LITMIR.BIZ

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put the finishing touches on her apartment when she returned home. She was almost finished hanging pictures and organizing her kitchen. As for Boot Barrage, the crew wouldn’t be done with construction for several days and Sammie didn’t have any stock due to arrive until the end of the week.

      She glanced at Tagg, who’d gone out to the car to say hello to Jackson. The two men were deep in conversation as Jackson pulled Sammie’s small suitcase out of his truck. He turned and found her watching him, and that ridiculous jolt smacked her right between the eyes again.

      He studied her for a second, his gaze drifting down to her black ankle boots with three-inch heels and Grecian straps crisscrossing her calves. The boots complemented the flower-print black and white dress she wore. The only jewelry she wore was a lacy silver necklace that dipped over her breasts with earrings that matched.

      It was as if Jackson hadn’t noticed anything else on her body but her boots. And now his gaze slowly rose up her legs, over her little dress, until he looked her straight in the eye.

      The moment froze in time.

      Her nerves jumped.

      Get a grip, Sammie.

      She had a feeling she’d be saying that to herself a hundred times before this weekend was over. She could endure Jackson’s hot looks and the momentary weakness she lapsed into when she gazed at him, if only Tagg and Callie wouldn’t find out the truth. She vowed to get over this crazy thing she had for Jackson. Somehow.

      Sammie was the first to break eye contact.

      Callie grabbed her hand. “Come inside. I want to show you the nursery. Tagg’s got it all set up.”

      “I can’t wait to see it. I’ve been trying to picture it in my head from your descriptions.”

      “I’ve been boring everyone I know about it. But trust me, seeing is believing and I think you’re going to like it. It’s a combination of what Tagg and I love most.”

      “That’s intriguing.”

      They walked down the hallway, and the subtle baby-powdery scent of fresh diapers and all things infant wafted by. She followed Callie into the sunny room.

      Sammie took one step inside and was transported to a Western rodeo, baby-style. The walls were the faintest beige with accents of browns and blues. One part of the longest wall was painted with sweet little lambs, goats and chicks in a white picket pen as part of the petting arena. The other side of the wall was a mural of a rodeo stadium, the shoots filled with friendly looking bulls and beautiful black stallions. A replica of a shiny silver championship buckle took center stage directly over the crib with the name Rory Worth scrolled in italic lettering on it.

      Sammie’s mouth gaped open. “Callie, this is gorgeous.” The whole thing was tastefully done and so sweet. Perfect for a Worth baby boy. “It’s the Superbowl of baby nurseries.”

      “Thank you. We’re pretty happy with how it turned out.”

      “I’ve never seen anything like this. You thought this up?”

      “Yes, it was my idea, but with input from Tagg, of course. We had fun picking out the furniture for the room. But I can’t take credit for painting the mural. That was created by an artist. Now that it’s all done, I can’t wait for the baby to arrive.” Callie patted her belly and her eyes grew wide with delight. “Oh, he just kicked. Here.” Callie grabbed Sammie’s hand and put it over her stomach.

      The skin rippled under her palm and Sammie’s hand moved from the motion. “Oh, wow.” She took a swallow, awed at feeling the life move inside Callie. Softly, she said, “This little guy is ready to ride broncos.”

      “I know. He’s very active and keeps me up most nights. He’s a little kicker.”

      “I can see that.” Sammie hadn’t given up on the idea of having children. She wanted them one day, but that day seemed to be postponed further and further into her future. It was a timeline without end and Sammie had to resign herself to that for now. She could only focus on making a home in Arizona and building a business. Babies might come later down the road, or not at all. That notion pulled at her heart with sadness and she hurried the thought away. “The baby’s strong and healthy, Callie.”

      “I think so, too. I’m trying to do all the right things for him.”

      “I know you are. You’re daddy didn’t raise a slacker.”

      Callie’s bright smile dimmed a little. “No, he didn’t.”

      Instantly Sammie realized her blunder. Just months ago, Callie had been torn between her love for Tagg and her father, Hawk Sullivan. The two men were bitter business rivals; they hated each other. “Sorry to bring up a sore subject.”

      “No it’s okay. It’s the same old, same old with my dad. But I think he is softening a little. I’m hoping that once the baby comes, my father will see the error of his ways and want to be a part of our lives.”

      “And Tagg is good with that?”

      “Tagg? I’m beginning to think he’s more reasonable about it. He trusts my judgment when it comes to my father. Having Tagg’s trust means everything to me. I won’t abuse it. My husband knows our baby comes first, no matter what.”

      “That’s a good thing, Callie. You and Tagg have come a long way.” The baby gave another kick and roll. Sammie smoothed her hand over the baby bump tenderly before pulling away. “You’ve got a good life here, my friend.”

      “I do.” She sighed. “Once Tagg and I worked out the kinks, we ended up with something pretty special.”

      Sammie stared into Callie’s eyes. They radiated encouragement and kindness. Callie didn’t have to say that she hoped Sammie would find the same happiness. Sammie read it all in her sincere expression.

      “Come into the kitchen while I fix supper. You can tell me all about Boot Barrage. I’m anxious to hear everything. Don’t leave a crumb out.”

      “Okay, okay. I will, but you have to stop saying things like ‘don’t leave a crumb out,’ or I won’t recognize you anymore.”

      Callie only smiled as she led Sammie into the kitchen.

      “How’s our little Rodeo Rory doing today?” Jackson asked, coming to stand beside Callie as she chopped cucumbers for the salad. He gave her a peck on the cheek.

      Callie turned from the kitchen counter to face him, her lips forming a perfectly adorable pout. “Stop calling him that and we’ll be fine.”

      Sammie chopped tomatoes as she listened to their banter.

      “Tagg’s paying me to call him that,” Jackson said in his own defense.

      “I’ll pay you more not to,” Callie said.

      “How much more?”

      Callie gave Sammie a sideways glance and clucked her tongue. “Can you believe this guy? Negotiating about his soon-to-be godchild?”

      “It’s pretty low down, if you ask me,” Sammie said, tsking and shaking her head. “I would never do such a thing. Rory will know just which godparent has his back.”

      Jackson cut her a glance with raised brows and a twinkle of admiration in his eyes. Sammie was a fast learner. She had to be to keep up with the Worths.

      Jackson stole a slice of cucumber from the pile of chopped vegetables, plopped it into his mouth and stepped back before Callie could swat his hand away. “Hey, blame Tagg, not me.”

      Tagg appeared at that moment, leaning against the kitchen doorjamb, arms folded, his gaze faithfully on Callie. The Worth men were deadly handsome and when they looked at a woman the way Tagg looked at his wife, it was pure heaven. Sammie sighed quietly.

      “Leave me outta this, bro. I have to live here, remember?” Tagg said.

      “So

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