Page 90 of No Place for Single Cowboys

What was all that business about the Mercantile? He was being weird, and she was too pregnant for this.

“Not a birthday party.”

The closer they got, the more confused Cordy was. Something about all the pastels was making her feel funny. Like she ought to know what was going on.

“Is it a wedding shower?” she asked.

“You’ll see,” was all he said.

Cordy recognized Jaycee first. Then Ruby, Sam, Chelsea, and more people crowded around her, smiling and telling her, “Surprise!” and “Congratulations!” It took her a moment to realize what was happening.

It was a baby shower.For her.

Her body locked up in stunned surprise. She knew she ought to say something and tell everyone how pleased she was, but Cordy was too overwhelmed. She never expected anything like this.

Chance came to her rescue, stepping between her and everyone to give her a moment. “You need anything?” he whispered.

She put her hand on his shoulder, grateful for his strength, his kindness. Grateful forhim.“I’m okay.” Her tone was watery. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

“Surprise.” His mouth curved into a smile she’d never seen before. Boyish, but not immature. Happy, but a touch shy.

Chance was always smiling, always grinning. This expression wasn’t anything like those smiles. It was soft, intimate, just for her and him.

Her fingers curled into his shoulder, feeling the heat and heft of him beneath the cotton of his shirt. He was steady and strong and ready to be her supporting arm.

“Thank you,” she said huskily. “Thank you for everything.”

“It was Jaycee’s idea. Then Ruby got involved somehow and next thing I know, the whole town’s coming.”

“Because they like baby showers.”

“Because they likeyou.You mean something to everyone here.”

“But I didn’t grow up here.” Cordy didn’t know why she kept pushing back. She’d seen for herself how much people cared for her, time and again. But the small part of her left from childhood, the bit that had never clung to anything because she knew she couldn’t keep it, wouldn’t believe.

“Doesn’t matter,” Chance said decisively. “You’re one of us now.” His hand spread over the small of her back. “They’re here for Reed, too. He was one of us, and we want to remember him. Honor him.”

That gave her the courage to lift her head. It wasn’t just about her; it was about Reed, too. She turned to face the town.

“Thank you,” she called out. “I’m… I’m glad the baby decided to stay in so long so I could enjoy this!”

That got laughs, just like she wanted.

“So again, thank you. I’m so very touched.” Cordy sniffed, not letting her emotions overwhelm her. “But after this, I’m definitely ready for this baby to come!”

More laughter. Someone shouted from the back, “So are we! We can’t wait to meet them.”

She was swept up into the party, passed from Ruby to Jaycee to Chelsea to Liberty to Janey Lee to Sam and even to Pierce.

Pierce pressed a small box into her hand as she hugged him. “It’s for you, not the baby,” he explained.

When she opened it, she found a sliver heart hanging from a delicate chain. “Oh, Pierce, it’s so pretty! Thank you.”

“I got it from the jewelry store in Fordsville,” he explained. “If you take it to them, they’ll engrave the baby’s name and birthdate.”

“Oh.” Cordy curled her fingers around the heart. “That is so sweet. This is possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever gotten me.”

Pierce shrugged as he ducked his head. His cheeks were bright red. “I figured you’d like it.”

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