The Cowboy's Forever Family. Deb Kastner

scowled. The least she could do was show a little bit of gratitude, but no. She was ridiculing him, pressing down on his male ego, which was aching to spring back into action and snap back at her.

      “My tea went down the wrong pipe,” she informed him, pursing her lips. “I didn’t need your help, thank you. Now, what is this about making me a doctor’s appointment?”

      He clenched his jaw. He was about to tell her to forget the whole thing, seeing as she didn’t think she needed his help, but he couldn’t very well turn his back on Brody’s baby, no matter how downright crazy the kid’s mother made him.

      “You happen to be especially blessed today,” he informed her, not caring if his tone was cold. She was lucky he didn’t just walk out right now. “Since Dr. D. is the only doctor in town, she’s usually booked for weeks in advance, barring emergencies. Providentially, she had a cancellation for this morning. I convinced her to take that time to see you.”

      Laney’s brow lowered. She appeared undecided. “I do need to be under a doctor’s care for the duration of my pregnancy,” she admitted, sounding as if she were saying the words against her better judgment.

      Her expression was cringe-worthy, and once again Slade experienced the strong urge to simply get up and walk away. She didn’t need to look as if she was getting a tooth pulled when he was doing her a favor.

      “You need to get dressed, then,” he reminded her. “We have a half hour before we have to be there for your appointment. It’s only a five minute drive to Main Street where her office is located, but I don’t know how long it takes you to do—whatever it is that women need to do to be ready to go out.”

      She laughed. He raised a brow, but she only shook her head.

      What had he said that was so funny?

      Women. He’d never understand them and, frankly, he didn’t even want to try. Especially this one.

      If it weren’t for Brody’s baby, he’d be out of there so fast Laney’s head would spin. It was asking a lot just for him to be in the same room with her, but for Brody’s kid, Slade would grit his teeth and try to get through it.

      “I’m a wash and wear kind of girl,” she informed him, tossing her hair over her shoulder with an animated flip of her hand which to Slade felt like a major brush-off. “I’ll be ready in five. And I’m going to ignore the fact that you just tried to order me around again.”

      His gaze widened and he hoped he wasn’t gaping.

      “But don’t do it again.”

      * * *

      “Baby is growing just exactly like he or she is supposed to be,” Delia informed Laney, who breathed a sigh of relief. She had no reason to believe anything was amiss, but it was still nice to know she and the baby were healthy, especially with Slade breathing down her neck. The man simply didn’t know when to leave well enough alone.

      “You decided not to find out whether it is a boy or girl?” Delia asked as she rolled up her tape measure. “I did the same thing with my son Riley. You don’t get too many pleasant surprises in life. Having a baby is one of the best.”

      “It is,” Laney agreed, tears springing to her eyes as grief clenched her chest so severely that she could not catch a breath. This was a surprise she should have been able to share with her husband.

      Delia was instantly by her side, gripping her hand. “I am so sorry. That was thoughtless of me. I should never—”

      “No. It’s fine.” Laney laid a tender hand on her belly and felt the baby kick. “At least I have a way to honor Brody. His love continues on through this baby, so how could I ever consider Baby Beckett as anything but a blessing?”

      Laney heard a loud thud coming from the waiting room and wondered what Slade was doing that was making so much noise. Probably inadvertently knocking things over with those brawny arms of his like the big boor he was.

      The doctor glanced toward the waiting room and chuckled. “Looks like Baby Beckett is not the only blessing in your life. Slade was pretty insistent you get in to see me sooner rather than later. Thought it was important for you to get the care you need, and if you haven’t yet noticed, he’s pretty persuasive when he needs to be. He’s a good friend to have on your side, that one.”

      Seriously? Delia must be deluded if she thought Slade could be an actual asset as anyone’s friend, most especially hers. He wasn’t insistent. He was downright pushy. And arrogant. His friendship with Brody had led Brody down a destructive path, one that had virtually destroyed her relationship with her spouse. Even if Brody had lived, Laney wasn’t positive her marriage would have survived despite her prayers and her best efforts. Not with Slade’s influence on her husband. Despite the hastiness of their marriage, Laney had been committed to the relationship. But Brody—

      “I guess he’s okay,” she conceded when Delia’s gaze became curious. Okay for what was the real question.

      “I imagine he’s a little overprotective of you and the baby. He and Brody were very close.”

      “I know.”

      “Since they were kids. Those two were inseparable. He took Brody’s death hard—harder than most. I think it’s good for him to have a positive way to direct his energy, looking after Brody’s baby.”

      Was that what Slade was trying to do? Insinuate himself into her life so he could have an influence on her baby?

      That was so not going to happen.

      As if she would ever subject her child to anything more than a bare minimum of time with a womanizing adrenaline junky whose idea of fun was taking crazy risks with his life. Someone with no stability, not to mention his complete lack of understanding when it came to what romantic relationships were all about. He had less sense than the big, shiny belt buckles he wore.

      Not exactly mentor material, and not whom she wanted around her child. She was going to be the best mom she could be to Baby Beckett, and that included avoiding people who clearly wouldn’t be good for the child. Nothing Slade tried, either by being his usual overbearing self or by turning his good looks and charm on her, would change her mind. Thankfully, he had not yet tried the catch-more-flies-with-honey tactic with her, but she knew it to be the key weapon in his arsenal, and she suspected if he couldn’t win one way, he’d try another.

      She’d learned her lesson about falling for easy charm, and she wouldn’t make the same mistake again. She’d once made an impulsive leap into a permanent relationship based on little more than a wink and a grin, but she was no longer that young, foolish woman—and she had a baby to protect.

      Laney heard another thud in the waiting room and Delia excused herself to go investigate. Moments later, Slade appeared in the doorway, his hat clutched in his hand.

      “Is everything all right? You’re okay? The kid’s doing well?”

      If he hadn’t sounded so sincere—worried, even—Laney would have rolled her eyes. As it was, she reluctantly answered his question. “I’m fine. We’re fine.”

      To Laney’s surprise, he sagged in relief. As if he really cared.

      “Did you think there’d be a problem?”

      He shook his head and then, as if changing his mind, he shrugged. “Maybe. Didn’t know all the particulars. Just wanted to get you checked out.”

      “Well, consider me checked. Baby is good to go.” When Slade’s eyes widened, she added, “But not for two months yet.”

      He smiled. It was the first time she’d ever seen him smile—at least the genuine article and not the catching-the-eye-of-the-ladies grin he usually sported. Twin dimples carved deeply into his cheeks. On any other guy the dimples would have made him look boyish, but Slade was all man. Which, to Laney, at least, was one of his biggest shortcomings—among many.

      “What