Barb Han - Stockyard Snatching

“Thank you,” Kate said, glancing from Abigail to Dallas.

“Don’t be silly.” The older woman just smiled. “You’ve been through a lot this morning.” She motioned toward Jackson. “It’ll get easier with him. The first few months are always the most difficult with a new baby.”

Dallas felt as out of place in the conversation as catfish bait in a tilapia pond. And then a thought struck him. If he was a father—and he wasn’t anywhere near ready to admit to the possibility just yet—he’d need to learn about diaper bags and 3:00 a.m. feedings. Kate’s employee had taken her up-all-night excuse far too easily, which meant it happened enough for her to be able to know using it wouldn’t be questioned.

Speaking of which, Allen seemed to know way too much about Kate’s personal life, which could mean that the office employees were close, and it was clear he wanted more than a professional relationship with her. The guy was a little too cozy with his boss and Dallas didn’t like it. She obviously refused his advances. A thought struck. Could that be enough for him to want to punish her by removing the only obstacle between them—her child?

He was probably reaching for a simple explanation. Even so, it was a question Dallas intended to bounce around with Tommy.

Dallas made a mental note to ask Kate more about her relationship with Allen as soon as the baby was calm again, which happened a few seconds after Abigail returned with a warmed bottle and he began feeding.

The look of panic didn’t leave Kate’s face entirely during the baby’s meal, but she gazed lovingly at her son.

Dallas had questions and needed answers, the quicker the better. However, it didn’t feel right interrupting mother and son during what looked to be a bonding moment.

But then, not being a father himself, what the hell did he know about it?

Sipping his coffee, he waited for Kate to speak first. It didn’t take long. Another few minutes and she finally said, “I want to apologize about my behavior this morning. I’m not normally so...frazzled.”

“You’re doing better than you think,” he said, offering reassurance.

“Am I?” she asked. “Because I feel like I’m all over the place emotionally.”

“Trust me. You’re doing fine.”

Her shoulders relaxed a little and that made Dallas smile.

“I do have a question for you, though,” he said.

She nodded.

“How well do you know your employees?” he asked, ignoring the most probable reason Allen’s attraction grated on him so much. Dallas liked her, too.

“Some more than others, I guess.” She shrugged. “We’re a small office, so we talk.”

The baby finished his bottle and she placed a cloth napkin over her shoulder before laying him across it and patting his back.

“What does that do?” Dallas’s curiosity about babies was getting the best of him. His stress was also growing with every passing day that Morton didn’t return his texts.

“Gets the gas out of his stomach. Believe me, you want it out. If you don’t he can cramp up and become miserable.” She frowned.

“And when he’s miserable, you’re miserable.”

“Exactly,” she said, her tone wistful. A tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. She wiped it away and quickly apologized. “This whole parenting thing has been much harder than I expected.”

“Whoever did this to you and left should be castrated,” Dallas said. And he figured he was a hypocrite with that coming out of his mouth, given that he might have done the same to another woman. However, he had very strong feelings about the kind of man who didn’t mind making a baby, but couldn’t be bothered to stick around to be a father to the child. The operative word in his situation was that he might have unwittingly done that to someone. And he had no proof that Susan had actually been pregnant with his child, given that she’d disappeared when he’d offered to bring up the baby separately, instead of agreeing to her suggestion that they immediately marry. Her call had come out of the blue, months after they’d parted ways.

His gaze didn’t budge from Kate. He expected some kind of reaction from her. All he saw was genuine embarrassment.

“Oh, I have no one to blame. I did it to myself,” she said.

“I may not be an expert on babies, but I do know how they’re made. And I’m fairly certain there has to be a partner.” It was Dallas’s turn to shoot her a confused look.

“Adoption,” she said.

He gave her another.

“Surely you’ve heard of adopting a baby?” she asked tartly.

“Of course I have. I just didn’t know that was your circumstance,” he said stupidly.

Looking closer at the baby, Dallas couldn’t help but notice the boy had dark curly hair.

Not unlike his own.

Chapter Three Contents Cover Introduction His gaze didn’t budge from Kate. She was embarrassed. “Oh, I have no one to blame. I did it to myself,” she said wistfully. “I may not be an expert on babies, but I do know how they’re made. And I’m fairly certain there has to be a partner.” It was his turn to shoot her a confused look. “Adoption,” she said. And then he gave her another. “Surely you’ve heard of adopting a baby before,” she said with an exasperated look. “Of course I have. I just didn’t know that was your circumstance,” he said stupidly. Looking closer at the baby, Dallas couldn’t help but notice the boy had dark curly hair. Not unlike his own. Title Page Stockyard Snatching USA TODAY Bestselling Author About the Author USA TODAY bestselling author BARB HAN lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at www.barbhan.com . Dedication My deepest thanks to Allison Lyons. It’s hard to believe this is already our 10th book together! Working with you is a dream come true and I’m so very grateful. Special nod to Jill Marsal for your unwavering support and guidance (and brilliance!). My love to Brandon, Jacob and Tori. I’m so proud of each one of you. You’re bright, talented and have the best quirks! To Amelia Rae, you stole our hearts a year ago. Happy 1st Birthday! And to you, Babe. I can’t even imagine being on this journey without you. All my love. All my life. Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Extract Copyright

Kate recognized the sheriff as soon as he stepped inside his office. Not only had she seen him around town, he’d stopped by the kitchen to welcome her when she’d first opened her doors.

He was close to Dallas O’Brien’s height, so at least six feet tall. His hair was light brown and his eyes matched the shade almost perfectly.

She was relieved for the interruption, after sharing the news about Jackson being adopted, and especially after Dallas’s reaction, which made no sense to her. He seemed fine with her being a single parent, but lost his ability to speak once she’d mentioned the adoption. What was up with that?

The sheriff acknowledged Dallas first and then offered a handshake to Kate.

Dallas relayed the morning’s events succinctly and Kate’s heart squeezed at hearing the words, knowing how close she’d been to losing her son. She reminded herself that she had Dallas to thank for thwarting the kidnapping attempt.

If he hadn’t been there...

She shivered, deflecting the chill gripping her spine.