood and clasped her hands, but not before he noticed the tremor. “I’ll need a few weeks.”

  “For what?”

  “To move out.”

  “Sit down, Nancy,” Aaron said gently. “You’re not moving.”

  “Clearly, you’ve started a new life and don’t need me.”

  He had always given Nancy a lot of leeway, making allowances for her immeasurable grief. But this threat to move, like all her previous threats, was a way of manipulating him. He’d let her get away with it for too long, choosing the path of least resistance instead of standing up to her.