She leaned out the window. “Want a lift, cowboy?”
“Yes, ma’am. That would be great.” After checking for traffic, he jogged across the road, walked around the front of the van and climbed in on the passenger side. “Were you in town this afternoon?”
“Only drove through on my way home. I went to Bozeman today for—it doesn’t matter what I went there for.” Her blue gaze was gentle. “Your dad called me.”
“Then you’ve heard.”
“Yes. He asked me to watch for you on the road.”
“That was thoughtful of him.”
“I’ll bet this was quite a shock.”
“Yes, ma’am. I had no idea.”
“That goes without saying. A Sawyer doesn’t dodge his responsibilities.”
“That’s for sure.”
“I imagine you two will have a lot to say to each other, so I’m just going to drop you off so you can talk without me hanging around.”
“But Dad might want you to be there.”
“He always wants me to be there, which I treasure. But you two have a lot of history I haven’t been a part of. It’s better if I let you have some privacy.”
“Maybe so.” Her willingness to back off impressed him. He was still slightly in awe of her and a bit wary. He’d arrived on the scene after her romance with his dad had blossomed, while his siblings had been on site to watch it develop.
He was thrilled for his dad, who seemed happier than he’d been in a long, long time. His enthusiasm for this second chance at love was fun to watch.
On the other hand, what was Kendra’s role, exactly? She hadn’t married his dad and it didn’t sound as if she intended to. They lived across the road from each other, not in the same house. She wasn’t officially a stepmother.
And yet, she and his dad often functioned as a team, whether with her kids or his. Like today, when his dad had shared the news with her and then asked if she’d give his son a ride on her way home. But she wasn’t going to stay and be part of the discussion, and while he liked her a whole lot, he was mostly relieved about that.
He looked over at her. “I don’t know if you and my dad had made plans, but I’ll be leaving to meet Emma and Josh a little before six.”
“As a matter of fact, we don’t have plans. I’m getting together with the Whine and Cheese Club tonight. We’re going to the diner.”
Which was how his luck was running today. “Then I guess I’ll see you there.”
“That’s where you’re going?”
“Yes, ma’am. Is this a girls’ night out?”
“It is, but we have a purpose. We need to plan Faith and Cody’s baby shower and the Guzzling Grizzly has a band tonight. It’s too noisy, so the diner was our choice.”
“Makes sense.” He was invited to that shower for her son and daughter-in-law. He and Pete would be the only unattached guys there. That was still true, but his take on the whole baby situation had done a one-eighty.
“You can ignore us if you want,” Kendra said.
“I’ll leave that up to Emma. She’s agreed to stay through the weekend, but she asked if she could postpone meeting family members until tomorrow.”
“The Whine and Cheese Club isn’t exactly family.”
“Except for you.”
She gave him a startled glance. “You think of me as family?”
“Yes, I do.”
She flashed him a smile. “Thank you. That’s really nice to hear.”
“I just wish there was a better designation than significant other. That’s so weird. And incomplete. Other what?”
“I don’t like it, either. And girlfriend makes me sound like I’m eighteen, but lady friend isn’t an improvement. In any case, do whatever you want about tonight. Like I said, you can ignore us.”
“I’ll leave it up to Emma.”
“Good call. What about the flag football game tomorrow?”
“Oh, geez, I forgot about that. What time again?”
“Two, at the park. Listen, if you can’t make it, then—”
“But my team needs me.”
She laughed. “Yeah, they do.”
“It might be the perfect setting to introduce Emma and Josh to everyone. If she totally vetoes the idea, who should I notify?”
“Me. I’m not sure how I ended up being the chief organizer, but I guess I am. I thought Wes was going to be the head honcho for this, or even Ingrid, but they’re so busy.”
“And you’re not?”
“Ah, it’s fun for me. I love how it’s catching on, how so many are coming out on Saturdays. Eventually the weather will shut us down, but for now, it’s great. Well, here we are, and there’s your dad, waiting for you.”
“So he is.” Quinn Sawyer sat in a rocker on the front porch with nothing in his hands. Not a beer or a sketch pad. That was unusual.
The modest house was surrounded by a piece of property about one-eighth the size of the Lazy S, the ranch in Spokane where Gage and his siblings had been raised. After falling for Kendra like a ton of bricks, his dad had sold the Lazy S and bought this place across the road from Kendra’s ranch.
She braked the van. “I’m not getting out. Just go.”
“Thanks, Kendra.” He unbuckled his seat belt.
Her smile was warm. “Anytime, Gage. Now go.”
“Okay.” He climbed out and started toward the porch. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, son.” He rose from his chair as Kendra drove away and stood waiting for Gage to come up the steps. Then he opened his arms.
Gage accepted the hug with a lump in his throat. Apparently, even though he was thirty years old and had been on his own for quite a while, he’d needed that hug. Stepping back, he took a deep breath. “Rough day.”
“I’ll bet. Want anything before we sit?”
“No, thanks. Now’s not the time to start drinking.”
“I figured.” His dad motioned to the rockers.
Gage settled in with a sigh. “How much do you know?”
“Roxanne called to report that you left the bakery with a woman who had a baby with eyes exactly like yours. I guess Michael was tending bar at the GG and heard some folks talking so he contacted her to find out what was going on.”
“Then you haven’t heard from Wes?”
“Nope.”
“He’s probably still dealing with his client, then. He was at the bakery when Emma walked in. Offered his apartment so we’d have a private place to talk. Later on he sent me a text that he had to go out on a call.”
“Emma’s her name?”
“Yes. Emma Green. I dated her nineteen months ago for about two weeks that time I was working at a ranch outside of Great Falls. But this never should have happened. I can’t believe it did.”
“Which tells me it was meant to be.”
Gage looked over at him. “You think?”
“That’s my take on it. What’s the baby’s name?”
“Josh.”
His dad nodded. “Has a nice sound to it. How do you feel about Emma?”
Now there was a complicated question. When it came to the mother of his child, he was all jumbled up. “I don’t know, Dad. She shut the door in my face yesterday, but today—”
“You saw her yesterday, too?”
“Yes, sir. Guess I’d better fill in the gaps to this story.”
“Guess so.” His dad settled back in his rocker.
Gage laid out the facts as best he could. His dad was a damned good listener. He hadn’t appreciated that enough. He finished the story by mentioning the dinner plan for tonight.
“Kendra’s going there with the Whine and Cheese ladies.”
“She told me. But you know what? I can’t introduce Emma and Josh to them before you meet them. That’s not right.”
“Sure it is. Don’t get hung up on that stuff. They’ll be here all weekend. What about the flag football game? Wouldn’t that be a—”
“That was my thought. Kendra reminded me about it on the way
over here and that might be the perfect venue.”
“I think so, too. I’ll meet Emma and my grandson then.”
Gage blinked. “Holy crap.” He gazed at his father. “You’re Grandpa Quinn.”
“Yes. Yes, I am.” He smiled. “You’re not the only one who got a jolt today, son.”
Chapter Four
Emma changed into a turquoise blouse before driving to the diner. She’d tried to convince herself it had nothing to do with looking nice for Gage and making him proud to be seen with her. But it had everything to do with that.
Josh had left drool marks on the light green one she’d worn today. Although she’d appeared in public with drool marks more times than she could count, she hadn’t been escorted by the father of her child in the small town where his entire family lived.
Showing up with a baby in her arms this afternoon and asking for him must have stirred up gossip that he’d have to deal with. She hadn’t factored that in because she’d never lived in a small town.
In hindsight, her plan had been deeply flawed. Thanks to her actions, she was caught in a goldfish bowl with limited resources for continuing to look good.
But she’d do her best for Gage’s sake. She’d used the bathroom sink to wash out the blouse she’d worn today. Good thing she’d had a total of three, plus another pair of jeans and extra underwear.
That still might not be enough. Life with Josh involved changing clothes a lot. Cotton t-shirts were far less practical than tops made with quick-dry fabrics. Jeans could take a hit whereas skirts could not.
When she was at home in Great Falls, she couldn’t care less that her son limited her wardrobe choices. He was a source of joy. And such a good baby. All her friends said so. She hadn’t informed any of them about this trip for fear they’d be successful in talking her out of it. But she was glad she’d come.
Life had been simpler before Gage had shown up at her door. But her nagging sense of guilt had hung on like a low-grade fever. Now that was gone.
She found the diner with no problem and pulled in next to his truck. He was still in the cab so he’d likely been waiting for her. He climbed out and met her as she got out of her car.
“You’re right on time.” He’d changed clothes, too. He wore a snazzy black Western shirt with silver trim and his black hat.
“I figured you’d be waiting.” He smelled delicious, damn him. Evidently he still used the brand of cologne he’d worn when they’d dated and he’d applied it recently.
“Listen, before we go in, I need to warn you the Whine and Cheese Club will be in there having dinner.”
“Did you say wine or whine?”
“Whine. It’s five ladies around my dad’s age who’ve been friends for years and they all know me. I met them at a fundraiser at the Guzzling Grizzly in July. They were dressed in bird costumes.”
“How come?”
“Because—never mind. I’ll explain later. The important part is that one of them is Kendra McGavin, my dad’s…sweetheart. I saw her this afternoon and she told me they’d be here planning a baby shower. She said we could just ignore them if you’d rather not make contact tonight.”
“That seems silly.”
“I agree.”
“Except is it okay if Josh and I meet your dad’s sweetheart and her girlfriends before we meet him?”
“I asked that and he said he’ll wait until tomorrow. Didn’t want to put you under too much pressure.”
“Your dad sounds like a great guy.”
“The best.”
“Excuse me if this is indelicate, but…what about your mom? Is she…”
“She died when I was a kid.”
“Oh, dear. I’m sorry.” And now she had the urge to hug him, which was not a good idea.
“It was a long time ago.”
That might be true, and he’d spoken without much emotion, but his eyes told a different story. Pain didn’t have a timetable.
He glanced toward her SUV. “Should we spring Josh? He must be getting antsy just staring at the upholstery.”
“Probably, although he’d let us know if he was tired of his car seat.” She hadn’t forgotten her son, exactly, but his father was a powerful distraction. There was so much she didn’t know. She turned and walked around the back of the car.
Gage followed, bringing his spicy, toe-curling scent right along with him. “How about letting me take a stab at getting that little guy loose?”
“Okay.” She opened the back door and moved away to give him room.
“I’m curious as to why you put him on the opposite side from you instead of behind you.”
“Better line of sight. Easier to keep track of how he’s doing.”
“Ah. That’s logical.” He took off his hat and handed it to her. “Would you please hold this?”
“Sure.” The luxurious nap of the felt rocketed her back nineteen months. He’d worn this hat whenever he’d stopped by the bar.
Later he’d confessed that he’d done it to impress her. Evidently that had been his intent yesterday, too.
She’d always been impressed by more than the hat, but she’d been charmed by his habit of wearing it every time he came to see her. After she’d finished her shift, he’d follow her home and they’d make love. One time he asked her to put on his hat before she climbed aboard…
“And he’s free at last!” Gage lifted Josh from the car seat.
The baby let out a squeal of pleasure.
“Nice outfit.” Gage surveyed the miniature Green Bay Packers jersey before hoisting Josh up against his shoulder.
“From my folks. They assume he’ll be a Packers fan.”
“Like you. I seem to remember you have a jersey just like this.”
“Yep. Josh and I were both decked out while we watched the first game of the season on TV.” And why bother to mention it? Evidently she was flattered that he’d remembered she owned a jersey that matched her son’s. “Want your hat back?”
“Okay.” He held Josh securely with one arm while he took the hat in his free hand and settled it on his head.
She envied his ability to balance Josh using only one arm. Now that her son was twenty-six pounds, she required both. Not that she was complaining.
They made a picture, though—handsome cowboy dad and adorable baby. Should she ask them to pose while she got out her phone? No. That could signal a level of commitment she hadn’t made. This weekend was very much an experiment.
Josh gazed up at Gage’s hat with great interest. Then he stretched his arm toward it and clutched at thin air with his fingers.
“Want the hat, buddy?”
“Gage, you’d better not—”
“No worries. He can hold it.”
She was flabbergasted. One of the first things she’d learned after moving here from Wisconsin was that a cowboy’s hat was sacred. Dress hats were guarded with extra care, but even battered straw hats were treated with respect. This Stetson was important to Gage and had likely cost him a fair bit, too.
He took it off and held it by the crown so Josh could get a grip on the brim. “This is a very special hat, buddy. If I hadn’t worn it whenever I walked into that bar, your mom would never have given me the time of day.”
“That’s not true.” She’d contradicted him before she could stop herself.
He glanced at her. “If there was more to my appeal, I’d surely appreciate hearing about it.”
“I’m sure you would, but—Gage, he’s chewing on your hat.”
He looked down at Josh, who was gnawing away at the brim of his valuable Stetson. “Well, so he is.”
“Don’t let him. I don’t want him to think that’s okay.”
“If you say so. Sorry, buddy, but your mom says that’s not acceptable.” He gently pried his hat away and put it back on his head.
Josh protested and strained upward, trying to reach it.
“My bad, kiddo. I shouldn’t have let you have it. Hey look! There’s a hawk flying over us.”
He hoisted Josh up higher. “Wow, that’s a big bird.”
“Ba-ba!”
“Bird! Did you hear that, Emma? He said bird.”
“Well, almost.” Gage’s enthusiasm was hard to resist. “But I’m afraid he did a number on your best hat. I can see the spot where he chewed on it.”
“It’s also now my favorite hat.” He looked at her, his dark eyes glowing with happiness. “It has my son’s teeth marks on it.”
“Now that’s the way to melt a mother’s heart.”
“Good to know.”
They both laughed, but then his gaze met hers and held.
Oh, Lordy, there was fire in those dark eyes of his. No telling how long she might have stood there soaking up that lovely heat if she hadn’t accidentally pressed the panic button on her key fob.
She quickly shut off the alarm. “We should go in. I’ll just grab his baby backpack.” She reached down and picked it up from the floor of the back seat.
“Isn’t he a little small for a—”
“It’s mine. I keep all his stuff in it.” She hooked the strap over her shoulder and closed the car door.
“That’s a great idea.” He started toward the restaurant, and despite carrying Josh, he managed to open the door for her.
“Thanks.” She walked into a space filled with cheerful voices and the aroma of some of her favorite foods—pot roast, fried chicken, baked potatoes, homemade rolls and coffee. Her mouth watered.
The hostess led them to a small corner booth, left them menus and went to get a highchair. At the far corner of the L-shaped seating area, five women gathered in a large circular booth. Had to be the Whine and Cheese Club.
Gage tipped his hat in their direction before glancing at her. “How about we go over after we order?”
“Works for me.”
“I hope you’re hungry because the servings are huge.”
“I didn’t think I was hungry until I walked in and smelled the food. Do you come here a lot?”
“At least two or three times a week for breakfast, but not so much for dinner.” He thanked the hostess when she arrived with the chair. Then he tried unsuccessfully to get Josh to put his feet in the opening between the tray and the chair. “Is there a trick to this?”
“He doesn’t understand he has to hold his legs straight. You’ll have to lift the tray, set him down, and put the tray over his head.”
A Cowboy's Baby (The McGavin Brothers Book 11) Page 3
