Granted: A Family for Baby by Grace Carol Read Free Book Online Page A

glanced at her skeptically, his eyes lingering on the curve of her cheek, on her lips. Funny how he’d never noticed before how soft they looked. How kissable. Funny how he’d never wondered how she’d taste. Or how she’d feel if he put his arms around her, hauled her up against him until her breasts were pressed against his chest. Until now.
    He dragged his gaze away before she heard his heart pounding or guessed what was in his mind, and stared at the ribbon of highway ahead. He searched his brain for something to say. Something that had nothing to do with her leaving him.
    “So the Gentrys are old friends of yours,” he said at last.
    “Josh, his wife Molly and I were in the same class at Harmony High, along with Tally and her husband Jed”
    “Then who’s Bridget?”
    “Josh’s second wife. Molly died a few years ago and Josh buried himself with work on the ranch. For years we never saw him, not even at our high school reunion. He spent his time raising their son Max and training wild mustangs. Then Bridget arrived on the scene from San Francisco. She’s terrific really. Tally and I knew right away she was right for Josh. It took some doing though. I had a party at my house and we threw them together. Literally. We had a touch football game...and the rest is history.” She smiled
    Brady shook his head. “Matchmaking women. How come nobody’s matched you with anyone?”
    Her smile faded. “Tally tried. Just the other night. I guess I’m just too picky. Or not picky enough. Anyway, once I get to the diner I’ll come in contact with lots of men. If I can’t find someone there, I’m going to throw in the towel and resign myself to growing old alone. I’ll still have Travis.” She glanced over her shoulder at her son who’d drifted off to sleep in his car seat.
    “And all those grandchildren,” he reminded her.
    “That’s right.” Suzy glanced at Brady, at his rugged profile, his stubborn chin, and realized that though he would never admit it, he too needed someone in his life. Why else did he let it slip that he liked company with his soup? He’d also never admit that he’d enjoy being a father, but she’d seen him with Travis and she knew he was a natural.
    Travis knew it, too. She could tell by the way his face lit up when he saw Brady. What a shame his marriage hadn’t worked out. She couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t his fault. It must have been his job, his life-style or a wife who didn’t understand him. Or all three. If he’d come to Harmony sooner, would he still be married with kids of his own?
    “What is it?” he asked, aware of her gaze.
    She looked away, feeling a flush creep up her face. “Nothing. I was just thinking.”
    “About your grandchildren?”
    “No, about yours.”
    “The ones I’m never going to have.”
    “It’s a shame. You’d be good at it.”
    “At being a grandfather? Hah!” .
    “I mean it. Turn here,” she instructed, and they drove past the sign with the outline of a bucking wild horse and onto the Gentry ranch. When they’d parked in front of the house, Suzy lifted a sleepy Travis out of his car seat and into his backpack. As she was about to swing the pack with Travis tucked comfortably in it up and onto her shoulders, Brady took him out of her arms.
    “Let me,” he said. To her surprise Travis beamed his approval of this plan. For the past few months he’d cried every time she’d left him off at her mother’s, wouldn’t go to anyone or let anyone else hold him. And now there was Brady. What happened that night of baby-sitting that caused Travis to bond with Brady? A nagging thought occurred to her after she’d hugged Bridget and introduced her to Brady—that she really didn’t want Travis to bond with anybody who wasn’t going to be around forever.
    “Bridget,” she said, as Brady took the lead and strode on ahead of them. “I really appreciate your doing this for Brady’s campaign.”
    “It’s an excuse for us to have a