The Rancher's Bride by Barbara McMahon

Author:Barbara McMahon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2004-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

“TRUST TAKES TIME,” Jake said.

“I agree. Maybe one day I’ll learn to trust you,” she said.

Jake didn’t like her response. But when he looked at the situation from Brianna’s point of view, he could see he’d let her down. She hadn’t brought about the circumstances they were in. Shell had been pestering Loni for months to marry him; she’d always said she was leaving. Why hadn’t he reminded Shell of that?

Because it was easier to think Brianna was the culprit and join forces with his son. He wanted a tie that would be stronger than the one he and his father had. But alienating—no, hurting—Brianna wasn’t the way to strengthen anything.

“I apologize,” he said.

Her look of surprise should have amused him, but it only made him feel guiltier. If he didn’t readily and willingly come to her defense, what kind of parents would they be? Maybe he needed to reexamine their marriage. If trust was lacking on both sides, they were in for a hell of a time.

“Shell said the doctor’s releasing Ashley later this afternoon. She can come home, but he needs a baby seat for the car.”

“He needs more than that,” Brianna said, slowly lowering her arms. “What about a crib and diapers and bottles and formula and all that goes with a baby?”

“I told him we’d go get that stuff,” Jake said warily.

“We?”

“I don’t know anything about baby stuff.”

“Neither do I,” she said.

She’d shown such an even temperament since she arrived, he was surprised to learn she was going to be difficult about this. Was it her way of paying him back? Another aspect of marriage that would take getting used to. Time to start building bridges.

“I told him we’d get it.”

She shrugged, looking around the room. “So go. You might want to get a rocking chair. I don’t think you want the ones from the porch in the baby’s room. It would be nice to rock the baby when feeding her.”

“Come with me, Brianna.”

For a moment Jake thought she’d refuse. But finally she nodded. “Okay, but don’t expect me to be the expert in this.”

“We’ll learn together.”

She smiled, and her face lit up and her eyes sparkled. He’d give a lot to see more of that smile.

“Good practice for when we need the stuff for our baby, huh?” she asked.

They’d been married for a month now. And still no sign of pregnancy. He wondered how long it took to find out once a woman conceived.

And what were his options if she didn’t conceive? Lots of women couldn’t have children. Wouldn’t his grandmother have had a field day with that? But there was no evidence Brianna could or couldn’t have children. They’d just have to keep trying.

If they didn’t have to get the baby’s car seat, he’d take her upstairs right now. The inclement weather reduced the workload, giving him more time to indulge in other pursuits….

“Did you want lunch before we leave?” she asked.

Jake turned away, afraid the tight feeling of his jeans wasn’t due to shrinkage.

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