Lone Star Baby Bombshell. Lauren Canan

constantly since she’d left Jace’s home two days ago. Knowing it still sat on his property was unsettling; it was a tie to him she didn’t want.

      But as they turned onto her street, Kelly had to blink twice. Her old car sat in the driveway, and parked next to the curb was Jace’s dark metallic-blue pickup.

      “Hey, Kelly,” Gerri said. “Looks like someone decided to help you out after all.”

      When Gerri pulled up behind the truck, Kelly saw Matt and Jace tossing a football across the expanse of three front yards.

      “Yeah. Maybe. I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks again.”

      Kelly walked toward Mrs. Jenkins’s house, hoping Gerri would drive away. Thankfully, she did, sticking her hand out the open window to wave goodbye as the Toyota continued down the street.

      Mrs. Jenkins’s home was only two houses down and around the corner. She was lucky to have such a kind and loving woman to keep the baby while she worked. Mrs. Jenkins’s family had moved to another state the previous year and she longed for her own children and grandchildren. She’d assured Kelly that keeping Henry was a joy. It filled a void in her life. It was a great solution for all concerned.

      Returning to her house with Henry, Kelly had just set the baby bag on the sofa and still had Henry in her arms when she saw Jace walking toward the door. Her heart immediately began doing flip-flops. Even the warmth of the baby snuggled against her couldn’t make her relax. What she wouldn’t give for Jace to be a regular person with a normal job. Maybe then things would have turned out differently. But why waste her time wishing for something that wasn’t even in the realm of possibility? She didn’t want to keep Jace from his son. But at the same time, his father’s world was not a place the baby should be.

      As soon as Jace spotted her standing behind the screen door with the baby in her arms, that infamous smile spread across his face. Kelly pushed open the door and bade him to enter. Gingerly, Jace reached out and touched Henry’s hand. The baby laughed and grabbed the offered finger, kicking his feet in excitement.

      “Hi, buddy.” The acceptance was immediate. Apparently on both sides. “He’s amazing.”

      “Would you like to hold him?”

      Jace nodded, his eyes switching from Kelly to the baby, then back to Kelly. A twinge of heat surged through her body. Jace was so masculine, so totally male, every hormone she had was screaming to get closer. It was unsettling. His earthy aroma swirled around her, and she swallowed hard.

      “Take a seat,” she offered, clearing her throat, then placed the little bundle in his father’s arms. Henry looked so tiny, and Jace looked so awkward, so out of place, but she couldn’t miss the look of pride in his handsome features. As she silently watched father and son interact for the first time, she couldn’t help but ask herself how Jace could look even sexier when he held the baby. His tanned arms and dark features were such a contrast to Henry’s pale skin and hair. The sheer sexuality rolled off him in waves. So male. So powerful. So compelling. She ran the fingers of one hand through her hair in an effort to regain control of her wayward thoughts.