The Bull Rider's Baby. Brenda Minton

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       The money would stay in the bank for now, because he’d only been able to purchase the twenty that his grandparents’ home sat on.

       Jeremy headed his way. “I guess you really are back?”

       “I’m back.” He reached into his truck for chaps and a bull rope.

       “So, rumor has it you’ve got a kid.” Jeremy leaned against the side of Keeton’s truck, pretending to fiddle with the strap on his chaps. Keeton figured Jeremy was more than a little interested because of his own past. He was Sophie’s half brother. A Cooper, and he hadn’t known that fact for most of his life.

       “I guess I do.”

       “Kind of a surprise, wasn’t it?”

       Keeton looked up. “Jeremy, surprise doesn’t even begin to explain it.”

       “Where is she?”

       Now, how did he get out of answering that question? Might as well answer because odds were, Jeremy and most of Dawson knew where Lucy was. “Sophie’s watching her.”

       Jeremy grinned big, the way Keeton had kind of guessed he would. “That’s good. She’s probably a great babysitter.”

       “Right.” Keeton coiled his bull rope and walked away. “Later.”

       Of course Jeremy followed him. “Do you need any help over at the old homestead?”

       Now, that question had merit. “Probably in the next few days. I’m going to have to patch the roof, replace a couple of windows and probably rebuild the porch.”

       At that, Jeremy laughed. “I meant do you want me to bring you a casserole or something. I hadn’t really planned on hard labor.”

       “You can bring me a casserole and help me patch the roof.”

       “I suppose I could.” Jeremy pointed to a man in black jeans and a white shirt. “Dave has the list, he’ll let you know when you’re up and what bull you’re on.”

       “Thanks.”

       And then Jeremy laughed, his attention focused on the parking lot. “Well, what do you know? Is that Sophie parking her car?”

       “Never.”

       “No, I’m sure it is.” Jeremy pointed to the big sedan and the woman getting out.

       Gone were her pretty amazing sweatpants and the tie-dyed T-shirt. Back was the Sophie in business formal. She had his baby in her arms. It shouldn’t feel so perfect, seeing her with his baby. But everything about this was out of place. Sophie in her dress slacks and blouse. Lucy in her arms. His life had somehow gotten shaken up to the point that he didn’t recognize it as his life.

       “See you later.” Jeremy slapped his back and walked away.

       “Right.” Keeton walked toward Sophie. She smiled a little and held Lucy close. “What are you doing here? Is Lucy okay?”

       “Lucy still has a little fever.” She bit down on her bottom lip, and then looked up, letting him see tears in her hazel eyes. He had a hard time not pulling her close. He stood his ground, though, waiting for her explanation.

       “What’s wrong?”

       She sniffled. He’d never seen her as the type to get emotional over nothing. She raised her chin a notch and got control back.

       “I couldn’t sit there and wait for you to come home. I kept thinking about you being here, riding bulls. And Lucy. She’s so little. What if…”

       Even with the glimmer of tears, her voice remained strong.

       He stopped her with a slight shake of his head. “Don’t. Nothing is going to happen to me.”

       “This doesn’t count toward the finals. You don’t have to ride here.”

       “I want to ride here.”

       He used to want to ride here. He wanted to be seventeen again, living his dream, waking up each morning to a family that was whole. For some crazy reason he kept thinking he could get that back. His parents, his brother, his life.

       Buying the land had been the plan. The way to get his life back.

       Sophie stared at him, as if she knew exactly what thoughts were going through his mind. And she looked sorry, for her and for him.

       “Sophie, this is what I do. I ride bulls.”

       “I know.”

       He wanted to hold her but he knew she wouldn’t want that. She had her stronger-than-steel look on her face. She wouldn’t melt. She wouldn’t fall apart.

       “So wish me luck?”

       “Of course, luck. And some prayers.” She swayed with Lucy in her arms. “I thought it would be easier to watch instead of being at home worrying, not knowing.”

       “I understand.” He let out a sigh as they announced bull riding directly after barrel racing. “I’ve got to go.”

       “I’ll find a place to sit.”

       “Soph—” he stepped close because he couldn’t just walk away “—she looks good in your arms.”

       Before she could protest or call him a choice name, he walked away. But he couldn’t stop smiling. Not even when they told him which bull he’d be riding. He’d drawn one of the meanest bulls the Coopers owned.

      * * *

       Jackson Cooper grinned, and then laughed. “You sure you don’t want to take a sick day, Keet?”

       “I can ride this bull with my eyes closed.”

       “I think you’ll want your eyes closed and some serious prayers before you ride him.” Jackson walked away from the fence he’d been leaning against. His smile disappeared. Great.

       “I can handle him, Jackson.”

       “I know you can. But tell me this. What are you doing with Sophie?”

       “She’s watching Lucy for me. That’s all.”

       “Mind a little advice?”

       Keeton shrugged and pretended this conversation meant nothing. But Jackson had a pretty serious look on his face that warned him to tread easy. “Sure.”

       “Don’t hurt her.”

       “I’m not planning on it. She’s always been a friend.”

       “I think we both know that isn’t true.”

       “Jackson, there’s been a lot of years lived since Kade passed. There’s been a lot of time and distance.”

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