Free The Rancher's Blessed Event by Stella Bagwell

going to have is keeping your mother away from that baby once it gets here.”
    She hugged his waist and briefly pressed her cheek against his broad chest. “Thank you for the horse, Daddy. Will you bring him over to the ranch for me?”
    â€œToday, if you like.”
    Rising on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Daddy. I think I’ll go up to the house now and see Mom for a few minutes before I go home.”
    Nodding, he tweaked her cheek. “Okay. I’ll see you later. And Emily,” he added as she started walking away, “it’s good to see you smile again.”
    She hadn’t realized she’d smiled. She hadn’t even known she could. But she was glad she’d made her father happy. He was the one man who’d always loved her, who would always love her.
    At the house she found her mother in the kitchen baking pumpkin bread. The room was warm and so full of potted plants it looked more like a hothouse than a ranch kitchen.
    â€œDarling! I didn’t know you’d driven up. Does your daddy know you’re here?”
    She wiped her floured hands on a dish towel and hurried over to kiss Emily’s cheek. “You look much better since I last saw you! There’s color in your cheeks and you look like you’ve been eating, thank God.”
    Emily hugged her mother, then took a seat on a nearby bar stool. “I’ve been trying to eat all I can.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful to hear. And it’s so nice to see you dressed up and wearing makeup. I hope this is a sign your spirits are lifting.”
    Emily glanced down at her black jeans and cranberry colored sweater. She wasn’t dressed up by any means, but compared to the way she had been going around, it probably looked that way to her mother. But since the day of her fall and Cooper’s not so kind remarks about her appearance, she’d made a point of paying closer attention to her hair and skin and clothes.
    â€œActually my spirits are much better. And to answer your earlier question, I’ve already seen Daddy. Why didn’t you tell me about the horse?”
    Rose went back to stirring her bowl of batter. “Because it was his surprise. I didn’t want to spoil his fun.”
    â€œWell, he shouldn’t have spent the money.”
    â€œHe wanted to. Besides, you need a good horse. Those you have on the Diamond D aren’t the best in the world.”
    Emily gave her mother a wry smile. “They can’t all be like your beloved Pie.”
    â€œI guess I am spoiled by him,” Rose said with obvious fondness.
    â€œNot to mention attached. You know horses can’t live forever, Mom.”
    Rose shrugged and smiled. “No. But Pie’s doing a good job of it. He’s twenty-five and still going strong. The vet says if I continue to take good care of him he’ll probably last ten more.”
    â€œWell, there’s no doubt he’ll get good care around here.”
    Rose poured the batter into a row of tin loaf pans, then placed them in the oven. Once she was finished, she took two mugs down from the cabinet and poured them full of coffee.
    â€œIt’s decaffeinated,” she assured Emily as she took a stool beside her.
    With a murmur of appreciation, Emily sipped the warm brew. “It’s so wonderful not to be sickened by the smell of coffee. Knock on wood, I believe my nausea has finally passed once and for all.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear. You’ve had enough to deal with these days.” Crossing her legs, Rose looked at her thoughtfully. “So tell me what’s been happening. Is Cooper still staying with you?”
    Emily sighed. She really wasn’t in the mood to discuss Cooper with her mother. He was like a raw spot. Every time she thought about him she flinched with pain. “He’s gone to Ruidoso today to check about getting liquid feed for the cattle.”
    Rose nodded with approval.