Cowboy's Vow to Protect by Carla Cassidy

Author:Carla Cassidy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-11-07T19:33:13+00:00

* * *

At five-thirty that evening Flint led Madison to his truck in the driveway. “Beautiful evening,” he said once they were in the truck.

“Yes, it is,” she agreed. “It doesn’t feel quite as hot as it has been.”

“Won’t be long until fall will be here.”

“That’s my favorite time of year.”

She started babbling about the smell of apples and sitting in front of a warm fire. As she continued talking about the yearly fall celebration in town Flint realized much of her chatter came from nerves.

She finally fell silent as he turned into the Holiday Ranch driveway where Mac and Jerod waited for them. He turned to Madison. “Changed your mind yet?”

“No.” She raised her chin a notch. “Although I hate that you had to involve your friends.”

“Trust me. It’s no bother for them. They’re always up for dinner at the café.”

The two men got into the backseat of the king-cab and the four of them were on their way. As Mac and Jerod talked with Madison about the weather and things on the ranch, Flint shot surreptitious looks at her.

She looked prettier than he’d ever seen her. The lightweight royal blue sweater she wore over a blue-flowered dress matched perfectly the color of her eyes and made her dark hair look rich and shiny. The sweater also hid the slight bulge of her belly, which he knew had been her goal. Although sooner or later people were going to know she was pregnant.

He found a parking space in front of the café and the four of them got out. Flint fought against a natural instinct to wrap his arm around Madison’s shoulder and pull her close to him as they walked into the café.

On this first trip out he didn’t want anyone to be able to identify that Madison was specifically with him, although he knew eventually the word would get out. Hopefully, even if somebody did realize Flint was the one helping her, the location of his cabin would remain a secret.

The minute they all walked in, an unnatural silence fell among the diners. Flint shot a glance at Madison, who raised her stubborn chin and led the way to a booth for the four of them.

The quiet only lasted for a couple of seconds and then the buzz of whispers filled the air. There was no question that Madison was the subject of furtive glances and gossip.

Carlee, a young woman who had served them a hundred times before, greeted them all with a smile. “Hey, Maddy, it’s nice to see you,” she added.

“Thanks, Carlee,” Madison replied warmly. Flint knew she was pleased with Carlee’s friendly greeting.

“As you probably know the special tonight is chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and sweet corn,” Carlee told them.

“Ah, the all-carb choice,” Madison replied. “I’ll take that.”

The others agreed to the same thing and Carlee left with their orders. “How are you doing?” Flint asked Madison.

“I know people are talking and staring, but I’m doing okay.” She smiled. With the warmth of that gesture and her sweet scent eddying around in his head, Flint was momentarily tongue-tied.

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