Jessica's Cowboy Daddy - Melinda Barron Page 0,18

the cake testing?”

“Nope,” he said. “It’s just Holt and Aurora.”

“So we’ll do it again tomorrow?” she asked. They didn’t have a set time for Little play. It just sort of came as it may.”

“Sounds like fun,” he said. “How about burgers and fries… and paper plates?”

Jessica playfully swatted at his arm. He held her close, and when she heard his even breathing she knew he’d fallen asleep. She was always up early to get to the bakery by six so she could pull dough out of the refrigerator after she’d taken it out of the freezer before she left the day before.

She tenderly pulled herself away from him and stood. Hawk slept through her movement. Once in the living room she realized he’d cleaned up. The empty pizza boxes were in the trash. Sitting on the table was the composition book he’d brought her. Jessica picked it up and flipped through the pages. Then she found a pen, sat down at the table, and started to write.

Chapter 6

At ten minutes to four on Friday, Jessica started setting out the cakes for the tasting. Business was always slow at this time, since many of Bookman Springs citizens headed to larger towns to eat dinner and enjoy their Friday evenings. The Coleman brothers had set up a barbecue for this evening. Austin was doing ribs and steaks, and while there was a lull in business today, Jessica had made a huge tub of potato salad. She was going to make the coleslaw after the cake testing.

She had just put out the chocolate cream cake when the front door opened. Since she had her back to it she didn’t see who it was, but she kept her sigh of frustration inside her. “We have a few cookies left, but not much else.” She turned to see Ranger Willis standing there, hat in hand.

“Ms. Barker, how are you today?”

The use of a formal title didn’t bode well for her.

“Ranger Willis.” She took a few steps forward and limped a bit. Her leg ached just a little. Seeing him made her insides hurt, too. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t suspect her of hurting Matilda Dobbs.

“Did you hurt yourself? I didn’t notice that limp on Wednesday.”

“Just a little cut,” she said. “Can I get you some coffee? I’m afraid it’s a little stale this late in the day. I do have soft drinks, though. Or water.”

“Water would be nice.” He surveyed the room and walked over to where she’d set up two tables with the cakes. “Are you having a party?”

“Cake tasting,” she said. “Hawk’s brother is getting married, and I’ve been hired to make the cakes.”

“Sounds delicious.” He took a seat at an empty table and set his hat down. She handed him the water and moved back to the cakes. “Don’t let me interrupt. I just wanted to chat for a moment.”

“About what?” she moved behind the counter and brought out more plates.

“Right now I’d like to know how you hurt your leg.”

The suspicion in his voice made her heart race.

“Hawk and I were horsing around last night, and I fell and landed on a plate that was on his lap.” That sounded so much better than saying, I was being a brat for my Daddy and I broke a plate.”

“Did you need stitches?”

“Four, from what I hear,” she said. “Two of Hawk’s brothers came over. They’re vets. Cheaper than going to the emergency room. I owe them free donuts for a month.”

The ranger chuckled. “Interesting. You don’t know how many stitches they gave you?”

“I fainted at the sight of the blood. I don’t do blood.”

“Good to know.” He rolled his bottle of water between his hands.

Jessica turned toward the cakes, then whirled back around. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re really here.”

“Fair enough.” He opened his water and took a big swig. “Grant Dobbs tells me you hated his mother since the day the two of you met.”

“Hate is a very strong word.” Jessica went back behind the counter, poured herself a diet soda, then sat down across from the ranger. “Matilda Dobbs let me know from the first day I met her that I wasn’t good enough for her son.”

It didn’t surprise her that Grant was trying to make her look bad. He hadn’t taken their break-up well.

“How long were you engaged?” Willis asked.

“About four months,” she said. “We met in Dallas, at a bar. He lived in Bringham where he was expected to take over the family business.”

“And