Page 39 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

“Damned straight.”

As the call ended, Colt had a new sense of direction. Dillan could always set him straight, and he was glad that he’d called him.

There’d been no word from the Shelton clan and no sign that they’d been anywhere near Horsehead. Had they given up on their plans to make JJ a part of their family? Colt shook his head. With people like that, it was too much to hope for. They’d be back—and they’d be looking for trouble when they came.

He loosened the last fitting and crawled out from under the sink. He found that he enjoyed living here at Shannon’s immensely. Sitting down to dinner with Taylor each night, visiting quietly and looking into each other’s eyes, was a heartwarming experience. It felt like they were a family, and there was no place else in the world that he’d rather be.

JJ was a good baby. Now that he was a few weeks old, he was more content and looked around when he was awake, full of curiosity. Colt loved holding him and comforting him on the few occasions when he was fussy. Watching Taylor nurse the baby did something to Colt; it touched him in a deep, elemental way, as if he were connected to them, mother and child, in an unbreakable bond.

Taylor often held his gaze while she fed JJ, and he smiled to let her know that he, too, cherished this time. Watching JJ suckle at her breast was somehow magical. Often, he would reach out and caress the baby’s head, unable to resist getting involved in the experience.

At his suggestion, he and Taylor took turns getting up in the night with JJ. She would nurse him, of course, but Colt was getting to be an old hand at heating up the frozen breast milk and making a bottle. He enjoyed rocking JJ back to sleep. The baby’s soft breaths and the slow back-and-forth motion eased Colt’s soul.

If only he didn’t have Jeb and his clan to worry about, he’d be the happiest man alive.

The door opened, and Taylor walked in. “How’s it coming?”

He had the old faucets sitting on the floor and was ready to mount the new ones. “I’m almost there—assuming these new faucets fit, that is.”

“Would you like a glass of iced tea?” Taylor asked as she examined the old parts and tools strewn around the bathroom.

He smiled. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be done. And don’t worry about the mess; it looks worse than it is.”

She shrugged. “I’m not. I’m just so danged thankful that you’re fixing that thing. It leaked something awful and made such a mess of things. It’s going to be wonderful to have it working right.”

She turned to leave and stopped, looking over her shoulder at him. “Colt?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for everything you do around here.” Her eyes were warm and caring.

He smiled. “Of course. What would you like me to tackle after this?”

“Why don’t you take a rest? You’ve been at this for two hours. I’m sure Aunt Shannon has something for you on her to-do list, though.”

He grinned. “Oh, I’m sure she does.”

Taylor squeezed his shoulder, and tingles raced through him. It was the first time they’d touched since that night in the blind. He watched her walk away. The vow that he’d made to himself to remain only her friend? It was getting harder and harder to keep.

***

Later, after puttingJJ down for a nap, Taylor went into her room for some privacy. She’d been wanting to call her friend Lauren for days, but something always seemed to get in the way. She tapped on her contact and was relieved when Lauren picked up. “Hi, do you have time to talk?”

“Of course. You’ve been on my mind all day,” Lauren replied. “How are you, honey, and how’s JJ? I’ll bet he’s downright gorgeous now.”

“He’s totally adorable, if I do say so myself,” Taylor said with a smile. “Seriously, he’s healthy as a horse and wants to eat all the time. He’s growing like a weed, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

“That’s wonderful, Taylor. I’m so glad you called. I’ve been missing you something awful. When can I come visit?”

“I’d love to see you, Lauren, but now is a terrible time.” Taylor told her about Jeb and the threat he posed.

“Oh my God, honey, that’s awful! I can’t believe that’s happening in this day and age. What do they think this is, the Old West? It’s just crazy.” Her friend sounded just as upset as Taylor felt.

“Lauren, I don’t know what I’d do without Colt. He’s amazing. He actually moved in with Aunt Shannon and me and brought all types of guns to protect us. I have my own handgun, and I’m not afraid to use it, but I feel so safe when he’s here, like nothing can harm us.” Her thoughts turned to the night in the deer blind then, and she said, “And that’s not all. Lauren, I think I’m falling in love with him.”

“What? When did this happen? Tell me what’s going on!”

“It kind of snuck up on me, to be honest. At first, I kept him at arm’s length. I mean, I was grateful for everything he was doing for my aunt and me, but I wanted nothing to do with him otherwise. But then, Lauren, you just have no idea how kind, how tender, and how giving he is. And he’s so good with JJ. It’s like he’s his father. I don’t know, honestly, when exactly it was that I found myself caring so deeply for him.”

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