Free The Cowboy's Return by Linda Warren Page B

rude?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m usually not that inconsiderate. People have told me that I’m quite nice.”
    Oh, yes, he’d been nice and everything she’d ever dreamed about. But that dream had turned into a nightmare and…
    “Are these boxes to mail?” He looked at the boxes stacked on the table.
    “Ah…yes. I was going to load them in the Suburban.”
    “I’ll help you.”
    “No. I don’t need…” Her words fell on deaf ears. Tripp had already gathered several boxes and was strolling to the vehicle. She unlocked the back and he placed them inside.
    “Is that how you want them?”
    “Yes. That’s fine.”
    They worked side by side until all the orders were loaded.
    “What’s in these boxes?” Tripp asked.
    “Lye soap.”
    “Excuse me?”
    Camila wanted to laugh at his expression, but she hadn’t gotten to the point of laughing with Tripp.
    “You heard correctly. Lye soap, some of it scented with lavender, ginger, eucalyptus, rosemary—all natural fragrances. Some of it’s just plain and some is grated to use in the washing machine.”
    “My grandmother used to make lye soap, but she was never that adventurous.”
    “I learned from Mrs. Baker, but now I’ve perfected my own recipe. Of course, I also make other kinds.”
    “Like the almond and olive oil?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you make soap at home, too?”
    “When Jilly was small I did, but now I make all my soaps at my shop. I package a lot here so I can be home with Jilly.”
    “Then it sells well?”
    “Yes. I have a Web site that details all my soaps and my quilts. The Internet has opened up a big market.”
    It seemed so odd talking to him standing in the moonlight. It was almost surreal. She didn’t even feel the chill of the evening. And she should. She didn’t need to get her emotions centered on Tripp again. Not ever.
    “But I can make more on one quilt than I can on a week’s worth of soap. Homemade quilts are rare and people pay big money for them, but I offer them at a fair price.” Why was she telling him this? She’d gotten completely sidetracked. Distracted, was more like it.
    “My grandmother has some quilts stored away at the house. Maybe one day you’d like to see them.”
    The silence became awkward.
    “No,” she finally said. “I don’t want anything to do with the Daniels family.”
    “I understand, but I hope you’ll continue to let me see Jilly.”
    She pulled her coat around herself, suddenly feeling the chill. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I don’t want her hurt again. Your parents can say anything they want about me, but not about Jilly. She doesn’t deserve it. She’s only a result of the past.”
    “Once they realize she’s a part of Patrick they’ll…”
    Her gaze clashed with his. “Now you believe she’s Patrick’s?”
    “Yes. I’m not sure what happened back then and it really doesn’t matter. I’d like to get to know my niece…and you. If you’ll let me.”
    Was he for real? She had to take a breath and the coolness of the night rushed into her lungs. The decision she made now would be final for Jilly—and her.
    Say no. End it. Just say no.
    “What about your parents?” came out of her mouth.
    “It will take them a while to adjust, but eventually they’ll see what a sweet person she is.”
    He was telling the truth. She’d learned the hard way how to judge people and she knew he meant every word he was saying. Still, she hesitated.
    “Maybe you’ll let me take her out for a burger or something.”
    She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “As I said, I don’t think it’s a good idea, but once Jilly gets something in her head, it’s there to stay. If she wants to see you or her grandparents, I won’t stop her. But, please, I would prefer it if you left her alone without any pressure.”
    “I see.”
    The chill in the air dropped several degrees and Camila felt it all the way to her heart.
    He tipped his hat and walked