Emma changed into a turquoise blouse before driving to the diner. She’d tried to convince herself it had nothing to do with looking nice for Gage and making him proud to be seen with her. But it had everything to do with that.

Josh had left drool marks on the light green one she’d worn today. Although she’d appeared in public with drool marks more times than she could count, she hadn’t been escorted by the father of her child in the small town where his entire family lived.

Showing up with a baby in her arms this afternoon and asking for him must have stirred up gossip that he’d have to deal with. She hadn’t factored that in because she’d never lived in a small town.

In hindsight, her plan had been deeply flawed. Thanks to her actions, she was caught in a goldfish bowl with limited resources for continuing to look good.

But she’d do her best for Gage’s sake. She’d used the bathroom sink to wash out the blouse she’d worn today. Good thing she’d had a total of three, plus another pair of jeans and extra underwear.

That still might not be enough. Life with Josh involved changing clothes a lot. Cotton t-shirts were far less practical than tops made with quick-dry fabrics. Jeans could take a hit whereas skirts could not.

When she was at home in Great Falls, she couldn’t care less that her son limited her wardrobe choices. He was a source of joy. And such a good baby. All her friends said so. She hadn’t informed any of them about this trip for fear they’d be successful in talking her out of it. But she was glad she’d come.

Life had been simpler before Gage had shown up at her door. But her nagging sense of guilt had hung on like a low-grade fever. Now that was gone.

She found the diner with no problem and pulled in next to his truck. He was still in the cab so he’d likely been waiting for her. He climbed out and met her as she got out of her car.

“You’re right on time.” He’d changed clothes, too. He wore a snazzy black Western shirt with silver trim and his black hat.

“I figured you’d be waiting.” He smelled delicious, damn him. Evidently he still used the brand of cologne he’d worn when they’d dated and he’d applied it recently.

“Listen, before we go in, I need to warn you the Whine and Cheese Club will be in there having dinner.”

“Did you say wine or whine?”

“Whine. It’s five ladies around my dad’s age who’ve been friends for years and they all know me. I met them at a fundraiser at the Guzzling Grizzly in July. They were dressed in bird costumes.”

“How come?”

“Because—never mind. I’ll explain later. The important part is that one of them is Kendra McGavin, my dad’s…sweetheart. I saw her this afternoon and she told me they’d be here planning a baby shower. She said we could just ignore them if you’d rather not make contact tonight.”

“That seems silly.”

“I agree.”

“Except is it okay if Josh and I meet your dad’s sweetheart and her girlfriends before we meet him?”

“I asked that and he said he’ll wait until tomorrow. Didn’t want to put you under too much pressure.”

“Your dad sounds like a great guy.”

“The best.”

“Excuse me if this is indelicate, but…what about your mom? Is she…”

“She died when I was a kid.”

“Oh, dear. I’m sorry.” And now she had the urge to hug him, which was not a good idea.

“It was a long time ago.”

That might be true, and he’d spoken without much emotion, but his eyes told a different story. Pain didn’t have a timetable.

He glanced toward her SUV. “Should we spring Josh? He must be getting antsy just staring at the upholstery.”

“Probably, although he’d let us know if he was tired of his car seat.” She hadn’t forgotten her son, exactly, but his father was a powerful distraction. There was so much she didn’t know. She turned and walked around the back of the car.

Gage followed, bringing his spicy, toe-curling scent right along with him. “How about letting me take a stab at getting that little guy loose?”

“Okay.” She opened the back door and moved away to give him room.

“I’m curious as to why you put him on the opposite side from you instead of behind you.”

“Better line of sight. Easier to keep track of how he’s doing.”

“Ah. That’s logical.” He took off his hat and handed it to her. “Would you please hold this?”

“Sure.” The luxurious nap of the felt rocketed her back nineteen months. He’d worn this hat whenever he’d stopped by the bar.

Later he’d confessed that he’d done it to impress her. Evidently that had been his intent yesterday, too.

She’d always been impressed by more than the hat, but she’d been charmed by his habit of wearing it every time he came to see her. After she’d finished her shift, he’d follow her home and they’d make love. One time he asked her to put on his hat before she climbed aboard…

“And he’s free at last!” Gage lifted Josh from the car seat.

The baby let out a squeal of pleasure.

“Nice outfit.” Gage surveyed the miniature Green Bay Packers jersey before hoisting Josh up against his shoulder.

“From my folks. They assume he’ll be a Packers fan.”

“Like you. I seem to remember you have a jersey just like this.”

“Yep. Josh and I were both decked out while we watched the first game of the season on TV.” And why bother to mention it? Evidently she was flattered that he’d remembered she owned a jersey that matched her son’s. “Want your hat back?”

“Okay.” He held Josh securely with one arm while he took the hat in his free hand and settled it on his head.

She envied his ability to balance Josh using only one arm. Now that her son was twenty-six pounds, she required both. Not that she was complaining.

They made a picture, though—handsome cowboy dad and adorable baby. Should she ask them to pose while she got out her phone? No. That could signal a level of commitment she hadn’t made. This weekend was very much an experiment.

Josh gazed up at Gage’s hat with great interest. Then he stretched his arm toward it and clutched at thin air with his fingers.

“Want the hat, buddy?”

“Gage, you’d better not—”

“No worries. He can hold it.”

She was flabbergasted. One of the first things she’d learned after moving here from Wisconsin was that a cowboy’s hat was sacred. Dress hats were guarded with extra care, but even battered straw hats were treated with respect. This Stetson was important to Gage and had likely cost him a fair bit, too.

He took it off and held it by the crown so Josh could get a grip on the brim. “This is a very special hat, buddy. If I hadn’t worn it whenever I walked into that bar, your mom would never have given me the time of day.”

“That’s not true.” She’d contradicted him before she could stop herself.

He glanced at her. “If there was more to my appeal, I’d surely appreciate hearing about it.”

“I’m sure you would, but—Gage, he’s chewing on your hat.”

He looked down at Josh, who was gnawing away at the brim of his valuable Stetson. “Well, so he is.”

“Don’t let him. I don’t want him to think that’s okay.”

“If you say so. Sorry, buddy, but your mom says that’s not acceptable.” He gently pried his hat away and put it back on his head.

Josh protested and strained upward, trying to reach it.

“My bad, kiddo. I shouldn’t have let you have it. Hey look! There’s a hawk flying over us.” He hoisted Josh up higher. “Wow, that’s a big bird.”

“Ba-ba!”

“Bird! Did you hear that, Emma? He said bird.”

“Well, almost.” Gage’s enthusiasm was hard to resist. “But I’m afraid he did a number on your best hat. I can see the spot where he chewed on it.”

“It’s also now my favorite hat.” He looked at her, his dark eyes glowing with happiness. “It has my son’s teeth marks on it.”

“Now that’s the way to melt a mother’s heart.”

“Good to know.”

They both laughed, but then his gaze met hers and held.

Oh, Lordy, there was fire in those dark eyes of his. No telling how long she might have stood there soaking up that lovely heat if she hadn’t accidentally pressed the panic button on her key fob.

She quickly shut off the alarm. “We should go in. I’ll just grab his baby backpack.” She reached down and picked it up from the floor of the back seat.

“Isn’t he a little small for a—”

“It’s mine. I keep all his stuff in it.” She hooked the strap over her shoulder and closed the car door.

“That’s a great idea.” He started toward the restaurant, and despite carrying Josh, he managed to open the door for her.

“Thanks.” She walked into a space filled with cheerful voices and the aroma of some of her favorite foods—pot roast, fried chicken, baked potatoes, homemade rolls and coffee. Her mouth watered.

The hostess led them to a small corner booth, left them menus and went to get a highchair. At the far corner of the L-shaped seating area, five women gathered in a large circular booth. Had to be the Whine and Cheese Club.

Gage tipped his hat in their direction before glancing at her. “How about we go over after we order?”

“Works for me.”

“I hope you’re hungry because the servings are huge.”

“I didn’t think I was hungry until I walked in and smelled the food. Do you come here a lot?”

“At least two or three times a week for breakfast, but not so much for dinner.” He thanked the hostess when she arrived with the chair. Then he tried unsuccessfully to get Josh to put his feet in the opening between the tray and the chair. “Is there a trick to this?”

“He doesn’t understand he has to hold his legs straight. You’ll have to lift the tray, set him down, and put the tray over his head.”

“Got it.” He followed her directions and soon Josh was happily slapping his hands on the high chair tray and blowing raspberries.

She grinned at him. “You’re a silly boy, Josh.”

He giggled and did it some more.

“Did you teach him that?”

“Didn’t have to. He learned it all on his own.” She unzipped the backpack, took out a container of Cheerios and sprinkled some on the tray before sliding into the booth.

Gage took the opposite side of the booth and laid his hat beside him on the seat. Then he peered at Josh’s tray. “Is that his dinner?”

“More like food and a game rolled into one. He has fun picking them up and putting them in his mouth so he’s occupied for a while. I brought jars of baby food, too.” She looked over the menu. “I smelled pot roast when I walked in. Is it good here?”

“I’m sure it is. I’ve discovered that Eagles Nesters demand excellence in their restaurants. They only have two sit-down establishments, plus the Burger Barn that features slow fast food. I can testify they’re all top-notch.”

“Did you just call the residents Eagles Nesters?”

“Uh-huh.” He consulted his menu. “I think it’s a new term, but it fits. This area’s chock-a-block full of eagles, bald and golden, but mostly golden. Other birds, too. Big, little, you name it. Since I’m a fan of birds, I’m happy about that.”

“You like birds?”

He glanced up from his menu. “Always have. Why?”

“Josh likes them, too. He’d get all excited whenever he saw one, so I put a feeder in the back yard near a window so he can watch them. He loves it.”

“No kidding?”

“No kidding. Word about the feeder has spread in the bird community, too. We draw a crowd, especially in the summer. In fact, I need to text my neighbor and see if she’ll take care of filling it over the weekend. Excuse me a minute.” She pulled out her phone and quickly typed her request. “Done.”

“I wonder if he got that from me.” He watched Josh pick up Cheerios one at a time and examine them before popping them in his mouth. “Hey, buddy, are you turning into a bird watcher like your old man?”

Josh paused, a Cheerio held firmly between this thumb and forefinger, and stared at Gage as if contemplating the question. “Da-da!”

“That’s me.” Gage patted his chest. “Daddy. Dad-dy.”

Josh chortled and banged his hand on the tray, sending Cheerios flying. “Da-da!”

“Whoa.” Gage looked over at her. “Didn’t see that coming.”

“I’ll get my side if you’ll get yours.”

The server hurried over, order pad in hand. “You don’t have to do that. We’ll get it later. It’s just Cheerios.”

Emma straightened and dumped some into her napkin. “I hate to leave a mess.”

“Not a problem.” The slim, gray-haired woman beamed at her. “Your baby is adorable. What’s his name?”

“Josh,” she and Gage said together.

“Well, Josh,” the server said. “You’re a handsome boy.”

He gave her his trademark gaze, as if he’d just found the love of his life.

“Oh, my goodness.” She smiled. “He’s flirting with me.”

“He does that,” Emma said. “I’ll have my hands full in a few years.”

“That’s for sure.” The server glanced at Gage. “I’ll bet he learned it from his daddy.”

Gage nodded, looking proud. “It’s genetic.”

Emma ducked her head and swallowed her laughter. It might be, for all she knew. She hadn’t met his family.

She ordered the pot roast, a side salad and coffee. Gage ended up with the same. In the short time they’d been together nineteen months ago, they hadn’t shared many meals. In addition to the other gaps in her knowledge, she wasn’t up on what he liked to eat. Pot roast, evidently.

After the server left, he looked across the table at her. “Ready to meet the Whine and Cheese Club?”

“Sure.” She was nervous about interacting with his dad and siblings, but showing off her son to a table full of women? Oh, yeah. She’d relish that experience. So would Josh, the little flirt.

“How much do you want me to tell them?”

Oh. The explanation could turn out to be complicated. Or simple. “How about if you just say this is your son Josh and I’m his mother, Emma?”

“That’s it?”

“Do you really want to get into the nitty-gritty?”

He hesitated. “I suppose not.”

“Then for now, let’s leave it at that.”