by Leanne Banks
Stacey met his gaze. “Then what do you want to do about it?”
The sexy challenge in her green eyes felt like a velvet punch in his gut. “Maybe we could spend some more time together. Go to Vicker’s Corners, see a movie, take some walks when it’s not freezing. Go for hot chocolate,” he said, and wondered if she would find his suggestions lame.
She gave a slow smile. “That sounds nice, but people are gonna talk. I’m used to gossip, but you’re not.”
“I can handle it,” he said defensively, although Colton had never liked people getting in his business. “I’m just probably not as nice about it as you are,” he said and chuckled.
At that moment, he heard his parents walk through the front door. “Yoo-hoo,” his mother called. “We’re home.”
Piper, who had been surprisingly quiet, looked up from playing with her toy.
Colton’s mother and father came to a dead stop as they glanced into the den. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Foster,” she said, rising from the sofa. Colton also rose. “I stopped by with a few of my red velvet cupcakes, and Colton offered me some of your delicious soup.”
“Good for both of you. I’m glad Colton showed you some hospitality. Frank and I heard there was a mishap with the baby at the winter festival today, but couldn’t get the details.”
Stacey chuckled. “I’ll let Colton fill you in on that. I should be getting Piper home.”
“I’ll just say I’ll wash the shirt I wore today twice,” he said.
His father gave a nod. “Been there, done that. It’s good to see you and the baby, Stacey. I hope you don’t mind if I get some of that soup.”
“Not at all,” Stacey said.
“Oops. Sounds as if there might have been a little mess,” Colton’s mother said. “Don’t rush off,” she said as Stacey put away Piper’s baby paraphernalia. “Let me see that sweet little munchkin. She’s growing like a weed.”
Mrs. Foster extended her arms to the baby and smiled when Stacey handed Piper to her. “What a friendly little sweetheart. Your mother says she’s sleeping through the night most of the time.”
“That’s right. We had a rough time the first few months, and she still has her moments. But don’t we all?” Stacey said.
“I can tell you’re a good mother. I always knew you would be. You just seem to roll with whatever comes your way. I know Rachel is going to be upset that she didn’t get to see you and the baby,” Mrs. Foster said. “Are you sure you can’t stay?”
“I really should go,” Stacey said. “I’m hoping for an early night. It’s good to see you.”
“Same here,” his mother said, then plopped the baby in Colton’s arms. “Here. You carry Piper out to the car. Stacey could probably use a little break from hauling around this little chunk of love after today.”
Colton automatically stiffened but soldiered up. He couldn’t disagree with his mother. After his limited experience with Piper, he was surprised Stacey wasn’t exhausted all the time. From what he could tell, branding an entire herd of cattle would be easier than watching over a baby.
He carried Piper to the car and let Stacey fasten her into her safety seat. Piper fussed a little at the confinement. “You just better get used to this,” Stacey said in a kind but matter-of-fact voice. “You’ll be sitting in a safety seat every time you get in the car.” She shook a toy connected to the front of the seat to distract the baby, and Piper quieted down.
“You’re good with her. I’ll say that much. She can be a handful,” he said, shaking his head.
“She’s curious and sweet, but you’re right. She has her moments,” Stacey said.
“That’s when those bubbles come in handy,” he said.
Stacey stared at him and smiled. “So you did use the bubbles that night you kept her for me?”
“Hey, I had to hit the ground running. That diaper bag is like a bag of tricks,” he said.
“You almost sound as if you’re still afraid of her,” Stacey said. “My little Piper couldn’t terrify a big, strong man like you, could she?”
“Of course not,” he lied because the baby did have the ability to scare him more than a fright movie. “I’m just no baby expert like you are.”
“Maybe she’ll grow on you,” Stacey said softly.
“Maybe,” he said. Piper’s mother was growing on him. He leaned toward Stacey and took her mouth in a lingering, sweet kiss that made something inside him fill up and want more at the same time. “I’m glad you came over. I’ll call you.”
“I’m going to be really upset if you don’t,” she warned.
He liked hearing that bit of testiness in her voice. It made him think she wanted him, too. “No problem,” he said and kissed her again. He pulled back. “You’re habit-forming.”
“That’s good to hear,” she said. “I think your mother is watching from behind the curtains in the front room. She may ask questions. That’s what mothers do.”
“That’s okay. I have the perfect answer,” he said, putting his index finger under her chin.
“What’s that?”
“Nunya. Nunya business,” he said, and her laughter made it worth the inquisition he knew he would face when he went inside the house.
* * *
That night, Stacey slept better than she had in months, partly because Piper slept long and hard, and partly because being with Colton just made her feel better about life. He didn’t have to do much. Just his presence made her feel calmer and more optimistic. She didn’t want to overthink his effect on her. Stacey just wanted to enjoy it.
He called her on her cell the next morning, and she could tell he was outside and the wind was blowing. “Good mornin’,” he said.
“Good morning to you. How long have you been out and about?” she asked as she toted Piper around the kitchen.
“Since a couple hours ago. You know the routine. I have to get up early in order the get the heavy chores done so my father doesn’t hurt his back,” he said.
“I wish you could talk him into seeing the doctor,” she said. “It’s as if he’s in complete denial of this health problem.”
“You’re exactly right. He’s in denial until he ends up in bed for a few days. Then he takes it slow. A few weeks after that, he thinks it’ll never happen again. But enough of my crankiness. How would you like to go into town and get a burger at the grill? Early dinner?”
“That sounds like fun, but my parents are going to be at the winter festival all day, so I would have to bring Piper,” she said. When he didn’t immediately respond, she filled the gap of silence. “We can go another time. We don’t have to go today.”
“No,” he said. “Let’s take her with us. What time will work?”
“I’d like to get her back on schedule with her afternoon nap. Is four-thirty okay?”
“Sure. I’ll pick you two ladies up at four-thirty. See you then,” he said and disconnected the call.
Stacey felt a spurt of excitement and danced around the room with Piper. “We have a date.”
She spent the morning entertaining Piper, then ran laundry and cooked a big pot of chili in the afternoon. She changed her clothes three times and might have changed them once more if Piper hadn’t awakened. Her brother Jude must have smelled the chili from miles away because he stomped into the house an hour after she’d put it on the stove. Her brothers were at the family dinner table more often than not, despite the fact that they had their own places to live.
“Thank goodness there’s food,” he said. “I’m starving.” He looked at Stacey and Piper and gave a double take. “You two look as if you’re headed someplace special,” he said.
Stacey resisted the urge to squirm. “Just going to the grill with a friend,” she said.
“Rachel?” he asked as he grabbed a bowl from the cabinet.
She shook her head. “Nope. Do you mind setting that Crock-Pot on low and putting the lid on it if you leave before Mom and Dad get home? I think they should be here within a half hour,” she said.
“Sure,” he said and grabbed a spoon. “Any crackers or bread?”
“Crackers are in the cupboard.” A knock sounded at the door, and her heart leaped with silly excitement. “Gotta go.”
“Hey, you never said who is going with you to the grill,” he said.
“That’s right,” she said, unable to stifle a little giggle. “I didn’t. See you later,” she said, and ran to the door and threw it open.
“Hi,” she said, thinking it was ridiculous to be so excited about going to the grill in town. This proved the point that she really needed to get out more often.
“Hi to you and Miss Piper,” he said. “You’re both looking beautiful. You ready to go?”
“Thank you, and we are,” she said.
“I’ll carry Piper to the truck. I see you have the magic tricks bag,” he said, gingerly taking the baby in his arms.
“It goes wherever Piper goes,” she said. “Listen, do you mind if we take my car? I’ve already got the safety seat, and it’ll be easier to keep it in there than switch it from my car to yours again.”
“Good plan,” he said. “It didn’t occur to me.”
“Probably because you haven’t spent a lot of time with babies,” she said.
“My mistake,” Colton said. “The education of Colton Foster continues. I’ll let you fasten her into that contraption,” he said after he carefully set Piper into the seat.
As usual, Piper complained about the confinement, and Stacey distracted her. Within a couple moments the baby calmed.
“Have you ever tried to take her on a road trip?” he asked.
“Not unless you call the hour drive to Lubbock a road trip,” she said. “She’s really not a bad rider, but I wonder if she might get fed up with it after several hours. I have visions of throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the backseat to keep her amused.”
“I think my parents must have done that when we took a trip to Dallas one time, although my Dad wouldn’t put up with any foolishness when we got older.”
“My father is the same way, maybe even more so,” she said. “Deke Jones is a stand-up guy, but I have to admit that he didn’t join me for any tea parties when I was a little girl. He was too busy for that.”
“It’s funny the things we remember. My mother showed up for most of my basketball games, but my father only came to a few each season. I always knew they both loved me, and that’s what’s important,” he said.
“Very true,” she said. “Now that I’ve had Piper, though, I find myself wishing she had everything I had growing up and more.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“She has some of it,” Stacey said. “A safe, warm home and family who love her, but—” She broke off, feeling self-conscious.
“But what?”
“Nothing,” she said, feeling her face grow warm with embarrassment. “You’ll think I’m crazy.”
“No. I won’t. Tell me.”
Stacey smiled and shook her head. “I’m hoping I can talk one of her uncles into having a couple tea parties with her,” she said. “I think it’s good for little girls to have good men who are involved in their lives.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that,” he said. “What do little girls eat at tea parties, anyway? I can’t believe they like tea.”
“Juice and cookies,” she said.
“That’s not all that bad,” he said.
“No. It’s the little chairs and pretending that makes it tough for a grown man,” she said.
“Which of your brothers have you targeted for this?” he asked.
“I have a year or two before the parties will begin,” Stacey said. “But I’m thinking Toby would be a natural. He’s already a foster father. If not him, I may be able to con Jude into the job, especially if Piper serves something I’ve made.”
“Sounds as if you’re planning ahead,” he said.
“Once I had Piper, I couldn’t just think about the moment anymore. I had to think about the future, too.”
“Is that why you seem sad sometimes?” he asked.
Stacey looked at him in surprise. “You think I seem sad?”
“Well, different. You used to seem happier,” he said.
She thought about that for a moment. “I worry more,” she confessed as he pulled into the small parking lot for The Horseback Hollow Grill.
He cut the engine and turned to her. “No worrying for the next couple of hours,” he told her. “After all, you’re about to eat a gourmet meal with the handsomest guy in Horseback Hollow,” he joked.
Stacey smiled. The gourmet meal was a stretch, but she was beginning to think that Colton was the best man in Horseback Hollow. She wondered why she’d never noticed until now.
Chapter Eight
“Oooh, what a cute baby,” the server at The Grill said, then glanced at Stacey and Colton. “What a good-looking family. I bet you hear that all the time. I’m Maureen, and I’m new here in Horseback Hollow.” Her gaze returned to Piper. “Look at that chin,” she said, tickling it. “Just like Daddy’s. Now, what can I get for you today?”
“Burger loaded and hot chocolate,” Colton said. “What about you?” he asked Stacey.
“Grilled cheese and hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows please,” she added.
“Will do,” Maureen said and turned away.
“Sorry about that,” Stacey said.
“Sorry about what?” he asked.
“That the waitress said Piper looked like you,” she said, feeling extremely awkward. She didn’t want Colton to feel pushed into a relationship with either herself or Piper.
“She said we have the same chin,” he said, rubbing his own chin and glancing at Piper. “I just didn’t know I already had two.”
Relief raced through her, and she swatted at him. “Stop that. She clearly only has one chin, but there’s no denying those chipmunk cheeks. She looks as if she’s packing a load of acorns.” Stacey rubbed her daughter’s cheek. “But you’re gorgeous, anyway,” she said.
“She is. She looks like you. Minus the chipmunk cheeks,” he said.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Stacey said, and Maureen returned with their hot chocolate.
“Anything else I can get you?” she asked.
Colton glanced at Stacey. “We’re good,” she said.
Their food was served just moments later, and Stacey relished her grilled cheese sandwich. Although Piper was well-fortified with cereal on her high-chair tray, she watched every bite that Stacey took.
“She’s getting more interested in food,” Stacey said. “Especially whatever I’m eating.”
“Can’t blame her. What does she get? Dry cereal? She looks as if she wants to reach right over and grab the rest of your sandwich. You’re clearly starving her.”
“Right,” Stacey said, shooting him a mock chastising look. “This is probably more than you want to know, but she’s allowed to have strained and pureed fruits, vegetables and meats.”
Colton made a face. “I didn’t hear hamburger on that list.”
“She doesn’t have any teeth. She’d have to gum it,” Stacey said.
A woman stopped by their table. “Why, Stacey Jones. I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Stacey recognized the woman as a member of her church. Stacey had missed quite a few Sundays since Piper had been born. Truth be told, she’d missed more than she’d attended since she’d gotten pregnant. “Mrs. Gordon, it’s good to see you. How is your family?” Stacey asked as she stood and gave the woman a hug.
“We’re hanging in
there. My husband has had a terrible time with gout, but we keep plugging. Look at your baby. She’s just gorgeous,” Mrs. Gordon said, and glanced at Colton in confusion. “Colton Foster, right? For some reason, I thought your fiancé’s name was Joe.”
Stacey’s stomach knotted. “He was. Joe moved to Dallas. But Piper is thriving, as you can see.”
“Yes, she is. And how nice for both of you to have big, strong Colton around,” Mrs. Gordon said in a coy voice.
“Hmm,” Stacey said, so ready for the woman to move along. “Thank you for stopping by,” she said. “And please give your husband my best.”
She sank back onto her seat. “Why does everyone have to know everything about everyone around here?” she muttered and took a sip of her hot chocolate. She wondered how long she would be answering questions about Joe and why they weren’t together. At this point, it looked like forever.
After they finished their meal, Colton drove Stacey and Piper back to Stacey’s house. “You’re awfully quiet,” he said.
“I know I said that we have to expect people to talk here in Horseback Hollow because that’s what they do, but I hate having to talk about Joe. People always look at me with pity. Poor Stacey. She couldn’t keep her man,” she said.
“Joe’s leaving wasn’t your fault. He couldn’t handle the responsibility of a baby. He’s the loser in this situation, not you,” he said. “If you need another way of looking at it, aren’t you glad that you and Piper aren’t stuck with a man who doesn’t love you? You deserve better than that.”
“When he first left, I was in shock. I couldn’t believe he would abandon his own child and me. It made me wonder if I ever really knew him,” she said.
“Do you wish he would come back and the two of you could get back together?” Colton asked.
“I did for a while,” she confessed. “It sounded like the perfect ending to a fairy tale that had gotten off track. But I don’t know that I would ever be able to trust him again. I do know that I’m not the same woman who fell for him years ago. I just wish he wouldn’t have rejected Piper. That’s the worst part,” she said.
