Page 57 of The Cowboy and the Baby

“But . . . why?”

The question rasped out of her, and I felt my stomach bottom out. Exactly how honest should I be with a sleep-deprived mother-of-a-newborn who stumbled, homeless, onto my new ranch while simultaneously running into a new life and out of an old one?

Because you make me feel things.

Because I’ve never wanted to be needed more in my life.

“Because I admire you,” I said firmly, “what you’re doing for Lily, and who you are. We’re the same, Noelle. I’m not the only one taking on responsibilities that weren’t mine at the outset. Someone’s gotta help us, too. We can help each other.”

Noelle let out a shaky breath, ran a hand over her messy hair, and met my eyes again. Less discomfort appeared in her expression, like I’d found common ground strong enough to reassure her.

“You mean it?”

“Wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”

A wisp of a smile appeared. “Is that Cowboy Code, or something?”

“Cade Code.”

She nodded solemnly. She leaned against the wall, one hand pressed behind her. Her shoulders lowered as she breathed out.

“I’ll send them a text and invite them while I’m feeding Lily.” Her eyes rose to mine. “If you’re sure?”

I smiled.

“Never been more sure in my life.”

Noelle smiled in a lopsided way. “Thanks. I’ll let you know what they say. Since Lily is still sleeping, I’m going to head downstairs and sort through some of the boxes. Maybe we can start hauling junk out and clear space.”

I nodded, relieved to be on steady, mutual ground again. Our team project to improve the house gave us a stable spot to rest. A bunch of things that neither of us were ready to say had spilled out.

We both had nets, straining with words, with truths flopping free like desperate fish.

20

NOELLE

Two days later, a woman with a bright smile and crinkly eyes approached Cade’s truck from the corner of a quaint house with a white picket fence. Her breath plumed in smoky gasps, filtering to the bitterly cold but cloudless blue sky.

Cade, already out of the truck, closed the space between them with a broad grin. The unknown woman waved as she headed through the snow, carrying a shovel and a bag of ice-melt salt.

Curious, I slid out of the front seat to join them. My boots crunched over the snow as I met the woman halfway.

Cade gestured to me. “Dagny, this is Noelle. She’s old man Morgan’s granddaughter. She and her daughter, Lily, are staying with me for a bit while we renovate the old ranch house. Noelle, this is Dagny. She’s a longtime friend of mine.”

“H-heard all about you from M-mac at the hardware store.” Dagny stuck out a hand. “So good to m-meet you in person!”

Cade laughed. “Mac has a big mouth.” To me, he added, “Mac runs the local gossip ring because his wife is the hairdresser.”

“Your g-grandparents were an established part of P-pineville, Noelle, and we miss them. I remember trick-or-treating at their ranch house once when I was a little g-girl. Your grandmother was so kind. She made c-candied apples for all the kids.”

The memory stirred warmth in my heart, easing me into the conversation more fully. I didn’t normally avoid social situations, but the overwhelm of an infant, a new life, and a new house made it easier to lock up in the house and not venture out. It felt good to be away from the ranch, the bathroom, and smell something other than grout.

“Thank you for sharing that with me.” I smiled. “I miss both my grandparents. It’s good to know their community loved them.”

With a thumb, Dagny motioned over her shoulder. “J-jackhammer is in the back, the shed on the l-left. You know the one.”

“Thank you, Dag.” He motioned to me. “I’ll be right back. Just grabbing the jackhammer. We’ll need it downstairs, I think.”