Read Online The Rancher's Blessed Event by Stella Bagwell - Free Book Online

how much he’d hurt her. Even worse, how very much she’d loved him.
    She drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. “I’m okay. I’m—” Her gaze dropped to the toes of his boots. “My nerves are frayed, Cooper. Every little thing sets me off. I didn’t mean to lay into you so harshly. I just—want you to understand that my being pregnant has nothing to do with you.”
    Her face was so pale and drawn. He wanted to smooth his fingers over her cheeks until her skin bloomed rosy and full of life again. “The child is my niece or nephew.”
    â€œThat’s true. But that doesn’t mean you have to alter your life.”
    His hand unconsciously began to knead her shoulder. “Maybe I shouldn’t remind you of this, but you know my mother died giving birth to me.”
    â€œCooper—”
    â€œShe was headstrong just like you,” he went on before Emily could stop him. “When she came down with a fever Dad wanted to take her to the hospital, but she insisted a good night’s sleep was all she needed. She went into early labor. Coupled with the fever, it was too much strain on her heart. She died before she ever had the chance to hold me in her arms.”
    Tears blurred Emily’s eyes. She squeezed them tightly shut and swallowed several times. “It won’t be like that for me, Cooper. I’ll take care of myself. You see that I went straight to the clinic today after my fall.”
    â€œYes. But you need someone here to look after you.”
    She wiped her eyes and looked up at him. The gentle regard on his face both touched and angered her. If only he’d shown her as much ten years ago. If only he’d wanted to stay and take care of her then when she’d needed and wanted him so badly. But he hadn’t known she was pregnant with his child. And neither had she, until he’d already been gone for two months. He shouldn’t be blamed for something he hadn’t known about. But God forgive her, she did blame him. She couldn’t help herself.
    â€œIf need be, my mother can stay with me.”
    One corner of his mouth crooked upward. “Do you think that’s fair to her?”
    Ruffled again, she stared into his clear gray eyes. “I’m her daughter. She loves me and would do anything for me.”
    â€œI’m sure of it. But as I remember, your mother and father were a very close couple and spent lots of time together. Or has that changed now that they’re a little older?”
    Seeing what he was getting at, she shook her head. “No. It hasn’t changed. And if you’re trying to make me feel like a burden, you’re doing a good job.”
    â€œI’m not trying to make you feel like a burden. I’m trying to make you see you need someone here with you.”
    Her mouth fell open and she laughed harshly. “And you think you’re that someone? Get real, Cooper. You’re not a man who could stay in one place for more than a week, much less look after a pregnant woman.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    At some point in the last few minutes, she’d become aware of his hand moving gently against her shoulder. Now it was beginning to burn through her knit top like a red-hot branding iron.
    Desperate to halt her runaway senses, she shrugged out of his grasp and reached for a basket of warm taco shells.
    â€œHave you ever lived with a woman, Cooper?”
    Caught completely off guard by her question, he watched her go over to the dining table and take a seat at one of the place settings.
    â€œWhat does that have to do with anything?” he asked crossly.
    She glanced at him, then set about filling her plate. “Maybe nothing. Maybe I’m just curious.”
    Snorting, he joined her at the table and took his own place at an angle to her right. “I seriously doubt you’ve had one curious moment over me since I left here.”
    She’d had a