THEY’RE BOTH IN TRIPLE TROUBLE!

Some cowboys are meant to be family men, and Deputy Dan McCabe is one of them. Only, this eligible bachelor just can’t seem to find the right woman. Or rather—he has found her. But single mom Kelly Shackleford just keeps turning him down as if she’s immune to his charms. What could be the only way to Kelly’s heart? Her rambunctious, adorable toddler triplets!

Kelly knows that sexy cowboys and romance don’t mix in any lasting way. Dan is just a friend, thank you very much. But a spark of attraction is turning “just friends” into something warmer and much, much deeper. Kelly doesn’t want a husband or a broken heart...so why can’t she stop falling for this heartbreaker of a cowboy?

CATHY GILLEN THACKER is married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Mills & Boon author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website, www.cathygillenthacker.com, for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favourite things.

Also by Cathy Gillen Thacker

The Texas Cowboy’s Baby Rescue

A Texas Soldier’s Family

A Texas Cowboy’s Christmas

The Texas Valentine Twins

Wanted: Texas Daddy

A Texas Soldier’s Christmas

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

The Texas Cowboy’s Triplets

Cathy Gillen Thacker

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-07780-4

The Texas Cowboy’s Triplets

© 2018 Cathy Gillen Thacker

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

“Guess my legendary Texas charm finally paid off.”

Dan McCabe didn’t know how true those words might have been if Kelly Shackleford had been in the market for a man in her life. Thankfully for both of them, she wasn’t.

Reassuring herself that she was not on a fool’s errand, Kelly emerged from her SUV and sauntered toward the irrepressible lawman slash cowboy. Sizing him up all the while. Six feet four inches. Mesmerizing blue eyes. Thick dark hair. A body to die for. And a face so ruggedly handsome it nearly took her breath away.

“What makes you think that?” she asked, stopping just short of where he appeared to be working on extending the height of the fence on some kind of livestock pen. He lifted a fistful of T-shirt and wiped the sweat from his face, giving her an all too brief but tantalizing view of his powerful pecs and taut abs. As the fabric dropped to his waist, she caught a mouthwatering glimpse of the dark strip of hair that arrowed down into the fly of his faded jeans.

He waited until her gaze returned to his eyes before he answered her question with a lazy grin, “You came all the way out to my new ranch to see me.”

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

Her heart skittering in her chest, Kelly returned his flirtatious smile. “You’re right. I did,” she murmured, regarding him innocently.

Apparently her false cordiality struck a chord in him. A wrong one. He eyed her skeptically. “Any particular reason why?”

She tightened her fingers on her car keys. “You’ve been saying we should get to know each other better. I’ve decided you’re right.” She flushed beneath the intensity of his gaze, took a deep breath, and plunged on. “Becoming better acquainted could be beneficial to both of us.” And, more importantly, to others as well.

A brief silence fell, in which she feared that he was going to see her awkward explanation as an open invitation to try to sweet-talk her into the one thing he’d been wanting from her, ever since she had moved to Laramie, Texas, the summer before.

A real date.

“I see.” He flashed her an enticing smile. “Is this going to happen before or after you go out with me?”

Kelly tore her eyes from the sensual shape of his lower lip and gave him an exasperated look. “Now, Dan, we’ve been over that.”

She’d fallen hard and fast for a sexy cowboy from a wealthy family once before. Only to be dumped just before giving birth to triplets. No way was she opening herself up to further heartbreak. Never mind with one of the most eligible—and sought after—bachelors in the county.

“We have.” He turned and went back to pounding tall metal stakes into the ground on the outside of the existing pen fence, then slanted her a glance over his brawny shoulder. “But never to my satisfaction.”

Darn it all, the man was persistent. Not that there was any surprise there. Dan McCabe was a man who was used to getting what he wanted, when he wanted it. The fact he hadn’t been able to add her to his growing stable of former “dates” had no doubt frustrated him to no end.

Reluctantly, she moved with him as he worked his way around the perimeter of the entire pen. Then, with a long-suffering sigh, she reiterated what she told him every time the subject came up. “I’m open to being friends.”

Finished, he picked up a roll of metal mesh. “So am I, as long as that means we get to go out, too.”

When he briefly had trouble attaching the mesh to a tall post with a zip tie, she impulsively stepped in to help him. And just as swiftly regretted it because working together left them in such close proximity.

She swallowed, hard, shook her head, ready to step back. “That can’t happen.”

He slanted her a glance that was so genuinely appreciative she felt compelled to keep right on assisting him. “Because you work full time,” he echoed.

“Yes,” she said, drinking in the earthy male scent of him. Why was that so hard to understand? Why did everyone think she needed a man in her life to be happy?

He moved down the line, quickly securing the fencing while she held it against the post. “And are the mother to rambunctious three-year-old triplets.”

None of whom he’d met yet.

Aware of the heat emanating from his big, tall body, she said, “Precisely.”

He moved a little farther down the line. “And you’re not looking for passion. You want love.”

“Whoa now.” She lifted a hand. Their gazes clashed, then held in a way that had the hot June air between them sizzling. “I never said that.”

“Don’t have to.” Sheer male confidence radiated from him. “The thing is, I’m not looking for a one-night stand or a casual affair, either.”

“So you’ve said.” Unable to decide whether he looked sexier in cowboy clothing or a tan law-enforcement uniform, Kelly continued, reminding him, “Every time you asked me out.”

“That is true.” He shrugged affably and continued working quickly and efficiently around the last of the perimeter. “It’s why I bought this ten-acre property with a family-size home.”

And Kelly couldn’t help but note that the Bowie Creek Ranch property was gorgeous, with its sprawling ranch house and terrain that was a mixture of rolling grass and woods. “Now all you need is a wife and kids to fill it up. Although—” she turned, looking off into the distance “—I see you’ve already got a collie.” Who was absolutely beautiful. The original Lassie, come to life.

“His name is Shep,” Dan informed her.

She squinted to see what the canine appeared to be running around. “And a herd of...goats?”

“Six miniature ones.”

She turned so suddenly her shoulder bumped his. Tingling at the contact, she stepped back. “May I ask why?” Having grown up on a cattle and horse ranch nearby, with two parents and five siblings, he likely had enough cowboy in him to last a lifetime. But she had never imagined the tall native Texan to want to be a shepherd.

“Shep is mine. I rescued him as a puppy two years ago when I first moved back here from Chicago. The goats came with the property,” he explained. “The family that lived here had to move back to Great Britain for the dad’s work, and the goats weren’t allowed to go with, so I had to promise to not only find them good loving homes, but care for them until I do.”

No surprise there. The McCabes were gallant to the core. “Which is why you’re building a fence?”

He sighed. “They keep escaping the pen they were using. As you can see, the original walls are only four feet high. Apparently they need to be at least five feet, so I decided to be extra safe and make it six until I can find them all suitable homes. Then I plan to just take the entire structure down.”

That made a lot more sense.

Aware they were at the end, and he no longer needed her help, Kelly stepped back. She gazed at the collie racing back and forth in the grass next to the woods. “Why is Shep barking at that goat?”

Dan grinned proudly. “I trained him to herd them back toward the enclosure. The doe he’s chasing is getting a little too far away.”

Doe? Kelly squinted. “You can tell the sex from this distance?”

“They’re all female.” Dropping his tools into the box at their feet, he caught her semi-amused look. “I know. I’m surrounded.” His soft laugh was infectious and oh so sexy. “Why, even you...”

Kelly groaned, refusing to let herself be drawn in by his irresistible charm. “Don’t start.” His constant quips had her smiling and had a way of leading her way offtrack.

“So...” A twinkle appeared in Dan’s eyes. He let his gaze drift over her in another long, thoughtful survey. “Let me get this straight. You want us to become better acquainted, but you don’t want me to flirt with you?”

Only because of where it would inevitably lead. “No,” she said blithely. “I don’t.”

He took a moment to consider that. Then, seeming to know intuitively she was fibbing about her ever-escalating attraction to him, he opened the gate wide and whistled a command to Shep. Immediately his dog began rounding up the goats and pushing them toward the enclosure.

Dan turned back to Kelly. Serious now, as he asked, “So why do you want to get to know me better, if you don’t plan to accept any one of my ten invitations for an evening out? ’Cause I have to tell you, Kelly, I’m really not interested in being ‘just friends.’”

She knew that, too. Which left her only one option. Distract—with facts.

“Actually, Dan,” she countered, doing her best to put the brakes on his shameless flirting with a haughty lift of her chin, “you asked me out seven times. Not ten.”

“Ah.” He stood with his arms folded across his chest and regarded her smugly. “So you’re counting, too.” The corners of his sensual lips turned up.

Darn him for pointing that out!

Kelly ignored what that might mean. With effort, she met his probing blue gaze. Realizing the time had come to lay all her cards on the table, said, “I’m here because I need a favor. And,” more importantly still, “I’d really like it to come from you.”

* * *

WHATEVER THIS REQUEST WAS, it was serious. And from the looks of it, highly confidential, as well. “Okay,” he concurred, immediately sobering and calling on the gentlemanly good manners that had been instilled in him since youth. Aware it was uncomfortably hot outdoors, he pointed to the house. “Would you rather go inside to talk?”

Kelly shook her head, looking more beautiful than ever, and he felt his senses kicking into high gear. It wasn’t just the delicate physical perfection of every inch of her that constantly captured and held his attention. It was the way she moved—with a kind of sultry, inherent grace. The way her lips curled up softly when she was happy, and the way her chin tilted stubbornly when she was not. She was all energy, all woman. And the slender curves that were hidden beneath a loose-fitting pink cotton shirt and faded jeans—along with her cloud of shoulder-length caramel blond hair and pretty amber eyes—made it impossible for him to look away.

“No. Out here is fine.” She rocked back on the heels of her sneakers and peered at him intently, her guard up once again. “But first, I want to make sure whatever I do say to you will be held in the strictest confidence. The same way it would be if I went to a doctor or lawyer or minister.”

Disappointment tightened his gut. “So you’re coming to me in my capacity as an officer of the law?” He had a miserable sense of history repeating itself.

“No.” Kelly shook her head and followed him up to the porch. He walked inside and came back out with two bottles of chilled water.

She accepted one and continued as if he hadn’t left. “This is completely off the record. In fact—” she paused meaningfully, watched as he uncapped the bottle and drank deeply “—I don’t want you to report anything of what I am about to tell you.”

Another really bad sign.

Slowly, Dan let the bottle fall to his side. He gave her the kind of once-over he usually reserved for folks who were about to make a terrible mistake. “You understand that I can’t be a party to anything criminal,” he told her gruffly.

Delicate hand flying to her heart, Kelly took a step back from him. “Goodness, yes! I would never ask you to do anything illegal.”

Famous last words, Dan thought, wondering if she had any idea he’d heard them before in a very similar situation. “Or even look the other way if I suspect a crime is being committed,” he added brusquely.

Pink color dotting her high, sculpted cheeks, she carefully set the still-unopened water he had given her on the porch railing. “I understand.” She ventured closer. “But, on the other hand, if there is a personal problem you could perhaps help with, would you be willing to do that?”

This sounded a lot like his ex. Telling himself there was no way that Kelly could be that conniving, he said, carefully, “I would.”

“Good.” Her shoulders relaxed. “Because sometimes things aren’t what they might seem on the surface.”

She looked surprisingly vulnerable now. Subdued. Aware he might have misjudged her—without meaning to—he asked, “Like this conversation?”

Kelly paused for several long beats. Finally, she said, “I have a student in my class I’m worried about.”

He squinted at her. “I’m guessing there is a reason why?”

“There is.” She paused and took a deep breath that lifted the lush fullness of her breasts. “But I’d rather not divulge that just yet.”

As he stood there, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her perfume, he realized he kind of liked her coming to him for help. Assuming, of course, it was all on the up-and-up. “Have you told anyone else of your concern?” he asked kindly. “The school director? Another teacher?”

Her delicate brow pleated. “I spoke with Cece Taylor, another teacher at the school.”

“And...?”

Kelly raked her teeth across her lush lower lip. “She thinks I’m overreacting. Which is why I wanted you to come and speak to our two three-year-old classes at the preschool. I know you’ve worked with at-risk youth, both in your early days at the Chicago Police Department and as a volunteer at the boys’ ranch here in Laramie, so I thought if there was a problem with this particular child, you’d be able to spot it.”

“Why not just get social services or the school counselor—if you have one—involved?”

“Because,” she said, her expression becoming troubled, “then it becomes a whole thing. And if I’m wrong, as I very well might be, then I’m needlessly putting the child and their family through an ordeal that never should have been.”

She spoke as if she’d endured a similar contretemps. “Are there any bruises or signs of physical abuse?”

“No.” Kelly ran a hand through her hair and began to pace. “Nothing like that. Just...something feels off. And I wanted another opinion.” She swung back to face him, more composed now. With a beleaguered sigh, she added, “One not likely to be anywhere near as overly emotional as mine.”

His heart went out to her because she really did seem to care about whoever she deemed potentially at risk. He strode closer. “Is it a girl or boy?”

“I’d rather you not know. That way, you won’t be predisposed to see something that may or may not be there.”

Made sense, he thought, continuing to study her. “You really want to be wrong about this, don’t you?” She looked so distressed. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her close. Instead, he touched her arm.

Kelly sighed, and just for one second leaned into his touch. “Cowboy, more than you could ever know.”

Chapter Two

As Kelly had hoped, the two three-year-old classes at the preschool were completely mesmerized by Dan McCabe’s talk on his work at the sheriff’s department. With the exception of little Shoshanna Johnson, who never really seemed to get involved in any class activity, they sat raptly gazing at him as Dan explained how law enforcement was there to help them. And how not to be afraid to approach one to ask for help if it was ever needed.

Kelly stared, too, for a completely different...extremely inappropriate...reason.

When he concluded his short but very informative talk, she stepped to the center of the student circle and, studiously ignoring the lawman’s sexy, virile presence, took charge once again. “Would anyone like to ask a question?” And get my mind off just how hot Dan McCabe looks in uniform?

To her relief, Brian Alderman’s hand promptly shot up. “Do you sleep at the station, like the firemen?”

“No.” Dan smiled kindly, the glance he directed at Kelly letting her know he realized just how, um, unusually attentive she had been during his speech.

“I live at my ranch,” he said, sending another deferential glance her way. Kelly told herself it was the heat of classroom making her sweat. She moved closer to the air-conditioning vent.

“With horses?” Paul Robertson inquired.

A slow smile tugged at the corners of Dan’s lips. “Six miniature goats and a dog, actually.”

The students appeared perplexed.

“I don’t think anyone has any goats as pets,” Kelly ventured.

So Dan brought out his cell phone and showed pictures. Kelly relaxed. Maybe, she thought, ignoring the melting sensation in her middle, she would get through this without making a besotted fool of herself yet.

It wasn’t that she was attracted to him, per se.

It was that he was so big and handsome and confident-looking, and exuded strength in a hundred different ways that was the problem. A fact he seemed to know darn well, judging by the pure masculine devilry in his smile.

“What are their names?” Sally Baker asked.

Dan put his phone away. “They don’t have any.”

Moans and cries of dismay followed. “If you have a pet, you have to name it,” Teddy Franklin pointed out.

“Point well-taken,” Dan said.

Kelly smiled. “Maybe we can think up suggestions later and send them to Deputy Dan.”

Excited suggestions followed, while in the middle of the group, Shoshanna Johnson sighed, burying her head in her knees.

“Any more questions?” Kelly said, trying not to worry over her new student’s continued lack of involvement.

Another hand shot up.

Uh-oh, Kelly thought, knowing where this was likely to go as Dan turned and called on her triplet daughter. Michelle squinted at him. “Are you married?”

Despite the fact they’d just gone from goats to his marital status, Dan somehow managed to keep a poker face. “No,” he said genially. “I’m not.”

“Are you going to be?” Kelly’s son Matthew asked out of turn.

Dan flashed a devastating smile. “I hope so.”

Kelly could imagine that. There were some men who were just meant to be surrounded by loved ones. Dan McCabe was one of them.

Michelle raised her hand again, and it was all Kelly could do not to groan aloud. “Well, then, can you marry our mommy?” Michelle asked plaintively. “Because she needs a husband.”

Michael—the most independent of Kelly’s triplets—frowned. Forgetting for a moment what he was supposed to be doing, he stood up and argued back stalwartly. “No, she doesn’t!”

Doing her best to stifle a self-conscious blush, Kelly interjected quickly in a desperate attempt to change the subject. “Actually, I have a question for Deputy Dan.” All eyes, including the handsome lawman’s, turned her way. She noted the amusement in his eyes. “Have you ever been called to help a kitten or puppy in trouble while on duty?”

Dan’s masculine confidence lit up the entire room. “Actually, I have.” He launched into a dramatic tale that quickly had all twenty-eight preschoolers captivated.

“Nice save,” he murmured twenty minutes later when Kelly walked him to the door.

The kids were busy attaching their Sheriff’s Star stickers to their clothing with teacher Cece Taylor’s help. Only Shoshanna—who was idly inspecting the goldfish in the tank—seemed uninvolved. “Sorry my triplets put you on the spot,” she murmured, embarrassed.

His eyes glinted with an indecipherable emotion. “Not a problem.”

But there was one. She wanted to ask him if he had come to the same conclusion she had. Aware this wasn’t the time to get into it detail, however, she said only, “About what we had talked about a few days ago. Did you notice anything?”

“I did.”

Hoping he might have some ideas about what she could do, Kelly asked, “Would it be all right if I phoned you later?”

He nodded briefly, his eyes taking in the thoughtful look Cece was giving them. “Thanks for inviting me to speak.” Hat still in hand, he strode off.

Kelly returned to the kids in the classroom. Aware it was time for outdoor play, she and her fellow teacher escorted the children to the playground. Cece’s glance followed Dan, who was getting into his squad car.

“Don’t,” the fifty-five-year-old educator said.

“What?” Kelly asked, even though she already knew.

Cece harrumphed. “Every single woman in town has a secret thing for him.” She raised a hand in frustration. “I mean, why not, the man practically took out an ad in the paper when he moved back here, saying Wife and Kids Wanted Immediately.”

She turned to look Kelly in the eye, as much substitute mother now as friend. “But he’s never going to follow through on that wish. If he were, he certainly would have chosen one of the thirty or so women he’s taken out for dinner—or should I say an interview—in the last couple of years. One of my nieces, included.”

Kelly knew Dan’s reputation with the ladies. He was both gallant to the core and a heartbreaker. “I’m not looking for a husband. Been there, done that.”

Cece studied her, accepting that. “Even as a lover, he’d be a bad bet.”

“Not looking for that, either,” Kelly said.

Even though the sinfully sexy lawman stirred her senses the way no man ever had, or likely ever would.

* * *

UNFORTUNATELY, KELLY’S ATTEMPTS to connect with Dan, once her kids were in bed asleep that evening, went to voice mail. Finally, around nine thirty, she was about to give up waiting for a return call when she heard a vehicle pull into her driveway.

She looked out to see Dan emerging from a silver pickup truck that had seen better days. He was clad in jeans, an untucked denim shirt and boots.

Her heart skittering in her chest, she stepped onto the porch of her one-and-a-half-story bungalow before he could ring the bell.

“Sorry it’s late,” he said. As he neared, she caught a whiff of soap and mint. “My shift ended a little later than I expected.”

“You didn’t have to come by.” Or shower before getting here, either.

He shrugged, affable as ever. His glance drifted over her. “Conversations like this usually go better in person, don’t you think?”

He had a point. Even if this was, oddly enough, beginning to feel a little like the beginning of that date with her that he’d been wanting.

Catching a couple coming down the block with their two dogs, she said, “Why don’t you come in?”

He followed her inside.

Aware there was less of a chance of them being overheard if they moved to the rear of the house, she led him toward the kitchen, where she had the makings of the next day’s school lunches spread out over the kitchen island.

Catching his hungry look, she asked, “Have you eaten?”

“I’ll grab something on my way home.”

It would be rude not to offer. Especially since he had just done her a pretty big favor with nothing asked in return. “I think we can do better than that.” She smiled. “If you are interested in a sandwich that is.”

“Actually, if it’s not too much trouble, a sandwich would be great.”

She layered shaved ham and provolone on wheat, added lettuce and tomato. Then brought out the Dijon and mayo. He chose both, then sat down on the other side of the island. “I’m guessing you are concerned about the thin little girl with red hair.”

So he had spotted the issue, too. “Shoshanna Johnson. She moved here a couple of months ago.”

Ever observant, he guessed, “And is still feeling a little down about being uprooted to Laramie County, I take it?”

Kelly added cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks and cucumber wedges to the divided lunch containers. She closed them with a snap and slid them into insulated lunch sacks. “That’s what the other teachers think.”

“But you don’t buy that?”

Kelly knew what it was like to be a little kid of a single mom and an only child, at that, who was sad or worried. It really cut deep. But, not wanting to divulge that, she merely said, “Well, a move is always scary and unsettling, especially at that age, but...the preschool is a cozy, safe place, and she’s been welcomed by the other kids. The staff has gone out of their way to make her feel comfortable, too.” Their hands brushed as she handed him a bottle of sparkling water.

Dan made no effort to move away. “Yet she remains isolated.”

“Yes.” Hand still tingling, Kelly slid the lunches into the fridge.

Dan surveyed Kelly thoughtfully. “Are there any learning difficulties?”

“No.” Because that would have explained a lot, too. “She’s able to pay attention, color within the lines, answer questions and follow directions when she wants to.”

“And yet...she just usually doesn’t want to?”

“That’s just it.” Kelly handed Dan a package of chips. “Some days she does. She’ll come to school with a smile on her face and participate. And other days, it’s like she’s deeply worried about something, and she remains withdrawn the entire time.”

He continued devouring his sandwich. “Any signs of abuse or neglect?”

Deciding it was silly to stand there when he was sitting, Kelly came around the island and took the stool next to him. “None that I can see.”

He swiveled so they were facing each other. “Have you talked to her parents?”

Kelly sighed. “Shoshanna’s dad died almost a year ago, rather suddenly I understand. I’ve asked her mom to come in for a parent-teacher conference, but Sharon Johnson keeps rescheduling. Work issues at the auto dealership where she works as the new financial manager, she says.”

Dan opened the bag of chips and offered her one. “Think she’s avoiding you?”

Kelly took one and munched on it. “Maybe,” she said as the salty deliciousness melted on her tongue. “But maybe she’s just settling in, too.”

He finished his sandwich, stood and carried his plate to the sink. He looked ready for action.

His brow furrowed. “What would you like me to do?” he asked gruffly.

Besides kiss me?

Flushing, Kelly said, “Be...discreet.”

* * *

HER REQUEST SUDDENLY had a slightly shady ring to it. One he had heard before. “Discreet,” Dan repeated. “As in operating outside the normal rules and regulations?”

She inclined her head. “You have connections. As well as a background as a detective.”

Also something he had heard before.

He tensed. “Which means I could do what...in your view?”

She shrugged, the ends of her silky hair brushing her shoulders. “Ask around. Maybe do a clandestine background check...”

Dan’s gut tightened.

There were times in his life when he kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. This was one of them. “That’s not allowed, Kelly.”

She met his level gaze with an indignant one of her own. “Maybe not in an official capacity as a sheriff’s deputy,” she theorized.

“In any capacity,” he corrected sternly, stepping nearer. The fragrance of her hair and skin sent his senses into overdrive. “Unless I want to file a report and go through official procedure.” He paused to let his words sink in. “In which case I’d be duty bound to report anything the least bit suspect that I found.”

Kelly’s face suddenly reflected the concern he felt. Color flushed her cheeks. “Let’s forget it,” Kelly interjected quickly, looking sorry she’d ever started down this path. And while that comforted him, he was still worried that she’d been all too willing to bypass ethics. And worse, had wanted him to do so, too.

A long silence fell.

Her worry returned.

He waited until she looked at him. “As I mentioned the other day, if you are this concerned, why don’t you just talk to a social worker?”

She scoffed. “Who, if approached, would be forced to open up an official investigation?”

He edged closer, taking in the agitated gleam in her amber eyes and the stormy set of her luscious lips. “And I wouldn’t be?”

Calmly, he corrected her mistaken view of Laramie County Department of Child and Family Services. “You can trust social services here, Kelly.”

“No.” She rubbed the toe of her sneaker across the oak floor beneath them. “You can’t.” She bit her lip and glared at him mutinously. “You can’t trust them anywhere.”

Okay, so she was ticked off at him. “How do you know?” he challenged.

She released a short, bitter laugh. “Because I spent years in and out of the system.”

He paused. “You were a foster child?”

A brief, terse nod. “Off and on, my entire childhood.”

She stalked out of the kitchen. He followed, keeping a respectful distance. “What happened?”

She spun around, shoving her hands into the pockets of her knee-length shorts. “It’s a long story.”

And obviously a very painful one.

He put a consoling arm about her shoulders. When she didn’t continue, he prodded gently, “If you want me to understand where you’re coming from, never mind help you, you’re going to have to tell me a little more.”

She stepped back slightly, so they were no longer touching, and ran her hands through her hair. “My mom was a registered nurse who suffered from cyclical depression. She also developed an addiction to prescription medicines.”

Regret pinched the corners of her mouth.

Swallowing, she shook her head, recalling, “So, whenever things spiraled out of control, she would end up in the hospital, or rehab, and I would end up in the system.”

No wonder she mistrusted DCFS. “That must have been really tough on you.”

“It was.” Moisture glimmered in her eyes. “My mom always got better when she underwent treatment, but then she would have to prove that she could take care of me again. And that would take weeks and months of both of us living under the microscope.” Kelly sighed. “And then by the time I was finally allowed to be back with her, the stress of maintaining her sobriety would send her spiraling again.” Kelly compressed her lips miserably. “I’d have to hide it and pretend nothing was wrong. I knew if I didn’t I’d be taken away from her again. And it was awful.”

Dan pushed aside the need to pull her into his arms and asked gently instead, “Where is she now?”

“She died of an accidental overdose five years ago.”

This time he did reach for her. “I’m sorry, Kelly.”

Standing stiff as a board in his arms, Kelly nodded.

He let her go, stepped back. “Do any of your coworkers know this?”

“No.” She met his gaze and didn’t look away. “The only reason I’m telling you is so you’ll help me make sure that Shoshanna isn’t grappling with a similar heartache.”

He took her hand in his and turned it palm up. “You really believe something is going on with that little girl?”

Compassion lit her pretty amber eyes. “I really do, or I wouldn’t have come to you.”

“Then,” Dan decided, just as seriously, “there is only one thing we can do.”

Chapter Three

When Dan arrived at Kelly’s home Saturday morning, she’d had plenty of time to reconsider their hastily made plan.

“You’re sure this is a good idea?” she asked, stepping onto the front porch. Luckily, they had a few moments to talk since the triplets were inside, putting on their socks and shoes. A task that always, no matter how much of a hurry they were in, seemed to take at least ten minutes.

Dan stood with one brawny shoulder braced against a post. In a short-sleeved polo that brought out the azure blue of his eyes, jeans and boots, his short hair neatly brushed, and the barest hint of stubble on his handsome face, he looked like any dad out to do weekend errands with his family.

Except he wasn’t her husband or the triplets’ daddy... He gave her an appreciative once-over, too, and flashed a reassuring smile. “Think of it as an unofficial welfare check on a neighbor we may or may not have good reason to be concerned about. Besides,” he said as he pushed away from the post and came to stand next to her, “it will be fun for your kids. The county auto mall is having a huge Father’s Day sale the entire month of June, and every dealership is participating. The open house today is supposed to feature some great deals. The showroom is air-conditioned. Most kids really like looking at all the different types of cars on display.”

Kelly frowned and ventured a look inside, to see her kids still dawdling over their task. Knowing that asking them to hurry would only slow things down considerably, she sighed and swung back to him. Why did he have to be so handsome? And inherently helpful?

Using her nerves as a shield against her attraction, she frowned. “There will also likely be salespeople bent on making a sale to me.”

His eyes tracked the downward curve of her lips. “So?”

Aware it was that kind of interest that had her heart racing, she pointed out, “I’m not in the market for a new vehicle. My SUV is only three years old.”

He stepped up to the storm door, peering into the house, too. Seeing the kids sitting on the floor, making little progress, he grinned cheerfully, waved and called in, “Hey, buckaroos, hurry up!”

Miraculously, the triplets began to move faster.

“Luckily, I am looking.”

For what? Love? She tabled the ridiculous thought.

“Are you serious?”

He braced his hands on his waist. “Yes. I’ve just been waiting for this sale since it sports the best prices of the year, across all makes and models.”

Kelly surveyed the vehicle at the curb. His truck did look like it was on its last set of tires.

“Then why aren’t you going alone? Since you have a valid reason.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Because I don’t know Sharon Johnson and wouldn’t have a reason to talk to her. Since her daughter Shoshanna is in her class, you do.”

True, but... “You could always ask her out on a date,” Kelly pointed out, wondering what that gentle touch of his would feel like elsewhere.

He dropped his hand. “Cute. No. There’s only one woman I have my eye on right now.”

A delicious shiver of anticipation swept through her, but for all their sakes, Kelly pushed it away. “And she’s not about to date you.” She referred to herself in the third person, too.

Smug satisfaction radiated off him. “We’ll see.”

Behind them, the screen door banged open. To her relief, Michelle, Michael and Matthew came barreling out. “Deputy Dan!” they cried in unison.

“Hey, kids.” He hunkered down to greet them in turn. Giving out high fives and low fives all around. “’Bout time you buckaroos came out to say hi to me.”

“We couldn’t,” Michelle explained. “Till we had our shoes and socks on. Mommy said.”

“What are you doing here?” Michael asked a tad suspiciously.

“I’m shopping for a new pickup truck or maybe a large SUV. I’m not sure. Your mommy has agreed to advise me.”

“What’s ’vise?” Matthew asked, tucking his hand in Dan’s.

Michelle took his other.

“Advise me means to tell me which one is best,” Dan explained patiently.

Michelle rolled her eyes as she skipped down off the porch. “That’s easy, Deputy Dan! The pink one.”

Michael latched on to Kelly. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “I don’t think they make pink SUVs,” Kelly said.

Michelle harrumphed. “Well, they should.”

“No, they shouldn’t,” Michael disagreed.

And they were off.

Since Dan was going to need his pickup truck to get a trade-in price, and all the safety seats were in her SUV, they both drove to the auto mall.

As planned, they parked at the dealership where Sharon was the new financial manager.

As Dan ambled over to help the triplets onto the ground, she couldn’t help but think what a good daddy he would make one day.

Assuming he ever chose a wife, that was.

Given his recent “one or two and done” dating history, it seemed in doubt.

Inside the air-conditioned building, couples and families milled about. The triplets, who had never visited the inside of a showroom, were in awe of all the shiny new vehicles. “Wow,” they breathed in unison.

Behind them, a man approached. “Going to get Daddy a new car or truck for Father’s Day?” he said.

Dan and Kelly and the kids turned to face him. “Whoops. Didn’t recognize you from the back,” the gung-ho salesman said.

Dan extended his hand. “Hey, Pete.”

“And who is this lovely lady?” the salesman asked. “And three adorable kids?”

“Kelly Shackleford. Her triplets, Michael, Matthew and Michelle.”

“Deputy Dan is going to be my mommy’s new husband,” Michelle announced. “’Cause she needs one.”

Kelly blushed bright red.

“I see,” Pete said.

Bored, Michael looked up at Dan. “Can we climb inside one of them?”

“Check out the eight-passenger Suburban.” Pete walked over to open it up. “Perfect for the man with a big family.” He winked.

While the kids scrambled inside, Pete launched into a spiel about features. Kelly looked around. She’d only met Sharon Johnson a few times since the single mom generally used the car pool lane drop-off to leave and pick up her daughter from school.

“So what’s your time frame for buying?” Pete asked as the kids climbed into the rear row and practiced sitting and looking out the windows from that perspective.

“Most likely the end of the month,” Dan replied. “I’m in no hurry.”

They talked about competitors.

“What about financing?”

“Sharon Johnson’s in charge of that. Actually, here she comes now.” Pete waved her over.

Guilt at more or less spying on another single mom filled Kelly. Halfway there, Sharon was waylaid by the dealership’s sales manager. Kelly couldn’t make out what was said, but she could tell it wasn’t welcome news. Sharon appeared to be first taken aback, then upset.

Dan gave Kelly a look. Was this it? Work stress traveling from mom to child?

Sharon’s mouth tightened, and her face went from almost white to beet red. Kelly didn’t stop to think. Seeing another woman in need, she moved across the floor to interrupt what appeared to be a pretty thorough semipublic dressing-down. “Hey, Sharon!” she said, moving in to give the stunned woman a warm hug. “How great to see you today!” She moved back to address the white-haired sales manager. “I don’t believe we’ve met, though.”

“Walter Kline.” Abruptly turning on the charm, he shook Kelly’s hand. “Glad to have you out here today.”

Another salesperson approached, a sheaf of papers in his hand.

Walter glared at Sharon, a look even Kelly could read. “Figure it out,” he snapped, turned on his heel and strode away.

“Everything okay?” Kelly asked.

Sharon sighed and ran her hands through her short, perfectly coiffed auburn hair. “I only have a sitter until noon. They just told me I have to be here until closing or later.”

That was definitely a problem, and one Kelly fully sympathized with. “Could I help? Maybe pick up Shoshanna, take her to my place for a playdate?”

Sharon paused. “I don’t want to impose.”

Kelly waved away her concern. “We single moms have to stick together.”

Dan ambled up to join them.

Sharon shot him a curious look. Briefly, Kelly made introductions. “So you’re the sheriff’s deputy who spoke at the preschool,” Sharon concluded.

Dan nodded.

“You made quite an impression. Shoshanna told me all about your rescue of the two kittens caught in the hole in the trunk of that tree. And, of course, your herd of miniature goats.”

Dan grinned. “It was an easy crowd to impress.”

Beginning to relax, Sharon grinned back.

From across the showroom, Walter Kline glared at them impatiently. Sharon stiffened. “Let me know if you have any questions about financing options,” she said, loud enough for others to overhear.

“I will,” Dan promised.

“Me, too,” Kelly said, though she had no intention of buying a new vehicle at this time.

Sharon headed off. “I’ll call my sitter.”

She and Dan collected the kids from the interior of the family-size SUV. “Can we get this car?” Matthew asked excitedly.

“It’s cozy.” Michelle sighed.

“I like our old one,” Michael countered. “It’s red!”

“So do I,” Kelly said.

In fact, her whole life was so cozy and complete right now, with her kids, nice home and job, she hated to rock the boat by changing anything. Never mind bring someone new into it. So what if she didn’t have a love life? In the past, romance had ultimately brought her nothing but unhappiness, so she was better off without that complication.

Much better off.

Although, she couldn’t help but admit having Dan as a very good platonic friend, spending time with him on weekends, hanging out, kids and all, held a definite appeal.

“Want to meet somewhere for lunch after you pick up Shoshanna?” he asked as they walked out to their respective vehicles.

Kelly decided a little adult company while she supervised four kids might be nice. “Why don’t you come by my place?” she asked. “I’ll whip something up.” She figured she owed him that much.

“Sounds good.”

They left the dealership. Shoshanna had already talked to her mom about the change in plans and, looking intrigued by the possibility of a playdate with her preschool classmates, went willingly with Kelly back to her home.

Which made Kelly wonder.

Was Shoshanna without friends or an opportunity to make any outside the school day because her mom was working such long hours? Could that be part of the little girl’s unhappiness, too? Guiltily, Kelly realized she hadn’t done much to welcome the child to Laramie outside the school environment.

She could do better, as well.

* * *

“SO YOU THINK that’s all it is,” Dan said. He had returned to Kelly’s house, and the four kids hit the playroom while she bustled about the kitchen, putting together a quick meal. “You think Sharon is worried about keeping her new job and Shoshanna is picking up on that?”

Although they were out of earshot, Kelly had a good view of the children. They were getting along nicely and having fun, so she began to relax. “I had the feeling Sharon’s boss might fire her if she didn’t comply.”

Dan kept an eye on the kids, too, as he moved back to watch her add chopped celery and apples to the chunks of roast chicken already in the mixing bowl. Quietly, he reflected, “Sadly, that wouldn’t surprise me. Walter Kline is not from around here. He came in when the family that owned the place for years sold it back to the automobile maker’s corporation. From what I’ve heard around town, he’s putting enormous pressure on all the salespeople.”

Kelly whipped together a mixture of plain yogurt, lemon juice and honey. “So Sharon came here for a more low-key life than she had back in Houston, and ended up in what could very well be worse straits.”

She watched Dan turn to look at Shoshanna, who was trying on some of the dress-up clothing. Big floppy hat, heels, a long strand of pearls and some clip-on earrings. Michelle had on her favorites—a pint-size princess gown and jewel-encrusted crown. Both girls were grinning and preening before the play-mirror. “Sharon’s little girl sure seems happy and engaged today.”

She did, Kelly noted in satisfaction.

Dan hung around for another hour. Long enough to partake in chicken salad sandwiches, and chips and fruit. Then help with the cleanup as the kids retired again to the playroom, this time to build structures out of wooden blocks. Shoshanna was smiling and talking as readily as the triplets.

“Feel better?” Dan asked.

Kelly hung up her dish towel to dry. “I do.” Maybe she’d been projecting some of her own childhood fears and troubles onto the child.

She watched Dan drain the last of his iced tea. “It’s possible she just needs time to adjust. And more of an effort from me and some of the other moms to include her in activities after school hours.”

She walked him to the door, realizing how much this felt like a date, albeit a family one. Resisting the urge to step in and give him a big hug for fear how that would be seen, she smiled instead and said, “Thanks for asking me to go today. I feel a lot more at ease.”

“Good.” He grinned at her with a tantalizing sparkle in his eyes. “Maybe now we can go on that date you owe me.”

Owe! Kelly drew herself up to her full five feet nine inches. “I don’t remember promising...”

His low chuckle sent another shimmer of awareness drifting through her.

He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “I stand corrected.” He bent his head and lightly kissed the back of her knuckles before lifting his head to look into her eyes. Murmuring playfully, “But it’s only fair, don’t you think? That you give me a chance to woo you?”

Feeling her knees begin to quiver, and wondering what the impact would be like if he really kissed her, Kelly repeated the old-fashioned term in surprise. “Woo me?”

He rubbed his lips across her knuckles even more seductively this time. “Mmm-hmm.”

Aware how easily this man would be able to seduce her, she jerked her hand away. Sent him a deadpan look from beneath her lashes. “I’m not woo-able.”

He stepped back, his hearty chuckle hanging in the sizzling air between them. “Famous last words.”

Were they?

Was she woo-able after all?

“But,” he allowed patiently, still holding her eyes, “if that is true, then you have nothing to lose, do you?”

“You have a point,” Kelly countered just as mildly. Although, she thought in amusement, maybe it wasn’t the one he was trying to make. “There’s only one way to put an end to your current quest.” Only one way to prove to him that she had already failed at matrimony once and wasn’t about to give it another go.

The meaning of her words sinking in, his eyes radiated pure pleasure. “Give me what I want?”

“Once,” Kelly stated. So he would see what she already knew, that she was not “the one” for a marriage-minded man like him.

He could then put her in the Rejected Candidates column. Move on to the next female hopeful. And she could put this crazy, ill-conceived attraction she felt for the sexy husband-wannabe behind them.

* * *

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DAN stopped by his sister Lulu’s Honeybee Ranch to pick up a gift en route to his date. The petite dark-haired spitfire looked him up and down. “Aren’t you all fancy!”

He stayed a good distance from the hives where she had been working. “It’s just a shirt and jeans.”

Lulu stripped out of her protective white bee suit, hat and gloves. Surveyed him with a wry smile. “Ironed shirt and jeans. Shirttail tucked in. Your good brown leather boots. Freshly shaven and showered, smelling of aftershave, and did you also get a haircut by the way?”

He grunted. “It was time.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Lulu rolled her eyes. “Who’s the lucky lady this time? Must be someone special if you’re going to this much trouble.”

“Kelly Shackleford.”

His sister did a double take. “Well, what do you know, stud. The pretty preschool teacher finally agreed to go out with you?”

With way too many stipulations.

Dan nodded, happy after months of trying to have gotten that far. “She has.”

Lulu’s eyes narrowed. “On a school night?”

“She was only able to get a sitter from seven to nine.”

“Where are you going?” Lulu led the way into her ranch house.

“The concert in the town square.”

Another pitying glance. “Your choice or hers?”

“Hers,” Dan allowed.

A smirk. “That’ll be nice. And public.”

Beginning to lose his temper, Dan groused, “What’s your point?”

His only sister sobered. “I’m just saying Kelly’s put a lot of safety nets into this outing. Weeknight. Setting with a lack of intimacy or privacy. A short overall time period and early end.”

Put that way... “You’re saying I should read something into this?” Other than the fact she’d been so eager to go out with him she couldn’t wait until the following weekend?

“Aren’t you?”

Hell, yes. Unfortunately.

The irony wasn’t lost on him, either.

He’d spent a lot of time going out with women he suspected might be all wrong for him, just to be sure he wasn’t missing out on a chance to get married and have a family. Now that he finally felt differently about a woman from the outset, she was preparing to simply go through the motions with him in order to officially eliminate him as a viable romantic prospect.

Much to his chagrin, there was no denying the universal payback of that.

Lulu gently patted his arm. “Want my advice?”

Lord knew he really appeared to need it in this case. “Always.”

Lulu handed him a gift set of four kinds of honey. “Make every second count, cowboy.”

Dan planned to.

* * *

UNFORTUNATELY, THE MINUTES were ticking away before they even got started.

Kelly’s teenage babysitter was late and had not arrived yet. The triplets—who had been sent to let him in the door—were thrilled to see him yet very unhappy he was taking their mother out.

“It’s not fair,” Michelle pouted. “We wanted to go to the park, too.”

Dan was trying to figure out how to handle that when Kelly came breezing down the staircase in a burst of flowery perfume.

Damn, she was gorgeous. Her full-skirted sundress hugged her torso, accentuating her full soft breasts and slender waist. She was still fastening her earrings.

She accepted the four-pack of Lulu’s famous Honeybee Ranch honey from him with thanks and a smile. Set it aside. Then turned back to her daughter, her caramel-blond hair flowing over shoulders, explaining gently, “I told you. Dan and I aren’t going to the part of the park where the playground is. We’re going to the bandstand to listen to music.”

“But I like music!” Michelle folded her arms in front of her and pouted all the more.

“Are they going to sing ‘Farmer in the Dell’?” Matthew wanted to know. “Or ‘Hokey Pokey’?”

“No,” Kelly said firmly. “In fact,” she said levelly, with a telltale look Dan’s way, “I’m pretty sure it’s all very boring music. Isn’t that right, Deputy Dan?”

Getting her cue, he nodded soberly. “I think your mommy is right. You all would be really fidgety if you had to sit through that for two whole hours.”

“Well, then,” Michael declared, independent as always, “I don’t want to go.”

A knock sounded.

Kelly opened the door and Tessa Lowell came in, hair still wet and smelling vaguely of chlorine. Briefly, introductions were made. “Sorry, Ms. Shackleford,” the sitter said. “The swim meet ran late, and I couldn’t leave until I got my ribbon.”

“I completely understand,” Kelly said.

Dan looked at his watch. It was nearly seven thirty. “Any chance you could stay until nine thirty then?”

“No problem.” Tessa grinned.

Kelly looked like she wanted to interject. Then grabbed her shoulder bag instead. “You know where all the emergency numbers are.”

“I do. But not to worry, Ms. Shackleford.” Tessa beamed. “We’re going to have even more fun than you-all are!”

“Walk or drive?” Dan asked as they hit the driveway.

He’d waited for this moment for so long, he could hardly believe his good fortune. Kelly seemed to be having a similar “is this really happening after all” moment.

With a shrug, she tilted her head at the clear blue sky with a few scattered white clouds. “Well, it’s not that hot or humid. Parking along the town square can be hard to find, and,” she said, drawing a breath that lifted and lowered the enticing swell of her breasts, “it’s only four blocks.”

He fell into step beside her. “Then we walk.” He debated whether to take or hand or not. Decided not. “You look pretty tonight.”

“Thank you. So do you.” She shook her head. Tried again, more succinctly this time. “I mean you look handsome.”

He grinned. “Good to know.” And deep down it delighted him that she was obviously as acutely aware of him as he was of her.

She swung to face him. The sexual vibe between them intensifying, she raised a cautioning hand. “I know I agreed to do this, Dan. But—” her lower lip took on a rueful curve “—I think it may have been a mistake.”

Chapter Four

“A mistake?” Dan had been ready for this kind of reticence, given how high Kelly had her guard up. But he hadn’t really expected it until the end of the evening. He reached over and took her hand in his, wondering all the while what it would take to make her feel as crazy with longing and giddy with desire as he did at this instant. “Why is that?”

Color swept her cheeks. “Because I know that you’re looking to settle down and get married.”

He stepped even closer. “And?”

She kept her eyes on his a disconcertingly long time. “I’m not marriage material,” she evaded finally.

It wasn’t the first time she had told him this. He hoped it would be her last. “Who told you that?” he scoffed. “Your ex-husband?” If so, he’d like to wring the jerk’s neck.

Her teeth raked across the soft lusciousness of her lower lip. “How do you know I’m divorced instead of widowed?”

“I figure if you’d already been married to the love of your life and didn’t want to date for that reason, you’d just say so. Plus, there would likely be photos of the triplets’ daddy around the house. There aren’t. At least not that I’ve noticed. Or some mention of him, either from you or the kids.”

She retreated into scrupulous politeness. “I might have never gotten married at all.”

He wasn’t surprised to find her still holding him at arm’s length. Slanting her a sidelong look as they began to stroll in the direction of the town square, he noticed how the dwindling sunlight caught the shimmer of blonde in her caramel hair. “Was that the case?”

Another shadow crossed her face. Their eyes locked, providing another wave of unbidden heat between them. “No.”

Dan savored her nearness and the pleasure that came from being alone with her. “How long after you had the kids did you divorce?”

She shoved her hands in the pockets of her skirt. “It became final one week later.”

One week? He let his glance drift over her slender form to her spectacular legs. “After giving birth to triplets?” He couldn’t hide his astonishment. His gaze returned slowly to her face, pausing on her lips before returning to her long-lashed amber eyes.

Sadness came and went in her guarded expression. “It’s a very long story.”

“We’ve got at least three more blocks.”

She sent him a quelling look.

“More,” he added, curtailing his own rising emotions, “if we take the long way.”

Kelly smiled faintly. Sighed. “Okay, maybe you should know.”

Now they were getting somewhere. He studied the mixture of regret and longing in her eyes.

“I didn’t date when I was younger because of how chaotic my life was, so I was pretty naive when I met Grif right after college. I had a lot of student loan debt, so I was working weekdays at a preschool and then moonlighting on weekends at his family’s real-estate firm in Phoenix.” She took a breath. “Grif had just graduated from Wharton Business School, and he felt entitled to a bigger role in the family company. His parents wanted to see him married—to someone of an appropriate social standing—and settled down with kids first, before they gave him a part-ownership in their multimillion-dollar enterprise.”

Dan caught her hand in his, and this time she didn’t let go. “That didn’t go over well?”

Kelly sighed and looked down at their entwined fingers. “No. He quit working for them, took a job with their biggest competitor and eloped with me.”

“He was using you?”

Kelly’s jaw tautened. “To tick them off, yes.” She stared straight ahead.

“Did you know that?”

“No.” She frowned. “He was so charming I thought he was wildly in love with me. I probably would have gone on thinking that, at least for a while, had I not become pregnant right away. His family went ballistic. And when we realized I was carrying triplets, so did Grif.”

Curtailing his rising anger, Dan guessed, “He didn’t want the babies?”

“Of the child of an addict who spent half her life in foster care?” She smirked derisively. “No. So they sent the family lawyer to see me with a proposal. If I would not claim the children were legally Grif’s, they were prepared to set up a very generous general welfare trust that would provide for me and for the children, through college. All I had to do was agree to an uncontested divorce, pretend to the few people who knew about the pregnancy that I’d miscarried, leave Arizona immediately and settle elsewhere.”

“What would happen if you didn’t agree?”

“They were going to fight me for custody. And they promised me it would be very unpleasant. They’d bring up my unstable childhood and my family history of addiction. And with their money and influence, they might have won.” She released a pensive sigh. “So to spare my children that kind of ugliness, I said yes to their plan, agreed to an uncontested divorce and chose Texas.”

Dan hated the way the bastards had treated her. He was also glad they were permanently out of her life. “So Grif’s name isn’t on the triplets’ birth certificates?”

“I left the space blank.”

He saw the good and bad in that, too. Extricating their hands, he wrapped his arm about her shoulders and drew her closer. “Have the triplets asked about their father?”

Their paces slowed. “Only in a general sense.”

His protectiveness toward her grew. “What did you tell them?”

She leaned into him, her voice soft. “That they were my very own little miracles, sent from heaven so we could be a family.”

So true.

“And that not all families have daddies, or mommies, for that matter.” Her voice caught slightly. Embarrassed, she averted her gaze. “And it’s okay, as long as children have at least one parent who loves them.” She swallowed, composing herself, as their steps slowed even more, then stopped. “And I do love them, very much.”

“You’re a wonderful mom, Kelly.” He grasped her shoulders, and turned her to face him.

She sighed with a mixture of sadness and frustration. “And yet, I can’t give them what they should really have had all along. A complete family.”

Maybe not with her ex-husband. But there were other possibilities, too.

He searched her face, not really all that surprised by the depth of her concern. Or his. Kelly and the triplets were fast filling the empty corners of his heart. Gruffly, he observed, “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your kids are all doing great.”

With a faint smile, she tipped her face up to his and conceded cautiously, “For now, yes, because so far they’ve accepted my version of events. Although—” she inhaled sharply, looking worried again “—as you noticed, Matthew and Michelle are fixated on my finding a husband.” Another even longer, more heartfelt sigh. “That way, they figure, they’d have a daddy.”

“Michael...?” Dan prodded.

Kelly made an exasperated face. “Also wants a daddy. But he doesn’t want me to have a husband.”

“Complicated.”

Kelly lifted her eyes heavenward before finishing wryly, “Oh, yes, my life is most definitely complicated.”

As was his. Now that she and her kids were in it.

“And it’s about to get even more complicated,” Kelly fretted as they resumed walking once again.

“Because...?”

Dan turned the corner with her, aware if they went any slower they’d soon be going backward. He didn’t mind. He was in no hurry to get to the concert, either. He much preferred simply spending time with her.

Kelly turned her gaze back to his and lamented softly, “In two weeks, the preschool is hosting the Father’s Day picnic. And I know all of these questions, and more, are likely to come up then.”

* * *

KELLY DIDN’T KNOW why she had confided so much in Dan. Usually, she kept her personal feelings about things locked away inside. But there was just something about being with the big, strapping lawman that made her feel it was okay to let down her guard a little. Enjoy life again.

“So who knows about what you’ve gone through?” he asked with the trademark McCabe compassion.

Kelly pushed away the desire roaring through her and forced herself to respond rationally, “The entire story? Here in Laramie? Just you.”

His blue eyes filled with understanding. “What does everyone else think?”

If she strained to listen, she could hear the sounds of the concert in the distance. Kelly turned to look up at him. She knew it was reckless, but the romance-starved part of her did not want their time alone together to end.

“They think,” she said, “that I had a brief, unsuccessful marriage in Arizona to a man who decided he did not want children, and because of that, I have sole custody of my triplets.”

Giving her no chance to protest, he drew her back into his arms. “Why did you tell me?”

She drew a breath. And, knowing they were possibly on the brink of even more heartache, forced herself to look into his eyes. “Because,” she said softly, pragmatically, “I can see how interested you are in me. Or think you are, anyway. And I don’t want you to be left with the impression that any of this is going to go anywhere.”

She saw the indecipherable emotion flash briefly in his eyes and plunged on. “I owed you a date because you helped me set my mind at ease about Shoshanna. And...”

He lowered his head to hers and delivered a kiss. Short, sweet and utterly seductive.

“What was that for?” Kelly gasped, so dizzy it rocked her world.

He rocked her world.

Dan grinned and kissed her again. A little more slowly and deliberately this time. “Because,” he responded tenderly, “I didn’t want you to have to wait until the end of our date to stop fooling yourself and realize I’m not the only one feeling something here.”

* * *

IT WAS JUST one embrace. One short, sweet, incredibly tender and evocative embrace. Yet Kelly couldn’t stop thinking about it and remembering just how wonderful it had felt to be caught up against Dan McCabe’s tall, strong body.

And she was still thinking about it two hours later, after the concert ended, when he was walking her home. As well as thinking about how to phrase what she knew she had to say.

When they were one street away, she took an enervating breath and began. “You know how we agreed to just one date...?”

His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I recall you wanting to limit it to that.”

Kelly swallowed, already tingling all over. “Because I thought that, if, at the end of our night out, either one of us just wasn’t feeling it.” Or shouldn’t be feeling it. “Then...”

He stopped walking abruptly, caught her hand. And looked deep into her eyes. “Except, Kelly, I am.”

With a great deal more difficulty than she imagined, she ignored his soft, sexy declaration and pushed on as if he hadn’t spoken. “...the two of us might decide we would be better off as friends.”

Just as he had done with the dozens of other Laramie County women he had dated.

To her consternation, he rejected the notion, again. “Or friends and more,” he murmured persuasively, lowering his head.

She barely had time to catch her breath, and then he was pulling her all the way against him, kissing her again. And again, and again. Inundating her with so many sensations at once. The hard warmth of his body. The delectably minty and masculine taste of his mouth. The clean masculine fragrance of his skin. Heavens, the man knew how to kiss. How to make her want and need and feel, how to draw her into the promise of more, so much more, before letting that same kiss come to a slow and oh-so-sensual end.

When he finally pulled back, he rasped, “I don’t think we were meant to be ‘just friends.’”

Her body didn’t think so, either.

Frazzled, she moved a slight distance away from him and propelled herself forward, in the direction of her home.

With difficulty, Kelly reminded herself that it was a man only half as charming as Dan who’d broken her heart before. Could she really go through that again?

The common sense side of her said no, she could not. “Well, I do,” she countered stubbornly, folding her arms in front of her.

He fell into step beside her, matching her step for step as she hurried home. “Okay,” he said.

Kelly spun on him, echoing in disbelief, “Okay?”

It didn’t help that the sky was velvety black now, with a brilliant quarter moon and a sprinkling of stars. Or that the warm summer air was blowing gently over them. The town streets just as quiet and deserted and serene as they had been before the concert.

Dan shoved his hands in his pockets as they rounded the corner. “We don’t have to agree on everything, Kelly.”

That soothed even as it disturbed. “Meaning you won’t pursue me?”

He offered her his killer smile and gave her a lazy once-over before returning ever so deliberately to her lips. “I didn’t say that. Exactly.”

She ignored the low insistent quiver in her belly. Resolved not to let him know just how much he was getting under her skin, Kelly huffed, “Then what are you saying?”

He delivered a slow, heart-stopping smile. “That you might need some time to think this over before you officially deem us ‘one and done.’”

She wished he would quit behaving like the conquering hero, quit fueling romantic fantasies that had gone too long unexplored. She didn’t need him to remind her—with every request for a date—what a rut she had been in. Didn’t need him to charge past her carefully built defenses. Or make her realize how lonely she had been for just this kind of companionship. She looked at him defiantly when they reached the street lamp on the next corner. “Just so you know, cowboy, I’m not going to change my mind.”

His eyes were dark and unwavering on hers. “Okay.”

She swallowed. “Okay you believe me?”

“Okay.” Chuckling, he tugged her close and dropped a string of kisses along her temple to just behind her ear. “I’ll let you reserve the chance to change your mind.”

She splayed her hand across the center of his chest, pushed him away and kept right on walking. Marching, really. As quickly as she could. “You really are the most maddening man!” she called over her shoulder.

So much so that if it were Christmas, he would have to be put on the naughty list.

He caught up with her on the sidewalk in front of her home. “And you’re the most maddening woman. But you don’t see that discouraging me, do you?”

Kelly swung around to face him. She trembled at the raw tenderness in his gaze. She had the strong sensation—or was it hope?—that he was going to kiss her again.

And that she was going to kiss him back...

He moved toward her. She moved toward him. And just before their lips met, an excited rap on the windows of her home captured their attention.

In frustration, Kelly pivoted to see all three of her children with hands and faces pressed against the living room windows. Tessa standing behind them.

Dan laughed. “Quite the welcoming committee.”

No kidding. Kelly muttered, “They’re supposed to be asleep!”

The front door opened. The triplets and their sitter came barreling out. “You’re back!” Michael noted happily.

“Hi, Deputy Dan!” Matthew said.

Michelle asked, “Did you get married yet?”

“No,” Dan said with a wry chuckle.

Michelle pouted. She placed her hands on her hips. “Well, when?”

Never, Kelly wanted to say. Given how much Dan McCabe had turned her life upside down in just what, a matter of three, four days? Making her want and need and feel. Instead, she said, “It’s past your bedtime. Why aren’t you all asleep?”

Three shrugs. Tessa apologized. “Believe me, I tried, but they couldn’t settle down tonight.”

Kelly knew why. She hadn’t had a date with anyone since they’d been born. So this was definitely a new situation.

“Well,” Dan said, reading the situation correctly. “I can see you have your hands full...”

‘Say good-night to Deputy Dan,” Kelly told her children.

“Good night,” they chorused, gathering around the handsome lawman for a group hug that was just as warmly returned.

“Night, kids.” Dan looked at Kelly. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” Grinning and whistling, he sauntered to his vehicle.

In an aside only Kelly could hear, Tessa said, “Wow, he is hot!”

Very hot, Kelly thought, still tingling from all the kisses she had received and the one that had been interrupted. Not that it would make a difference. She had already made up her mind which way this was going to go, and it wasn’t into anything romantic—and potentially heartbreaking.

* * *

WHEN KELLY ARRIVED at school the next morning, she had a message that the director, Evelyn Winters, wanted to see her. “What’s up?” she asked as she entered the senior administrator’s office.

“We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback on the talk Dan McCabe gave to the three-year-old classes. The kids were enthralled with the photos of his miniature goats, and the idea of naming them, too. Assuming that was a real suggestion and not just a misunderstanding?”

Kelly knew better than to throw anything out there, even casually, since preschoolers were very literal.

“The kids wanted to know the names of his goats, and he didn’t have any, which was upsetting to them, so I mentioned that maybe we could all think about coming up with names for them. I was thinking it might be something to do on a rainy day.”

“So you weren’t serious?”

Kelly hedged. “He’s planning to rehome the herd as soon as possible. He just hasn’t found places for them yet.”

Evelyn clapped her hands with enthusiasm. “All the more reason to put the goats on the ranch field trip next Monday, then.”

Kelly blinked. “What?”

“We’ve already got horses, cattle, alpaca, sheep and chickens for them to go see. Pet goats would be a nice addition.”

Pushing the memory of their recent kisses out of her mind, Kelly swallowed. “I’m not sure Dan McCabe would be up for that.” Me, either.

The director waved. “I know his family, and I have a feeling he wouldn’t mind. In any case, I’d like you to ask. And if he says yes, you’ll also need to drive out to his ranch and work out the logistics of having the buses on his property, safely unloading the children and so on.”

Kelly gulped. “Today?”

“Yes. I’ll even take your class for a couple of hours if you can arrange to do it this afternoon so we can get it on the permission slips going out tomorrow afternoon.”

* * *

“FEEL FREE TO SAY NO,” Kelly said blithely when she got Dan on the phone.

“It’s no problem.”

Darn.

“But I can’t meet you out at Bowie Creek Ranch until around six this evening.”

Yet another problem. She gave him another opportunity to bail. “Well, that’s the thing. I’d have to bring all three kids.”

“It would give me a chance to show them around. You, too, actually.”

Kelly rubbed her temple. Why were the fates conspiring against her? Tempting her repeatedly with something she knew she could never have? Not for long, anyway.

And it wasn’t just she who would be getting hurt here. Her kids were already becoming attached to him.

Oblivious to her worries, Dan said, “In fact, plan on having dinner out here, too.”

Yet another objection eradicated.

“And we’ll make a night of it.”

Exactly, Kelly thought as her heart sped up even more, what she was afraid of.

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