Just What the Cowboy Needed by Teresa Southwick

Author:Teresa Southwick [Southwick, Teresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-12T18:42:47+00:00

Chapter Nine

Having a father—even a bad one—was better than no father at all. Take it from someone who never had one, Grace thought. It had been a couple of days since the ugly scene in Logan’s kitchen, but she couldn’t get it out of her mind. Probably because he had gone back to being distant and mostly absent.

Maybe that was for the best. The man she’d slept with and made breakfast for the next morning was a man who could get in the way of her goal to own a home and put down roots. That would not happen to her again.

“Grace?”

Cassie’s voice pulled her back into the present. “What is it, sweetie?”

“Me and Paige and Emily are really thirsty.”

Grace had set up a playdate because keeping Cassie happy was her primary responsibility. The three girls were playing on the grassy rise not far from the house. She was sitting on the porch steps supervising, ready to intervene diplomatically if necessary or just remain on emergency standby if not. Since the girls were interacting beautifully together, she had very little to do but contemplate the handsome rancher and his fondness for ignoring her after really hot sex.

“Does everyone like lemonade?” she asked them.

“Yes!” three little voices answered simultaneously and put an exclamation point on the response.

“And maybe some cheese and apple slices, too? You ladies need to keep your energy up.” Grace stood to go inside.

The three girls looked at each other and nodded. Then Cassie spoke for the group. “Yes, please.”

“Coming right up.”

Grace walked into the kitchen to gather up food and drinks. There was a window overlooking the play area, and she glanced outside frequently to make sure the girls were okay. It was closing in on the time for Paige and Emily to be picked up, but she didn’t know when the girls were scheduled to eat dinner. A healthy snack would get them through.

When she had everything together and three plastic glasses of lemonade poured, she set the items on a tray and carried it outside. The girls saw her and ran over to the porch, where Cassie’s play table was set up for them.

“It’s so hot.” Dark-haired Paige was very dramatic.

Emily was a little redhead with the most adorable freckled face. “I’m so thirsty.”

“This should help.” Grace put a red plastic glass in front of her. Paige’s was green, and Cassie got her favorite pink. “But if anyone is still thirsty when this is gone, I’ll bring out some ice water.”

“I wish we could have cookies.” Cassie gave her the pitiful puppy-dog stare.

Grace held in a smile. At first this particular expression had made her want to ignore common sense and give this lovable child anything in the universe. Now she was emotionally invested and wanted what was best. Cookies this close to dinnertime wasn’t it.

She squatted down between Paige and Cassie. “Moms will be here soon to pick up the girls and I don’t think they would be happy if you spoiled your appetites.

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