Free Capture The Night by Geralyn Dawson Page B

cloth. “Why, it’s a puzzle,” she said, her expression beaming with delight as she traced the pieces with her finger. Five rectangles were carved from the wood, their edges smoothed, and each one large enough not to be a danger to Rose. The shapes were painted in bright, eye-catching colors and designs.
    “They’re flags!” Madeline exclaimed.
    “Yep. The five national flags that have flown over Texas. See?” He lifted one out and displayed it before Rose. “This is the flag of France—the old one with the fleur-de-lis. But listen, Rose, don’t get too excited about it. France’s claim on Texas was the most doubtful of the lot.”
    Shaking her head, Madeline laughed, “Really, Brazos, a history lesson for a seven-month-old?”
    “Hey, now,” he faked a frown. “Texans are proud folks. Miss Magic’s got to learn that from the git go.”
    Madeline sent him a sharp, knowing glance. “Yes, Texans are complicated people, aren’t they?”
    Brazos’s false frown became genuine. Damn, but the woman looked right into a man.
    Uneasy now, Brazos moved to lay the baby on her back so she could freely wave the flags she held in both hands. Madeline placed a restraining hand on his arm. “Wait,” she said. “Let me have her. I want you to see what she has learned.”
    “Madeline,” he began, but he lost the thought. His gaze snagged on the swell of her bosom as she leaned over and set Rose in front of her. Slowly, Madeline removed her hands from around the child’s waist. Finally, Rose’s birdlike trill distracted Brazos from the delectable display before his eyes. He turned his attention to the baby, and a delighted smile spread across his face. “Why, look at that!” he exclaimed. “She can sit by herself. When did she learn that little trick?”
    “She’s been trying for a while, but today is the first time she’s managed not to fall over after a few minutes,” Madeline answered, glowing with pride.
    Rose listed to port, and Brazos caught her before she fell. Lifting the baby up, he made faces at her and said, “Aren’t you something special, Miss Magic.” He looked at Madeline and added, “Just like your mother.”
    Madeline offered him a hesitant smile. He sat Rose on the blanket and took her mother’s hand. “I am sorry, Madeline.”
    She nodded. “Would you tell me about it?”
    Brazos considered it. Telling her about Perote would undoubtedly further his cause, but as he released her hand to retrieve a puzzle piece Rose had tossed out of reach, he knew he wouldn’t do it. A man could swallow only so much pride before he choked. He’d stick with the scheme he’d concocted. “I made a mistake. Let’s leave it at that, all right? Look at Miss Magic, she’s having a fine time with her toy.”
    Madeline allowed the question to drop, glancing over at Rose, whose little hands busily banged rectangular flags against their slots on the board. “The poor child has skin just like mine,” she said regretfully. “I must remain on constant guard to ensure that she avoids unattractive spots.”
    “I think your freckles are cute, Maddie,” Brazos said, deciding that a little flattery wouldn’t hurt before he launched the next stage of his plan. Besides, he was telling the truth about that, too.
    After a few moments of silence, Madeline said, “Thank you for the gift, Brazos. At times, you are a fine man.”
    He couldn’t ask for a more perfect opening. “I’m glad you think so. In fact, I want you to keep that in mind. You see, I’ve decided to take you up on your offer.”
    The wooden puzzle piece in Madeline’s hand dropped to the ground. In a flat voice, she asked, “What offer?”
    Brazos took one look at the hard glint in her eyes and realized her mind was on the other morning. Bad choice of words, Sinclair . He hurried to cover his mistake. “I guess it wasn’t actually an offer; but I’ve been thinking’ about that conversation we had the other day. The one about La