The Texan's Surprise Son

“Thanks.”

The house wasn’t huge, but comfortable and tastefully decorated. Also tidy. Tidier even than her house. Seems Jacob was Mr. Homemaker.

Yeah, well, wait till Cody worked his toddler magic. She considered warning Jacob to enjoy the clean while it lasted.

All at once, Cody squealed with delight. Pulling his hand free of Mariana’s, he scrambled toward the table and what lay beneath it. “Puppy, puppy.”

It was then Mariana spotted the dog. “Cody, come back.” She flung herself forward, arms outstretched. For all she knew, the dog was a vicious brute.

“It’s okay,” Jacob said. “Buster’s used to kids.”

The dog raised his head to stare at Cody, who dropped to his hands and knees in order to crawl between the chairs.

“Are you sure?” Mariana fretted, ready to put herself between her nephew and any danger.

“He’s a retired show dog. Buster’s given more than two thousand performances all over the country. Mostly at rodeos and fund-raisers. But also schools and children’s wards at hospitals.”

As Mariana watched, Buster gave Cody’s face a thorough licking. The boy went insane with happiness and launched into a rapid-fire, one-sided conversation only he could understand.

“What exactly does a show dog do?” she asked, her eyes still glued on Cody.

“Tricks. I’ll show you after dinner.” Jacob reached into the cupboard for plates. “Though his repertoire isn’t what it used to be. Buster’s lost almost all his hearing.”

“He doesn’t look old.”

“He’s not really. Only eight. Just one of those things.” Flatware and salad bowls accompanied the plates. “I’m friends with his former owner and handler. Met the guy years ago on the circuit. He has a new dog now and travels a lot. Buster was left home alone.”

“You travel a lot,” Mariana commented.

“This year, I have. The girl next door watches Buster. Sometimes I think he loves her more than me.”

A two-year-old boy wasn’t like a dog. He couldn’t leave Cody in the neighbor girl’s care when he went on the road.

Mariana concentrated on slowing her thoughts. Just because she and Cody were there was no reason to jump to conclusions. Jacob hadn’t mentioned anything about custody.

He opened the oven door and removed a steaming casserole pan. “I fixed chicken. Figured everyone likes that. Am I wrong?”

“Cody loves chicken, though he needs his portion cut into bite-size pieces.”

He set the platter in the center of the table. There were also chunks of roasted potatoes and carrots in with the chicken. “Come and get it.”

“Afraid I’m not much of a cook.”

“Maybe over dinner you can tell me what you are good at.” He flashed her a smile, this time a genuine one. Mariana’s heart went pitter-patter.

To hide her disconcertment, she stooped down and retrieved Cody from beneath the table. He refused at first and started screaming, “Puppy, puppy.”

Before she could have a little talk with him, Jacob said, “Come here, Buster,” and slapped his thigh.

Instantly, the dog sprang to his feet and ambled over to Jacob. Cody chased after him and was caught by Mariana.

Show-off, she thought. Aloud, she said, “I didn’t bring his high chair.”

“What about a stack of phone books?”

“I don’t know. Cody can be squiggly and wiggly.”

He made a liar of her. Next to the dog, sitting at the table with the adults was the obvious highlight of his day. He also ate all his food and drank all his milk, copying Jacob.

Mariana didn’t know whether to be glad or annoyed. She’d been outdone by a complete novice.

What other surprises did he have in store for her? Something told her Jacob was full of them.

Chapter Three (#ulink_da62d3a4-1472-54f1-b882-1273c0d2c430)

“Would you like to see the outside?” Jacob gestured toward the French doors leading to the back patio.

“Sure.” Mariana smiled politely.

He hadn’t yet broached the subject of visitation, wanting to ease into it. A tour of the house seemed like a good starting point. As they’d gone from room to room he felt like a private standing nervously by while the general conducted his inspection. She seemed satisfied, other than the fact that he was lacking child protection devices. A lot of them, apparently. Outlet covers. Cabinet locks. Baby gates. The list went on and on.

She’d assured him all the items needed could be easily purchased and installed. If he didn’t have the time, a service could be hired to handle it.

A service? Jacob was impressed. What will they think of next?

He flipped on the patio light, and Mariana stepped outside. Her gaze traveled the yard.

“No pool,” she said with obvious relief.

“I’ve been considering putting one in.” At her horrified gasp, he asked, “Don’t kids like pools?”

“Toddlers should never be around water.”

“I guess I can wait a few years.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Man, she was obsessive-compulsive where Cody was concerned. Or he was completely ignorant when it came to young children.

Okay, guilty as charged. And given that Leah had recently passed, Mariana’s overreacting really wasn’t unreasonable.

The subject of their discussion was still enamored with Buster and paying no attention to the adults. He walked alongside the Queensland heeler, his small hand resting on Buster’s neck. Periodically, he bent and whispered into the dog’s ear or kissed the top of his head. Jacob admitted it was kind of cute.

“Is that a corral?” Mariana peered at the back of the property.

Uh-oh. She had that look on her face again. What had Jacob done wrong now? “I have a full acre, so I built a paddock and a couple covered stalls.”

“You have horses?”