Free Cowboy for Keeps by Cathy McDavid Page A

warm
smile. “Then I got kind of used to the little rug rats.” He gave Milo’s chin a
tickle.
    “He whined like a girl when he went off to college.” Gavin
snorted. “Missed his sisters more than he did his friends.”
    “I did not.”
    Conner took the dig in stride, which made Dallas think that
maybe he had shed a tear or two at being separated from his siblings.
    “Do you see them much?” she asked.
    “Whenever I can.”
    “Every free weekend,” Sage clarified.
    Just when Dallas had convinced herself she could stay away from
Conner and the potential for more kisses—even chaste ones like last night—he had
to go and show her another incredibly sweet and touching side.
    He liked babies and was good with them.
    He might even like her baby, too.
    No. No, no, no. This had to stop. Contemplating any kind of
relationship while she was pregnant with Richard’s child was simply out of the
question.
    Opening the portfolio, she withdrew several dozen of the best
photos from her and Conner’s trip into the mountains, having spent the afternoon
getting them developed and enlarged. She hadn’t wanted to arrive at dinner
empty-handed.
    The photo on top was one of the many including Conner.
    He’d called her late last night to let her know that he, Gavin
and Ethan had arrived safely home with the wagon. Other than Dolly and Molly
being spent, all went well. She’d suspected the men were also spent.
    As she’d requested, there was no discussion of their kiss—the
close call on the hill or the peck on her cheek at her car. Instead, their
conversation had been brief, impersonal and to the point. She blamed exhaustion.
Then decided Conner, like her, was having second, third and fourth thoughts.
    His conduct toward her today had been that of a family friend
and business associate. What it should be.
    Why, then, was she disappointed?
    “These are the ones of the box canyon and the ride there.”
Returning to her chair, she started with the pictures for the book, fanning them
out in front of Conner and Gavin.
    “Here, let me have Milo.” Sage relieved Conner of the baby, who
emitted a gurgle of protest at losing his comfy roost. “First a bottle, then
bed.”
    “See ya, buddy.” Conner gently tweaked Milo’s toe through the
blanket. “You ever find yourself hankering for a night out with the boys, come
see me.”
    “Conner Durham,” Sage admonished, shielding Milo with her body,
“you try and corrupt my son before he’s full grown, and I’ll have your hide. I
swear.” She fired Gavin a warning look, as well. “You, too, buster.”
    Conner and Gavin exchanged conspiratorial glances.
    “I saw that!” She huffed, and then addressed Dallas. “If you
want, you can rock him to sleep when you’re finished here. Practice for when you
have your own baby.”
    Dallas was filled with sudden warmth. “I’d love that.
Thanks.”
    “You two finish your homework when you’re done with the
dishes,” Sage instructed the girls. “No TV till then.”
    “I need help studying my spelling words.” Isa had tucked a dish
towel in the waistband of her jeans to serve as an apron.
    Just like Cassie, Dallas noticed, and smiled.
    “I’ll help you,” Gavin said.
    “Cassie, can you help me?” Isa
pleaded. “Please?”
    “Sure, squirt.” She tousled Isa’s hair.
    “Humph.” Gavin looked displeased. “I think I’ve just been
insulted.”
    Isa came over and gave Gavin’s neck a hug. “You’re the best
riding teacher, but Cassie’s better at spelling.”
    He patted her cheek. “All right. If you put it that way.”
    “These are good.” Conner had been sorting through the pictures,
picking up first one and then another.
    “They are,” Gavin concurred. “Going to be hard choosing only a
few for the book.”
    When their favorites had been determined and set aside, Dallas
showed Gavin and Conner the pictures of the mare and colt. Even after examining
the images repeatedly throughout the day, she was shocked yet