The Drifter by Vicki Lewis Thompson

it.”
    Leigh caught him in the pull of her all-knowing eyes. “I’m surprised at you, Chase Lavette. You never struck me as a quitter.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that crack?”
    â€œYou don’t want this baby to leave any more than we do. Are you going to let Amanda run off with him without a fight?”
    Chase knew there was no point in pretending to Leigh that he didn’t want to keep the baby around. She’d been able to read him from the first day they’d spent together. “If you mean take her to court and demand my rights, no, I’m not going to do that.”
    Belinda stroked the baby’s cheek. “I don’t know why not. What makes her think she can keep this little bundle all to herself?”
    Chase sighed. “Think it through. Amanda’s job is in New York. All my money’s tied up in this ranch. Let’s say I won visitation rights. I’d have to move back to New York, get some minimum-wage job and just hang around. And, on top of it all, I know absolutely nothing about babies. Put me in charge of this kid for a couple of hours and it’s panic city.”
    â€œThen it’s time you got your feet wet.” Leigh plopped Bartholomew in his arms. “I have to get ready for a date soon, anyway. And stop limiting your thinking, Chase. There are usually more than two answers to any question, you know.”
    Leigh’s comments barely registered as Chase struggled to adjust his arms around this tiny, squirming human being that was his son. He tried to get his elbow under the baby’s head, but Bartholomew kept flopping around. “He’s gonna fall,” Chase said, his voice rising as Leigh and Belinda giggled. “You women stop your cackling. Leigh, take him back. I don’t know how. He’s gonna—”
    â€œEasy.” Leigh helped him reposition the baby. “Just get your right arm under him and cup his head in that big hand of yours. Good. Then wrap your left around him on the outside. See?”
    â€œI don’t know.” But Chase did know. As his arms found the new position and the baby quieted, Chase met Bartholomew’s rapt gaze. The shock of recognition zinged down to his toes. His son. His flesh and blood. His grip tightened and a lump lodged in his throat.
    â€œDon’t let her rob you of this baby,” Leigh murmured.
    He couldn’t speak for fear his voice would crack and give him away. Bartholomew looked like him, for sure, but there was something about the baby’s deep stare that stirred a long-dormant memory. His mother, leaning over him...just before she walked away.
    Bartholomew picked that moment to scrunch up his face and let out a long wail.
    â€œOh, God.” Chase swallowed the lump in his throat and thrust the baby back toward Leigh and Belinda. “I hurt him. I squeezed him too tight. Take him, one of you.”
    â€œStuff and nonsense,” Belinda said. “He might be hungry, or need a change, but you didn’t hurt him. Babies are tougher than you think. Just carry him back to Amanda.”
    â€œLike this? Screaming?”
    â€œI’m sure she’s heard it before,” Leigh said.
    â€œYeah, but she’s never let me hold him. So the first time she sees me with him, he’s crying. What’s she going to think of that?”
    Leigh smiled. “She might think you’re man enough to hold a squalling baby without getting flustered.”
    â€œWell, I’m not. I’d rather drive a runaway diesel.”
    Leigh nudged him toward the kitchen door. “Work on it.”
    Chase was nearly to the door when he remembered his reason for coming into the kitchen in the first place. He swung around. “Do we have anything around the ranch I could use to carry him on my back? In case Amanda and I take a ride tomorrow,” he added when both women looked confused.
    Leigh’s eyebrows arched. “Now you’re talking,