The Cowgirl's Forever Family

by Helen Lacey

  Which is why he took off for his own room, closed the door and spent the next few hours staring at the ceiling. And wondering how the hell he was supposed to get through the next few days.

  He slept late and once he dragged himself out of bed and dressed, he found Cara’s crib empty and then both Laughton females in the kitchen having a good time over spilled cereal and milk.

  “Dada, Dada.”

  Cara’s voice silenced anything he was about to say as the baby spotted him and held out her arms. Tyler’s entire body went rigid. Brooke’s head jerked around instantly and their gazes clashed. Shock worked its way through his blood. Of course, he should have expected it, since he’d spent so much time with Cara over the past few months. But still, hearing some of her first decipherable words directed toward him made him realize how attached she had become.

  So have I.

  Of course it was impossible not to care for the little girl. He wasn’t made of stone. Maybe he did have some commitment issues—at least he did according to his last girlfriend. That didn’t mean he was incapable of forming an attachment to an orphaned child. Like he’d been doing. Because he was an orphan, too.

  Where did that come from?

  He stopped thinking of himself as an orphan a long time ago. He had parents and they were good people. And Cara had at least one parent, even if he hadn’t yet shown his face.

  “She thinks you’re her daddy,” Brooke said, jerking him back to the present. “I’m not surprised.”

  Tyler ignored her comment and headed for the coffeepot. Cara was still happily chanting “Dada” and he had to pretend it didn’t mean anything. Because he wasn’t Cara’s father. Matthew Laughton was. He only hoped the younger man had the courage to claim what was his.

  “So, what are your plans for today?” he asked evenly, grabbing a mug to pour coffee.

  “I have to head into town. I should be home by one, or two at the latest. It’s stopped snowing at least. Looks like it might hold off for a few days.”

  He nodded and muttered something about having work to do of his own, which was true enough. He had a couple of emails needing his attention and his assistant had sent him a few memos that required a response. Brooke left soon after and Tyler was ridiculously grateful for the solitude. He moved his laptop into the living room and with Cara happy to hang out in her playpen, he managed to get some much-needed work done. It was nearly one o’clock when he heard a car pull up outside and less than a minute when there was the sound of boots on the porch and a sharp rap on the front door. Cara was dozing in her pen, so he headed down the hall and opened the door. A striking-looking woman in her sixties and two men around his own age were standing behind the screen.

  He searched for his manners. “Can I help you?”

  The woman spoke first. “You certainly can. You’re the lawyer, I presume?”

  Tyler’s hand rested on the door handle. “That’s right.”

  “I’m Colleen Parker, Brooke’s aunt.”

  Right. Now he could see the family resemblance. And the two men hovering were certainly Brooke’s cousins—he’d done his research on them. One was a rancher and the other an army veteran who Brooke had told him now owned a tavern in town. He opened the door and let them cross the threshold as he introduced himself.

  “Brooke isn’t here,” he said once the handshakes were done.

  “It’s my great-niece I came to see,” Colleen Parker said, giving Tyler the sense that this formidable woman wouldn’t take any refusal lightly.

  “She’s in the living room. Resting,” he added, and then followed the trio down the hall.

  But formidable quickly turned to mush once the older woman had Cara in her arms. He spent the following half hour answering questions and trying to respond as politely and as vaguely as he could. The two men, Grady and Brant Parker respectively, regarded him with the kind of caution he expected, considering he was now cohabitating with their much-loved cousin and held Cara’s future in his hands. But they were equally polite and both very caring toward their much-younger second cousin.

  “Any sign of Matt?” Grady, the older brother, asked quietly.

  “Not yet,” he replied.

  “He was a good kid,” Colleen said and smiled warmly, holding a now wide-awake Cara on her lap. “And the accident was just that...an accident. He shouldn’t punish himself forever for something he didn’t mean to do.”

  Clearly Brooke hadn’t told her family about the other car involved. Which meant they probably didn’t know about Pritchard and the extent of her financial troubles. Well, he certainly had no intention of betraying her confidence.

  As much as he’d appreciated the solitude when Brooke had taken off that morning, he was relieved when she returned. She strode into the house, in jeans and a bright red jacket, her hair a lovely golden halo around her shoulders. She smiled when she spotted him and the gesture eased the knot sitting in his gut. United in wanting to protect Cara, she came and sat beside him on the sofa. For a moment he thought she was going to grab his hand for support, and when she didn’t he pressed his palms into his knees to avoid inadvertently touching her.

  “Cara’s a beautiful child,” Colleen said and smiled. “And so well behaved.”

  Brooke laughed softly as Cara held her arms out toward her. She took the baby from Colleen and sat back on the sofa. “But you haven’t seen her at bath time. She loves to splash. And at dinner time we usually end up with baby food on our clothes and in our hair,” she said and hooked a thumb in Tyler’s direction. “Sometimes we have to duck and weave.”

  As unintentional as it was, her words actually made them sound like a couple and he didn’t miss the look in Colleen Parker’s eyes. Brooke’s aunt was obviously curious about their budding relationship.

  But Brooke handled the pressure of her family’s questioning with grace and patience. More than he would have granted, he was sure. Her family were nice people, perhaps a little intense and nosy, though he understood their collective concern. But Colleen, he discovered, was relentless and by the time the trio left the older woman knew where he was from, where his parents lived and the law firm he worked for. And when they discovered that Cara had a birthday on Christmas Day, they insisted it would be a double celebration.

  In the course of an hour he felt like he’d been sucked into another stratosphere. Brooke’s world. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to leave it. Which meant one thing...he was in way deeper than he’d planned or wanted. And had no idea how to dig himself out.

  * * *

  One thing Brooke could always rely on—that her aunt Colleen and her two cousins would rally around and give her all the support she needed. Except, all she really wanted to do was spend some quality time with Cara and try to not think about how she was falling for a man she barely knew. Of course, her family would think her crazy. And they would be right. It was foolish to waste energy thinking about Tyler in that way. He’d made his intentions clear—see Cara reunited with Matt, and if not, head back to New York with the baby and find her a nice adoptive home. Just the thought made Brooke ache inside.

  Once they were gone she hauled Cara into her arms and headed for the kitchen to make coffee for herself and a bottle for the baby. Tyler returned to the office and spent ten or so minutes there before joining them in the kitchen.

  “You were grilled,” she said, more as a statement than question. “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be,” he replied easily. “Your family are nice people. And they clearly love the idea of having Cara in their lives.”

  “Who wouldn’t,” she said as she nestled the toddler against her hip. “This little girl is easy to love.”

  “True. Tell me something. Why haven’t you told your family the truth about the accident? And about the other car involved?”

  She shrugged. “A few reasons. For Mat
t, mostly. This is a small town and Frank Pritchard is a powerful man here. It was so long ago and I really don’t want the whole business stirred up again. Besides, once I say one thing, it will lead to another and then another. And I don’t want sympathy or have my family trying to help me out financially.”

  “Which they would obviously do,” he said and raised one brow. “Right?”

  “Sure,” she replied. “Grady and Brant would help me in a heartbeat. But I won’t take any handouts.”

  He rocked back a little on his heels. “Whoa...there’s that pride again, stopping you from being practical.”

  Brooke ignored the heat sliding over her skin. How she could want him and be so mad at his condescending arrogance simultaneously, made her blood boil. She put Cara in the high chair and walked around the countertop, shoulders back. “My pride. My business.”

  “They’re family. Maybe it’s time to be less proud and more flexible.”

  “I’m plenty flexible,” she said, and for a flash of a second had an image of being so flexible she had her legs wrapped around his hips. “Incidentally, this is a bit rich coming from someone who is probably the most arrogant know-it-all I’ve ever met. Someone who divorced his parents, works seventy-hour weeks and spends the holidays alone.”

  He laughed and the sound warmed her down to her toes. “Bravo. Did it feel good to get that off your chest?”

  “Yes,” she admitted. “Very good. Cathartic, in fact. And very satisfying.”

  As soon as she said the words Brooke knew she shouldn’t have. The sudden gleam in his eyes spoke volumes and the heat in her cheeks amplified immediately.

  “Well,” he said, crossing his arms as he rested his behind against the counter, “I’m glad I can satisfy you in some ways, if not others.”

  Oh, sweet heaven...dig me a great big hole right now so I can hide from this.

  But none came. Instead she plastered a smile on her face so fake it made her jaw ache. “By the way,” she said, meeting his gaze, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable this morning. When Cara called you her...you know.”

  “You didn’t,” he said, not moving. “I should have expected it. We’ve spent a lot of time together recently and it’s natural that she would think that. But I don’t want to confuse her, particularly if your brother shows up and accepts his responsibility.”

  Brooke kept her gaze steady. “I know what you said you’d do if Matt doesn’t come home,” she said, her heart breaking just a little with every word. “But have you considered adopting her yourself?”

  He suddenly looked like he was etched in stone. “No.”

  “Why not?” she asked quietly. “I mean, you’re great with her and she clearly adores you.”

  “Because she needs a family,” he said firmly. “A mom and dad who—”

  “She needs someone to love her,” Brooke said, glancing at the baby as she cooed and played with the sippy cup in her hands. “And you do, as much as you want to deny it.”

  “I’m not denying it,” he said. “I care for her a great deal. But I’m not in a position to be a parent. I’m not married and I work long hours.” He pushed himself up and walked around the counter, turning to face her, hands on hips. “And frankly, I find your suggestion highly irregular, considering you’ve been adamant that she belongs here, with you.”

  Brooke clutched the edge of the counter. “Of course I want her here. But if that can’t happen—if you can’t find it in your heart to leave her here even if Matt doesn’t return, then I would prefer that she be with someone I know. Someone I...trust.”

  Someone I like.

  Someone I more than like.

  She almost passed out the moment the thought entered her head. It was ridiculous. People didn’t start falling in love in two days. It was physical attraction. It was desire and lust and everything that had to do with her libido, and nothing to do with her heart.

  How can I be falling in love with someone I haven’t touched? Someone I haven’t kissed? Someone I haven’t made love with? Someone who is the polar opposite of me in every way?

  And yet, deep down, she suspected they were alike in a lot of ways. He had integrity. He was respectful and considerate. He was a good listener. Qualities she’d always endeavored to have herself.

  Yes, Tyler Madden was the type of man she could fall in love with.

  And even though she knew it was foolish, Brooke knew she was already halfway there.

  Chapter Eight

  “So,” Kayla said as she stirred her coffee. “How are things going with that lawyer you’re shacked up with?”

  Brooke scowled and ignored the wicked gleam in her friend’s eyes. “Fine.”

  They were at The Muffin Box café on Wednesday morning, having a quick catch-up over coffee and cake and talking about Lucy Monero’s recent engagement to Brooke’s cousin Brant and the upcoming wedding.

  Ash offered a gentle nod. “Are you sure? You look a little far away.”

  “I’m right here. And I’m good, I promise.”

  But she hated lying to her friends. She wasn’t good. She wasn’t even remotely okay. The last couple of days had been some of the hardest of her life. With no word from Matt, and with Brooke getting more attached to Cara each day—plus her attraction for Tyler seeming to have a will of its own—things had never been more complicated. And there was the financial mess hanging over her head. But she also didn’t want to dissect her life with the other women. Oh, they’d understand, and they’d offer sympathy and reassuring words...but she wasn’t in the mood for pity or compassion. Not even from three people she cared about.

  “Any word from Matt?” Lucy asked.

  She shook her head. “Not yet.”

  “When does Pretty Boy leave?” Kayla asked, grinning.

  “Don’t call him that,” Brooke said firmly and pushed a fork through her raspberry muffin.

  The three women were instantly silent. In the end it was Ash who spoke first. “Brooke...is something going on between you two?”

  “No,” she replied honestly. “Not...exactly.”

  “Do you mean not yet?” Kayla, always the frankest of the group, asked.

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Sex generally is,” Lucy said and smiled. “Whether you’re having it or not.”

  “Well,” she said, mortified that she was actually having the conversation. “We’re not. I like him, okay,” she admitted. “He’s successful and handsome and charming and single, so of course I like him. I’m only human. I may have been off the dating scene for the past couple of years, but I haven’t been in a coma.”

  The trio laughed and Kayla spoke next. “Off the dating scene?” she echoed. “Seriously? Is that what you’d call it?”

  “Sure,” Brooke replied and grinned sweetly. “How is Liam O’Sullivan, by the way?”

  Kayla rolled her eyes. “Nice try. But we’re talking about you today.”

  “No, we’re not,” Brooke said as she pushed the barely touched muffin aside, “because I have to bail. I just came into town for a doctor’s appointment and need to get back. I’d like to spend as much time with Cara as I can while she’s here. And since my brother hasn’t shown up or called, I may only have a few more days to enjoy being an aunt.”

  Or a mother.

  She didn’t say it. But she knew her friends would be thinking the same thing. They all knew about her fertility issues and long battle with crippling endometriosis that ended with several surgeries and a load of heartache. They all knew she would never be a mother. Brooke had resigned herself to the fact years ago, but being around Cara had awakened something inside her and now, more than ever before, made her mourn what she would never have. But she would never show it, never let anyone witness her grief. She’d made that mistake with Doyle and he’d trampled a
ll over her feelings. It was better kept inside. Safe. Hidden. Forgotten.

  When she got back to the ranch she was surprised to see that Tyler’s rental car was missing. For a few anxious seconds she thought that perhaps he’d packed up his things and Cara and left. But after a quick scout around the house she spotted Cara’s playpen, high chair and her favorite toys scattered around the living room. Plus, deep down she knew Tyler wouldn’t be so clandestine. He’d promised her a week and he wouldn’t go back on his word.

  He returned after lunch while Brooke was in the kitchen going over a few household accounts. Cara was clearly delighted to see her and immediately begged to be cuddled. Brooke obliged and scooped her out of Tyler’s arms.

  “Did you have a nice time with your friends?” he asked and placed a grocery bag on the counter.

  “Yes, thank you. What’s this?” She peered into the bag.

  “It’s my turn to cook,” he said and grinned. “Risotto.”

  “You can cook risotto? I’m impressed.”

  “Well, wait until you taste it before you pass judgment.”

  “Okay,” she promised, smiling. “So, where did you get to today?”

  He pulled the groceries from the bag. “I had a few errands to run, and then I bumped into your aunt while I was in town. Colleen insisted on watching over Cara for an hour while I caught up on a few things.”

  “Oh,” she said, feeling a little disappointed. “I would have stayed home and looked after her myself if I’d known you were heading out. I could have easily changed my doctor’s appointment.”

  He frowned. “You went to the doctor? Is everything alright?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “Just a routine checkup.” She looked at him, thinking how domestic the whole scene was. He was easy to be around. Easy to like. Easy to love, for that matter. Brooke pushed the notion from her thoughts and spoke again. “Since the snow has eased off I thought we might take her for a walk in the stroller.”