Having The Cowboy's Baby. Judy Duarte

said, he’d given her his word that he’d sing with her tonight.

      A rush of guilt and regret swept through her, sending her tummy on a roller-coaster ride. Okay, maybe she shouldn’t have pushed him to do something that made him uncomfortable. But it was too late to backpedal now. So she headed to the stage as Ian joined her, his guitar in hand.

      Just as they’d done during their practice sessions on his porch at the ranch, they sang and played their hearts out. And when they were done, the honky-tonk crowd whooped and hollered and cheered.

      This wasn’t the kind of stage Carly had set her sights on, but it certainly was the audience appreciation she’d hoped for. She glanced at Ian, who simply nodded at the crowd, then returned to his seat at the table.

      So much for wishing he’d be inspired by the crowd’s reaction.

      Carly had no more than reached the booth where they’d been sitting earlier when Earl Tellis joined her and Ian.

      “That was amazing. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed hearing you two play and sing. What talent—and you seem to bring out the best in each other.”

      Carly brightened. She’d felt that same chemistry in Ian’s arms as well as on his front porch when they’d sung together. So it was nice to know she wasn’t the only one who’d sensed it. “Why, thank you, Earl.”