Judy Duarte: The Bronc Rider's Baby

“Then why are you here?”

“It’s my job to check up on you and the baby. Would it be easier for you if I came back in the evening next time?”

“Actually, this isn’t a bad time. I’m sorry if it sounded like I was...” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “I was just a little surprised to see you this afternoon. That’s all.”

She blessed him with a pretty smile, one that he’d be thrilled to see if they’d met in a bar or honky-tonk, like the Stagecoach Inn. But could he trust that she didn’t have any ulterior motives, other than to answer his questions and help him adjust to fatherhood? He’d been in the foster care system. He knew better than to take kindness at face value. Maybe he ought to try a little charm on her, knock her a little off balance.

“It’s nice of you to come all the way out here to check on us,” he said, adding a carefree smile that was more fake than real.

“I’m just doing my job. Do you have any questions for me? Not just about babies, but about the social services available to you?”

He had plenty of questions. And the longer he was around little Jessie, the more he seemed to have. Like how much formula should she be taking at one time? Or why did it take so long to get a burp out of her? And was she going through too many diapers?

Instead, he said, “There’s a nurse on duty at the ranch at all times, as well as the housekeeper. So they’ve been very helpful.” In fact, they were far more capable of caring for a baby than he was.

Not that he expected Joy, Shannon and the other women to do it all for him. He hadn’t left Jessie completely in their care. Hell, he practically hovered over her whenever he was in the house.

When Anna didn’t smile or appear to be the least bit relieved by his admission, he added, “You don’t need to worry.” Especially about me. “We’re doing fine.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Gallagher. I’m a little confused. I realized you mentioned staying here for a while—before taking her home. But do you have a place of your own?”

Did it matter? What was she really asking? Did she want to know if he could financially support a baby? Or was she worried that he wasn’t able to provide a home for her?

“I own a house in Brighton Valley, but I’m staying here for now. Jessie has a cradle in the office, and I sleep on the sofa.” He felt as though he’d been caught in a lie, but it was the truth.

“That’s good. I was going to ask if you needed my help finding a place.”

“No, I’ve got that covered.” Did she get this involved with other people on her caseload?

“When do you plan to take her home?” Anna asked.

“Soon.” Now that was a lie. Just the thought of being alone with her scared the hell out of him.

But since Anna would undoubtedly come back to visit and would still find him at the ranch, he’d better clarify things now. “Before I take her home, I’ll have to hire a nanny to watch her during the day so I can work. And I’m not ready to let a stranger take care of her yet. Besides, over the past few months, I’ve gotten to know the people who work with me here. They’re almost like family, especially Sam the foreman and Joy the cook. The nurses are not only loving and kind, but they know what to do with a baby.”

She tilted her head and frowned—maybe from the sunlight in her eyes. Still, it prompted him to add, “I’m learning a lot from the nurses about the baby. So no worries.”

“I’m glad to hear things are going well,” Anna said, although she crossed her arms and scanned the length of him as if she wasn’t quite convinced. “I’d better let you go back to work. I’ll see you again in a couple of days.”

“Why?”

“It’s my job. Remember?”

If she were anyone else, if she had any other job, he’d be pleased as punch to have her stop by—with or without notice. It was only the fear factor that had him uneasy, the concern that she might find him lacking as a father. And after this exchange, he had a feeling she’d pegged him as the phony he truly was.

But maybe he’d been making a much bigger deal out of her visits than he should have been. Maybe she’d been telling him the truth when she’d said she only wanted to be helpful.

“You have my number,” she said.

“You bet I do.” He tapped the front pocket of his shirt. Ever since she’d given it to him at the hospital, he’d decided to carry it with him at all times.

He might not want to have a social worker checking up on him, but that didn’t mean he was too stubborn to call for help if he really needed it.

* * *

On Monday afternoon, after a long morning spent in meetings, followed by several visits with different parents in the NICU, Anna climbed into her car and headed to the red brick building that housed several medical offices, including Brighton Valley Pediatrics. She wasn’t sure if Nate would be happy to see her or not, but she wanted to attend Jessica’s first appointment.

Preemies could present a few additional problems and worries, something Anna knew firsthand. Five years ago, while she was in her last year of grad school, her mother remarried and then, six months later, gave birth to a second daughter. Kylie, Anna’s sister, had been born ten weeks early and had faced several health issues. Fortunately, she was doing well now, but those early months had been very stressful and worrisome for everyone involved.

However, the real reason Anna had taken a special interest in Nate’s case was because she’d recently faced the biggest failure of her career. Last spring, little Danny Walker had been born full-term, but he’d had a serious heart defect that required surgery. Sadly, his mother never bonded with him, and as a result, Danny had failed to thrive.

The situation was complicated by the fact that there’d been both a surrogate and a sperm donor involved. So in Danny’s case, no one had been fully committed to raising a fragile child.

Once Danny had gone into foster care, his health improved and he began gaining weight. His prognosis was good, and the last she’d heard, he’d been cleared for adoption. But she would always regret not picking up on the warning signs and facilitating his placement sooner. That’s why Nate’s case was so important to her and why she would do everything in her power to help him bond with his daughter. If he didn’t...

Well, if he showed signs of not taking proper care of her or providing her the loving home she both needed and deserved, Anna would have the baby removed from his care.

As the elevator doors opened and let her out on the third floor, a little zing rushed through her bloodstream, kicking her pulse up a notch. Okay, so she had to admit that she was also drawn to the handsome daddy for another reason, one that had nothing to do with his parenting skills. But even so, that had nothing to do with her hope to see him become a great dad.

At least, she certainly hoped it didn’t.

She glanced at her wristwatch. It was 4:06. She’d wanted to arrive at the pediatric office a little earlier than this. Would she find Nate still in the waiting room? Or had he already been called back for the weigh-in?

Her question was answered the moment she scanned the room and saw the new daddy sitting near an aquarium, the baby carrier on his lap, his black Stetson on the chair next to him. He glanced up about the same time she spotted him.

He tossed her a crooked grin that darn near turned her heart inside out and stirred up a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. Okay, so her gut wasn’t the only thing sending feelings about Nate to her brain. But she’d have to tuck that emotional stuff away. She wasn’t about to breach any ethical boundaries by letting the sight of Nate Gallagher in those jeans and boots get to her.