The Cowboy's Little Surprise. Barbara White Daille
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Название: The Cowboy's Little Surprise
Автор: Barbara White Daille
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Контркультура
Серия: Mills & Boon American Romance
isbn: 9781474031066
isbn:
Jed was approaching from the direction of his den.
Cole shot a look over his shoulder, then turned back to her. “We’re not finished,” he said harshly.
“You still here?” Jed asked. “Thought you’d be long gone by now.”
Cole pushed himself away from the desk. “On our way. Tina was just planning to walk us out to my truck so we could finish our conversation.”
“Fine,” Jed said, smiling.
“No,” she blurted. “I mean...I told Cole, I’ve got to go help Abuela in the kitchen.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Jed said. “Maria’s in there. They’ve got everything covered. But I’ll head on back and tell them you’ll be there in a bit. Robbie, you come along with me.”
She wanted to protest, but one look at Cole’s narrowed eyes and set jaw told her he wouldn’t leave the hotel without her—and if she refused to go, he would blurt out the truth right here.
* * *
OUTSIDE, COLE SQUINTED against the blinding sun hovering at eye level. The strong rays showed up every faded patch of paint on his road-worn truck.
“I’m over there.” He gestured to the lone vehicle.
“Come on, Scott,” she said. “Let’s get you into your seat so you can go and have your dinner.”
As they walked ahead of him, the sun highlighted the silky length of dark braid hanging almost to Tina’s waist. He’d always wanted to unravel that braid and run his fingers through her hair. She hadn’t allowed him that pleasure the one time they’d been together...
He ran his hand over his face, wanting to wipe away the memory. She wasn’t the only one to blame for what had happened that night. Or the only one responsible for what had come of it.
Why hadn’t she said something years ago?
At the truck, while Tina strapped his nephew into place, he turned away to plant his butt against the side of the pickup. He tugged his battered hat down, blocking the sun from his eyes.
He didn’t want that glare to keep him from getting a good look at Tina’s face while they talked. Didn’t want her finding a way to hide anything from him.
Anything else from him.
Irritation and resentment roiled inside, tightening his chest.
He looked over his shoulder. Tina must have caught the movement through the cab window. She looked up and stared right at him, her mouth closed in a firm, straight line, as if telling him she didn’t plan to say a word.
No problem. He had enough words for them both.
He turned his back on her again and crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn’t going anywhere until he’d said what he had to say. Yet he couldn’t deny he had some pressing questions for her. For himself, too.
Most important, how was he going to handle this news that had finally sunk in, leaving him ready to keel over from the shock?
He had a son.
Memories slammed into him, bombarding him with parts of his past he’d thought long forgotten. Scenes from the rare occasions his dad bothered to notice he was alive. Times his dad would hurl nothing but scathing words his way...
You’re a disgrace as a son.
You’re no good.
You’re worthless.
He’d never bothered to dispute anything his father said. Fighting back would only make things worse for him. Or make his dad turn his anger on Layne.
For most of his life, he had struggled not to believe anything his old man had thrown at him. But one thing was true.
With a role model like that, he didn’t have a chance in hell of being a good dad.
Yet, he now had a son.
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