The Cowboy's Gamble: Destined For Love Series by Janelle Denison Read Free Book Online Page A

her chin didn’t do much to mask the more uncertain emotions Josie saw shining in her daughter’s eyes.
    Not wanting to upset Kellie any more than she had to, she stood and forced a bright smile that felt as phony as it probably looked. “Okay,” she said easily. “Then how about we go for a walk?”
    Taking Seth’s ruined hat from her, Josie set it on the empty bench. Without waiting for another refusal, she draped a comforting arm around Kellie’s shoulder and started walking along the white fence bordering the west pasture.
    There was no easy way to broach the subject, so she just jumped right into the middle of it. “How do you feel about having a dad?”
    “What do you mean?” Kellie asked skeptically.
    Josie threaded her fingers through her daughter’s sun warmed hair. She loved this child so much, wanted so much more for her than she was about to give her—like a “dad” who would love her unconditionally. She didn’t know if Seth was capable of accepting her daughter without past resentments and rumors getting in the way.
    “Well, you’ve asked me before why I don’t get married so you can have a dad,” Josie said, trying to sound optimistic and cheerful. “And I was just wondering if you still felt the same way.”
    Kellie’s slim shoulders lifted in a reserved shrug. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
    She closed her eyes for a few extra seconds, ignored the dread churning within her, and just let it out. “Well, Mr. O’Connor and I are going to get married.”
    Kellie jerked away from her, her expression horrified. “But I don’t want him as a dad! He’s mean!”
    Josie realized she had the choice of agreeing whole-heartedly with Kellie and tainting her daughter’s perception of Seth right from the get-go, or she could make this transition for Kellie as smooth as possible. She might not like Seth, but there was no reason for Kellie to fear or hate him so vehemently.
    The dirt drive had given way to a grassy knoll with patches of wildflowers. Josie stopped before they strolled too far away from the house and reached for her daughter’s small hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
    “Mr. O’Connor really isn’t so bad.” In fact, at one time he’d been charming and sweet, but that had all been a ploy. “When he came over today he was upset, and so was I. The Golden M is his now, and in order for us to stay here, I have to marry him.”
    “Oh.” Josie’s explanation seemed to pacify her daughter and chase away the worry in her gaze. Kellie titled her head, regarding Josie speculatively. “Do you love him?” she asked quietly.
    The unexpected question knocked Josie for a loop, considering she’d once given Seth her heart and a piece of her soul. Thank goodness the fence was right behind her, because she found she needed it for support. Once she’d gained her composure and calmed the erratic beating of her heart, she said very firmly, “No, I don’t love him.”
    “But maybe someday you will?” Kellie asked expectantly.
    Not likely , but she found she couldn’t crush her daughter’s simple hope for a bright future. “Maybe.” It was a stretch, but “maybe” was as close to a promise as she was willing to offer.
    “Okay.” Kellie seemed satisfied with that. And relieved. “If you have to marry him, and he’s going to be my new dad, I’ll try my best to like him.” She chewed on her bottom lip, and Josie could see the wheels in her mind clicking. And then the tentative query came. “Do you think he’ll like me? Maybe just a little?”
    Josie’s chest tightened and she found it hurt to breath. How quick her daughter was to accept Seth! “What’s not to like? You’re beautiful, smart, and sweeter than sugar.” She lovingly ran her finger down the pert slope of Kellie’s nose, and made a silent vow if Seth so much as hurt her daughter by rejecting her, she’d make every day of his life a living hell.
    Kellie laughed and spun around happily, arms spread wide. Her cascade