Her Cowboy Savior (The Winchester Cowboys Series Book 2), page 6
She spit out the nipple, and Haley said, “You’re such a good little eater, sweet girl. Your momma loves you.”
“Would you like me to burp her?”
“Sure. Thanks.” She handed Aria up to him and smiled. “She looks so adorable right after she eats. So pleased with herself.”
“She’s a cutie, all right.” He placed her over his shoulder, and Aria tucked her knees up to her belly. He gently eased her legs down a bit, then moved her higher up on his shoulder. As he patted her back, he walked back and forth across the room. Aria loved looking around while he tried to burp her.
“You’re much better at getting her to burp than I am,” Haley said.
“Am I? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Yep. You have the magic touch.”
He chuckled. “I used to help Mom with my niece, Cat, when I was home for lunch. I guess I got good at it then.”
A few minutes later, Aria gave a cute little burp, and he removed her from his shoulder and cradled her in his arms. “Good girl. Now your tummy will feel better, little one.” He continued to walk around with her as she stared up at him with her big blue eyes.
When he sat down on the couch a few minutes later to lay Aria on his lap, Haley moved over to sit next to him.
“She’s ready to play for a while,” she said.
Aria’s arms and legs jerked and moved, and she made tiny happy baby sounds.
He touched her foot in its little pink bootie. “She’s so small. Cat was too. She was a twin and a tiny preemie.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, her twin sister died not long after she was born.”
Haley touched his arm. “That’s so sad. I’m sorry, Carson.”
“It was really hard on my brother and hard on his marriage. They ended up divorced.”
“That’s terrible. I’m so lucky Aria was born healthy.” She caressed her daughter’s cheek and whispered, “My precious girl.”
Aria played happily for another half-hour before she started to fuss.
Haley picked her up and gave her a pacifier, and the baby settled right down. “I guess she’s ready for bed, huh?”
“Sounds like it. I’m all set up.” He rose and helped her to stand. “I’ll change her diaper and then turn the lights out in the room. She should go right to sleep if I hold her for a little while.”
“Are you sure you’re up for this? She’ll probably get up every two hours. You’ll hardly get any sleep.” She grimaced. “I feel really bad about you doing this.”
He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked toward his room. “Promise me you’ll stop that. The whole point of you staying with us is to get your strength back. You can’t do that if you’re up and down all night with a newborn.” He squeezed her shoulders. “I’m a tough guy. I can handle it.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
When they got to his room, he laid Aria on the bed. She was still sucking on her pacifier, her gaze wandering around the room.
Haley surprised him with another hug. He wrapped his arms around her as warmth spread through him.
“Thanks for this, Carson.”
He tightened his arms. “You sleep well tonight.” Then he added, “Haley? I’m glad you’re here.”
She looked up at him and smiled tenderly. “I am too. You don’t know how much.” She bent and kissed Aria’s cheek, then closed the door softly behind her.
Fifteen minutes later, Aria was sound asleep. Carson climbed into bed in the darkened room and put his arms behind his head, thinking of all that had happened that day. The thing that stood out most, of course, was the kiss Haley had given him. Her lips on his cheek had been soft and warm. He wondered what they’d feel like on his lips.
He knew that she was just thankful for his help, but couldn’t he dream that it meant much more? He smiled and turned over. That’s exactly what he’d do. Now if he could just hurry and fall asleep...
Haley opened her eyes to the morning sun shining brightly through the bedroom window. She smiled and stretched, feeling wonderful. Even her headache felt better.
Carson was the sweetest man. Even though he’d cared for Aria all night, he’d let her sleep in this morning.
She looked at her phone. Lord, it was already ten-thirty. Damn, she’d slept incredibly late. She got up and wrapped his robe around her. When she opened the door, she could hear quiet voices coming from the living room.
When she walked in, Carson and Debra were chatting while Carson held a sleeping Aria in his arms. Haley went over to sit beside him on the couch.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, smiling at her. “How do you feel?”
“Much better. Thanks for letting me sleep in, but you should have wakened me so I could help with Aria. I’m sure you’re exhausted after being up with her all night.”
“You needed your rest. And, besides, I enjoy taking care of her. She was a happy camper last night, anyway.” He smiled down at her. “She’s a really good baby.”
Haley’s heart melted at the tender look on his face. “Well, thank you for letting me sleep. I feel better for it.”
She reached for the baby, and he gently handed her over. She said, “Aren’t you needed out on the ranch? You’ve dedicated so much time to me. I’m sure your dad and Landon are ready to have the extra help now that you’re home.”
He shrugged. “They can handle things for a while longer. Right now, I want to focus on you and Aria.”
“Thank you, Carson.” She let her smile show her appreciation—and how much she had begun to care about him.
His eyes twinkled, and he nodded. “You’re welcome. I’m here for you.”
Debra rose from her recliner. “I’ve saved some breakfast for you, Haley. Would you like to come in and eat?”
“Thank you, Debra. I’d love that.”
She was surprised at the large plate of pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs that his mom put in front of her. “This looks fabulous.”
“We have big breakfasts around here. If you can’t eat it all, that’s okay,” Carson said.
Debra had already been out in her garden, and she chatted about that while Haley ate.
She was impressed with the variety of vegetables that Debra grew and her knowledge of gardening. There was a large basket of produce sitting on the counter. Haley said, “I’d be glad to wash what’s in the basket after I eat.”
“Oh, that would be great. Of all my gardening chores, that’s my least favorite. I only wash what I’m going to be using right away, though, so I’ll pick out the ones I want you to do.”
That was interesting. “Why is that?”
“If you wash and then store vegetables, bacteria can grow and they won’t last as long,” Debra said.
“Wow, that’s good to know.”
“Mom knows everything about gardening,” Carson said proudly.
Debra chuckled. “Not hardly, but I’ve learned a lot over the years.”
“I think I’d like a garden of my own someday,” Haley said. “It seems like it would be very fulfilling.”
“That’s a good way to describe it,” Debra said. “I feel like I’m doing a wonderful thing for my family when I grow their food.”
Haley smiled. “You’re a great mom.”
“Thanks, Haley,” Debra smiled and wiped crumbs off the table.
Aria began to squirm and squeak in Carson’s arms. He rose from the table, looking tenderly at the baby. “I’ll go change her diaper. I’m sure she’s wet after that bottle she had earlier.”
Haley was filled with such a sweet feeling that she closed her eyes, waiting for it to subside. Then she said, “I’ll fix her a bottle.”
Carson walked back in just as she finished getting it ready. “I’ll feed her if you like.”
Haley handed him the bottle. “You both take such wonderful care of Aria. I just don’t know how to thank you enough.”
Debra patted her shoulder. “I think you just did.”
Haley smiled and took her plate and glass to the sink to rinse them.
As Carson fed Aria, Haley said, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to get dressed while you finish feeding the baby.”
He looked up and smiled. “Go ahead. We’re doing just fine.”
She walked over and gazed down at her daughter, who sucked contentedly on her bottle. A wave of maternal love swept through her, leaving her warm and contented in its wake.
“She looks so cute when she’s eating,” Carson said.
Haley grinned. The man was absolutely smitten with her baby. “She sure does.” Haley patted his shoulder and headed for her room.
Aria had finished eating when Haley returned. Carson was rocking her and looked up when Haley walked in. “I asked Mom if she’d look after Aria for a little bit while we go outside. I thought I’d show you our barn. You ready?”
“Sure. That sounds fun.”
He headed into the kitchen. “Here’s the little stinker, mom. I’ve already burped her.” He handed her to his mom.
Aria looked placidly around.
“Thanks for watching her for us, Debra. I really appreciate it,” Haley said.
“I don’t mind at all. We’re going to get along just fine,” she said with a smile.
They headed outside and walked down the ranch drive toward the big red barn.
As they grew near, Haley realized how large the old building really was. “Your barn’s amazing. I never realized that barns were that big.”
Carson chuckled. “These types of old wooden barns sometimes were. Most of them are gone now. Weather takes its toll on them.”
“It’s huge. That looks like a fresh coat of paint on it.”
“It is. We just painted it a few months ago. The barn’s a part of the ranch’s history, and we don’t want to lose it.”
She immediately noticed the difference in temperature when they stepped inside. It was dark and much cooler in the old building. She took a good look at the walls, surprised at the thickness of the wood. The long planks that made up the sides looked incredibly heavy.
He took her to a section near the back. “We keep round bales here for the livestock close by.” Then he nodded toward the front of the barn. “That pickup with the big metal fork on the back is the hay truck we use to move these bales around.”
The hay smelled sweet and fresh, and she walked closer to pluck a piece off one of the bales.
Carson followed close behind her. “Careful. Rattlesnakes like to hang out around the hay because of the mice.”
She shuddered and stepped back. “Good to know.”
He chuckled. “It really is a thing, but as long as you watch where you step, you should be fine.”
“No, thank you. I’ll keep my distance.”
He smiled and took her by the hand. “Come on. I’ll show you the tack room.”
Now she couldn’t look anywhere but at her feet, sure that she’d see snakes coming at her from every direction.
Carson glanced at her and grinned. “I’m sorry I scared you. Try not to worry. Just be aware that the snakes are out here, and you’ll be fine.”
“Right, right,” she said, keeping her eyes on the floor.
He chuckled again. “I could always carry you.”
She scowled at him. “Over my dead body.” Then she realized what she’d said and shivered again. Why the hell did he have to mention snakes? She wondered if she’d always had this fear of them.
The tack room was everything she’d imagined—a large room filled with modern saddles and bridles and halters—but there were also big harnesses that must have been used back when horses had pulled the ranch’s plows. She marveled at how well-oiled and supple the old tack was. How amazing it was that the Winchesters revered their history so much that they cared for items that would never be used again.
She went over to touch a huge black leather collar. “This is beautiful.”
“I think so too.” Carson had followed her and reached out to stroke the coiled leather reins. “This could be used tomorrow if we had a plow horse. We condition everything every four or five months.”
She walked over to one of the ornately carved saddles and ran her hands over it. “This is pretty. Who does it belong to?”
“That’s Dad’s.” He walked two saddle trees down. “This one’s mine.”
She went over to look at it. “I like how your seat is padded and that it’s suede leather. I’ll bet it’s comfortable.”
“I like it.”
“Those are oak leaves and acorns carved on the sides, right?” She ran her fingers over the design.
“Yes. The saddle’s custom-made, and the guy uses that design a lot. It’s kind of his signature.”
She turned—and found him standing closer than she’d anticipated. Without thinking, she slipped her arms around his neck and drew him down to her. Looking into his eyes, she kissed him softly.
He wrapped his arms around her and swept her mouth with a gentle kiss.
She opened her eyes, her body tingling all over. “I’m glad you were the one to find me.” She brushed her thumb across his bottom lip.
“It scares me to think that I might not have been there that day. I just thank God that I was.” He cupped her face in his hands. “You and Aria, you’re precious to me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She turned her cheek and kissed his palm. “I’m getting my strength back. We’ll figure out what to do.”
He cradled her to his chest. “I want you both to be safe. That’s my number one priority.”
“Agreed,” she whispered. “Aria has to be safe.”
A horse nickered from somewhere outside the barn.
She drew back, interested in the sound. “How many horses do you have?”
“Five. One’s an older gelding that we don’t use much on the ranch anymore, but the other four are good cattle horses. Would you like me to catch one up?”
Her pulse picked up, and she realized that she loved horses. “I’d really like that.”
He put some feed in a bucket and went out into the big pen next to the barn. When he caught one of the horses, he put a halter on it and led it back to the barn, letting it eat from the bucket on the way back.
She was grinning when he arrived, practically dancing in place in anticipation of touching the animal.
Carson said, “This is Old Ben. He’s a sweetheart. Go ahead and pet him.”
She moved in close and petted his head—what there was of it above the bucket, anyway. The horse’s ears flicked back and forth at the touch of her hand.
Then she stroked his neck, running her palm across it in the direction the hair grew. Ben’s ears went forward again, and she knew he was enjoying her touch. She patted his shoulder. “You’re a good boy, aren’t you, Ben?”
He continued to eat, the soft sound of his crunching soothing in a way she’d never experienced before.
Carson was smiling at her, and she grinned back. He said, “You’re probably too sore from having the baby right now, but when you’re feeling better, we’ll go riding.”
“That’s fantastic!” She gave him a hug, squeezing him so tightly he started to laugh. She said, “I think I must have always liked horses.”
Old Ben kept chomping until all the feed was gone. She patted him one last time before Carson turned him loose out in the pen again.
She was still smiling as they headed back down the drive toward the house.
Carson put his arm around her shoulders. “Having fun?”
“That was amazing.” She leaned her head against him. For the first time since her accident, she truly felt happy. But, most of all, she felt safe.
Chapter Six
Carson stayed close the rest of the morning, but he took a back seat when it came to caring for Aria. He figured that Haley needed the practice at changing diapers and keeping up with the baby’s routine. It would give her the confidence that she’d said she was lacking as a mother.
At lunchtime, Haley offered to help prepare the meal.
“Honey, you need to take it easy. It’s enough that you’re caring for the baby today,” Debra said.
“Mom’s right. You shouldn’t push yourself,” he said.
Haley sighed. “You’re probably right. Thank you, Debra, for looking out for me.”
Carson squeezed her hand as his mom left the room. “You might need to take it easy, but there’s no reason I can’t go help Mom.”
“Oh, would you? I feel terrible just sitting here while your mom’s in there cooking all by herself.”
“Sure, if you promise me that you won’t worry about needing to rest. That’s what you’re here for, and we all want to help you. Okay?”
She smiled. “I promise.” Her eyes were warm and soft.
A lock of her hair had come out of her clip, and he brushed it back behind her ear. His need to protect her, to make her well, overwhelmed him.
He sighed and rose from the couch. The best way to do that was to keep her happy.
When he walked into the kitchen, his mom grinned and said, “So you’re my helper today?”
He smiled. “That’s right. Put me to work.”
While he peeled potatoes, she started on a simple salad.
“How do you think Haley’s doing?” she asked.
“She’s getting better, I think. But I want her to rest a lot. She’s still weak.”
“I think she is too. I’m glad you’re encouraging her to take it easy. And it’s wonderful that you’re caring for Aria at night. I’m so proud of you, son.”
He glanced at his mom. “Thanks. That means a lot to me.”
Once he’d finished peeling the potatoes, he quickly sliced them, then put them into a skillet of hot bacon grease.
His mom took thawed sirloin steaks from the fridge and quartered them before putting them into another skillet to fry in butter.
“Something sure smells good,” his dad said as he walked into the kitchen and gave his wife a kiss on the cheek. Then he grinned. “Well, look who’s cooking potatoes. It’s about time you boys started helping your momma.”
Carson chuckled. “You’re right, Dad. You just need to turn us loose so we can.” He turned the potatoes for the last time and shut the burner off.
