The Cowboy's Forever Family by Deb Kastner Read Free Book Online Page A

shrugged. “Maybe. Didn’t know all the particulars. Just wanted to get you checked out.”
    â€œWell, consider me checked. Baby is good to go.” When Slade’s eyes widened, she added, “But not for two months yet.”
    He smiled. It was the first time she’d ever seen him smile—at least the genuine article and not the catching-the-eye-of-the-ladies grin he usually sported. Twin dimples carved deeply into his cheeks. On any other guy the dimples would have made him look boyish, but Slade was all man. Which, to Laney, at least, was one of his biggest shortcomings—among many.
    â€œWhat were you doing that made so much noise out there?”
    He shook his head. “Just pacing. The waiting room is too small for comfort.”
    Or he was too large.
    â€œHe’s kicking right now,” she said, laying a hand against the rib Baby Beckett was currently using as soccer practice and wondering if she should even make this small concession. She suspected Brody would have wanted it, which was the only reason she continued. “Would you like to feel?”
    â€œIt’s a boy?”
    â€œOh, no. I mean, I don’t actually know—I’ve chosen not to find out the gender until I give birth. Saying he/she every time I refer to the baby is getting to be too much of a tongue twister. I should probably just stick with Baby Beckett. It’s easier to say.”
    â€œYeah,” Slade agreed, his voice unusually deep and thick. “You know Brody wouldn’t have cared if Baby Beckett was a boy or a girl. He would have loved the baby just the same, no matter what.”
    â€œHe would have been a good father.” Her throat clogged with emotion. Their eyes met, and just for a moment they mutually shared the one thing they had in common.
    Grief.
    â€œThe best.” The corner of Slade’s mouth ticked, a tell Laney now recognized as reaction to stress.
    â€œCome here,” she urged, holding out her hands.
    He looked reticent, almost shy, as he stepped forward and offered her his hand.
    She laid his palm where the baby was moving and the child responded with a swift kick, then another.
    Slade’s brilliant blue eyes filled with wonder. “Well, I’ll be.”
    â€œAmazing, right?”
    â€œAmazing doesn’t even begin to cover it.” He shook his head. “It’s hard to believe Brody’s kid is in there, just waiting to come out and say, ‘Hey.’”
    Laney chuckled. “I’m not sure that’s the first thing Baby Beckett will say. You never know, though. Could be.”
    One side of his mouth kicked up. “Close enough. Two months, huh?”
    â€œMore or less. You do know babies don’t necessarily come right on their due dates, right?” She had a clear mental picture of Slade hustling her off to the hospital just because the calendar said the time was right. That was just exactly the sort of thing he would do, exasperating man.
    â€œOn their own time, huh?”
    â€œAnd in their own way. Each baby is different. Their own little person, with a unique personality. One of God’s greatest blessings.”
    She half expected Slade to scoff at her for her beliefs, but he nodded fervently and curled the brim of his hat in his fist. “The very best of them. Especially this one.”
    â€œI wish Brody was here.”
    Slade’s gaze clouded with pain. He might not be the nicest of men, but there was no doubt he’d cared for Brody.
    â€œI’m sorry. I shouldn’t keep bringing that up.” She couldn’t believe she was apologizing to him, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
    â€œNo. You’re right. Of course Brody should be here.” He turned away from her and punched at the air. “He
should
be here. Not me.”
    What did that even mean? She understood the sentiment but not the anger.
    â€œI’m sure we’ll both do our best to honor