Beauty and the Bull Rider (Hotel Rodeo #3)(28)

“I know that, and I appreciate it, but at the same time, I can’t help resenting it.”

“Why?” he asked. “I thought we’d discussed it before I went.”

“I asked you to keep an eye out for me, but didn’t think you’d act without even consulting me about it.”

Zac jammed his hands into his pockets with a frown. “I was only doing the same thing for you that I’ve been doing for Ty. You’re not obligated to take them, if that’s your concern. I’ll keep ’em or sell them. It’s no skin off my nose.”

“There’s no reason to get pissed off, Zac. Can’t you please try to see my side?”

Zac tipped his hat back, his eyes searching hers. “I know livestock, Delaney. Ty trusts my judgement. Why can’t you?”

“That’s not what this is about,” she insisted.

He jutted his jaw. “The hell it isn’t. This is totally about trust, about taking a chance, about letting go.” She knew he wasn’t just talking about the cattle. He was talking about the baby too.

“I don’t know if I can,” she said.

“Then I think it’s time to ask yourself if it’s fear that’s holding you back. Or is it really just stubborn pride?”

She opened her mouth and closed it again. She had no rebuttal. Was he right? Was it really stubborn pride that made her keep him at arm’s length? If he really cared about her as much as he said, why not take a chance? God knows they’d both be getting something they needed.

He must have read the hesitation and self-doubt in her eyes. His expression softened. He continued in a husky voice, “There’s somethin’ else you need to understand. No matter how long this takes, I’m not going to give up, so you may as well quit fighting me.”

She realized then that she was tired of fighting him and she’d run out of arguments anyway. He’d rationally and systematically countered every one of them. She looked up at him with a rueful smile. “Has anyone ever told you you’re one bullheaded cowboy?”

He flashed a cocky grin. “All the time.”

Delaney took a deep breath and blew it out slowly in an effort to calm her racing heart. “All right, Zac. I give up.”

“What do you mean ‘give up’?”

“I accept your offer to father my baby if you’re still interested.”

“Yeah. I’m interested,” he replied. “I’d much rather we tried without test tubes or petri dishes, but I’ll do it your way, if that’s what you really want.”

She bit her lip, wondering if she was about to make a huge mistake. “I’m thinking that maybe we could try it the natural way. But don’t get too excited, cowboy,” she quickly added. “This doesn’t mean I’m going to jump in bed with you at the drop of a hat.”

“How about if I just dropped my jeans instead?” Although his remark was playful, his eyes ate her up.

“Very funny.” She tried to keep her tone light, even as she battled her fears.

Zac’s show of humor vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. “So how are we gonna go about this exactly?”

“How about we start with dinner?” she reminded him softly. “I believe you promised to feed me.”



Zac knew by the change of subject that he’d pushed Delaney too hard. It was time to ease back. “I did at that,” he replied lightly.

He took her back into the barn to the pair of tethered horses. The bay with the scar nickered to them. The palomino echoed the greeting. Zac untethered the Palomino and handed Delaney the reins. She accepted them with a puzzled look. “I thought you were going to make me dinner?”

“Everything’s ready and waiting,” Zac said. “We could have ridden the ATV, but I thought you’d enjoy the horses more.”

Her face lit up with a smile. He liked seeing her smile and hoped to inspire a whole lot more of them. “You’re right about that,” she said. “I haven’t ridden in ages. I still keep a couple of horses, but I never have time for pleasure rides. Where are we going?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” he replied with a teasing grin. He’d spent the whole day planning this. He hoped the rest of his efforts wouldn’t disappoint her. “You need a leg up?” he asked.

“No. I can manage fine,” she replied.

He watched appreciatively as she boosted herself up and into the saddle. He followed suit and they departed the ranch at a jog. Once Delaney seemed comfortable with her horse, he urged them into a lope. Although she hadn’t been raised with horses, she sat one like a natural. The beauty queen was a quick study, and she was ballsy too when she had to be. He liked those qualities. A lot.

They rode for about half a mile to the edge of the small man-made lake. Since it was stocked, he figured Tom must have built it for fishing. He pulled up his horse and Delaney drew alongside, her eyes gleaming with pleasure. “It’s beautiful,” she gushed at the vista of shimmering waters.

“The view’s even better from the other side,” Zac said. “I came across this a couple weeks ago when we rounded up some strays. C’mon.” They rode side by side to the opposite shore, where he’d set up camp. Zac dismounted and then reached up to assist her.