Page 25 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

“I’ve missed you, too, honey,” he said, his heart soaring. “I’ll see you soon.”

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Taylor winced as Colthelped her down from the truck, her pelvic girdle still incredibly sore from her delivery. She grabbed the diaper bag from the back seat, then Colt unhooked the car seat and followed her up the steps.

Her Aunt Shannon opened the screen door. “You all bring that little one inside. I can’t wait to hold him.”

Taylor smiled. “He slept all the way here, so maybe he’ll wake up and open his eyes for you, Auntie.”

Taylor dropped the diaper bag by the front door and followed her aunt over to the rocking chair. Colt set the infant seat down next to the chair and unfastened the harness. JJ began to stir. He opened his eyes and thrust his tongue out of his mouth several times.

“Uh-oh, I think somebody may be hungry,” Colt said with a grin.

“Lord, I just fed him before we left.” Taylor went over and dug in the diaper bag, coming up with a pacifier.

Colt handed the baby to Shannon, who was now sitting in the rocker.

“Here, try this, Auntie. He took it pretty good in the night,” Taylor said as she gave her the pacifier.

JJ latched on to it instantly, making loud sucking sounds around the plastic nipple.

Colt laughed. “He’s really going to town on that thing.”

Shannon cuddled him close, looking into his eyes and talking soft baby talk to him.

Taylor glanced at Colt, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes from the baby and smiled. “Would you like a glass of tea, Colt?”

He looked at her with a bemused grin. “That’d be great, thanks.” Then he looked back at JJ, completely engrossed.

She shook her head and went into the kitchen, so happy to be home—but even more glad to have the cowboy here with her.

They sat on the couch with their tea and watched Shannon rock JJ. He was sucking quietly now, having accustomed himself to the pacifier.

“Did your doctor say that feeding JJ every two hours is about right? I’m worried about how tired you’re going to be,” Colt said with an anxious note to his voice.

“Actually, my doctor said that on-demand feeding while he’s a newborn is the best thing for JJ. It’ll help him grow big and strong and put on weight.”

He nodded, looking thoughtful. “I hope you don’t think I’m being intrusive, but are you going to pump?”

She felt a flush rising up her throat, even though she knew it was stupid. He’d just seen her nether regions yesterday. “Yes, Shannon bought me a really nice one so that I could pump and she could feed JJ when I go back to work.”

He nodded. After a moment, he said, “I know you’ll have your aunt here to help you”—he smiled at Shannon—“but I’d be glad to come stay a night here soon when you have some breast milk put aside. I’ll get up with JJ so that you can sleep through the night.”

Her heart melted, and she felt tears pooling behind her eyes. “That’s so sweet of you, Colt. I’ll take you up on that, I promise.” What a precious, precious man he was.

She appreciated how unobtrusive her aunt always was when Colt visited. Taylor could almost forget that she was in the room with them. Shannon called herself a wise old woman, and it couldn’t be more true.

Soon, Shannon glanced at Colt. “I guess you’d like a turn with this little one, huh? I think I need a nap.”

Colt grinned. “You bet I do.” He exchanged places with her and cuddled the baby to his chest as JJ started sucking on his pacie with a vengeance again. “Is that mean old mommy making you suck on that nasty piece of plastic instead of feeding you, little guy? Do I need to have a talk with her? ’Cause I will, don’t you worry.”

Taylor laughed. “Man, the abuse I get around here.”

Colt leaned down and brushed a kiss onto JJ’s forehead. “It’s okay, sweetie. I got your back, don’t worry.”

“Okay, just gimme him,” she said, shaking with laughter.

Colt handed the baby over. “See, JJ? I got you. Momma’s gonna feed you now.”

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