Cowboy in Charge (9 page)

Her face froze. She blinked once, then walked away to plop herself down at a nearby table.

They had left the carriage parked outside the shop. She set the baby carrier on the far edge of the table near the wall and took off the blanket. Scott settled down in a chair beside them with his ice cream cone.

The minute Jason joined them, Layne leaned forward and said quietly, “That wasn’t necessary.”

“Really? With the way Shay stood behind the counter giving me the evil eye?”

She shot a quick look toward the cash register, but he knew the other woman had disappeared through the doorway behind it into the back room.

“She didn’t give you the evil eye.”

“Close enough to it, and I wasn’t about to stand down.” He dug into his banana split and held up a mouthful of vanilla ice cream. “You sure you don’t want any? I can always get another spoon.”

“No, thanks.”

“Too tame for you, huh? You always went for the fancy ones, the chocolate-marshmallow swirl or the pistachio-walnut-mint.”

“I’m surprised you remembered.” She didn’t meet his eyes.

“Are you kidding? Those were premium flavors. I had to pay extra for ’em.”

That got her looking at him. “Don’t even try to make me feel guilty about that. Your banana splits and triple-dip sundaes cost three times as much as my cones.”

He laughed and spooned up a mound of chocolate ice cream covered with whipped cream. “We spent plenty of time here in our dating days, didn’t we?”

“It was everybody’s favorite hangout.”

“I’ll agree with that. And I won’t point out how you sidestepped the question.”

When she turned her attention to the baby, he studied her. Layne’s cheeks looked nearly as red as the cherry on his banana split. The color might have come from the cold outside or from flu symptoms she was hiding. He didn’t know. But when she shivered again, he knew he couldn’t attribute it to ice cream. She hadn’t had any. “Are you sure you’re not cold?”

She shook her head. “And I didn’t sidestep your question. I’m just following a logical train of thought. We would probably have hung out at SugarPie’s more often if she hadn’t been so strict about all of us watching our manners.”

“She sure hasn’t let up any in that regard. When I went to get lunch, she gave me a piece of her mind. In that sweet Southern way of hers, of course.”

“Really? About what?”

“About us. Or to be more accurate, about me.” She didn’t respond, but all that bright color drained from her cheeks. “About the way I’d left you. She doesn’t think too kindly of me for that. And I just ran into Mitch Weston at the Cantina, and he tells me your brother doesn’t have me too high on his list of favorites, either.”

“Did you expect either of them would?”

Not wanting—or not able—to admit the truth to her, he stabbed at his ice cream with his spoon.

“Mommy.” Scott held up his cone.

She took it from him and turned the cone slowly, making one long swipe with her tongue to clean up the dribbles of melting chocolate. Now
he
was the one shivering, but not from the temperature or the flu or his banana split.

“Yucky, Mommy.” Scott smacked his sticky hands together.

Jason handed him a paper napkin from the dispenser at his elbow. The boy rubbed the napkin on his hands, then tossed it on the table—or tried to. The shredded paper clung to his ice-cream-covered fingers.

“I go wash.”

Jason eyed the set of double doors at one end of the shop. They led to a hallway at the back of the building shared by the adjacent convenience store. At the midpoint of the hall the restrooms flanked the emergency exit. In their school days, kids looking for excitement sometimes ducked out through that exit with items they hadn’t paid for. Or they visited the restrooms to carry out some minor act of vandalism. “I’ll take Scott back to wash his hands.” He was halfway out of his seat when Layne shook her head.

“I’ll go with him.”

Slowly, he sank back into his chair. “Okay. I’ll watch Jill.”

“I’ll take her with us. She probably needs a change.”

Scott had wandered off toward the direction of the hallway. He stood near the front counter, his sticky fingers splayed against the glass front. Shay wouldn’t be too happy to see the results.

Jason looked at the baby, who was sleeping soundly, one fist curled under her chin. “She’s out. No sense waking her up.”

“She’s used to it.”

Layne reached for the handle of the carrier. He put his hand on her arm. “Wait a minute. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” But again, she wouldn’t look his way.

He stared at her. “
Something’s
up. What, do you think I’ll walk off with the baby? Or take Scott out the back entrance on our way to the bathrooms?”

“Don’t be so silly,” she snapped.

“Then don’t be so damned stubborn,” he shot back. “These past few days at your apartment, you were willing enough to take my help. But now we’re out in public, something’s different?”

“That has nothing to do with it.”

“Then, what has?”

“This.”
She gestured with her free hand and shook her head in annoyance, but kept her voice down, probably thinking of Shay in the back room. “I’ve already thanked you for your help, but you know I wouldn’t have accepted it if I could have found someone else. And I can’t take this...this assumption you can just step into my life—our lives—and act like you’ve always been here. Like you never left.”

“I’m not assuming anything, just going day by day. And being there for you, the way I have been for nearly a week now. I haven’t done anything to make you think you can’t trust me.”

“But how do I know I can? You can’t buy a person’s trust with some groceries and an ice-cream cone. At least, not mine. You have to earn it.”

He’d have called her on the statement, kept her from walking away, insisted they finish the argument, except for the look on her face. For once, she hadn’t managed to hide her emotions behind a blank expression. She hadn’t turned away in time to keep him from seeing the tears in her eyes.

He sucked in a breath.

Layne never cried.

He waited till she disappeared through the doorway with the kids. He checked the counter area to make sure Shay had stayed in the back room. And then he shoved his bowl away from him and slumped back in his seat.

How had this all gotten so complicated?

Before he’d come to town, his plan was simply to check up on his child and convince Layne to take the child support he owed. Now, it looked like he’d have to prove himself to her. But how could he do that?

He’d run into plenty of skepticism from folks in town already and knew he would face more—and worse—once he encountered Layne’s brother. At the rate he was going, he’d have to prove himself to the whole of Cowboy Creek.

Both of which might be easier to handle than facing Layne.

With her, he’d gone beyond just the need to prove himself a better man. Now, according to the challenge she’d thrown at him, he had to earn her trust again.

He
wanted
to do that.

But, given their history, getting her to trust him could be a downright impossible goal.

Chapter Nine

Layne had just finished settling Jill in her crib when she heard a faraway rapping on the apartment door. Her thoughts shot to Jason.

When they had arrived home from the Big Dipper, he’d escorted them into the apartment. The minute he had set Jill’s carrier on the couch, he’d announced he had errands to run. That was the last she had seen of him all afternoon.

When he got back, she would bite her tongue till it bled rather than admit she missed him. And yet she did, more than she wanted to admit even to herself.

She had left Scott playing with his cars in the living room. As she came down the hall, she heard him run to the apartment door and call out.

“Who is that?”

“Hey, Scott. It’s Grandpa Jed.”

Frowning, she crossed the room. She and Cole had always looked to Jed Garland almost as a substitute father. But, though she often saw him at SugarPie’s and at parties and barbecues out at the Hitching Post, she couldn’t remember the last time he had come to the apartment. As she swung open the door, she half expected to see Jason beside the older man. Instead, Jed stood alone, his white hair rumpled and his Stetson in one hand.

“Come in.” She stepped back. “Is everything okay? It’s not something with Cole? Or Tina and the baby?”

“No, no, nothing like that.” He stepped into the room. “For one thing, Sugar said you were under the weather. I thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing.”

“Better, thanks. Much better.”

He glanced past her. “Jason not around?”

“No. Uh...he had a few things to do. Can I get you a cup of coffee? Or tea?”

He waved the offers away. “Don’t want to put you out.”

“You won’t be. I was just going to heat up the kettle for tea for myself.”

“The same will be fine for me, then.”

She went toward the kitchen, leaving Jed to seat himself in the armchair she had begun to think of as Jason’s. The thought made her wince. She
was
getting too used to having him around...a problem she might not have to worry about for much longer.

Her hands shook as she took the tea canister down from the shelf. A delayed reaction from the walk, that was all. Their stroll to the Big Dipper and back again had worn her out. So had the strain of her conversation with Jason and the uncomfortable near-silence on their trip back home.

She filled the kettle, assembled mugs and spoons and dessert plates, arranged gingerbread cookies in a shallow bowl, all without paying attention to what she did. Her mind wasn’t anywhere near her actions in the kitchen.

She only hoped Jason’s errands hadn’t included going straight to Jed. Why he would do that, she didn’t know, but Jed’s arrival seemed much too coincidental. If all was well with Cole and Tina, what other reason would he have to stop by?

And where was Jason? It was getting close to supper time. To her dismay, she realized she had been stalling, holding off on deciding what to make for herself and Scott, expecting Jason to walk in the door at any minute.

Maybe he didn’t plan to come back. Maybe he had left town again.

Maybe that was what had brought Jed here today.

She knew one thing for certain. Standing here in the kitchen worrying over all these questions wouldn’t get her any answers.

In the living room again, she set the serving tray on the coffee table and handed Jed a mug.

“Cookie, Mommy?” Scott asked.

“Just one. We’ll be having supper in a little while.” She looked at Jed, who sat back in his chair and sipped his hot tea. He didn’t seem to want to launch into conversation—which put her even more on edge. Jed always had something to say. She forced herself to make small talk, postponing the moment she would find out why he was really here. “How is everyone out at the ranch? I haven’t spoken to anyone since I got sick. Except Shay. She told me the wedding was beautiful.”

“Everybody’s just fine, and the wedding went off without a hitch.”

Despite her tension, she laughed. Since the Garlands had begun holding weddings at the Hitching Post again, that had become Jed’s favorite phrase.

“More to the point,” he said, “how are you?”

“Much better, as I said. I think the flu is on the way out.”

“And how are things going now Jason’s back again?”

She took a cookie and set it on a dessert plate, then settled against the couch with the plate on her knee. “I don’t know what you mean by ‘back,’” she said slowly. “He helped me out with the kids when I wasn’t feeling well, but he’s gone now.”

“Not from Cowboy Creek. And I’ve got a hunch he’s not going anywhere soon.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, he came back here for a reason, didn’t he? And as proud as I am of the Hitching Post, I doubt he returned just to soak up the ambience of the surroundings there, like the saying goes.” He looked at her over the rim of his mug. “Though he hasn’t said as much, I’m willing to bet his trip’s got to do with you. And your boy.”

She glanced quickly at Scott, who had finished his cookie and returned to playing with his cars. “He wanted to see Scott,” she admitted in a quiet tone.

“That’s not a bad thing, is it?”

I want to make up for lost time
, he had told her. “He said he wants to help me. By giving me child support, not by staying around and building a relationship with...with Scott.”

“Maybe he thinks he wouldn’t be welcome.”

“Did he say that?” she asked. “Did he ask you to put in a good word for him with me?”

“Not at all. I’m here on
your
behalf, girl. And if that includes talking him up, then so be it. Shay says he’s been staying here, watching out for you and the kids. Sounds to me like that’s a help to you and a step in the right direction for him.”

“A step too little, too late.” Even as she said the words, she flushed, thinking of all Jason had done for her in the past few days. And all they had both said in their argument at the Big Dipper.

“If that’s what you’ve set your mind to, that’s what you’ll tend to believe. It doesn’t mean it’s the truth. But my point is, you can’t handle everything on your own, especially when you’re recovering from the flu. Whether or not he’s laid out his thoughts about the future, he’s proven his good intentions for now, hasn’t he?”

She stared down at her mug.

“Layne,” he said gently, “whatever happened between you two, whatever might be going to happen, he
is
your boy’s father, after all.”

For all the contact you’ve had with him, you could have been a sperm donor
.

She winced and gripped her mug. “On paper, Jed, but not the way it counts.”

“No. Not legally, since you two never went that route. But morally, now that’s a different story.”

She heard the heavy footsteps out in the hallway then a knock at the door.

Scott scrambled to his feet. To her dismay he had learned to recognize that quick-tap, too. “Jason’s home!” he yelled.

She almost choked on the lump in her throat. What would happen when Jason left “home” again...for good?

She set her mug and plate on the coffee table and went to open the door. He stood in the hallway, his arms crossed and legs planted as if he might never leave the spot again. But as she pulled the door wide, he stepped inside.

He caught sight of Jed, and his brows rose in surprise. Either he hadn’t sent the other man here, or he’d just done a good job of faking his reaction. “Hey, Jed.”

“Wondered when you’d get back. After I left SugarPie’s, I moseyed over here to see how Layne was doing.” Jed set down his mug and rose. “It’s past time for me to get back out to the ranch.”

“About that room you’re holding for me—” Jason said.

“Ah. Well. That’s the other reason I stopped by. Tina called me while I was still at Sugar’s. My boys and their wives decided to stay on a couple of days, and we’ve had some new guests check in. I’m afraid we haven’t got a single room to spare. But I’d reckon that’s not a problem. Layne’s put you up for a few nights now, and I’m sure she can handle one or two more. Can’t you, Layne?”

She looked at Jed, who stood smiling at her.

Then she made the mistake of looking at Jason. He had raised one eyebrow the way he had always done after issuing a challenge he expected her to refuse.

So she did what she had always done. “Of course I can handle it,” she said defiantly.

* * *

S
OMEHOW
,
SHE
AND
Jason had managed to eat supper and straighten up the kitchen, then spend the evening in the living room with Scott, all without incident...until Sugar called.

Layne had answered the phone in the living room, where Jason and Scott sat on the floor with the toy cars spread out around them. She noticed Jason reaching for the remote. When he muted the television, she had felt grateful for not having to strain to hear over the canned laugher. In the background while she spoke to Sugar, Scott made occasional engine noises as he raced his cars down the runway.

By the time she hung up, she wished Jason had left the sound on to prevent him and Scott from hearing her end of the conversation. Worse, she had begun fighting the uncomfortable feeling he had muted the program only so he could listen in on her call.

It was horrible of her to think that, but how could she doubt it when the first words out of his mouth related directly to what she had said to Sugar?

“How do you expect to go back to the shop and put in a full day on your feet?” he asked.

“I’ll be fine.”

“You mean, you’ll be stubborn as usual. You were still tossing your cookies two days ago,” he reminded her. “And don’t try to pretend you weren’t worn-out after the walk this afternoon.”

“I’ll bounce back.” But she knew in her heart—and her weak legs—she still wasn’t up to caring for both kids and working a full-time schedule.

“Sugar doesn’t want you back yet,” he said flatly.

“You listened to my conversation?”

“I figured if you didn’t want me to hear, you would have gone into the other room.” He grinned. “I guess it pays to be careful what you say around adults, too.”

“Very funny. And yes, she told me to stay home for another day.”

“Sounds sensible to me. You’ve got to see things from her perspective. She can’t have an employee passing out on the job. Or worse, serving up germs to all her customers.”

“I know that,” she muttered. “But I need to work.”

With one hand, he effortlessly boosted himself from the floor and settled onto the cushion beside hers.

“Show-off.” She stiffened and pressed her back into the couch, hoping to get some distance. But he turned her way and leaned closer, obviously trying to catch her gaze. She raised her chin and stared back at him.

Which was definitely not a good idea.

He was so close. Too close. For the first time since seeing him again, she allowed herself to actually
look
at him. To take in his dark eyebrows, his slightly crooked nose, his lush dark lashes. And his eyes. Those caramel-brown eyes with darker brown flecks that once upon a time had held her mesmerized.

They held her captive now. She couldn’t break eye contact. Couldn’t blink. Couldn’t breathe.

“Oops!” Scott said.

Jason turned his head.

Freed, she took a shuddering breath and let it out again.

Jason knelt down to readjust the cardboard runway. By the time he returned to his seat, she had regained control. She had also shifted position, sitting sideways with her legs crossed and hastily pulling the afghan from the back of the couch to cover herself with, creating both distance and barriers between them.

Coward
, a little voice in her head whispered.

No.
Better to be safe than seduced—by my own imagination.

He rested his arm along the back of the couch, leaving his fingertips still too close to her shoulder. She had nowhere else to go, short of getting up from her seat and moving to the chair or finding an excuse to leave the room. Instead, she stood her ground...so to speak.

“Listen,” he said quietly, “regardless of how much you think I’ve done for you, you’ve given me food and a place to sleep and a shower. If you’re keeping score, I’d say that makes us even. You can stop worrying about paying me back. But I doubt you’ll stop worrying over your bills. We haven’t worked out a deal for child support yet—”

As she opened her mouth, he rested his hand on hers to forestall her. Warmth spread through her as if her fever had spiked again.

“Maybe we never will agree on that,” he continued. “But at least let me advance you something to get you through.”

She shook her head. “I’ll keep Scott and Jill home for a few more days. That will save on the babysitter.”

“And then you can’t work, so how will you handle the bills?”

She sighed.

“Layne. If you don’t want to take the money for yourself, think of your kids. I have no problem with helping you for their sakes.”

She pressed her lips together, tugged on the edge of the afghan, laced her fingers through the open weave. There were more knots in her life right now than in this afghan Tina’s grandmother had crocheted for her.

They had a full pantry and refrigerator again, thanks to Jason, though she hadn’t wanted to accept his help with her groceries. She didn’t want to accept his money now.

He
is
your boy’s father, after all
, Jed had reminded her.

For their sakes
, Jason said.

She couldn’t default on her credit cards or be late on the rent.

She couldn’t let her kids suffer for a decision she had made years ago.

And she wouldn’t let it seem as though Jason showed more concern for her own children than she did.

“I don’t want Cole to hear anything about this,” she said slowly. “He doesn’t know I’m struggling...just a bit...financially. He has a little boy of his own and a baby on the way, and I don’t want him even thinking about helping me.”

“He sure won’t hear it from me.”

She stared past him for a few moments, watching Scott on his knees running his cars up the ramp Jason had made. His head was bent over his play. Jason’s eyes stayed focused on her.