Her Cowboy Savior (The Winchester Cowboys Series Book 2), page 7
Landon walked into the kitchen and put his arm around his mom’s shoulders. “Lunch sure looks good, Mom. I’m starving.”
She chuckled. “And when is my youngest son not starving?”
Carson moved the skillet off the hot burner and dished up the potatoes into a large ceramic bowl before putting it on the table. Then he set out plates and silverware. As his mom finished the meat, he filled the iced tea glasses and put the salad on the table.
After a glance around the room, he said, “Mom, you got this?”
She looked at the table, and the corner of her mouth lifted in approval. “You did just fine, honey. I’m taking out the last of the steak right now. Go tell everyone to wash up and come eat.”
He walked back into the living room, where Haley sat rocking a sleeping Aria. His dad was relaxing in his recliner, and Landon was sprawled on the couch. “Mom said to wash up. Lunch is ready.”
His dad and Landon left the room as Haley rose from the chair. She said, “You have such a sweet family.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “We’re your family now.”
She leaned her head against him as tears leaked from her eyes. She whispered, “Thanks. That means the world to me.”
He kissed her temple, then gathered Aria into his arms. “I’ll go put her in the cradle while you wash up.”
She smiled, and then winced.
“What’s wrong?”
“My headache’s come back.”
“Damn. Is it time for your medicine?”
“Not quite yet.”
He shook his head. “Maybe eating will help.”
She nodded. “See you in a minute.”
When he returned to the kitchen, there was an empty seat next to Haley. Ken led them in a simple prayer, then helped himself to two pieces of meat.
The usual chaos ensued, and Debra handed the salad to Haley. “These greens will do you good, honey. And you be sure to take plenty of meat. You need the protein.”
Haley smiled. “I sure will.”
Carson grinned and passed her the potatoes.
It was a big, happy meal with everyone talking across the table. He noticed that Haley was quieter than usual, and he wondered if it was because of her headache. However, she took two pieces of meat and a good helping of potatoes along with the salad. As lunch wound down, though, her plate was only half empty, and her face was pale.
“Haley, why don’t you go on in and rest?” he asked her. “I’ll get the ice packs for you. And I’m going to leave the cradle in my room for the next several days. I’ll take care of Aria at night so you can sleep. She can take her naps in there, too, so you can sleep during the day.”
It spoke volumes about the severity of her headache that she didn’t argue. He wrapped the ice packs in towels and brought them to her. She was already lying down with her eyes closed, a pain line furrowing her brows.
He sat on the edge of the bed and lifted her head, inserting the first ice pack under her neck.
She opened her eyes and smiled shakily. “Thanks.”
He put the other one on the top of her head. “Just rest now. Stay in bed all afternoon if you want to.” He clasped her hand, wishing that there was something else he could do. “When is it time for your medicine again?”
“I just took it, so not for four hours.”
“Okay. I’ll keep track of it.” He brought her fingers to his lips, and her eyes opened again.
The corner of her mouth lifted.
He caressed her cheek. “Sleep now, honey. Don’t worry about anything.”
Her eyes closed, and she sighed deeply.
He rose and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Carson opened his eyes as he heard footsteps approaching. He’d fallen asleep on the couch. Haley was up. He smiled at her and glanced at his phone. She’d slept for more than three hours. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. My headache’s still there, but it’s not so bad.” She glanced around the room. “Where’s Aria? She’s not still sleeping, is she?”
“No, she’s up and has taken another bottle. Mom has her somewhere.”
“She’s so sweet with Aria.”
“She misses her grandkids,” he said. “Beau lives in San Antonio and doesn’t get up here often enough to suit her grandma’s heart.”
Haley sat down next to him. “I was thinking that we might go to the store this afternoon for those baby things. And I’d like to get another phone, too. The one I have is useless.”
“About your phone problem. I looked it up. I found a video that tells me how to unlock any Android phone.”
“Let’s try it! Also, I called my car insurance company from the hospital phone the day before I left. You remember, I mentioned that I’d given them your number to call for follow-up? Now that I think of it, we should have heard from them by now.”
“I’m sure your car will be totaled. That may be what’s taking a while,” he said.
She sighed. “How can I pay for another car when I’m not working? Didn’t you say my car looked almost new? Most of what I get for it will go to whoever financed it for me.”
“Don’t worry about that now.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “I think going to the store is a good idea. Getting out of the house should do you some good. Let me just go find Mom and let her know.”
He found his mom out on the back porch with a happy Aria in her arms. The baby waved her fists in the air as she stared at her surroundings. “Mom? I think we’re going to head to San Saba and get those baby things we need. Haley needs to do some shopping too.”
His mom smiled and kissed Aria’s cheek. “You all go ahead. We’ll be just fine here.”
He bent and kissed the top of his mom’s head. “Thanks. You’re the best. We won’t be gone long.”
“You all take your time. There’s no rush.” She smiled and made a shooing motion. “Go enjoy yourselves.
When they made it out onto the main road a few minutes later, he said, “We’re going into San Saba. There’s a Walmart, and we’ll be able to find everything we need there.” He reached for Haley’s hand. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. You had me worried.”
She grimaced. “I hate these headaches. I wish I’d quit having them.”
“Maybe you won’t have them for much longer.”
She leaned her head back and looked out the window.
Her straight nose and the graceful curve of her cheekbone reminded him how beautiful she was. Her long hair was the perfect shade of red, slightly auburn with copper highlights in the sun.
“This is nice,” she said. “I love the big oak trees out here. They must be so old.”
“They are. They’re beautiful and give good shade,” he said, enjoying the connection with her. Her hand was soft, and yet she had a firm grip. He liked that.
In a little while, she said, “Carson, I wonder about Aria’s father. How come I don’t have any photos of him? Why was I running away? It drives me crazy when I’m trying to go to sleep at night.”
He tightened his grip on her hand. “Here’s how I see it. If you loved Aria’s father, you would probably have had a picture of the two of you. Or at least one of him. That’s kind of what people do.”
After a pause, she said, “Is that what you do?”
He stared at the road ahead for a moment. “At one point in my life I did.”
“What was her name?”
He turned to look at her. “Her name was Jill. She decided that living in Dallas was more attractive than a life here with me on the ranch.”
Haley’s eyes narrowed. “She was a fool! You’re better off without a shallow woman like that.”
He bit back a smile at the vehemence in her voice. “I think so, too, now, but back then it hurt pretty badly.”
Her eyes narrowed even more. “If I’d been here, I’d have given that woman an earful!”
He chuckled. “It’s too bad you weren’t. I’d have liked to have seen that.”
Suddenly she smiled sheepishly and ducked her head.
He brought her hand to his lips. “Thanks.”
They rode in silence until they pulled into the parking lot. As she started to open her door, he said, “Hold on there, missy. This is a tall truck. I’ll help you out.”
She grinned. “Okay.”
He went around and opened her door.
As he helped her down, she said, “Carson?”
“Hm?”
She slid her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. “I’ll always stick up for you. No one’s ever going to treat you like that again.” Then she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, a long, sensual kiss that left him breathless.
When she stepped back, he said, “Wow. That was—”
She smiled. “Yeah, it was.”
Heart pounding, he put his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the store. That had been more than a thank-you kiss. That was an “I think you’re sexy and I want you” kind of kiss. Hot damn.
Chapter Seven
Haley carried the new bouncer into the house while Carson gathered up the rest of their purchases. She’d found a pair of tennis shoes that fit and felt better about going out in public now.
Debra wasn’t in the living room, so Haley set down the bouncer and went in search of her. She found her in the kitchen putting pieces of meat into a dish to marinate.
Debra looked up and smiled. “Did you find everything you needed?”
Haley nodded. “I sure did. Thanks so much for watching Aria for me.”
“She was a doll. She’s sleeping right now.”
“Anything I can help you with?”
“No, honey. I won’t start dinner for a while yet. You go on in and rest if you want.”
“Okay.”
Carson walked through the front door as she returned to the living room. “These are the last of the bags.”
“Great. I’ll put everything away.”
“I’ll help you. We could probably store the extra diapers and wipes on the shelves in the laundry room. It would give you more room in the bedroom.”
“That’s a good idea. Thanks.”
While he was doing that, she took the other things to her room. She was exhausted after walking around the store and sat on the bed to take the stuff out of the bags.
She’d bought makeup, since she hadn’t even packed the basics. She’d also purchased her own shampoo and conditioner, and some body wash and a shower puff. Her purchases had all seemed familiar somehow, and she wondered if they were brands that she’d used in the past.
She’d left her door open, and Carson knocked on it a moment later. “Need anything?”
She sighed, feeling every step she’d taken down the aisles. “You could put some stuff in the bathroom for me.”
“No problem.”
She handed him her shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. “Is there room for these?”
“Sure.”
She opened the makeup and put it on top of her dresser. Then she picked up her new shoes and put her old ones in the box. When Carson walked back in, she said, “Can you throw these away for me?”
“Of course.” He sat down beside her. “You look beat. Why don’t you take a hot shower and then lie down for a nap? I’ll take care of the baby when she wakes up.”
“That sounds nice. I’m beat after walking all over that store.”
He patted her knee and stood up. “Take your time and relax. I’ll handle everything until you feel ready to get up.”
She clasped his hand as he turned to go. “I don’t thank you nearly enough, Carson.”
He smiled. “No need. I’m happy to help.”
“I know you are, but still, I really appreciate what you do for Aria and me.”
He squeezed her hand. “You’re welcome.”
His smile was warm and full of the caring she’d come to expect from him. As he walked out of the room, she was struck again by how attracted she was to the handsome cowboy.
After gathering her clothes, she went in to take her shower. She made it steaming hot. As she brushed her hair out, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her bruises from the wreck had faded to a dull purplish yellow.
She stepped under the spray, hissing at the heat of it. Sighing, she closed her eyes as the hot water played over her body, luxuriating in being enveloped in warmth as her tense muscles slowly began to relax.
She remembered feeling Carson’s hard muscular body pressed against hers as they’d hugged. He was so tall compared to her five-foot height. He made her feel small and feminine and beautiful in the way he looked at her.
She let her mind wander to how things might be between them. To how she wanted them to be. Her thoughts were lazy and pleasurable, and she stayed under the spray for a long time.
Eventually, Aria’s cries intruded on her thoughts. Even though Carson had told her to take her time, guilt crept its way into her mind.
Sighing, she turned off the shower and emerged from her warm refuge, toweling off before stepping carefully out of the tub.
She dressed quickly and found Carson in the rocker feeding Aria a bottle. Haley touched his arm and smiled.
“Hey, I thought you were going to lie down,” he said.
“I heard her crying and wanted to see if everything was all right.”
He smiled down at Aria. “We’re just fine, aren’t we, honey? Everything’s all right now that we have our bottle.”
Haley grinned. He was so adorable when he talked like that. “I can see that you have this in hand.”
He looked up and nodded. “I sure do.” He examined her face. “Don’t you feel like resting?”
“Actually, I’d rather be in here with you all.”
He studied her some more. “You’re sure? You’re not too tired? How’s your headache?”
“Not too bad.” She smiled. It was sweet that he worried about her.
The corner of his mouth lifted. “I’m glad to hear it. Would you like a glass of iced tea? There’s some in the fridge.”
“That sounds nice. I took a really hot shower.”
She headed into the kitchen. “Hi, Debra. I just came in for some tea.”
“Let me get that for you,” the older woman offered.
“Oh, I can make it.” Haley didn’t want to be any trouble.
“You just sit for a minute. You look refreshed from your shower, and now you need to relax and take it easy. Remember, you were in a bad wreck, and you’ve just had a baby. The more rest you get, the better.”
She smiled at Carson’s mom, feeling warmed clear through.
When Debra handed her the glass of tea, Haley gave her a hug. “Thank you for all you do for me.”
Debra patted her back. “You’re welcome, honey.”
When Haley walked back into the living room, Aria was just finishing her bottle.
Carson kissed her forehead as she let it drop from her mouth. “You sure are a good eater, little one.”
Haley held out her hands. “I’ll burp her now.”
Carson handed her the burp cloth and then offered her the baby.
Aria squeaked and made soft little sounds as Haley put her on her shoulder. As she patted her back, Aria scrunched her knees up to her belly and made little grunting noises. Haley chuckled and straightened her legs, then began patting her back again.
As she walked back and forth, her thoughts returned to her amnesia.
“You’re frowning. What’s wrong?” Carson asked.
“It feels so wonderful to hold Aria in my arms like this, and it makes me feel terrible that I can’t remember my pregnancy. I wish I could remember carrying her inside my body—what that felt like all those months, and how happy I must have been.”
“I’m sorry. I can only imagine how you must feel. Remember, the doctor said that your memory will probably come back, but most likely in bits and pieces. Don’t expect one big whammy.”
She chuckled. “One big whammy, huh?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Hey, it’s a pretty day outside. Why don’t we go out on the porch? Aria likes the swing.”
Outside, Haley sat down carefully on the swing with Aria. Carson settled in beside her and pushed the swing backward with his long legs. As it swung forward, Aria went still in her mother’s arms.
“She does like it.” Haley held her breath, hoping the motion wouldn’t make her dizzy, since she still had a small headache. After a moment, however, it was clear that she was going to be okay.
Carson settled his arm along the back of the swing.
Aria’s eyes began to droop, and Haley leaned back and relaxed. Cattle in the pasture across from the house were black dots in the far distance. She glanced at Carson. “This is wonderful.”
“It is.” He slid his arm around her shoulders.
She leaned her head against him as peace settled in her soul. A breeze lifted a tendril of her hair, tickling her cheek.
“You’re beautiful,” Carson said softly.
Her heart thrilled at his words. “You make me so happy. I don’t know what my life was like before, but I can’t imagine that it was better than this.”
He leaned over and kissed her softly.
Aria stirred and made a quiet sound.
Haley chuckled. “Are you jealous, little one?”
Carson took Aria into his arms and ran his fingertip across her forehead. “There’s no reason to be jealous. I love you, sweetheart.”
Haley’s heart pounded. She bit her lip as he went on, “That’s right, Aria. You’re my number one girl—and don’t you forget it.”
Aria waved her tiny fists around, her blue eyes wide open.
He turned to Haley and grinned. “I think that did the trick.”
Moved beyond words, she smiled and blinked back tears.
He cradled the baby to his chest and hummed, his chest rumbling with the sound.
Haley recognized it as a lullaby but couldn’t remember what it was called.
Aria looked so tiny in his muscular arms. His protective embrace had always quieted the baby as nothing else ever did.
Mesmerized by the motion of the swing and Carson’s humming, she felt calmer than she had since first waking in the hospital. Her mind fuzzed, and her body grew limp. All was well in her world.
