Ryelee's Cowboy by Kathleen Ball Page A

silly. I get to stay up and
eat popcorn.”
    “A slumber party.”
    “That’s what I said. Bye.” Rheenie ran
out of the room.
    Ryelee turned facing the back of the
couch. She heard the front door close and then silence. The silence
was deafening and stretched on for an unusually long
time.
    Finally, unable to take the wondering
anymore, Ryelee turned her head. Clint sat on a chair across from
her, studying her. She knew he found her lacking. Who wouldn’t? He
probably was trying to figure out a way to let her down easy. He
couldn’t possible trust her with Rheenie again, and that was why
she was here—to take care of his daughter.
    The twisting of her heart became
painful. She wanted to say something, but she didn't know what she
could possibly say to him with his face shuttered. She took a deep
breath and swallowed hard. She had to break the silence, it was too
much for her nerves.
    “Clint, I’m sorry,” she said, her
voice shaking.
    His face remained impassive, his stare
unyielding.
    Ryelee braced herself for whatever he
had to say. It didn't look good.
    “You know what, Ryelee, sometimes
sorry isn’t good enough. What were you thinking, sledding on a
plastic bin cover? Didn't it occur to you that it might be
dangerous?”
    “Truthfully, no. I know I put Rheenie
in jeopardy with my impulsive action. I’d never hurt her for the
world,” she said, her eyes pleading for understanding.
    “You just don’t get it at all, Ryelee.
You have no understanding of what I’m feeling. You didn't only put
Rheenie in danger, but you put yourself and the baby in danger.”
Clint got up and walked to the window.
    “I know you care about me, but the
baby isn’t even yours.”
    Clint turned around and stared at her.
“That’s true but I love you, which includes the baby. I’ve already
lost one wife. I can’t lose anyone else, especially
you.”
    “Oh.”
    “Is that all you have to
say?”
    “Clint, I’m no good at any of this.
What do I know about being a nanny to Rheenie or a mother to my
baby or whatever I am to you? I’m just not what you
need.”
    “Whatever you are to me? I love you.
You are the person I want to go to bed with every night and wake up
to every morning. How could you not know that unless you really
don’t feel the same?”
    Even the hurt in his eyes was her
fault. “I do feel the same, Clint, but I’m not good enough for you.
Today proved it,” she said, hiccupping from crying.
    Clint crossed the room and sat on the
edge of the couch. He took Ryelee into his arms and rocked her as
he stroked her back. He kissed the side of her wet neck and
whispered words of reassurance to her. Slowly she calmed and he
pulled away to look at her.
    “Don’t doubt yourself, Ryelee. I
believe in you. Rheenie loves you. You are wonderful with her. She
was never as close to Jill as she is to you. Jill could be cold and
distant at times. You are kind and loving. That’s why I love you.”
His expression changed from hurt, to compassion, then to love.
Clint reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. “I was going
to wait until tonight, but I think that now is the right time.
Ryelee Snyder will you marry me and be a mother to Rheenie and
allow me to be the father to your baby?”
    Ryelee’s eyes grew wide as she stared
at the ring. She searched Clint’s face, and she saw the love that
he had for her in his eyes. Her heart beat faster and it felt full
of love. Her emotions were going wild. Part of her was in disbelief
and the other part was overjoyed.
    “Yes!” She hugged him. “I thought you
hated me.”
    “Ryelee, I was upset at your lack of
care for yourself and the baby. You scared the hell out of
me.”
    “I’m so lucky to have you and Rheenie.
I love you both so much.”
    “Good,” Clint said, smiling. “I do
want you to understand that I want to be the father of the baby
you’re carrying. I know he or she was conceived in violence, and
I’m sorry about that, but the child is blameless.