Her Cowboy Daddy

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  Bolstered by Jeb’s steady presence, Cady asked, “Do you know why?”

  The teen sighed, her disappointment evident. “They decided adoption wasn’t for them.”

  What a letdown that must have been, Cady thought compassionately. She leaned forward. “I’m sorry.”

  Tina nodded, accepting her sympathy. “Fortunately, there is no shortage of people wanting to adopt a newborn baby. I met with two other married couples this morning, and I’m meeting another couple—who live together but aren’t married—this afternoon.”

  Cady hadn’t realized this was a competition. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Jeb’s expression and tell he was equally surprised. She searched the girl’s face. “Is it important to you that your baby be brought up by two parents?”

  “Initially, I thought so, but then I saw your picture with your profile, and you looked so nice…” Tina shrugged and continued frankly, “I liked the fact that you grew up in a small town, same as me, but then moved to the city and built a successful career all on your own, like I want to do someday. I figured since you and I have so much in common, that might be good for my little girl, too.”

  A poignant silence fell. Cady didn’t look at Jeb, but she could feel his concern.

  “I wanted to keep my baby,” Tina went on eventually, “but my parents were so embarrassed and upset, it just wasn’t going to be an option.”

  Yet if she were just a year or so older, it would be, Cady thought, because Tina would be eighteen, and technically old enough to be out on her own.

  Determined to understand, she asked gently, “How do they feel now?”

  “Relieved, that I’m going to be able to put this behind me and go back to school and on to college and stuff.” Tina stood and began to pace, rubbing her tummy as she moved. “They’re also glad it’s going to be an open adoption, so we’ll know how my baby is doing, where she’s growing up and all. Because they kind of worried about that, too.”

  Cady couldn’t imagine surrendering a baby for adoption. However, that didn’t stop her from admiring Tina’s strength. “I can understand how that would be a comfort,” she said quietly. Knowing where your child was and that she was okay, even if you weren’t the one raising her.

  “What about the baby’s father?” Jeb asked kindly.

  Tina scowled. “Bud signed away his rights as soon as he heard. He didn’t want any part of this—or me.”

  Jeb looked as if he wanted to read the kid the riot act. “That really sucks.”

  “Yeah, but at least he didn’t make any promises he had no intention of keeping. We all knew from the beginning that he wasn’t going to be around. That made things clearer for me.” Tina turned back to Cady. “How come you aren’t married and don’t have kids of your own already?”

  A valid question, Cady acknowledged. She gestured helplessly. “I’ve come close a couple of times, when I was younger.”

  Tina studied her. “What happened?”

  She sighed. “I took the guys home. They met my really pretty older sister and fell for her.”

  Tina Matthews looked horrified.

  Cady lifted a hand and set the record straight. “It wasn’t Suki’s fault. She had no interest in dating them, but the guys were really smitten, and so…that ended that. I bounced back by becoming really focused on my career. And now that I’m in a good place professionally, I want to have a family of my own.”

  Tina’s eyes lit with approval. “And you want to adopt.”

  “Yes. I want to give a child who has no place to go a loving, caring home.”

  THAT WAS CADY, Jeb thought. Noble to the core, and not afraid of commitment of any kind. Whereas he… Hell, even sitting here felt a little overwhelming.

  Oblivious to his mixed emotions, Tina asked Cady, “Have you ever had any practice taking care of kids? I mean…for more than a few hours at a time?”

  “Actually, I haven’t,” Cady admitted, then rushed to add, “but—starting Saturday—I am going to be babysitting my three nephews for two weeks.”

  “Stop looking at me like that,” she told Jeb minutes later, after they had concluded their initial interview, said goodbye to Tina and headed for the parking lot.

  He shook his head and stopped beside his pickup truck. “Can’t help it.” He paused, still in shock. “You’re really going to babysit all of your sister’s children for two weeks?” The three boys, ages two, four and five, were a handful under the best of circumstances, even for their very capable parents.

  Cady released an exasperated breath. Pink color staining her cheeks, she rifled through her handbag for her car keys. “How else am I going to get the kind of hands-on, in-depth experience I need?”

  Trying not to notice how pretty she looked with the late afternoon sunshine shimmering in her golden-brown hair, Jeb opened a door to let the hot air escape from the cab. “Maybe you should try two days before you attempt two weeks,” he chided.

  Cady stood in front of her sporty white Lexus, her expression as maddeningly inscrutable as her posture. “In a perfect world, I’d agree with you.”

  But the world wasn’t perfect, Jeb thought, or else Cady would be having a baby of her own, the old-fashioned way, with the man she loved.

  “Unfortunately,” she continued, using the button on her keypad to open the sunroof as well as all four windows, “it’s not possible if Suki wants to resurrect her career as a set designer and location scout on the new movie Hermann is producing.”

  Able to feel the pent-up summer heat streaming from both vehicles, Jeb put his hand beneath Cady’s elbow and steered her to a patch of shade beneath a tree, along the landscaped berm behind their vehicles. “She’s going back to work?”

  Cady nodded, her voice rife with emotion. “This is a chance for them to work together on a project again—and spend some rare time alone. And since Suki’s never been to Australia…” She paused, her love and admiration for her big sister evident. “I want her to do this.”

  Cady’s generosity did not surprise Jeb. He knew how close the two sisters had become since their parents’ death in an auto accident, ten years before. “I’m all for getting practical experience of any kind,” he said in exasperation, “but has it occurred to you that there are three of them, and only one of you?”

  She huffed. “My sister manages the three boys all the time.”

  “She’s had six years of practice to work up to her current skill level,” Jeb pointed out.

  Cady made a face at him. “It’s not like Suki and Hermann live on a ranch and I have to take care of cows or anything, too. It’ll just be the kids,” she countered stubbornly. “And the house.”

  Jeb folded his arms, not about to back down, either. “Which is out in the country, a good twenty minutes from town.”

  The smile that curved her soft voluptuous lips did not reach her brown eyes. “Luckily for me, as Suki and Hermann pointed out, you live just down the road, cowboy.”

  Aha. So this was why she wasn’t alarmed by the task ahead of her, Jeb thought, a bit peeved that she’d made this mutual commitment without first consulting him! Although he had to admit he didn’t mind the prospect of spending more time than usual with her….

  “Only one small problem,” he reminded her bluntly, making no effort to hide his skepticism over the wisdom of her actions. “I have even less experience babysitting kids than you do.”

  “So?” Mischief dueled with the unwarranted confidence in her gaze. “You’re a McCabe.”

  A McCabe who has no plans to ever get married.

  Silence fell between them. Jeb didn’t know why it mattered so much, but he could tell that Cady really wanted his approval. On this, as well as the adoption… Although why that should be baffled him, too.

  “What’s the matter, cowboy?” Cady taunted, her amber eyes sparkling in indignation. She marched closer, propping her hands on her slender hips and inundating him with a whiff of citrus perfume. “Don’t you think I can do it?”

  T
he question was, why would she want to? Jeb wondered drily. Especially given the little time off she had from work.

  Knowing better than to answer her query directly, however, he lifted his palm and said instead, “Now, now, don’t get your knickers in a knot.”

  Cady made a face at him. “Charming, Jeb.”

  He leaned in closer, too. “I’m just saying three boys can be a handful. Three boys five and under…. well, that’s a real task.” One he wasn’t sure either one of them was up to, promises or not.

  Chapter Two

  “You can stop looking at your watch anytime now,” Hank McCabe drawled during Saturday evening’s poker game.

  Holden McCabe dealt two cards, facedown, to each player. As serious as ever, he turned to Jeb. “I agree with our brother that you’re worrying needlessly. Cady and her nephews are all right.”

  “Otherwise,” their cousin Kurt concurred with a knowing smile, “Cady surely would have called you.”

  Jeb feigned interest in his hand, although the truth was he’d never played a worse game of Texas hold ’em in his life. “She should have called me anyway,” he grumbled.

  Good-natured chuckles abounded as the game continued.

  “How many texts have you sent her?” Hank asked curiously when Kyle got up to replenish the bowls of nuts and pretzels.

  Frowning, Jeb tossed in a chip that would keep him in the game. “Since this morning?” He shrugged as all three of his brothers and his twin cousins, Kyle and Kurt, looked his way. “Maybe four…” Or had it been five? All he knew was that none had provoked a response of any kind. And that wasn’t like Cady. Usually, when he called or texted or emailed, she got back to him within the hour, if not sooner.

  “My guess is she’s probably busy with the kids,” Kyle said, returning to the table.

  Jeb helped himself to a fistful of peanuts. “Maybe.”

  Holden set three community cards faceup in the center of the table. “You really think she’s in trouble?”

  “Yeah,” Jeb said, recalling what a handful Suki and Hermann’s three boys were, under the best of circumstances. “I do.”

  Kurt lifted a brow. “Then what are you doing here?”

  “You’re right.” Jeb folded. Then he grabbed his jacket and took off.

  Fifteen minutes later, he turned his pickup into the driveway of Suki and Hermann’s home. It was nearly ten-thirty, yet enough lights were blazing to make him glad he’d followed his hunch and decided to stop by, despite the late hour. Jeb got out of his truck and headed for the front door.

  Cady answered his knock almost immediately.

  Her hair was gathered in a messy knot on top of her head. Her linen shirt and jeans bore a colorful array of stains. She looked more tired and frazzled than he had ever seen her. Behind her was an even worse mess, one her elegant older sister and equally discerning brother-in-law never would have allowed.

  Worse, she looked anything but happy to see him, a fact that was even more baffling.

  “I thought you were playing cards tonight,” she said.

  Jeb sized her up and decided she was embarrassed to be in a situation clearly beyond her control.

  He shrugged. “The game ended early.” For me, anyway.

  The real question was, how best to lighten the mood?

  “What’s been going on here—a demolition derby?” Playfully, he inclined his head at the disarray behind her. “In any case, I think I know who won.”

  Cady’s scowl morphed into a rueful grin. “Very funny, cowboy.” Sighing woefully, she ushered him into her sister’s opulent home.

  Toys were strewn everywhere. An antique tin vase had been upended on the hall console and water and cut flowers dripped off onto the beautiful wood floor. Several planters had also been knocked over, and dirt and leafy plants were scattered across the plush carpet.

  “Where are the kids?”

  Cady put a finger to her lips, then motioned for him to follow.

  Behind the U-shaped ultrasuede sofa in the living room, all three little boys were sprawled in a heap on the floor, like a pile of puppies. Their arms and legs were entangled, blankets and stuffed animals tossed around them. “I was just getting ready to carry them to their beds. That is—” she looked at the trail of belongings leading up the staircase “—if I can clear a path.”

  He acknowledged her statement with a slight nod of his head, his gaze meeting hers. “May I be of assistance?”

  She threw up her hands. “At this point, any and all help would be greatly appreciated.”

  Gracefully, Cady led the way upstairs.

  The hall bath was another disaster. The tub had been drained of water, but wet towels and dirty clothing still needed to be picked up.

  “Let me guess.” Jeb plucked a rubber duckie from atop a towel rack and a plastic dump truck from the window ledge. “They were using the bath toys as missiles.”

  Cady leaned over to gather up discarded shoes, giving him a fine view of her very nice derriere in the process. “It’s a good thing they were all made of soft rubber.” As she straightened, the neckline of her linen blouse gaped slightly, giving him another unexpected view, this time of soft golden skin and lace-covered curves.

  She readjusted the heart-shaped pendant about her neck and her cheeks registered a pretty pink flush. “I lost count of how many times I got hit with them.”

  Jeb ignored the growing pressure at the front of his jeans. He bent, gathered up the rest of the bath playthings and deposited them in the wire basket on the edge of the tub.

  He straightened, towering over Cady once again. Wishing she weren’t so deliciously disheveled, he remarked mildly, “Sounds like they were giving you the business.”

  She propped a fist on her hip. “Let’s just say they weren’t too pleased their parents were taking a trip without them.”

  Gazing into her whiskey-colored eyes, Jeb pushed aside the sudden desire to kiss her. “I’m sure they’ll settle down tomorrow.”

  Cady pivoted and strode out of the bathroom, into the hall. “From your lips to their ear—eeyow!” She tripped on a plastic cowboy and horse set and went flying forward. Jeb caught her before she lost her balance completely, and brought her back upright. “Whoa, there, cowgirl.”

  Still wobbly, she turned around to face him, tripping over yet another toy in the process and bumping up against his chest.

  Jeb continued holding her, surprised at how soft and feminine and vibrantly alive she felt. How good she smelled. Like baby shampoo, kiddie bubble bath and woman… With effort, he shifted her slightly backward, so they were no longer touching from sternum to knee. “You okay?”

  “Yes. Thanks,” she murmured throatily. Gulping, she carefully extricated herself from his steadying grip, yet still looked startled.

  Jeb understood why.

  Friends for years, they had occasionally exchanged the quick glad-to-see-you embrace that was the full body equivalent of an air-kiss. But never one intimate enough to have her brush up against him in quite that way.

  The contact had given him an immediate physical reaction not suitable for friends.

  Thanking heaven she seemed not to have noticed the rigid press of his body against the fly of his jeans, he bent to pick up a handful of toys scattered across the hallway, and deposit them out of harm’s way.

  Cady did the same, until a path had been cleared to all three of the boys’ rooms.

  Beds turned down and ready for their young occupants, Cady and Jeb headed down the stairs and made their way to the living room.

  They deftly disentangled a little boy from the heap. Cady found the appropriate blanket and stuffed animal. Jeb carried the sleeping child upstairs. Together, they tucked the little one into bed.

  And went down for the next.

  When all three were sleeping snugly in their beds, Cady led Jeb back downstairs. Bypassing the front door, she headed for the kitchen, at the rear of the house. “Thanks for coming over.”

  Glad she wasn’t kickin
g him out, Jeb followed her lazily. “I figured you needed help.” His gaze tracked the strands of hair escaping their loose knot and falling over one ear. He returned his glance to her face. “Otherwise, you would have answered my text messages.”

  Cady reached up to undo the pins. She slid them onto the neckline of her blouse as her hair fell to her shoulders in loose, sexy waves. “Yeah,” she agreed, combing the strands into place with her fingers. “It’s been a crazy, crazy night.”

  Jeb figured he’d better concentrate on something else or he would end up putting the moves on her.

  “I can see that.” He glanced around the kitchen.

  Four barely eaten dinners were still on the kitchen table. An equal amount of pasta, sauce and salad dotted the floor, cabinets, and walls.

  Most of a box of cookies, however, and a whole quart of milk were gone.

  Jeb helped himself to a chocolate chip cookie and handed the remaining one to Cady.

  She brought out another carton of milk, set it on the counter, then reached for two glasses. “Can you believe I’ve been in charge of them for only six hours?” she lamented. “Suki and Hermann didn’t leave for the airport until five.”

  Jeb bypassed the chance to say I told you so. “Well, the boys are asleep now.”

  And she still had the dishes to do.

  He accepted the glass of milk she gave him, took a sip and studied her chagrined expression over the rim. “Want some help with the rest of the cleanup?”

  Cady smiled with a mixture of gratitude and relief. “You really are a friend, McCabe.”

  And that was all she wanted him to be, Jeb reminded himself firmly. A friend.

  Once again he forced himself to table his disappointment and abide by her wishes.

  “What time are the kids supposed to be up tomorrow?” he asked.

  Cady glanced at the wall clock, which registered a little past eleven and her lips formed a thoughtful line. “Suki said they are usually up at six. But maybe the boys will sleep in, since they went to bed so late.”

  “What do you have planned for the day?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I was going to take them to the nature center at Lake Nasworthy, maybe hike some of the trails, but now I wonder if that’s such a good idea.” Her breasts rose and fell as she released a soft sigh. “They weren’t exactly ‘good listeners’ tonight.”