Redheaded Stranger: A Cowboy Love Story (Bluebonnet, Texas) by Amie Stuart Page B

kitchen, her eyes glued to the back door as she took a seat.
    "I know a lot of Hawaiian words," I said with a smile.
    "Where is he?" Delaney finally asked, referring to Alex.
    "Out with the baby." Maggie gave her a reassuring smile.
    "He took Darrach for a ride," I added.
    Her shoulders slumped in relief. "I can’t believe he’s a dad. Of course, I can’t believe anyone married him. No offense—" she added, glancing my way, "—you seem nice."
    Her words made me sad, and yes, they also stung. "To be honest, I am offended. Alex is a good father, a good provider and a good husband." Delaney’s cheeks turned red, but I didn’t let that stop me. Despite my troubles with my husband, he was my husband. "You know, my parents didn’t want me to marry him. We’d only known each other four months, and they said it was too soon. But when Alex makes up his mind about something, that’s it. He’s determined. It’s a part of what makes him so good at his job, but his hardheadedness is also why we’re here. So, yes , changing his mind about anything is difficult. Changing his mind about you? Even more so. That’s why I left him like I did. Because I knew that coming here was the only way to start mending this rift in your family.
    "Alex didn’t come here for me. Don’t get me wrong, he loves me. I know he does. But he came here for Darrach, because he’d move heaven and Earth for our son. He always has and he always will. And it’s one of the things I love about him."
    Delaney stood for a moment, eyes downcast, and then quietly left the room. Even Rene stayed silent, something I was learning was not her usual thing.
    "Sorry, Maggie, for upsetting her. I know Alex has his faults, but he’s my husband."
    "No apologies are necessary."
    "So—" Rene leaned forward, fingers wrapped around her mug of coffee, "—about those cuss words..."

Chapter Seven: Alex
    A lex knew he couldn’t keep Darrach out much longer, but he wasn’t ready to head back in. Usually it was the three of them, so he didn't get a lot of alone time with his son. He talked, pointing out mesquite, pecan, and huge old live oaks. Occasionally they’d spot a squirrel, late to gather pecans. When they found the cows huddled in the dry creek bottoms, Darrach oohed and struggled for freedom while a grinning Alex tightened his grip on his son. He was glad he’d won that fight with his dad.
    With each step the horse took, the knot of tension between Alex's shoulders slowly unwound itself. A knot he hadn’t realized was there. When was the last time he rode a horse? He couldn’t even recall. He might hate the smell of cow shit, but he’d missed the smell of saddle leather. He liked being out here with only his son. It just felt right. As mad as he was at Kei for forcing him to come home for Christmas, he wouldn’t have missed this moment with his son for anything. He sat and soaked up the almost complete silence, broken only by the sound of wind rattling dry dead leaves, cows and saddle horses moving around. Even Darrach stilled for a bit, leaning against him.
    Alex didn’t bother turning around at the creak of a saddle and the jingle of a bridle, but the moment, whatever it had been, was over.
    "Huh, so that’s your boy?" Ty maneuvered Dancer around and came up next to him.
    He couldn’t help but feel a bit irritated at the invasion of his privacy, but then, he knew if it hadn’t been Ty, it would have been his dad. And yes, it was awkward sitting there with his son on his lap while knowing his brother had recently lost a child. "Yup."
    "Bettina said you came by last night."
    "I did."
    Darrach mewled. Soon he’d have to take him in.
    "It’s okay, son." He leaned over and kissed the top of his head, tightening his arms around him.
    "Gimme five, man." Ty held out a gloved hand, palm up as Darrach glanced up at his father, unsure of what to do or who the strange person in front of him was. Normally an outgoing baby, the last twenty-four hours of upheaval