The Cowboy's Christmas Bride by Laurie LeClair

Author:Laurie LeClair
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2017-10-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Why in the world did I suggest it? Cassidy sucked in a breath as Ryder nonchalantly delivered the news to her McCall family over their meatloaf dinner that night.

Molly squealed and threw herself into her daddy’s arms and then jumped down to race around to Cassidy and hug her tight. “Oh, my gosh, I can’t wait!”

The sweet scent of her baby shampoo gave Cassidy’s heart a sharp tug. She never knew she could love a child this much already. Looking over Molly’s head at Ryder, she caught his stunned expression and second thoughts tumbling in his gaze.

“Well, I’ll be. Works for me.” Gramps grinned from ear-to-ear.

“You didn’t plan this, did you, Gramps?” Jenny winked at him. “Your history with the rest of the McCalls speaks volumes and makes anything you do suspect now.”

“Amen.” Cody grinned.

Hannah jabbed him in the ribs.

“I didn’t say it was a bad thing, Hann.”

“You’re forgiven then.” She kissed her husband on the cheek.

“It all came out in the wash, now, didn’t it? Why Sweet Potato and I had a mighty good time of it, too. Can’t see what the problem is.” Gramps tried to frown, but it didn’t pass muster.

Cassidy looked around the table with family and friends and an aching sweep of melancholy rushed through her. She remembered her momma there and Grams, too, ages ago. Her cousins’ parents, young and vibrant and madly in love, sat here once.

She glanced away, fighting back the moisture threatening to spill. Cassidy ended up encountering Ryder’s tender stare. The emotion reaching out to her nearly choked her.

He knew.

Suddenly, she saw it from his perspective. Except for Molly, the places around his table only held empty spaces now.

Family loved. Family lost.

There wasn’t anything a person could do if a loved one died, but, it had to be hardest of all if he loved someone and they didn’t want to be there with you.

Oh, Ryder, what did I do to you? To us?

Ryder shot her a half smile, but his eyes held traces of the pain he still felt.

Something hard and sharp kicked her in the gut.

Maybe being around him and his little girl wasn’t such a good idea.

He made her feel things she didn’t want to feel. Ever again.

Love wasn’t supposed to hurt like this, right?

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