Read Online A Baby in the Bunkhouse by CATHY GILLEN THACKER - Free Book Online

fool. All he knew for certain was that he had never tasted lips as sweet as hers, or been kissed back so tenderly. Or wanted a woman as much as he wanted her. To the point that if they didn’t end this soon, he would unbutton that sweater of hers, push up her skirt and touch her so intimately it would drive her out of her mind with desire. And if he did that, there would be no turning back. And turning back was what they needed to do.
    Rafferty stopped, breathing hard. Calling on every ounce of self-restraint he possessed, he told her coarsely, “I’m not what you need, Jacey.”
    Even if you are what I want….
    â€œI’ll be the judge of that.” Hand to his chest, Jacey shoved him out of her way and hopped down from the cab of his pickup truck. She clamped her arms in front of her like a shield. “But you’re right,” she pronounced. “You do need to find another outlet for your frustration with the hand life dealt you. ’Cause it’s not going to be me. We are certainly not getting together this way.”

Chapter Five
    Jacey had a call from her sister shortly before midnight on Thanksgiving Day. “How was your Thanksgiving?” Mindy asked.
    â€œGood.” Jacey shifted Caitlin to her other breast to finish nursing. “Yours?”
    â€œBusy. A lot of people get very depressed this time of year, so the E.R. was full of patients.”
    â€œI’m sure you were able to help them.”
    â€œI hope so.” Mindy sighed, sounding as tired as Jacey felt. “So how is your job search going? Made any progress finding a new position in property management?”
    How, Jacey wondered, could she tell her sister that the ranch was really beginning to feel like home…and that she was having second thoughts about leaving?
    â€œNone so far,” Jacey said honestly. Of course, that was no surprise since she hadn’t applied anywhere, or even spent time looking at job postings. “But then, this isn’t a great time of year, anyway. Usually, there’s not a lot of hiring going on until after the first of the year.”
    â€œI’ve got a lead on a luxury-apartment complex here in El Paso that may be looking for someone in February. I’ll e-mail it to you.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œHave you given any more thought to going to business school? This might be a good time to get an MBA.”
    Jacey sat Caitlin upright and gently patted her back. Milk bubbles still on her rosebud lips, Caitlin stretched and yawned sleepily. “I don’t think I want to go to grad school now.” I’m having too good a time simply being a mom, and cooking for an extremely appreciative audience.
    â€œWhat about starting your own business?”
    â€œI’m thinking about a lot of things,” Jacey stated carefully. Not wanting to argue with her sister, she changed the subject smoothly. “By the way, I’m going to have to work Christmas.”
    â€œMe, too. I was thinking maybe we could get together and have our own holiday on the twenty-seventh of December?”
    â€œSounds perfect. Caitlin and I will be there with bells on.”
    They talked a little more, making plans for the holiday.
    Caitlin still hadn’t burped, so Jacey could not put her down, but she was thirsty. Slipping a soft pink flannel robe over her white jersey pajamas, she walked out to the ranch-house kitchen for a glass of milk.
    Phone to her ear, she continued talking quietly to Mindy as she padded through the hall to the atrium. She was nearly to the ranch-house kitchen when Mindy asked, “What about Cash?”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about Cash.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause Cash is not relevant.” Jacey turned the corner and nearly ran into Rafferty. “Listen, Mindy, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you tomorrow. Yeah, love you, too. Bye.”
    â€œWhat are you doing up?” Rafferty drawled.
    She