Caught by the Cowboy Dad by Melinda Curtis

Author:Melinda Curtis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-04-13T19:46:38+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

THE MORNING AFTER Holden’s second marriage proposal, Bernadette was startled awake far too early.

She groaned and pried open her eyes. “Who’s making that racket?”

Someone was banging around outside the motor home, and it was barely light. She had two guesses as to who that someone was. She’d bet Holden had made coffee and was starting a fire in the fire pit.

She stumbled out of the bedroom, stopping to lean against the kitchen island because she was suddenly nauseous and whoever was making noise outside wasn’t Holden or his son. Holden was sprawled diagonally on the pullout sofa bed. Devin snored in the bunk over the driver’s seat, a book clutched to his chest.

In the gray light of dawn, in that moment of near silence, Bernadette realized something was different. Her nausea was light.

The good doctor should take her own advice more often: rest, eat right, hydrate.

She could thank Holden for that, at least, even if she’d tossed and turned all night, kept awake by anger at Holden’s proposal of marriage. He probably schmoozed more when making a business deal. What was she? Chopped liver?

Bernadette bent to peer out the window. “There’s a family of raccoons eating marshmallows on the picnic table. That can’t be good for them.”

Holden yawned. “If you’re expecting me to save raccoons from themselves, think again.”

“Ah, yes. You once told me that saving things was not in your personal profile.” She should have put a peppermint in her mouth, both to calm her nausea and because she had morning breath. And from the way Holden was looking at her hair, she had bedhead, too.

She finger combed her hair.

He sat up, his dark wavy hair rumpled attractively. So unfair. “That was insensitive.”

She tossed her hands. “It’s what you told me.”

“I mean when I said it, it was insensitive. I apologize.” He smiled up at her sheepishly.

Bernadette almost pinched herself. Sheepish? Apologetic? This wasn’t the Holden she’d dated.

“I probably need to apologize to a lot of people.” Holden got out of bed. He was only wearing boxers. Black-and-gold plaid. He peered out the window, allowing her a longer look at his bare chest. “Raccoons always look so cute. That is, until you get too close. Are you interested in breakfast? I’m thinking bacon and eggs.” He turned on the coffee machine on the counter.

“You’re not supposed to drink coffee.” She certainly couldn’t. It was the hardest thing she’d given up yet for this baby...if she didn’t count Holden.

“You told me I could drink caffeine in moderation. This is decaf.” He yawned again. “I had some yesterday. It’s weak stuff. I’m hoping my condition is temporary, like your pregnancy. There is nothing like a rich shot of espresso.”

If Bernadette wore two different hats—her personal cap and her medical hat—Holden was showing her a different side of himself. The question was...why?

He turned to her, scratching his bare shoulder. “Do you want breakfast or not?”

Her stomach growled.

“That’s okay, Dad. This duck already ate,” Devin said sleepily. He rolled over, and his book fell to the floor.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.