Samâs ebony stallion, raised his elegant head from the hay bale heâd been investigating and pricked his ears toward the ruckus.
Pushing his straw cowboy hat to the back of his head, Sam frowned wearily and demanded, âWhy did you pick her up?â
Roni stared. âWhat? Sheâs screaming at the top of her lungs! Are you out of your ever-loving mind?â
Sam winced at Jessieâs ear-piercing wails. âSheâs been at it all afternoon. Finally figured sheâd have to cry it out.â
âHow could you?â Roni railed, struggling to hold the flailing child. âYou donât leave a kid alone like that. What if sheâs sick? Or hungry? Orââ
âDammit, Curly, donât you think Iâve got sense enough to think of all that?â Samâs dark glower was mute evidence that he was near the end of his own rope. âLittle bit started up not ten minutes after you left and squalled the whole time the county caseworker was here. I tried everything, and not a damned thing pleases her.â
âThatâs no excuse, Sam Preston,â Roni said, her tone accusing. âYou left her!â
âSince all I did just seemed to make whatever it is worse, I thought Iâd give her some space. Believe me, I could hear her just fine out here. Iâm not a complete dunce.â
âNo, just a heartless one!â Roni shouted to be heard over Jessieâs crying. âYou canât treat a baby like...like one of your damn cows. Of all the insensitive, moronicââ
âCurse it, thatâs enough.â Samâs expression was black as thunder, and his jaw thrust out at a militant angle. âYou werenât here, and I had to follow my best judgmentâwhich was working just fine until you came along and got her started again.â
âI did no suchââ
âDonât try to second-guess me, Curly,â he interrupted brusquely, jabbing his forefinger at her nose. âWhen it comes right down to it, sheâs not your responsibility.â
Samâs harsh words landed like a physical slap and took Roniâs breath. She stared at him, feeling the color drain from her face. Hot tears prickled behind her lids. With a small cry that was barely audible above Jessieâs weeping, Roni turned and stumbled for the house.
âCurly, wait. I didnât meanââ
Choking, Roni didnât pause to hear the rest. Calling herself every kind of idiot, she tried to contain the hurt that bubbled over. The worst of it was that despite the affection and attachment for Jessie already blossoming in her unwary heart, Sam was absolutely right. She had no claim on the redheaded angel who was still making a devilish uproar. No bond of blood or commitment, and certainly no rightâbest friends or noâto instruct Sam on the upbringing of his new daughter. The knowledge left a bitter taste in her mouth.
âRoni, stop!â Sam caught her from behind just as she reached the back door, his expression stricken. âOh, God, youâre crying. You never cry.â
âYouâd better take her,â Roni said around a knot of tears in her throat. âIââ A sob stole whatever else she meant to say.
Cussing a blue streak, Sam shot a harried glance from side to side, then abruptly dragged Roni, still holding the baby, off the porch and toward his blue Ford pickup. Without further explanation he jerked open the door and thrust her inside. A childâs car seat sat buckled in the middle of the seat.
âHere, strap her in,â he muttered, then pushed Roniâs fumbling hands aside to perform the task on the screaming baby.
âSam, whatâ? Please...â Distraught and unnerved, Roni tried to slip out past him, but he caught her, buckled her seat belt much as heâd done Jessieâs, then slammed the door.
âStay put.â His mouth was grim as he came around to the