Cowboy Dad Read online

  On the way home, she stopped to visit a woman whose name had been given to her by a friend of a friend as a possible babysitter. Olivia, Briana and the gals at the ranch were doing great with the Shiloh “babysitting chain,” as Natalie called it. However, now that the new season was upon them, the chain occasionally broke down.

  Just yesterday, one of the kitchen staff had a personal emergency. Natalie was left without anyone to watch Shiloh for two hours in the middle of the day. Alice bailed her out by agreeing to cover the front desk until the next member of the chain was free. Jake showed more understanding than he could, or should, have. Natalie didn’t think she’d squeak by a second time. She needed to make permanent, reliable day-care arrangements.

  Two things became immediately apparent the instant she stepped inside the woman’s house. First, no way was she going to leave her precious baby in a place where screaming preschoolers circled a blaring TV. Second, she didn’t want to leave Shiloh anywhere. Her daughter belonged at Bear Creek Ranch.

  With that in mind, Natalie drove to the nearby college and posted a job for a nanny in the counselors’ office. They’d hired students for part-time help at the ranch before. Maybe she’d luck out.

  It was after she returned to the ranch that her morning really started to spiral downward. One problem after another arose and for some reason, no one was available to handle them except her. The guests in cabin twenty-three found a scorpion in their shower. The microwave in cabin fourteen shorted out. A raccoon had gotten into the Dumpster behind the laundry during the night and scattered garbage all over the place.

  Because Natalie had no choice, she took Shiloh with her, lugging the baby around in her carrier, a diaper bag, which doubled as a purse, slung over her shoulder.

  The worst part of the morning occurred when Natalie learned six cancellations had come in, all for the weekend after next. So far this season, they’d been ahead of previous years. Six cancellations was a lot and put them behind. Jake was meeting with the agent from the insurance company, so Natalie would have to wait until they were done to deliver the bad news. As the minutes ticked by, her agitation increased.

  She left the main lodge in a hurry when Shiloh suddenly started crying. Natalie couldn’t blame her daughter. She felt like indulging in a good cry herself. While she wouldn’t trade motherhood for anything, it wasn’t always easy to balance work and family.

  Escaping next door to the dining hall, she nursed Shiloh in the kitchen and ate a late lunch, wolfing down a sandwich Olivia fixed for her.

  “Some day off, hey, chiquita?” Olivia asked. She stood behind Natalie, smiling down at the baby. “Your mama’s one busy lady.”

  Shiloh watched Olivia with interest. Natalie had noticed her baby becoming increasingly aware of her surroundings lately. And stronger. She could lift her head and swivel it from side to side. She’d also started rolling. The other day she nearly rolled off the changing table, scaring Natalie.

  “I’m afraid the worst isn’t over,” she said, returning Shiloh to the carrier and buckling her in.

  “Where are you going now?” Olivia continued to make cooing noises in an attempt to engage Shiloh.

  “The office. We had some cancellations this morning. The Brubakers called off their wedding. I need to tell Jake about it. Millie, too. She’s at an estate sale today. Then home, hopefully. If I’m lucky, Shiloh will nap and no other calls will come in. I have a sinkful of dirty dishes, a clothes hamper ready to explode and a stack of bills to pay.”

  “It’s your day off. Why don’t you relax and have some fun.”

  Natalie caught Shiloh’s flailing fist and brought it to her lips. “What do you mean? This is fun.” She hugged Olivia and left the kitchen through the back door. “I’ll see you later.”

  At the edge of the outdoor dining area where the employees ate their meals, she stopped cold. Shiloh had messed her diaper. In a bad way. Natalie couldn’t go see Jake lugging a stinky baby. Telling him about the cancellations would be bad enough.

  She looked around and considered her options. The kitchen was no place to change a dirty diaper. Her car was in the parking lot, a ten-minute hike there and back. The restroom in the main lodge? Okay as long as no guests were in the lobby. Her glance fell on the picnic tables. The place was empty. If she hurried, no one would be the wiser.

  Pulling a small blanket from the diaper bag, she spread it out on top of the closest table. Next, she removed a clean diaper, wet wipes and powder, lining them up beside the blanket. Shiloh was last.

  She wiggled and fussed while Natalie changed the diaper. Minutes later, with Shiloh strapped back in the carrier, Natalie disposed of their trash in the receptacle beside the door. Hopefully, Shiloh would be her usual complacent self while Natalie spoke with Jake.

  “You ready, sweetie pie?”

  Shiloh gurgled contentedly, her little rosebud mouth puckering and blowing bubbles. She showed no signs of drowsiness, giving Natalie reason to believe she’d have trouble accomplishing her chores later on.

  “Hey. I thought you had the day off.” Aaron came toward her from around the corner of the building.

  Her heart gave a ridiculously girlish leap at the sight of him. She’d thought a lot about their kiss the other night, how easily she gave in to it and how much she enjoyed it. She’d also thought about her mother’s warning that he would be gone by the second week of April. It had taken her months to recover from one man leaving. Something told her recovering from Aaron would be a whole lot harder.

  “I was supposed to have the day off, but it hasn’t worked out that way.”

  Not wishing to reveal her nervousness, Natalie attempted casual. Inside was another matter. They hadn’t seen each other for three days, and every nerve in her body was springing to life with a great big “hello there.”

  The afternoon was warm enough that a jacket wasn’t necessary. Aaron’s faded chambray work shirt was worn thin at the elbows and frayed at the collar. One snap was missing. Yet the shirt enhanced rather than detracted from his good looks. He was all cowboy, and Natalie had a real weakness when it came to cowboys.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, still trying for casual.

  He held up an empty coffee can. “Your father sent me on a very important mission.”

  “You’d better hurry. I know how cranky he gets if he doesn’t have his afternoon caffeine fix.”

  “I’ve got time.” He came to stand beside her, slow and easy as if he belonged there. “Hey, mija.” He set the empty coffee can down beside the carrier, snatched Shiloh’s sock-covered foot and tickled it. “Look at you, growing bigger every day.”

  Mija?

  Natalie’s chest contracted. She didn’t speak much Spanish, but she recognized the term of endearment parents called their children. Why would Aaron use it with Shiloh? She wasn’t his daughter. Natalie warned herself not to place too much significance on the slip, which in all probability meant nothing. Like a coach calling one of his players son.

  Before she could respond, the most amazing thing happened. Shiloh smiled. A real smile. And it was aimed right at Aaron. Natalie was simultaneously thrown off guard, filled with delight and immensely disappointed.

  “Oh my gosh!” she blurted and squeezed in closer to Shiloh. “Did you see that? She smiled.”

  “She hasn’t before?” Aaron didn’t appear all that excited.

  “Not really. Sometimes she makes these funny little faces that resemble a smile but aren’t.” Not according to the countless baby-development books and magazines Natalie regularly consumed. She leaned over Shiloh, braced her hands on either side of the carrier and tried to get her daughter’s attention. “Hey there, sweetie pie?” she said in a singsong voice.

  Shiloh responded with a giant, slobbery, toothless grin. This one for her mother.

  Natalie’s knees nearly went out from under her. “She smiled at me.”

  Her own echoing smile stretched wide. She constantly worried that with other people watch
ing her baby, she’d miss major milestones. Granted, Shiloh’s first real smile had been at Aaron, but Natalie had seen it and treasured the moment.

  He leaned his head down beside hers. She looked at him, expecting to find him staring at Shiloh, and froze. He was staring at her. And the fire burning in his dark eyes triggered a response in her that had nothing whatsoever to do with baby milestones.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said and reached up to touch the side of her face with tender strokes. It reminded Natalie of the day he’d quieted Shiloh’s crying with those same tender strokes, those same strong hands.

  “Aaron…”

  What was intended as a protest came out sounding like a plea. A plea that was answered when his lips brushed hers.

  His kiss was featherlight, honey-sweet. Not at all like the night on her cabin steps. Yet, it affected Natalie as much, if not more, and she fell equally hard under the power of its spell. Leaning into him, she increased the pressure of her mouth and was instantly lost to the world.

  The employee dining area was no place for a kiss. Anyone could happen upon them without warning. But the day had been an emotional roller-coaster ride with one incredible high and far too many lows. Aaron’s mouth was a balm that both soothed and fortified her.

  When he abruptly pulled back, she seized the folds of his shirt, desperate to keep him with her. He straightened. So did she and plastered herself against him. His arms went around her, but he didn’t seize the moment and kiss her again. Somehow sensing that she needed close contact more than sexual gratification, he guided her cheek to his chest and rested his chin on her head. Over the sound of his beating heart, she heard him whisper something in Spanish.

  “What does that mean?” she asked, nestling more snugly in his embrace.

  “You taste incredible.”

  She tried repeating the phrase in Spanish and butchered it. He laughed softly. She winced.

  “It sounds better when you say it.”

  He said something else, only this time she just listened instead of asking for a translation. They remained locked together for another moment, then two. Sooner than Natalie would have liked, the magic passed and common sense returned. His hands lingered briefly on her arms before releasing her.

  “I realize I shouldn’t have done that but I’m not sorry I did.”

  Neither was she, though it couldn’t happen again. Certainly not in such a public place. She shuddered to imagine what Jake would have done if he caught them.

  Releasing a sigh, she said, “We should talk. Before we get in too deep. Which is where we’re headed if you haven’t noticed.”

  “I’ve noticed. And you’re right. We should talk.”

  Natalie had been thinking later today or tomorrow. When Aaron sat down at the table and motioned for her to do the same, she hesitated before sliding into the seat across from him. Shiloh evidently hadn’t found the kiss nearly as interesting as those around her, for she’d drifted off to sleep. Natalie gently moved the carrier so that it faced away from the afternoon sun, using the brief reprieve to collect her wildly scattered thoughts.

  “We can’t get involved,” she said firmly.

  “If you’re worried that I’m still in love with my late wife—”

  “Part of you will always love her. That doesn’t bother me.”

  “What does?”

  “You’re leaving soon.”

  “A lot can happen before then.”

  “Yeah, it can.” She could fall head over heels for him. Let him into her life. Grow accustomed to seeing him every day. Yield to the desire building inside her and make love with him. Then, he could leave her with a broken heart. “I’m just not so sure it should.”

  “The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Natalie.”

  “I believe you. But it’s not that simple. We’ve got a strong attraction going here, which could get out of control very quickly.”

  “There isn’t any ‘could’ about it,” Aaron said.

  “All the more reason for us to exercise control.” One wildly scattered thought popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. “Are you planning on staying on after your eight weeks are up?”

  “I have some business to take care of in Phoenix,” he said. “The foundation has its quarterly board meeting scheduled.”

  Translation: no.

  She’d expected an answer along those lines, shouldn’t be so disappointed. But she was, and the futility of any romantic relationship with Aaron hit her hard. There were too many complications, too many obstacles blocking their way.

  “I’m not sure this is going to work out between us,” she said, her voice wavering.

  “I’m more than willing to try.” He reached across the table and folded her hands inside his. “But I understand if you’re not. Your entire life is wrapped up in this ranch. If anything goes wrong, you’re the one with the most to lose.”

  “We did only just meet last month.” She checked on Shiloh as an excuse to look momentarily away.

  “You need to do what’s best for yourself and your child.”

  It was the nicest, sweetest thing he could say. “You’re not making this any easier.”

  His thumb found the center of her palm and stroked it. “Really? That’s not my intention.”

  He was such a liar.

  “I guess we should start avoiding each other.”

  “We don’t have to,” she said, completely mesmerized. He truly had the sexiest hands of any man she’d met. “Just avoid…kissing.”

  “There’s one problem with that.” The corners of his mouth curved up. “If I get within ten feet of you, I’m going to kiss you. And the next time we might not escape being seen.”

  Not try but going to.

  Yikes! Maybe she should spend the next three and a half weeks hiding under her bed, just to be on the safe side.

  Or, the less cautious and more adventurous side of her argued, put herself in his path at every available opportunity.

  “You aren’t the only one doing the kissing,” she admitted. “I participated, too.” Fully and willingly.

  Aaron’s eyes took on that same smoky glaze from before, catching her off guard.

  “I should stop mentioning kissing.”

  “Only if you want me to stay away.” He flashed her a sexy-as-hell grin that dared her to take him up on the dare.

  The back door to the kitchen banged open, and Olivia stepped halfway out. “Alice just called down from the office. Jake’s done with his meeting.”

  Natalie all but ripped her hands from Aaron’s. Why, she didn’t know. Olivia’s eagle eyes were legendary, and she rarely missed a trick. The slitting of those eagle eyes said today was no exception.

  “I have to go.” Natalie scrambled out of the picnic table and grabbed Shiloh’s carrier.

  Aaron stood and handed her the diaper bag. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. No.” Natalie went back and forth, and decided to tell Aaron about the cancellations. He was one of the owners and entitled to know everything concerning the ranch. “The Brubaker wedding was called off at the last minute. I need to tell Jake.”

  “That’s bad?”

  “They’d reserved six cabins, including the honeymoon one.”

  “Ouch!” He grabbed the empty coffee can. “You want me to come with you? For moral support,” he added.

  “I’ll be okay.” Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time she’d had to give Jake bad news.

  “I could watch Shiloh while you’re in with him.”

  A guy offering to babysit? Holy cow! How often did that happen?

  “Thanks.” She cast a glance at Olivia, who had yet to go inside and wouldn’t until Natalie left. “There’s a portable crib in the storage room near my desk. I’ll just put her there. I don’t expect to be in with Jake too long.” If he was in the same sour mood he’d been in the last few weeks, she’d hightail it out of there her first chance.

  “You sure? Jake won’t be happy. I can run i
nterference.”

  “I’m sure.” She’d had plenty of practice over the years. Aaron, however, was a rookie when it came to his former brother-in-law. Jake would eat him alive. She adjusted the diaper bag to a more comfortable position. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Wait.” He touched her arm.

  Natalie stopped, met his inquisitive gaze with trepidation. She didn’t want Aaron to say or do anything of a personal nature. Not with Olivia standing guard at the doorway.

  “Does the ranch ever sponsor charity events?”

  Not what she’d been expecting to hear. “Um…sometimes. In the past. Why do you ask?”

  “I just had an idea.” His face took on an odd expression.

  “What?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Maybe. I have to work out some details first.” He bounded up the steps into the kitchen and disappeared inside. Olivia shut the door behind him.

  “That was bizarre,” Natalie murmured to herself and cut across the lawn adjoining the dining hall and the main lodge.

  Aaron’s odd look and cryptic remark stayed with her up until the moment she met with Jake to inform him of the cancellations.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Good afternoon. Welcome to Trinkets and Treasures. Something tells me you’re not in the market for antiques.”

  Aaron removed his cowboy hat. “No, ma’am. I’m not.”

  Jake’s aunt Millie beamed at him. “Then to what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Business.”

  “Antique business?”

  “Bear Creek Ranch.”

  “I see.”

  She motioned for him to follow and led him on a winding path through a store crowded with everything from tiny jeweled music boxes to glittering beveled mirrors to ornately carved armoires. In the far corner of the store, behind a hand-painted screen, sat an old metal desk and beside it a rickety visitor chair. Holdovers from thirty years ago. And in spite of their battered appearance, quite possibly the newest pieces of furniture in the place.

  “Coffee?” she asked.