The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown Page A

or a nickname like Buddy or Little Man.
    Lucas opened the back door and two cows were right there. One was on the porch and
     immediately stuck her head in the door and looked around until she caught sight of
     Joshua, then be damned if that critter didn’t smile.
    Natalie shooed at it with a tea towel. “What the hell? Do you let cows in the house?”
    “Never known them to do that before.” Lucas grabbed the heifer by the ears and pushed,
     but the other cow had her head up and was telling the whole world that she was not
     moving.
    “First dogs and now cows. Are you sure these animals aren’t used to coming in the
     house?” Natalie asked.
    “Hell, no! Shit, I don’t know what’s wrong with them. Move along now, you stupid…”
     Lucas yelled.
    He couldn’t get the cows out, but somehow three puppies ran through their legs and
     into the house, headed straight for Josh, tumbling over their big paws and growling
     at each other on the way.
    The baby kicked and cooed at them just like the last time, but this time the runt
     grabbed the toes of one of his socks and pulled until it came off. Joshua wiggled
     his toes and thought the whole fiasco was something funny.
    Natalie picked up the baby and the puppies stayed so close to her that she had to
     be careful or she would have tripped.
    “Damn dogs and cows,” Lucas growled. “I wish I was back in Kuwait.”
    “Temper, temper!” Natalie scolded. “Are those old cows that maybe missed you while
     you were gone? Or else they got into the yard and think this is the barn. And these
     puppies have taken up with me since I’ve been here. That’s why they keep running toward
     the house. You just need to get their pen fixed better.”
    “They’re just cows, Natalie. I don’t know why they’re trying to get in the house,
     but there’s no way they can get any more than their heads through the door. And I
     may give every one of those pups away to the nearest neighbor whether he wants them
     or not.”
    Natalie finally reached the door. “Look, baby boy. Grandma never let a cow in the
     house, but they do here.”
    “I told you…” Lucas started but stopped when the cow sniffed at Joshua and then backed
     out of the door. She swiftly traded places with the other heifer, which poked her
     head in the door, sniffed the baby, and then contentedly backed down the steps.
    “I’ll be damned.” Lucas scratched his head.
    “It made Joshua smile and coo. I think he liked the cows. I know he likes the puppies,
     but you better get them out of here because they’re stealing toys and socks.”
    “Come on, you mangy rascals.” Lucas gathered them all up in his big arms and disappeared
     out into the snow. “I’ve still got to go see what’s going on in the north pasture.
     We’ll be in at dinner if not before. Must be this storm that’s got everything spooked,”
     he said.
    She was folding a load of baby clothes that she’d tossed in the washer after the men
     had all cleared out that morning when her phone rang. The ring tone said that it was
     her Aunt Leah, and she answered on the second ring.
    “Are you on the way? Are the roads slick?” Leah asked.
    “No, I’m not on the way. The roads are slick and it’s still coming down. He came home
     last night.” Natalie put a cup of water into the microwave for hot tea as she talked.
    “And?”
    “It was very awkward.”
    “I told you to tell him about Joshua.”
    “I know, and he was very angry, but we’ve talked today and I’m staying. I promised
     Hazel that I’d stay until Christmas. How long can you hold off the army?”
    “I don’t know. Debra called all worked up because Joshua really smiled and she didn’t
     get to see it and she asked me if I’d seen it yet and made me promise to take pictures
     of the two of you and send to her. Now how are we going to handle that one? If you
     send photos, she’ll be able to tell from the background that they damn sure aren’t
     in my house,”