The Cowboy's Baby Read Online Free PDF Page B

He’d forgotten how gentle her stepmother had been, even when she felt it necessary to speak to Colby regarding his behavior. In fact, he only now realized she’d been correcting him. Her words were so soft he’d welcomed them. Only other correction he’d had had come by way of Pa’s fists. His insides twisted with remembrance of his pa’s anger. He would not be like his old man. He would never hit that little girl. No matter how angry he got.
    The hitting ended with him.
    He bent over his plate, forcing himself to concentrate on his food as he pushed aside the bad memories.
    Anna was a good cook. A man learned to appreciate fluffy homemade bread, rich brown gravy and a variety of vegetables.
    “You do all those bad things they say?”
    Colby jerked his head up at Alex’s question. Had news of his activities reached Steveville? Or was it only gossip and speculation? If they heard the whole truth…
    “Alex.” Anna kept her voice soft but couldn’t disguise her shock.
    “It’s fine.”
    Anna’s quick glance said plainly it wasn’t so far as she was concerned, but Colby figured he might as well deal with the spoken and unspoken questions right up-front.
    “I don’t know what all folks are saying about me but I did things I shouldn’t have. Things I wish now I hadn’t done. But that’s behind me.”
    “God is good. He waits for his sons and daughters to return to Him,” Pastor Caldwell said.
    Colby nodded. He and the preacher had had a good talk. Colby had soaked in the words of love and forgiveness the preacher read from God’s word and Colby had chosen to accept God’s forgiveness for his sin, but Colby wasn’t sure he’d go so far as to call himself a child of God. After all, God must have pretty high standards about who could be part of His family.
    Dorrie mumbled something softly. He guessed she pleaded to be turned around. He wanted to add his pleas to hers but clearly Anna didn’t care that he ached to see his daughter. Anna’s lack of welcome hurt more than a fist to his face. Not that he would let it deter him. He was back. He had changed. He intended to prove it.
    “Very well, seeing as you’ve been so good.” She turned the high chair around.
    Anna had always responded positively to gentle prodding. Colby remembered that about her. As clearly as he remembered so many other things.
    He stared at Dorrie. She had his dark blond hair and his blue eyes. She had Nora’s mouth and nose. And his directness. She stared unblinkingly at himand his heart sank to the pit of his stomach where it turned over twice and spun around leaving him struggling to fill his lungs. This was his child. Flesh of his flesh.
    “You gonna take her away?” Alex demanded.
    Colby noted Anna didn’t correct his curiosity this time.
    The pastor leaned forward. “Colby has explained his intentions to me but perhaps—” he faced Colby “—for Alex and Anna’s peace of mind, you could tell them, as well.”
    Colby nodded. “I had to make sure she was okay. And I intend to start over right here.”
    Anna fixed a look on him. Her expression was composed but, though he guessed she tried, she failed to hide her anger. “Haven’t you done this before?”
    “Anna,” her father warned. “He is a guest in our house. I believe he deserves a chance. After all, what would God want us to do?”
    Anna ducked her head but not before Colby could understand she didn’t think he deserved another chance.
    He had his job cut out proving to her he meant it for real. But now was not the time or place to discuss it. Perhaps if he hung about he might later get a chance to explain things to her.
    He turned his attention back to Dorrie. “It’samazing to see bits of myself and Nora in her.” Conviction burrowed into his thoughts. He wanted to be part of this child’s life. He wanted to watch her grow and change. He wanted to teach her to channel that boldness he saw in her gaze, use it for good and not ill.
    Anna put her arm