Free Cassie's Cowboy Daddy by Kathie DeNosky Page A

coil in her womb tightened once again.
    â€œOooh,” she moaned, crawling back beneath the covers. She curled into a ball as she fought the ache of unfulfilled desire.
    She reminded herself that the girls’ future depended on her keeping her head and not doing something stupid. Any involvement with Logan Murdock beyond their business partnership would be pure and absolute insanity.
    But the memory of his hands on her body, his lips moving over her sensitive skin, kept her awake well into the night. When she finally did manage to drift off to sleep, she dreamed of a tall, dark-haired cowboy with hot, wild kisses and the touch of a sorcerer.
    Â 
    Cassie spooned the last bite of cereal into Chelsea’s mouth and wondered for the hundredth time where Ginny and Hank were. Without the buffer they provided, breakfast had been a silent, uncomfortable affair. Logan had managed a formal “good morning” when he first came to the table, but he hadn’t looked directly at her and he’d quickly fallen into silence as he ate.
    How long could they avoid talking to each other?Would they pretend what had taken place last night and the night before had never happened?
    Her nerves on edge, Cassie jumped when Kelsie pounded on her tray. The baby was staring intently at Logan and holding her little arms out for him to take her.
    â€œNo, sweetie,” Cassie said, wiping Kelsie’s mouth. “Mr. Murdock’s eating.”
    Logan looked up, and Cassie could feel his intense gaze watching every move she made. When she dropped the washcloth on the floor and had to rinse it in the sink before wiping off Chelsea, he set down his fork.
    â€œHere. I’ll hold her while you take care of the other one.”
    Cassie swallowed her surprise as she lifted Kelsie from the high chair and handed her to Logan. “Thank you.” Turning back to wipe off Chelsea, she asked, “Have you seen Hank this morning?”
    She unfastened the safety belt and settled the baby in her arms before turning to find a deep frown creasing Logan’s forehead.
    â€œNo, I haven’t.”
    At his harsh tone, Kelsie whimpered and her tiny chin wobbled.
    His expression immediately changed and he brought the baby’s hand up to tickle it with his mustache. “Sorry, sprite. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    Kelsie squealed happily and pounded on his face with her other hand. The sight made Cassie’s insides ache.
    The girls would never know what it was like to have a father. She swallowed around the lump in herthroat. Unfortunately, even if Stan hadn’t died in that car accident, it wouldn’t have been any different. The girls still wouldn’t have had a father. He’d made it perfectly clear that if she insisted on completing the pregnancy, he’d divorce her and never look back. And Cassie knew he’d meant every word he’d said.
    Disturbed by the thought of what the twins were missing, Cassie didn’t realize for a moment that Logan was speaking to her. “What was that?”
    â€œI asked if you’ve seen your friend Ginny.”
    Cassie shook her head and headed for the hall. “I would imagine she’s still in bed. Why?”
    â€œIf either one of you happen to see Hank, tell him I’ve already gone to work on that project we started yesterday.” He followed her into the living room, where she’d placed a quilt on the floor. “Can you manage these two this morning?”
    â€œOf course.” She placed Chelsea on the colorful patchwork, then took Kelsie from him. “After we play for a while, they’ll take a nap.”
    â€œI have work to do,” he said. “If you need anything…” He paused, staring at her. “Where did you get that mark?” he demanded.
    She reached up to touch the small red spot on the side of her throat. “I…uh, think it’s irritation from—”
    He swore. “It’s a