Cowgirls Don't Cry(37)

Jessie must’ve appeared dazed because Skylar said, “Call Brandt. He’s been in contact with Landon’s mother, he’ll have the information on what doctor to take him to.”


Would they give him a shot? Take blood? How could she watch them poking him when he was already in so much misery?

“Out here in the wilds of Wyoming it’ll probably take the rest of the day, once you actually get an appointment at the clinic.”


“But I can’t be gone from here—”


“Jess. Go. I’ll handle the daycare.”


She stared at Skylar, feeling mountains of regret as well as gratitude. “I’m sorry.”


“Don’t be. Kids get sick. You know that. And while I’m on the subject…if Landon does have an ear infection, it wouldn’t be from something you’ve done or not done regarding his care. You know that, right?”


“I do now.” She set her chin on top of Landon’s head. The poor kid was burning up. “Thank you. Not only for being so understanding, but for the advice.”


“None of this parenting stuff comes naturally, no matter what anyone tells you. It’s live and learn.

And usually, the first baby ends up being the guinea pig. Poor Eliza, huh?” She smiled. “Go call Brandt.

Let me know what you find out from the doctor.”


For some reason it made Jessie feel better that Brandt exhibited the same initial panicked reaction she had. He called Dr. Monroe and set up an appointment, then called Jessie back, promising he’d meet her at the doctor’s office in Sundance after he cleaned up.

By the time she finished a couple things, got Landon loaded, and traveled the less than ideal road conditions, she figured Brandt would beat her to the doctor’s office.

Sure enough, he jumped out of his truck the second he saw her. He didn’t look in the rear cab, at Landon. He cupped his hand over Jessie’s cheek. His eyes roamed her face. “Honey, no offense, but you look like hell.”


Jessie gave him equal scrutiny. “You don’t look one hundred percent rested yourself, Brandt.”


“I’m not.”


She sensed something else was bothering him. “What happened?”


“Funerals suck. I didn’t know my mom’s cousin, but she was really close to him at one time. It was weird, bein’ around those people, who are just as much my relatives as the McKays, and I know nothin’


about any of them.”


“Did it make you sad?”


“No. It made me aware.”


“Of?”


“What it might be like for Landon in the future with us.”


Jessie bit back the next question—how far Brandt would go to ensure Landon wouldn’t be a stranger in the McKay family.

Brandt’s thumb arced over her cheekbone, beneath her eye, in such a loving move she had no idea how she resisted the temptation to lean into his gentle touch. It’d been so long since she’d been touched. So very long.

“Jess—”


Landon cried out and the moment ended.

The three of them trooped into the doctor’s office. Which was completely full. Completely full of people she knew.

Great.

She held Landon on her lap while Brandt filled out the paperwork. Finally Brandt gave up on deciphering the Title IXX forms and agreed to pay cash for the visit, since Landon didn’t have health insurance.