Cowboy in the Extreme. Rita Herron

female guests would like it. He’d thought of Joanie, who would have loved it, then a little girl that he’d never have, but he’d bought it anyway.

       Kim rushed to the bed and turned down the lavender comforter, and he helped ease Lucy onto the bed. For a moment, he simply stood and looked at her, soaking in the fact that she was his child. Memorizing her face again as if he feared she was a mirage and might disappear in the night.

       Finally he dragged himself away, then strode down the steps and returned a few minutes later. He dropped Kim’s bag off in the first room, then took Lucy’s little rollaway and bunny backpack and put them on the window seat in front of the dormer window in her room.

       He hesitated, soaking up the sight of his daughter again, then watched Kim bend over and kiss Lucy on the forehead and tuck her in tight. He’d never thought he could feel so many emotions at once.

       Love for Lucy. An instantaneous bond that overwhelmed him with the need to protect her and the desire to make up for all the time he’d lost.

       Admiration for Kim because she obviously loved their daughter and was a wonderful mother.

       Anger that he’d missed out on being with both of them.

       Kim smoothed the covers down, then turned and looked up at him, her eyes instantly wary. She looked exhausted, and for a brief moment, he wanted to give her a reprieve. To hold and comfort her and forget all the pain between them. All the bitterness that surfaced at the thought of her with Carter.

       Of her and Johnny keeping his daughter from him.

       He gestured toward the door. “Downstairs. We need to talk.”

       Kim bit her lip, then sighed and headed down the stairs. He followed her, then led her into the study and poured them both a drink.

       He’d held his tongue during the drive.

       But her reprieve was over.

       He wanted answers, and he wouldn’t sleep until he had them. His heart hardened.

       Although even then, nothing Kim said could ever make things right again between them.