Read Online Daddy Wore Spurs (Mills & Boon Cherish) (Men of the West, Book 32) by Stella Bagwell - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Stella Bagwell
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Harry’s squirms reminded Finn where that sort of thinking had gotten him. The last thing he needed right now was to let his libido lead him down a reckless path with this woman.
“Forgive me if I sound like a bitter, ungrateful person,” she said. “I’m not really. It’s just that—well, I lost Dad, then Aimee. Then all of a sudden it was just me and little Harry. And everything around me seems to be slipping away.”
Finn wanted to reach over and lay a steadying hand on her shoulder. He longed to see her smile and hear her promise she was going to be happy again no matter where her plans took her. But the past seemed to be overwhelming her.
“I’m going to be frank, Mariah. I’m not sure that getting rid of your home is the right answer for you.”
Turning her back to him, she rested her forearms on one of the lower rails of the board fence and stared out at the broodmares. There was no grass in the paddock; only a few spindly weeds dotted the dusty ground. Obviously, the mares were getting fed daily, but it wasn’t the sort of nutrition they needed to produce sturdy foals. Now was hardly the time for him to point that out to Mariah, though.
No time would be right for that, Finn. This isn’t your place, your horses or your woman. Someone else will have to deal with Mariah’s problems. Not you.
The sound of her voice suddenly drowned out the one going on in his head.
“Aimee used to talk about Harry growing up and taking over the reins of Stallion Canyon. But if it turns out that he—well, goes with you to Nevada, then this place won’t matter. You’ll have plenty to pass on to him.”
So that was it, Finn thought. Losing Harry was taking away her purpose, her drive to fight for her home.
He gazed down at the baby, who was happily taking in the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Even though he’d only met his son a few hours ago, plans for his future were already building in Finn and taking hold of his heart. How would he feel if the DNA said Harry belonged to some other man? All his dreams would suddenly be snatched away. The way he was going to snatch them away from Mariah if he left with Harry.
Stop being so damned softhearted, Finn. You’re the one who’s been wronged. If Harry truly is your son, then you’ve missed seeing him born and lost the first four months of his life. All because this woman and her sister didn’t see fit to tell you a baby was coming.
Mentally shaking away the pestering thoughts, he said to Mariah, “Harry will ultimately inherit my share of the Silver Horn. But right now my main objective is to give him a home.”
As soon as the remark passed his lips, her head jerked around and she stabbed him with a resentful stare. “Excuse me, but Harry hasn’t exactly been homeless.”
Seeing he was going to have to be more careful with his words, Finn said, “Sorry. That didn’t come out exactly right. I meant a home with me.”
“That depends on the DNA test.” She turned and motioned toward a connecting barn. “It’s time to do the evening feeding. If you’d be kind enough to see after Harry, I’ll get to work.”
She started walking toward the end of the big white barn and Finn automatically fell into step beside her. “I’d be glad to watch Harry. But I’m curious. What do you normally do with the baby while you tend to your outside chores? Doesn’t anyone come around to help you with him?”
“A nanny keeps him during the weekdays while I’m at school. But she leaves in the evenings before feeding time. When he was smaller I put him in his stroller and parked it in a safe spot where I could keep an eye on him. But now that he’s grown enough to sit in a propped position, I put him in a little wagon with side boards. He enjoys that even more than the stroller. Especially when I pull him along behind me. Follow me and I’ll show you.”
Inside a large, dusty feed room filled with sacks and barrels of mixed grain, rubber buckets, galvanized tubs,
“Forgive me if I sound like a bitter, ungrateful person,” she said. “I’m not really. It’s just that—well, I lost Dad, then Aimee. Then all of a sudden it was just me and little Harry. And everything around me seems to be slipping away.”
Finn wanted to reach over and lay a steadying hand on her shoulder. He longed to see her smile and hear her promise she was going to be happy again no matter where her plans took her. But the past seemed to be overwhelming her.
“I’m going to be frank, Mariah. I’m not sure that getting rid of your home is the right answer for you.”
Turning her back to him, she rested her forearms on one of the lower rails of the board fence and stared out at the broodmares. There was no grass in the paddock; only a few spindly weeds dotted the dusty ground. Obviously, the mares were getting fed daily, but it wasn’t the sort of nutrition they needed to produce sturdy foals. Now was hardly the time for him to point that out to Mariah, though.
No time would be right for that, Finn. This isn’t your place, your horses or your woman. Someone else will have to deal with Mariah’s problems. Not you.
The sound of her voice suddenly drowned out the one going on in his head.
“Aimee used to talk about Harry growing up and taking over the reins of Stallion Canyon. But if it turns out that he—well, goes with you to Nevada, then this place won’t matter. You’ll have plenty to pass on to him.”
So that was it, Finn thought. Losing Harry was taking away her purpose, her drive to fight for her home.
He gazed down at the baby, who was happily taking in the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Even though he’d only met his son a few hours ago, plans for his future were already building in Finn and taking hold of his heart. How would he feel if the DNA said Harry belonged to some other man? All his dreams would suddenly be snatched away. The way he was going to snatch them away from Mariah if he left with Harry.
Stop being so damned softhearted, Finn. You’re the one who’s been wronged. If Harry truly is your son, then you’ve missed seeing him born and lost the first four months of his life. All because this woman and her sister didn’t see fit to tell you a baby was coming.
Mentally shaking away the pestering thoughts, he said to Mariah, “Harry will ultimately inherit my share of the Silver Horn. But right now my main objective is to give him a home.”
As soon as the remark passed his lips, her head jerked around and she stabbed him with a resentful stare. “Excuse me, but Harry hasn’t exactly been homeless.”
Seeing he was going to have to be more careful with his words, Finn said, “Sorry. That didn’t come out exactly right. I meant a home with me.”
“That depends on the DNA test.” She turned and motioned toward a connecting barn. “It’s time to do the evening feeding. If you’d be kind enough to see after Harry, I’ll get to work.”
She started walking toward the end of the big white barn and Finn automatically fell into step beside her. “I’d be glad to watch Harry. But I’m curious. What do you normally do with the baby while you tend to your outside chores? Doesn’t anyone come around to help you with him?”
“A nanny keeps him during the weekdays while I’m at school. But she leaves in the evenings before feeding time. When he was smaller I put him in his stroller and parked it in a safe spot where I could keep an eye on him. But now that he’s grown enough to sit in a propped position, I put him in a little wagon with side boards. He enjoys that even more than the stroller. Especially when I pull him along behind me. Follow me and I’ll show you.”
Inside a large, dusty feed room filled with sacks and barrels of mixed grain, rubber buckets, galvanized tubs,
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