Page 32 of Taken by the Lawman

Closing the door to the stove, she shrugged. “Unfortunately, there aren’t many champions left in the world. I would know because I’ve met every single Mr. Wrong.”

“Come on, you should hold out hope. There are just as many women out there who like to drag a man through the coals only to bust his balls.”

“Does that mean the Deegan Bronx has been hurt once or twice?” She seemed suddenly very interested.

“Sure. Who hasn’t had a broken heart?” Although he’d been in bad relationships, how could he tell her that he had it bad for her? That he couldn’t even think about another woman because her image popped up in his head and monopolized all his thoughts.

“That’s why we keep our hearts close,” she said nonchalantly.

He wondered if she really meant that? If so, that would mean he might never have a chance with her. He wanted her more and more each hour that passed, more than he wanted his next breath.

“I’m going to take a shower. Hopefully Cull isn’t a sloth because I’m hungry.”

He watched Kiersten head into the bathroom and close the door. He was hungry too, but food couldn’t touch the deprivation.

Deegan had just poured himself a second cup of coffee when the door came open and it was Cull carrying two bags of groceries. He placed the bags on the counter, taking out a small basket of eggs. “These are from the chickens.”

“Thank you, Cull. I appreciate it.”

“I brought Kiersten some of her clothes too. She in the shower?” Cull looked toward the hall.

“Yeah.”

“Good. This gives us some time to talk.” Cull leaned against the counter and hooked his thumbs in his front pockets.

Deegan knew what the other man was thinking. “Don’t worry. I admire and respect Kiersten.”

“Are you who I think you are?” Cull narrowed his gaze, his voice low.

“Huh?”

“She’s told me everything. The plan. Or mission as she called it.”

“Plan?” Had Deegan missed something?

“She’d never bring a man home, unless...” Cull pushed off the counter and went to stoke the fire. “You’re the one she has chosen to…procreate.”

“Procreate? No…I mean…what has she said about us?” Did Kiersten reveal to her brother, or brothers, that they’d slept together? That would explain why they were looking at him like they could rip his head off his shoulders.

“Ah, so there is something going on? You’re not through that agency, are you? I mean, I get that she wants a baby, but it’s against mother nature to hire an agency to find a father for your baby.”

It took three beats for Deegan to comprehend what Cull was saying. So, Kiersten wants a baby? “No, I’m not from some agency.”

“I get that she’s a grown up. She wants my brothers and me to stay out of her business, but truthfully, Sally and I discussed Kiersten having a baby and Sally told me she thinks Kiersten is ready. Now that I have a relationship of my own, I understand a lot more. So, I’m heading out and leaving you two alone.” Cull patted Deegan on the shoulder. “If I was you, I wouldn’t tell the rest of the clan about your plans with Kiersten. They don’t know about the baby thing and won’t like it.”

After Cull was gone, Deegan knocked on the bathroom door.

“Yeah?”

“Cull was here. He brought you clothes. I’m placing them here.”

When Kiersten finally came out of the bathroom, Deegan was still chewing on the information he’d heard.

“Food. Thank God. I could eat a horse,” she said as she pulled out items from the bags. She was wearing a T-shirt and shorts that showed of her nice, long legs. “I wouldn’t really eat a horse.” She laughed.

“I didn’t think so,” Deegan said.

“Oh my gosh. This is what I was hoping for. My Ma makes the best fried chicken ever.” She took the platter, pulled back the plastic wrap and sat it on the table. Once she plopped down in the chair, she looked at him with a curious gaze. “Are you going to come and eat or just stand there like you saw a ghost.”

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