Read Online Lone Star Baby (McCabe Multiples Book 5) by CATHY GILLEN THACKER - Free Book Online Page A

it was more like a quarter of an ounce. So she has a ways to go before she can be released. In the meantime,” Meg advised with the experience of a mother of four and grandparent to a dozen more, “you two should head home and get as much rest as you can in anticipation of the very busy days and nights ahead.”
    * * *
    V IOLET AND G AVIN walked out of the hospital together. They paused in front of his pickup. The bed of the truck was still covered with the tarp he had draped over their purchases in San Angelo. The backseat and cargo compartment of Violet’s SUV were similarly filled with bulky bags and boxes.
    “Want me to drive this stuff out to McCabe House now?” he asked.
    Abruptly looking a little skittish, as if she were wondering if he intended to put the moves on her again, she hesitated. “Sure you don’t want to just do it tomorrow?”
    He lifted his shoulders in a lazy shrug, his need to claim her as his growing by leaps and bounds. “Why put off tomorrow what can be done today?”
    She tilted her head, studying him closely from beneath her dark lashes. “You haven’t had dinner.”
    How did she know he was hungry again? For her and food. “Neither have you,” he pointed out, stepping closer.
    Amusement glimmered in her eyes. “I’m not cooking for you.”
    “Good.” He tried not to think about all the things he wanted to do to make her go weak in the knees. “’Cause I’m not cooking for you, either.” He tapped her playfully on the nose. “I will stop and get a pizza for both of us en route, however.”
    She radiated an indifference he hoped she didn’t really feel. “You wouldn’t mind?”
    “It’s only fair.” Especially if it eventually meant another chance to hold her in his arms. Maybe get in another kiss, or two, or three... “Since you paid for lunch, I’ll spring for dinner.”
    “Okay, if you insist.” She unlocked her SUV, climbed behind the wheel with a shake of her head and waited for him to close the door. When he did, she put down the window and leaned out to add, “But I can’t help but think you’re getting the short end of the stick here, cowboy.”
    A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Not to worry. I’ll figure out a way to collect.”
    * * *
    V IOLET KNEW G AVIN was only teasing, that the only way anything amorous would ever happen between them was if she wanted it to happen. Still, her mind was filled with tantalizing thoughts as she drove to McCabe House.
    It was nearly seven when she arrived. The crew was gone. The container of construction debris was full. And the stable-house and landscape of the ranch was dark as could be.
    Reminding herself to get some of the outdoor lights set on timer, Violet left her headlamps on, got out, opened up the stable-house and turned on the interior and exterior lights.
    It felt only slightly less lonely. She went back to turn off her SUV and begin the process of unloading her purchases.
    Gavin pulled up a short time later. He carried in a pizza box, a plastic container of salad and a six-pack of Texas beer. “You didn’t tell me what kind of pizza to get, so I had to guess.”
    She cleared the wrought-iron table to make way for the food. “The suspense is killing me.”
    He opened the box with a flourish. “The Tex-Mex special, of course.”
    Made with red enchilada sauce, jack-cheddar cheese, chorizo, peppers and onions, it was indeed her absolute favorite. “Gold star for you,” she murmured.
    “Is the way to a woman’s, ah...”
    She guessed where he was going. “Heart or bed?”
    He lifted his hand as if about to take the witness stand. “I’m taking the Fifth on that.”
    “I figured. And if you want to know the truth,
neither
.”
    “Really?”
    She spread her napkin across her lap. “It’s men who can be enticed with a good meal.”
    “Exactly why you’re
not
going to cook for me?”
    Violet blushed despite herself. “I think I’ll take the Fifth on that.”
    They both grinned.
    Violet moved the