The Cowboy's Convenient Bride by Donna Alward

Author:Donna Alward [Alward, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-01-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Tanner was not used to dealing with crying women.

He made it a policy to keep things light and noncommittal. A few dates and he moved on before any serious attachments could be made. But this was different. For one thing, he and Laura weren’t in love. And for another, she was about to become his wife and she’d called him her best friend.

It had been a hard afternoon and she’d borne the brunt of it. So he gathered her against his chest, put his arms around her and let her cry it out.

“I’m sorry,” she wailed softly after a few minutes of gulping and sobbing. “I don’t usually cry. I just...” She stopped midsentence and sniffed again.

“You just what?” he asked gently, stroking her back with his hand.

After a few moments, he heard the words muffled against his shirt. “I felt so small. So...dirty.”

“Oh, honey.” His heart went out to her. Letting everyone think Gavin was the father of her baby had cost her plenty. Telling them the truth wouldn’t help, either—this was a small town where a baby fathered by a felon was pretty much on par with an extramarital affair.

“I should never have come back here. I should have gone to a city somewhere. Gotten lost in the crowds, been anonymous.”

“Except you wanted to come home,” he supplied, still rubbing her back.

She nodded and snuffled. “I did. I needed somewhere familiar. I needed what little family I have. I know I’m undesirable. I know it. But it still hurts when it’s pointed out.”

He was treading on treacherous ground. How much did he want to tell her about his feelings? About how he felt this unexplainable need to make sure that Rowan—and Laura—were cared for? Getting to know her better only proved he was right. She was a kind, sweet person who was scared and misunderstood.

“You’re not undesirable,” he said gently, pressing his lips against her hair. “I promise you, Laura. People see the mistakes, but they don’t see the wonderful things about you. Human nature is always that way, though it shouldn’t be.”

“Look at me,” she contradicted. “I’m a single mom who...well, I’m living in fear, aren’t I?” She pushed against his chest and peered up at him, and his heart ached at the sight of her red eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. “I’ve made so many mistakes, and now all I know how to do is run. Do you know how much I hate that about myself? That instead of standing up and fighting, I’m making decisions on how to hide better?”

He raised his hand and ran his thumb over her cheek. “You’re a mom. Moms do what they need to do to protect their children. No one can blame you for being mama bear.”

She shook her head. “Tanner, you’re wasting your time with me. Why tie yourself down for a year or two when you could be out looking for Miss Right? Someone far more suitable than me? Someone your family will approve of and welcome with open arms?” To his dismay, her tears welled again and she dropped her chin.

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