Page 14 of Winter Vows

“What’s that?”

“Do you really have a sick horse?”

“Well, of course I do,” she declared with a touch of indignation. “Surely you don’t think I’d lie about a thing like that.”

“Lie? Maybe not. Shade the truth a little? Now that’s a whole different kettle of fish. As for your father-in-law, it seems to me he might flat-out fib if it suited his purposes.”

“Yes, Harlan does have a way of shaping the world around him to his own ends,” she admitted. “The rest of us prefer subtlety.”

She met his gaze directly, “Are you coming in? Or are you going to go away mad?”

He wanted very badly to turn around and stalk away in a huff, but listening to Laura bellowing had reminded him of just how many times he’d thought of her in the past 24 hours. As for her mama, she’d been on his mind a lot, too. What could it hurt to stop in and make sure the two of them were doing okay? A quick little visit didn’t mean anything.

“I’ll stay,” he said finally. “Just long enough to say hello to Trish and take a look at that horse. No dinner, okay?”

“Whatever you say,” she agreed with a beaming smile. “Whatever makes you comfortable. Can I get you something to drink? Some coffee maybe? It’s downright frigid out there and I know you’ve been outside all day.”

“Coffee would be fine.”

Kelly nodded. “Go on in the living room and say hello, then. I’ll bring that coffee right in.” She gave him a little shove as if she weren’t entirely certain that he’d go in on his own.

Hardy stood just outside the living room and watched as Trish tried to soothe the baby, whose howls were showing no signs of letting up. Trish’s hair was a tangled mess, as if she’d been combing her fingers frantically through it. Her complexion was pale. He wondered just how long she’d been pacing with the irritable baby.

“Sweetie, I don’t know what else to do,” she whispered, her voice filled with frustration. She looked as if she might burst into tears. “You’ve had your dinner. Your diaper’s been changed.”

“Mind if I give it a try?” Hardy asked, taking pity on her. He wasn’t much of an expert, but at least he could give Trish a break so she could get herself together before she fainted from pure exhaustion.

She shot a startled gaze in his direction. “Hardy! I had no idea you were here.”

“Then we’re even,” he said dryly. “What?”

“Never mind.” He held out his arms. “Hand her over.”

She hesitated for an instant, then placed Laura in his outstretched hands. “I can’t imagine what’s wrong with her.”

He held the baby in front his face for an instant. “Hey, there, missy. What’s all the fuss about?” he inquired. “You’re giving your mama a tough time.” The cries died down. The baby’s gaze wandered as if trying to search out the source of this unfamiliar voice.

“Better,” he soothed. “But let’s try to stop altogether, okay, sweet thing?”

He put the baby on his shoulder and rubbed her back. Before long, a huge belch filled the air. He grinned.

“Oh, my,” Trish murmured. “That’s all it was? She needed to be burped?”

“Could be.”

Trish sank into a chair and stared at him miserably. “I’m lousy at this. What on earth ever made me think I could be a mother?”

“For starters, you’re a female,” Hardy reminded her. “Even though you got yourself into a pickle the other night out on that road, you strike me as being smart enough. You’ve only been at this a couple of days now. Give it a month. If mothering is still eluding you then, we’ll talk again.”

“What will you do? Take over?”

He chuckled. “You never know. I might have a knack for it.”

“Look at her,” Trish said. “She’s sound asleep. I’d say you definitely have a knack for it. Come on, I’ll take her and put her down.”

“Oh, no, you don’t,” Hardy said, reluctant to give up the baby. She felt right in his arms, as if she were something he’d been missing without even knowing it. “I did the hard work. Now I get the payoff.”

She regarded him with amazement. “You want to hold her.”

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