His Texas Runaway. Stella Bagwell

to listen to her. She’s had six of us.”

      “I’m not an expert on carrying babies, but by the time Camille was born, I felt darn close to it,” Maureen said with a chuckle, then reached for Chandler’s arm. “Come on. Let’s leave Roslyn alone so she can get comfortable and ready for bed.

      She tugged Chandler out the door and didn’t let loose of his arm until they’d reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs.

      Deliberately lowering her voice, she said, “Okay. What’s going on? You’ve brought home plenty of things over the years, Chandler, but never anything like this!”

      He glanced up the stairs just to make sure Roslyn hadn’t followed and could hear them discussing her. “Well, it’s pretty simple, Mom. When Trey and I returned to the clinic tonight, Roslyn’s car was parked near the front of the building. Seems she’d gotten dizzy and pulled off the highway. I found her sitting inside the vehicle. She was a bit disoriented and while I was trying to question her, she fainted. As best as I could tell from dehydration and exhaustion.”

      “But where is she from? Who is she? Anyone you know?”

      He shook his head. “She’s from Fort Worth and apparently driving herself to California.”

      “The poor little thing,” Maureen murmured with empathy. “No one was with her? Where’s her husband?”

      He grimaced. “She doesn’t have one. And from what she tells me, she isn’t going to have one. I think the baby’s father turned out to be...uh, not the good guy she thought him to be.”

      “Oh. That’s just awful.”

      “Well, I apologize for springing a guest on you this way, Mom, but I hated to think of her at a motel.”

      She released the grip on his arm and gently patted his shoulder. “No need for an apology, son. This is your home, too. Besides, you did the right thing. Roslyn might not even have the extra money for a motel room.”

      The two of them moved away from the landing and started toward the kitchen. As they walked together, Chandler said, “Wrong, Mom. Roslyn appears to be wealthy. She’s driving a Jaguar and did you notice her clothing? I’m sure the pieces will have fancy labels inside.”

      “Hmm. I didn’t notice her clothing,” she admitted. “Did you ask her why she’s traveling west?”

      “No. It’s none of my business. But from everything she’s said, she’s not going back to Texas. I’m guessing she’s trying to get away from something or someone. Kinda like our Camille. In any case, I didn’t think it would hurt to help her out for a night.”

      “Or two?” Maureen suggested slyly. “For the baby’s sake.”

      Chandler glanced skeptically at his mother. “I don’t believe she’ll stick around for a second night. Unless you can persuade her—for the baby’s sake.”

      Maureen gave him a clever smile. “All right, son. I’ll give it a try.”

      He leaned over and pecked a kiss at the end of her eyebrow. “Thanks, Mom.”

      She didn’t respond and by the time they reached the end of the hallway, Chandler was shocked to see a tear trickling down her cheek. Maureen Hollister never cried or rarely showed an emotional crack in her tough, ranch-woman armor.

      Before she could shoulder her way through the swinging doors leading into the kitchen, he caught her by the arm. “Mom, I see a tear in your eye! What in the world is wrong?”

      She blinked. “Nothing is wrong. I was just thinking.” Smiling wanly, she cupped her hand against the side of his face. “Have I ever told you just how much you remind me of Joel?”

      A tight knot of grief twisted in the middle of Chandler’s chest. “Oh, Mom, don’t compare me to Dad. It isn’t fair. I could never be the man that he was.”

      “Not exactly. But you are like him in so many ways. And that’s a comfort to me, Chandler. Always remember that,” she said gently, then her mood instantly brightened and, smiling, she urged him through the swinging doors. “Let’s see what Reeva has left for you in the warming drawer. You might have to share it with your little Texas stray.”

      She was a stray all right, Chandler thought. But she didn’t belong to him. Like any other stray he’d picked up in the past, he could afford to offer her food and a temporary home. But he wasn’t about to risk offering her a piece of his heart.