His Kind of Cowgirl by Karen Rock

Author:Karen Rock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

CLAIRE STOPPED AT the kitchen table, kissed Jonathan and pointed at his carrots and dip. “Eat your veggies and mind Marie, now.” She returned the woman’s reassuring smile before heading out to the barns.

And to Tanner.

She felt a flicker of fear that her life had spun utterly out of control.

When she’d spotted his truck after giving riding lessons, anger swiftly followed her relief, her promise to her father slamming her chest. Hard. How would she keep from spilling her secret now that she’d be working so closely with Tanner? Remembering his kiss and how easy it’d been to open up to him, gave her a strangely familiar sort of jolt, deep in her gut.

Beneath it all buzzed the undeniable anticipation that she’d see him again soon.

Jonathan dropped his grilled cheese sandwich and flung himself from the table. “I want to come!”

Roxy scooped up the contraband but halted her backward scooch at Marie’s wagging finger.

“Somebody needs to be here in case the hospital calls and Marie’s outside hanging laundry.” Claire slid her cell phone deeper in her pocket. No need to mention she’d already spoken directly with her impatient father three times today.

The nurses wouldn’t let him sleep. The grits were runny. Was Tanner back yet and was she keeping her promise?

A sigh escaped her. Of course Dad wouldn’t let that last bit go...

Jonathan strained on his tiptoes to reach the wall-mounted rotary phone and grazed the handle. “I can reach it, Momma! I got taller.”

His freckles stretched with his big smile. It filled her full of sunshine. Playing along, she narrowed her eyes, leaned back and rubbed her chin. Pretended to assess him when she knew darn well he’d had a growth spurt. Maybe...just maybe...he’d feel more confident when they sold the ranch and he returned to public school. Hopefully his playdate this afternoon would help.

“You’ve grown for sure. That’s a fact.”

Jonathan raced to the base of the stairwell and pressed his back against the molding. “How much?”

Roxy leaped, as if trying to join the height game. Pencil marks started low on the wooden board and climbed along its white paint.

Marie hurried over with measuring tape and Jonathan balanced on his toes.

“No cheating,” Claire warned with a grin.

Before she marked the spot with her finger, she pressed down his fluff of hair. Expectant silence filled the room as he stepped away and held the bottom of the tape measure Marie ran up the wall.

“Fifty-five inches! Yes!” Jonathan strutted around the kitchen with Roxy prancing along like a member of his marching band, her bark the percussion section. “I’m going to be a giant! Tanner said he grew six inches one year, so that means I could, too.”

Claire turned away and stuffed the tape measure in a drawer, guilt heavy on her shoulders. Jonathan talked about the bull rider nonstop and spent every spare minute after dinner working with him on the truck. How would Jonathan feel about her if he discovered the deception?

She steadied her hand and scribbled the number on the molding.

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