Page 40 of Taken by the Lawman

“Someone’s a little shaken up,” Cull said with laughter.

“Sorry. I guess I’m just tired.” Oh sheesh. She wouldn’t even dare look at Deegan to see if he found her jumpiness humorous.

Thankfully, conversation drifted to something other than Deegan because Kiersten wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep from sweating.

When dinner was finished, they all gathered outside to enjoy the last remnants of the evening while Kiersten helped her mother in the kitchen gathering the dessert, a hummingbird cake that was to die for.

“Why so secretive?”

At her mother’s question, Kiersten looked up from where she was placing the glasses on a tray. “Secretive? What about?”

“Coming home without telling me.” Beatrice’s eyes narrowed.

“Am I not allowed to come home unless I ask for permission?” Although it may sidetrack her mother for a moment, nothing could get past the woman. Maybe Kiersten should just tell her the truth, that they were working a case and she was beat up, but she didn’t want to worry her ma.

“Of course not, but I know you,” Beatrice stirred the tea and placed it on the platter next to the glasses. “Deegan is quite the looker.”

“Ma don’t do that. Don’t play cupid with my love life. I know it might seem like we’re romantically involved because we’re staying in the apartment, but we’re only friends. That’s all. Please don’t make us uncomfortable.”

“If you say so, but I’m pretty good with matchmaking. After all, I did fix Cull and Sally up, didn’t I?” she stated proudly.

“No, you didn’t. They met and were hooked instantly.” Kiersten laughed.

Beatrice patted her daughter’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Let’s take this to the clan before they start chewing on wood,” Kiersten teased.

They stepped outside, and she almost dropped the tray. After the glasses finally stopped tilting against each other, she sat them down on the table before she really lost it. Across the porch sat Deegan, holding Kace and Tyler’s baby. Those big, strong arms holding that tiny, defenseless human. Her ovaries screamed and her inner thighs trembled. There was something about him holding the baby that surrounded him in a different light. He was smiling and looked so…what? Daddy-like? Tender. Nurturing.

Her knees wobbled and she held onto the edge of the table to keep from passing out.

“You okay?” Tyler asked.

Kiersten nodded, attempting to gather her thoughts. “How long did it take you to talk him into holding her?”

“He volunteered. He’s pretty good at calming her. He might be a keeper, that one.” She winked.

“Oh, there’s nothing between us. We’re just…friends.”

Her sister-in-law’s smile spoke volumes. “Well, if that scene doesn’t melt your heart, I don’t know what will.” She patted Kiersten’s hand and joined Kace on the wicker loveseat. He wrapped his arms around Tyler and kissed her forehead.

Kiersten would never get over how her brawny, bad-ass brothers could lose themselves so preciously to their loved ones.

Feeling a warmth spread over her, she looked at Deegan who was staring at her in that amazing way that curled her toes. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he knew how much she wanted a baby, but there was no way he’d know.

Unless…

She scanned the yard looking for Cull. He wouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t possible.

*

Deegan couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was magnificently beautiful. Kiersten was playing toss with Zander’s dog. She picked up the chew toy and threw it. The Retriever took off at a run, catching the plastic football before it hit ground. Her hair caught in the breeze and her cornflower blue eyes caught the sun’s rays.

The fluffy dog lopped from front paws to back, his ears flopping and his tail wagging excitedly when he kneeled at Kiersten’s feet. He dropped the toy at her feet and she rewarded him with scratch on his head, then tossed the ball again.

Picking up one of the extra balls in the bucket, Deegan gave it a throw. Kiersten turned around, eyes round, and then she smiled. “Did you have enough of the baby?” she teased.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever held one. I thought I was going to break her. How do parents do it?” When he’d offered, he thought he must have been out of his mind, but he thought he could prove to Kiersten that he could take care of another human. “I wondered where you’d taken off to.”

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