Page 32 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

Last year, when he’d taken that long break and had gone to Colorado to stay with his friend, it was because there had been something missing in his life; something that he couldn’t name or describe. Now, he knew what that was. It was this—a sense of family; a child and a woman to love. For that was what was happening. He had no doubt that he loved JJ. And Taylor? Oh yes, what he was feeling was something very close to love.

***

Taylor lay in bed,reliving the last hour in the nursery. She wrapped her arms around her pillow and hugged it to her chest, wishing that she held the handsome cowboy instead. Watching Colt put JJ to sleep had been a magical thing, so tender and sweet. She’d never experienced anything like it. She’d had no idea how Colt truly felt about her son until it had been obvious in the loving tenderness shining in his eyes as he sang JJ to sleep.

It had touched her so deeply that her knees had gone weak. She’d remembered what he’d said at the hospital, “I know I’m not, but I feel like his daddy.” Was that still true?

She imagined her little boy with Colt as a father, and suddenly her throat constricted, her eyes filling with tears. That would be too perfect. But, no, her life never turned out like that. She wiped her eyes and took a deep, trembling breath.

Colt was a good man, and he was just being kind. Of course he was good to her baby. She took in another shaking breath and exhaled slowly. She mustn’t read anything more than the obvious into the situation. Colt had tired of hearing JJ cry, and he’d come in to see if he could do anything about it. What she’d seen in his eyes was the kindness of a caring man—nothing more.

She squeezed her pillow tighter and bit her lip. Enough fantasizing. Time to sleep. A tear slid slowly down her cheek, and she let it, all strength gone with her hope.

***

Colt carried two foldingchairs from his room. He was helping Shannon and Taylor clear out the last of the items that Taylor’s uncle had stored in Colt’s bedroom. He’d told them that it wasn’t necessary, but Shannon had insisted. She’d said that it was time that they had a nice guest bedroom anyway. He deposited the chairs in another room overflowing with the detritus of an old man who’d kept everything, even if it was broken.

As he headed back, his phone rang. It was the sheriff’s office. “Hi, Steve. Do you have something for me?”

Taylor walked over, and Colt put the call on speaker.

“Colt, I heard back from Joe, and the news isn’t good. There are four men in the Shelton clan who all stick together. There’s Abe, who’s in jail. Then there’s Jeb, his older brother, and there’re Gantry and Jared, their two cousins. Joe said that all of them are bad news and that the two cousins are heavy drinkers and are often in trouble because of it. Apparently, the whole lot of them are always dead broke, and they’re suspected of burglaries around the County. However, so far nothing can be proven.”

He glanced at Taylor and frowned. Why had she gotten involved with someone like Abe if he was considered to be trouble? Knowing her as he did now, it just didn’t make sense.

“Anyway, that’s all I’ve got so far. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Taylor touched his arm when he ended the call, her face strained and a flush climbing up her neck. “Colt, when I dated Abe, he was a perfect gentleman. My first inkling that he was trouble was when he attacked me.”

Colt cupped her cheek in his hand and said quietly, “Taylor, what happened to you was not your fault. It never was and never will be, okay?”

Relief flooded her eyes, and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

He wiped it with his thumb and kissed her forehead. What worried him most was the fact that, should there be trouble, he would be facing three-to-one odds.

“Taylor, I’m going to need more firepower. All I have is my Sig Sauer right now. I’ll head back to the house, but don’t worry, I won’t be gone long.”

He gave her a quick hug for reassurance and headed for the door.

***

He returned an hourlater with a 12-gauge shotgun, a Glock 21 Gen4 .45 handgun, and a 380 rifle with a scope, along with plenty of ammunition for all of them. His father was also willing to help, should it come to that.

Taylor’s eyes grew round as he carried the guns into the house. “Looks like you’re ready for war.”

He nodded at her. “I’m ready for anything those Sheltons can throw at me.”

“Colt.” Taylor motioned for him to sit with her on the couch. “I’m worried about you. It was all I could think about while you were gone. What if something happens to you? I’d never forgive myself.”

Warmth spread through him at this evidence of her caring. “Honey, I know how to take care of myself. I go to the gun range every couple of weeks. I’m a crack shot. And at the first sign of trouble, I’ll call the sheriff, don’t worry.” He took her hand and clasped it firmly. “I won’t let anything happen to any of you, I promise.”

She slipped her arms around his neck and rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I just know... I just want to say...” She pressed her forehead into him. “Oh, Colt, I just can’t lose you.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “You won’t, I promise.” He slipped his hand into her hair and cradled her head to his chest as his need to protect her overwhelmed him. He held her for long moments, cherishing the feel of her, bonding himself to her as he’d never done to anyone in his life.

The baby started to cry, and Colt released her. “I’ll get him. It’s time I practiced my diaper-changing technique again.”

***

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