The Rancher's Baby Surprise by Sasha Summers

Author:Sasha Summers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-10-26T20:18:57+00:00

* * *

John parked the Jeep, put his cowboy hat on and helped Alpha down from the Jeep. “Here’s hoping this goes better this time around.” He gave Alpha a scratch behind the ear.

Kyle had barely parked before his mother was out, unbuckling a wailing Leslie from the back seat and holding her close.

“Banshee Baby,” he murmured.

“I guess she’s hungry.” His mother offered him the baby. “I’ll get a bottle made up.”

“I can make the bottle.” He stared at the baby. “You can...bond with her.” He’d rather have a few minutes before he revealed just how inept he was when it came to the whole parenting thing.

His mother beamed. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.” She smiled down at Leslie. “I’d love to get to know you, sweet little angel.”

“Good one,” Kyle murmured. “Using the bonding card.” He chuckled. “There’s also needing some Gramma time. That one gets her every time.”

John grabbed the diaper bag from the rear of the Jeep. “It’s true. But thanks for the tip.” He sighed, confessing, “Plus, I’m scared I’ll drop her.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Kyle followed them inside. “Greer is like two times Leslie’s size, and I still worry about that.” He clapped John on the shoulder.

“Good to know.” John wasn’t so sure about that. He’d hoped his fear of holding Leslie would fade. Guess not. He didn’t pause; he headed straight into the kitchen and pulled out everything for a bottle. He had the steps down: it was one of the few baby things he’d mastered.

“She is the sweetest little thing.” His mother cradled Leslie in her arms, rocking slowly in their grandmother’s rocking chair. Leslie’s fusses were mounting.

“She’s little, all right.” He tested the temperature on his wrist. “But she has lungs. I call her Banshee Baby. Nat doesn’t like it.”

“Things all right?” his mother asked. “Between the two of you?”

He heard Kyle’s chuckle but decided to shrug it off. “Fine.” But a shadow on the back porch caught his eye, and his throat went dry and tight.

“Momma,” Hayden said, walking in the back door. “You look happy.” He crossed to the rocking chair and stared down at Leslie. “Tiny.” He glanced his way. “John.”

“Hayden,” he murmured, carrying the bottle to his mother. No matter what, he was going to keep his cool. He had to. Between Leslie and Emily and Nat, sticking it out in Granite Falls was his only option.

“Been a while since I’ve had all my boys under one roof.” She took the bottle, her gaze bouncing from Hayden to Kyle to him. “And now, here you are.” She smiled down at Leslie. “These fine strapping men are your uncles, Leslie.”

“I’m getting the feeling she’s not all that impressed.” Kyle chuckled.

“Leave the little angel alone,” their mother chided. “She’s hungry from all the growing she’s doing.”

“I’d be okay with her growing a little faster.” John still wasn’t convinced it was healthy for her to be this small. It was one of the things he’d talk to the doctor about today.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.