Page 16 of A Baby for the Billionaire Cowboy

“Yeah. It takes some practice to read them. It looks like you’re having—oh, did you want to know the sex?”

“The doctor said it’s a boy.”

“That’s what I was going to say. Man, human babies have huge heads.”

Her shoulders hunched. “Don’t remind me. I have to get that big head out of my... body.”

Xander winced at the thought. “I guess women do it all the time.” That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. There was a reason women remembered how long they’d been in labor, and a reason many of them took powerful drugs during the process. “I’m sure the doctor and nurses will take care of you.”

“Actually, I’m hoping to have the baby here with the help of a doula. Here in the house, I mean, not the office.” She giggled. “That would probably get me called into HR, if you had an HR.”

“I don’t know. It might get you worker’s comp.” He straightened, his gaze still lingering on the ultrasound image, and then glanced at her belly again. That little human was inside of her right this minute! He grinned at her, the fatigue of the day’s physical labor dropping away. He felt like he could run a marathon. No wonder she snapped at him when he suggested she should take it easy.

She rubbed her lips together. “Do you... Would you want to take me to my next doctor’s visit?” Before he could answer, she rushed on. “You don’t have to, of course. I probably shouldn’t have asked. I was just thinking, you know a lot about fetuses and giving birth and all. You’d probably understand more of what the doctor says than I do. But it’s not—usually Auntie Rhonda goes with me.”

He winced. “That must be fun. Mama would go with you. But I’d like to, if you want.”

“Really? You don’t mind?”

“It would be interesting.” And it might save her from some of her aunt’s pestering. He opened his eyes in mock horror. “Rhonda won’t beat me up if I take her place, will she?”

“Actually, telling her you’re taking me is probably the one thing that would keep her away.” She bit her lip. “But it might give her the wrong idea. I’ll tell her you’re simply being a good friend, but I can’t promise she won’t get her hopes up.”

Hopes up for what? That the Tomlinsons would pay for all the pregnancy and birth costs? Well, they would. One of the first things Carly had done after the lottery win was make sure the whole family had health insurance and a big account for emergency expenses. She’d gotten the ranch hands covered too, which was ridiculously expensive because of the dangerous nature of the job. It was only fair that they’d take care of their office employee as well.

“Don’t worry about that,” Xander said. “If there’s anything at all that you need or want to prepare for the birth, you let us know. I haven’t seen Mama as excited in years as she is about your baby, not even over the lottery money. Carly and Josh are talking about having kids pretty soon, so I know they’ve enjoyed the first-hand look. We all have.”

“All y’all have been a family to me.” Daisy ran her hand over her belly. She bit her lip for a moment. “Xander? Would you be the baby’s godfather?”

For a moment he simply stared, stunned.

“It’s not like you have to do anything really,” she said quickly. “I know there were times when a godparent would take care of the child if the parent died, or pay for things. I don’t mean that. I’d hate you to think I was asking only to get money!”

Xander shuddered at the thought that if something happened to Daisy, the baby would be all alone, or best-case scenario, he might be raised by Rhonda. Of course they’d take care of the child!

Daisy went on. “I was taught that asking someone to be a godparent was a way to show your respect and appreciation. I can’t think of any man who deserves that more.”

Xander gulped past his tight throat. “I’d be honored.”

Chapter Eight

At the doctor’soffice, Xander held the door for Daisy and then followed her in. He glanced around the waiting room to see a dozen pairs of eyes on him. He nodded to a couple of people he knew. One guy he recognized from school, before Xander skipped some grades and graduated early. Lucas was there with his wife, who was pregnant for at least the third time. Funny how Lucas and Xander had taken such different paths and still wound up right here at the same time.

“Hey,” Lucas said.

“Hey.”

Daisy turned back from the counter where she’d been checking in. A few seats were open, but not two together. Lucas’s wife shifted over one chair to make room and tugged on her husband’s arm so he’d follow. Xander sat next to Lucas, so Daisy could have the chair on the end where she’d have more room and not have a stranger’s elbow brushing her stomach.

People were still watching him and Daisy. She probably hadn’t had much chance to get to know local folks. Should he introduce her to the ones he knew? He wasn’t good with that kind of social thing. He never knew what to say. You were supposed to tell people something about each other to help them connect, but why would Daisy care if he knew someone from church or went to school with them fifteen years before?

Maybe the doctor would call them back quickly.

Lucas’s wife hissed something in a forceful whisper, but Xander didn’t catch the words. Lucas grunted back. A moment later, he turned toward Xander with a stiff smile. “Haven’t seen you in an age. Guess you’ve been running with the big dogs.”

“Busy season for the ranch.” Xander hoped Lucas wasn’t going to turn this into a pitch for some charity or business idea. Xander hadn’t much liked small talk even before the lottery win. Now people joked about getting a loan, hinted that he should donate to their kids’ school fundraiser, or outright asked for money.

Lucas leaned forward to look past Xander and nod at Daisy. “Howdy.” He leaned back and nudged Xander with his elbow. “Looks like you’ve got one sitting on the nest too.”

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