Read Online In His Will by Cathy Marie Hake - Free Book Online Page A

surprise, Dylan immediately started, “Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your grace and mercy, for Your bounty and care.”
    Afterward, he cleared his throat. “I guess I should have asked. It was presumptuous for me to dive in like that in your home.”
    “Oh, no! It was lovely. I only wish I’d made a real meal instead—”
    “Hold it right there.” He gave her an outraged look. “Hot dogs are an all-American meal, and I’m dead serious when I give thanks for them.”
    Half an hour later, Sondra asked, “How does ice cream sound?”
    Dylan’s eyes lit up. “Only if you eat a whole bowl full. You’re still too skinny.”
    Glancing down at her tummy, Sondra refuted, “I’m not skinny. I’ve probably put on an inch a week this last month!”
    “What does the doctor say about that?”
    Sondra waggled her finger at him. “I knew you put your sister up to that! She just happened to know where the doctor’s office was, and they just happened to slip me in for a quick check-up so the chicks wouldn’t overheat in the car.”
    “Hey, I’m not denying it. Since you were in town, it made sense for you to see the doc. So what did he say?”
    “Believe it or not, even with being sick, I gained weight this time.” She grinned. “Must have been the great care my neighbors gave me.”
    “You’re like one of those women from olden days. I’ll bet my hands could about span your waist.”
    “That’s not saying much. You have huge hands. This baby isn’t staying little, either.”
    Dylan strove to keep a casual pitch to his voice. “What did the doc say?”
    “The obstetrician said he looks fine. Everything is right on schedule, including the fact that the baby is getting the hiccups.”
    “They really don’t—do they?”
    “Oh, yes. The rascal bumps up and down like he’s on a teeter-totter.”
    “I still don’t believe it. If he does it when I’m around, you let me know.”
    Sondra gave him a wary look. “Why?”
    A wave of awkwardness swelled. Dylan shifted and groused. “Because. . .awww, just forget it. Skip the ice cream. I need to get going.”
    “I love rocky road. That and fudge brownie. There’s always one or the other in the freezer, and I’ll keep soda in the fridge. You’re welcome to help yourself anytime.” She dipped her head and wondered what made her blurt that out. His quick wit and easygoing nature made him fun to be around. Though she’d surprised herself with that invitation, she meant every word of it.
    Shuffling his weight from his left boot to his right, Dylan stood at the door, plunked his Stetson on and rumbled, “You strike me as woman who values her privacy. I don’t imagine I’ll claim those much.”
    She looked directly at him. “I’m not the type to make empty gestures. Some women are good at coy games and small talk. Me?” She flicked him a strained smile. “I got shuffled around in the system too much to ever get good at those social conventions. You can take whatever I say at face value, so don’t feel shy about popping in the back door if you’re thirsty.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.” He left.
    Sondra stared at the door and wondered what had gotten into her. The only other men she’d ever felt that way with were Kenny and Miller. That fact jarred her.
    Still, she went to the refrigerator and rearranged things. . . just so the soda cans would be up front. After all, what were partners for?
    ❧
    She made it through her seventh month of pregnancy quite nicely. The hands wouldn’t let her do much of anything. They gave her tummy assessing looks and nudged her out of the way. Gathering eggs, helping groom the horses, and feeding the dogs and cats were her chores. She quickly mastered the software on Miller’s computer so she could keep track of orders, bills, and payroll. Every other Friday, she passed paychecks out to the hands and thanked them wholeheartedly for their labor.
    Since they wouldn’t hear of her doing many of the ranching