Page 4 of Cowboy Wolf's Secret Baby

Matilda giggled. “That was my doing. I knew that man wasn’t good for her. He went into town and was going to buy her an engagement ring of all things. Thank goodness I found him in time. I put a spell on him to make him forget about Beth.”

“That’s awful,” Lyla protested.

“Why? I was just protecting her. He would only end up breaking her heart. Besides, we need her to focus on her magic. She can’t do that if she’s mixed up with that man.”

“Mother, how could you?” Beth demanded.

“I was doing it to protect you,” Matilda said. “You don’t need someone like him interfering with your life.”

“It’s my life and my decision about who I want in it,” Beth protested.

“He’s a rodeo man. Conner would leave you without a second thought. You know how those types are. He’s got all those women flocking around him and he would have sex with every single one of them, not caring about how you feel. You need to put him out of your mind,” Matilda said.

“That’s not going to be possible,” Beth said.

“I know you think you’re in love with him, but that’ll pass.”

“It’s not just that. I’m pregnant with his child.”

2

Conner

"You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” Conner said. “Your incredible beauty takes my breath away, and I’m not just talking about your fiery red hair, emerald eyes, and sexy body.”

Conner held Beth close to him. The feeling of their skin touching was incredible. Her scent of jasmine and her own essence tugged at his soul. He had heard his father talking about how he knew Conner’s mother was his fated mate the first time he caught wind of her unique scent. Conner had always scoffed at that nonsense. There was no such thing as a fated mate.

“Oh yeah?” she said. “Keep talking.”

“You are kind and so intelligent. Although you do have a smart mouth and a stubborn streak a mile wide.”

“All part of my incredibleness,” Beth said.

“Ooh, you’re humble, too. Gotta love that in a woman.” Conner laughed.

“Thanks,” Beth said. “I guess you’re alright, too.”

“Just alright?” he asked.

Beth pretended to think for a minute, exaggeratingly tapping her chin and scratching her scalp. She tilted her head sideways and narrowed her eyes as though she was studying him. “Yeah. I’ll go with alright.”

“I’ll show you alright,” he said, pouncing on her and tickling her.

The tickling turned into touching and making sweet love again. Conner had never guessed that he would find a woman who would make him feel so whole. As he held the sleeping woman, Conner decided that he was going to buy her a ring and propose.

We can make this work. I’ll give up the rodeo and find a job on one of the local ranches. Or hell, I’ll buy my own and raise broncs. I can compete locally when there are rodeos in the area.

He toyed with the idea, and the more he thought about it, the more he liked it. He pictured a nice large ranch and a whole pack of wolf shifter pups running around.

I can do this. We can do this.

Conner had lived the rodeo life long enough to know how to raise good bucking horses. He would find the right stud. It would probably be a champion ready to retire. He would find several mares that would be a perfect fit. Conner wouldn’t even be worried about the horses he sold. A good bronc would have a long, happy life in the rodeo. He would be well-fed and taken care of for just a few minutes of work each night. When they were ready to retire, they would often be put out to stud.

Smiling to himself, he pictured the ranch and the horses. Peace and contentment settled in his soul. Conner kissed the top of Beth’s head and snuggled in against her. He was excited about his plan. He was sure that Beth would be happy, too. Conner knew that the witch loved him. She could continue healing people who needed her while they worked together to achieve their dreams.

Matilda had come to the house early the next morning, telling Beth that she needed to get rid of Conner. She was sure that Conner was no good for Beth and would just end up hurting her.

I’ll show her, Conner thought as he listened to the conversation.

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