Silver James - Claiming The Cowgirl's Baby

He watched Mrs. Duncan leave. The woman didn’t walk so much as glide and when she climbed the sweeping curve of stairs, he’d take bets that she could balance a book on her head, her posture was so stiff.

“C’mon out back.” Pippa tugged his hand and glanced down at his clothing. “You did bring a swimsuit, right?”

He nodded, and indicated the small backpack slung over one shoulder. “I figured you had somewhere to change?”

“Of course! You can change at my place.” She continued to hold his hand as she drew him through the house to a set of glass-paned doors leading to a terrace and pool. He caught glimpses of fancy furniture, antiques and artwork that probably cost as much as he made in a year. “What would you like to drink? I have that beer you like in the ice chest.”

“That’d be great, thanks.”

While the big house on the Crown B was expensively furnished with Pendleton rugs, leather furniture and Western art, it was comfortable—looking and feeling lived-in and homey. This house reminded him of a show home—each room decorated in a different style and looking pristine. No self-respecting speck of dust would dare land on any of the furniture.

Out on the patio near the pool, Pippa pointed him toward a second building—which had probably been either a carriage house or servants’ quarters when the mansion was built at the turn of the last century. Two stories tall, it was made of the same yellow-and-buff bricks and stone with matching red tile roof.

“Technically, it’s the guesthouse, but it’s where I live.” She offered a crooked grin. “Just so you know? You don’t have to go to the front door. You can come straight back here and knock.” She opened the door and he found himself standing in a combined living area and dining room. He glimpsed a full kitchen beyond the stairs. “You can change in here.” She opened a door to a bathroom with a shower.

Quickly changing, he emerged and set his folded clothes on the couch. Pippa had disappeared but the outside door was open. He headed out and found her waving at him from the door to the main house.

“Beer’s in the ice chest over there in the outdoor kitchen. I’ll be back in just a sec. Mom needs something.”

The outdoor kitchen was every bit as impressive as the one at the ranch, but for the life of him, he couldn’t find an ice chest. Kade finally resorted to opening cabinet doors because he really needed a beer. After searching the entire kitchen, he discovered the built-in ice chest, with its own ice maker. This is how rich people lived—people like his half brothers. That’s when he knew. Half his DNA might be Barron, but he’d never be one of them.

Five

Pippa knew her mother was watching from the windows in the kitchen—not that her mother spent much time in the kitchen. The woman’s disapproval was almost palpable. She glanced at her watch, willing her mother to leave for the cocktail reception for some charity or another. Just her mother’s cup of tea. There were times her parents’ snobbery embarrassed her, and this was definitely one of them.

Yes, she’d insisted, when questioned by her mother a few minutes ago, the only relationship she had with Kade was of a business nature. And it had been—but for a few late-night fantasies with her battery-operated friend and a lot of what-if scenarios. Until last night. Pippa still didn’t completely understand why she’d all but seduced him. She sipped her wine cooler and admitted that she wasn’t sorry. Still, she needed to bring up the subject so she could let him know they were covered on the no-baby front. They hadn’t discussed it. And she was a little bothered by that. True, she wasn’t the most experienced, but it was a conversation she always insisted on—and not just because of pregnancy.

“You’re thinking too hard.”

She startled at Kade’s voice. “Sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for, Pippa.” His gaze shifted from her to the kitchen window. Crud. He knew they were being watched.

“I’m sorry. About my mother. She’s...” How did she explain her mother’s actions? “Well...she is who she is.” His dry chuckle helped her relax. “She and Dad will be leaving soon.” Hopefully. “Would you like to swim before we fire up the grill?”

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