The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2)(13)

Rory took over and made the introductions. “This is Fisher and over here we have Gina, his mother. They’re staying with me for a bit. Gina, meet my brother, Chance.”

“A bit.” That sounds ominous, it’s not sounding like he wants to keep us here. “Hello.” She wiped her hand on the tea towel and walked toward him, holding out her hand, her insides shaking as he scrutinized her.

“Hi, nice to meet you. Looks as though you’re already settled. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let either Callie or me know.”

“Thanks, that’s very kind of you.” Gina went back to making dinner and watched as the adults fussed over her son. A prickling sensation ran down her neck and when she looked up, Rory was watching her. She tried to smile but he turned away to answer something his brother said.

“Do you have a high chair for him?” Callie stood by the counter with Fisher, blowing raspberries on his neck while he squealed.

“No, I don’t. I had to leave that behind. It wouldn’t fit in the car.”

“Oh. So tell me, where is ‘behind’?” Callie smiled and leaned on the counter, her gaze on Gina.

“San Francisco.”

“You drove all this way to see Rory. How nice for him.” She tilted her head and thought for a moment. “Hey, aren’t you the lady that drove into town last week and stopped to help Mrs. Forester feed the birds?”

Gina felt her stomach drop. “Well…” This wouldn’t end well, she could sense it.

“So where have you been staying then? In town?”

Gina blew out a breath. “No. Actually, I’ve been staying at Rory’s place.”

Chance stood up, a scowl on his face. “What, are you kidding me?” He limped over to his brother. “What the hell are you playing at letting a woman and a child stay in that dump?”





Chapter Five





“Care to fill me in on why you’re looking so pissed off?” Chance sat in front of the roaring fire in his favorite leather chair while the women took care of the baby, feeding him dinner in the other room.

“I didn’t know she was already here nor did I know she had a kid, I swear.” Rory walked over to the window, running a hand across the back of his neck. As much as he liked what he’d seen so far of Gina, he didn’t know if he could get past the initial lies. She was easy on the eyes, more so than he’d first thought, and her gentleness with her son warmed his heart. What she’d done to the old cottage in four days amazed him. He had to give her points for working so hard even if he didn’t like the subterfuge. “Do you honestly think I’d let anyone stay at the ranch when it’s in the state it is, especially a woman with a baby? The place is filthy.”

“I don’t know what to think, Rory.” He looked into the flames of the roaring fire.

“We made plans for when she was going to arrive. I said today and she agreed then arrived early.”

“So why didn’t she contact you when she got here then?” Chance leaned back and put his hands behind his head, stretching out his sore hip.

“I don’t understand it myself but think it has something to do with the baby. Because she didn’t tell me about him, I figure she’s trying to do her best to make herself indispensable so I won’t send her back.”

“Ah, I see. I’m not criticizing you, don’t get me wrong, but I was just wondering if you chose her because of the child. Guess that answers my question.” He leaned back and watched the flames licking over the large pieces of wood. “How did she like the ranch?”

“Mine?”

Chance nodded his head.

“I think she was kind of shocked when she first arrived, and when she looked around she admitted to living in something pretty similar. You should see what she’s done with the place. Cleaner than you would believe. I was taken aback too. From all accounts she’s had it pretty rough. I didn’t have the heart to tell her it’s getting a complete makeover, gutted down to the frames, not just yet anyway.”

“Why the heck not? Do you think that’s fair to drag her along thinking she’s going to live in a dump?” Chance sat forward, his elbows on his knees.

Rory shrugged his shoulders. “No, it’s not and it’s against all I hold dear. I’m kind of stunned and don’t know what to think right now. You know me. I hate lies and I can’t get over the fact that she didn’t tell me about the kid.” He ignored the look of disbelief on his brother’s face. “I’m a deputy sheriff for goodness’ sake. If that’s not all about honesty, what is it?”

“I understand that, but take a step back and think before you do something damned stupid. Do you think if you knew, you would still have told her to come or would you have kept looking?”

“That’s what’s going through my mind—I just don’t know.” He looked up as a squeal of laughter came from the kitchen. “I never thought of having a ready-made child and as much as I think he’s cute, he’s not mine.”

“So what? Get a grip, Rory. It’s only a matter of chromosomes, not the end of the world. If the kid needs a father and you need a family, give it a shot. Let them stay here and give them a decent chance before you do anything stupid.”