Her Heart-Stealing Cowboys [Hellfire Ranch 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Free

and faster. “We’re taking team pictures tomorrow and I gotta get my hair cut. Coach says no hair longer than the collar, which kinda stinks for Johnson Carter ’cause his is like down to his shoulder blades. He’s been growing it since we were in first grade and stuff. But anyway, I’ll send you some pictures, too, ’kay?”
    Wade pulled into a spot at the Tin Star just as his son wound down his breath-defying dissertation. He chuckled at Riley’s exuberance. “I can’t wait to see you in your uniform, kiddo. I will definitely make plans to come see you play. I wouldn’t miss it.”
    “Oh, but Dad, you can’t.”
    Wade shut off the engine as an unexpected pang hit his chest. “You don’t want me to?”
    “No, no . ’Course I do. But you’re the coach down there. You can’t leave your team to come all the way to California to watch me.”
    A short, barrel-chested man in light khakis and a button-up short-sleeved shirt walked down the sidewalk toward the Tin Star. Sunlight glinted off the man’s blond hair when he doffed his bowler hat to Sadie and Hank. He held the door as they entered the restaurant then followed them in.
    “Hey, that’s what assistant coaches are for, Riley,” Wade told his son. “I promise you I’ll come see you in a game. Nothing will keep me away.”
    “That will be so cool, Dad. Awesome.”
    The excitement had returned. Wade couldn’t help but grin in response. He saw Riley as often as he could and had only just sent him back to his mother after a month.
    “I think you left your game charger, Riley.”
    “Yeah,” the boy sighed. “I figured that out at the airport.”
    “You’ve been home two weeks. Why didn’t you call? I just found it yesterday. Along with the piles of socks and paper plates you stashed under your bed.”
    “Oops,” Riley said. “Sorry.”
    “Don’t worry, I took care of it. I’ll put your charger in the mail.”
    “’Kay. Mom wants to talk to you.”
    “Wade?” The soft, sweet voice of Grace Jennings filled the air waves.
    “Hi, Grace,” he said. “How are you? How’s Rich?”
    “Good,” she said. “Thanks for asking. Do you really think you’ll be able to make a game?”
    She wasn’t being sarcastic or snarky, just inquisitive. Living on opposite sides of the country made spontaneous get-togethers with Riley difficult. Not impossible, though.
    “I will. He’s going to send me the schedule. I’ll put in my vacation request as soon as I get it.”
    “He’ll love that.”
    She cleared her throat and he tensed.
    “What’s wrong, Grace?” He shoved open the truck door and headed for the Tin Star.
    “Nothing’s wrong,” she said. Her voice dropped. “We haven’t told Riley yet. I wanted to let you know first.”
    Wade stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. Anxiety pierced his heart. “Let me know what? Is Riley okay?”
    “Yes, yes. Oh God, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.” Another deep breath. “I’m pregnant,” she blurted out.
    Of all the things his ex-girlfriend could have said, pregnant would not have been high on his list. She’d had a miserable pregnancy with Riley and vowed no more kids after he’d been born.
    “Uh, congratulations?”
    She laughed. “Yes, congratulations. Oddly enough this one hasn’t been so bad. I haven’t been sick at all.”
    “Glad to hear it.”
    “Good. That’s really good.”
    It occurred to him that she was worried about his reaction. “Hey,” he said softly. “You’re one of my best friends. Of course I’m happy for you and Rich. Now go on, go tell kiddo. He’ll be delighted.”
    “You think so?”
    Wade smiled. “Yeah. He’s been bugging me for a little brother or sister for years. Thank God you’re taking care of that. Maybe he’ll leave me alone now.”
    Grace’s laughter burst from the phone, forcing him to hold the receiver away as he approached the door. He put it back in time to hear her say good-bye.
    “Bye,” he replied then clicked off the