The Cowboy's Forever Family by Deb Kastner Page B

he could get. “Glad to be of service.”
    Cup O’ Jo’s was only a block and a half away from the stable. Laney insisted they walk. She had kept herself in very good shape for a seriously pregnant woman. As he recalled, she’d always been slim, with just the right amount of curves. Her baby bump simply added one more. But even if she was in the best shape of her life, Slade wasn’t entirely convinced she ought to be straining herself, as far along as she was.
    He focused on keeping his own stride short and his pace slow. Their walk was made in an uneasy silence. He didn’t want to bring up anything that might send them down the path of a serious conversation, even about the ranching business—not when he knew they’d be interrupted the moment they walked into the café. He didn’t want to get into it and then have to drop it—whatever
it
was.
    He’d never been good at making small talk. Thankfully, Laney didn’t seem to mind the silence, though it hung over Slade like a rain cloud. With his concentrating on keeping their walk to a painfully slow pace, it felt like forever before they reached the café, though it had probably been only a few minutes.
    â€œI’m going to go use the facilities to wash up,” he said as they entered Cup O’ Jo’s. “I smell like cattle.”
    â€œYes. Yes you do,” Laney said with a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
    She didn’t have to agree with him.
    â€œShoo, cowboy.” Jo Spencer, the vivacious old redhead who owned the café, bobbed up to them and immediately took over the conversation. “Go clean yourself up and I’ll seat this pretty lady. Laney, isn’t it?”
    Laney’s gaze widened and Slade interpreted the surprised glance she flashed him as a moment of panic.
    Once again he hadn’t thought all the way through his actions. He hadn’t considered the café scenario any more than he’d worked the bull-riding situation to its logical end. Laney was Brody’s widow, and pregnant, to boot. Even though Slade knew his neighbors were the best kind of folks, they were bound to talk about her. If Laney wasn’t used to small-town living, then how would she feel when a complete stranger knew her name?
    He needed to reassure her that all was well, and so he threw what he hoped looked like a friendly arm over her shoulder and drew her toward him so he could speak to her without being overheard. He was happy for the blaring fifties music and the hum of the crowd that helped drown out his words.
    â€œDon’t worry, princess. Jo may come off as a little domineering, invading your personal space and all, but she’s harmless enough. She makes it her business to know everything about everyone. Super nice, though. You won’t find a better person in the whole town.”
    She clearly hadn’t anticipated his move and braced her hand on his chest to catch her balance, and then stood on tiptoe so she could whisper back to him.
    â€œJo’s not the domineering one in this scenario.” Her eyes were blazing and he realized once again he hadn’t given her enough credit. Brody might not even have realized it during his whirlwind romance with the woman, but Laney was as strong as they came. Little minx was a regular spitfire.
    He bent his head when she tugged on his shirt, apparently not quite finished with what she had to say.
    â€œAnd don’t call me princess.”
    * * *
    Laney guessed from the way the voices of the patrons in the café tapered off and then swelled again that she was the new topic of conversation in the room, but it didn’t really bother her. She didn’t feel particularly self-conscious, especially after several people, including the cook and his wife, came by her table to introduce themselves. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming.
    She didn’t know what Slade had been worried about. There was a