A Baby Under the Tree by Judy Duarte Page A

members who’d converged upon the house for Becky’s first communion. He’d been surrounded by his nieces and nephews, who had spread their sleeping bags all over the floor.
    The kids had gotten up at the crack of dawn, so he’d merely put his pillow over his head to block out the noise and the morning light.
    He had no idea what time it was now—or wherethey’d gone—but thankfully they were all up and at ’em.
    Years ago, he’d thought that the old sofa was pretty comfortable, but he’d awakened with a crick in his neck this morning, which left him ready to snap at anyone or anything that crossed his path.
    Okay, so it was more than a few aches and pains that had him out of sorts. He was flat-out disappointed that he hadn’t been invited to stay with Jillian last night, although he had no one to blame but himself.
    She’d struggled with the decision to send him on his way. He’d seen it in her eyes, heard it in her passion-laced voice.
    If there’d ever been a couple who’d been sexually compatible, it was the two of them. So it wouldn’t have taken much effort on his part to convince her to change her mind.
    But the truth of the matter was that she was coming off a recent divorce, which meant that she was vulnerable—maybe even more than most women might be. She hadn’t had to come out and say that, either. He’d seen that in her eyes, as well.
    Only a jerk would have taken advantage of her, which was what he’d told himself last night while his conscience had warred with his libido.
    â€œI’m on the rebound,” she’d said. “And you might be, too.”
    That hadn’t been entirely true. Shane had gotten over his divorce a long time ago.
    Still, he’d been tempted to suggest that they put another temporary balm on two grieving hearts, althoughhe’d decided against it. Why jump into anything when the future was so questionable?
    Besides, if she ever came out to Brighton Valley, which was becoming home to him, she’d probably go into culture shock.
    Of course, he’d been more than a little surprised to find her living in a modest apartment, instead of something ritzy. Especially since her jewelry and designer clothes suggested that she belonged in a much nicer place—and in a better part of town.
    So what was with that?
    He supposed it made sense that she would move closer to the university she planned to attend, but wouldn’t she be happier in an upscale neighborhood?
    Or had she entered El Jardin that day primed and looking for a man who had money?
    Shane didn’t like that particular train of thought. Had he been wrong about her?
    Before he could give it any real consideration, Jack’s six-year-old son ran up to him. “Hey, Uncle Shane. Can I come out to your ranch someday and ride a horse? My dad said he’d take me out there, if it’s okay with you.”
    Shane didn’t mind having Jack and his family come to Brighton Valley. It might even be fun to show them around and make a day of it. “It’s not my ranch, Evan. But I can arrange a visit and a horseback ride.”
    â€œCool! I’ll tell my dad you said it was all right. Woohoo!”
    With that, the boy dashed off, whooping it up.
    Shane liked kids; he really did. But sometimes it was tough being around his nieces and nephews, especiallywhen he couldn’t help thinking that Joey would be four now and running around with them.
    Using his fingers, he kneaded the stiff and sore muscles in his neck.
    Once he’d attended that first communion and given his niece the charm bracelet he’d bought, he’d be history—and headed back to Brighton Valley.
    In the meantime, after folding up the blanket he’d used last night, he went into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. There, he found his mom alone, standing over the stove and flipping hotcakes.
    â€œWhy are you doing all the work?” he asked