“I admit there are challenges and I don’t have all the answers.”
“I don’t have any.”
“Do you think that’s why you’re so eager to find out if it’s a boy or a girl?”
“Maybe.” He took a deep breath. “Charley liked to say that learning to live with uncertainty was a valuable skill.”
“And guess what? Here’s a perfect chance to practice that.”
“All right. You’ve convinced me.” He slowed as the turn to the ranch appeared on his left. He waited for a pickup loaded with hay to pass in the opposite direction before crossing the road and taking the rutted dirt lane. “I don’t want to know, either.”
“And you’re up for making two lists?”
“I guess. The naming part freaks me out. What if our kid hates what we choose?”
“I can understand feeling that way after you had to deal with Cornelius Jasper.”
“What’s your middle name?”
“Marie.”
“Pretty.”
“I like it but I wouldn’t want to use it if we have a daughter. “
“Isabel?”
“Not that, either. I’d like to start from scratch.”
“You don’t want to consider your parents’ names? Or some other relatives? Grandparents?”
“I’ll think about it. Maybe. What about your mom’s name?”
“Cleopatra.”
“Oh, my.”
“Evidently her parents were as nutty as she was about the naming thing. I never knew them or their names. They kicked her out when she became pregnant with me. Consequently, she disowned them.”
“No wonder you fell in love with the Buckskin. It’s solid and enduring.”
“I’ve been thinking about that.” He parked in front of the two-story ranch house so Isabel could get the key to the cabin from Henri. Another truck he didn’t recognize was also parked there. “Leaving the Buckskin would be tough, but if my kid’s living in Seattle, I might need to—”
“I wouldn’t ask that of you.” Isabel unlatched her seatbelt.
“I could find some kind of work. I’m sure they have riding stables.”
“CJ, no.” She swiveled in her seat to face him. “You’d never find anything near the city that’s like the Buckskin. Besides, you don’t like cities. You said that two months ago when the subject came up. Moving to Seattle would be too much of a sacrifice.”
“I keep thinking about the Code, though.”
“What code?”
“Did Lucy tell you about the Brotherhood?”
“I heard some reference to it. I assumed it was an affectionate term you guys have for each other.”
“It’s more than that. We formed it after Charley died, to honor him and pledge our loyalty to each other. We came up with a Code—What Would Charley Do? We do our best to live up to it.”
Her gaze warmed. “That’s wonderful. I had no idea.”
“We don’t go around talking about it, but now that you and I are having a baby, the Brotherhood will have your back. You can call on any of us, at any time. That will go for our child, too.”
“Like the knights of old.”
“Yes, ma’am. And I ask myself, would Charley leave a place he loved if it meant he could be a hands-on father to his kid?”
“But these circumstances are diff—”
“The answer is simple, Izzy. Yes, he would. I need to remember that.”
Chapter Six
Isabel’s respect for CJ ramped up several notches. Maybe he’d been spoiled by his mother for the first sixteen years of his life, and maybe he still got cranky if he was denied something he wanted. But when the chips were down, he had the grit to seriously consider making a huge sacrifice to bond with his child.
She appreciated his willingness to do the noble thing. Unfortunately, he’d be miserable in Seattle and miserable people made poor parents. Now wasn’t the time to debate it with him, though.
Reaching over, she squeezed his arm. “We’ll have a week to talk about it.”
He nodded. “Stay put, please.” He unsnapped his seatbelt and opened his door. “I’ll get you down.”
His courtliness made her smile. She could get used to being treated like a queen. But she didn’t dare get hooked on his cowboy ways. Or on him. She rummaged in the carryon at her feet and pulled out the pound of coffee beans she’d brought Henri.
He opened the passenger door. “Coffee?”
“For Henri. Same kind I brought when I came for the wedding. She raved about it.”
“She’ll appreciate that.” He helped her down, his grip sure and strong.
She liked it when he touched her. She liked it way too much.
He released her hand and angled his head toward the truck parked nearby. “I think I know who that belongs to. If I’m right, you’re about to meet Zane McGavin.”
“Why does that name sound familiar?”
“He operates Raptors Rise in Eagles Nest.”
“That’s where I’ve heard it. Lucy told me he wants to open another raptor sanctuary up here. She can’t wait.”
“We’re all stoked about it. Zane was scheduled to come up so he could scout out a location with Henri and Jake, who’ll be managing it. I was planning to go along. Several of us were.”
“Sounds like it’s happening, then.”
“Unless some issue crops up.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “I forgot today was the day Zane would be here.”
“You’ve had a few things on your mind.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gestured toward the house. “Let’s go see what happened.”
When Isabel walked into the ranch house living room, Henri stood talking to a tall, good-looking cowboy. They were nearly the same height. Slim and silver-haired, Henri had an air of command that had intimidated Isabel at first.
Then Henri had revealed her sentimental side during the wedding. Her reaction to this pregnancy clinched it. Henri was a softie in disguise.
She proved it immediately by turning away from the conversation with a smile of delight. “Isabel! You’re here!”
“And I brought coffee!”
“I was so hoping you would.” She took the bag and gave her a hug. “I love this stuff.” She turned to the tall cowboy shaking hands with CJ. “Zane, this is Isabel Ricchetti, a good friend from Seattle. Isabel, this is—”
“Zane McGavin.” He tipped his hat. “At your service, Miss Isabel. I’m glad you and CJ showed up before I
