A Colorado Family

by Patricia Thayer

  Erin had to be happy for her friend. Brooke hadn’t had an ideal childhood back in Las Vegas, but she survived it, then came here and found love and a family.

  She glanced across the room to see Austin with his brother. If only she still believed in dreams. She quickly shook away the fantasy of any future with the man and concentrated on the party.

  Several people were mingling around the long buffet counter. Erin knew most of them—Rory and Diane Quinn with Neal; Brooke’s twin sister, Laurel, and her husband, Kase, and their twins, Jack and Katy, parked in their strollers. Shelby was setting out the food, and her husband, Cullen, was right there with her. She felt out of place with so many happy couples.

  Trent came up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her middle. “Hi, sweetie.” Then the tall rancher came to Erin and gave her a friendly hug. “Hey, Erin. Sorry I haven’t been by to see you, but roundup has kept me pretty busy.”

  “Not too busy,” Austin joked. “I hear you’re going to be a father again.”

  Trent nodded. “Yeah. Come spring. I can’t wait.” He glanced down at Lilly. “I think this time I want one of these. A pretty little girl.”

  “Of course a girl would be nice, but I just want a healthy baby,” Brooke said.

  Austin looked down at the baby in his arms. “That’s all you can ask for.”

  Erin couldn’t stand the direction of this conversation much longer. “I should see if Shelby needs any help.” She took off, and Brooke went with her.

  Austin wanted to stop Erin, but knew he had to let her go.

  His stepbrother caught his eye. “Is Erin okay?”

  Austin nodded, but knew seeing all these babies had to be difficult for her. “She’s been dealing with the two of us. We’ve been a handful. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be sharing her time when she goes back to the center and her regular job.”

  Trent studied him a moment. “How do you feel about that?”

  Austin didn’t want to share his feelings with his brother. He’d save them for Erin. “Erin has given up a lot to care for Lilly. Now she needs to go back to her real job. Besides, she’ll still be coming by for my therapy sessions.”

  “So you’re just going to play dumb and pretend you don’t care about her.”

  Lilly began to fuss, so he rocked her a little. “Of course I care about her, but as you can see, I kind of have my hands full with this little one.”

  A smile twitched at Trent’s mouth. “Yeah, a pretty redhead with big green eyes doesn’t draw your attention at all.”

  “Just shut up,” he hissed.

  “Such language in front of your daughter.” Trent grew serious. “You shouldn’t lie, either—that’s setting a bad example, too. Another word of advice—if you care about Erin as much as I think you do, find a way to let her know.”

  “Look, Erin has her future mapped out, and that doesn’t include a man in it.”

  Trent paused, then said, “I’d heard a little about Jared.” He raised his hands. “I won’t speak ill of a man who served our country, but don’t let their rocky marriage stop you. Erin is worth it.” He slapped his brother on the back, then walked off.

  Great advice. But was he ready to prove to Erin that he was worth the risk?

  * * *

  TWO HOURS LATER, Erin looked around the table and smiled. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the meal of barbecued ribs, tri-tip roast and hamburgers, along with several side dishes from Shelby’s catering service. Once the meal was finished, the men took charge of the children, and the ladies gladly went into the stainless-steel kitchen and began cleaning up.

  Erin was happy to spend time with other women, something she hadn’t been able to do in a long time. Diane Quinn came up to her. “So you’re going back to work tomorrow at the care center. I hope that you won’t be a stranger. Come back to see us often.”

  “I’ll still be stopping by to help with Austin’s therapy. I’d love to come by, but my schedule doesn’t always allow for that.”

  Diane looked around the busy kitchen. “Then you girls need to have more of those girls’ nights out together.”

  That got her cheers of approval from Shelby, Laurel and Brooke.

  The older woman turned back to Erin. “Rory and I want you to know that you’re part of our crazy family, and if you ever need us for anything, please just call.”

  She was so touched by Diane’s kindness. “Thank you, Diane. You have no idea what that means to me. And when Brooke comes to see Coralee, I’ll make sure that I’m around.”

  The older woman took her hand. “Good. Remember, call me anytime.”

  “Thank you, Diane.” It had been a long time since she’d felt like she belonged to a family. Even Jared’s parents had disappeared from her life.

  Suddenly Erin realized the past two weeks she’d led an entirely different kind of life that had been filled with friends and family. Soon she’d be back to her solitary life.

  After the kitchen was clean, the ladies found their way into the main room to claim their husbands and children. After a long day, the kids were getting fussy, and that included Lilly.

  Austin came up to her as if they were a couple. “You about ready to go home?”

  Tightness circled in her chest, gripping her heart. She nodded. She wanted to pretend Austin and Lilly were her family, if only for a few more hours.

  After saying their goodbyes, they walked out and strapped the baby in the car and drove home together for the last time.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After sunset, the temperature had dropped considerably, but the heater kept the car warm for the ride home. Erin laid her head back and enjoyed the lull of the soft music. Of course, her insides were not as calm as she tried to ignore the man seated so close. Why couldn’t she resist Austin Brannigan? He wasn’t her type, and she definitely wasn’t his. The only thing they had in common was Lilly.

  She closed her eyes, wishing for a whole different scenario, one with a family, a husband...and children. The familiar pain hit her, but this time it was worse because she’d already gotten too attached to father and daughter.

  “We’re home,” Austin announced.

  Erin sat up as he parked at the front of the house. She got out, then went to the back and reached for Lilly.

  Austin opened the front door. “I’ll feed her,” he offered.

  Erin paused, then asked, “Since I’m leaving tomorrow, would you mind if I did it?”

  He smiled. “Of course not. I’ll get her bottle ready.”

  Erin took Lilly down the hall to her bedroom. She changed the baby out of her cute outfit and into a fresh diaper and pajamas. “There. Doesn’t that feel better?”

  The little one tried to talk, and gurgled sounds came out.

  “Oh, I’m going to miss you,” Erin breathed as she picked up the baby and cuddled her close. Those familiar maternal feelings erupted inside her, bringing tears to her eyes. “Just remember I love you, Lillian Katherine.” And I love your father, she added silently as she rocked the sweet bundle in her arms. She closed her eyes, trying to hold in check all the feelings she had for dad and daughter.

  After composing herself, she walked down the hall and into the kitchen. Austin was testing the bottle temperature with droplets on his arm.

  He looked up at her and gave her one of his sexy smiles. Her heart raced in her chest. Would she ever stop reacting to this man?

  “Timing is perfect.” He walked over to her. “Here, you feed her.”

  Erin took the bottle and their hands brushed, and she worked hard not to show any response to the jolt she got from his touch. “Thank you.”

  She sat down in the chair and put the bottle in Lilly’s mouth. She watched the baby suck contently.

  Austin pulled up a chair close to her. “She’s
going to miss you.”

  Erin glanced away. “And I’m going to miss her.” She couldn’t resist anymore and looked at him. His face was so close, she could see the shadow of his beard. “Have you thought about hiring a nanny?”

  He shook his head. “No, not right away. I’m home for now, so I should be able to care for her.” His gray eyes met hers. “Unless I can convince you to stay on here.”

  Erin wanted nothing more than to continue this fantasy. “It will only complicate things more. And I have my job at the center.”

  He nodded as if he understood, and then he placed his hand on hers. “And of course when you have your own baby.”

  She prayed that would happen for her. “There are no guarantees.”

  Austin shifted in his chair, stretching his injured leg out. “But you deserve to have your own baby.”

  She was touched by his kind words. “Thank you.”

  He snapped his fingers. “That reminds me... I have that check for you.”

  Erin shook her head. “No, I won’t take your money. You’ve paid me generously for my time here. I’ll be fine.”

  She brought the sleepy baby to her shoulder and began patting her back. “I already have enough, thank you.”

  “But you could use the extra for a rainy-day fund.”

  She couldn’t let him make this any harder for her. He wasn’t paying for her to have a baby when it wasn’t going to be his. It was hard enough not to pretend that Lilly was hers.

  Austin reached out a hand and covered hers. “I only want to help you, Erin. I care about you.”

  Oh, God. Why did he have to be so nice? “I know. And I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t accept. I have to do this myself.”

  He finally nodded. “I guess I can understand that.”

  After a hearty burp from Lilly, she carried the now-sleeping child down the hall to her bedroom, then laid her down in the crib. After placing a kiss on her cheek, she stepped back and right into Austin.

  Erin gasped as his arms snaked around her to keep her from falling. With him still holding on tight, they made their way out into the hall. Then he closed the nursery door.

  She managed to get out of Austin’s grasp. If not, she wasn’t going to be able to resist the man.

  Unable to look at him, she said, “It’s late. We should probably go to bed. I mean, you go to bed and I go to bed.” She motioned to her bedroom. “Good night.”

  He reached out and touched her arm. “Erin, don’t go. I don’t want you to leave.”

  She paused, aching to turn around and walk into his arms. “I must, Austin. I have to go back to work.”

  He stepped toward her, and she took a step back but met the wall. “If you leave this house, I have a feeling I’ll never see you again. I can’t bear that.”

  “I’ll still come by for your therapy sessions.”

  “It’s not enough time.”

  She couldn’t give him any more than that, or she’d lose herself and end up getting hurt. “It has to be. I can’t give you any more.”

  He leaned in closer. “I don’t want to lose you, Erin.”

  “Oh, Austin...”

  That was all she could manage when his mouth closed over hers, and she melted in his arms. The taste of him, the feel of his body pressed against her. She was in heaven.

  He finally tore his mouth away. “I need you, Erin.” His voice rumbled through his chest. She could feel his heart hammering against her hand. “Let me show you how much.”

  There was an ache in her throat as she fought to keep from sliding her hands around his neck and seizing his mouth again.

  “Tell me, Erin, that you want this, too.”

  There was no denying it any longer. She wanted to see where their passion took them. Just once.

  “I want you, Austin.”

  He sucked in a breath as he lowered his head and his mouth captured hers. By the time he finished the tender assault, she could barely draw her next breath. He leaned down and swung her up into his arms.

  She started to protest about his injured leg, but he kissed her again. Then he carried her into her room and set her down beside the king-size bed.

  He raised his arms and cupped her face between his hands. “Just so you’re clear about my intentions—”

  She placed a finger over his lips. She didn’t want to think about common sense or doing the right thing. All she wanted was Austin. “Don’t say anything, Austin. Just make love to me.”

  He quickly went to work. After removing her sweater, he tossed it aside, and then he removed his shirt as well. At the first touch of his hands against her bare skin, her mind began to float, and she gave in to the touch of his fingertips gliding over her body, raising goose bumps. When he finally covered her breasts, she released a shuddering breath.

  “Oh, dear God,” she whispered into the dark room. “It’s been so long...”

  “Let me remedy that,” he said, and his mouth covered her nipple and sucked gently. She arched her back, desperate for him not to stop. Like a starved man, he continued the wonderful torture. He raised his head and looked at her. She could see the desire in the depths of his eyes.

  Austin was shaking like a teenage boy, but he’d never had feelings like this before. His hands trembled as they slid down over Erin’s hips, bringing her closer to him. Waves of pleasure rolled through him as she gasped his name. Her hands touched him, causing a jolt of awareness he’d never experienced before. Once again his mouth covered hers, tasting her, unable to get enough. So was she as she reached for the waistband of his jeans and began to pop the snaps.

  He pulled back, trying to compose himself. “Ladies first.”

  He undid her jeans and tugged them down. He stood back in the dim light, admiring her body. “You are so beautiful.” He couldn’t resist touching her some more. She was toned, yet also soft and feminine, and what curves.

  She reached out to him. “Please, Austin.”

  He quickly shed his leg brace, then chucked his shoes, jeans and underwear and returned to her. “I’m going to show you how much I want you, Erin.” Praying silently that he could let her know how much he wanted her to stay, to be a part of his life. His mouth covered hers, and she linked her hands with his. Soon, he was lost in this woman, and together they rode out the storm and made it to paradise.

  * * *

  AUSTIN GLANCED AT the bedside clock in the dark room. It was one in the morning. Good—he still had some time with Erin. His hand moved over her naked back, and immediately she arched against his touch. She started to shift in her sleep, but was she really asleep?

  She placed nibbling kisses along his jaw to his ear and whispered, “Haven’t you had enough yet, cowboy?”

  He rolled her over on her back and kissed her deeply, leaving them both breathless. “Never. I want you here more than ever.”

  She giggled. “I should kick you out of bed.” She grew serious. “I thought you wanted a quick roll in the hay.”

  He raised his head. “Are you saying I was too quick?”

  She shook her head. “So I need to stroke your ego now.”

  “I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Last night was incredible. Thank you, Austin.”

  “No, thank you. And I think we were pretty incredible together.”

  “I agree. So for tonight, we live out the fantasy and enjoy being together.”

  He looked down at her. “Erin, why can’t you give us a chance?”

  “Austin...we’ve talked about this before. You know that I want a family.”

  “I have a family—more than I need at times, but it’s a family. And a cute baby, too.”

  He felt her shudder beneath him. “I know. And you know my dream is to have a child of my o
wn.”

  “You can. There’s no reason why you can’t go through with your IVF.” He fought to keep from asking her about the sperm donor. It might not be his right to question, but he cared about Erin. Maybe even...loved her. He tensed at the realization. But just the thought of another man fathering her child made him crazy. He wanted to be the one to share that experience with her, but that confession might push her over the edge.

  He had to go slow. “I know we’ve only been together a month or so, but we get along. We care about each other.” He still needed to decide something about his career. “Why can’t we go on like we have been...and see where it leads?”

  “You mean no commitment?”

  He froze. Okay, how did he handle this not to scare her off? He knew how she felt about marriage. “We can make a commitment to be exclusive to each other. Erin, I care for you.”

  “I care about you, too,” she admitted. “But I can’t live here, Austin. As much as I want to stay for Lilly, I need to go back to my job. I promised them. But I’m doing three day shifts, so I’m off four.”

  “Really.” He pressed his body into hers. “Maybe I can convince you to do a few sleepovers.”

  She wiggled under him. “Maybe. Show me what you got, cowboy.”

  * * *

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING was a little more awkward for Erin when she awoke and found Austin next to her. He reached out to her and quickly convinced her since Lilly was still asleep, they should take advantage of their private time. Then once again, he proceeded to make tender love to her.

  An hour later, she’d managed to leave the bed and take a quick shower before going to get Lilly. Once the baby was changed into a fresh diaper, she took her into the kitchen for breakfast. Erin couldn’t help but blush, thinking about her night and morning with Austin as she prepared Lilly’s cereal.

  “Your daddy is a persuasive man,” she told the baby as she sat down in front of the carrier. She scooped up a tiny spoonful of cereal and guided it into Lilly’s mouth. “I’m going to have to be a lot stronger if I want to have my own way.”

  The little one squealed. She was such a happy baby. “You won’t have so much trouble. Just turn the cute smile on him.”