The Bull Rider's Baby

A note warning her that she shouldn’t build a subdivision on farmland might be of interest to the police. If something should happen. If. But it probably meant nothing. She couldn’t think of a reason why her subdivision would upset anyone.

The only person slightly bothered by it would be Keeton, and only because the land had once belonged to his family.

Sophie opened a cabinet door and reached for her staple—peanut butter. She spread it on a slice of bread, then covered that with a layer of blackberry jam.

The perfect food.

She carried the one slice of bread with toppings to the kitchen table and sat down, putting her feet up on the chair next to the one she sat on. Her home. Her life. No one to tell her to sit up straight, pull her hair back, eat healthy.

If she wanted to, she could listen to loud music all night. She could leave every light in the house on. She could wear her pajamas all day. Bonus, her sister Heather wasn’t lurking, waiting to straighten pillows or make the bed. Although she did stop in from time to time with a new picture for the wall.

Being an adult meant no more sharing. No more brothers and sisters poking around in her life. No man cluttering things up.

No more quiet secrets at night after everyone went to bed. Yes, she did miss that part. She missed that Heather had always been there for her. She missed Mia’s silly stories.

But she loved peace and quiet. Her own space.

The picture on the table next to her mocked her with its silliness. Her new sister-in-law Madeline had given her the photograph in a silver frame, a thank-you for helping with Madeline and Jackson’s wedding. A picture of Sophie fumbling as the bouquet Madeline tossed practically fell into her arms. She pushed the picture facedown and snarled at it.

As she finished off the last bite of sandwich she heard tires crunching on gravel and the low hum of an engine. She leaned to peek out the front screen door, saw that it was Keeton and relaxed. But then she panicked. She looked down at the sweatpants she’d cut off at the knees and the crazy tie-dyed T-shirt she’d changed into when she got home.

She jumped and ran down the hall, a surge of panic shooting adrenaline through her veins. She would not get caught like this.

Before she could put her plate in the sink and make it through the living room to the stairs that led to her bedroom, Keeton stood at the front door. He grinned through the screen door and wiggled two fingers. In his other arm he held the precious bundle that was his daughter.

Two reactions. She wanted to run and hide. She wanted to stop and stare at the man on her front porch. She had to act quickly.

“Come in, I’m going to change.”

He stepped in before she could run. “Why?”

But he smirked a cute little grin and gave her the once-over. She should point out that he needed to shave and his worn-out jeans were in need of replacing. She walked away from him, knowing he’d follow.

“What’s going on?”

Coffee. She needed a cup of coffee. She walked down the hall to the kitchen. Keeton’s boots clunked on the wood floor. If she gave herself a few minutes she could face him and not be at loose ends. She didn’t do this, this chaotic dance around men—insecure, uncertain. Sophie Cooper knew how to be confident.

She reached for the coffeepot, saw the note on the counter. Before he could reach her she grabbed it and slipped it in her pocket.

“Do you want coffee?”

Keeton held Lucy out to her. “Yeah, I want coffee. I’ll make it because I also don’t want to pick up glass from the broken coffeepot when you drop it. What’s up with you?”

Keeton. A crazy note on her front door. She didn’t know where to start. She didn’t want to start.

Rather than answering, she took Lucy and sat down at the butcher-block table in the center of the kitchen. Lucy, soft and smelling of lavender and chamomile, cooed. She still felt warm.

“I’m worried about this baby.”

Keeton looked back at them, and then poured water into the coffeepot. “I gave her the medicine. I don’t know what else to do.”

“Maybe urgent care.”

“Yeah, I think I might need to do that. Let’s stop beating around the bush. Why don’t you tell me about that piece of paper you slipped in your pocket when you thought I wasn’t looking?”

“Paper?” Heat warmed her neck and then her cheeks.

“You’re a horrible liar.”

“I know.” She leaned her forehead against Lucy’s. “Sweet baby, you need to get over this virus.”

“Note.”

“Baby trumps note. We need to take her to the doctor.”

“We?” He leaned against the counter, his elbows behind him resting on the counter top. He wasn’t particularly tall. Most bull riders weren’t. He appeared tall. Maybe that unbelievable self-confidence the West men oozed. She sighed. Kade had had it, too.

She wondered what kind of man he’d have been if he’d lived. Would they have gotten married? Or would they have grown up in a few years and realized it was just a crush?

“Soph? About the note? And then we’ll talk about Lucy and the doctor.”

“The note warned me to stop building a subdivision on farmland.”

“I didn’t write it.”

“I know you didn’t.” She looked up, making strong eye contact with him. “I know you didn’t.”

“Good. But we have to find out who did. I want to know that you’re safe here.”

“I’m safe. I’m a Cooper. I can fight with the best of them. And shoot a gun.”

He grinned and shook his head. Without asking, he pulled cups out of the cabinet and started pouring coffee. “Sugar?”

“Nope.”

“Black coffee.” He glanced back again. “And you have peanut butter on your chin.”

She rubbed fast, and then wiped her fingers on a napkin. “I don’t.”

“You have so many surprising little habits, Sophie.” He carried two cups of coffee and sat down across from her. “I figured if it’s a virus she’ll run a fever for a couple of days and be over it. Right? Antibiotics won’t cure a virus.”

“I suppose. But she’s so little, I worry about her fever getting too high.”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on that. So far it’s stayed under 102.”

“I’d make her an appointment tomorrow, then. If she isn’t better.”

“Thanks, Soph. So will you still watch her for me tonight while I go ride bulls in Dawson?”