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

million curious moments, but she’d never confess that to him. She’d rather eat nails than have him knowing how much she’d grieved for him after he’d went away.
    â€œWhat about the woman? Or women, I should say.”
    He glanced at her sharply, then reached for a taco shell. “I haven’t been married or anything, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    â€œI didn’t really figure you had,” she said bluntly. Years ago, Cooper had made it clear enough to her that he wasn’t ready to become a married man. Looking at him now, she could see he hadn’t changed. He still had that tough, loner, I’m-my-own-man look about him.
    A dull flush spread over his face. “I lived with a woman for a while,” he muttered. “Or at least when I was between rodeos.”
    Her brows arched. “You didn’t want to marry her?”
    He shook his head and Emily found her gaze wandering over his thick dark hair, cool gray eyes and sensual mouth. Most women would find him more than attractive. He’d probably never had to look very hard for female companionship whenever he’d felt in the mood for it. But had he ever been in love? Had he ever needed someone as much as she had once needed him?
    â€œShe had a young son by a former marriage,” he went on. “The kid hated the very sight of me.”
    â€œAnd whose fault was that? Did you try to get along with him?”
    Cooper grimaced as he stuffed the corn shell full of meat and fresh vegetables. “As best I could. He didn’t want to share his mother with me. And I guess I’m too much like my old man. I’m just not that good at fathering.”
    Not bothering to hide her surprise, she studied his face. “Why do you say that? Kenneth always spoke lovingly of his father.”
    He shrugged as though the subject meant little to him, but somehow Emily knew otherwise.
    â€œI loved William, too,” he told her. “But he wasn’t the best of fathers. Not in my eyes. Of course, things were different for Kenneth.”
    â€œWhat do you mean things were different?”
    His features stiffened. “Ask anyone who knew my old man, Emily. Kenneth was his chosen one. He could do no wrong. I could never do anything right. I’ve told you this before. But I guess you’ve pretty much forgotten anything I ever said.”
    Where Cooper was concerned, she hadn’t forgotten anything. Emily did remember him calling himself the second best son. At the time she’d thought he’d only meant it in terms of his ranching responsibilities, or more rightly, his lack of them.
    â€œI remember. But that was all about the ranch. I’m sure your father loved you just as much.”
    He snorted. “Not hardly. I knew each time William looked at me he couldn’t help but think about the wife he lost. But what the hell, I learned to live with it. I just didn’t learn anything about fathering from him.”
    In spite of all the pain this man had caused her, she felt her heart softening, wishing for his sake that his childhood had been better. Reaching for her milk glass, she asked, “What about the woman? You didn’t love her enough to try to stay or make it work with her child?”
    He shook his head. “She wanted me to be a family man. You know that isn’t me.”
    Yes, she had known it. But Emily had believed and hoped he might love her enough to change, to want to be a family man just for her. What a horrid mistake that had been.
    â€œA person isn’t necessarily born knowing how to be a parent or a spouse. You have to learn by doing,” she told him.
    â€œAnd what if a person does it all wrong?”
    She shrugged. “No one is perfect. You learn from your mistakes and try to do better.”
    Leaning back in his chair, he studied her as he chewed a bite of taco. “Sometimes the damage is already done and you can’t go on and do