The Heart of a Cowboy

by Charlene Sands

  Sarah's mouth went dry.

  She'd always known Case was good-looking, a hunk, some women might say, but watching him now, seeing just a hint of his profile in the shadows of the room as he rocked her baby in his arms, did something to her. Something profound, something dangerous and some­thing she would never admit to in the light of day.

  This was Case, after all. He was smitten with her little daughter and that was understandable. From Sarah's viewpoint, who wouldn't fall head over heels in love with Christiana? But, Sarah admonished herself for the sen­sations racing like mad through her body. She called her­self a fool, a lonely widow who had been without the love of a good man for quite some time.

  That's all it was. Loneliness.

  Case turned then, and granted her a smile. Quietly, he said, "Diaper or food?"

  Sarah walked into the room, trying hard not to stare at his chest or the way his perfectly scattered chest hairs angled down past his navel, dipping into his jeans. "Both, probably."

  "I can do one, but the other," he said, glancing at her breasts with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "is your

  job."

  Sarah tried her best to ignore the stirring his perusal had on her body. But her breasts were sensitive and the slightest sensual suggestion had her nipples pebbling hard. The man usually didn't miss much, but Sarah hoped the dim light and shadows masked her discomfort. She spoke in a hushed tone. "You want to diaper her?"

  "I want to try."

  "You...don't have to."

  "I know I don't," he whispered, "but I'm here now and I want to help."

  "Sorry she woke you."

  "She didn't. I wasn't asleep."

  Sarah thought that odd since Case hadn't gone out as he'd planned and they'd both turned in early. Earlier, she'd overheard him calling someone, telling them that he couldn't make it tonight, but he'd see them next week for sure. He'd spoken quietly on the phone, saying some­thing had come up and that it was personal, but he hadn't tried to hide his conversation. He hadn't explained any­thing about it to her, either. At that moment, she'd known why he hadn't gone out as planned. The downed fences worried him. His sense of duty kept him on the ranch tonight.

  She supposed she should be grateful. Instead she felt something far more unsettling pulsing through her veins. And as his male scent, part aftershave, part earthy man, drifted up from his skin to tease her nostrils, Sarah's body heat went up a notch or two. The kiss they shared wasn't far from her mind, and at times like these, in the quiet of the night when darkness beseeched her loneliness, did Sarah wish for things she knew she couldn't have. Case wasn't in her plans for the future. Case was Reid's brother. In her heart and mind, he was strictly off limits. But sometimes, her body forgot.

  Sarah drew in a breath and offered him a diaper. "Have at it."

  Good-naturedly, Case nodded, setting the baby down on the diaper changer. Sarah stood close by to watch. Occasionally Case's body brushed hers, creating tingles that Sarah tried darn hard to ignore. But to his credit, his full attention was on the job at hand. Once done, he looked to Sarah for approval.

  "Pretty good," she said, not mentioning that the diaper was lopsided and the tabs were probably too loose to hold it on for long. She'd fix it later, not to hurt his ego.

  Sarah picked up the baby. "I'd better feed her," she said, sitting down on the rocker and waiting for Case to leave.

  Case stared into her eyes, then glanced at the baby with a yearning Sarah couldn't answer. She couldn't invite him to stay. She couldn't allow that intimacy. To her way of thinking, having him stay would be far more intimate than the kiss they'd shared and perhaps far more dan­gerous. She couldn't let her loneliness override her re­solve with regards to Case. He wasn't a man she should let into her heart.

  Long moments passed before he nodded then finally left the room.

  "Goodness," Sarah said softly, "your uncle sure has a way about him."

  And Sarah was just coming to realize that she was living with one sexy-as-sin man.

  Six

  "I hope we're not interrupting," Bobbi Sue said, stand­ing on the Jarrett doorstep with her young daughter Mau­reen in tow.

  "Heavens, it's good to see you," Sarah said, taking her friend by the arm and sweeping her into the house. She hugged Bobbi Sue then bent to kiss Mo on the cheek. "You two are always welcome." She lifted up to meet Bobbi Sue's gaze. "And what could you possibly be in­terrupting?"

  Bobbi Sue glanced around the front room then her in­quisitive gaze darted up the staircase. "Case around?"

  Sarah laughed at her friend. Her imagination could ri­val the most inventive soul on earth. "Case is working, Bobbi Sue. Jeez, you gotta stop watching those afternoon so—" she began, then decided against finishing her thought. Little Mo was listening and she had big ears for such a small child. "Never mind." She waved her thought off and smiled at Mo. "The baby's sleeping. Let's go see her."

  Sarah led them to a cozy corner of her big kitchen. Little Mo's eyes grew as wide as silver dollars as she gazed down at the sleeping child. She whispered, "Mommy says to be real quiet around the baby cause she's so little."

  "She is, but would you believe she's gained almost two pounds in four weeks? Today is her official due date and she's almost seven pounds."

  "She's catching up quick," Bobbi Sue commented, "and isn't she just darling. Oh Mo, I can barely remem­ber when you were that small. Good thing I've got plenty of pictures to prove it. Are you taking lots of pictures of her, Sarah?"

  Sarah nodded. "Case is. He's good with a camera."

  Bobbi Sue walked away from the bassinet, eyes twin­kling. "I bet that's not all he's good at."

  "Hush up, Bobbi Sue," she said, glancing back at Mo. Bobbi Sue's daughter hadn't taken her eyes off of the baby. "And stop that."

  "Stop what?"

  Sarah ran her hands down her face, wondering why she bothered trying to set Bobbi Sue straight. Her friend was determined to make something out of nothing. "Talking about Case like he's my..." Gosh, she couldn't say the words much less think them.

  Bobbi Sue shrugged with nonchalance. "He's your brother-in-law."

  "Yes, he is," Sarah agreed, hoping Bobbi Sue was finally seeing the light. He was Reid's brother, a man she couldn't get involved with.

  "And damn good-looking."

  "Bobbi Sue."

  "One sexy cowboy," she whispered so Mo wouldn't hear.

  Sarah exhaled, shaking her head. She didn't need re­minding of that fact. She'd been fighting off lusty thoughts of Case ever since he'd kissed her that day. She hadn't forgotten the impact of his kiss or the protective, heady way he'd held her and made her feel special.

  "Just stating the obvious. I'm sure he's got the girls lined up. I mean to say, when he's not doting on you and taking pictures of Christiana."

  "Have a seat," Sarah said politely, remembering her manners. Sarah brought a pitcher of iced tea to the table and poured two tall glasses, setting one down in front of Bobbi Sue. Sarah sipped hers then sat down to face her. "First off," she began quietly, noting that Mo was still smitten with the baby, "Case doesn't dote on me. And I can't help it if he likes taking pictures of his niece. Chris­tiana is his flesh and blood, Bobbi Sue. At one time, I had to remind myself of that, but now it's obvious that he's taken with her. He even tries his best to diaper her."

  Bobbi Sue let out an animated gasp. "No! Hard-riding rodeo man Case Jarrett wouldn't have the first notion how to diaper a baby. I can't picture it, Sarah. I just can't."

  Sarah giggled. "He's terrible at it. I wait until he leaves the room then adjust the diaper so the dang thing won't fall off."

  Bobbi Sue shook her head in disbelief. "I wish I could see that."

  "And I think you're right about him having the ladies lined up. Well, maybe one for sure. Case wasn't into two-timing a girl, he just had them in succession."

  Bobbi Sue set her glass down and leaned in, full of interest. "He's got someone?"

  Sarah nodded. Maybe now, her de
ar imaginative friend would let up on her. "He goes into town every Tuesday night. Never says where he's going."

  ' 'Could be a poker game, or a bowling league?''

  Laughter erupted that Sarah couldn't contain. She put a hand to her mouth to keep from waking the baby. "Sorry, I just can't see Case in bowling shoes. And he gets with the hands here on the ranch for poker. They meet once a week in the bunkhouse and have themselves a time."

  "So, you think he's seeing someone?"

  Sarah lifted her shoulders. "It's none of my business."

  Bobbi Sue sipped her tea. "He comes home to you, so he's not sleeping in town."

  Sarah had just about given up on her romance-minded friend. "He comes home to his ranch. Don't forget he's half owner. He's got a vested interest here."

  "Not waiting up or anything, are you?"

  "No, but I'm up at all hours with the baby." She wouldn't add that she'd had to deal with bumping into Case in the nursery many times during the night. Since that first time, the night of the problem with the downed fences, there had been three other occasions where she'd met up with him in the middle of the night. She'd tried her level best to convince him not to bother, explaining gently that Christiana wasn't his responsibility, but that had only brought her a dark angry glare from him. So she'd stopped insisting he not be a part of Christiana's life. As long as he didn't include himself in her life, she'd be fine. No sense, having the man angry with her all the time. Besides, Christiana sure liked her uncle Case.

  Bobbi Sue patted her hand. "Then, I'm glad you have Case here. Sounds like he's trying to help out."

  "Mommy," Mo interrupted, coming to stand between

  Sarah and her mother, "we almost forgot to invite Chris­tiana to my party."

  Bobbi Sue's brows lifted. "Oh dear, we can't have that. It's the reason we stopped by. Go on, sweetheart. You do the inviting."

  Mo turned to Sarah with big eyes and a hope-filled expression. If she'd asked for the moon, Sarah wouldn't be able to say no to this child. "Can Christiana come to my birthday party on Saturday?"

  "Oh, well, sure. The doctor says it's okay to take her out now."

  Bobbi Sue chimed in. "Some of Mo's little friends and some of mine are invited for cake and ice cream."

  "The baby and I will be there." Sarah smiled to Mo, her best friend's daughter. She couldn't believe it had been five years ago since little Maureen Renee was born.

  "And Case, too," Mo added. "He promised to do rop­ing tricks."

  "Oh, uh, that's nice." Sarah's excitement deflated, but she wouldn't let Mo see that. More and more, it seemed, Case and Sarah were thrown together. Now, she and Case would be taking Christiana on her first trip off the ranch.

  Bobbi Sue added, "Apparently Case promised my lit­tle one here, while at your baby shower. She didn't forget it, either. Besides, I'd have included him anyway. He's practically... family.''

  Reid had been practically family to the Currys, not Case. Had he earned that right by default, because Reid was no longer around? Sarah admonished herself for re­senting Bobbi Sue's generous nature. Her friend only had good intentions. "I'll remind him about the roping tricks. I'm sure he'll be able to come, Mo."

  Mo grinned from ear to ear and turned when the baby squawked. "The baby's awake."

  Sarah took her hand and walked her over to the bas­sinet. "Looks like she is. And I bet she'd love to meet her new friend."

  Sarah picked up the baby and led Mo over to the parlor sofa. "Sit down and I'll put the baby in your lap."

  Obediently, with an expression of anticipation, Mo sat down. Carefully, Sarah placed her child in Mo's out­stretched arms and the older child cradled her with ut­most care.

  Bobbi Sue entered the room with Case. "Would you just look at that?"

  Case sidled up next to Sarah, putting a hand to her back, the slightest of touches, perhaps only a finger or two, but the impact rattled her clear down to her snake-skin boots. Heat coursed through her veins whenever Case was near and right now hot flutters swamped her from his slightest caress. "Looks like our little Christie has found herself a new best friend," Case said, flashing a quick smile.

  Our little Christie.

  Sarah cringed, hearing those words, knowing she was overreacting. Case had a possessive nature and he hadn't meant it like it sounded. But a quick glance at Bobbie Sue had her wondering.

  Her dear friend cast her a smug, see-what-I-mean look that brought fear to Sarah's heart.

  Case had railroaded her into this. He knew for a hard cold fact that Sarah didn't want him tagging along into town to buy little Maureen Curry her birthday gift. She'd only asked if he had the time to watch the baby during naptime so she could make a quick trip into town.

  Case had used all his powers of persuasion, had given all the reasons why he thought it best for them all to go. The baby might wake up early and need a feeding. Of course, Sarah had a reserve of milk in bottles for the baby, but Case had convinced her Christie might not take the bottle from him. Then there was the fact that it was a beautiful day, not overly warm with a cloudless blue sky overhead. It would be a damn shame for the baby to miss such an outing. And when Sarah suggested she go out alone, with the baby, Case plastered on his most shocked expression. This was the first trip off the ranch and she'd have a long drive into town. She should start off with an easier trip, one closer to home. And besides all of that, he needed to buy Mo a gift, too, unless Sarah wanted to share a gift with him. She'd thought on that all of one second before shaking her head.

  So with a sigh of reluctance, Sarah had relented.

  Guilt found its way to his gut, but it couldn't be helped. Case had an uncanny need to spend time with Sarah. He'd been keeping his distance, or trying to, but he'd finally given up, surrendering to his bouts of lone­liness. Lonely nights filled with sensual thoughts of the woman sleeping only a few feet away had him hell-bent and edgy. He figured as long as he had to endure the torment, he might as well enjoy her company. And his arguments weren't grounded in lies. He'd really meant all of those things.

  Sarah pushed the baby stroller, glancing down the aisle at Kruger's toy store. She picked up a doll and spent time studying it. "I don't know," she said. "I wish I'd have thought to ask Bobbi Sue for a few suggestions. I don't want Mo to be disappointed."

  "You think she's into dolls?"

  "I sure was at her age, but times are different now."

  ‘‘I wonder if little Christie will love playing with dolls when she's older."

  Sarah smiled. "If she's like her mommy...maybe."

  "Maybe I should buy her one now." Case started to peruse all the various dolls on the shelf. Sarah stopped him with a hand to his arm.

  "She's too young. These aren't safe for her to play with yet."

  "Oh. Right. I guess I'll have to wait until she's five then."

  Sarah cast him an odd look, before turning away.

  Case spotted a little girl about Mo's age shopping alongside of her mother. He walked over to them. "Would you two mind coming over and checking out the dolls? We're trying to buy a gift for our friend's daughter and—"

  "Oh sure," the mother said, seeming to understand their dilemma. "It gets confusing with all the different choices. How old is the girl?"

  Case looked at the small child beside her. "How old are you, darlin'?"

  "Five."

  Case grinned. "Same age. Mind showing us what doll you'd like best?"

  The girl smiled and headed over to the doll section. She took only a few moments before pointing to the latest Barbie creation with a full wardrobe included. "That one."

  Case lifted the box from the shelf and handed it to Sarah. "What do you think?"

  "Perfect," Sarah said, granting the young girl a smile of approval. "Thank you very much."

  Her mother took the child's hand and walked over to the stroller by Sarah's side. "Oh, what a sweet baby. Look, Patti, she can't be more than a few weeks."

  "She's a month old," Case said quickly, corre
cting her.

  The woman glanced up at Sarah.

  "She was premature," Sarah explained.

  "So petite and so adorable. Won't be long before she'll be telling you both exactly what she wants from Krugers." The woman glanced at Case, then to Sarah. "I've got three. Is she your first?"

  "Yes, my first," Sarah responded, and Case could see the explanation on her lips, her readiness to set to right the woman's wrong assumption.

  "Well, congratulations to you both. Enjoy your baby. They grow up far too fast. Say goodbye, Patti." And with her farewell, they moved down the aisle.

  Case hadn't minded her assumption, but it was evident Sarah had by the frown pulling down her lower lip. ' 'No harm done, Sarah." Was it that distasteful to Sarah that they were thought of as a family? It was an innocent and reasonable mistake made by a stranger.

  ' 'No, no harm done,'' she agreed softly, but Case knew Sarah wasn't telling the truth. The woman couldn't lie worth a damn.

  "I'm starving. How about lunch?"

  Sarah looked at Christie, gnawing on three fingers. "I'm going to have to feed her soon."

  "That's all right. We can pick something up at the cafe and head over to the park. I'll spread a blanket and we'll have ourselves a picnic. Don't want Christie missing the best part of the day."

  That idea pulled Sarah out of her sour mood. "I'm a bit hungry, too. Okay."

  A short time later, Case was sorry he'd made the sug­gestion. He'd endured watching Sarah nurse the baby as discreetly as possible from under a small quilt and as much as he knew he should give her some privacy, Case hadn't been able to tear himself away. He'd fidgeted with arranging the cartons of food on the blanket and opening soda cans, but he'd been watching, fully aware of the scene before him. A serene expression crossed over Sarah's face and as the baby made gurgling sounds, Case's heart tripped over itself. Sarah, holding her baby to her breast, had never been more beautiful to him. Or more unattainable.