The Cowboy's Triplets by Tina Leonard

were already halfway to the altar, full speed ahead and never mind the reasons she knew better than to say yes to him.
    Then her gaze lit on the tiny brown boots Pete had left on the counter. How long had she waited for Pete to show her that he cared? How many years had she hoped their relationship would turn into something?
    Now it was—and it felt all wrong.
    Baby boots—not booties. Boots. Already planning for a rodeo rider, a cowboy, a Callahan.
    Jackie shook her head. Forget about it, bud. I’m not raising a heartbreaker like you.

Chapter Eight
    The solution was simple. Jackie knew it as soon as she saw Judah striding across the town square. If Jackie could get Judah to ask Darla out, and things happened between them—what couldn’t happen with a sexy male like Judah, and a smart woman like Darla?—then Pete would be relieved of the pressure to get married.
    She’d be off the hook. All this rush-rush-hurry-hurry Pete would go away. They could relax, think about how they wanted to be parents apart from each other.
    â€œJudah!” Jackie waved at the handsome cowboy, getting his attention before any of the females who’d suddenly appeared in the square could.
    â€œHi, Jackie.” Judah grinned at her, walked toward her with that loose-hipped Callahan saunter. Pete walked just like that, and it never failed to make her knees weak.
    â€œListen, Judah.” Jackie hesitated, trying to formulate a quick plan now that the object of her manipulation was in front of her. What would Fiona do? “Darla had a date tonight with a guy from out of town. She bought a new dress and everything. The loser stood her up.”
    Judah’s gaze flashed with sympathy. “His loss.”
    Jackie smiled at him. “I hate for her to sit at home tonight when she was planning on going into Santa Fe.”
    â€œDoes she like this guy?”
    â€œOh, no,” Jackie said, her gaze honest and wide. “But I think he’s crazy about her, and you know Darla. Never wants to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Judah murmured. “I wish I could help, but she wouldn’t want to go out with me.”
    Jackie blinked. “Why do you think that?”
    He shrugged, his grin sheepish. “Every man in this town has asked her out. She always says no. I wouldn’t be any different.”
    Jackie didn’t dare say oh, but you would! She wrinkled her nose, wishing she could do better at the art of chicanery, but she was no Fiona. No one was. She wasn’t artful and sly, giving people that little push they needed to do whatever they really wanted to do in the first place. “That’s too bad,” Jackie murmured. “I was hoping you had some free time.”
    â€œOh, I’ve got time. There’s nothing to do around our place. We’re just waiting out Sam’s wedding.”
    Jackie stared up at Judah. “Sam’s…wedding?”
    â€œSure.” He grinned. “He’s hot into planning the biggest shindig Diablo has ever seen. He’ll probably be bringing a bride to you to fit for a gown.” Judah winked at her. “Make it a doozy, okay?”
    â€œA doozy?”
    â€œExpensive. Eye-popping. One that will be talked about for days.”
    Suspicion flared inside her. “Judah Callahan, are you setting up your little brother?”
    Judah laughed. “I’d never do that.”
    Only one of them had to get married. If Sam was going to do it, then Judah might stay free long enough for her to figure out how to convince him that the only reason Darla was turning down male companionship was because she was waiting for him.
    Honestly. Men were blind.
    â€œAnd Pete doesn’t have to get married,” she murmured, not realizing she’d spoken.
    â€œPete? Nah. He’ll never marry. Unless it’s you,” Judah said, giving her chin a little cuff. “And a little birdie told me you