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

adapted an equally nonchalant posture.
    Now, if only she could get her body to stop reacting to his presence. She met his gaze. “I could ask the same of you.”
    â€œBeen working on payroll and doing the books. You?” Desire, pure and simple, glimmered in his eyes.
    â€œNursing.” She tried without success to forget about the kiss.
    He swung open the refrigerator door, peered inside.
    While he studied the contents, Jacey studied him. As always, he had showered and shaved after coming in from ranch work. The tantalizing fragrance of aftershave clung to his jaw. He had on worn jeans and an untucked corduroy shirt that brought out the intense blue of his eyes. Thick wool socks. No boots, no belt. Tousled hair. Good thing they had a tiny chaperone.
    Determined not to put herself in an emotionally vulnerable position with him, she said, “I gather you ate the Thanksgiving dinner I left for you.”
    â€œWas that what it was?”
    She feigned immunity to his teasing. “I think you knew that.”
    He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Food is food. Speaking of which—” he squinted down at the blue ceramic dish in his hand “—this pie looks awfully good. Want some?”
    The chocolate-pecan concoction was making her mouth water. “No, thanks. I had a piece earlier.”
    Clearly trying to push her buttons, he reminded her, “It is a holiday, at least for five more minutes, as you’re so hell-bent on reminding me.”
    â€œIf you must know, I’m trying to lose weight.” She would, however, have a glass of skim milk. Caitlin cradled in her arm, she moved past him to the fridge, opened the door with her free hand. To her chagrin, the skim milk was all the way in the back.
    â€œWould you mind just for a second?” She shifted Caitlin from her arms to his.
    As she moved food around, he studied the yawning babe in his arms. “Wow, she has grown.”
    Glad to turn the attention back to her daughter, she said proudly, “She’s gained three pounds in the past four weeks.”
    â€œHer hair seems lighter. When she was born, it was almost black. Now it’s almost blond.”
    Jacey was surprised Rafferty had remembered that. No one else had mentioned it. But then everyone else had been seeing Caitlin every day, so—to them—the change was more gradual. “Probably gets it from her…father. Although the hair-color thing is typical, from what I understand.”
    â€œSpeaking of Cash…”
    Jacey poured milk. “Not you, too.”
    â€œHas he seen his daughter?”
    Jacey put the milk bottle back in the fridge. “I think you’d know about it if he had.”
    He flashed her a contemplative grin. “I’m not with you every second.”
    â€œThere are no secrets around here,” Jacey said.
    Rafferty eyed her thoughtfully. “True enough. Is Cash going to see her?”
    Jacey leaned against the counter. “I’m sure he will eventually.”
    Rafferty cuddled Caitlin close to his chest. “But he doesn’t have any plans to visit anytime soon?”
    Jacey drained her glass and put it in the dishwasher. “I don’t know.”
    â€œWell, what did he say when you talked to him?” Rafferty persisted.
    Jacey flushed. “I haven’t spoken to him.”
    Rafferty’s eyebrow rose. “You didn’t tell him he had a daughter?”
    Jacey eased Caitlin into her own arms. “Cash already knew it was a girl—I found that out at my ultrasound months ago.”
    Rafferty helped himself to a piece of pie. “Still, you should have called him when the baby was born.”
    Wishing Rafferty didn’t look so damn sexy, Jacey turned her glance away. “I text-messaged and e-mailed him the specifics. He’ll get one or the other when he returns to civilization.”
    â€œAnd then he’ll show up?” Rafferty put the pie into the microwave