Read Online The Texas Lawman's Last Stand by Delores Fossen - Free Book Online Page B

sock.
    Even though the little boy was obviously a novice at walking, he was doing a good job making his way to his dad. He had a big grin on his face as if he’d just done something naughty but fun. Mattie found herself smiling despite the tense, heart-wrenching conversation she’d just had with Bo.
    “Jacob?” Rosalie called out. “Get back in here.”
    The little boy giggled and made a beeline for his father. Bo scooped him up his arms and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Did you escape?”
    Jacob babbled something the two males must have understood, because they shared a grin.
    A moment later, a harried-looking Rosalie appeared in the doorway. But Mattie’s heart sank, because Holly wasn’t with her.
    “That boy’s getting faster every day,” Rosalie complained, laughing. “And they both got up way too early this morning.”
    “Go ahead and tend to Holly,” Bo told her. “I’ll get Jacob some breakfast.”
    Jacob’s attention landed on Mattie, and he reached for her. “Tiss,” he insisted.
    Mattie was certain she looked confused, but before she could ask what the little boy wanted, Jacob shifted his weight and practically plunged into her arms.
    “Tiss,” Jacob repeated, and he gave her a kiss on the end of her nose.
    For such a simple gesture, it filled her with more emotion than she would have thought possible. Mattie felt the tears threaten again.
    So this was what it was like to have a child.
    “Jacob obviously likes to kiss,” Bo mumbled, and he pulled out one of the two high chairs that were stored against the wall. “And run around half naked. Come on, son. Time to eat.”
    That got Jacob’s attention, and he went right back to Bo so his dad could put him in the high chair. Bo sprinkled some dry cereal O’s right onto the tray and went back to finish the scrambled eggs.
    Bo’s cell phone rang, and he pulled it from his pocket and sandwiched the phone between his ear and shoulder so he could continue to cook. His motions were seamless. He’d obviously fallen right into the daddy routine.
    “He wants what?” Bo asked, causing Mattie to walk closer. His body language suddenly indicated there was a problem. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
    Mattie tried to listen to the conversation, but it was drowned out by the sound of Rosalie’s voice. The nanny was talking to Holly, and she walked into the kitchen with the little girl in her arms.
    Mattie froze, unable to take her eyes off the child. Yes, she’d seen her the night before, but not this close. So close she could finally touch those curls. And that’s exactly what Mattie tried to do. But unlike Jacob, Holly pulled back, burying her face against Rosalie’s neck.
    “She’s shy around strangers,” Rosalie remarked, and the nanny looked to Bo for what appeared to be some kind of approval. But Bo was caught up in his phone call.
    Mattie figured that call was important, but she couldn’t take her attention off her daughter. She reached out, hoping that Holly would have a change of heart and come to her, but the baby shook her head and grumbled, “No.”
    Jacob, however, wanted her attention, and he grabbed Mattie’s hand, turning her toward him. He held out one of the cereal bits for her to take. She did, and that earned her one of those grins from the little boy.
    “Everything okay?” Rosalie asked Bo the moment he ended the call. The nanny put Holly in the high chair next to Jacob.
    “I’m not sure.” Bo shook his head, and he glanced at Mattie before heading out of the kitchen and into the living room. “Ian Kaplan is out front, and he wants to see you.”
    “What?” Mattie raced after him and went to the sidelight window of the front door. The sun was just beginning to rise, but there was enough light for her to spot the blond-haired man leaning against the pricey red sports car.
    It was Ian, all right.
    “How did he even know I was here?” she asked.
    Bo walked to her side and stared out the window with her. “He