The Cowboy's Forever Family

She laughed. He raised a brow, but she only shook her head.

What had he said that was so funny?

Women. He’d never understand them and, frankly, he didn’t even want to try. Especially this one.

If it weren’t for Brody’s baby, he’d be out of there so fast Laney’s head would spin. It was asking a lot just for him to be in the same room with her, but for Brody’s kid, Slade would grit his teeth and try to get through it.

“I’m a wash and wear kind of girl,” she informed him, tossing her hair over her shoulder with an animated flip of her hand which to Slade felt like a major brush-off. “I’ll be ready in five. And I’m going to ignore the fact that you just tried to order me around again.”

His gaze widened and he hoped he wasn’t gaping.

“But don’t do it again.”

* * *

“Baby is growing just exactly like he or she is supposed to be,” Delia informed Laney, who breathed a sigh of relief. She had no reason to believe anything was amiss, but it was still nice to know she and the baby were healthy, especially with Slade breathing down her neck. The man simply didn’t know when to leave well enough alone.

“You decided not to find out whether it is a boy or girl?” Delia asked as she rolled up her tape measure. “I did the same thing with my son Riley. You don’t get too many pleasant surprises in life. Having a baby is one of the best.”

“It is,” Laney agreed, tears springing to her eyes as grief clenched her chest so severely that she could not catch a breath. This was a surprise she should have been able to share with her husband.

Delia was instantly by her side, gripping her hand. “I am so sorry. That was thoughtless of me. I should never—”

“No. It’s fine.” Laney laid a tender hand on her belly and felt the baby kick. “At least I have a way to honor Brody. His love continues on through this baby, so how could I ever consider Baby Beckett as anything but a blessing?”

Laney heard a loud thud coming from the waiting room and wondered what Slade was doing that was making so much noise. Probably inadvertently knocking things over with those brawny arms of his like the big boor he was.

The doctor glanced toward the waiting room and chuckled. “Looks like Baby Beckett is not the only blessing in your life. Slade was pretty insistent you get in to see me sooner rather than later. Thought it was important for you to get the care you need, and if you haven’t yet noticed, he’s pretty persuasive when he needs to be. He’s a good friend to have on your side, that one.”

Seriously? Delia must be deluded if she thought Slade could be an actual asset as anyone’s friend, most especially hers. He wasn’t insistent. He was downright pushy. And arrogant. His friendship with Brody had led Brody down a destructive path, one that had virtually destroyed her relationship with her spouse. Even if Brody had lived, Laney wasn’t positive her marriage would have survived despite her prayers and her best efforts. Not with Slade’s influence on her husband. Despite the hastiness of their marriage, Laney had been committed to the relationship. But Brody—

“I guess he’s okay,” she conceded when Delia’s gaze became curious. Okay for what was the real question.

“I imagine he’s a little overprotective of you and the baby. He and Brody were very close.”

“I know.”

“Since they were kids. Those two were inseparable. He took Brody’s death hard—harder than most. I think it’s good for him to have a positive way to direct his energy, looking after Brody’s baby.”

Was that what Slade was trying to do? Insinuate himself into her life so he could have an influence on her baby?

That was so not going to happen.

As if she would ever subject her child to anything more than a bare minimum of time with a womanizing adrenaline junky whose idea of fun was taking crazy risks with his life. Someone with no stability, not to mention his complete lack of understanding when it came to what romantic relationships were all about. He had less sense than the big, shiny belt buckles he wore.

Not exactly mentor material, and not whom she wanted around her child. She was going to be the best mom she could be to Baby Beckett, and that included avoiding people who clearly wouldn’t be good for the child. Nothing Slade tried, either by being his usual overbearing self or by turning his good looks and charm on her, would change her mind. Thankfully, he had not yet tried the catch-more-flies-with-honey tactic with her, but she knew it to be the key weapon in his arsenal, and she suspected if he couldn’t win one way, he’d try another.

She’d learned her lesson about falling for easy charm, and she wouldn’t make the same mistake again. She’d once made an impulsive leap into a permanent relationship based on little more than a wink and a grin, but she was no longer that young, foolish woman—and she had a baby to protect.

Laney heard another thud in the waiting room and Delia excused herself to go investigate. Moments later, Slade appeared in the doorway, his hat clutched in his hand.

“Is everything all right? You’re okay? The kid’s doing well?”

If he hadn’t sounded so sincere—worried, even—Laney would have rolled her eyes. As it was, she reluctantly answered his question. “I’m fine. We’re fine.”

To Laney’s surprise, he sagged in relief. As if he really cared.

“Did you think there’d be a problem?”

He shook his head and then, as if changing his mind, he shrugged. “Maybe. Didn’t know all the particulars. Just wanted to get you checked out.”

“Well, consider me checked. Baby is good to go.” When Slade’s eyes widened, she added, “But not for two months yet.”

He smiled. It was the first time she’d ever seen him smile—at least the genuine article and not the catching-the-eye-of-the-ladies grin he usually sported. Twin dimples carved deeply into his cheeks. On any other guy the dimples would have made him look boyish, but Slade was all man. Which, to Laney, at least, was one of his biggest shortcomings—among many.

“What were you doing that made so much noise out there?”

He shook his head. “Just pacing. The waiting room is too small for comfort.”

Or he was too large.

“He’s kicking right now,” she said, laying a hand against the rib Baby Beckett was currently using as soccer practice and wondering if she should even make this small concession. She suspected Brody would have wanted it, which was the only reason she continued. “Would you like to feel?”

“It’s a boy?”

“Oh, no. I mean, I don’t actually know—I’ve chosen not to find out the gender until I give birth. Saying he/she every time I refer to the baby is getting to be too much of a tongue twister. I should probably just stick with Baby Beckett. It’s easier to say.”

“Yeah,” Slade agreed, his voice unusually deep and thick. “You know Brody wouldn’t have cared if Baby Beckett was a boy or a girl. He would have loved the baby just the same, no matter what.”

“He would have been a good father.” Her throat clogged with emotion. Their eyes met, and just for a moment they mutually shared the one thing they had in common.

Grief.

“The best.” The corner of Slade’s mouth ticked, a tell Laney now recognized as reaction to stress.

“Come here,” she urged, holding out her hands.

He looked reticent, almost shy, as he stepped forward and offered her his hand.

She laid his palm where the baby was moving and the child responded with a swift kick, then another.

Slade’s brilliant blue eyes filled with wonder. “Well, I’ll be.”

“Amazing, right?”

“Amazing doesn’t even begin to cover it.” He shook his head. “It’s hard to believe Brody’s kid is in there, just waiting to come out and say, ‘Hey.’”

Laney chuckled. “I’m not sure that’s the first thing Baby Beckett will say. You never know, though. Could be.”