Page 30 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

“I’ll put in another call, Colt, and see what Joe can tell me. I’m taking this seriously; I’ll tell you that. That rapist’s rights to Taylor’s baby were terminated the day he was convicted. He can’t get visitation, and he certainly can’t get any kind of custody. That’s Texas law. So that family of his is barking up the wrong tree.”

Relief made Taylor’s knees weak. Her lawyer at the time had told her that but knowing that Steve understood it made everything so much easier. She felt tears welling in her eyes again.

“Come here.” Colt ended the call and put his arm around her, pulling her against him. She closed her eyes, feeling safe for the first time since she’d walked out on that porch. She put her hand on his chest, and the muscular strength of it gave her courage. She sighed and closed her eyes. For the moment, all was right in her world.

***

Afew minutes later, JJ began to cry. “I’ll get him,” Colt said. He got up and headed toward the nursery. He was secretly glad that the baby had awakened. He was dying to hold him. When he came back out, he sat down next to Taylor on the couch. He’d given JJ his pacifier, and the baby seemed happy for the moment.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, and glanced at Taylor. “I think maybe I should stay here until we know more about these people.”

Taylor nodded.

To make sure she understood, he said, “I mean—like, move in here for a while. What do you think?” He examined her expression to see if he could see any hesitation.

She met his gaze unflinchingly. “I’d appreciate that more than you know, Colt. I don’t think I could sleep at night if you weren’t here.”

Warmth spread through him, and he nodded as he bounced little JJ gently in his arms. “OK. I’ll get my things this afternoon and come back. I don’t mind sleeping on the couch.”

Shannon came walking in from the kitchen and said, “Nobody’s sleeping on the couch. What’s going on?”

“Colt’s offered to stay here until we know what kind of threat we’re facing, Auntie. Isn’t that amazing?”

Shannon nodded. “It certainly is, but he’ll have a bedroom. We have several if you’d like to pick one out, young man. Taylor and I’ll fix it up for you while you’re gone to fetch your things.”

“Is that bedroom just past the kitchen one of my choices?” he asked.

“It surely is,” Shannon said.

“I’ll take that one, then, if you don’t mind. It’ll give me a good view of the drive.”

JJ started to fuss and make loud sucking noises, as if his pacie no longer satisfied him.

Colt said, “Our little one is hungry, Taylor.”

She reached out her arms. “Come here, you little glutton.”

Colt laughed and settled the baby into her arms, feeling the emptiness of his arms in his heart instantly. “I’ll head over to my house, then, and be back later.”

On the way home he couldn’t help but think how incredibly his life had changed in the past months. Having Taylor and JJ in his life was a miracle, and knowing that he might have to defend them filled him with terror. Not that he was afraid of Abe’s family.Hellno. He was afraid of failing Taylor and JJ.

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