Decker's Daughter (Cowboys of Cauldron Valley Book 4) Read online

  CJ nodded happily. “But he didn’t have any pretty Band-Aids.”

  Oh, that’s right.

  Deck winced, remembering his plan. “No, but let’s see what I can do,” he said, reaching for the marker he’d been using to mark cuts earlier.

  As he stepped forward, CJ’s mother moved to one side, still holding the girl’s hands. As he bent over the little set of knees, he inhaled, her clean cottony scent a nice change from his life of leather and sawdust and horse.

  On one Band-Aid—carefully not to press down too hard—he quickly sketched out a mermaid. “There, that’s my favorite princess. Who’s yours?” he asked CJ, as he switched to her other knee.

  “Spiderman,” came the prompt reply.

  Well, that surprised him enough to straighten and glance at the little girl. But she was looking earnest, so he darted a look at her mother. The woman nodded with a little shrug, and Deck grinned.

  Bending back over CJ’s knee, he drew a fairly credible rendition of Spiderman on the bandage.

  “Look, Mama! He drew him upside down so I can see him better!” CJ was obviously thrilled with his efforts.

  “I can see that, baby.”

  But the woman wasn’t looking at her daughter. She hadn’t taken her gaze off Deck, and the intensity in her light brown eyes invoked a fierce longing to rise within him.

  She’s someone’s wife and mother, idiot.

  “Thank you, Mr. Deck,” she finally offered in a quiet voice.

  “Oh, don’t—” He stumbled over his explanation and shoved the marker in his pocket. “No, I’m just Deck. Decker Cauldron, ma’am,” he offered with a wince, knowing he was making a hash out of things.

  But when he thrust his hand out, she took it, and the zing of electricity which shot up his arm surprised him.

  That, and the fact she didn’t try to lick her fingers.

  Wouldn’t mind if she licked my fingers though.

  He told his libido to shut up and sit down, but it didn’t quite work.

  “I’m Bobbi Diamon,” she offered in that same quiet voice, and he found himself exhaling and feeling more relaxed.

  She was a calm, lovely woman, and if Deck didn’t let go of her soon, her husband was going to hunt him down and punch him, he was certain.

  So he forced his fingers to unclench and let her go. “Mrs. Diamon, nice to meet you.”

  “Bobbi, please.”

  When he nodded mutely, she offered him a small smile, and Deck felt as if the Heavens had opened up.

  “Well, thank you for taking care of CJ, Decker. It was kind of you. I know what kind of trouble she can be—”

  “Oh, she was no trouble,” he hastened to assure her.

  “I was no trouble, Mama,” CJ repeated innocently.

  Her mother sent her a mock glare. “All the same, we should be out of Mr. Cauldron’s hair.”

  And as Bobbi reached for her daughter, intent on helping her off the table, Deck realized she was going to walk out of his life, probably forever.

  Think! Think!

  Chapter 2

  It was almost a shame to walk away from a man as nice to look at as Decker Cauldron, but Bobbi forced herself to focus on her daughter.

  He could be married, she reminded herself, nestling CJ against her chest, as the little girl wrapped her legs around her waist. She lifted her baby, and turned back to the handsome man, who was staring at them with his mouth open.

  “Thanks again, Decker,” she said, feeling a little awkward calling him by his first name.

  But then again, anyone whose hand felt as good in hers as his had couldn’t be a complete stranger. She’d shaken hands with plenty of people in her life, and not one of them had caused that little electric zing she’d felt go up her arm when she’d touched him.

  With CJ wrapped around her—a position neither of them had quite outgrown—Bobbi turned toward one of the big open double doors which let in sunshine and a gentle breeze. This place was a comfortable room, but they’d intruded too long as it was.

  “Wait!” he blurted, and Bobbi stopped so suddenly, she might’ve had nails in the soles of her shoes.

  He was now standing between her and the door, and was looking a little…frantic?

  He really didn’t want them to leave, huh?

  Even CJ lifted her little head from Bobbi’s shoulder to peer at her savior.

  “CJ’s never ridden a horse!” Decker blurted.

  Bobbi and her daughter exchanged a glance. Was the man addled?

  “No…?” Bobbi shook her head.

  Decker shrugged, shoving his hands back into the pockets of his jeans, and looking adorably unsure of himself. “She told me she’d never been that close to a horse before. When we were watching Jim work Contessa.” He winced. “The horse, I mean.”

  CJ put one hand on her mother’s cheek and turned her head enough so their eyes met. “That’s his cousin,” she said solemnly.

  Not sure what was going on, Bobbi lifted a brow. “The horse is his cousin?”

  “No, Mama! Mr. Jim, who was showing us the horse, is his cousin.”

  Nodding quickly to show her daughter she understood now, Bobbi turned back to Deck. But her daughter had other ideas, and tugged her back to face her.

  “He’s thirty,” CJ whispered, and Bobbi blinked in confusion. “Just like Deck. That’s only two years more than twenty-eight, like you. They’re all thirty, all the—” She squirmed around in Bobbi’s hold to face Deck. “What was your name again? The last part.”

  He smiled.

  And when Decker Cauldron smiled, Bobbi was certain the sun had come out from behind a cloud.

  Hoo-boy, but he was a good-looking man, as her mother would’ve said.

  “Cauldron,” he said quietly, his smile turning shy once more. “We’re the Cauldron triplets.”

  Bobbi shifted her daughter to one hip. “I’ve heard of you around town. You’re the owners of this ranch, right?”

  He managed to shrug with his hands still in his pockets. “I have two brothers and three cousins, and we all help Pops run the place.”

  The way he glanced around fondly made her follow his gaze. Although she hadn’t been focused on her surroundings when she’d entered—she’d been desperate to find her daughter after Karen had said she’d sent CJ off with one of the Cauldrons, and done that superstitious finger-licking thing—Bobbi had to admit the space was lovely.

  It was obviously a workshop of some sort and smelled strongly of oil and leather. Three of the four walls were set with big windows and French doors, which were all currently open. The fourth wall was lined with shelves and cabinets and tall storage lockers. Under the windows, were counters strewn with leather scraps or projects half-completed, and on the big center table, next to where CJ had been sitting, was a lovely almost-finished saddle.

  The whole space was bright and cheerful and smelled divine.

  Like the man standing across from her.

  She was dying to know what he specifically did on the ranch, but CJ was getting heavy. Although she’d only worked a half day—in anticipation of joining the camp field trip on the ranch, since she’d never been either—Bobbi hadn’t been sleeping well.

  Because being a single mom wasn’t enough to worry about. Now I’ve got rent and bills, and I’m kicking myself for splurging on the house instead of an apartment, and—

  She blew out a breath and cut off her thoughts. Griping never solved anything, as mama used to say.

  “Again, thank you for—”

  This time it was his wince which interrupted her. She’d spent a lifetime helping others, and wondered why he was in such obvious pain. Or was he embarrassed?

  But he pulled his hands from his pockets and patted the air in front of him, as if trying to placate her.

  “I’m sorry I’m not making sense, Ms. Diamon. Bobbi, I mean.” Another wince. “I was going to offer CJ the chance to ride a horse, since she’s never been on one before. The rest of the kids have all moved on,
and she’s dressed okay, and I’m sure Jim could find us a sweet-tempered little pony to—”

  No matter how good the man apparently was with children, he obviously didn’t know he shouldn’t mention something like that in front of a kid, not without asking the parent first.

  So Bobbi wasn’t surprised when CJ began bouncing in her arms as if she had a pogo stick stuck up her bottom.

  “Please, Mama? Please, please, please? Deck won’t let anything happen to me, right?”

  She was already squirming out of Bobbi’s arms, and when her feet touched the wooden floor, the little girl launched herself at Deck’s legs and wrapped her arms around his middle.

  And Bobbi had to swallow down the burst of intense longing she felt, just from watching the way the handsome man smiled down at her daughter, before dropping his hand to CJ’s little shoulder.

  “I promise, if you follow my and Jim’s instructions, nothing bad will happen atop a horse. But horses are strong animals, alright? So you gotta promise to do exactly as we say.”

  “I promise,” the little girl breathed, staring up at the man as if he were her hero.

  Maybe he was.

  Bobbi stifled her sigh, but scrubbed her hand over her face. Since they’d arrived in Cauldron Valley, there’d been precious little opportunity for fun. They had a lovely little house and yard, but with her work hours, they hadn’t had a lot of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding area. Or to ride horses.

  “Can I, Mama?” CJ begged.

  When Bobbi dropped her hand, Deck was looking at her with his face all twisted up, as if he’d just realized how foolish it had been to make the offer in front of CJ, rather than in private to Bobbi. But luckily for him, she saw no reason to say no.

  So she forced a bright smile. “That would be really nice, Decker. Thank you. As long as it’s no trouble?”

  It was hard to tell who was more excited: Decker or CJ. Both of them appeared ready to jump up and down in glee. In fact, the little girl released him and grabbed onto his hand instead, swinging it back and forth in her enthusiasm.

  “It’s no trouble, ma’am,” he assured her, and CJ bounced a little as she declared, “I’ll be good, Mama!” at the same time.

  Lordhavemercy, how could a woman stand against so much adorableness?

  Bobbi’s smile slowly turned genuine. “Well, lead the way, Mr. Cauldron.”

  She felt a little like an outsider as Decker grabbed his broad-brimmed hat off a peg by the door, then took CJ’s hand and hurried out of the bright room and around the building to the front of the stables. Deck hailed a man who looked remarkably like him, and soon he held up a finger and jogged toward the stable.

  Decker was speaking quietly to CJ by the time Bobbi caught up with them, and both were smiling.

  Be still my heart.

  But if she had a nickel for every time a handsome man smiled at her daughter, she’d have—

  Twenty-three cents.

  Twenty-three?

  Uncle Larry doesn’t count.

  Her lips twisted wryly, and she had to admit her subconscious was right. She didn’t exactly have a plethora of handsome men falling over themselves to smile sweetly at CJ. Surely that was the only reason her heart sped up every time Decker flashed that grin.

  She might’ve even believed that, had he not, at that very moment, looked up and flashed that gorgeous grin at her and caused her to almost stumble over her own feet.

  “Jim’s the ranch’s horse whisperer,” Decker was explaining. “I trust him with my life. He’s gone to fetch our best-behaved pony for CJ to practice on.”

  The little girl was rocking back and forth, her arms wrapped tight around her middle. “I’m going to ride a horse, Mama! A real one!”

  How could Bobbi not smile at that?

  “I know, baby. But you have to listen carefully to whatever Mr. Jim and Decker tells you, okay? Please try to stay calm and not have too much of an adventure.”

  It was a joke the two of them shared, and judging from the way Decker smiled, he must’ve understood.

  “I promise,” CJ declared with a nod, and Bobbi had no choice but to believe the girl.

  Soon enough, her daughter was sitting atop an adorable little horse—a pony?—and was being given instructions by Decker’s cousin. She was nodding seriously and seemed to be following all of Jim’s words, and Bobbi breathed a sigh of relief.

  “We can watch from here,” Decker offered in that low voice of his, as he gestured toward the corral.

  Bobbi followed, and when he propped his folded arms up on the top rail, she did the same and watched Jim lead CJ’s pony into the open area.

  “This is where I was standing when I met Cora Jo,” he began, nodding to a spot on the other side of her. “She’d climbed up to see better, and I was pretty sure she was going to fall. But I gotta say, she’s got some cat-like reflexes.”

  Cora Jo? I guess that’s what she’s calling herself today.

  Bobbi’s lips twitched. “She went through a phase two years ago, where she decided she was a cat and insisted on being called Cat-Juice.”

  When he chuckled, she felt her own chest tighten. Heavens, he had a nice laugh, didn’t he?

  “Cat-Juice, huh? For CJ?”

  She nodded, a little flustered. “Four-year-olds know what they like and stick with it.”

  “We should all be so lucky.”

  At his murmur, she turned to see what he was talking about…and caught him staring at her. There was open and frank appreciation in his lovely green eyes.

  Was he…was he talking about her?

  Unsure how to respond, Bobbi felt herself stammering a bit. “I— Yes. Well, she’s headstrong. And creative.”

  “And sweet.”

  He was smiling when he turned back to look at the girl on the pony. Jim was leading CJ near their side of the corral, and Deck lifted two fingers to wave to her. Bobbi joined him more enthusiastically, and was pleased when CJ’s face lit up, but she didn’t drop the reins to wave back.

  “Look at me, Mama!” she called. “I’m doing it!”

  “I see you, honey! Good job!”

  Bobbi pulled her phone from her cross-body purse and snapped a few photos, and CJ sat straighter in the saddle.

  “You and your husband must be real proud of her,” Deck said, a little too nonchalantly.

  Bobbi froze. Every time she met someone new, it seemed as though they had to have this conversation. And she dreaded it.

  Without looking at him, she shrugged. “I’m not married.”

  She felt his gaze on her, but didn’t turn to check.

  “You’re not married,” he repeated, not quite asking a question.

  “She’s not married!” CJ called out helpfully from the corral. “Doesn’t have a boyfriend either!”

  And when Jim started chuckling, Bobbi wondered if she could melt from embarrassment.

  Was her own daughter trying to play matchmaker?

  She heard a little noise beside her and glanced over to find Decker’s lips pressed together in a tight line. He had a trimmed beard, which looked like a few days’ worth of whiskers. But through it, she could see his dimples.

  He was definitely trying not to laugh.

  She lifted a brow. “You got something to say, Mr. Decker Cauldron?”

  Well, that shut him up. He swallowed and straightened away from the fence. “Yes, ma’am, I do.”

  “Fine then.” Let him judge her all he wanted. She straightened as well. “And quit calling me ma’am. That was my mother.”

  His nod was quick and respectful. “CJ told me you lost her recently. I’m sorry.”

  Well, I hadn’t expected him to say that.

  Bobbi peered suspiciously at him, wondering what else he was going to say.

  Lifting one hand, Decker rubbed the back of his neck, in a gesture which made him look even cuter somehow. Then he took a deep breath and met her eyes.

  “I know we just met one another, Bobbi, but I have to admit
I’m mighty attracted to you. Not just because you’re a fine-looking woman, no ma’am. I mean…” He shook his head, a bashful smile coming to his lips. “I’d like the chance to get to know you better.”

  He was…asking her out?

  Her eyes widened. “I thought—expected—” She bit off her words and shook her head again, a rueful smile coming to her own lips. “I didn’t expect you to say that. Are you asking me out?”

  “Please?” Then he chuckled. “That sounded pitiful, but still. I know you’re likely real busy, but would you be interested in having dinner sometime? With me? It doesn’t have to be fancy, but…” He shrugged. “I’d like to get to know you.”

  Get to know you.

  That could mean a lot of things.

  Bobbi raked her eyes over him as she considered. He was a lot of fun. And gorgeous, with those big, callused hands and broad shoulders. Of course, Curtis had been all those things too. Decker is likely as much of a player as her ex had been only interested in a good time.

  Well, maybe it’s time I had a good time too.

  She could be careful. As long as she didn’t get too involved, and stopped before things got too serious, she could afford to have a little fun, couldn’t she?

  “I’m having so much fun, Mama!”

  Bobbi’s gaze darted to the corral, where CJ was beaming from atop that little horse. Bobbi waved distractedly as Jim brought her daughter on another loop close to where she stood.

  “I’m glad, baby,” she managed, still considering Deck’s offer.

  CJ bounced a little in the saddle. “You should have fun too, Mama!”

  Jim turned his head to hide his smile, and Bobbi’s eyes widened.

  Her six-year-old was playing matchmaker, wasn’t she?

  “Go out with me, Bobbi,” Deck urged in a quiet murmur.

  When she looked over at him, he seemed earnest.

  “I promise I’ll be a gentleman. You don’t have to worry about that.”

  Strangely, she wasn’t worried about him. She was worried about herself, and what she could afford, with CJ a part of her life. And all her other responsibilities.

  But her daughter and her subconscious were right. She did deserve to have some fun every once in a while. Her friend Laura owed her an evening of babysitting, so why not?