by Leanne Banks
Colton squeezed her arm. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. From where I sit, it looks as if you’re doing a dang good job. That baby is surrounded by people who love her. That’s more than a lot of kids can say.”
The tight feeling in her chest eased just a little from his words of encouragement. “Thanks. I have my share of doubts.”
“Well, stop your doubting. You’ve got a healthy baby, and she’s doing great,” he said. “Besides that, you’ve got a slice of Olive Foster’s famous apple pie in your future tonight.”
“The only way I’ll get a slice is if I hide it until after the meal,” she said.
“Well, that’s a no-brainer,” he said, and leaned toward her in a way that seemed much sexier than it should. “Hide the pie. Indulge yourself.”
Stacey’s heart raced at Colton’s instruction. A naughty image of how she could indulge herself with Colton raced through her mind, but she immediately slammed the door on her thoughts. After all, the last time she’d indulged herself she’d gotten pregnant.
Chapter Three
“I’m sorry I can’t go with you,” Rachel said to Stacey on her cell phone. “My friend Abby called me at the last minute to babysit, and it’s her anniversary.”
“I understand. You and I can catch up later,” Stacey said, even though she dreaded attending Ella Mae Jergen’s baby shower. Ella Mae was married to a hotshot surgeon, and the couple owned houses in both Lubbock and in the next town past Horseback Hollow. Ella Mae was pregnant with her first baby. The shower was a big deal for Horseback Hollow because Ella Mae had been born and raised there and her parents still lived in town. The shower was being held in the Jergen’s mansion in the next town. Stacey couldn’t help feeling intimidated.
Ella Mae, however, had been supportive of Stacey and had attended the shower for Piper, so Stacey was determined to return the favor.
“What’s wrong?” her mother asked as Stacey put a pot of beans on for dinner while she held Piper on her hip.
“Nothing,” Stacey said.
“Doesn’t sound like nothing to me,” Jeanne said, and put a lid on the beans. “Let me hold my grandbaby.”
All Stacey had to do was lean toward her mother, and Piper extended her chubby little arms to her Gabby. Stacey checked the chicken and vegetables. “Looking good,” she murmured.
“You don’t have to cook every night,” her mother said as she clucked over Piper.
“I’m not contributing to the household with green stuff, so I want to contribute in other ways,” Stacey said.
“I don’t want you overdoing it,” her mother said.
“I’m not. I’m young and healthy,” she said.
“That sounds like something I said when I was younger,” her mother said. “You still didn’t answer my question about your conversation with Rachel.”
Stacey sighed. “Ella Mae’s baby shower is tonight.”
A brief silence followed.
“Oh,” her mother said, because she knew that the Jergens were wealthy and anything they did had to be, oh, so perfect. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Her mother’s offer was so sweet that it brought tears to her eyes. Stacey put down her spoon and went to her mother to hug her. “You’re the best mother in the world. You know that, don’t you?”
Jeanne gave Stacey a big squeeze, then pulled back with a soft chuckle. “What makes you say that?”
“Because you always do the right thing. I wonder if I can do half as many right things as you have,” Stacey said, looking into her mother’s eyes and wishing that just by looking, she could receive all of her mother’s wisdom.
Her mother slid her hand around Stacey’s shoulders and gave her another squeeze. “You’re already doing the right thing. Look at this gorgeous, healthy baby. You’re a wonderful mother.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Stacey said, feeling as if she’d just received the highest praise possible.
“You don’t have to go to Ella Mae’s baby shower. Just drop off a gift,” her mother said.
“No,” Stacey said with a firm shake of her head. “She came to my shower. I should go to hers.”
Jeanne pressed her lips together. “If you’re sure...”
“I am,” Stacey said. “And you already said you don’t mind watching Piper. Right?”
“Not at all,” her mother said. “You don’t ask me often enough. I love my little Piper girl.”
Stacey’s heart swelled with emotion. “I’m so blessed,” she said.
“Yes, you are,” her mother said. “Now go get ready for Ella Mae’s shower. You hold your head high. Don’t forget it. You’ve done the right thing, and you’re a good mother. Just make sure you’re the second one out the door.”
Stacey looked at her mother in confusion. “Second one out the door?”
“I never told you this before, but if you ever go to a party that you don’t want to attend, then you can be the second one to leave. You don’t want to be the first, but being the second is fine,” her mother said.
Another word of wisdom Stacey swore to remember. “I’ll be watching for who leaves first.”
“And if anyone starts making insinuating comments about Joe, then pull out Piper’s baby pictures. That should shut them up right away.”
Stacey smiled at her mother. “Thanks, Mom.”
Stacey raced to her room to pull on a black dress and boots. She put on some lip gloss and concealer, then threw on a colorful scarf and her peacoat.
“See you later, Mom,” she called, then headed for her Toyota. Thank goodness snow and sleet had stayed away from Horseback Hollow during the past week. She started her car and got to the end of the driveway before she realized she had forgotten the gift for Ella Mae’s baby.
Stacey backtracked and collected the gift, then returned to her trusty car. She headed out of Horseback Hollow toward the next town, then took several turns down several back roads until she reached the gated driveway for Ella Mae’s house. The gate lifted to allow her entrance, and Stacey rode down the paved drive to the front of the Jergen mansion. The windows of the house were lit, and the front door was open. Stacey knew what she would find inside. A crystal chandelier and exquisite high-profile designer furniture and decor.
Stacey was accustomed to homemade decorations and freshly painted rooms. Mama Jeanne decorated her home with family photos and mementos. The Joneses’ home was warm and welcoming, but furniture had been chosen for durability, not how pretty it was.
A man approached Stacey as she paused in the driveway. “May I park your car, ma’am?”
Stacey blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m the valet for the evening,” he said.
Stacey blinked again. Heaven help her. Valet? Don’t fight it, she told herself. Let him park the car. She would have to park her own all the nights thereafter, and that was okay.
Stacey accepted a nonalcoholic basil-something cocktail. She would have preferred a beer. She joined in with the socializing and the games and predicted that Ella Mae would have a boy. Stacey suspected that Ella Mae’s husband would want a boy right off the bat, so she hoped Ella would be able to seal the deal with a male child.
When it came time for the big reveal of the baby’s sex, it was done via cake. Blue. Stacey had been correct. Everyone cheered.
Ella Mae circled the room with her posse and stopped to visit with Stacey.
“I’m so glad you could come,” Ella Mae said. “I know you’ve been busy with your baby.”
“So true,” Stacey said. “You’ll learn soon enough.”
“Well, I’ll have help,” Ella Mae said. “I’ll have a husband and a nanny.”
Stacey lost her breath. She felt as if she’d been slapped. She took a careful breath and remembered what her mother had said. She pulle
d out her cell phone. “Have you seen my Piper? She’s just gorgeous, don’t you think?” she asked as she flipped through the photos.
“What a darling,” one of Ella Mae’s friends said. “She’s beautiful.”
Stacey nodded. “And good as gold.”
A couple moments later Ella Mae and her pack moved on. Stacey watched the door and saw two guests leave. It was time for her to go. On the drive home she decided to stop at the Superette to pick up some bananas for Piper. Piper loved bananas. Luckily, the Superette had quite a few. Then she headed to the only bar in town, the Two Moon Saloon, with the intention of drinking half a beer. She would be fine driving after drinking a whole beer, but Stacey wouldn’t risk anything. Since she’d become a mother, everything had changed. She couldn’t take any chances.
She went to the bar and ordered a beer. The first time in nearly a year and a half. She took a sip and felt so guilty she asked for a glass of water. Sensing the gazes of several men on her, she sipped at her water and wondered if coming here had been a good idea after all.
The bartender put another beer in front of her. “The guy at the end of the bar bought this for you.”
Stacey glanced down the bar but didn’t recognize the man. “Oh, I can’t accept it. I don’t know him.”
“I can’t take it back,” the bartender said.
Feeling extremely uncomfortable, Stacey took another sip of water and eyed the door.
“Fancy meeting you here,” a familiar male voice said.
“Oh, thank goodness,” she said, and stretched both of her hands toward Colton.
“Problem?” he asked, glancing down at her hands clutching his arm.
“I just went to Ella Mae Jergen’s baby shower. She made a snarky comment about my missing baby daddy. I came here for a beer, but I couldn’t make myself drink it. And some guy bought me another beer. Save me,” she said.
Colton chuckled and gently extracted her fingers from his arm. “Hey, Phil, buy Stacey’s admirer a beer on me.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I was just going to drink half a beer, but I felt guilty after the first sip. Do you know how long it’s been since I had a drink at a bar?”
“Apparently too long,” Colton said.
“Maybe,” she said.
“You don’t have to give up living just because you had a baby,” he said.
She nodded, but she didn’t really agree.
Colton lifted her chin with his finger. “Your life is not over. You can still have fun,” he said.
“I have fun,” she said, unable to resist the urge to squirm. “I have lots of fun with Piper.”
Colton shot her a doubtful glance. “You need to start getting out more. And I don’t mean baby showers.”
Stacey lifted her eyebrows at Colton’s suggestion. “You don’t mean dating, do you?”
“You don’t have to date. You just need to get out. You’re acting—” He broke off.
Stacey frowned. “I’m acting how?”
Colton scrubbed his jaw. “I don’t know how to say this.”
“Well, spit it out,” she said. “I want to know.”
Colton sighed. “You’re acting...old.”
Stacey stared at him in disbelief. “Old?” she repeated. “I’m acting old?” She couldn’t remember when she’d felt so insulted. “I’m only twenty-four. How can I be old?”
“I didn’t say you are old,” Colton said in a low voice. “I said you’re acting old.”
“Well, I have a baby now. I need to be responsible,” she said.
“I agree, but you don’t have to stop living your life,” he said.
Stacey paused, thinking about what Colton had told her. “You’re Mr. Responsibility. I can’t believe you’re telling me to cut loose and be a wild woman.”
“I didn’t say you should be a wild woman. I just said you need to get out more,” he said.
“Hmm,” Stacey said. “I’m going to have to think about this.” She paused. “I wonder who I could call if I decide to get out. If I decide I want to have half a beer.”
“You can call me,” Colton offered. “Remember, I’m Mr. Responsibility.”
In her experience, Stacey knew that Colton was Mr. Responsibility. He always had been and she valued that quality in him now more than ever. But lately, when she looked at Colton, she couldn’t seem to forget what it had felt like to dance in his arms on New Year’s Eve. And that almost kiss they’d shared. Almost, but not quite. She wondered what a real kiss from him would feel like. Stacey almost wished he’d kiss her and she would be disappointed, so she could stop thinking about him so much.
* * *
The next day, Colton showed up unexpectedly at the Joneses’ house. Stacey was happy to see him even though he seemed intent on asking her father’s thoughts about some issue with the cattle. She brought Colton and her father some coffee. Colton tossed her a smile but kept talking with her father.
Stacey couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of the time he was spending with her father. She knew Piper would awaken any moment, and her time would then be divided. Hurry up, Dad. But she knew the mental urging was useless. Her father was usually stone quiet, but when it came to talking about the ranch, once he got going, he didn’t stop.
She checked her watch and felt her stomach clench as she waited for Piper to call out for her. Finally, her father took a potty break. Hallelujah.
“Better today?” Colton asked her as he headed for the door, where Stacey waited on the porch.
She nodded. “I guess so. Sorry if I freaked out on you last night.”
“You didn’t,” he said. “It’s like I said. You just need to get out more. I know your mama would be more than happy to watch Piper for you every now and then.”
“I don’t want to burden her,” Stacey said as she stepped out of the front porch with him. “They’ve taken Piper and me in. I don’t want to take advantage of them.”
“You wouldn’t ever do that,” he said. “Listen, how about if I take you to the bar and grill in town? What’s a good day for you?”
Surprise rippled through her. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude on your, uh, relationship with your new girlfriend.”
He hesitated a half beat. “She won’t mind,” he said. “When do you want to go?”
“I think Thursday may work. I’ll have to ask Mama first. Can I get back to you?”
“Sure,” he said, and squeezed her arm just like one of her brothers would. “Remember to smile.”
She stared after him as he started to walk away. “Wait,” she said, and he turned around. “Do I frown that much?”
He paused. “You used to seem a lot happier,” Colton said. “I hate to see you so sad and burdened.”
“My life is different now,” she said.
“But is it sad?” he asked.
She took a deep breath and thought about his question. “Not really.” She smiled. “I’ll call you about dinner at the grill followed by a beer. I appreciate the pity date.”
“It’s no pity date,” he said. “We’ve known each other a long time. We should be able to cheer each other up. You may have to do it for me sometime,” he said.
“That’s hard for me to imagine,” she said.
“You never know,” he said, and her father returned to the den, ready to talk ranching.
Stacey gazed at Colton. There was more to him than she’d ever thought. Stacey wondered what it would be like to go on a real date with Colton. She wondered how it would feel to be the object of his affection. Rolling her eyes at herself, she shook her head and went to the laundry room to wash another load of baby clothes.
The next day, Stacey played with Piper, after cleaning the house and fixing dinner. She couldn’t help thinking about Colton’s offer for an
evening out. It wouldn’t be fancy, but it would be a relief. She debated calling him ten times over, then finally gave in. He didn’t pick up, so she hung up. Five minutes later, she called again. He still didn’t answer, but this time she left an answer.
A half hour later, he returned her call. “Hello?” she said as she stirred soup for dinner and held Piper on her hip.
“Need an escape?” Colton asked.
She gave a short laugh. “How did you know?”
“Saw the hang-up, then heard the desperation in your voice mail,” he said.
“I’m not that desperate,” she said, even though she really needed an evening out.
“I know. Everyone needs an escape hatch every now and then,” he said.
“What’s yours?” she asked.
“If I really want to get away, I can go into town or even Vicker’s Corners,” he said.
“But you don’t have a baby,” she said.
He chuckled. “That I don’t,” he said. “It won’t be fancy. Tomorrow night okay? What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“Five-thirty,” she said.
“Early night?”
She laughed. “These days I only do early nights,” she said. “You have a problem with that?”
“None at all, I’ll see you tomorrow at five-thirty.” He chuckled. “Call me if you need to escape earlier.”
Stacey couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll pace myself. Bye for now.”
The following day, Stacey’s afternoon fell apart. Piper woke up early from her nap, and Stacey feared she’d burned the baked spaghetti casserole. She was having a bad hair day, and Piper was so cranky, Stacey wasn’t sure she should ask her mother to babysit for the evening.
“Are you teething, sweetie?” she asked Piper.
Piper’s sweet face crumpled in pain. Stacey sighed. “Mama, she’s so fussy. I’m not sure I should leave her with you.”
Her mother extended her arms to Piper, but Piper turned away. “Oh, come on, you sugar,” Jeanne said to Piper. “I’ll take care of you. Rub your sore gums with something that will make you feel better.”
