Page 45 of Sold to the Single Daddies

“Sorry? If it’s any consolation he doesn’t look at you any differently. I think you and your brothers are quickly becoming his role models. Which is only slightly worrisome considering our current circumstances.”

“He should find better role models.” Mills rubbed his hands over his face and then nodded to the cattle. “Get to work.”

For once, his gruffness didn’t rub me the wrong way. I could feel the angst rolling off of him and knew he was beating himself up about his sisters after the conversation we’d had the night before. I didn’t know how I was so sure I knew what he was feeling but I was. I was also sure he didn’t want to talk about it with me.

Moving closer to him, I leaned down and kissed Lucky’s head. “Be a good boy for Daddy. Maybe give him some extra love, Lucky, instead of all the sass you’ve been giving me.”

Mills stiffened when I didn’t pull away after kissing Lucky but instead raised my head and hesitated with my mouth close to his. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted it desperately but I knew it wasn’t the right time. Instead of doing what I wanted I pressed a kiss to his cheek and hovered there before pulling away.

“While I have some doubts about his role models' grumpiness and judginess at times, I happen to think he could do much, much worse.” I flashed him a quick smile and then headed toward the ranch hands, eager to get to do some real work. I only glanced back at Mills once and flushed when I saw he was watching me.

Later in the day I was working outside the new barn with Jolene when I heard Lucky let out an angry cry. I could tell by the ache in my chest it was time to feed him so I headed to theoffice where Mills had him. The midday sun had bested me and I felt like a crispy piece of toast as I entered the office and walked around the desk to take Lucky.

“Whoa. Hold on, Reagan.” Mills shot out of his chair and grabbed me with one arm while he held Lucky with the other. “I should’ve been keeping a closer eye on you. Here. Sit down. Let me get you some water.”

I tried to tell him I was fine but he was already shouting for Jolene and pushing me into his chair. I was hot, sure, but I was okay. “Mills—”

“Get me water, Jolene. And next time I trust you to watch over someone, you need to fucking watch over them.” His tone was furious. “She barely stumbled in here.”

“Mills!” Lucky was still crying and my head was throbbing. “Don’t shout at her. I’m a grown woman.”

Jolene’s weather-worn face appeared in front of mine as she pushed a bottle of water into my hands.

“For the first time ever, the asshole’s right. Heshouldshout at me. He should have my ass for me not watching you better.”

Mills was barking orders into his phone.

“Bring a truck around to the barn. We need to get Reagan to the clinic.”

I groaned. I didn’t feel the best but I was fine. I was a grown woman who was responsible for looking after herself so I needed the two of them around me to relax.

“I’m fine, dammit.”

“Take Lucky, Jolene. Tate is bringing the truck around. Get him in his car seat.” Mills handed our son off and then came around the desk and picked me up like a bride. When I rested my head on his shoulder he swore. “You’re burning up, angel.”

“Probably a sunburn.” I pouted. “I don’t want to go to the clinic. Can’t I just go inside and rest? I need to feed Lucky.”

“You’re going to the clinic and that’s that. Now just be quiet and save your strength.”

I sighed. “Your bedside manner sucks.”

CHAPTER 31

Mills

Doctor Bianca Shawn had taken one look at Reagan and jumped into action. She’d had us stretch her out on the floor since it was cooler and prop her feet up. Then she’d done what she called an aggressive treatment for heat exhaustion by hooking Reagan up to an IV for fluids. I sat on the floor with Reagan’s feet in my lap and my stomach in my throat. She’d looked so out of it and I couldn’t stop seeing the slightly dazed look in her eyes. I’d let her get sick. I was supposed to take care of her and she’d ended up in the clinic hooked up to fluids.

Tate sat by her head and kept a cool cloth across her forehead. He looked up at me and frowned. I could feel his concern oozing into my brain from whatever fucked up twin magic we had and I did my best to shut it out. The only person he needed to be concerned about was Reagan.

Lucky whined from his carrier next to me and I reached over to gently rock it. He would’ve starved if Reagan hadn’t thought to pump an extra few bottles to store in the fridge. I could’ve taken out the mother of my son and his food source. What the fuck did I know about babies? If Reagan died, how the fuck would I feed Lucky?

“He’s spiraling again.” Reagan’s soft voice jerked me out of my thoughts. She hadn’t said a lot since getting her IV and I could tell she’d felt worse than she wanted to admit. I looked up to see her eyes focused on me.

“Tate, make him stop.”

Tate just sighed.

“Welcome to life with Mills. He’s not just an asshole to other people. He’s an asshole to himself, too. Maybe even more so.”

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