One More Night by Mysty McPartland Page B

to work it out in his head when the door swung open, and one look of the devastation on Cooper's face answered the question that hovered on the tip of his tongue. “So, what do you want to do now?”
    Shaken, Cooper collapsed onto the closest chair and rubbed at her brow. Nate's questions buzzing through her brain. What to do? She could help raise her sister's child, or she could get the lying snake to marry Sandie. The only two possibilities were disastrous. She could barely keep up with things now, what with her hours at the clinic and watching over Sandie, it left very little time to herself.
    A snort ripped out of her as she thought of what a great job she did looking after Sandie. She failed miserably and her shoulders sagged . The second choice wasn't much better to her way of thinking. A man who lied to seduce an innocent young woman wasn't the type of man she wanted for her sister. Defeated, she could only shake her head. “I don't know. At the moment I don't have any idea how to handle this situation.”
    Silently Nate watched her, and he actually felt sorry for her when he saw how the problem seemed to have conquered her. He straightened up and pulled out the chair beside her, and sat down. His hand reached for hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “There's only one solution to the problem,” when she turned up her gaze to his, he smiled reassuringly. "They'll get married."
    Oh how simple he thought it would be, Cooper thought, but she knew it wouldn't be. She pulled her hand free from his and clutched them together under the table. “And you think your cousin would be good husband material after lying like he did?” she shook her head, and she grew angry. “Besides my sister has a few mental problems and constantly needs watching. I really don't think your illustrious cousin would be up to the task.” She finally finished snidely.
    Mental problems, ah hell. Nate wiped the palm of his hand over his face while he tried to think of a reasonable solution out of this blasted mess. “Explain your sister's problems.”
    The rough tone of his voice stiffened her spine. “Because my mother drank heavily through her pregnancy while carrying my sister, Sandie has suffered some brain damage. Not drastic, but it takes some time for her to understand things and she needs constant supervision,” her eyes dropped, and guiltily she twisted her hands in her lap. “I'm afraid I failed miserably and now I don't have a clue what to do.”
    Nate wanted to take her in his arms, but he suspected that if he showed her the slightest bit of sympathy, she would bite his head off. He leaned back in his chair and contemplated the top of her head. “If you say she has only a mild case of brain damage, I don't see any problem with them getting married.”
    Her head snapping up, she eyed him with suspicion. “Oh yeah, right. As soon as the ceremony is over the lying coyote would probably run and never be seen again.”
    His lips twitched, but he managed to contain his smile. “Let me assure you that he won't run. I'll make damn sure he doesn't. The little weasel will do the right thing, or he'll wish he did. Now I think I better hit the road. I'll ring you some time during the week and let you know when we'll be down.” He pushed himself up on his feet, and headed for the door. No purpose in staying any longer and yet, he found himself reluctant to go at all.
    Damn it, what was the matter with him, silently swearing he did up his shirt tucked it in to his jeans and picked up his bag. He didn't turn around when he heard her behind him, instead he opened the front door and stepped outside and headed for his car. Halfway down the path he came to an abrupt stop when her smart mouth words reached him.
    “I'll give you the results of the tests I ran on myself yesterday when you ring. I'm sure you'll be eager for the results just as much as I am.” For some reason unknown even to herself, Cooper wanted to lash out at him.
    His teeth