The Rancher's Blessed Event

The Rancher's Blessed Event Read Free Page A

Book: The Rancher's Blessed Event Read Free
Author: Stella Bagwell
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that. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œBut honey, I want to help you.”
    â€œI know,” she said, then decided she should explain. “Cooper came home last night.”
    The line went quiet as Rose digested her daughter’s abrupt news. “Is he there now?”
    Emily glanced over her shoulder to make sure the man hadn’t slipped into the kitchen without her knowing. “Yes.”
    â€œHow long does he plan to stay?”
    â€œHe hasn’t said and I haven’t asked.”
    Rose went silent for another long spell. “How does he seem to be taking Kenneth’s death?”
    â€œI think he’s still in a bit of shock about it.” And Emily was still in a shock over seeing Cooper again.
    â€œWell, I know the two of them were close at one time. But frankly, I’m surprised the news brought Cooper home. He’s never bothered before. And what can he do now?”
    â€œI’ve been thinking the very things you just said.”
    â€œSo you don’t really know his intentions?” Rose asked.
    â€œNot yet.”
    Rose groaned. “Oh Lord, Emily, I wished the man had stayed gone. Harlan isn’t going to like this one little bit. He hasn’t forgotten how Cooper hurt you. And if he’s come back with plans to take over his half of the ranch—well, all I can say is I see trouble.”
    His half of the ranch. Like a cold north wind, the words rushed through Emily. It was true that Cooper and Kenneth had shared ownership of the ranch since their father had died fifteen years ago. But Cooper had never seen fit to take any interest in the place. Neither with money nor his presence. She couldn’t see that changing just because Kenneth was no longer here.
    â€œYou’re borrowing trouble, Mom. Cooper doesn’t have any intentions toward the Diamond D. Why would he? He’s a big rodeo star now. He has all the money he needs. And anybody with one good eye can see this place is falling down around my ears. No. You can rest assured Cooper couldn’t be bothered.”
    â€œI hope you’re right, darling. You have enough on your mind without something like that. You haven’t told him anything, have you?”
    Emily switched off the burner beneath the skillet and took a peep in the oven at the baking biscuits. “What do you mean? About the accident?”
    â€œNo. About you.”
    Emily quickly glanced over her shoulder again. A few minutes before her mother had called, she’d heard Cooper head down the hall to the bathroom. Any second now she expected him to walk into the kitchen.
    â€œI have no intentions of telling him anything about my condition. It’s none of his business. And I’d appreciate it if you’d tell Daddy and the rest of the family not to say anything if they happen to run into Cooper.”
    â€œIs there a reason you don’t want him to know?”
    She bit down on her lip as several reasons came to mind. “He...doesn’t need to know, that’s all. Now I’ve got to finish breakfast. I’ll call you later, Mom.”
    â€œAll right, honey, if that’s the way you feel. You know your daddy and I are here if you need us.”
    Knowing she had her parents’ support was one of the things that had kept her going. “And I love you for it. We’ll talk later.”
    She placed the phone out of the way then gathered a couple of pot holders and pulled the pan of hot bread from the oven.
    â€œSomething smells good. Is it biscuits?”
    Emily glanced around just as Cooper walked into the room. Even though she knew he’d slept across the hall from her last night, it was still a shock to the senses to see him this morning.
    He hadn’t shaved but she could see he must have taken a quick shower because his dark hair was wet and slicked back from his face. A red plaid shirt hung half buttoned on the outside of his jeans. His feet were bare except for a pair of white

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