Page 28 of Sheltered by the Lawman

She gave a slight shrug. “I’m not getting any younger, Cull. And neither are you, although a man’s expiration date for having children doesn’t reach a ceiling. For women, our eggs start to dry up in our thirties.”

He laughed. “Honey, you’re thirty-four. You talk like you’ll be searching for a nursing home next year. Who’s the lucky guy?”

There was a long hesitation. “Well…”

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of doing one of those invertigo baby things,” he sighed.

“It’s called invitro fertilization, and no, I’m not thinking of IVF.” She worked her bottom lip.

“So, adoption?” If he didn’t have to think about his sister having sex only made the idea better.

“Not exactly.”

He scrubbed his jaw. “Okay. I’m lost.” Several expressions flitted across her face. The sinking feeling dipped further south.

“I want to do things a more traditional way.”

Okay, there went the safety net that he wouldn’t have to discuss her sex life. She’d always be his baby sister and he was protective. “Good, get married and have a couple kids.”

“Not quite that traditional, brother.”

“If you don’t stop playing vague I’m going to blow my top.” It was after midnight and he hated word games. He didn’t know much about her personal life and he knew even less about all the ways a baby could be made except for the one he liked to practice…minus the baby.

“Fine! Don’t get your boxers in a bunch. I’m accepting applications.”

He laughed but quickly sobered when she didn’t show any signs of joking. “What the fuck?”

“Shh. You’ll wake up the parents and I definitely don’t want them to know.”

“I can see why. You’re going to send them to their graves. Applications? There’s such a thing?” His mind couldn’t absorb the thought.

“Many single women who want children are going this route. I’m working with an agency that sets up the process. They do a thorough screening, test for everything, you know like diseases and criminal behavior, and the couples work together to…reproduce. It’s that simple.”

“This all sounds so—”

“Wonderful?”

“No,” he snapped.

“Modern?”

“Hell no. I was searching for a word like crazy. Ridiculous. Not natural.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “No, you’re being close minded.”

“I’m being a big brother who loves you. Go to bed and sleep this crazy idea off. Or better yet, stop searching for a baby daddy and think more along the lines of a partner and let things progress naturally.” Once the words were out, he realized he’d pushed her too far.

She jumped off the bed, her chin tight and her eyes shining. “I should have never told you, Cull. If I’d known you’d be so narrow-minded, I would have kept my mouth shut.”

“Come on, sis. I have a right to my opinion.” He softened his voice some.

“Sure, I did ask, but when it comes down to it, I’m an adult and can do what I want. Don’t you dare tell Ma and Pa because if you do, I’ll throttle you. You hear?”

He made a zipping motion over his lips and pretended to toss the key. “I wouldn’t want to be the one that sends them into an early grave.”

“I’m tired.” She yawned. “Good night. I do still love you.” She bent and kissed his cheek.

He watched her leave and stared at the closed door. His sister wants a baby? He blamed it on his other siblings who were reproducing like rabbits. They made Kiersten feel like there was a clock ticking. Not Cull. As far as he was concerned he’d be fine staying…what exactly? Sleeping in his twin sized bed in his childhood home? Lusting after a woman he couldn’t have?

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