Chance's Joy

“They sure worked fast.” Joy eyed him closely, wondering if he’d put in a few hours himself.

“Well, once word got around, everyone was curious about the new neighbor.” His expression was impassive. “Especially with you just having had a baby. The ladies also did some baking, and stocked the kitchen with a few staples, just until you can get to the grocery store on your own.”

Joy felt tears well up. “But they don’t even know me.”

“You’re Lil Kirby’s niece,” he said. “Your aunt was well liked around here.”

“I guess so.” Joy wiped away a tear, remembering she had only met her great-aunt once when she was a child. Back when her parents had still been married, and Joy had had a family.

“You okay?” Chance asked.

She sniffed and nodded, suddenly feeling tired. “Just my silly hormones.”

“You need to rest. You had a baby less than forty-eight hours ago.”

Joy caught his silver-eyed gaze. Was it only two days ago that this man had helped her give birth to Katie? If it hadn’t been for his coming to her rescue, she might not be bringing her daughter home today. The thought terrified her. “Did I ever thank you for all your help?”

“Too many times,” he said. “You need to rest. Wait here, I’ll take the baby upstairs, then come back for you.”

Before Joy could reply, Chance took the carrier from Joy and climbed the steps to the second floor, returning seconds later.

“Your turn,” he said as he suddenly swung her up in his arms.

“Wait, you can’t carry me. I’m too heavy.” Feeling herself blush, she could only loop her arms around his neck, immediately feeling his muscles flex under his skin.

“You’re not heavy. Besides, you look about as shaky as a new colt. Right now you need to save your strength so you can take care of Katie. I have orders from both the doctor and Ella to make sure you get some rest. And I don’t mess around when Ella gives orders.”

Joy opened her mouth, but didn’t know how to answer him. He was right, she needed to take care of herself. She was all Katie had. Her body was still sore, and her daughter would soon be awake and wanting to be fed.

But Joy couldn’t let this big, charge-into-her-life cowboy take over. She had to stand on her own. Soon. But right now, it felt too nice to let someone else handle things.

Chance reached the top step without even breathing hard. “I figured since this was the largest room,” he said, “you’d want to move in here.” He carried her down the hall and into the master bedroom. He set her down beside a wrought-iron bed. Next to that was a bassinet. Joy glanced inside and saw Katie sleeping.

“I suggest you take advantage of this quiet time and get some rest.” Chance walked to the door. “I’ll check in on you later.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Joy glanced around the recently cleaned bedroom. The floral wallpaper was old and faded. The sheer curtains in the window had seen better days as had the rug that covered most of the floor. The bassinet was wicker and probably fifty years old. Joy ran her hand over the freshly laundered white eyelet skirt with loving hands as her beautiful daughter slept peacefully in her new bed. “She looks like you, Blake. She has your eyes,” she whispered. Sadness nearly overtook her as she thought of her husband not seeing his child grow up; of Katie not having a father around. But Joy knew one thing for sure. She was going to give her daughter a home and plenty of love.

Now she just had to figure out how she was going to make a living on a cattle ranch.

Two hours later, with orders from Ella to check on the new mother, Chance walked through the back door and into the kitchen. The house was silent, which probably meant that mother and baby were still napping. But they would be hungry soon.

He went to the ancient refrigerator and pulled out a container of homemade chicken soup one of the ladies had made. He poured the liquid into a pan and began heating it up on the small stove. Taking a tray from the pantry, he searched for a bowl in the cupboard, discovering several doors and drawers that needed fixing. The flooring was pretty worn, but it would hold for a while.

He made a mental note of the repairs and wondered when Joy would realize that the ranch was too much for her and sell it to him. She wasn’t going to want to take on running a ranch when she had a baby to care for. If she needed to stay in San Angelo, she could buy a house in town.

He placed the bowl of soup on the tray, along with crackers and a glass of milk and headed upstairs. On the way he glanced around the large house, seeing some other things that needed attention. Nothing he couldn’t handle. But when he bought the ranch, they were all going to have to wait, because his first concern would be the grazing land and enlarging the herd.

He pushed open the partly closed door, looked up and froze at the sight before him. Joy was on the bed, but she was awake with her baby suckling at her breast.

He felt the heat rush through his body to his face. “Uh… I’m sorry… I didn’t know….”

Joy glanced up and saw a shocked Chance staring at her. She quickly pulled a receiving blanket over her shoulder, covering herself. “Chance, I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, trying to distract from the awkward moment.

“Ella said you needed something to eat.” He walked into the room, set the tray on the other side of the bed, then started backing up toward the door.

“Were you able to get any rest?”

“Yes, I slept until about fifteen minutes ago.” She glanced down at her daughter. “I guess we were both tired.”

He kept staring at her, then finally spoke, “Well, I should get back to my chores. Is there anything you need before I go?”

“No, you’ve done so much already. I think I can handle things. Thanks for the soup. I was getting a little hungry.”

He leaned against the door frame, his large body taking up most of the space. “It’s important you keep up your strength.”

“I know.”

“Oh, I called the phone company. They’ll be out in the morning. Until then…” He pulled a small cellular phone from his pocket and came back across the room. “Use this. Press one, then Send, and you’ll get the Circle B.”

Joy was touched by his concern. “Thank you again.” Just then Katie started to fuss.

Chance jumped. “I’ll be going,” he said. “I’ll check in later.” And he was out the door.

Joy lifted her tiny daughter to her shoulder and began patting her back. “Well, sweetheart, like it or not, looks like we got ourselves a big cowboy looking out for us.” But for how long? she wondered, knowing the ranch was what he really wanted.

The next morning, Katie was awake at six. She’d slept four straight hours. After feeding her, Joy tried her hand at the first bath. Her daughter wasn’t ready to be submerged in water, but a sponge bath was due.

Joy loved the experience. All the talking and cooing to the baby and that clean powdery smell was so intoxicating. Soon Katie was worn out and went back to sleep. A few minutes to herself, Joy thought. Baby monitor in hand and last night’s bowl of soup a distant memory, she headed downstairs in search of food. She started for the kitchen, and the aroma of bacon assaulted her nose. She thought she was dreaming, until she found Chance standing at her stove.

Looking as if he’d recently showered and shaved, he wore butt-hugging jeans and a blue western shirt over broad shoulders. His sandy hair was lying across his forehead, and she could see the mark of his hat just above his ears.

Realizing what she was doing, she shook her head and stiffened. Didn’t this man have anything else to do? Was he here to badger her again about selling her ranch?

“Aren’t your cows feeling neglected? I mean I don’t want to keep you from your job.” Pulling together her robe, she ran her fingers through her hair. She looked a mess.

“I was out there at five,” he said as he glanced over his shoulder. “Everything’s fine. In fact we have five new calves.”

“Oh, really?” she said, finding she was actually interested in the workings of the ranch. “I bet they’re cute.”

“Cute? I don’t think about calves that way. It’s not wise to get attached to animals who are going to be sold at market.”

“I guess you’re right.” She went to the coffee-maker, unable to resist the smell of the fresh brew. The doctor had assured her one cup a day wouldn’t hurt the baby. Taking a mug from the cabinet, she poured herself some.

“How do you like your eggs?” he asked.

“Look, I appreciate your help, but I don’t need you to take care of me. I can fix my own breakfast.”

“Never turn down a man wanting to cook for you.” A woman’s voice rang out from the pantry.