I’m going to be any good to Sharon Lynn, I’ll have to do okay.”
“For someone who just arrived in town, you’ve been very kind to her.”
He had the feeling there was both concern and surprise behind the statement. “She matters to me,” he said simply.
Dani’s eyes widened a bit. “You really mean that, don’t you? It’s not all about the baby, is it?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s not all about the baby.”
She smiled slowly. “Life’s funny, isn’t it? Sometimes love smacks us between the eyes when we least expect it.” She stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “You’ll be good for her, I think. Good luck. You’re going to need it. It won’t be easy convincing her to take another chance with her heart, especially not if she’s lost the baby, too.”
“Easy doesn’t matter. It’s the result that counts.”
She laughed. “You’ll do just fine, Cord Branson. No wonder Grandpa Harlan’s already given you his stamp of approval. With that, you don’t need to worry much about the rest of us. We usually fall into line eventually. As for Sharon Lynn, she desperately needs someone like you in her life, whether she’s ready to acknowledge that yet or not.”
After Dani had gone, Cord drew in a deep breath, then forced himself to walk into the bedroom to check on Sharon Lynn. She was standing beside the portable crib, gazing down at the sleeping baby with tears tracking down her cheeks. He moved up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back against him with a sigh.
There was no need for words. They were both thinking the same thing, terrified by the same fear. When the knock came on the front door, she trembled violently, then turned to gaze at him with wide, vulnerable eyes.
“It’ll be Justin,” she said.
He paused and brushed away her tears, fought against the sting of his own, then took her hand. “Then let’s go see what he has to say.”
The knocking turned into a pounding before they could move.
“I suppose there’s no choice,” she said ruefully. “He’s not going to go away, not with lights blazing all over the house to tell him I’m here.”
When they reached the living room, Cord suggested she go and make a pot of coffee while he got the door. “Something tells me it’s going to be a long night.”
As if he’d given her a much-wanted reprieve, she fled toward the kitchen. He opened the door and faced Justin’s scowling expression.
“What the hell took so long?” he demanded, brushing past Cord. “Where’s Sharon Lynn?”
His attitude was every bit as suspicious now as it had been on Sunday. Harlan Adams, Dani and a few others might be willing to trust Cord’s motives, but Justin was a sheriff through and through. He obviously wanted a lot more information before he fully trusted Cord.
Cord gave him a wry smile. “I haven’t locked her away in the attic. She’s in the kitchen making coffee. I wanted a minute alone with you.” He searched the other man’s expression. “Is it bad news?”
Justin’s temper seemed to ease at the question. “Depends on your point of view.”
“Dammit, man, don’t play games with something like this. A baby’s life is at stake.”
Justin brushed his hand over his short-cropped hair, then sighed. “I’m not here to take her away,” he said at last. “That’s all I can promise for now.”
Cord saw that Justin was every bit as tormented by the circumstances as they were. “Then we’ll have to be grateful for that for the moment.”
Sharon Lynn stepped to the kitchen doorway. “Justin?”
“I’m here, sweetie. I hear you’ve got coffee brewing. I could sure use a cup. It’s been a long day.”
Cord followed him through the dining room and into the kitchen. Sharon Lynn cast a quick look at him, searching for answers. He gave her what he hoped was a quick, reassuring nod. That sent her gaze straight back to her cousin.
“Justin?”
“Have a seat,” he said as he grabbed a mug from the cupboard and filled it with coffee. “Cord, can I pour you a cup?”
“Sure.”
“Sharon Lynn?”
“Justin, please,” she pleaded. “I don’t care about the blasted coffee. I need to know what you found out.”
Justin still took his own sweet time getting to it. He handed Cord his coffee, then sat down opposite Sharon Lynn. Cord stood just behind him, his back braced against the counter where he could keep a close watch on Sharon Lynn’s face.