Her lower lip trembled.
She sloshed juice over the sides of the glasses, then set the pitcher down in frustration, looking at him. “I want you to be able to clear your name, Cullen. I know how important that is to you. But after that,” she said fiercely, unable to contain her emotions any longer, “I want what’s best for Robby and for Riot. And that means keeping them with us.” She started, as astonished as he was at what she had let slip out. “Well, of course, I mean me.”
She circled the island and slipped onto a stool.
“You know what I’m trying to say here,” Bridgett amended hastily.
Yes, Cullen thought, I do, because I have been thinking and wishing and hoping for the very same thing. Even though I know it’s not likely to happen.
Sighing, he sat down to eat, too. “I think you’re right to be concerned. You could be in for a fight, when it comes to custody of the baby and the puppy, particularly if Robby has blood relatives who don’t know about him yet and do want to raise him.”
“Should kin with blood ties always win out?”
Cullen fed her a forkful of egg. “Not necessarily, not in my view. But to the court, it could be the deciding factor.”
She huffed in frustration. “But don’t you think that if help from the birth mother’s family were readily available that Robby’s birth mother would have already gone to them, given the baby and puppy over, instead of acting in such a desperate manner?”
“It had to be very hard for the birth mother, leaving Robby and Riot the way she did, even if she thought I would follow through on the written request, claim them and keep them safe and happy.”
They were silent, brooding.
Bridgett broke a biscuit in half. “Or maybe the birth mother just wasn’t thinking straight and underestimated her family. And they do want Robby.” Her voice broke. “And Cullen, if that’s the case...”
He slanted her a brief, consoling look. “Then the court will decide what is best for him, and you’ll deal with whatever their decision is. Because in the end, Bridgett, you only want one thing. Same as me.”
“What is best for Robby and Riot,” she surmised on a heartfelt sigh.
He nodded as a contemplative silence fell.
He reached over and squeezed her hand, doing his best to comfort her. “In the meantime, you can still do everything possible to bolster your argument that a change in DCFS policy, regarding placement of newborns, is warranted. At least in your case.”
She looked deep into his eyes, hanging on to his every word.
“For starters, this isn’t a whim on your part. You’ve gone through the entire vetting process and been waiting to foster-adopt for some time now.”
Bridgett brightened. “So I should use that?”
He luxuriated in the silky feel of her palm. “As well as the fact that your work as an N-ICU nurse gives you an expertise on caring for infants that few have.”
Bridgett bit her lip. “That’s true, but...” Her shoulders slumped. “There’s still the fact I’m not married or even engaged to be.”
“Maybe you don’t need to be,” he told her gruffly, although he was already privately wishing that would change. “You have a large and loving extended family who stand ready to help you with whatever you need.”
She stood. “That’s true.”
Using his leverage on her hand, he drew her closer still and wrapped his arms around her. She was gorgeous and courageous and vulnerable, and he wanted to help her achieve her heart’s desire more than he had ever imagined he could.
He gazed down at her tenderly. “If you present a detailed plan for caring for Robby, demonstrate to DCFS and the court how much he will benefit with you as his mommy, and reassure them that he’ll never lack a loving support network of family and friends, like me, who stand ready to assist you-all... Well, there’s no way they’ll be able to deny you.”
Who knew he was such a cheerleader?
Bridgett splayed her hands across his chest. “You’ll really be there for us?” she marveled softly. “Not just temporarily?” Her voice caught unexpectedly. “But long term?”
He brought her in for a close, comforting hug. “To support you?” he rasped, feeling abruptly emotional, too. And help and care for you? He savored her feminine strength. “You bet.”
It wasn’t what Cullen wanted, of course. To be stuck, standing on the sidelines, cheering Bridgett on. He wanted to find a way move the foster-adopt process along, get approved and get his name on the petition for custody, too.
Only the knowledge that he would be slowing down the entire process and hindering her chances to get anything resolved quickly, if he acted on his reckless desire, kept him from doing it.
Figuring, however, that he could support her behind the scenes, he called the local San Angelo newspapers. Asked if they had any photos from the high school career fairs the previous fall that hadn’t been printed in the paper.
Turned out they did.
He could view them, but he’d have to go there in person. He got in the truck and headed for San Angelo.
Chapter Ten
The next few days passed swiftly. Cullen was busy prepping for the Western Cross cattle auction; Bridgett was busy marshalling her family. All four of her siblings had provided letters of recommendation, as well as detailed lists of things they could do to help her—like babysitting and grocery shopping, even laundry.
Yet she and Cullen found time to be together every night. Eating dinner. Walking Riot. Getting Robby ready for bed and giving him his last snuggle of the evening. They didn’t always do all of it as one unit. And they hadn’t made love since her brother Gavin had given Cullen the third degree about what his intentions toward her might be. And successfully infused Cullen with guilt.
But he still looked at her like he wanted her and treated her with gallant kindness and concern. And they always did enough to make them feel like family. And that, Bridgett knew, was dangerous. Given all that could still go wrong.
But she tried not to think about all the what-ifs, lest she start to go crazy with worry. It was enough to appreciate what they had with each other in the here and now...
“So, what do you think little fella?” Bridgett cooed to the infant in her arms, aware she had never in her life felt this content. “Do you think we should stay up a little longer and watch the sun rise or head on back upstairs and try to catch a little more shut-eye?”
Robby looked up at her adoringly. He opened his mouth, releasing a milk bubble that hovered between his rosebud lips, then yawned.
Bridgett figured, what the heck, why not stay on the back porch a few more minutes? It would give her a chance to see Cullen before he headed out, to start the ranch work with the rest of the hired hands. With the sale only four days away, there was a lot of last-minute stuff to be done.
Behind her, she heard the sound of a door opening and closing. Cullen strode out, Riot beside him.
She was still in her pajamas and robe, he was already in jeans and a work shirt and boots. He hadn’t yet shaved and the stubble gave him a rugged, sexy look. “There you are,” he said. “I woke up and your room was empty.”
Memories of the way he had kissed her the last time they had made love sent a burning flame throughout her entire body.
Bridgett forced herself to quell the flames. He had listened to her brother’s common-sense warning and taken a step back. She knew she should be sensible and do the same.
She leaned down to pet Riot, who wagged his tail gleefully. “We were trying to be quiet.”
Something hot and sensual shimmered in his eyes. “How long have you been up?”
Wondering how he could look so good early in the day, Bridgett wrinkled her nose. “Since four.”
Cullen took care of the dog’s needs then ambled over and took a place beside Bridgett and Robby on the porch s
wing. “He wouldn’t go back to sleep?”
Bridgett could have shifted over to give him a little more room but, liking the way her body bumped up against his, decided to remain in the strong, reassuring curve of his big frame. “He was a little restless. I think he had a little more air in his tummy than usual. It wasn’t colic exactly, but...”
“Is that serious in a baby?”
Bridgett knew colic could be deadly for horses and cattle.
As she turned her head to gaze up at him, her cheek brushed his chin. “It can be sometimes. This wasn’t. He just needed to be soothed and held upright.”
Cullen looked like he wanted to kiss her again. She knew, because she wanted to kiss him, too.
“Good thing you’re a nurse.” His voice was low, gravelly.
She savored the emotion welling in her heart. Waggling her brows, she quipped, “And an increasingly skillful mom.”
“That you are, darlin’.” He grinned, more than willing to give credit where it was due.
Another moment of quiet contentment and suppressed sexual need passed between them.
Bridgett cleared her throat. Aware that Robby wasn’t the only one who needed to be cared for. “Speaking of not sleeping,” she prodded softly, “you were up awfully late last night.” He’d disappeared right after dinner to check on a few things and still been hard at work in the office downstairs when she turned off her lamp at midnight.
“Yeah.”
To her frustration, although they had shared a lot over the past week, nothing else was forthcoming.
“Everything proceeding okay with the presale?” she asked, wanting to help if she could. After all, he’d done so much for her.
He hesitated a moment too long. “Pretty much.”
“I’d like to hear about it.”
When, again, he said nothing else, she handed Robby to him. “Here. Snuggling with him will make you feel better.”
He grinned, cradling the infant against his chest like a pro. “Always does.” He bussed the top of Robby’s head.
“So what gives?” Bridgett watched Riot—who also bore a look of concern for Cullen—curled up on the dog blanket opposite them. His silky head on his paws, he continued watching them all. Robby looked up at Cullen, too.
With such an intent audience, he finally confided with a sigh, “Over the course of the past couple of days, five potential customers have pulled out of the virtual auction.”
“Is that usual?”
“No. Once someone has taken the trouble to get all the information, register as a buyer for the sale and provide a bank guarantee that funds are immediately available, they rarely withdraw.”
“Did they say why?”
Another grimace. “No.”
“Do you think it has to do with all the rumors?”
“Not sure what else it could be.”
“People have to know you would never turn your back on a biological child!” He was far too honorable a man for that! Look how he had stepped up thus far.
“A McCabe wouldn’t.” He turned to give her a hard look. “A Reid might.”
Angry heat welled in her chest and she stiffened. “You were not responsible for what your mother did to you and Frank.”
“I know that.” Cullen exhaled wearily. “You know that.” He shook his head. “But some people think blood ties tell character, and face it...” Still cuddling Robby tenderly, he said, “...one half of mine is suspect.”
Another silence fell.
Finally, Bridgett said, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Except it wasn’t. Not at all.
“How much of an impact will this have?” she asked gently.
“I should still be able to sell all my stock,” he answered. “Purebred Hotlander cattle are in high demand.”
“Why is that?”
“A number of reasons.” Seeing that Robby had fallen asleep, he moved to put the baby down in the Moses basket then returned to her side. “They breed extremely well, even during a drought. The longevity of the females is very good, their udder quality outstanding, their calves are very uniform and they crossbreed well.
“Plus, the cattle producers I sell my cows and bulls to can either crossbreed their own Brangus, Braford, Beefmaster and Santa Gertrudis to mine. Or work to achieve an entire herd of purebred Hotlander cattle of their own, as I have.”
Aware how cozy and domestic this all felt, cuddling next to him on the porch swing, she smiled. “So it’s a win-win.”
He nodded, his eyes warming as he talked about a subject he loved. “As well as a substantial investment, given the cost of Hotlander bulls and cows.”
Bridgett frowned, steering them back to the problem. “Do you think all the unsubstantiated gossip will affect your bottom line?”
“Not in the end,” he answered, leaning over to kiss her temple, “because if I don’t get the price I want, I’ll hold on and try again later.”
Bridgett snuggled against him. “Wouldn’t that cause a lot of talk, too?”
Another nod. “But it would be a mistake to allow the part of the herd I’m selling to go for a lower-than-usual price and have that affect future demand and profit, so...” He shrugged his broad shoulders again. “We’ll see what develops.”
In more than one way, Bridgett thought, as silence fell.
Knowing what she was hoping for—an ending that had all four of them as a family—she reached over and took his hand. “Well, if it helps, you weren’t the only one who got bad news last night.” His eyes met hers and she drew a deep breath, aware she needed him in this moment, as much as he needed her. “The online mortgage company let me know that they are turning down my request for a mortgage, too.”
He did not look surprised. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“Yeah, me, too.” She released a pensive sigh. “They said to try back in six months, once I go back to work and things are settled, and I would likely have no issue getting approved for a mortgage.”
“But the house you wanted...” He shared her disappointment.
“Will be put back on the market as soon as our two Realtors read their email. I notified them last night, before I went to bed.”
His gaze narrowed protectively. “You know, my offer to help you out financially still stands.”
When he was potentially about to have financial woes of his own? When she had her own family standing by, ready to help her in that regard, if only she could bring herself to let them?
No, life was getting far too complicated as it was. There were decisions to be made, but not today. Not about that. Pushing aside the mixture of gratitude and attraction mingling deep inside her, Bridgett asked cheerfully, “How about I continue to just take you up on your offer of a place to stay, for now?”
He clasped her shoulders warmly, said with the gruff affection she was beginning to know so well, “You and Robby and Riot are welcome here as long as you want, you know that.”
The next thing she knew he had shifted her onto his lap. She wreathed her arms about his neck and shoulders, opened her mouth to the plundering pressure of his.
She’d never been one to focus on the here and now. To let a rush of emotion overwhelm her. Yet as sensation swept through her like a tsunami, followed by a tidal wave of yearning, she felt herself surrender to everything he wanted and needed.
And still he kissed her, as if he were in love with her, and would be for all time. As if he too felt that coming together like this was something special, that they were destined to be together like this. As a couple and as a family. And for now, she thought, as they continued to kiss and hold each other wonderingly, it was enough. It had to be.
* * *
“I COME BEARING FOOD! Is now a good time?”
Bridgett grinned at Rachel McCabe. Cullen’s stepmother was
wearing skinny jeans and a long sunflower-yellow tunic. She also had a pencil stuck in her upswept hair—all signs it had been a work-at-home-day for the renowned local tax attorney.
Bridgett ushered her in. “Now is a great time, especially given how much Cullen and I both love your cooking.”
The older woman smiled. “He said that?”
Bridgett relieved Rachel of her burden. “He doesn’t have to. I can tell by the way he inhales whatever you bring.” She inclined her head at the covered dishes on the tray. “What’s on the menu tonight?”
Rachel followed her through the house. “Old-fashioned pot roast, mashed potatoes and string beans.”
Glad for some female company, Bridgett grinned. “My mouth is already watering.”
Rachel walked into the kitchen. She eyed the platters of cookies, muffins and various home-baked breads and fruit baskets. “Seems like I’m not the only one feeding my son these days.”
Bridgett slid Rachel’s gifts into the fridge. “You know how it is with new babies. Everyone wants to bring the family food.” She shrugged. “Not that we’re a family, but...”
“I know what you mean.”
An awkward silence fell. Sensing Rachel wanted to chat, Bridgett asked, “Would you like to stay for a glass of iced tea?”
“Do you have time? I don’t want to intrude.”
“I’d appreciate the adult company.” They peeked in on Robby and Riot, who were both sleeping, then took a seat at the kitchen island.
“I’m guessing Cullen is out on the ranch.”
Having his stepmother here reminded Bridgett how much she missed her own mother. She poured tea for both of them, then set out sugar, some sliced lemon and a plate of oatmeal cookies. “He and the hired hands are sorting the cattle being put up for auction, moving them to different pastures.”
Rachel nodded. “How are you doing?”
Bridgett warmed at the maternal concern. “Good. Between the baby and the puppy...” and my thing for Cullen “...I don’t seem to have enough hours in the day, though.”
The Texas Cowboy's Baby Rescue Page 11
