Fortune's Secret Baby

Cooper looked at her again, his easy smile back in place. “It’s that obvious, huh? I didn’t even think to write down the brand my cousin and his fiancée had used for the little guy and we ran out this morning.”

Jessica pointed to the package in his right hand. “Those always worked best for my crowd, but you need the right size.”

“Size?”

“It’s based on the baby’s weight.”

“Oh.” Cooper looked at the packages, put both back on the shelf and grabbed three in the correct size. “Anthony is going through these things like crazy. Better safe than sorry. Now, it’s on to that amazing assortment of baby mush—ah, food.”

“Jess, why don’t you lend your expertise on that, too?” Kelsey grabbed her sister’s cart and pushed it past Cooper’s to allow another shopper to get by. “I can keep working on your list for you.”

Jessica shot Kelsey a frown over Cooper’s bent form as he shoved the diapers onto the bottom shelf of his cart. “Sure, I can do that.”

Kelsey only grinned in return and forced herself not to look at Cooper’s perfect backside, encased in faded denim. “Great, where’s your list?”

“Could I bother you to keep an eye on Anthony instead for a few minutes?” Cooper rose and turned to her, moving closer while gesturing toward the baby. “He’s been trying to nap since we arrived. Every time I move the cart it wakes him.”

“Uh, yeah …” She had to tip her head back to look at him, and she could’ve sworn the tips of his boots scraped hers, he was that close. “Sure, it’s no bother.”

Damn, that sexier-than-sin smile was back and directed right at her. “Thanks, I’ll owe you.”

Cooper and Jessica moved toward the other end of the aisle where the stacks of baby food jars stood in precise rows on the shelves. Kelsey looked down at Anthony, watching his tiny eyelids flutter as he slept. With his dark brown hair, and the brown eyes she’d seen briefly yesterday at the cottage, he looked a lot like his daddy.

He’d fallen asleep in Jessica’s arms yesterday, the two of them the exact likeness of Madonna and child. If there was anyone who’d been destined to be a mother, it was her sister. From childhood, she’d been a loving mama to her baby dolls while Kelsey’s side of the room had been filled with horse figurines.

“Looks like we both got what we wanted,” Kelsey whispered, unable to stop herself from stroking the baby’s soft cheek. “Except Jessica never planned on being a single parent. That’s why your daddy and she would be such a good match.”

Anthony chose that moment to open his eyes, and as if he wasn’t happy with her idea, started to fuss.

Kelsey jerked her hand away and looked for Cooper. He and Jessica were at the other end of the aisle. The baby’s fidgeting intensified, his eyes now clenched tightly closed, so she grabbed the cart and started to push it back and forth, but that only increased his crying.

Geez, it was moments like this when she usually gave her niece or nephew back to their mother. Another quick glance told her Jessica and Cooper weren’t heading back to this end of the aisle soon, so she quickly unbuckled the baby and hefted him into her arms.

“Okay, no need to get upset,” she cooed while rubbing the baby’s back. “I’ve got you.”

Anthony snuggled into her shoulder and she held tighter, tucking her face close to his and continuing with her soft words. Her body moved in a natural swaying motion, and soon she was rewarded when the baby heaved a deep sigh and fell back asleep, his breath coming in gentle puffs against her neck.

“Well, you certainly seem to have the magic touch.”

Kelsey turned to find Cooper standing behind her. Jessica and her shopping cart had disappeared. How’d that happen? And how was it that she and Cooper were the only people in this vast aisle of the grocery store?

“Anthony looks right at home in your arms,” he added, taking a step closer, trapping her between the cart and the shelves behind her. “Not that I blame him. Envy, maybe. You know, I think you might be wrong about lacking the maternal instinct.”

“Oh, no. Jessica is—”

“An amazing lady and from what I’ve seen, a terrific mom.” Cooper cut off her words while reaching out to gently tug on a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her ponytail. “But she’s not the sister who’s caught my attention. You are.”

Chapter Four

As far as dirty diapers went, this one had to be the world record holder. Cooper choked back his gag reflex when the pungent odor filled his nose and mouth.

Anthony looked up at him and smiled.

Cooper’s heart gave a little kick as he peeled off the baby’s messy clothes and set them to one side of the quilt. So much for having done two loads of laundry this morning.

“Damn, this is nasty!” He ripped at the diaper tabs and pulled the front flap back, and the nausea factor climbed a hundredfold as his eyes burned. “Whew! Major nasty!”

Anthony giggled.

“Glad you think this is so funny.” Cooper grimaced, grabbing a handful of baby wipes. He tried to clean up his son, but all he seemed to do was succeed in spreading the mess even farther. He removed the diaper and dropped it on an old issue of “Texas Now!” he’d been reading. “Boy, you need to be hosed down to get rid of this stench.”

“I second that.”

On his hands and knees, Cooper turned and looked over his shoulder. Kelsey stood peering at him through the screen door.

“It looks like I got here just in time.” She hoisted the blue plastic object in her hands a bit higher. “My sister said she offered you this baby tub while in the store. Can I come in?”

“If you think your nose can stand it.” Cooper found himself grinning at her. “And your timing is perfect.”

“Why don’t we try rinsing him off before you get him in a bath?” Kelsey suggested as she walked into the dining area and placed the tub on the table. She unzipped her hoodie and peeled it off her shoulders revealing yet another ranch T-shirt, this time pale pink in color. “Is the bathroom sink big enough?”

Big enough for what?

Cooper tore his gaze from her body and shook his head, realizing she was talking about the baby. “No, and the kitchen sink is too big. He squirms so much that I can’t keep a good grip on him, which is why your sister made her generous offer.”

“Okay, give me a minute to get everything we need. Then you can get that stinky baby washed up.”

“Make it a fast minute, okay?” Cooper grabbed the soiled onesie and put it over Anthony’s privates. He’d already been a victim of the baby’s sudden need to urinate, diaper or not, resulting in a steady stream hitting him square in the chest. “I’m about to lose my lunch over here.”

Kelsey’s laugh followed her down the hall to the baby’s room. The low, sexy sound rocked Cooper back on his heels. Two days ago, he’d been tempted beyond reason to kiss her in the baby aisle of the grocery store.

Despite the craziness of their current situation, he found himself ready to do it again. And this time he wouldn’t back away.

Kelsey had been so focused on Anthony that day, her head bent, humming a low tune as she rocked him, that she hadn’t heard him and Jessica approach. Her sister had given him a sly wink as she disappeared around the corner with her own shopping cart. Moments later, he had Kelsey cornered between the cart and the shelving. The silky feeling of her hair sliding through his fingers, the softness of her cheek, the way her lips parted in surprise when he made it clear she was the one he wanted.