Cowboy Secret (The Dalton Boys Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

to you, Sabrina. I have no excuse, and I’m sorry. But this…” He looked at Owen, who’d found his father’s hat brim and was trying like crazy to pull it to his slobbery lips. “This is inexcusable from you. I would have made things right.”
    “By marrying me?” The words slipped out, and she wished she could swallow her tongue. Another tear trickled from her eye. As it fell, she cursed the wetness and her stupid emotions.
    Something shivered over Beck’s face but was wiped clean as Owen’s chubby fist glanced off his cheekbone. He didn’t blink at the hit, but lightly clasped their boy’s hand in his big one.
    “That might not have been my offer, but I damn well would have been here for him. I don’t even know his name.”
    Her gaze skated away from Beck’s to their son. “It’s Owen.”
    “Dalton?”
    She quivered. “Myers.”
    Beck’s jaw was working again. When he turned his heated gaze on her, she sucked in a breath. “I’m sorely tempted to turn you over my knee and spank your ass for this, Sabrina.”
    Her eyes bulged and her throat was suddenly dry at the vision he’d planted in her head. What could she even say to that?
    “Don’t think for a minute you aren’t going to explain everything. But right now I have a stack of pancakes waiting for me, my boy has a soaking wet diaper and you look dead on your feet. Come inside.” He jerked his head toward the big ranch house.
    She balked. “Isn’t your family in there?”
    “Yes.”
    “But…the baby. How will you explain?”
    “Sabrina, it’s evident who he belongs to.” With that, he turned and started walking to the house.
    She gaped after him. Who he belongs to. Her heart soared, higher than she’d ever dreamed possible. She’d driven into Beck’s life, presented him with a secret child. And he’d taken the baby into his arms and claimed him as his own.
    As he walked away, she caught sight of his tight buns in tighter jeans. Dammit, she was in serious trouble.
    * * * * *
    Beck walked through the door, hungry as a bear and madder than one. The whole family was gathered in the kitchen, from youngest Dalton to their pa. Even Manny’s deep voice drifted to the mud room.
    For a long heartbeat, Beck met his son’s gaze—as blue as his own. The baby seemed totally unconcerned that a stranger was holding him. Was he used to being with strangers all day while his mother worked? Or did he inherently know Beck was his father?
    The foyer bench where they all sat to pull on their boots was covered in various belongings. Coats, sweaters and the odd piece of horse tack littered the surface. Beck spotted exactly what he needed—a diaper bag. Surely there was a diaper to fit Owen inside.
    “Owen,” he said quietly, testing the name in his mouth. He plucked a diaper from the bag and laid the baby on the bench while Sabrina looked on, hands knotted.
    “You coming, Beck?” Momma called.
    “He’s probably afraid we’ve eaten all the pancakes,” Kade responded, his mouth obviously stuffed.
    “So much for winning a bet,” Beck said to Owen.
    With quick movements he unsnapped the baby’s footed PJs and removed his diaper. He fitted his little butt with a new one before the boy could pee on him. He knew firsthand how Dalton boys could aim. He’d seen his eldest infant nephew shoot a five-foot stream.
    Sabrina made a noise in her throat, and Beck looked up at her, one hand planted on Owen’s fat belly so he didn’t roll off the bench. For a dizzying moment he thought he may be dreaming—he was still buried under his covers and his alarm was about to wake him for morning chores.
    He shook himself.
    Sabrina looked as dazed as he felt. She reached for the baby, but Beck hurriedly snapped his PJs and lifted the infant against his chest.
    “You’ve got a dry butt. Now let’s see if we can fix up your ma.” He stood and caught Sabrina’s hand. Her fingers were silky in his grasp, causing his chest to tighten painfully.
    This situation