Page 25 of A Baby for the Billionaire Cowboy

“Oh? I guess. We have to think about the future. Every form of energy production has an environmental cost, but we can work toward the best compromise.”

“I know you care about animals. I didn’t realize your interest in energy. I’ve heard TC talk about how his exotic animals can provide meat using less land and water.”

“Everyone has heard him.”

She gave a little snort of amusement. “Right. So is this your passion? Wind energy?”

“It’s just sensible. Practical. I’ve been trying to figure out how to include energy production on the ranch for a long time. Now we can afford to do it right.”

“Okay.” A dimple flashed in her cheek when she smiled. It was adorable. “But you must be passionate about something.”

He felt short of breath. Passionate? Surely he hadn’t let her see that. “Really? Why?”

She laughed. “Okay. Maybe not passionate. Maybe that’s the wrong word, if you’re used to being practical and sensible. I know you’ve been managing the family accounts practically since you were a kid. But you must have something that gets you excited, or interested at least, not because it needs to be done or it’s sensible, but just because you like it.”

Whew. She meant that kind of passion, not his feelings for her. “The animals, of course. They make me happy.”And you.The words came unbidden to his mind, but he kept them inside. “Why does it matter? I’m happy enough.”

As happy as he could be when the one woman he’d ever wanted was physically in reach but completely out of his reach in practical terms.

“Oh. Well.” She fidgeted, plucking at the scooped neck of her top as if she felt too warm.

He’d already told her she could adjust the thermostat whenever she needed. He resisted the urge to mention it again.

“You might not appreciate my gift so much then,” she said.

“Gift?” He blinked and glanced around. “What gift?”

She crossed to his desk and picked up an envelope. He met her halfway to take it. It saidThank youon the outside in fancy, calligraphy style letters. He smiled and rubbed a thumb over the envelope. “What’s this for?”

“For everything. For all that you’ve done for me.”

He looked up at her. “I haven’t done anything. Mama gave you the job. I’m glad, of course. Like you thought, I figured at first it was a way to give you some charity, but it wasn’t a favor. You’re a good worker.”

At least he didn’t have to worry about her thinking he was making romantic overtures when he said sweet nothings like that.

“I’ve had other bosses. Not many, granted, but I’ve heard enough stories to know they’re not all like you.” She rubbed her belly. “Most people wouldn’t even hire me because I was pregnant. You gave me a job and haven’t once hinted that I’d probably just leave once the baby comes, or give up a career to have more babies.”

“Oh. Would you?” The office would be drab without her.

She chuckled. “I don’t have anyone to have another baby with. In any case, I expect this one will keep me busy for a while. But I want to keep working. Of course I want to spend lots of time with the baby once he’s born.” She patted her stomach. “And I’m spending all my time with him now. But I still need a job. Iwanta job. You don’t know how important it is for me to stand on my own two feet, even if they are swollen at the moment. I need to know I can take care of myself and my baby. I want to earn money and build skills so I can stay employed for as long as I need.”

“You can stay here as long as you want.” Wait, did that sound flirty? “Um, at the job.” Now did it sound like he wanted her out of the house? “We’re all very happy with how things are right now.”

She bit her lip. “I wasn’t trying to hint or manipulate you into thinking you can never let me go.”

“Of course not!” He wouldn’t let her go unless she asked to leave. He should probably keep that thought inside too. “Like I said, you’re a great employee.” His gut burned at the mediocre compliment, so much less than what he really wanted to say. “I know Mama enjoys having another woman in the house too.”

“That’s another thing y’all have done for me that hardly anyone would do. Since I’m living right here, it’ll be easy to look after the baby and keep working.” Her lips twitched. “Well, maybe noteasy. But I don’t have to make the choice between daycare and losing my job.”

“To be honest, you’ll probably have a hard time getting the baby away from Mama most days. I’ll help too. I want to. You know I like...”Baby animalsprobably sounded wrong. “Taking care of things.”

“I know.” Oof, that dimple slayed him. She waved a hand. “Open the envelope.”

He pulled out a card printed from the computer. “Online classes?”

“Not because you need to learn anything.” Her words tumbled over each other. “I’m not trying to force you back to school or anything like that. I just thought it might be fun for you to explore some different areas. They have all kinds of things. Here, I’ll bring up the website. See, they have food, design, science stuff, music, writing, and even crafts. You could take a class in, I don’t know, medieval art or African history or leather carving. Anything you want, just for fun.”

“Fun.”

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