Page 24 of Cowboy Wolf's Secret Baby

Beth’s heart broke for Taryn, too. Taryn knew that Conner would leave and the two of them would be alone again. But that didn’t stop her from pretending today. Beth knew exactly how she felt.

All too soon, it was time to go back to the rodeo arena and get ready for the evening’s events.

“I really like him,” Taryn said. “He’s great. I wish…”

“I know, Baby Girl,” Beth said, hugging her daughter and kissing the top of her head. “I wish, too.”

8

Conner

Conner whistled a song while he prepared Zephyr for their event.

I wish that we had more time today. That was fun.

He was surprised by the thought. Conner had actually enjoyed spending time with Beth and Taryn. Even though the little girl talked a million miles an hour and filled him in on every minute of her life’s story, he had enjoyed every second of it. She was a very mature, intelligent little girl.

It’s too bad that most adults don’t have the sense that she does.

Gideon sauntered over with a huge smile. “I saw you talking to Beth and Taryn earlier.”

“Yeah. Beth and I went out last night and had a good time. She introduced me to her daughter today since I had complimented her so much on her riding. Taryn is quite the talker. We actually spent the afternoon together.”

“Kelly isn’t going to like that.” Gideon grinned.

“I told her exactly how I felt about her this morning. Maybe she’ll get the hint and back off.”

“Yeah, right,” Gideon said. “Have you met her?”

“True.” Conner sighed. “She is determined to get what she wants, no matter what.”

“Yep. And you are what she wants. At least for the minute.” Gideon laughed and said slyly, “You know, if you pretended that you were in love with her, she would get bored and leave you alone.”

“I don’t have that kind of good luck. I would pretend that I was in love with her, and the next thing I would know, I’d be drugged and in Las Vegas saying ‘I do’ in front of a preacher dressed up like Elvis Presley.”

Gideon laughed. “Probably. So, you had a good time last night and this afternoon with Beth, huh.”

Conner scratched his head and frowned. “There is something so familiar about her. It’s not just how she looks. It’s her mannerisms. How she talks. Even her sense of humor. I just can’t figure it out.”

Gideon looked at him and said, “You really don’t remember, do you?”

“Remember what?”

The rodeo clown shook his head. “It’s not important.”

“My buddy says that I either met her here before at an event or I’ve seen her doppelganger.”

Gideon raised his eyebrows and said, “That could be. It’s said that every person in the world has a twin.”

“I feel sorry for my twin.” Conner laughed. Then, he became serious again. “You know, though, since the first time I saw Taryn, I thought that she looked familiar. I just figured it out. She actually looks a lot like my mother did when she was a little girl.”

“That’s a weird coincidence,” Gideon said.

“I know.”

“What does your gut say?”

“My gut says there is more to the story, and it’s going to drive me up the wall until I can figure it out,” Conner said.

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