Page 240 of Cowboy Daddies

Casey chewed her lip. “Will you tell him? About us?”

“No,” he said sharply.

She veered away from him.

“Sorry.” He ran his hand over his face. “He’s just a kid and I don’t want him to get confused about why you’re here. He might think you’re going to stay or that I’m trying to take you from him or something like that.”

Or that she was trying to replace his mama. Casey nodded. “I think that’s smart.”

“You do?” he asked, sounding surprised. “I thought that might have offended you.”

Casey shook her head. “I don’t want to upset Wyatt. He’s my friend. I don’t want him to think I’m trying to replace Elise.”

Jeb looked relieved as he nodded. Then he set her on her feet. “Be back in a moment.”

For a long while she just stood there. Then she realized that she had to move. She rushed into the attached bathroom to get ready.

When she finished she headed back into the bedroom and climbed onto the large bed.

This room was so cozy and sweet with the quilted bedspread in cheerful green, red, and cream. The big, overstuffed velvet armchair in blue.

And a green-and-cream-colored rug on the floor. It should have been too much together. Yet it all kind of worked.

Should she get Mr. Pickles out? She kept him in the closet during the day. Not that she thought anyone would come in here and see him. And even if they did, they probably wouldn’t say anything.

Feeling nervous, she reached into the nightstand and grabbed a lollipop. A hit of sugar always made her feel better.

She popped a strawberry-flavored one into her mouth and let out a small sigh of pleasure.

“What do you think you are doing?” Jeb demanded as he walked into the room.

Casey jumped in surprise, then drew it out of her mouth. “Nothing. Why?”

“Do you think it’s a good idea to have sugar before bed? After you’ve brushed your teeth?”

Umm.

“Yes?” She put the lollipop back into her mouth.

He raised his eyebrows. “Really? You think it’s smart?”

“Well, obviously you don’t.”

“No, I don’t.” Walking forward, Jeb held out his hand. “Spit it out.”

“But what will you do with it?” she asked. Did he just want it for himself? She had plenty more lollipops. He could have one if he wanted.

“Throw it out.”

Casey gasped in shock. “But that’s a terrible waste of a lollipop!”

“Little girl. Spit it out now. Or you’re going to be given a consequence.”

That was rude.

“A consequence?” she whispered.

“Yes. A punishment.”