The Kentucky Cowboy's Baby by Heidi Hormel

Author:Heidi Hormel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-12-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Pepper pulled AJ even closer as his mouth explored hers gently, insistently. The shift of muscle under his shirt took her right back to the lounge. Him. Over her, under her. No. She pulled away, and it felt like tearing a bandage off a wound. He could...would hurt her so badly if she allowed it.

She stepped farther away, feeling the loss of his warmth even under the morning sun that was quickly heating up the patio. She made sure her gaze didn’t land on the lounge.

His hand went to his nape and rubbed hard. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got no choice. All I need from you is to watch over EllaJayne. If you won’t...then I’ll take her along. I’ll figure something out. I always do.”

So he’d use blackmail? He knew she wouldn’t allow him to drag that baby over hill and dale, staying with who knew who. The man didn’t have the sense God gave...a...a damned llama. “You’re fighting dirty and you know it.” His jaw tightened and his eyes darkened to rainstorm-gray. Good. He knew she knew what he was doing. “I can’t let you bring that toddler on the road. I’ll take care of her.” She straightened her shoulders because she wouldn’t be walked over. “But I have rules.”

“Of course you do.”

She ignored the snide tone. She needed these concessions. “You will call every day to speak with EllaJayne. You’ll give me a schedule of when you expect to visit the ranch. Finally, I must be listed on any forms as your emergency contact and as the person medical information can be released to.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I want to make sure you’re okay for EllaJayne.” Yep, that and he was a patient.

“That’s it? I do that and you’ll look after her, you and Faye and Grammy Marie?”

What was she agreeing to? To do what had to be done. He was going no matter what she said. She’d come to care for EllaJayne. Her decision was the only one that made sense. “We’ll do it as long as you agree to my conditions. When do you leave?” She needed to stay all business and not think about ending up back in his arms.

“Ten days. I’ll catch up with Dave in New Mexico.” He stood on the patio looking...she didn’t know exactly like what, except she had to turn away to keep herself from kissing him again, telling him he shouldn’t go and that she’d miss him.

Before her brain fully engaged and made her shut up, she said, “It would take me a little time—I need to pay off my attorney and some other bills—but remember me saying that I could pay you for the house and some acreage over time, like rent to own? You’d still have plenty of land to sell and you’d be getting money while you waited for a buyer. What would be left is better for running cattle anyway.” It was the land Daddy Gene had rented out to the next ranch, until they’d closed up shop.

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