Page 6 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

She gave him a lopsided smile. “You know I’m a maid, right?”

He chuckled. “I didn’t know that, but I know you work up at the Lazy Days.”

“Yep, I vacuum, make beds, and clean toilets all day long.” Now why did she go and say that? Was she asking for pity? Did she want him to feel sorry for poor little old her? She didn’t needanyone’spity. Then she sighed. “Look, forget I said that, okay? For some reason, I keep making an ass out of myself this evening.”

He reached across the table and took her hand. She’d seen it coming but was too shocked to move away. His callused palm was warm against the back of her hand, and his gentle grip reassured her.

She relaxed as he said, “You could never be an ass, I promise.” His easy smile helped her unwind even more.

The corner of her mouth tilted up and she said, “Obviously you don’t know me.”

Her Aunt Shannon laughed as the clinking sound of the potato peeler continued.

“Have you found a doctor for your delivery yet?” Colt asked.

This was a safe topic. “I found a good OB/GYN in Abilene. Afterward, the baby and I will see a wonderful family doctor in Knox City.” She really wasn’t bothered by his questions, a fact that surprised her, since she didn’t know the cowboy at all. With him, it wasn’t like the intrusive, ugly curiosity she’d endured during and after her trial. There was something about the guy, something sweet and gentle, that made her feel like she could tell him anything.

“So your mom was okay with you missing dinner?” her aunt asked Colt.

“She was glad I called, but no, she was fine.”

“You called your mom to tell her you weren’t coming home for dinner?” Taylor said with her eyebrows raised.

“He sure did. How’s that for manners?” Shannon said.

Taylor looked at Colt curiously. “That was nice of you. Some people wouldn’t do that.”

He drew his brows together. “I don’t want her to cook extra for me if I’m not going to be there to eat it. It’s only fair.”

Taylor smiled. “Yes, it is.” Her aunt was right. There was something to this guy. He was different from other men.

During dinner, Colt kept up an interesting conversation about his ranch and the Horsehead community. Some of his stories had her laughing, and she caught her aunt watching her closely.

He offered to help with the washing up, and her aunt flat turned him down. “You built me some new steps today, Mister. You’re not washing my dishes too.”

Colt smiled. “I was glad to do it, Shannon. I’ll be back soon to help out. You can count on that.”

Her aunt gave him a hug. “I’ll hold you to that, young man.”

He laughed and as he turned for the door, said, “Good night, Taylor. It was good seeing you again.”

She stepped toward him and offered her hand. “Thanks for everything, Colt.” Being near him didn’t bother her this time. She walked with him to the front door and watched as he stepped up into his truck and backed out of the driveway.

He waved as he drove off, and her stomach fluttered. She waved back and shut the door, her surprise at her stomach’s response giving way to an anxious spasm.Handsome doesn’t mean good, Taylor. Handsome doesn’t mean good.

***

The next morning, Taylorturned onto Main Street, noticing an old brown Chevy truck pull out from a side street and tuck up behind her. Several blocks later, it was still there, and she made out the face of the man driving it. He looked scroungy, and his hat was dirty and curled up on the brims. She pressed on the gas pedal to put distance between them, but the stranger did the same, staying right on her tail. He looked familiar somehow. A shiver of dread ran through her, and she suddenly wished that the sheriff was based there in Horsehead instead of twenty miles away in Guthrie.

When she turned into the motel parking lot, so did the brown truck. Her throat tightened, and she sucked in a strangled breath.Please God, don’t let him hurt me.She pulled up in front of the office but stayed in her car. With the doors locked, she felt safer there than exposing herself by walking into the building.

She laid on her horn, and a moment later, Teddy, the manager, opened the door and looked out.

The stranger in the brown truck gave her a hard, hateful stare and backed up, driving slowly out of the parking lot.

Shaken to the core, she unlocked her door and got out. “Teddy, thank God you were here.”

“That fella bothering you, Taylor?” He stared off in the direction the old truck had disappeared.

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