The Cowboy's Pride. Charlene Sands

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ no ulterior motive in her comment. He knew exactly what she meant. Trish looked frazzled when she arrived and she was probably exhausted by now, chasing the human rolling pin around.

      There’d be no arguing with Helen anyway. She was like a mother to him, even if they’d never spoken of such things. She’d been around Clay and his brothers Tagg and Jackson since they were youngsters.

      “Fine,” he said. “I’ll bring it over.”

      Two hours later, Clay had the crib set up in the master bedroom in the guesthouse.

      Meggie was sleeping on a thick quilt with a zoo animal motif on the living room floor. When he’d knocked, Trish had been surprised to see him again, but there was a grateful look in her eyes and Clay knew he’d done the right thing bringing the crib over. The baby was innocent in all this and she shouldn’t have to do without creature comforts.

      Clay gave the sides of the crib a few tugs, checking that he had the screws tight and secure before he backed away to admire his work. The crib was made of solid walnut and was in fantastic shape for as old as it was. When he turned, he found Trish in the room holding a glass of iced tea with three slices of lemon submerged under the ice.

      “Here you go,” she said, offering him the glass.

      He took a gulp and swallowed the cool liquid. “Just the way I like it.”

      “Some things never change,” she said with a shrug.

      Was that another crack or just a casual comment?

      “I can’t thank you enough,” she said, lifting the crib sheets from the dresser and moving to the crib. Judging by her sincere tone, he gave her the benefit of the doubt. She’d remembered the way he took his tea, nothing more. “You didn’t have to do this tonight, but I’m sure Meggie will love her new digs.”

      Clay didn’t want to smile, yet the corner of his mouth quirked up. He wanted out of there, away from Trish. She’d showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a red plaid blouse, but even the simple clothes looked fashionable and elegant on her. Her blond hair was still damp and curling around her face and shoulders. She smelled of citrus and sugar like a sweet piece of fruit.

      “I’d better go.”

      Trish nodded, holding the freshly cleaned sheets to her chest. “I’ll walk you out.”

      She followed behind as he walked into the living room. The baby took that moment to wake up and look at him from the quilt. She made a little sound, watching him cut across the room with eyes wide and bluer than a spring lake. She was a cute little thing, all pink cheeks and tiny blond curls.

      “Well, look who’s awake now,” Trish offered in a sugary voice. When he glanced at her, her attention was focused on the baby.

      He reached for the doorknob. He didn’t belong here. He wasn’t part of this happy scenario.

      “Good night,” he said as Trish bent to pick Meggie up. The two of them clung to each other.

      Mother and child.

      “Good night, Clay.”

      He opened the door and closed it behind him without looking back.

      He’d done his good deed for the day.

      Getting the baby up in the morning, fed, bathed and dressed was a whirlwind of activity and a ritual that hadn’t gotten any easier for Trish. By the time nine o’clock rolled around, Trish was putting the finishing touches on her own grooming. She brushed her teeth quickly, secured her hair in a ponytail, then mascara tipped her eyelashes and slashed light pink lipstick on her lips.

      She was excited and eager to see Penny’s Song for the first time. She’d only seen the place laid out on drafting paper, the design one she’d worked on with Clay. She wondered if the real thing would meet her expectations.

      When the doorbell rang, Trish was as ready as she’d ever be. She had a diaper bag filled with essentials, a well-fed, well-rested baby and nerves of steel. At least that’s what she told herself.

      She went to the door braced to see Clay again. Today she’d make an appointment with him to discuss the divorce. No sense putting off the inevitable. Suzy Johnson would then have a legal right to get her claws into him.

      When she opened the door, surprise registered when it wasn’t Clay but a pretty brunette standing on the doorstep.

      “Hi, I’m Callie Worth. Tagg’s wife. I hope it’s okay that I stopped by?”

      “Hi, Callie. Of course it is.” Trish still had friends in Red Ridge. She’d heard that Tagg had gotten married. Callie and she were, for all intents and purposes, sisters-in-law at the moment. “I’m Trish. It’s nice to meet you. Would you like to come in?”

      “I’m dying to come in, but I know you’re going over to Penny’s Song in a little while.”

      When Trish raised her brows, she explained. “I spoke to Clay this morning and he told me your plans and that … that you had a baby.”

      “He told you about Meggie?”

      “He said she was a pretty little picture.”

      Trish smiled. “Well, I sure think so.”

      “We’re expecting a baby soon, too.”

      Trish glanced at the little pooch of a belly jutting out from under Callie’s blouse. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you and Tagg. There’s, uh, nothing like it.” That much was true. Even though she was still sorting it all out, she wouldn’t trade having Meggie for the world.

      The baby’s cry from the other room startled her. “Oh, I’d better get her. Come in, please.”

      Callie followed her into the master bedroom and they found Meggie in her crib, rolling from her back to her belly. She stopped and looked up when she noted a new face.

      “This is Meggie,” Trish said.

      The baby was dressed in springtime yellow bib overalls with a giant purple daisy on the front and matching bootie socks.

      “Hello, Meggie,” Callie said. “You look ready for a stroll in the Easter parade.” She turned from the baby to Trish with sympathy in her eyes. “I heard about what happened to your friend. I’m sorry.”

      “Karin was a good friend. I … miss her.”

      “You’re being the best friend a girl could have. Making sure her daughter is loved and nurtured. I, well, I think it’s pretty wonderful of you.”

      “Thank you.” Uncomfortable with the praise, she changed the subject. “Do you know what you’re having?”

      Callie laid a hand on her stomach and shook her head. “Not yet. It’s a little too soon to tell. Secretly, I think Tagg wants a boy, but he’s really not saying.”

      When she didn’t say the cliché, as long as it’s healthy, which was a given for any soon-to-be parents, Trish decided she really liked Callie.

      “When СКАЧАТЬ