Page 49 of Baby Daddy

“I think you should tell her that, not me.” Ty dumped fertilizer and topsoil into his hole. “Okay, bring me one of those rosebushes.”

“How come we’re planting them?”

“Because otherwise they’re going to die. And I don’t want to see your mom’s expression if that should happen.”

“Heck, no.” Hanging over the hole, Hutch watched Ty carefully smooth dirt around the roots. “You’re hoping they’ll grow some flowers, aren’t you?”

“Yup. I’m hoping once she sees how well her roses grow in Texas soil, she’ll decide to plant her own roots here,too.

Hutch nodded his approval. “Good idea.”

“I thought so.” Ty rocked back on his heels and tipped his Stetson off his forehead. “But these roses are going to need time to grow. You can’t rush ’em. Do you read me? Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Hutch released a long, drawn-out sigh. “You want me to stop helping you and Mom?”

Ty suppressed a grin. “You’re quick, kid. Ialways did like that about you.” He removed his gloves and shoved them into his back pocket. “I don’t mind your helping, so long as I ask for it first. Okay?”

“I guess.” Hutch adjusted his glasses. “You sure I can’t help just a little?”

“Now that you mention it, Icould use some.” Ty nodded toward the side of the house. “Why don’t you grab the hose and give these bushes a drink?”

Ty caughtCassidy going through her wallet a few days later, counting out the piddling stack of bills that were undoubtedly all she had left to her name. From his vantage point, the few there were carried good ol’ George Washington’s enigmatic smile. Not pleasant to be down to a handful of onedollar bills. Desperation would undoubtedly follow close behind and Cassidy desperate wasn’t a sight he cared to witness, any more than her reaction should her precious roses die now that he’d plantedthem.

Then he thought of something and roundly cursed himself for a fool. They were supposed to have picked up her paycheck from the café. With all the craziness of the past several days, he’d forgotten about it, although he’d remembered to retrieve her car and reconnect the battery cables. He’d also taken a few minutes to have an intriguing discussion with Cassidy’s former landlady. What he’d do with the information he’d gleaned, he hadn’t quite decided

His mouth slanted in a wry smile. No question about it Once he convinced the love of his life to join him in holy matrimony, he’d have his hands full with their ingenious—not to mention devious—son. At least their conversation a few days ago had helped. Ever since they’d planted the rosebushes, Hutch had been on his best behavior.

“Ty?” Cassidy caught up with him on the porch, aworried frown lining her brow. He longed to smooth it away to ease her fears and concerns and allow her to concentrate on the pleasures life offered instead of fighting for sheer survival. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t let him. Not yet, at anyrate.

“What can I do for you, sweetheart?”

She’d stopped protesting his use of endearments, although they were almost guaranteed to bring a flush to her cheeks. “I need to go into San Antonio for the day.”

“Would you like a lift? I’d be happy to drive you there.’

She avoided his eyes. “That’s not necessary. I’ll take my car. Ihave things to do.”

“Things.” What sort of things? he couldn’t help but wonder. Not that he couldn’t guess. No doubt they were independent things. Things guaranteed to put as much distance between them and raise as many barriers as she could manage.

This time, she did glance at him, her gaze direct and forthright. “I have to get a job and find a new place to live, as you’re well aware.”

Uh-oh. “You agreed to stay here as my guest until after our Fiesta date,” he reminded in his mildest tone of voice. It was one of the few concessions he’d wrangled out ofher.

She looked like she wanted to argue. Being a smart woman, she thought better of it. “You’re right, Idid. But in the meantime, Ihave an appointment I can’t miss.”

His relief was tempered by concern. “You feeling okay?”

A smile eased the strain he read in her eyes. “It’s not that sort of appointment. It’s a project I’ve been working on. Along-standing one. And if I don’t make it there today, Imight not get around to it again any time soon.” She took a deep breath. “So it’s now or never.”

She didn’t explain further and he knew better than to push, though her determination intensified his curiosity. He might want to insist she share every aspect of her life with him, to trust him with all the intimate details. But that would have to wait until she was ready. “Sounds like it’s important to you,” he limited himself to observing.

“Very. It’s a project I’ve been working on for some time now.” She glanced toward the bunkhouse. “The thing is, I’m going to be back late and I wondered if you’d mind keeping an eye on Hutch.”

“You know that’s not a problem. Sure I can’t give you a lift?”

Her chin came into play, settling along lines that warned he’d lose this particular argument should he choose to turn it into one. “Thanks, but this is something I have to take care of myself.”

He inclined his head. “Think you’ll be home for dinner?”

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