The Rebel Cowboy's Baby--A Clean Romance Read online

  “I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this.” He confessed. He was having an even harder time with the idea that he was the only option for this baby girl.

  “It hasn’t exactly clicked with me, either. But...but, what I can do—we can do—is think about what Dara and Kent wanted.” Brooke took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes. “Right now, the two of them would be worried sick about Joy. That’s it. That’s all. Joy.” Her jaw muscle clenched tight.

  Right.

  “So, then, what’s the plan?” he asked, trying not to let his tension seep into his voice.

  “Plan?” Brooke shot him a confused look. “Audy, this is the plan. We are picking up Joy and bringing her back to Garrison. To raise her.”

  The lump in his throat was back. So was the overwhelming sense of doom he’d been grappling with for the better part of the morning. Him? Raise a baby? If it wasn’t so terrifying, it’d be laughable. “I’m the least qualified person on the planet to raise a child.” He waved a hand. “Don’t bother trying to save my feelings, either—we both know it’s true.”

  She didn’t say a thing.

  He glanced at her. Harsh.

  “You said not to bother.” She glanced at him. “Are you looking for a way out of this, then?”

  If he said yes, he was pretty sure the vein sticking out of Brooke’s forehead would pop. Best course of action? Keep his mouth shut. Besides, he didn’t know what he was doing yet.

  “You agreed to this, Audy. We both did.” She swallowed. “We never expected this to happen, how could we? But now... Now it’s up to us to honor our promises. Both of us. We owe it to Kent and Dara and Joy to follow through. This little girl has no one in the world except us.”

  Which was both terrifying and heartbreaking.

  “So, we handle the paperwork and...we take Joy home. With us.” She took a deep breath, her posture stiffening and her jaw clenched tight. “Whether you like it or not, Audy, that is the plan. It’s the only plan.”

  Like it? What was there to like? At the time Kent had suggested the whole guardianship thing, it had felt like a big joke—a joke he hadn’t thought of once since then. But now? If Kent had meant this as a joke, he was definitely getting the last laugh. No. He wasn’t. Kent was gone. Dara was gone. The whole world was falling apart and now he and Brooke were supposed to step in and make it better... Maybe it was a joke, after all. A big, bad joke.

  CHAPTER THREE

  BROOKE’S PLANS TO take detailed notes about their meeting with Mr. Vincent had been derailed by the arrival of Joy. Joy was adorable. There had been no tears or panic. She’d been placed in Brooke’s lap, all smiles, a single blond ringlet atop her tiny head, big brown eyes and little hands that wanted nothing more than to grab Brooke’s pen. After several minutes of staring around her, Joy had tucked her thumb into her mouth, curled into Brooke’s chest and fallen asleep. Instead of shifting Joy to one arm and going back to her notes, Brooke had drawn the baby close and rocked her. She didn’t know that her whole world had changed, but Brooke did. And, in comforting Joy, she was comforting herself. And right now, she needed comfort far more than she needed notes.

  Giles Vincent kept on talking, reading over pages and posing questions, but every few minutes, Brooke’s attention would wander to little Joy. She was all snuggles, bows and pink ruffled-bottom bloomers.

  As soon as Dara had found out she was expecting a girl, she’d begun to collect the pinkest, frilliest and most feminine wardrobe for her daughter. Kent, having grown up with next to nothing, indulged Dara. Staring down at the sleeping baby, Brooke thought Joy looked like a perfect china doll. A Cupid’s bow mouth and long, thick lashes resting against rosy, round cheeks.

  You’re beautiful. Not that it was a surprise. Dara and Kent were both attractive people. Had been attractive people. The thought had her hold on baby Joy tightening just a bit. With her other hand, she smoothed the wisp of a curl that crowned Joy’s head. The curl immediately bounced back, sticking straight up like a silky gold antenna right on the top.

  She glanced at Audy. And frowned... He’d officially assumed deer-in-the-headlights status the minute Joy had arrived. He had yet to do more than stare at Joy, break out in a visible sweat, then go back to staring at the crystal paperweight on the edge of Giles Vincent’s massive wooden desk.

  “I’ll give you a copy of everything, of course. And you have my number. I’m certain questions will arise—since this has all been rather sudden,” Giles Vincent said, scanning over the papers spread out across the top of his impressive desk. “From here, you might have an interview or two with a social worker and a couple of home visits.”

  “Home visits?” Audy asked.

  Brooke glanced his way, hoping his question meant he’d been listening. Today was a nightmare—there was no denying it. But they were in this together... Like it or not. Wasn’t that what she’d said?

  “It’s a formality.” Mr. Vincent added his signature to the pages she and Audy had already signed, then put the cap on his ridiculously fancy-looking pen. “To make sure that the environment, or environments in this case, are suitable for Joy and her needs.” He placed the pen on the table and collected the pages, one by one, into a neat packet. “If there are concerns, then the courts might decide to get involved and reassess what is best for Joy. I’d expect one, maybe two visits—nothing to worry about.”

  Meaning she and Audy had to make this work so they didn’t lose Joy.

  “Shouldn’t that have been done before we signed the paperwork?” Audy asked, watching the deliberate and methodical way Mr. Vincent flipped through all the pages again.

  Mr. Vincent glanced up at him. “I suppose that does make more sense.”

  Audy’s brows rose and he nodded.

  Mr. Vincent glanced back and forth between them. “Have you two considered what sort of living arrangements will suit you all the most?” He placed the stack of pages inside a manila folder.

  Audy’s wide-eyed gaze was answer enough.

  “My sister and I live in town in a four-bedroom house right off the main street and a few blocks from where I work.” She swallowed. “It makes sense for Joy to live there—close to doctors and schools and such.”

  Audy was looking at her, she could tell. If he disagreed, he didn’t say a thing.

  “These home visits. Is there something to be aware of? Something they look for? Red flags and that sort of thing?” She didn’t want Joy’s security to be jeopardized over a simple mistake one of them made. She had every intention of making her home Joy-proof but she had no say-so in how Audy handled things. That’s what worried her most in all of this. Audy.

  “Considering the parents named both of you as Joy’s guardians, there shouldn’t be many hurdles. The court tends to honor the parents’ wishes—especially ones that are signed and dated and filed with their lawyer. Me.” He sat back in his leather chair, resting his elbows on the arms and steepling his fingers. “In general, they want to assess the cleanliness and safety of the home itself as well as the bonding and investment of the appointed guardians.” Mr. Vincent’s gaze moved back and forth between the two of them. “Everything from bonding with the child to the order and noise in a home to the ease of access to resources and medical facilities, that sort of thing. Basically, the visits are to confirm that the two of you are acting in Joy’s best interest at all times.”

  “That’s all?” Audy’s sarcasm was unmistakable.

  “That goes without saying.” Brooke was quick to jump in. “Of course.”

  Mr. Vincent glanced at his wristwatch. “I apologize for keeping you so long.”

  It was almost six.

  “Here are the keys to their condo.” Mr. Vincent slid the keys across the desk. “I’m sure you haven’t had time to consider what you’d like to do with their property, but now is a good time to sell. If you dec
ide to sell, feel free to call me. I can help with that, as well.”

  Audy took the keys.

  “For now, you’ll want to gather Joy’s things.” Mr. Vincent’s gaze slid to Joy. “I know that Kent and Dara would be at ease now that you two have Joy.”

  The sting in her eyes was so unexpected that Brooke began blinking furiously. She’d kept it together so far, she was not going to burst into tears in this very nice, very professional man’s slightly intimidating office.

  “Let me have my secretary make a copy of these papers for each of you and we’ll be done here.” Mr. Vincent stood, took the manila folder and left his office.

  Brooke continued to blink but the stinging wouldn’t subside. She sniffed and stared at the blond curl on the top of Joy’s head.

  “You okay?” Audy whispered.

  She nodded.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get out of here.” Audy sighed. “The sooner we get back on the road—”

  “I think it might make more sense if we stay at their place tonight, Audy.” Brooke cut him off, needing to gain control of herself. As long as she had purpose, she’d be fine. “Tomorrow, after we’ve packed up all of Joy’s things, we can head back.” Considering he was the one driving her, she probably shouldn’t be issuing orders. Besides... We’re in this together. She paused, swallowing hard. “If that’s all right with you?”

  “Um...sure.” Audy was staring at her—wary. “Makes sense.”

  Mr. Vincent came back and handed over the two white legal envelopes that contained copies of all the documents. Audy collected the car seat that the day care center had left when they’d delivered Joy, and the two of them—three of them—headed into the elevator and downstairs.

  Brooke stared down at Joy, still sleeping, in her arms. Her heart twisted sharply. “This is all wrong, Audy,” she whispered. “Her little life will never be the same.” She looked at Audy.

  Audy’s crystal-blue gaze met hers. “She’s a little thing, Brooke. She can’t miss what she doesn’t remember.” He cleared his throat. “But I agree with you. This is all wrong.”

  It wasn’t the first time she’d seen Audy run a hand over his face, it was a habit of his. It was the sort of gesture that lacked any hint of his usual confidence. Since he’d shown up at the salon this morning, she’d seen a different side of Audy Briscoe. Vulnerable and uncertain, but trying... It gave her hope that, maybe, the two of them could find a way to make this work.

  “Kent and Dara should have left Joy to you,” Audy added. “We both know I’m just going to get in your way and make a mess of things.”

  It would have made life easier, but... She shook her head. “But they didn’t, Audy. Joy is our responsibility. I have a feeling there will be plenty of messes and getting in each other’s way from here on out, but we will make it work. Joy isn’t a dog or a horse—she’s a little girl.” She smiled down at the baby. “We are all she has. We can’t let her down.”

  * * *

  AUDY WAS READY to bolt.

  All afternoon, he’d felt like his stomach had been punted around inside his abdomen. Every time someone said responsibility or duty or long-term, his stomach took a hit. And he’d heard those words a lot today—too many times for his liking.

  Now he was hauling a car seat across the parking lot for Joy. How it worked, he had no idea. But, according to the day care worker who had dropped it off, it was against the law to transport a baby in a vehicle unless they were in one of these things. Thankfully, the day care worker had also printed off a sheet with the instructions for installation—so hopefully even he couldn’t mess this up.

  “Huh,” he said, reading over the pictures and buckling the seat in. “That was easy.”

  “You’re sure you did it right?” Brooke asked, gently rocking Joy.

  He ignored the dig and stepped aside, helping Brooke—who was still holding Joy—into the truck before heading around to his side. He climbed up and froze. “She’s awake?” he murmured, still not moving.

  “Yes.” Brooke nodded, snapping Joy into the car seat. “And ready to get home.”

  “Uh-huh.” Audy slid into the truck, wishing the car seat didn’t need to be in the middle of the bench seat. As it was, Joy was right beside him. Her rear-facing seat gave her a perfect view of the back of his seat, Brooke and him... Right now, she seemed a little too interested in him. He swallowed, trying not to make eye contact with her. “Let’s go.”

  He started the truck, the roar of the engine so loud and sudden that he risked a look Joy’s way.

  Joy’s eyes went round and then she...giggled.

  Audy had to admit she was a cute little thing—even wearing all that frilly pink stuff.

  “Good thing she’s not scared of loud noises,” Brooke said, giving Joy a goofy grin. “’Cause Audy drives a big, loud, angry-sounding truck.”

  “Angry?” Audy shrugged. Big and loud, yes. But angry?

  Joy turned his way as soon as she’d heard his voice. Once again, those big brown eyes were glued on his face. She wasn’t smiling or giggling. She was staring. Hard.

  “What’s she doing?” Audy asked, scared to make any sudden movements.

  “She’s looking at you, Audy.” Brooke sighed. “I’m sure she’s feeling about you the way you’re feeling about her.”

  Audy made a dismissive sound. “I seriously doubt that.” He shook his head, put the truck in Drive and headed onto the freeway. For the next twenty minutes, he kept his eyes on the road—all the while fully aware of Joy’s every move.

  The way the baby kept looking at him was unnerving.

  Her little squeaks and giggles didn’t help.

  Neither did the sweet tone Brooke was using—unlike anything he’d ever heard from her before—when she was talking to Joy. Baby talk, I guess. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it yet. But Joy seemed to like it, so who was he to complain?

  When they pulled into the driveway of Kent and Dara’s small condo, Joy was jabbering away—as if she was carrying on a real conversation instead of a string of incoherent noises.

  Brooke seemed equally delighted, saying things like, “Really?” and “You don’t say.”

  “I don’t know what you two are carrying on about,” he said. “But we’re here.”

  “Good. I bet someone could use a dry diaper.” Brooke began unbuckling Joy’s seat, in no rush.

  But the word diaper had Audy considering retreat once again. Diapers are not part of my life. He’d no interest in anything that wore them... Now he was supposed to change them? No way, no how. “I’ll get the door.” He all but jumped from the truck and hurried to unlock and open the front door.

  Brooke followed, a chattering Joy in her arms. “Relax,” Brooke said. “She’s not going to explode.”

  “Ha ha.” He wasn’t laughing.

  But Brooke was. “Audy Briscoe, don’t tell me you’re scared of a little baby’s diaper? You’re all about taking risks.” She stopped, watching as he closed the door, then headed into the condo’s open kitchen and living room combo. He flipped on the lights and stopped, staring around. It was surreal, standing there—without Kent offering him a beer or Dara laughing over something Kent had said. It was quiet. And still. An empty room.

  “Ma ma ma,” Joy called out, peering around.

  Audy winced. Up until now, Joy’s sounds had been just that—sounds. Was she looking for Dara? Or was it just more gibberish?

  “Let’s go get a clean diaper.” Brooke’s singsong baby voice wavered but she didn’t linger. “Then we’ll see what to do next.” She glanced his way. “I’ve got this, Audy.”

  Audy held up both hands in mock surrender. He needed a minute. He needed a whole lot more than a minute, but he’d take what he could get. Outside. Inside, he felt claustrophobic—he always had. Problems seemed bigger, overwhelming even, when there was a
roof pushing things down on top of him. He was already feeling that way...trapped. Right now, he needed fresh air, blue skies and room to move. He crossed the living room and opened the back door. A wave of heat rolled over him. The birdsong was audible—if muffled by the roar of nearby traffic. Overhead, beyond the power lines and around the apartment complex, the white clouds moved slowly across the wide blue sky.

  Times like this, he appreciated the size and scope of the ranch.

  I’m a long way from home.

  He sighed, running a hand along the back of his neck.

  Did Brooke really think they could do this? Maybe she can. But he wasn’t cut out for this sort of thing. Diapers and baby talk and putting Joy’s well-being first, or however Mr. Vincent had put it. He had a career to think of. Bull riding was the only thing he was good at. He was young and fit—that wouldn’t last forever. This was his time for rodeo. He was making a name for himself, winning big purses and climbing up in ranks. He’d worked too hard to just...stop. The bottom line was, this wasn’t for him. This wasn’t who he was.

  He had a hard time believing Kent ever intended to leave him on that paperwork. Why would he?

  Kent knew Audy. He knew Audy wasn’t a role model. More like an anti role model.

  That was all Brooke. You couldn’t get more responsible than Brooke Young.

  Brooke—who no one had a bad thing to say about. To hear people talk, she was close to sainthood. How, after her mother’s illness, she’d learned to do hair so she could support the family. Brooke, who’d given up on college to keep the salon open and running while taking care of her mother and stepping in to raise her little sister. And when Mrs. Young died four years ago, it was Brooke who became Tess’s guardian, without hesitation.