brides for brothers 04 - cowboy surrender by judy christenberry Page A

you’re a man—” he paused and looked at B.J., then turned back to Toby “—you sometimes kiss a lady because she’s special.”
    “Mommy’s special,” Toby said, nodding.
    “My thoughts exactly,” Jake agreed.
    “Why are you here, Toby? What did Mildred want?” B.J. said abruptly, avoiding Jake’s eyes.
    “She said I should see if you’re taking me to the bus stop this morning. If you’re busy, she said she could.” Toby didn’t even bother to look at his mother. He was examining Jake’s hat.
    “I’ll take you.”
    “Okay. What happened to your hat, Mr. Jake?” His little finger reached out to trace a crease B.J.’s truck had pressed into it.
    “Um, it got run over, Toby. Looks kind of bad, doesn’t it?” Jake asked, but he looked at B.J. Sudden recognition appeared in her eyes, and she stared at his hat.
    “I like your hat. When I grow up, I’m going to have one just like it.”
    “Don’t you have a hat now?” Jake asked, an idea forming in his head.
    “I have a baseball cap, but I don’t have a cowboy hat.”
    “Toby, I think we’d better go,” B.J. snapped, as if she were angry with her son.
    “Wait a minute, B.J.,” Jake said, stopping her. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t the three of us go hat shopping this afternoon? I’ll get me a new one, and Toby could pick out a hat for his birthday. Would you like a hat as your birthday gift from me?”
    “I can’t go this afternoon,” she immediately said.
    Jake didn’t know if she didn’t want him to buy Toby a hat or if she was genuinely busy, but he wasn’t going to give up. “How about tomorrow afternoon?”
    “Please, Mommy?” Toby added.
    Jake almost burst out laughing. If he’d asked B.J. to go shopping, just the two of them, he knew she would’ve turned him down flat. But when it involved Toby, her determination wavered.
    “There’s no need for you to buy him a hat, Jake.”
    Toby’s face fell, and he hugged the boy closer to him. “I want to buy him a present he’ll enjoy. A hat’s a lot more practical than a toy truck.”
    Suddenly she capitulated. “Fine. Tomorrow.”
    “Great. What time do you get out of school, Toby?”
    “At lunchtime. What time is that, Mommy?”
    “Twelve o’clock. But there’s no need to interrupt your day, Jake. We can meet you some place in town at four,” B.J. suggested.
    “That’s no problem. Why don’t you and I meet here at eleven-thirty, drive to town and pick up Toby and have lunch at the sandwich shop? Then we’ll go shopping.”
    “That’s not necessary. You’ve got lots to do and—”
    “Everyone’s been riding me about not ever taking time off. If I want the afternoon off, then I’ll take it. See you then.” He set Toby on the ground and then leaned over to kiss her, briefly this time. It wasn’t nearly as exciting as their earlier kiss, nor as satisfying, but it beat nothing at all.
    Before she could protest or change their plans, he left the barn. He strode over to the indoor arena, figuring to check on the hands working there. As he opened the door, he heard Toby’s little voice shouting a goodbye. He turned to wave at the pair.
    B.J. didn’t respond.
    But the thought of the next afternoon kept a smile on Jake’s face all day. He was pleased to have found such a good gift for Toby. Heck, the kid had lived on the ranch almost a year. He needed a cowboy hat.
    Maybe some chaps, too. And a good pair of leather gloves. After all, he’d probably grow up and work on the ranch during his teen years for spending money. Might as well equip him right.
    “Hey, Jake,” Brett called to him as he was heading into the house that evening.
    He turned around to await Brett. A feeling of satisfaction filled him. A good day’s work, a good meal awaiting him and a lot to look forward to.
    “You look mighty pleased with yourself,” Brett commented, watching him as he stepped onto the porch.
    “Yeah,” Jake agreed with a grin. “It was a good day.”
    “Great.