The Cowboy's Convenient Bride
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She was putting the flannel cloth back into the diaper bag when a soft tap sounded on the door. “Come in,” she called quietly. She expected it to be Chelsea, so she was surprised to see Tanner poke his head inside.
“Is everything okay in here?”
She laughed. “I’m put back together, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He stepped inside, and she laughed again at the relief that relaxed his facial muscles. “Chelsea mentioned that...” His cheeks colored. “Well. That you might want a different shirt. I went to the department store and bought you something,” he said, and she thought he looked rather bashful admitting it. He handed her a small bag.
She reached inside and took out a black T-shirt in what appeared to be the right size. “Chelsea said that?”
He nodded. “Yeah. She’s a nice girl. She...well, never mind. She said a medium would probably fit you.”
“You bought me a shirt?”
“Well, your other one was... You know.”
“Stained with breast milk?”
He blushed deeper.
She sighed. “Tanner, that was really sweet of you. I’m sorry if I was too blunt. I honestly think that once you have a baby you kind of give up on maintaining any sense of dignity. Stuff just happens.” The wonder of being a mom was sometimes tempered with a direct hit to a woman’s vanity.
He smiled. “Hell, Laura, I was in the ambulance that day. I think that ship sailed a long time ago.”
Yes, he had been. He’d held her hand, breathed with her, checked on her progress. Just as any ambulance attendant would have. Except...she vaguely remembered pleading with him to stay with her. She’d felt so alone, so afraid, so...adrift. Without an anchor to keep her steady and hold her fast. And he’d stayed, she remembered. He’d held her hand and encouraged her to push and told her how great she was doing.
Then he’d disappeared. He’d done his job and gone above and beyond, but that was all it was. His job.
Buying her a T-shirt was not his job. And neither was boosting her car or finding her a private spot to nurse her baby. Tanner wasn’t just a good EMT. He was a good man, too.
“This really was very thoughtful.” She met his gaze. “And I should get out there. My grandfather is probably having a canary by now.”
“I actually looked after that, too. He was grumbling, so I told him to head home. I told him I’d bring you along when you were ready.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I hope he didn’t lie when he said he still has his license.”
“He does. But he only drives in Gibson. Ever since his accident last year, he doesn’t like going on the highways or driving in the city.”
“Which is why you went to the hospital today.”
“Exactly. He’s aged a lot since the accident. And he relies so much on my gram that I thought it would just be easier having him at my place for a few weeks.”
He must have sensed some hesitation in her voice, because he raised his eyebrows. “And has it been? Easier?”
She sighed. “I wish. I feel pretty inadequate most of the time. Suzie Homemaker I’m not.”
“Charlie’s old school. Hell, you’re supporting yourself and your kid. You can’t do everything.”
She knew he meant the words to be encouraging, but instead she ended up feeling a familiar dissatisfaction. This wasn’t what she’d wanted her life to look like. How had she gotten so off track?
“Anyway, if you’re ready to go, I’ll drive the two of you home.”
Laura swallowed. Gramps was probably put out by the whole thing and now she’d ended up inconveniencing Tanner, too, who probably had things to do. “I’ll be right out. I just need to change.” She pushed herself up off the couch, but the busted springs meant it took her three tries. By the end of it, she was trying not to laugh, because Rowan was peaceful in her arms and Laura didn’t want to disturb her.
“Here,” he said gently, and reached for Rowan. “I’ll hold her. And I’ll turn around.”
As carefully as if he were holding glass, he took Rowan and tucked her into his arms. She looked so small there. Small and safe.
Just as he’d promised, he turned his back to her. Laura quickly unbuttoned her blouse, took the tag off the T-shirt and pulled it over her head. It was a little too big, but she was okay with that. The soft cotton was comfortable, and the black wouldn’t show any lingering moisture. She wondered if he’d thought of that when he picked it out. She doubted it. Guys weren’t generally that astute.
But then, Tanner was different. She’d known that for a long time.
“Thanks,” she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “The shirt’s great. Where’s the receipt? I’d like to pay you back.”
Tanner turned back around, his eyebrows puckered in the middle. “Pay me back? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just a cheap shirt. An emergency shirt.” Again the impish gleam lit his eyes. “Come on. My truck’s out front.”
“Can I ask one more favor?” It was late in the afternoon. Laura had planned to be home earlier, and was tired from the running around. She really needed to put in a couple of hours on the computer tonight. “Could we make a quick stop at the grocery store? I think I’ll grab one of those rotisserie chickens from the deli section.”
He chuckled, and she sent him a dark look. “Not one word about my cooking.”
She took Rowan from him and then swung the diaper bag over her shoulder.
“You’re really good to him, you know. He loves you a lot. I could tell.”
Laura knew it was true, and sometimes it was the only thing that kept her in Gibson. “He and Gram have been very good to me, too.” She wanted to say how grateful she was that they’d never thrown the rumors in her face, but she didn’t want to open that can of worms with Tanner. “It’s the least I can do. That’s not to say I won’t try to save my sanity where I can.” She grinned. “And save him from an ulcer.”
He laughed again and she realized she liked the sound of it. It was happy and carefree, two things she hadn’t been in quite some time.
“The grocery store it is.”
They were walking through the diner when she realized the car seat had been in her car. “Tanner? I forgot her car seat. Oh no...”
Tanner walked ahead and opened the door. “I put it in my truck. I don’t have a clue how to fasten it in, but it’s there.”
Relief rushed through her. Gramps fussed and went on about how in his day people simply carried babies on their laps, but she would never do that with Rowan. She needed to be buckled in securely. Safe. Protected.