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"Si, now, we have chickens that need feeding, cows that need milking, stalls that need haying. Can you handle that?"
"Is that all?" Juan looked disappointed.
"Until the spring, yes, then you can help in roundup. How's that?" Cord smiled at him.
Juan nearly jumped out of his seat he was so excited. "Thank you, Senor Cord."
"Charlie is going to be coming out here to live with me, and maybe you and he can do the chores together." Cord informed him.
"Si…that would be good…"
"Good. Maria, I understand congratulations are in order." A small glint of humor flickered in Cord's eyes as he glanced at her.
"He told you?" She shot her husband a raised brow.
"You can't keep something like that secret." Cord laughed. "At least not long."
Maria broke into a smile, "I guess you are right."
"I am very happy for you both." Cord told her.
"Muchas Gracias."
Cord watched as Carlos the youngest, Louisa, and Juan climbed down from their chairs, took their plates in the kitchen and went outside to play. "You have a nice family Pedro." His voice held a longing older than time.
"Perhaps when you and Lilly marry you will have a bigger family, also?" Pedro eyed him impishly.
Cord's expression relaxed and his eyes lit with a warmth of being surrounded by good friends. "I hope you are right about that, Pedro. That would really be nice."
Maria's expression grew with surprise, "You and Lilly…are going to be a family, no?"
"Yes, that's what I'm hoping for." Cord assured her.
"That is wonderful news, Senor Cord. Lilly is such a good person. She has been a friend forever it seems. She has had much sadness too…"
"Well, I aim to see the sadness stop. My plan is to make her very happy."
Cord found himself day-dreaming about his life now, something he'd never indulged in. And when his thoughts wandered to Lilly, he felt himself heat up. How long had he loved her, he wondered? The fact was, he did love her, had always loved her, and right now he was wondering just how deep that love would run. But secretly he knew the answer to that too. Lilly was the only reason he stayed here.
He was in love with her, and he finally admitted it to himself.
The fact that he realized it, shocked him. Why hadn't he known all those years ago? Was she the reason he'd never fallen for any other woman? Was she the reason he came home?
He smiled now. Now that he admitted it to himself, it felt good. But admitting it to her…that was something he had to find the right time and place for. He wanted it to mean something to her.
He'd never contemplated marriage or family before now, but ever since that unexpected welcome from Lilly, he let himself day-dream. Deep down he knew he wanted a relationship, had always wanted it, but he'd never found the right woman. Could Lilly be that right woman? Could she have been the right girl all along? Yes! His heart shouted it. The need to be with her was so strong, the need to protect even stronger. She was the only woman that had ever meant anything to him except his mother. Through the years he'd thought of her often, always fondly. And now, even more so!
Chapter Ten
The familiar smell of a saloon wafted the air as Cord entered through the swinging doors. Music played above all the noise and conversations. But Cord's gazed landed on the prettiest girl there. She was at the bar, pouring drinks, smiling and talking to customers. Strange, but there were other women there, but it was Lilly he sought.
It was a regular Saturday night. The saloon was full of people.
Cord approached Lilly slowly, his eyes never leaving her. Without a word, he came behind the bar, took Lilly's hand and led her into the dark recesses of a hallway.
"What are you doing?" She smiled at him, as a question lingered between them.
"This…" His husky voice drifted away as he planted a more than inviting kiss to her lips. P
