Page 55 of A Baby for the Billionaire Cowboy

Carly sat in during the police interview and scribbled pages of notes for her legal actions against William. The criminal justice system would take care of the abduction charges, but Carly planned to offer William an agreement that they wouldn’t pursue civil charges as well, as long as William signed over custody of Avery and stayed at least one hundred miles from Last Stand after he got out of prison.

Regardless of the reason for Carly’s presence, Daisy found comfort in having a familiar, friendly face. Well, friendly to her. William had no idea what was about to hit him, and Daisy might almost feel sorry for him.

Ha, not really.

Once that was over, Daisy headed to the office, because maybe work would keep her from reliving the previous day over and over. Xander and Ava practically arm wrestled for the chance to hold Avery, and whichever one wasn’t holding the baby hurried to pamper Daisy with cups of tea or cocoa or offers of snacks. All the fuss distracted her from the work, but maybe that was just as well, because Daisy had a hard time concentrating on anything.

Xander smiled when he saw her, looking deep into her eyes in a way that made her toes curl.

He didn’t say anything about Daisy’s heartfelt confession of her feelings for him.

That was fine. Really. She had enough on her mind. If he needed time to think about it all, that was perfectly reasonable.

But this time, he was going to have to come to her. She wasn’t going to initiate anything again. If anyone was going to be throwing themselves at anyone else,hecould throw himself ather.

During the next week, Hallie asked Daisy to help with wedding planning most evenings, which was great fun and helped take Daisy’s mind off things. They usually claimed the ranch house with the big dining room table. Carly and Ava usually helped, and Mallory frequently stopped by to roll her eyes over the fuss and expense of weddings. The various Tomlinson brothers joined sometimes too. They didn’t get nearly as much actual work done with that crowd, but it was fun to hear about everyone’s ideal wedding. Avery got passed around like... well, like a baby adored by all his aunts and uncles.

Josh and Carly had married quietly, which had helped reduce some of the attention they’d otherwise have gotten for the first marriage of a “billionaire bachelor brother.” Mallory and Cody declared they would keep any wedding small and simple, if they bothered to get married at all. They were living together in Mallory’s little house and discussing whether they needed a bigger one—not because they needed room for children, but for the ferrets Mallory rescued—and “so we each have an office or workroom or whatever so he doesn’t get on my nerves,” Mallory said as Cody grinned at her.

For their wedding, Hallie and TC wanted a big hoedown, which TC insisted on calling a hootenanny, because he liked the word. They’d invite all the ranch hands and most of the town for good food, beer, ax throwing, games of cornhole, and dancing.

“What would you want?” Hallie asked Daisy during one meeting.

“Oh, I don’t have any plans to get married.” Daisy carefully didn’t look toward the couch where Xander was lounging. He appeared to be concentrating on his computer, but one never knew. “But I guess I’m pretty traditional. I’d want the church and the white dress, or maybe off-white, given the circumstances.”

Mallory snorted. “Forget those old-fashioned rules. I’m not saying no one is a virgin when they get married.” She shot a suspicious glance at Xander. “But it’s certainly no one else’s business. You’re as good as anyone, so wear whatever you want.”

“Thanks.” It really did warm Daisy’s heart to hear it. If Mallory ever had doubts about anything, she hid them well. Being a high school teacher probably taught her that. Even sweet Hallie had the heart of a mountain lion. Having all these kind and fierce women around her, accepting her, respecting her choices, did more for Daisy’s sense of security than any number of guards and alarms.

“But you know, I had all of that,” Daisy said. “The long white dress, the church and the ceremony. I ran away from it all. None of that is what really matters.”

“Of course not,” Carly said. “The man matters.”

Josh leaned back, linking his fingers behind his head, and grinned. “That’s right.”

Mallory glared. “Or the woman. You know you got lucky.”

“Oh, I know I did. So did Cody and TC.” Josh glanced toward Xander but merely added, “We all know how lucky we are.”

“It’s not like y’all ever let us forget it.” TC ducked to avoid Mallory’s playful swat.

“The rightpersonmakes all the difference.” Ava sighed. “When you find someone to love, someone who loves you, hold on tight for as long as you have.”

Daisy’s eyes stung. She’d found someone to love. Lots of people, really, and a home and a town. She’d wait for Xander, because he was worth it. She only hoped and prayed he’d decide she was worth it too.

*

Two weeks afterthe events Daisy now thought of as “William’s mistake,” she put on a dress and styled her hair. The girls had invited her to go to dinner at Dragonfly, which was a nice place deserving of the extra effort to look good. Daisy was a little nervous about going out in public after all the attention she’d gotten, but she’d already seen plenty of people when they visited and even braved church the prior Sunday. Things were returning to normal.

A knock came at the door. Daisy checked the time. She had ten minutes before she was supposed to meet her friends at the main house, but maybe they were early and decided to find her there. Ava had already picked up Avery for babysitting.

Daisy crossed to the door. The guys had taken away her old door and replaced it with one that had a small glass pane, which allowed her to look out without anyone seeing in. She had a dead bolt now too, although it was mostly for her own comfort. The guards at the gate and the cameras around the perimeter should ensure William couldn’t get near her again, even if he was foolish enough to try while he was out on bail before his trial. Still, turning that dead bolt made her feel safe in the cottage.

She looked through the glass pane. Xander stood outside. He held a big vase full of flowers.

Oh, this could be good.

She opened the door and waved him in, too nervous to speak.

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