His Wyoming Baby Blessing. Jill Kemerer

She was too much trouble for him. Just like she’d been for Cam.

      She let out a loud sigh.

      “What’s wrong?” He folded the menu and placed it on the table.

      “Nothing.”

      “I know better. That sound was not nothing.”

      “I guess I’m disappointed.” She set her menu on top of his. “I thought this would be the perfect solution.”

      His eyebrows formed a V as he nodded.

      “And the only hotel I’m considering is the last one we visited.”

      “The room was small.”

      “I don’t need much space.” It was true. She didn’t. But it didn’t have the porch and the view she’d enjoyed all week.

      “Listen, I’ve been thinking.” He leaned forward, clasping his hands and resting his forearms on the table. His baby blues captured hers. A girl could get lost for days in those eyes. “I know you want to be close to the hospital. But you’re not due for months. Sweet Dreams has a medical clinic. I’m sure they have a baby doctor. And if they don’t, any of the other neighboring towns must have at least one among them.”

      She could see where he was going with this, and the gesture was so wonderful, she almost started to cry again.

      “I think you should put the hotel idea on hold for now. Just stay in my cabin. You liked it there. I could tell. You look more rested, and your color’s back. It’s good for the baby.”

      A lump grew in her throat, and she ducked her chin to keep a lid on her emotions.

      “You want what’s best for the little guy. The air, the rest, the peace of my land does you good. And if it does you good, then it’s surely doing the baby good, too.”

      Her thoughts exactly. The fact he was being so tender with her when she knew he’d itched to take charge all day made her feel small. He’d been amazing from the minute she arrived on his ranch, and here he was, sacrificing his time to give her the support she needed.

      “I don’t know what to say, Wade. Thank you. I was trying to figure out how to tell you I wanted to come back with you, but I feel so bad about wasting your time.”

      “You aren’t wasting my time. I needed to be here.”

      Kit regarded him thoughtfully. She’d never forgotten what he’d told her about his mother disappearing years ago. Maybe he was worried the same thing would happen to Kit.

      “I will be all right on my own, you know,” she said gently. “I would have been alone no matter what. The day I found out I was pregnant was the day Cam died.”

      “Oh.” He blinked.

      “He wanted a divorce, and I thought the baby would change his mind. When it didn’t, I screamed things at him, terrible, awful things.”

      The way his mouth dropped open, she guessed he was trying to process everything.

      “I’m the reason Cam is dead.”

      “That’s crazy,” he said. “He had a heart attack.”

      “Because of me. I’ve never lost control like that. I yelled the most hateful things... He slammed out the door. And had a heart attack a few hours later.”

      “Kit...you weren’t responsible—”

      “Yes, I was. He would not have had the heart attack if I hadn’t been so angry. I would take back every horrible thing I said if I could.”

      “We all get angry. We all yell nasty things.”

      “I shouldn’t have done it. I knew better.” She felt steady now. She could see it all clearly. “The girl you grew up with doesn’t exist anymore. She might not have ever existed.”

      “The Kit I grew up with is sitting right in front of me.” His eyes blazed with intensity. “You didn’t kill your husband.”

      “Only you would say that. You always saw the best in me. But I’m asking you not to. See the real me. No illusions.”

      “I see the real you. I wonder if you do.” The words were quiet, sincere. “I’m taking you home.”

      Home. The word swamped her with relief. Maybe Wade didn’t get it, but right now she didn’t care.

      “You’ll see things more clearly when you’ve had some time to rest and move forward. And I don’t care what you say or how you try to convince me you’re some horrible person. You’re not.”

      Some of the bricks she’d mortared over her heart tumbled down, but there wasn’t much she could do about it now. The man sitting before her would be terribly easy to fall in love with.

      And then she’d be right back to square one.

      Every time she gave her heart away, eventually it was tossed back to her, bloody and damaged.

      “And before we head back, we’re driving to the apartment of yours to make sure it’s in a safe location.” He picked his menu back up. “Don’t argue with me. It’s nonnegotiable.”

      She’d just have to get another pile of bricks.

      Living on his ranch for another month would be worth it.