opened his mouth but could not utter a word. What did Jesse mean?
Jesse continued, “She could take the baby away and it’s obvious you’re very fond of her.”
Conner wondered how Jesse had come to that conclusion. From the look on Conner’s face, the way he held the baby close to his heart or had he seen some other indication?
Kate crowded to Conner’s side and stroked Ellie’s head. “Doesn’t he have as much right to keep the baby and care for her as Thelma?”
Grandfather harrumphed. Pa gave Conner a very pointed look.
“Not if I’m not the father.” He spoke quietly, knowing his news would shock her.
Silence followed his admission.
Jesse broke the silence. “Then why is the baby here?”
“I don’t know, and until we learn the reason, would you keep the fact she isn’t mine a secret?”
“Of course.” Jesse headed for the door. “I’ll start inquiries about Thelma.”
The others quietly slipped away, leaving Conner and Kate.
Kate came round to face Conner. “You’re not the father? Why would you lead me to think otherwise?”
“I didn’t know why Thelma sent her to me. I still don’t.”
Kate kept her head down so he couldn’t see her face. It left him floundering to guess how his announcement had affected her. “Does it make a difference?”
“It changes nothing.” Her head high, she returned to the kitchen, not once looking his direction.
He had his answer as to whether or not she would reconsider her decision regarding a family.
There was no reason he should feel a weight of disappointment pressing on his heart.
She’d never given him reason to think otherwise.
Nor had he changed his mind about protecting his heart against a woman like her.
Except could he really think she was the least bit like Thelma?
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