Having the Cowboy's Baby

by Judy Duarte

  They entered through the mudroom and caught the spicy aroma of sizzling meat, onions and peppers.

  “Dinner smells good.” He was going to like coming home each night.

  Carly, who stood at the stove, flashed him a pretty smile. Then she lowered the flame on the burner.

  Ian set Cheyenne’s dog food on the table, and when Carly turned to face him, he swept her into his arms and placed his lips on hers. The kiss deepened, and their hearts beat in sync.

  He wasn’t sure how long the kiss lasted—long enough to catch the scent of scorching meat and veggies. Carly was the first to break away, as she removed the skillet from the flame.

  Then she laughed. “I’d better focus on dinner, or we won’t have anything to eat tonight.”

  “Right now, I’m only hungry for you. So a peanut butter sandwich a little later wouldn’t bother me a bit.”

  “I have no problem postponing dinner, but I think I can salvage the chicken fajitas. Just give me a minute to put them into another pan.”

  As she took a spatula and scooped their meal out of Granny’s cast-iron skillet, Ian eased behind her and brushed a kiss on her neck. “What’s your calendar look like over the next few weeks?”

  “Other than my doctor’s appointment in three weeks, it’s clear. Why?”

  “I’d like to take you to Sarasota next weekend. My grandparents are celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary with a big party.”

  “Seriously?” she asked. “That’s awesome. I’d really like to meet them. I’ve never known a couple who’ve stayed married that long.”

  “And happily, too.” Ian watched as she carried the skillet to the sink. “You might have to change the date of your next doctor’s appointment.”

  “Why?”

  “Because two weeks after their anniversary, I’m taking the family on a Mediterranean cruise.”

  Carly turned to him, her eyes lighting up. “I’d love to go with you. Whenever my parents went on a cruise, I had to stay home.”

  “Well, now it’s your turn. I’ll make the arrangements in the morning.” He slipped his hand into hers, then led her out of the kitchen. “And as for Sarasota... I was planning to leave on Friday, but why don’t we make a quick trip to Las Vegas first?”

  She gave his hand a little tug. “For a cowboy who never wanted to leave the ranch, you certainly have a travel bug. Or are you a closet gambler?”

  “I’ve never seen the fun in throwing money away. But I’d like us to get married before going to Florida, and that’s the quickest way I can think of.”

  “Is that a proposal?”

  He laughed. “If you plan to say yes and throw your arms around me, it is.”

  She tossed him an impish grin. “And if I don’t give you that kind of reaction?”

  “Then maybe we should take things day by day. But it would be in our best interest to arrive in Sarasota as a married couple, especially since we’ll be announcing that we’re expecting a baby.”

  “Oh, now I remember. You mentioned that your grandparents were conservative churchgoers. I take it that a pair of wedding rings will put their minds at ease.” She put her hands on her baby bump.

  “That’s not why I’m making the suggestion. They’re not that stuffy. They’ll accept you and our baby with open arms no matter what the circumstances.”

  “So the proposal has nothing to do with making me an honest woman?”

  Ian pulled her into his arms. “Carly, you swept me off my boots the first day I laid eyes on you, and if I’d known how much I was going to love you, I would have proposed right then and there. But we had a few things to learn and get behind us first.”

  “You’ve got that right.”

  He smiled. “You know what? I once thought you had it all because of your parents and the Rayburn wealth. But I’ve realized that isn’t true. You never had a real family.”

  “I have one now,” she said.

  “That you do.” He brushed his lips across hers. “And I don’t want to wait another day to make you my wife.”

  Carly raised up on tiptoe and slipped her arms around his neck. “Neither do I. Besides, I don’t want our daughter to think we only got married because of her.”

  Ian chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I just thought of another good reason to tie the knot before we go. It’ll make our sleeping arrangements better in Sarasota,” Ian said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “My grandma is as sweet and gracious as can be, and you’re going to hit it off immediately. But she’s old-fashioned. She’ll insist upon separate bedrooms if we’re not married.”

  “She reminds me of Granny. I can’t wait to meet her and your grandfather.”

  “I can’t wait to introduce you.”

  As Ian led Carly to the bedroom, she asked, “You know what I think?”

  “What’s that?”

  “The best limelights are those lit in the hearth at home.”

  A smile stretched across his face. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Then he proceeded to show her just how much he loved her, lighting a permanent flame in their hearts and souls.

  Epilogue

  Carly had been nervous about meeting Ian’s family from the moment she boarded the flight in Houston, but she had no reason to be. Sean and Dottie McAllister were the sweetest and kindest couple she’d ever met.

  The two had picked her and Ian up at the airport in Sarasota, then they’d driven them to their comfortable two-bedroom apartment in a seniors’ complex not far from the home of their son and daughter-in-law, Roy and Helen.

  Sean McAllister was a tall, slender man with silver hair, a twinkle in his blue eyes and an easy smile. He had a dry wit, which Carly could appreciate, and she warmed to him immediately.

  The same went for Dottie. Ian’s grandma wore her gray hair in an elegant French twist, but she was as down-to-earth as could be. She wasn’t much taller than Carly, but she had a strong presence—and a loving heart.

  The moment Ian introduced his new wife to his family, Dottie welcomed Carly into the fold with open arms. And news of the baby tickled her no end.

  The woman who’d raised Ian truly was a lot like Granny, and Carly suspected the two would have become fast friends if they’d ever had the opportunity to meet.

  The only down side was when Dottie mentioned her disappointment at not being invited to Carly and Ian’s wedding.

  “I hope you took plenty of pictures,” she said.

  Just one, actually. And Carly didn’t have the heart to tell her that they’d said their vows at a chapel in Las Vegas with two strangers standing up with them as their witnesses.

  “I’ll tell you what,” Ian said, “Carly and I will renew our vows after the baby is born, and you’ll be at the top of our invitation list.”

  “Oh, good,” Dottie said. “I’ll make the cake.”

  For the first time in her life, Carly finally felt a part of something bigger than herself. And she was determined to provide that sense of love, acceptance and belonging for her child.

  In fact, she intended to make sure that her brothers found the same thing, too. Jason appeared to have found it now that he had Juliana, but Braden deserved someone special, too.

  Fortunately, the brothers’ relationship had improved considerably with their solving of the Camilla mystery. And they’d become closer than they’d been before, although Carly hoped they’d grow closer still, especially since they’d all have to figure out how to create a home and family for the twins. But that was something she’d deal with when she went home. In the meantime, she was enjoying every moment with Ian’s family.

  The anniversary celebration was held on Saturday afternoon in the rec room at the seniors’ comp
lex. Aunt Helen and Uncle Roy, who’d hoped to spring a surprise on the older couple, had decorated the room with balloons and various floral bouquets. But the secret was blown when one of the neighbors spilled the beans, telling Dottie and Sean she’d see them at their party on Saturday.

  Nevertheless, the older couple was thrilled to know their new friends and neighbors had come together to share the day with them.

  While the celebration was in full swing, Ian reached for his guitar, then took Carly’s hand and led her to the front of the room, where a microphone awaited them.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  She smiled and nodded.

  “While we’re singing,” Ian told her, “I want you to remember that, while I wrote the lyrics for them, every single word rings true for you and me. In fifty years, I want us to sing this at our own golden wedding anniversary.”

  Her heart soared with love for her new husband and the promise of a life together.

  Ian stepped in front of the microphone. “On behalf of Sean and Dottie and their family, my wife and I would like to thank you all for coming out today to help them celebrate their anniversary. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and loving this special couple all my life. And they were instrumental in making me the man I’ve become.”

  As the guests took their seats, Ian continued, turning to the celebrating couple. “Granddad and Grandma, I wrote this song just for you. And now my beautiful bride and I will sing it—as our gift to you.”

  As Ian began to strum the chords, Carly sang from the heart about a love that would last for all time. When they finished, everyone in attendance cheered and clapped in delight.

  Ian slipped an arm around Carly and drew her close. “See, honey, I told you there would be plenty of opportunities for us to perform.”

  “I know. And I want you to know that I’m okay with being a local celebrity. As long as I can be a wife and mother, that’s good enough for me.”

  He brushed a kiss on her lips. “You won’t have to ever settle. Todd is proving to be a good ranch hand. I’m going to make him a foreman. Once the ranch is going strong again, I’d like to cut a record with you and even go on tour.”

  His offer surprised her—in part because it had come from his heart. She hadn’t had to prod him, which was something she’d vowed not to do anymore.

  “I’d love that, Ian. And I love you, too. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “I’m the lucky one, honey.”

  She was glad he felt that way, but she still couldn’t help thinking she was the one who’d gotten the better deal. If there’s one thing Ian and his family had taught her, it was that the best gift in life was the heart of a cowboy.

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss Braden Rayburn’s story in the next installment of BRIGHTON VALLEY COWBOYS, the new miniseries by USA TODAY bestselling author Judy Duarte.

  Coming soon to Harlequin Special Edition!

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  Fortune's Secret Heir

  by Allison Leigh

  Prologue

  A strong arm came around her from behind, sliding comfortingly and familiarly around her waist. “Are you sure about this, sweetheart?”

  She smoothed her hand over his and the charms on her bracelet jangled softly. Also familiar. Also comforting. Seeming to remind her of all that had gone before.

  She leaned her head back against her husband’s chest and nodded. “Absolutely certain.”

  She felt, more than heard, his low laugh. “I needn’t have asked. When are you ever uncertain?”

  Her lips twitched. She pulled his warm hand up to kiss before moving out of his arms. Careful not to disturb any of the wrapped gifts piled high around its base, she stepped close to the massive Christmas tree—nearly fifteen feet of perfectly fresh Fraser fir—and automatically adjusted the hang of one of the glass globes. Custom-made during one of her trips abroad, it was gloriously beautiful. But the angel hanging above the globe that had been handmade by one of her great-grandchildren just a few years ago meant just as much to her. So many memories. Every ornament on the fragrant tree held a memory. A history. And in her family, there was a lot of history.

  For a moment—only a moment—a sliver of uncertainty burrowed under her skin. That wasn’t familiar at all. Whether her plan would be greeted by cheers or jeers when her family soon arrived and she shared it with them, it nevertheless had a purpose. And given everything they’d lived through, accomplished and triumphed over, particularly in the past twenty years, she knew there was no point in hesitation. She’d been on this earth nine decades.

  She touched the handmade angel, marveling a little at that very fact.

  Definitely no point in hesitation. Not at her age.

  So, regardless of their reactions, it was time to act. Time to move forward. It was the right thing for the family. The right thing for the company. If she had any dissenters, they’d soon see things her way.

  Uncertainty yanked out by mental tweezers as if the sliver had never been, she continued to the side table, where she’d left the invitations. She didn’t bother fanning through the elegantly addressed linen envelopes. She’d already checked them, twice, against her carefully prepared list. She could only imagine the responses they’d elicit when they were opened by their intended recipients.

  If she was in the same position as her guests, she wasn’t sure she would bother to attend a gala if she didn’t know its purpose or even the identity of the person who’d issued the invitation. Why should they? But then, everyone was usually intrigued by a little mystery. On that, she was counting. That, and the financial incentive of donations being made to their favorite charities if they intended to attend. And at this point, it was paramount that word not get out. Lord only knew the chaos that could ensue.

  She left the stack of invitations untouched and picked up the two plane tickets sitting beside them, then looked over her shoulder at her husband. A day never went by when she didn’t take pleasure in the sight of him. So dear. So distinguished. Her other half, though she’d lived two thirds of her lifetime before realizing it. “You with me?”

  He gave her a look. “Always.”

  She smiled fully then. Not just because she couldn’t resist the way his eyes crinkled when he gave her a smile like that, but because she heard the sound of a door opening followed by voices and laughter and excited footsteps racing across the marble-floored entry.

  After all this time of thinking and preparing, her plan was finally going to be set in motion.

  “Well, then, darling—” she set the plane tickets beside the invitations “—Texas, here we come!”

  Copyright © 2015 by Harlequin Books S.A.

  ISBN-13: 9781488002175

  Having the Cowboy’s Baby

  Copyright © 2016 by Judy Duarte

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