by Mindy Neff
“No. I need you.”
Dora jerked her head up, looked at him closely. Something in his tone made butterflies flutter in her stomach. But she was so afraid to hope.
“You’re the mother of my child.”
If only that were so. She would give anything to have carried that baby in her womb, to ensure that no one could ever take her little girl away. She started to shake her head.
He reached for her then, cupped her elbows, drew her to her feet. “Yes. You are Katie’s mother in every way that counts.”
Oh. His words were the most wonderful gift he could have given her.
“I love you,” he said softly, then took a deep breath. “That was a tough one. I didn’t think I’d ever say those words to a woman. To anyone. Now I just want to say it again.”
Dora’s heart was bursting. She had all she wanted. All she needed right here. Almost. “Feel free to keep right on.”
“I love you.” He touched his lips to hers. “Please stay.”
Ethan watched the light of mirth flash in her lake-blue eyes and braced himself. Here he was, in the most serious moment of his life, and she had merriment written all over her.
“My daddy, being a preacher and all, doesn’t normally go in for violence, but he might think about oiling up the twelve-gauge if I keep hanging around here living with a bunch of playboy bachelor cowboys.”
Now that kind of talk terrified Ethan. Shotguns, that was. Not, surprisingly enough, the thought of marriage. Yes, on the subject of marriage he was at peace and suddenly in a very big hurry.
“Do you love me, legs?”
“Of course.”
He grinned. Man he was crazy about her. “Then I guess you ought to make an honest man out of me.”
“An honest…?” She burst out laughing and threw her arms around his neck, easing right up against his body in a way that made him hard in an instant and thankful he was alive.
“Yeah. You’re gonna have to marry me, legs.”
“Mmm. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.”
“You’re all heart.”
“Yes. I am. And all my heart belongs to you and Katie. I love you, Ethan Callahan.”
As she took his lips and soul-kissed him right down to his toes, Ethan had one last thought.
Ozzie and the rest of the fellas had known exactly what they were doing. And the way he felt about Dora, not only would Shotgun Ridge’s population increase by another woman and a baby, there was sure to be plenty more babies to follow—not to mention the menagerie of animals Dora Watkins Callahan would drag onto his ranch and into his heart.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-6751-3
THE PLAYBOY’S OWN MISS PRIM
Copyright © 2000 by Melinda Neff.
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†Tall, Dark & Irresistible
*Bachelors of Shotgun Ridge