Chance's Joy

“I’ll have Chance pick one out if you’re interested,” Ella said.

“What?” Joy asked, embarrassed she hadn’t been listening.

“The puppy. Chance will make sure you get a good one.”

“Oh, no, I don’t want to put him to any trouble.” She didn’t need the man to do her any more favors.

Ella shook her head. “It’s no problem. Chance deals with the Campbells all the time. He bred two of their mares.”

Joy was surprised. “I thought he was in the cattle business.”

“He is,” Ella said. “But he’s also been breeding and training quarter horses for several years now.” The housekeeper cocked her head. “I guess it’s no secret Chance hoped to buy this place.”

Joy wasn’t sure that she wanted to get into this. “I’m sorry…”

The older woman’s hand covered Joy’s. “It’s okay, Joy. You and your baby have every right to be here. I know Chance is disappointed, but maybe something else will come up for him. He can take it. He’s tough. He’s had to be over the years to survive.”

Joy didn’t miss the flash of pain in Ella’s eyes when she spoke of Chance. There was more to learn about that brooding cowboy. And it frightened her to realize how much she wanted to know about him.

Chance glanced from the road to the box on the truck seat. The chocolate and blond lab puppies were whining and scampering up the side, trying to escape their temporary home.

He reached over and stroked the animals. “Hang on, you guys. I’ll get you a new home soon.”

Yeah, thanks to Ella, he’d been elected deliveryman today. Did she think he had nothing else to do than run errands for Joy Spencer? Chance wiped his hand over his face and released a long sigh. What was wrong with him? He’d done the same for neighbors before.

He knew the truth was he was still ticked off because she had practically chased him away three days ago. Okay, he’d gotten the message loud and clear. She didn’t want him around. So, what? He wasn’t crazy about the idea of her being his neighbor, either.

He gripped the steering wheel tighter and blew out a long breath. “Stop beating a dead horse,” he mumbled, hating the circumstances. “She’s here. So get used to it.”

He may have to live with it, but he didn’t have to hang around. As soon as he dropped off the dog, he was out of there. He pulled off the highway and drove down the gravel road about another quarter mile until he came to the Kirby place. He pulled up next to the house and climbed out. Carrying the box, he walked to the back door and knocked.

Just give her the box and leave, he told himself. She wanted her privacy. Let her run the ranch. Let her see how hard things were, and maybe then she’d be more willing to sell. He’d give her two months.

Finally the door opened and Joy appeared. She was dressed in a pink blouse and some kind of black stretch pants. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she was holding her crying daughter against her shoulder. Maybe screaming was a better description. Chance’s attention went to Joy and stopped at the panic in her once-bright eyes.

“What’s wrong?” He felt his own panic build. He came inside and set the box down in the mudroom.

“I don’t know. Katie’s been fussing since her two o’clock feeding. I’ve fed her and changed her, but she hasn’t slept.” Joy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know what to do.”

Not stopping to ask permission, Chance took the baby from Joy. He managed to brace the squirming bundle against his shoulder and began talking to the infant. “What’s wrong, little darlin’? You have a rough night?”

As if little Katie understood him, her cries softened and he continued to walk around the room, patting her back. After a few minutes she emitted a very unladylike burp. Katie sobbed softly for a moment longer, then there was silence.

Joy felt the tears build in her eyes as she looked at the big cowboy holding her daughter. Why couldn’t Katie have done that for her? Joy had been carrying her all night, worrying that she’d eaten something that didn’t agree with her daughter.

Awkwardly, Chance put the sleeping baby in the carrier on the table, then he turned to Joy. “Hope she’ll sleep for a while.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” Suddenly the tenderness was gone as the familiar stony gaze appeared in his gray eyes. “What about you? When was the last time you ate?”

What was it about this man wanting to feed her? “Last night. And some toast this morning.” She was capable of feeding herself.

Suddenly they were aware of a different whimpering sound coming from the back door. They both glanced over to the box on the porch. Chance retrieved the carton and brought it into the kitchen.

Joy peeked inside at the two lively pups. “Oh, they’re so cute.” She reached in and both animals began licking her hand. She picked up the brown one, but the yellow dog began to whine. So Joy scooped them both up. Big mistake. They were all over her, and she ended up sitting down on the floor, allowing them to have their way with her. It wasn’t until she discovered Chance had been watching her antics that she sobered.

“Which one is my dog?”

“You tell me,” Chance said, his arms folded over his chest. “They were the last two of the litter.”

“You mean I have to choose?” She eyed the pair, then looked at him. “Which do you think?”

He knelt down beside her and reached for the blond dog, scooping her up in his large hand. “This little lady has clear eyes. She’s got a good disposition, too.” He set her down, then held up the brown one. “This girl is the runt of the litter. Out of the two, the blonde will probably be a prettier dog, but sometimes the littlest works the hardest to please and is the most loyal.” His eyes locked with Joy’s, and she felt her pulse take off.