Protecting Their Child Read Online Free

conquer. Her eyes dropped to his hands when he removed his gloves. He should have taken off his wedding ring long ago. Somehow, he’d never felt comfortable without it on. He pulled it and shoved it on his right hand.
    “And that’s your final word? You won’t come with me?” she asked, seeming fairly certain of his answer.
    There wasn’t a choice for him. No options. No way out. “I’m not leaving this unfinished.” Not again.
    “It’s suicide.”
    She was right, but he had to protect his family. He hadn’t before, but this time would be different.
    “We better hit the trail before much longer.”
    “I’m hungry and not going anywhere while there’s a drop of this chili left. Juan’s a pretty good cook. He must have made this at home to bring with him. So sit down, enjoy it as much as possible and rest your back. I know it’s hurting.”
    She was right. Dang it. The muscles were aching like an entire string of curse words. He hadn’t favored it, so how had she known?
    Hell, she always knew. Nothing ever got past her.
    They both sat at the small table tied together with horsehair. He leaned over it, sitting in a stiff bodark chair while she sat on a mattress that he knew was very comfortable.
    Didn’t matter if Juan was a good cook or not. He couldn’t taste a thing. His memories had him twisting in his seat and he wasn’t likely to enjoy anything. They’d experienced several nights on that dang mattress.
    Several nights enjoying the rustic line shack far from cell reception, from last-minute on-call duty or surprise leads in the investigation. He was headed for a tailspin if he didn’t block those thoughts. Wouldn’t look good to walk it off outside since she’d just let him know he’d be a father.
    Sheeze...I’m going to be a dad!
    Unable to speak or actually think of anything appropriate to say, he spooned several bites of chili into his mouth hoping not to choke. He hadn’t thought he’d ever be around Kate without thinking of her as his wife. And he hadn’t accomplished that task yet. One of the reasons he hadn’t listened to messages or opened envelopes was simply to stop thinking about her.
    Stop thinking of the long, silky curtain of hair draped across his chest when she rested her head in the perfect spot. A spot she’d taken months to find so she could stay in his arms all night.
    What happened with them now? Was he supposed to ask? Was it too soon? Was he supposed to tell her how happy he was at the thought of being a dad? Or how terrified he was that Serna would take her away from him permanently?
    Push the emotional subjects aside. He had to clear his head and decide what they needed to accomplish today. First priority, get Kate out of here...alive.
    “You know I hate it when you call me Cordell.” He blew on the chili and shoved another couple of bites down.
    “I still think it’s funny how upset you get at Chuck Norris’s character having the same name. As much as your dad pretended to dislike that show, he watched the reruns every day. You should be honored he was consulted about it.”
    “I know.”
    “Did you ever order him the DVD set like we’d talked about?”
    He put a bite of chili in his mouth and shook his head.
    She set her bowl on the table and leaned back against the wall. Sighing. A short one, mainly through her nose. And, yeah, he knew how to interpret that one, too. She was ready to talk and let him have it for not visiting his father. She probably knew he hadn’t really seen anyone except the shrinks and physical therapists for close to two years.
    “You haven’t talked to him, have you?” she asked.
    “Don’t start, Kate.” He knew she knew the answer. They’d been together too long. Or had been together .
    She crossed her arms and tipped her chin into the air in a determined show of downright stubbornness. She was about to let him have both barrels. Then all her reasons and frustrations—whatever they were—would tumble out. He’d listen and