Cassie's Cowboy Daddy by Kathie DeNosky Page A

definitely going up just from his touch. She must be getting well.
    When his gaze caught and held hers for several long seconds, she became very conscious of the way she must look. No doubt her nose was cherry-red, her eyes bloodshot and her skin tone a sickly pale. Not exactly the stuff men’s dreams were made of. But from the look in his eyes it didn’t appear he was put off by her obviously haggard appearance.
    â€œHave you heard from Hank or Ginny?” she asked, looking down at her hands. If she hadn’t broken eye contact she might have drowned in his deep blue gaze. Glancing back up, she discovered he looked as disconcerted as she felt.
    He cleared his throat. “They’ll be home day after tomorrow.” Rising from the side of the bed, he picked up the tray. “Do you need anything else before I go back downstairs?”
    â€œNo, I’ll be fine.” When he nodded and turned to leave the room, she added, “Thank you for taking such good care of the girls…and me.”
    He turned back, and she could have sworn he looked wistful and a little sad. “Believe me, Cassie. It was my pleasure.”
    Â 
    Logan watched his men congratulate Hank and Ginny on their recent marriage, then file into the kitchen on the way back to the bunkhouse to thank Cassie for including them in the celebration. Each one had been on his best behavior. Even ornery old Gabe.
    From the kitchen door Logan watched Cassie say goodbye to the men, then move around the kitchen putting away leftovers, loading the dishwasher and laughing with Ginny. Cassie had recovered from the flu and resumed her normal routine several days ago, but he still intended to keep a close eye on her—to make sure she didn’t do too much too soon. But the truth was, he just liked watching her.
    â€œEnjoyin’ the scenery as much as I am?” Hank asked, coming to stand beside him.
    â€œI’m just making sure Cassie doesn’t overdo things,” Logan said automatically.
    â€œUh-huh, sure.” Hank’s expression told him the man didn’t believe Logan’s flimsy excuse for a minute. “What do you say we go into the study, while the women get things cleaned up?”
    Lifting a brow, Logan asked, “Don’t you want to spend the evening with your bride?”
    Hank grinned. “Oh, I don’t intend to be away from her for very long. But I have something I need to talk over with you.”
    Logan nodded and headed toward the living room. “Let me check to make sure Chelsea and Kelsie are doing okay in the playpen.”
    â€œYou got kind of attached to those little girls while Ginny and I were gone, didn’t you?”
    â€œI’m just helping Cassie out,” Logan said. He hated the defensive tone of his voice almost as much as he hated the smirk on Hank’s face.
    Fortunately, Hank had the good sense not to comment further as they walked into the study. Logan would have hated having to deck his best friend when he had just returned from his honeymoon.
    Lowering himself into the chair, Logan leaned back and propped his boots on the edge of the desk. “So what have you got on your mind?”
    Hank’s expression turned as serious as Logan had ever seen it. “Have you talked to Cassie about movin’ into the foreman’s place yet?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œGood.” Hank stared at his boots for several long seconds before he met Logan’s gaze. “Don’t get me wrong. I really appreciate you invitin’ me and Ginny to stay here. But we’ve been talkin’. We’d like to move into the cabin as soon as it’s finished.”
    â€œAfter Ginny called to say you two were married, I figured out you had this in mind when you suggested we work on it,” Logan said, nodding.
    He understood Hank wanting to be alone with his wife. But what Logan couldn’t quite grasp was the sense of relief filling his soul. Cassie and