Cowboy Enchantment - By Pamela Browning Page 0,24
with frank interest, breaking into a drooly grin when Erica smiled at her. Kaylie had Hank’s blue eyes, deep-fringed and round, pale blond curls and soft pink skin.
“Babababa?”
Hank smiled. “No, Kaylie. That’s Erica.” And to Erica, “I used to think that ‘babababa’ was her name for me. I know better now, though. Everything is ‘babababa.”’
It was all Erica could do not to extend her hand for a handshake, the way she was accustomed to doing in business situations. What did you do when you met a baby? Erica had no idea, so she stood mutely, feeling awkward.
“Would you like to hold her?” Hank said. He couldn’t imagine why he offered this, other than knowing that most women seemed to enjoy holding babies.
Erica eyed the baby askance. Kaylie was a beautiful child, but everyone knew she didn’t do babies. Anyway, when had she last held a baby? At the moment she couldn’t recall, but she had an idea that it would be bad form to refuse, and how could she with this baby looking so cute?
“I’d love to,” she said, hoping that she didn’t sound as uncertain as she felt, and when she held her arms out, Kaylie went right to her, perching on her hip as though accustomed to being there.
Justine came bustling out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel. “Hi, Hank. You should have come over earlier and eaten chicken and dumplings with us. Are you hungry? I could throw a plate together.”
“Kaylie and I have both eaten. I could use a beer if you’ve got one.”
“Top shelf of the fridge. Help yourself while we girls visit.”
“Can I get anyone else something to drink?”
Both Erica and Justine shook their heads, and Hank started for the kitchen. He found a beer, popped the top and rejoined them in the living room. Erica was sitting on the couch, still holding Kaylie and looking uncertain as to what she was about. He almost laughed at the way she was holding the baby—gingerly, as if she’d break. Well, he himself hadn’t known what to do when he first held his daughter, but he’d learned fast.
Justine was sitting on the couch, too, dangling her charm bracelet in front of a fascinated Kaylie. Hank flung himself into the big leather armchair he favored when visiting and took a long pull on the beer. It slid down easily, cool and refreshing. It had been a long day, and it suddenly occurred to him that the best part of it had been the hour he’d given Erica a riding lesson.
He didn’t know what made him say it, but the words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them. “I was thinking,” he said to Erica. “Tomorrow I don’t have any lessons in the afternoon besides yours. If you’re available earlier, we could take an easy trail ride, instead of your regular lesson.”
Erica shot him a startled look over Kaylie’s head. “I’d like that,” she said.
Justine, though she appeared surprised at the offer, spoke up quickly. “If Paloma could drop Kaylie off with me before she goes home tomorrow, you and Erica could take your time while you’re out on the trail.”
“Well, sure,” Hank said. Kaylie hadn’t spent much time here lately, mostly because Justine was busy with ranch matters twenty-four hours a day.
Justine looked pleased. “I’ll have Pavel prepare a trail meal for you so you won’t miss supper.”
Kaylie erupted in a stream of syllables and held her arms out toward Justine. Erica, looking relieved, let Justine take her. Justine began bouncing Kaylie on her knee.
Hank felt a stab of annoyance seeing Erica’s relief at relinquishing Kaylie, though he couldn’t have said why. He’d let the woman hold his precious baby, and much to his surprise she hadn’t seemed at all grateful or captivated as most women were. He had no idea why he cared about this, but he did. As silly as it sounded even in his own mind, everyone should be grateful for the opportunity to be part of Kaylie’s life. He didn’t like even a hint that she might be a nuisance to anyone.
He wished now that he hadn’t asked Erica to go on the trail ride tomorrow. “Of course, if you’d rather have a regular lesson, that would be fine,” he said, despite the fact that they’d already left the subject. Justine shot him a narrow-eyed glance, but Erica furrowed her forehead in distress. “Well—”
Justine wasted no time in expressing her opinion. “Nonsense, you’ve already decided on the