The Cattleman's Special Delivery Read Online Free PDF Page B

lavender tissue, but he felt suddenly uncertain about the appropriateness of bringing flowers. They had looked so bright and appealing, sitting in a bucket on the footpath, but now he wondered if Jess would think he was trying to be romantic.
    ‘Rosie looks well,’ he said, proffering, instead, the brightly wrapped gift he’d bought for the baby. ‘I thought she might like this.’
    ‘Reece, you’ve already been so kind.’ With an embarrassed, almost wincing smile, Jess stepped back. ‘You’d better come in.’
    It wasn’t the most welcoming invitation, but he went in, anyway. The flat was small and simply furnished with a tiny, rudimentary kitchen, a small table, two chairs and a single blue sofa. A door led to what he assumed was a bedroom. Everything was very clean.
    ‘Take a seat.’ Jess pointed to the sofa.
    Uncertain what to do with the flowers, Reece set them on the table and sat at one end of the couch while Jess sat at the other end with Rosie, balancing the baby and the gift in her lap.
    ‘Look what Reece has brought for you,’ she said in a deliberately cheery voice, and the baby’s hands swiped and patted at the wrapping paper as Jess peeled it away.
    ‘Oh, wow!’ she exclaimed as the brightly coloured toy was revealed.
    ‘I’m told it’s a chime garden,’ Reece said and almost immediately Rosie banged a bright purple flower and was rewarded by a few tinkling bars of a nursery rhyme.
    The baby grinned, and banged another flower, releasing more music, and Jess’s face broke into a lovely smile. ‘How clever. It’s absolutely gorgeous, Reece. And the perfect toy for her age.’
    Her green eyes sparkled—yes, her eyes were definitely green—and Reece realised that this was why he’d come: to reassure himself that she hadn’t forgotten how to smile. She looked so heart-stoppingly pretty when her eyes lit up.
    There was an awkward silence as they sat a metre apart and watched Rosie play with her new toy.
    ‘How have you been, Jess?’
    ‘Fine, thanks.’ She tweaked a curl on her baby’s head. ‘Honestly. I hope you haven’t been worrying about me.’
    ‘No, not at all.’
    Another awkward silence.
    ‘Where are you staying?’ Jess asked. ‘Do you have friends in Cairns?’
    ‘Not really. I’m booked into a pub down on the waterfront.’
    ‘Nice.’
    ‘Yes, it’s fine. Close to the hospital.’
    Rosie grabbed at her mother’s nose and squealed with glee. Jess laughed, and then, suddenly, she asked, ‘Would you like to stay for dinner?’
    ‘No, no. I just dropped in for a quick hello. I don’t want to impose on you.’
    ‘I’ve made a chicken casserole.’ Before he could answer, she hurried on. ‘You must allow me to feed you, Reece, after everything you’ve done for me.’
    He remembered her letters. I owe you so much. One day, I promise I’ll repay you.
    ‘Your cooking certainly smells very good,’ he said.
    ‘That’s settled, then. It’s all ready.’ Jess smiled again and then she stood and set the baby down on a rug on the floor, putting the chime garden beside her, as well as the teddy bear he’d sent and a rattle. But as soon as she was down Rosie complained, waving her arms and throwing herself down and crying.
    Jess sighed. ‘I’m afraid she’s always super grizzly and needy at this time of day.’
    ‘Would she let me hold her?’
    ‘I’m sure she’d love it. I’ll check the dinner.’ As Jess headed for the stove her pink mouth tilted into yet another smile.
    Reece swallowed nervously as he looked down at the small, angry infant. His offer to pick her up had felt like the right thing to do, but now he was somewhat in awe of this writhing, small creature. He knew zilch about babies. He guessed they were probably like dogs, able to sense a person’s fear. Sure enough, when he picked Rosie up, she stiffened as she stared at him.
    At the same moment, a knock sounded on the door.
    ‘Gosh,’ Jess exclaimed as she set the hot casserole dish on a cane