* * *
IT WAS ABOUT nine o’clock when Austin opened the front door and allowed Erin in ahead of him. She was carrying a crying Lilly.
“Oh, my, someone is hungry.” She set the carrier down on the coffee table and unfastened the baby, then lifted her out. “Here, Daddy, you change her while I fix her bottle.” She handed Lilly to him and went into the kitchen.
Austin tried to soothe his daughter, but she wasn’t having any of his sweet talk. “Hey, it’s okay. Erin is fixing you supper.”
He worked as quickly as possible. He unsnapped her stretchy suit, took out her legs and stripped off the wet diaper, then lifted her little bottom and arranged a fresh diaper under her. After the tapes were secured, he snapped her up, then picked her up in his arms. He stood and took her into the kitchen.
Erin was at the stove, taking the bottle out. On the table was a small bowl with powdery flakes inside. “What’s this?”
“Lilly is four months old now, so I’m gonna try a little cereal. Her bottle doesn’t seem to keep her satisfied.” She mixed in some formula. “Sit down and hold her.”
Austin was in the chair, ready for the experiment. With a small amount on a baby spoon, Erin guided it to Lilly’s mouth. She touched the baby’s lower lip and her tongue darted out to taste the new food. Like a champ, Lilly took to the cereal.
He grinned. “I think she likes it.”
Erin smiled, too, pulled up a chair and continued to feed her. “I can’t give her too much at first. Her system needs to get used to the new food.” She fed her another spoonful of cereal.
Austin suddenly realized how close Erin was to him as she leaned toward Lilly. He inhaled her fragrance, and her hair brushed against his face, reminding him of the previous night. His body quickly let him know how much he still wanted this woman.
“You should try to burp her.”
Austin lifted his daughter to his shoulder and began patting her back. “Do you think this will help her sleep longer, maybe until the morning?”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.” Erin put the bowl in the sink and rinsed it.
After Lilly let out a hearty burp, Erin retrieved the bottle and gave it to Austin. He popped it into Lilly’s eager mouth. “She does have an appetite.”
“That’s a good thing. Babies need to gain weight to help brain development and strengthen their bones.”
Austin smiled. He was glad they’d been able to talk again. He didn’t want Erin to feel awkward around him. “Sounds like you’ve been reading up on baby development.”
She glanced away. “I have. For a long time.”
Of course she had.
She put on a smile. “Lilly’s good practice for me.” She looked at him. “And if your offer is still good, I want to start my IVF procedure right away.”
“Seriously?”
She tried not to think about how sexy the man looked, sitting there, holding his daughter. “Yes, seriously. I have one condition. I don’t want anyone to know until it actually happens. Too many things can go wrong.”
Holding Lilly, he stood and walked toward her. “Agreed. Now, don’t take this wrong.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. A strange longing came over her.
“It’s going to happen, Erin. You’re going to have the baby you desire.”
Chapter Twelve
Three days later, Erin walked out of the doctor’s office with a smile on her face, but worry in her mind. Ready or not, she’d started the IVF procedure with her first in the series of hormone shots.
She walked down the hall toward the pharmacy to pick up her medication for the next week. Package in hand, she started to leave when she heard her name called.
Erin turned around to see Brooke Landry. “Brooke.” She put on a smile. “This is a surprise.”
The pretty honey-blonde returned a bright smile. “I had a doctor’s appointment. I had to confirm what I already knew. I’m pregnant.”
“That’s wonderful.” Erin’s heart tightened in her chest as she managed to hug her friend. Brooke had been through a lot in her life, with a mother who didn’t really take care of her and a father who never knew she existed until two years ago. Now she was happily married with a son and another child on the way. “I bet Trent is happy.”
“He will be as soon as I tell him.” Brooke blushed. “So please don’t say anything yet.”
“Not a problem. I’ll keep your secret until you tell me otherwise.”
Brooke’s expression changed. “Are you okay?”
“Of course,” she answered a little too quickly. “Well, I have been kept busy with Austin and Lilly.”
“She’s so adorable,” Brooke gushed. “Oh, I hope this baby is a girl.”
Erin wanted to tell Brooke about her attempt to have a child, but held back. What if this procedure didn’t work? She didn’t want the pitying looks and sympathy. So she changed the subject. “How is Coralee doing?”
Brooke’s smile died away. “As well as can be expected, I guess. She doesn’t remember me much. She sometimes knows my name, and other times she just stares into space.”
Erin saw the sadness in her friend’s eyes and took her hand. “I’m sorry, Brooke. I haven’t been there much for Coralee.”
“It’s not your fault, Erin. She’s getting great care, but I hate her not knowing me and my child.” Tears filled her eyes. “I even miss when she’d yell at me or call me by my sister’s name. I hate that Alzheimer’s has robbed her of knowing her family.”
“It’s heartbreaking, but just know that you’re giving your mother the best possible care. Mountain View is a wonderful facility. And when I go back next week, I’ll make sure I stop by to see her.”
Brooke’s eyes brightened. “You’ve always been so good with Mother, especially taking her into your home. Thank you, Erin, for all those years you took care of her.”
Erin blinked back her own tears. “Stop that. You’re making me cry. And you don’t need to thank me. I was doing my job.”
Brooke broke into laughter. “I’m blaming mine on pregnancy hormones.”
“I’m just tired, I guess.” Was this from her hormones? “And Austin Brannigan is a handful.”
Brooke grinned. “I bet he is. And very handsome, with a cute little daughter.”
Erin raised her hand. “Oh, no, you don’t. I don’t need an ex-rodeo bull rider in my life.”
Brooke arched an eyebrow. “Not even with the added bonus with Lilly?”
She pulled her friend aside for privacy. “Look, Brooke. I know Austin is handsome, but so was Jared. I don’t want to risk my heart again, especially when love doesn’t get returned.”
Brooke nodded. “Sorry, I was mostly teasing about Austin. I’m so happy with Trent that I want everyone else to be happy, too. You deserve that much, Erin. I hope you find it someday.”
If she could have this baby, she would be happy. “I am happy, Brooke.”
Her friend eyed her curiously. “It’s probably a good thing that you’re not interested in Austin. There’s no guarantee he’ll be staying around here anyway.”
“Did he say something?”
Brooke shook her head. “No, but he’s been on the road for years. I’d be surprised if he settles down. Of course, a child can make you change.”
Erin didn’t want to think about Austin moving on, telling herself that she was only thinking about Lilly. Surely he wouldn’t take her along. She looked back at Brooke. “Well, I’d better go. I need to get back.”
“Give Austin our best, and I want to have you over for dinner. Hey, I know. We can do a girls’ night out and invite Laurel and Shelby along, too.”
Erin wasn’t so sure she needed to spend an evening with three happily married mothers. “Sure. That sounds great.�
� She hurried out the door, praying she would soon have her own baby. The family she’d always wanted.
* * *
THAT AFTERNOON, AUSTIN looked at the clock again. Erin had been gone a few hours. She needed time off, and he was handling things here.
He listened down the hall, but no sound came out of Lilly’s bedroom. She would be up soon from her nap.
“You can do this, buddy.” Why did being alone with his daughter still terrify him? Soon, he’d be on his own, so he’d better get used to it.
He sat down on the sofa. What was really on his mind was Erin. She’d gone to her doctor’s appointment. Was she going to start her shots today? When he’d asked her earlier, she’d refused to discuss anything with him.
He thought back to the night in his town house and cursed himself for how he’d acted with her in the shower. How each kiss grew more intense, and she hadn’t pushed him away. Suddenly his body tensed with need for her. He laid his head against the sofa and closed his eyes. Would they have made love if Cullen hadn’t called? He groaned, thinking about her luscious curves pressed against him.
He sat up straight and rubbed his hands over his face. No, getting involved with Erin Carlton right now was a bad idea. For both of them. He had his daughter to think about. He needed to make a permanent home for her. And just where would that be, he wasn’t sure.
Since his rodeo days were probably over, maybe the best idea would be to live here. He could sell his town house, then use the money to do some more improvements on this house. He thought about his family. It was nice that his brothers were here. Then Neal Brannigan came to mind. He still had issues with the man. No doubt his father would be willing to offer his opinion on what his son should do with his life.
A soft sound came through the baby monitor. He smiled on hearing the familiar babble. He walked down the hall and opened the door. When he approached the side of the crib, a big smile appeared on Lilly’s cherub face.
His heart swelled so full he thought it would burst. “Hey there, little darlin’. Did you have a nice nap?”
She began to pump her arms and legs faster and make a gurgling sound.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it.” He lifted her out of the bed and carried her to the changing table. He unsnapped her suit, removed her wet diaper and replaced it with a fresh one. He continued to talk to her about anything and everything, from the color of her bedroom to her cute nose, getting sweet laughter from her.
His chest tightened with such intense feelings, pride and love. He never knew he could feel this way about anyone—then this sweet baby came into his life. Once Lilly was re-dressed, he picked her up and turned around to see Erin in the doorway. She was smiling at him.
He got another kind of feeling in his chest. “Oh, hi. How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long. I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.” She came over and took Lilly’s hand. “I know how much she likes to talk.”
“I wish I knew what she was saying.”
“She’s telling you how happy she is. Look at her.” Erin stepped closer. “Smiling all the time.”
He inhaled Erin’s nice fragrance, and his yearning grew stronger. She was driving him crazy. “Why don’t you hold her, and I’ll go fix her bottle?”
“Sure.” She took the baby, and Austin limped out of the room. He couldn’t believe how easily he was getting around. This time, he could make a quick escape.
In the kitchen, he concentrated on measuring out the formula and water, and was heating the bottle as Erin walked into the kitchen.
Once she was settled in a chair, he handed Erin the bottle and Lilly quickly grabbed for it. They both laughed. “She’s smart, too.”
“Yeah, she’ll be feeding herself before long,” he agreed as he studied Erin. “How did it go this morning?”
Her head shot up. “Fine.”
Okay, that was all he got. “So the doctor gave you the okay to start the treatment?”
A smile appeared on her face. “Yes, she did.”
“Wow, that’s great. I feel like I should open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.”
“Whoa, don’t do that,” she cautioned. “It’s just the beginning of the procedure.”
“Okay.” He was just so happy for her. Then an odd feeling came over him as he thought about other factors. “Have you picked out a father yet?”
* * *
THE FOLLOWING NIGHT, Erin rode into town with Shelby. True to her word, Brooke organized a girls’ night out. Erin was more than eager to get out of the house and away from Austin. She didn’t want him to ask any more personal questions. Six months earlier, she had no problem on deciding to go with a sperm donor. A stranger who wouldn’t want to lay claim to her child. There was no other choice for her. So don’t go getting in my head, Austin Brannigan.
Shelby parked the car at Joe’s Barbecue Smokehouse. Laurel and Brooke were already waiting at the double-door entrance. After exchanging hugs, they walked inside the family restaurant. The owner, Joe, came to greet them.
The good-looking thirtysomething man smiled at the group. “How in the world did those husbands of yours let all you lovely ladies out of the house tonight?”
“Really, Joe?” Laurel said. “Since when do we need to ask permission?” She shook her head. “No wonder you’re still single.”
“I’m still single because I’m here all the time.” He waved them to follow him as he escorted them through the restaurant and into the bar. There was a big circular booth in the corner with a Reserved sign on the table. Joe scooped it up. “I’ll send the waitress over. Behave yourselves, ladies. I’d hate to have to call the sheriff.”
“Funny,” Shelby answered. “I have his direct line if you need it. Cullen is home babysitting.”
Laughing, the owner walked away.
Laurel looked at Erin. “Glad you could join us tonight. It’s nice once in a while to get away from kids and husbands.”
Erin didn’t agree, but she didn’t have either a husband any longer or a child. “I’m happy you included me.”
Brooke jumped in. “I would have done it sooner, but you’re always working at the care center.”
“I do have odd shifts.”
“How was Austin with you going out tonight?”
“Now that he has his walking cast and can get around, he doesn’t need me 24/7. And since I start back at the center next week, he needs to get used to being on his own.”
“And a girl needs some time off,” Shelby added.
The waitress came over with four tall glasses of beer. “Hello, ladies. I’m your waitress, Jenna. The boss sent over these beers and wings, compliments of the house.”
“Hi, Jenna,” Laurel said. “Erin, Jenna is Joe’s sister. She works here but is going to nursing school. Jenna, Erin is also a nurse.”
“Nice to meet you, Jenna,” Erin said. “When do you graduate?”
“This spring. I hope to go into pediatrics.”
“Good choice.”
Jenna passed out the drinks. “Anything is better than working for my brother.”
Brooke looked at the waitress. “Jenna, could you bring over a soft drink?” Once the girl walked off, Brooke glanced around the table. “I won’t be drinking for the next seven and a half months.” She beamed. “I’m pregnant.”
The table erupted in cheers, then hugs. Erin joined in and threw up a special prayer that she could make the same announcement in a few months. Tonight was for Brooke.
The waitress brought Brooke her nonalcoholic drink, and Erin raised her glass. “To a healthy and happy baby. Maybe a little girl this time.”
The other ladies raised their glasses. “To a girl,” they all cheered.
Erin took a drink of her beer. It tasted good, and it felt good to relax an
d enjoy herself for a change. She had been so busy over the past three weeks. Her vacation ended on Monday when she had to go back to her regular routine; tonight was her mini vacation.
“So, how is that good-looking bull rider doing?” Laurel asked.
Erin smiled. “Austin is doing great with his recovery. Thanks to his new walking cast, he’s able to get around on his own.”
“I haven’t been able to come by to meet that sweet little princess yet,” Laurel said teasingly. “Jack and Katy have been sick. I didn’t want to spread the twins’ germs.”
“I appreciate that. But now that they’re well, bring them by.”
Brooke jumped in. “I think we should do a family get-together. I know—we can have it at the lodge.”
Erin knew that Laurel and Brooke’s father, Rory Quinn, and Brooke’s husband were partners in hunting cabins and a lodge that they rented out for weddings and parties.
“We aren’t booked this weekend,” Brooke added. “So what about Sunday? The weather is still warm, and it’s the last week for our Sunday brunch.”
Shelby added, “I’ll have leftover rolls and desserts from the morning menu. The guys can grill, and the kids can play outside.”
Shelby was already on the phone. “And good news—Cullen doesn’t have the weekend duty. So it’s a go for us.”
“Then it’s settled. We’re doing the family get-together Sunday, one o’clock, at the Q & L Lodge.”
“To family.” Brooke raised her drink in salute. Erin took another drink of her beer and looked around the table. Her thoughts turned to Austin and Lilly back at the house. She did her own share of fantasizing about going home to her husband and child.
She had to nix that dream in the bud.
* * *
WHEN AUSTIN WAS awakened by a noise, he raised his head off the pillow and checked the clock that was beside his bed. It was after midnight. There was another thump. He got up, quickly strapped on his cast over his pajama bottoms and went to look to see what was going on. He checked on Lilly first. Seeing that his daughter was asleep, he tucked the blanket over her, then closed the door.
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