Page 23 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

A vision of Colt holding JJ in his arms came to her. He’d cuddled her little one to his broad chest and whispered in baby talk, making her smile at the innocence of it. If only JJ had had a father like Colt. Someone to hold him and comfort him and teach him to play sports. Instead, he’d be raised by two women—one who had never had children and one who was brand new at the game.

JJ tugged at her breast, and she smiled. He’d be a fighter, all right. He knew what he wanted, even now. She closed her eyes and let memories of the day pass in front of her. She remembered everything that Colt had said to her. Each sweet endearment, every word of encouragement. He’d been amazing, so much more than she’d ever expected when she’d asked him to come with her.

What a special man he was. And she was very lucky to call him friend. For she was sure that was how Colt considered her. A good friend, and nothing more. So why was she aching—yearning—for him to want more?

She sighed. It had to be her hormones. Why would he want to take on a victim of rape with a child? A child whose father was in prison. A guy like Colt could have any woman he wanted. The attention he paid her was nothing more than the kindness of a man with a good heart.

She covered her face with her hand as tears leaked from her eyes. Then she scrubbed them away.Damnthese maternity hormones. She had every reason to be happy and no reason for these stupid tears. She’d had a wonderful birth experience, thanks to Colt and her aunt, and she had a beautiful baby boy to start her new life with. She had everything a woman could ask for. She bit her lip as Colt’s face appeared before her. Well, maybe not everything.

***

Colt walked into thePurple Cow Saloon and immediately called, “Bro, what are you doing back home?”

Dane Weller, a PRCA bulldogger, waved, his leg incased in a cast, and slowly headed toward Colt on his crutches. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m taking it easy—having a little vacation.”

Colt laughed and gave him a hug. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Oh, nothing except a broken tibia and three cracked ribs. No big deal,” he said with macho bravado and a big smile.

“Damn, bro, you’re a mess.”

Dane chuckled. “You got that right.” He turned and headed back toward his table. “Let’s sit down. This shit hurts.”

Dane signaled the waitress as they took their seats. “You still drinking the same poison?”

Colt grinned. “Yeah, but I’m celebrating tonight.”

The waitress arrived and he said, “I’ll have a Maker’s Mark—and double it.”

“Whoa, you reallyarecelebrating.” He turned to the waitress. “I’ll join him.” When she left, he asked, “So what are we celebrating?”

Colt told him about Taylor asking him to join her for JJ’s birth. “I’ll tell you, bro, it was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever been a part of. And the baby? He’s amazing—a chubby little fart with the clearest blue eyes you’ve ever seen.”

Dane nodded. “So, tell me about this Taylor. Is there a reason that she asked you to be with her today?”

Colt explained how he’d met her and then how he’d been going over and helping to fix up the old ranch house. “Dane, I have so much respect for her.” Then he explained about the rape trial and how she’d come through it and won. How she’d put the man who’d brutally attacked her in prison.

“She’s so strong, Dane. She just picked up and moved away. She started fresh instead of staying there where people gossiped about her and made her life miserable. I admire her more than I can say. And she loves this baby, let me tell you, and that says so much about the kind of person she is.”

Dane looked thoughtful, then nodded. “So, her son is from the...”

“Yeah—and she doesn’t care a bit, and never has.”

“That’s quite a woman you have there, Colt.”

He sighed. “Well, that’s kind of the problem. I don’t have her. I’m just wishing I did.”

Dane drew his brows together in confusion.

“It’s just that I don’t think she’s ready for a relationship after what she’s been through,” Colt said.

“Hmm. Well, have you said anything to her about how you feel?”

“No. Like I said, I think having a man as more than a friend in her life is something that’s off-limits for her right now.”

Dane shrugged. “Taylor may surprise you if she’s as strong as you say. Don’t wait too long, bud, or you might just lose her.”

Colt’s heart thumped hard at that thought. Lose her? Ohhellno. Maybe there was something to what Dane said. He should at least think about it.

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