Page 46 of A Chance to Believe

She decided it was better to ignore the provocation. ‘Do you want second names?’

The look he cast her was rueful, but she wasn’t taking the bait even if she had to bite her tongue.

After a moment, he looked down at the paper. ‘It’s usual, isn’t it? Do you have a second name?’

‘Lynette, after my mother. Also not useful for a boy.’

‘I’m Shayne Francis. Ben is Benjamin John. Nothing much there.’

‘I like Jonathan.’

Shayne pulled a stubby pencil out of his pocket. It looked like a carpenter’s pencil, sharpened with a pocketknife. ‘That’s two we agree on.’ He circled them both and she saw Algernon on the list.

‘We could have Algernon for a second name, if you wanted.’

He grimaced. ‘I don’t think so. I like old-fashioned names, but not if they sound like pond scum.’

It was said with so much feeling, she had to laugh. ‘Maybe we can think about it. It’s not like it’s that urgent.’

His gaze rested on her stomach, softening in a way that made her chest ache.

‘I still like to be prepared, Cassie. The doctor seemed to be doubtful about how long it might be.’

‘I promise to revisit names during the week.’

‘We could talk over a meal.’ He broke off and slammed his palm against his forehead. ‘Damn. I forgot about the rodeo next weekend.’

‘Is it a problem?’

‘I’ve promised to take Kim through her paces every evening and there are a few visiting competitors who contracted to use the arena for training during the day. I’m not going to have time to scratch myself until it’s over.’

The feeling in her chest slithered down to her belly. She’d been hoping to get her courage up to tell him about her past in the next few days. Even if there was time for them to talk, she didn’t know how he might react. Better to wait until after the rodeo.

‘There should be time after that. I don’t think Doctor Cavanaugh is expecting me to go into labour this week.’ The decision to postpone her revelations sat uneasily, but she didn’t think there was another choice. His focus had to be on Kimberley and his business dealings with the competitors.

He narrowed his eyes as if he sensed some of her indecision. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Fine for a pregnant woman at this stage of the proceedings. Ready for another rest.’ It wasn’t a total lie. She hadn’t been sleeping well for months.

The expression changed from suspicion to concern. ‘Better go put your feet up. You need to be fit enough to go to the rodeo next weekend. Kimberley is counting on you coming to watch.’

A warmth enveloped her at the acceptance of the girl, Shayne’s daughter. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world. She knows I might not be able to stay for the whole thing?’

‘It’s all about her. I don’t think she cares about you seeing the rest of the competitors.’ He grinned, and she matched it.

‘I’ll certainly do my best.’

His eyes were warm. ‘I’m grateful. For a lot of things. You fit. I never expected it, but I welcome it.’

There was nothing she could think of to say in response and he didn’t press her. He gathered the dishes together. ‘I’ll fix these up. You go rest.’

It had seemed logical to have Tess visit while Shayne was absorbed with his pre-rodeo business. Now she wasn’t so sure.

‘Why on earth wouldn’t you marry him? He sounds adorable. Unless it’s the daughter causing probs.’

Cassie shook her head. ‘Kimberley isn’t a problem. Not at the moment. I don’t know how she’d feel if I did marry her father.’

‘Which you have declared you have no intention of doing. I thought you fancied him something awful when you first met him last year. Has he blotted his copybook?’

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