don’t think your mom had a very good husband.”
“Is that my daddy?”
“Yeah, buddy, that’s your daddy.”
“But my mommy said we needed him.” His expression turned serious, and he turned his little body toward Jack. “She said we wouldn’t have Jenny if we didn’t have him.”
The boy was right. And Jenny was worth it.
Jack shut his mouth and concentrated on his driving, laughing to himself at the irony. The rough-and-tumble cowboy had been taught a lesson by a three-year-old!
“Whose car is that?” Brady tore off his seat belt the minute the pickup came to a stop at the ranch.
“I don’t know.” Jack eyed the red Mercedes with Texas plates. “Why don’t you go on in and change out of your best clothes, son?”
Brady didn’t even give the woman getting out of the car a look. He was on his way to wearing his jeans.
Jack stepped over to the young woman, dressed in tight designer jeans and a fuzzy vest and high-heeled boots. Clearly she was not from around here. “Are you lost, ma’am?”
“Is this the Ransom ranch?” she said with a Texas drawl.
“Yes, it is.”
“Well, I’m looking for Mr. Tom Ransom.” She smiled at him and gave him a once-over. “Is that you?”
He took a step back. “No, it’s not. Here comes Tom now.”
“Too bad.”
When Tom’s car stopped in the driveway, Jack went around to the passenger side and reached in for Jenny.
“Who is that?” Elizabeth asked him.
“No one you need to concern yourself with. Go on in the house.”
Something in his gaze must have told her to believe him because she didn’t argue. “I’ll take Jenny up and change her before she naps.”
“I’ll be in in a minute.”
After she went in, Jack went around to Tom. “I think this lady is looking for you. I got a bad feeling about her.”
“Is it someone I know?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
Tom got out of his car. “You looking for me, miss?” he asked.
“Are you Reggie’s daddy?”
“Yeah.”
She stepped forward and shot him a smile. “Then, yes, I’m looking for you. You see, our Reggie is—was my husband.”
Chapter Five
TOM and Jack stared at each other, their mouths agape.
Tom recovered first. “I see,” he said in an even tone that belied the shock Jack knew he must have felt.
“It’s too bad we didn’t have more time together.” She drew in a sharp breath and fluttered a manicured hand at her chest.
“Well, it was kind of you to come pay me a visit. Why don’t we go in the house and get my housekeeper to serve us some cake. Don’t you think that’s a good idea, Jack?”
Jack couldn’t help thinking Tom was making a big mistake. The woman gave off some nasty vibes. But it was his ranch. “I guess.”
“I’m sure it’s a good idea. We have to offer something to this nice lady.”
Jack followed behind them into the house. Once in the kitchen he offered to get Elizabeth. He found her upstairs in Jenny’s room, patting the baby who lay on her belly in the crib. He touched Elizabeth on the arm and motioned to the door. She nodded and went out, pulling the bedroom door behind her after picking up the monitor.
“What is it, Jack?”
He could think of no way to explain the woman downstairs, so instead he said, “Tom wants you to come down and serve us all cake. Do you still have that chocolate cake?”
“Yes. But how could he want to eat again after that big lunch?”
“It’s for…our guest. And don’t be surprised when Tom doesn’t introduce you.”
She shot him a quizzical look but said, “Okay.”
In the kitchen Tom was sitting at the table, along with the young woman from outside. Elizabeth tried not to stare at her as she got out the cake and plates. She cut three pieces of cake and served Tom, Jack and their guest.
“Aren’t you going to have some cake, Elizabeth?” Jack asked.
“No, I’m not—”
“I think you should, Elizabeth.” There was something in Tom’s voice that intrigued her.
She sat at the table with a plate.
“I must say, you’re very kind to offer your help, Mr. Ransom,” the young woman said as she fluffed back her long, blond-streaked brown hair.
“Yeah, I’m a softhearted guy.”
She leaned in closer to Tom and added, “Actually, though, you’d do better not to let her join us. They can get above themselves, you know.”
“Oh, I don’t think Elizabeth would get difficult.”
Elizabeth said nothing, swallowing her anger with her cake.
The guest wasn’t to be denied, however. “Was that her baby outside? I wouldn’t think she’d be much good with a tiny baby. Surely, Mr. Ransom, you could find better help.”
“Hey, that’s a good idea. You can come live with me and be my housekeeper.”
The woman nearly choked on her cake. “That’s a joke, right?”
“No, I think it’s a wonderful idea. You know, I don’t feel very good sometimes. You could help me feel better.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“You know, cook me a good dinner, clean the house and do other things.”
“I think you should keep—” she shot an affronted look at Elizabeth “—what was your name?”
“Elizabeth,” she said.
“Why don’t you use your full name, honey?” Jack interjected.
Elizabeth looked at him. What was going on here? Who was this woman?
Jack nodded his head, and Elizabeth went
