Page 52 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
“What about your dad?”
That earned a twisted expression. “Didn’t have one. Well, obviously there was a sperm donor, but he wasn’t in the picture.”
There had to be Coleman blood involved, because no way was she looking at someone who could double as a mirror without genetics having a say.
Julia took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “Just to assure you, while I want to figure this out, I’m not trying to shove my way in anywhere I’m not welcome. My mom wanted me. I know that, and she made it really clear. Being a mom was important to her and she loved me very much.”
Lisa waved a hand at the first part of her comment. “Honey, if we’re somehow related by blood, which I figure we have to be, it isn’t going to be a case of you trying to shove your way in. You might have to run and hide to not be overwhelmed by masses of Coleman clan who want to haul you in for assimilation.”
Julia offered an instant response. “Resistance is futile.”
A snort escaped Lisa. “Oh my God, you can quote TNG. You truly are a Coleman.”
The other woman leaned forward on her elbows. “Okay, we don’t need to sleuth this all out today and I certainly don’t want to cause any stress in your family. Because I can’t imagine having someone show up on your doorstep uninvited being anything but stressful.”
Lisa agreed, yet she didn’t. “There’s an uncle who moved away years ago. I mean, way before most of us were born. He’s been out of the picture for a long time. Maybe he’s your dad, but if he is, there’s not much I can tell you about him.”
“Then don’t worry about it. Tell me about you and your home,” Julia suggested. “I’m only in Heart Falls for six months, but I’ve been looking forward to this for years. Maybe longer, if I’m honest. I meant it earlier. My mom used to tell me I was possessed by somespirit of the foothillsthat was longing to go back. This just feels so much like home, even after a few days.”
“It is a pretty place,” Lisa agreed. “But I don’t live here.”
Julia’s expression slid through a range of emotions. Confusion, brightening, then right back into confusion. “Your sister lives here, and you’re here to help with the baby. And Brad said your boyfriend is one of the local veterinarians.”
“Wow, you’re pretty good, Sherlock Holmes,” Lisa said in admiration. “I came out to help Tamara in December. When she’s got her feet under her, I’m not sure what I’m doing.”
“But that was your boyfriend?”
It felt strange to be saying this. “He is, I guess.”
Julia laughed, the sound breaking over them brightly. “Sorry, but that’s the most reluctant acknowledgement I can imagine for such a good-looking guy.”
“It’s complicated,” Lisa drawled.
“Usually is,” Julia returned with a smile. “Want to walk while we talk?”
“Sounds good.”
Lisa waved goodbye to Tansy, who was still making highly inquisitive hand motions. Then she and Julia headed outside, strolling in the brisk air and talking at random about anything that came to mind.
Strangely comfortable, all things considered.
Plus, Julia was right. No matter who her father ended up being, someone in the Coleman family was about to get an enormous surprise.
Slidinginto his day’s tasks took Josiah’s full concentration, since what he wanted to be doing was sticking to Lisa’s side in case she needed him.
Although “need” seemed too strong a term when it came to Lisa. The more he got to know her, the more he admired her. She was bright, and capable, and enticing, and nothing they did together seemed to turn out normal.
He had to accept that.
Somewhere in the next couple of days she would need a distraction, so as he made his rounds and dealt with animals and ranchers, he plotted as best he could.
When she did have free time, he was going to be ready.
Meanwhile, Josiah had enough going on. Not only with his regular work, but he’d been out a number of times to the newly organized animal rescue, working with Sonora.
The woman had somehow managed to get all fifty of the surviving fuzzy creatures not just penned and doctored but groomed as well. The improvement in smell alone was astonishing.
Sonora might be small, but she was a force of nature.
