The Bull Rider's Baby

That’s why he was there. She’d somehow managed to forget. She snuggled the baby and thought about rocking her to sleep, the two of them dozing on the sofa together. Keeton’s baby, not hers. She felt a little alone for a moment, even with the two of them right there with her. Because they weren’t hers.

“I’ll watch her.”

“I have a can of formula and extra diapers in the diaper bag.”

“Okay.” She stood when he stood. “Be careful tonight.”

He plucked at a strand of her hair and nodded once. “I will. I always am. Soph, it hardly ever happens that way—the way it did…”

“I know.” And she didn’t usually cry. But her eyes burned and if he didn’t leave, she would.

He didn’t leave. Instead he leaned and sweetly kissed her. She closed her eyes and for a moment she needed this, needed him. She resurfaced when memories of another moment in his arms pushed their way into her mind.

Before she could make sense of it all, he stepped back. One simple kiss and he undid all of her carefully groomed self-control. She couldn’t allow that.

She gathered herself, her wits, and stood a little straighter.

“Keeton, don’t.”

He tipped his hat. “I know.”

“We can’t.”

“I know.” His smile didn’t beam this time, instead it looked a little sad, a little sorry. And so was she. “I know.”

He walked down the hall back to the front door. She followed him. “Keeton, it isn’t you.”

At the front door he turned, smiling again. “It’s never been me.”

“That isn’t what I meant.” But it was. And wasn’t. She was making a royal mess of things. The baby whimpered against her shoulder and Keeton walked out the door, letting it thud behind him.

“Goodbye,” she whispered, and then she whispered a prayer. “God, keep him safe.”

What if he got hurt? Then what? What about the baby? She rushed out the door, wanting to stop him, to tell him he had a little girl and something could happen to him. Too late, his truck pulled out onto the road and turned in the direction of Dawson.

“It’s you and me, baby girl. And we’re going to be doing lots of praying tonight.”

Chapter Four

The Dawson Rodeo Grounds hadn’t changed much over the years. Keeton liked that about Dawson, that it didn’t change. It hadn’t gotten sucked up in urban sprawl. Mainly because there wasn’t an urban area close enough. Sometimes they got lost tourists looking for Grand Lake. Mostly, it was just Dawson and the folks who’d been here for generations. He liked the slow pace of life, knowing neighbors, knowing the roads, the houses and what made people tick.

Not that he could figure out Sophie Cooper. Each time he thought he had her pegged, she shifted and left him scratching his head.

He pulled into the grassy parking area of the arena and parked next to a beater that had seen better days. His old truck was in similar shape but he had a new one on the way. As he stepped out of his pickup a voice shouted his name. He turned and waved at Jeremy Hightree. It was thanks to Jeremy and his skill with bikes that Keeton had money saved up to buy back his family spread.

The money would stay in the bank for now, because he’d only been able to purchase the twenty that his grandparents’ home sat on.

Jeremy headed his way. “I guess you really are back?”

“I’m back.” He reached into his truck for chaps and a bull rope.

“So, rumor has it you’ve got a kid.” Jeremy leaned against the side of Keeton’s truck, pretending to fiddle with the strap on his chaps. Keeton figured Jeremy was more than a little interested because of his own past. He was Sophie’s half brother. A Cooper, and he hadn’t known that fact for most of his life.

“I guess I do.”

“Kind of a surprise, wasn’t it?”

Keeton looked up. “Jeremy, surprise doesn’t even begin to explain it.”

“Where is she?”

Now, how did he get out of answering that question? Might as well answer because odds were, Jeremy and most of Dawson knew where Lucy was. “Sophie’s watching her.”

Jeremy grinned big, the way Keeton had kind of guessed he would. “That’s good. She’s probably a great babysitter.”

“Right.” Keeton coiled his bull rope and walked away. “Later.”

Of course Jeremy followed him. “Do you need any help over at the old homestead?”

Now, that question had merit. “Probably in the next few days. I’m going to have to patch the roof, replace a couple of windows and probably rebuild the porch.”

At that, Jeremy laughed. “I meant do you want me to bring you a casserole or something. I hadn’t really planned on hard labor.”

“You can bring me a casserole and help me patch the roof.”

“I suppose I could.” Jeremy pointed to a man in black jeans and a white shirt. “Dave has the list, he’ll let you know when you’re up and what bull you’re on.”

“Thanks.”

And then Jeremy laughed, his attention focused on the parking lot. “Well, what do you know? Is that Sophie parking her car?”

“Never.”

“No, I’m sure it is.” Jeremy pointed to the big sedan and the woman getting out.

Gone were her pretty amazing sweatpants and the tie-dyed T-shirt. Back was the Sophie in business formal. She had his baby in her arms. It shouldn’t feel so perfect, seeing her with his baby. But everything about this was out of place. Sophie in her dress slacks and blouse. Lucy in her arms. His life had somehow gotten shaken up to the point that he didn’t recognize it as his life.

“See you later.” Jeremy slapped his back and walked away.

“Right.” Keeton walked toward Sophie. She smiled a little and held Lucy close. “What are you doing here? Is Lucy okay?”

“Lucy still has a little fever.” She bit down on her bottom lip, and then looked up, letting him see tears in her hazel eyes. He had a hard time not pulling her close. He stood his ground, though, waiting for her explanation.

“What’s wrong?”

She sniffled. He’d never seen her as the type to get emotional over nothing. She raised her chin a notch and got control back.

“I couldn’t sit there and wait for you to come home. I kept thinking about you being here, riding bulls. And Lucy. She’s so little. What if…”