Free Cowboy Come Home by judy christenberry Page B

surprise to see Camille enter. She’d stayed as far away from the barn as possible. “Something wrong?”
    “Yes.” As he dropped the grooming brush and moved toward her, she held out her hands, palms out, to stop him. “Wait! I didn’t mean—There’s no emergency. Well, there is, but not here.”
    “Something’s happened in Hawaii?” he demanded, his face reflecting his concern. There had been telephone calls every day from the vacationing parents.
    “No, it’s Mildred’s cousin.”
    Griffin stared at her. Had he missed something? “Mildred’s cousin? Do we know Mildred’s cousin?”
    Camille shook her head and gave a helpless shrug. “No, we don’t. But she’s fallen and broken her hip. She needs Mildred to come take care of her.”
    “But the babies—”
    “Two people can handle them. With the food all prepared and the two ladies coming every day.”
    “Oh,” he said with a sigh of relief. “So you and Red are going to cover? I’ll try to come in earlier, then. I’ve been—I mean, I thought it would be better—” He broke off and shot her a look of frustration. She knew what he meant whether she acknowledged it or not.
    She didn’t bother pretending not to understand. “I know. That’s why I have to ask you this before you come to the house.”
    “Ask me what?”
    “If you’ll help me take care of the babies.”
    His eyes widened. “You just said you and Red could handle everything.”
    “Griff, Red wants to go with Mildred. And she needs him to go. They’re distraught at being separated. It wouldn’t be too hard, if you’re willing. Parents manage a lot of kids all the time. And the cooking and cleaning wouldn’t be a problem. You’d have to give up riding out with the cowboys, but I think they can manage until the guys get back.”
    “What did Red say?”
    Camille seemed puzzled about his meaning. Then she said, “I didn’t say anything to them about Red going with her. I wouldn’t, not until I talked to you.” After a pause, she admitted, “It will mean us being together all day. You’ve already indicated an aversion to my company....”
    He groaned, staring at her. “You know why I don’t want to be in your company. I’m trying not to lead you on. I’m returning to Chicago after the guys get back. But I’ll admit to a powerful attraction when I’m around you.”
    “Okay, consider me warned. You’re leaving. Is that the only problem?” she asked, thrusting her chin in the air.
    “Damn it, no! This is the problem!” He grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, lowering his mouth to hers.
    Camille should have been used to the effect of his touch on her, but she wasn’t. And she wasn’t sure she ever would be.
    Just as she thought she’d never think again, she was suddenly thrust away from his warmth.
    “That’s the problem!” Griffin muttered, glaring at her.
    “So, we promise not to touch each other,” she snapped, trying to sound firm when her insides were all aquiver. “It seems selfish to let our difficulties keep Red and Mildred apart. Besides, she’s going to need Red to help lift her cousin. According to Mildred, she’s, uh, large.”
    Griffin raked his fingers through his thick dark hair. Finally, he looked at Camille. “All right, you win,” he conceded with a sigh. “We’ll take over for them, but you’ll have to tell me what to do. I’m not experienced with children, like you.”
    She grinned. Obviously, she was a good actress, since she’d only been caring for children for the past few weeks. But she wasn’t going to reveal her inexperience now. “Great. Can you come to the house with me now, to tell them? Mildred’s getting ready to make travel arrangements. That way they wouldn’t have to make them twice.”
    He rubbed his chin, shaking his head. Then he turned back to his horse. “Let me finish taking care of Alberta,” he said, picking up the brush and returning to his work.
    “Alberta? That’s the horse’s