The Soldier's Newfound Family by Kathryn Springer

Author:Kathryn Springer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2012-09-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

One look at Carter’s face and Savannah knew she should have chosen a different question.

“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” It really wasn’t. But the more she got to know Carter Wallace, the more she wanted to know.

“You can ask me anything.” Carter drove a hand through his hair. “I’m just not sure I’ll always have an answer.”

Which, Savannah decided, was an answer in itself.

Maddie and Gray were planning to make Grasslands their home and embracing the new members of their family while Carter prowled the perimeter, keeping a protective watch. Keeping his distance.

Well, there might be something she could do about that.

“When will they be back from the trail ride?”

“Not for a while. Maddie mentioned they’ll be stopping at the lake for a picnic lunch and campfire. Like real cowboys, according to Darcy.”

“She was pretty excited about the trail ride today.”

“Darcy gets excited about everything.” The affection in Carter’s tone affirmed what Savannah already knew. In spite of his feelings for the Colbys, the little girl had won him over.

“How far is the lake from here?”

His cobalt eyes swung back to her. “About a mile or so. You aren’t thinking of walking out there, are you?”

“No.” Savannah tamped down a sigh. “I doubt my doctor would consider a mile-long hike ‘staying off my feet.’”

Savannah regretted the words when Carter’s eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean? Are you supposed to be on bed rest or something?”

“Not...exactly.”

“Define exactly.”

“Dr. Yardley suggested that I cut back on my hours at the diner, that’s all.”

Savannah could almost see him silently connecting the dots.

“Is there something wrong with the baby?”

“The baby is fine.”

Another heartbeat of silence followed.

“Are you all right?”

Something in Carter’s voice suddenly made it difficult for Savannah to breathe.

“I’m fine,” she managed to say. “My blood pressure was a little high at my last appointment, that’s all.”

“That’s why you came here, isn’t it?” Carter said slowly. “It wasn’t just because of the apartment.”

Savannah nodded reluctantly. “When I asked my boss if he would reduce my hours, he gave all of them to one of the other waitresses. If my next checkup goes well, I can ask him to put me back on the schedule.”

“But won’t the same thing happen again?”

“I’ll be careful.” Savannah rested one hand protectively against her abdomen.

“What caused this? Stress?” Carter obviously wasn’t ready to let it go.

“Dr. Yardley said the same thing you did.” Savannah summoned a smile. “That a change of scenery would be a good thing right now.”

She wished she hadn’t brought it up. She didn’t want Carter to feel sorry for her.

What do you want him to feel? an inner voice teased.

Savannah elbowed it aside. Those kind of questions only borrowed trouble. Trouble she didn’t need. In a week or so, she would be returning to Dallas and Carter would stay at the Colby Ranch with his family to wait for his father’s return on Thanksgiving.

What was important now was to somehow help Carter see that he needed his family as much as they needed him.

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