The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2)

by Ann B. Harrison

  “But I want to go over to the cottage and do some work.”

  “You don’t have to keep proving yourself, Gina. Take tomorrow off to catch your breath, and when I get home I’ll chat to you about what needs to be done and we’ll take it from there. Deal?”

  “Okay, deal.”

  “Sleep tight.”

  “Thanks, Rory, for everything.”

  He shut the door behind him and thought about going downstairs again but changed his mind. His room was bathed in darkness when he opened the door. He flicked on the light and looked at the large empty bed. He’d slept alone for far too long. Today had been hectic to say the least. Finding out his intended bride had a child had thrown him for a six. If he was honest with himself, it had the potential to be a good thing regardless of his initial reaction. He warmed to her faster than he thought possible. It was the guilt nipping at his heels that would keep him awake for nights to come. He knew the signs.

  He wandered in and kicked off his shoes. Chance had blown him away with his admission. Rory wondered if the others knew what his brother had gone through to make their lives easier. His father had never said a thing about it. Catching up with the old man had been on his list of things to do. Now it was nearer the top of the list. It was time for the truth and he intended to get it.

  He headed into the bathroom, stripped off his clothes, and left them on the floor before turning off the light and sliding between the sheets. Sleep evaded him for hours as he knew it would. Was it the woman sleeping in the bed next door who could be his with the right word, or was it the thoughts of a happy home he had yet to make running through his head? Perhaps it was the guilt of finally saying goodbye to Cindy’s memory that kept him tossing in his bed.

  It was almost dawn before he dozed off. When the alarm on his watch jolted him out of sleep the following morning, he groaned and rubbed his face. It was going to be a very long day.

  Chance was at the table sipping coffee when he got down to the kitchen. He looked up at Rory and laughed. “What the hell happened to you?”

  “Don’t know what you mean.” He poured himself a coffee and drank it standing at the counter staring out the window at the snow on the mountain. Rory wondered how on earth he’d managed to stay away for so long.

  “Maybe you should just give in and admit you want to marry her and get over it. Having a woman in your bed makes sleeping so much more fun. Look at me, rested and fresh compared to you.”

  “Fuck off.”

  Callie waltzed into the kitchen with Fisher in her arms and grinned. “Gee, someone didn’t sleep very well looking at that sulky face, and I’ll thank you not to cuss in front of the baby.”

  “Where’s Gina?” He held his arms out for the boy and Fisher reached for him, snuggling down against his shoulder as if they were old friends. That feeling of contentment rolled over his shoulders, biting at his cheek. He brushed it off.

  “Sleeping like the dead. Figured she needed it. Poor thing has had a hard time of it so when I heard this little munchkin gurgling I snuck in and grabbed him.”

  “Thanks. Wonder what I should give him to eat?”

  “Maybe a drink first then some cereal. Gina left the sippy cup on the counter, can’t be that hard to heat up a bit of milk can it? Heck, I can make formula for calves, this should be a breeze in.”

  “What?” Chance stared at her and she explained.

  “Breeze in, means easy to do.” Callie went and grabbed a mug of coffee, took a sip, and plonked it on the table before she took the bottle of milk from the fridge. “Simple.” It took her no time to warm Fisher’s first drink for the day. When it was deemed to be the perfect temperature, she handed it over to Rory and let him feed the hungry baby.

  He sat down on a chair and snuggled the baby in his arms. His little pudgy hands wrapped around the sippy cup and he looked up into Rory’s eyes as he sucked the milk down. “Hungry little man, aren’t you?”

  Fisher reached up one hand and played with Rory’s chin, digging his fingers into his lip. One day and he was hopelessly besotted with this baby. Who would have thought it would be this easy?

  A cough snapped him from the love-infused daze he was in. Rory looked up and saw both Callie and Chance gazing at him with a soppy expression on their faces. “What?”

  “That suits you. You’ll make a great father, Rory.” Callie grinned. “You’re a very lucky man.”

  “I haven’t agreed yet.”

  “You’re only kidding yourself and you know it. Put the poor girl out of her misery and propose properly.” Chance stood up and dumped his coffee mug in the sink. “I’d better get to work. I want to get those steers in and checked over. We have to brand them before we let them out to graze in the forest next week.”

  “Let me make you some toast and then we can go down together.” Callie waltzed over and took a loaf of bread from the pantry, then popped two slices in the toaster before taking the peanut butter and jelly from the fridge.

  An anguished cry from upstairs had Rory jumping to his feet, Fisher clutched to his chest. Gina hurried downstairs and into the kitchen, clutching her nightgown in front of her breasts. The panic on her face tore at his heart and he knew what she’d been thinking. She’d woken up from a deep sleep, forgotten where she was, and couldn’t find her baby.

  He hurried over to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Shh, it’s okay. You were fast asleep and he was awake so Callie brought him down.” He rubbed her back, trying to settle the sickening gasps coming from her lips. After a few minutes, she managed to breathe normally and he released her.

  “Oh, Gina, I’m so sorry. I never thought you would mind if we looked after him.” Callie stepped over and wrapped her arms around her new friend and squeezed tight. “We made a drink and he’s been a little angel. I thought you could have a bit of a sleep in. You were shattered yesterday.”

  “I’m the one who should be sorry. I just woke up and panicked, forgetting where I was for a moment. Sorry to make such a fuss.” She wiped her bed hair from her face and gave them an apologetic glance.

  “Don’t worry about it. How about you go up, have a hot shower, and get dressed while I make a pot of fresh coffee?” Callie pushed her out of the kitchen with gentle force and watched as she climbed up the stairs. When Gina was out of sight, she turned back to her husband and brother-in-law. “That poor girl has some major issues happening. Might pay us to tread gently for a day or two, let her get used to us before we start taking over her life.”

  “She came from a really rough area. Almost had to give up Fisher because she couldn’t afford to keep going any longer.” Rory kissed the baby’s head. “I’ll look after them, don’t you worry about that.”

  “Knew you’d see reason sooner or later.” Chance stood up and walked over to take the almost-charred toast from his wife. He glanced at it and frowned, his lips turning down at the corners.

  “What? Stop being so critical. Didn’t you know charcoal is good for your teeth? Makes them super white. Eat it and stop complaining.” Callie grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and stood at the counter eating it.

  “If it’s so good then why aren’t you eating it?”

  She pointed her spoon at him and glared. “Watch it, pal, or you’ll be out doing your own branding.”

  A slightly more composed Gina came back down the stairs ten minutes later. She wound her hair up and tied it in a knot with a band. Fisher spat the empty cup from his mouth and reached for his mother.

  “How’s Mama’s little baby boy?” She took hold of him and Rory felt the cold replace the small warm body as she lifted him up. “Did you let me sleep in? Such a good little man.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you by taking him. It just seemed like the thing to do considering you were so tired.” Callie poured her a coffee and placed it on the table.

  “No, I should be apologizing to you guys. All you’re doing is trying to be nice and I flipped out.” Fisher stood up on his feet and boun
ced on Gina’s knee.

  “You have every right. If you see him missing again, you can guarantee it’ll be one of us that has him. Nobody comes up here anyway so don’t go worrying about strangers. Besides, Sherbet would have them before they could get into the house.” She glanced at the dog sitting and watching every bite Chance took of his toast, a hopeful look in her eyes.

  “I know and I’m sorry I panicked. I’m just not used to having anyone help out. Now, what can I do? I did promise you French toast for breakfast.”

  “Nah, it’s all good. Save that for tomorrow. We have to get to work or we’ll never get done today.” Callie dropped a kiss on Fisher’s head before walking over to the back door and taking her hat from a hook, plonking it firmly on her head. “Come down to the barn later if you want a look around. In the meantime, make yourself at home and do whatever you feel like.”

  “Ditto.” Chance dropped his cup in the sink and threw the last charred crust to Sherbet before he joined his wife. Together they walked out with the dog hurrying in front of them, her bushy tail wagging in excitement.

  “Well, I’d better get to work too.” Rory pulled out his wallet and took out a credit card which he placed on the counter. “I want you to have this and before you start protesting, please don’t. I pay the food bills here, it’s my contribution.” He rattled off his pin number. “For now, your part in this house is going to be the cooking if you can deal with it. You know Callie hates it and since I don’t always get home early, it doesn’t make sense to rely on me for a decent feed.” He smiled and walked over to stand in front of her. “If you need anything at all, for the house or for yourselves, use the card to buy it. And it might pay to fill up your car with gas too, next time you go into town.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you for trusting me enough to come all this way with your baby on the chance that this could work between us.” He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. A soft kiss that barely touched her skin but sent all kinds of signals to his body. “We’ll talk about the renovations to the cottage tonight if we have time. You two have a good day now.” Rory brushed his finger across Fisher’s cheek before walking out and shutting the door behind him.

  *

  She sat stunned at the table while her baby gurgled on her lap. What had just happened? Rory had given her his credit card and told her to buy whatever she or Fisher wanted. That didn’t sound a bit like the man who’d met her at the run-down cottage yesterday. What had she said or done to change his mind? Perhaps they had made a good impression after all. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks.

  Fisher wriggled and Gina held him up. “Baby boy, this diaper is way too wet for my liking. Let’s get you dressed before I give you breakfast.” She slipped him onto her hip and hurried upstairs to change him into clean clothes. When Gina finished dressing her baby, she brushed her teeth and made the bed, letting Fisher play on the floor exploring their room.

  Ready to go down to the kitchen and start cleaning, she picked him up and they headed back toward the stairs. When she passed Rory’s bedroom she paused, her inquisitive nature getting the better of her. Opening the door, Gina glanced in. The room was the same as hers without the clutter she already had spread around. The woodsy fresh smell she already associated with him scented the room and she imagined their bodies entangled in the sheets together. How long had it been since she’d been with a man? Far too long and to have one as charming and handsome as Rory within reach was all too tempting. She closed the door, guilt chasing her tail all the way down to the kitchen.

  Gina found oatmeal in the pantry and decided that was a good start for the both of them. She let Fisher play on the kitchen floor with a small pot and a wooden spoon while she cooked their breakfast. Together they ate at the table, the baby on her lap which made for a messy meal. Gina was used to it. She was becoming a master at avoiding small busy hands that reached for her spoon every time she tried to get something in her own mouth.

  After a quick clean up, she decided that if she did a load of washing today, prepped dinner, and gave the house a general clean up, she could work on Rory’s house tomorrow. While on a roll of doing the right thing and doing her best to make an impression, it seemed the most logical step to her. She hurried back upstairs to grab their dirty clothes bag. Fisher hadn’t moved from his position under the kitchen table and Gina headed to the back of the house and loaded up the washer. When she returned to the kitchen she had a quick glance in the freezer, and pulled out big bag of steak for a casserole. She left it in the sink to thaw out.

  “Hey, baby, feel like a walk outside? Let’s go and see the animals.” She scooped him up and walked outside. She paused on the porch for a moment, taking stock of the ranch and its tremendous views. The nip in the air touched her bare cheeks; the sky, crisp and clear, held her hostage while she took it all in. It was so good to be out in the country and not in the city anymore. She could see the snow caps on the mountains and smiled. This would be a first real winter for her too. Making snowmen with her baby was going to be so much fun—that’s if she was here long enough to do so.

  Think positive, Gina. If you can prove you’re not scared of hard work, he will hopefully go through with the deal. He really has nothing to lose while you have, well…everything.

  Chickens scratched in the yard and a few of them ran up to her, their fluffy butts waddling from side to side, expecting food. When they realized she had nothing for them, they gave up and went back to their earlier foraging, scratching in the dirt. Fisher clapped his hands when he saw the horses in the paddock and Gina stopped and called out to them, hoping to attract at least one of them to come over but to no avail. They received a curious glance and nothing more.

  She pushed open the door to the barn and looked inside for the chickens’ food. It might be a good idea to feed them and collect the eggs. Every small job she did around the ranch was something the others didn’t have to do and, in a small way, it also made her feel like she was pulling her weight. Tubs of wheat were lined up against one wall and they had scoops inside, making it easier to dispense to the stock. Gina looked around for a bucket and half filled it with wheat and, with Fisher on her hip, went looking for the chicken coop.

  She sprinkled wheat as she walked, feeling like the pied piper as the chickens all hurried to join her. Fisher squealed in pleasure and wriggled to get down. “Not yet, baby. Let’s wait until we come to somewhere cleaner and you can go for it.”

  When they’d fed the poultry and collected the eggs, she carried Fisher up to the house and let him down on the grass to play. Since she never went very far from him, she sat down on the back porch and watched as he explored his new surroundings. It was pleasant here. More than pleasant actually, it was wonderful, almost magical. She gazed out over the ranch and sighed. What she wouldn’t do to make this work between her and Rory.

  Gina plucked a piece of grass and started shredding it with her nails. She’d been prepared to struggle with her feelings for the man she was to marry and was more than ready for that. After spending time with him yesterday and this morning, she doubted not getting on with him was going be an issue. He held down a good job, had a home of his own, and great family surrounding him. Everything she was missing in her own life.

  It wouldn’t have been fair to Fisher to not take this chance. Staying in the city hadn’t been worth thinking about, not when she was at the stage of making the decision to give up her baby. It was close, so close, and now she felt sick to her stomach thinking about it. It had taken days of soul searching after she lost her job and couldn’t find another one. Days when all she wanted to do was hide under the threadbare blankets on her bed and not be the adult she knew she had to be. Days when she went hungry because the cost of formula was higher than she could afford.

  Now Rory had given her another chance and she would do whatever she had to in order to make this work. Fisher jammed a fist full of grass into his mouth and spat it out, looking at her as if i
t was her fault when he found out it didn’t taste as nice as it could have. Gina hooked her finger into the dribbles and pulled out a strand, wiping it on the legs of her jeans. “Bubba, please don’t eat that. Yucky.”

  She scooped him up and, ignoring his protests, headed inside to collect the washing from the machine. She let Fisher play on the kitchen floor while she loaded the basket, listening for any change of noise. Yes, she was overprotective, she got that. Living with the baby’s father had taught her that the only person that was going to look after her and her child was herself.

  Aden had been fun when they first met. She was waitressing at a diner when he walked in with a group of friends and sat at her table. He’d flirted shamelessly and she’d been won over when he was waiting for her when she came off her shift. Before she knew what happened, he’d moved in with her and they were a couple.

  While she worked, he disappeared, not saying where he was going or what he was doing. It’d taken a few months before Gina realized he was using and, no matter what she said, he wouldn’t or couldn’t give up. Determined to better herself and advance her career, Gina had told him to leave but he refused. He’d begged and promised until it became too hard for her to fight anymore. The small amount of savings she had hidden in her coffee jar disappeared and even that wasn’t worth fighting over. Life had suddenly turned sour and she could think of no way out. And once she found out she was pregnant, there was no point in trying anymore.

  Aden went on bender after bender and Gina knew it was only a matter of time before he killed himself. One morning she’d rolled over and reached for him only to find Aden cold beside her. Alone and pregnant with no prospects, no money, and no hope, she took stock of her options and didn’t like what she saw. Aden might have left her alone and destitute but there was no way she was going to lay down and give up. She had a child to bring into the world and it was going to take every scrap of her ability to survive. This wasn’t the time to fall down and feel sorry for herself, and with no family to lean on, Gina had to strengthen her back bone and take on the unpleasant tasks herself.