The Rebel Cowboy's Baby--A Clean Romance

by Sasha Summers

  Brooke stared at him, her brows rising slowly. “Teething?”

  “Yep. Unless Google and the baby book and Kelly are all wrong. But the washcloth helped—until it didn’t.” He shot her another look. “Maybe you would have handled things differently, but I worked with what I had. If you want to get all bent out of shape over it, I know there’s nothing I can do to stop you.”

  For a minute, it looked like she was going to unleash the signature “Brooke Young Glare and Fury” his way. Instead, she drew in a deep breath and said, “I apologize, Audy. You put Joy’s best interests first and I came in here, jumping to conclusions about you asking for help... Well, I’m sorry. And I appreciate you and what you did, and Kelly, for getting Joy things that might help with her discomfort.”

  Had Brooke Young just complimented him? Audy Briscoe? He was pretty sure saying he’d put Joy first was a compliment—something that wasn’t easy for her to do. He was...surprised, to say the least. But he’d be lying if he said it didn’t mean something. It did. Why? He shied away from answering that question. Something told him he wouldn’t like the answer. He cleared his throat and said, “Apology accepted. And you’re welcome.”

  “Good.” Brooke looked sincere. She sounded sincere. Still, Audy couldn’t help but hold his breath and wait to see what she might say next. But Brooke didn’t say anything. Instead, she opened the refrigerator, pulled out the iced tea and poured herself a tall glass. “You want some?”

  “I’m good.” His back was hurting, but he was good. “How was your day?”

  Her eyes widened in surprise but she answered, “You know Garrison. There’s always something to talk about.” She sat in the kitchen chair, propped her chin in her hand and took a sip of tea.

  “Anything worth sharing?” It might be his imagination, but she seemed a little deflated.

  She turned her tea glass, considering. “Where do I start? Lance Devlin is looking into selling the property surrounding, and including, The First Tree. You can imagine how that’s going over.”

  “He’s a little thickheaded, that one.” Audy had to chuckle. “But his dear aunt Martha will put an end to that before it gets too far along.”

  “Whatever put the fool notion into his head to begin with? I’ll never know.” She took another sip of her tea.

  “City folk.” He shrugged. “The first time I laid eyes on Lance Devlin, I knew he had no idea what he was doing. All slick talk and expensive suits might have worked in a corporate boardroom but they don’t impress anyone here. Never did understand why he got hired. I guess, other than the town not wanting to make an enemy of Martha Moneybags Zeigler.”

  Brooke chuckled. “Moneybags, huh?” Her gaze shifted to Joy. “I can take her, if you want.”

  Instead of taking her up on her offer, he said, “You take a minute and finish your tea. Miss Muffet, here, is finally sleeping. I’d hate to wake her up.”

  “Audy...” She trailed off and stared at him with those big brown eyes. Just when he thought she was going to say more, she took a sip of tea.

  He waited. And waited. Until he couldn’t wait anymore. “Audy...what? I’m pretty sure there was more coming.”

  “This weekend...” She paused. “Are you still planning on participating in the Holsum Rodeo?”

  “I’ll be honest and say it almost slipped my mind.” Which was surprising. Unnerving was more like it. How could he have forgotten? Rodeo was what he did, who he was. After today, well, it’d be nice to feel like he knew what he was doing—and spend time with people—women—who appreciated his physical prowess and skill. A few beers, some dancing, a little flirting with the ladies... He broke off, his gaze crashing into Brooke’s. He knew she didn’t approve, he saw it plain on her face. But he had every right to live his life. “Probably.”

  “I’ll plan to keep her this weekend, then,” Brooke said, her voice flat. She stood, finished her tea and closed the distance between them so she could reach for Joy. “I’ve got it from here.”

  Audy eased Joy, sleeping soundly, into Brooke’s arms but didn’t immediately run for the door. “The teething rings are clean and in the refrigerator.” He wasn’t sure what had happened, but she wasn’t looking at him anymore. “And there’s some teething biscuits there. And another box in the pantry.”

  “Thanks.” She carried Joy into the nursery, Audy trailing behind her. He almost slammed into her back when she came to a dead stop square in the middle of the doorway. “What...”

  He peered over Brooke’s shoulder at the mess he’d made. “Let me—”

  “I’ve got it, Audy. I’m sure your brothers need you on the ranch. I can clean this up.” She still didn’t look at him. “I’ll see you tomorrow around one?”

  “Are you sure?” He eyed his handiwork. It looked like a tornado had hit, spitting out clothes and fluffy bloomers and ruffled socks and big-bow headbands all over. “I—”

  “I’m sure. You have a good evening, Audy.” She sat in the rocking chair, cradled Joy close and started humming “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.”

  Four hours later, Audy still couldn’t get the song out of his head.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “AT LEAST IT’S a beautiful day,” Brooke said, pushing the stroller along the bumpy sand path leading from the parking lot and winding all the way down to the wide-open field surrounding The First Tree, the play equipment and soccer fields visible in the distance.

  “It is,” Tess agreed, pushing her braid from her shoulder.

  Brooke’s Saturday had started off with two scheduled appointments. But now, she was free to enjoy the rest of the weekend with Joy and Tess. It was only when she’d come home to find Tess was wearing a dress, something she rarely did, and some lip gloss, something she never did, and had taken extra time to braid her hair—Brooke felt a prick of unease. If she acknowledged her little sister’s efforts, she’d have to consider Tess’s motivation... And, even though she’d made peace with the possibility of Beau Briscoe asking Tess to prom, she didn’t want to think Tess’s extra efforts had anything to do with that. She didn’t want to dwell on Tess or Beau or ruin the glorious weather and the birdsong and Joy’s cheerful chatter from beneath the canopy of her stroller.

  They were here to take part in the Garrison Ladies Guild picnic. Brooke wasn’t a formal member—she didn’t have the time for volunteer work the guild required—and Tess was too young. But the guild always invited Brooke, so Brooke always came. Meetings were mostly discussions about the year’s events, festivals and farmers markets that would take place up and down Main Street. The Ladies Guild was instrumental to every one of them. Since her salon had a storefront on Main Street, she liked to know what was happening and how it might affect traffic in and out of her shop.

  “Can I spend the night with Alice tonight?” Tess asked. “My pre-cal grade is now a ninety-six because I totally aced my quiz, thank you very much. That’s my lowest grade, too. So, I don’t think it’d hurt me to, you know, eat popcorn and paint our nails and listen to bad music and just hang out. Do you?”

  “I don’t think it would hurt.” She smiled at her sister. “Did she already ask her mom?” If Kelly said no, Brooke would be all too happy to have Alice over for a girls’ night. In a way, she hoped Kelly would say no because it sounded like fun. Hanging out with a couple of sixteen-year-olds on a Saturday night, listening to music, doing their nails and eating popcorn sounds like fun? Maybe she did need to get out more. Or get a hobby? If she ever had the time...

  “I think so.” Tess nodded. “But I’m sure she’ll be here. Mrs. Schneider, I mean.”

  Kelly was on the Ladies Guild, so she would definitely be here. As owners of Garrison Family Grocery, Kelly and Dickie Schneider were important to the community. They still gave store credit, stocked the county food pantry and always stepped up when anyone in town needed anything. Dickie was one of those rare men who gave his
wife unconditional support, no matter what. Once, Kelly had worn a bright pink wig home from Brooke’s salon just to see what Dickie would do. According to Kelly, he’d blinked, told her he’d have to wear sunglasses it was so bright, but he would if pink hair made her happy.

  “There she is.” Tess waved. “Alice, too.”

  But it wasn’t Kelly or Alice or the twenty or so women gathered around picnic tables beneath the canopy-like branches of The First Tree that snagged Brooke’s attention. No, it was the group of teen boys just beyond in the field—tossing around a football. And there, right in the middle of them—taller and broader and altogether more manly looking than every boy out there—stood Beau Briscoe.

  Brooke’s heart sank. “There they are,” she murmured, risking a glance at her little sister.

  Tess looked ready to pop from happiness. There it was. That look. The light-up-from-the-inside thing that Tess got whenever she saw him. The very look that filled Brooke with dread. How could she not panic when her sister was practically glowing because of some...some boy?

  Somehow, she managed not to say a thing until Alice and Tess had wandered off—conveniently in the direction of the football game. But once they were out of hearing range, Kelly turned to her, an almost apologetic look on her face.

  “Okay. I get it.” Kelly nodded. “That was...intense.”

  Brooke sighed. “I know. You saw?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Kelly glanced after the two girls. “Worse, I saw him see her.”

  “I don’t want to hear it.” Brooke held up her hand and went around to unbuckle Joy. “Joy and I don’t care a bit about some stinky boy.”

  But Kelly just laughed.

  Brooke stood, Joy in her arms. “I guess I get to keep one eye on you and one eye on Tess.”

  Kelly tickled Joy. “Oh, Joy, tell your momma to go easy on your big sister. First loves can be overwhelming.”

  Brooke wasn’t sure which part of that statement was more startling. The fact that Kelly had called Brooke Joy’s “momma,” Tess Joy’s “big sister,” or that her little sister was in love. “Just so you know, I’m not okay with a single thing you just said.”

  “What?” Kelly frowned. “Come here, Joy. I miss holding a baby.” She held her hands out and since Joy was all smiles, Brooke handed her over. “You’re the cutest little thing I’ve set my eyes on in years. A little angel. And all these ruffles.”

  Out of nowhere, Brooke heard Audy’s voice in her head, calling Joy “Miss Muffet.” He said it with such affection it never failed to catch Brooke’s interest. But recently, she’d noticed that his sweetness didn’t just catch her attention—he sort of...turned her insides all warm and soft. If she were being completely honest with herself, she’d developed several alarming reactions to her co-guardian over the last two weeks of their shared days with Joy... All of which she needed to put a stop to.

  No more laughing at his jokes.

  No more listening to his stories.

  No more getting caught up in him dancing Joy around the kitchen. Or any other time, for that matter.

  And definitely no more going warm and soft on the inside over anything Audy Briscoe said or did.

  Most important, no more thinking about Audy Briscoe—unless it was absolutely necessary.

  Not when he kept going off to do the thing she most objected to. For all the progress he’d made with Joy, he didn’t seem to get that his risk-taking ways and rodeo days needed to stop. He was a guardian now. There was no denying he and Joy got along, all anyone had to do was see the two of them together to know that. And yet, he’d still headed down the road to Jasperton for this weekend’s rodeo—because it was clear he’d never considered giving up rodeo. Because, at the end of the day, he was still the same selfish, reckless man he’d always been.

  There was no point in being angry with him. He was doing what she’d known he’d do. But she was disappointed in herself for thinking he’d change. No more daydreaming about Audy. Just blue skies and catching up with friends and planning all sorts of good things for Garrison.

  Brooke turned to check in on Tess but wound up watching, in horror, as the speeding missile of a football came out of nowhere and slammed straight into Beau Briscoe’s head. The impact was so hard his head popped back and he fell back, flat, onto the ground.

  Brooke didn’t realize she was running until she was on the field. A few of the boys had already gathered around and were staring down at Beau, but none of them seemed to be doing anything.

  “Beau?” she asked, as she peered at his face.

  Beau lay there, dazed, blood trickling from his nose. He didn’t seem to hear her.

  Her lungs emptied as she knelt in the grass beside him. “Beau? Beau Briscoe?” she asked, a little louder.

  “Oh, Brooke, is he okay?” Tess dropped to her knees beside her.

  Brooke was pretty sure the blood and being this out-of-it was bad. “I think that’s a good—”

  “Tess?” Beau ran a hand over his face, blinked rapidly and tried to prop himself up on his elbow.

  “Whoa, now, hold on.” Brooke placed a hand on his shoulder. “You give yourself a minute, Beau.”

  He blinked again but didn’t resist.

  “Ice?” she asked. “We need ice.” Brooke pointed at the picnic. “Hurry.”

  “I’ll get my mom. She’ll know what to do.” Stephen Schneider took off—flying across the field to the gathering. Already, half of the women were making their way onto the field. The others stood beneath the shade of The First Tree, watching.

  Seconds passed before Beau asked, “What happened?” His hand was steadier when he reached up to press his palm to his forehead.

  “You got pegged,” one of the boys said. “Hard.”

  “Here.” Brooke pulled the burp rag from her dress pocket and handed it to Beau. “For your nose.”

  Beau took the pink-heart and rainbow–covered towel, gave it a look, then offered it back. “I don’t want to stain it, Miss Young. It’s no big deal.”

  The combination of worry over staining the towel and his impeccable manners took the edge off Brooke’s fear. He seemed to be more alert, his gaze focusing—at least, she hoped so.

  “But you’re bleeding,” Tess said, her voice wobbling.

  That was the moment Beau seemed to see Tess was there. And once he saw her, she was all he saw. “I’m all right, Tess.” He pressed the towel to his nose and propped himself up on his elbow, wincing.

  “Why are you moving?” Tess glanced at Brooke. “Should he be moving?”

  “I bet you’ve got a concussion,” another boy said.

  “Might have even broken your nose.” This kid leaned down, studying Beau’s face. “Maybe.”

  “Not helping, guys,” Beau muttered. But his gaze was glued onto Tess.

  “Boys, boys, give me a second.” Kelly arrived, all calm efficiency. “Let me get a look at him, please.” She had an ice pack in her hand and some wet wipes in the other. “It’s times like this, I’m glad I’ve been a football mom since you boys were all in kindergarten.” She gave them a reassuring smile before turning her attention to Beau. “I think it’d be wise for you to drive Beau to Doc Johnston, Stephen.” She gave her son a long look. “No side trips. I’ll text him and let him know you’re coming.”

  “I’m fine, Mrs. Schneider,” Beau argued.

  “I think you are, too, Beau, but we would all feel better if you let Doc Johnston give us the all clear.” Kelly sat back, glancing at Tess. “Wouldn’t we, Tess?”

  Brooke saw how close Tess was to tears and took her sister’s hand. She may not want Tess to be infatuated with Beau Briscoe, but she couldn’t bear to see Tess hurting.

  “Yes,” Tess managed, but her voice was still wobbly. “Yes. We would.”

  Beau stared at her for a long time. Tess stared right back.

  A
nd Brooke’s heart sank deep into her chest. She’d got this all wrong. Her little sister wasn’t crushing on Beau. That would have been too easy. A crush was passing—easily recovered from. This wasn’t that. This was way worse. Tess was in love. Love love. With Beau. Brooke swallowed hard.

  “Okay,” Beau said, taking Stephen’s hand.

  Two of the other boys helped him up, standing by in case Beau wasn’t steady on his feet.

  “Joy?” Brooke asked, still reeling from this latest Tess-Beau development.

  “She’s with Hazel.” Kelly patted her arm. “I know she’s getting baby-fever.”

  Knowing Joy was safe was all that mattered to Brooke.

  “I can take your truck home,” one of the boys offered.

  “Don’t let him. Have you seen him drive?” Stephen argued.

  Tess was staring at her, Brooke could feel it, silently willing her to offer help.

  “We’ll take care of your truck,” Brooke murmured.

  “I don’t want to be a bother, Miss Young,” Beau said.

  It would be less of a bother if his gaze didn’t keep landing on Tess—again and again. “You’re not. But you will be if you don’t move it and head straight to Doc Johnston’s.” She felt her sister squeeze her hand in thanks. I’m such a pushover. But she gave Tess’s hand an answering squeeze.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He nodded, pulling his keys from his pocket and handing them over. “Thank you.”

  Brooke nodded, shoving the keys into her pocket.

  “You want to come?” Stephen asked Alice and Tess.

  Alice shrugged. “I guess. Tess?”

  Brooke stared up at the sky overhead. If she let Tess go, she’d be a fool. If she made Tess stay, Tess would worry and fret and be miserable. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kelly trying not to laugh. What was funny? Nothing.

  “Brooke?” Tess asked, all nerves.