Carrying the Rancher's Heir (13 page)

He caressed her breasts and kissed her throat from behind, his nose nuzzling her dripping hair. “Thank you.”

She smiled. She should be thanking him. She'd never known sex could be like this. That love had something to do with it, at least on her part, heightened the feelings, the emotions and the pleasure all at the same time.

She knew Tagg didn't love her. But they'd consummated their marriage today and Callie felt glorious about that.

“You're welcome,” she whispered.

“It was hard keeping away from you.”

His confession brought mixed emotions. He didn't want her here. Didn't want to be married. Worst of all, he didn't trust her. But they had this…and maybe they could build from here. “Then don't keep away, Tagg.”

C
allie spent her days working at Penny's Song, putting the finishing touches on the bunkhouse with a few items that would remind the children of home. She had photo frames set up on each of the side tables for them to add a picture of their family or a special friend to keep them company during their one-week stay. Small compact alarm clocks shared the table space. The children would have to set them at night so they wouldn't be late for the breakfast call in the morning.

She kept thinking of how to occupy the children's time in the most beneficial ways possible. She set up a library area in the far end of the bunkhouse and was in the process of collecting books that would be of interest for the appropriate age range. She'd kept busy this past week, finding and buying books to add to the library's collection. She'd stocked fun, light stories and songbooks for the younger children, teenage novels for the ones a little older. For all, she'd supplied an array of books on horses, cattle and ranching.

Setting up the general store gave her the most joy. She'd written up a list of daily chores the children would have to accomplish in order to earn tokens toward something they wanted to buy. For some who'd been ill a good deal of their life, this would be their first paying “job” and a positive motivation after their arduous recovery.

She'd had the list printed professionally in Stagecoach font on yellowed parchment paper and had burned the edges with a match to attain a true rustic look. Just minutes ago, she'd taped it to the front window. She stood back a few feet to admire it.

“Mucking the stalls is only worth ten tokens?” Tagg came up from behind and startled her. She jumped at the sound of his voice and he laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist to brace her. He tucked his head on her shoulder as he read the list. “That's a mighty gruesome job. Should be worth at least twenty-five.”

Callie leaned against him and smiled. It wasn't often Tagg got this close. He'd been trying, she knew, but he still kept his distance during the day. He still took solitary rides every afternoon. He worked long hours in his office, and she often wondered if she was the reason he stayed away every evening until just before dinner. Their meals were usually quiet, quick affairs with Tagg offering to help with cleanup.

She'd been married to Tagg one week now and while she would like to have seen more progress during the days, she had nothing to complain about during their nights. Tagg made love to her as if every time were their first time. And if Callie was too exhausted or had a bout of queasiness, he would simply hold her in his arms, making her feel safe and cared for before she fell asleep, like a regular, newly married bride.

“Are you doubting my pricing skills?”

She turned to face him, meeting his unique silver-blue eyes. She'd seen those eyes darken with desire and light with amusement. She'd seen fury in those eyes, too, when aimed at her, but each time she peered at him, no matter the mood or circumstance, her heart did a little flip.

“No, ma'am, only saying I remember mucking stalls as a boy. My father made all us boys do every one of the chores on the ranch. Didn't matter to him that we were Worths, we all pulled our weight. Made his employees respect his work ethic even more.”

“I never got away with skipping it, either. The Hawk insisted that I do it if I was going to be a rancher one day. My daddy—”

Tagg's smile disappeared. He let go of her and she felt his absence both physically and mentally.

They stared at each other. “Sorry, Tagg. But he's my father. I can't ignore that.”

Tagg backed away and nodded. “No, you can't. But neither can I and I can't pretend otherwise.”

Callie stood facing him, her emotions in turmoil. She'd been happy moments ago when Tagg had actually acted like a husband to her. He'd seemed genuinely glad to see her, but the moment was lost when she mentioned her father's name. “I'm not asking you to do that. Just judge me for myself.”

“You lied to me, Callie.”

“I didn't lie. I just didn't jump at the first chance I had to announce my pregnancy to a man who'd told me that being with me had been a big fat mistake.”

“You got pregnant that night.”

“It takes two to make a baby.”

“I'm not sure it wasn't deliberate on your part.”

She didn't know how to make Tagg see the truth. He had a stubborn streak for one and her father's unscrupulous prop
osition hadn't helped her cause. Tagg believed the apple didn't fall far from the tree. But in her case, it did. It had fallen miles and miles away.

She planted her hands on her hips, fighting not only for herself but for the family they would become soon. “Tagg, look at me. Really, really look at me. Do you think I'd do that? Do you think I would use an innocent baby to get revenge on my father? Granted, I was really angry with him at that time, but I'd never do anything that hurtful just to prove a point. And I think you know that about me. I think deep down, you know the truth.”

Tagg set his jaw and looked away. She watched him take a deep breath, his expression tight. Finally, he turned to face her again. “Maybe I'm beginning to. I want us to move forward from now on, Callie.”

“I do, too.”

He gestured toward the stables. “The horses arrived from the Cosgroves in Vegas. They're unloading them now. I thought you'd like to see them.”

“I would.”

“Okay, then let's take a look together.” He reached for her hand and she took it as they headed that way.

The simple gesture touched a raw nerve and tears welled up. Maybe Tagg was really trying and maybe this was harder on him than she realized. Not only had he not wanted marriage, a baby or a family life, but she suspected he was dealing with something that plagued him much worse than losing a big cattle deal to her father. Something that had to do with his love for his first wife.

 

Tagg stood in the doorway watching Callie fuss around the kitchen, whipping up potatoes in a bowl and baking chicken for the dinner meal. She seemed comfortable in her
surroundings, as if she belonged here and didn't mind his unadorned lifestyle. He had more money than he'd ever need, but he was the one Worth who didn't have his own servants, didn't hire out for chores on his ranch if he could do the work himself. He had a team of five part-time employees who took care of his prize horses and kept the stables running smoothly. Once a week, he paid Helen to bring in groceries. Tagg's lifestyle met his solitary needs. But did they meet Callie's?

She'd been raised in the Sullivan household on Big Hawk Ranch. Sullivan had a servant for every day of the week, it seemed. And Callie had grown up in luxury. She was heiress to her father's legacy.

“Hey, cowboy. Wanna help me with the salad?” Wire whisk in hand, she stopped cooking to send him a smile.

He walked farther into the kitchen. “I can do that.”

She handed him a knife and slid the cutting board his way on the granite island. “Slice the tomatoes and cucumbers and I'll shred the lettuce.”

Tagg picked up the knife and began cutting the tomatoes. “You know, if you need help around here, we can hire someone.”

“Thank you, but I don't need help.”

“You're busy at Penny's Song every day. It's only going to get busier when the children arrive next weekend.”

“I know, but I don't mind. Makes the time fly by. Besides, you'd hate to have someone here, getting in your way.”

He already did. Only lately, he'd been enjoying Callie's company a little too much. He'd been glad to find her at Penny's Song, wanting to share the arrival of the Cosgrove horses. But at the first mention of her father's name, Tagg's good mood had vanished.

“You might want help when the baby comes.”

Callie smiled and her dark eyes softened. “We'll have to
see how it goes. While I was out getting books for Penny's Song, I bought half a dozen on pregnancy and baby care. I want to get it just right.”

He finished cutting the tomatoes and moved on to the cucumbers. “I suppose we'll need to take classes or something, right?”

Callie laid a hand on his arm. “You'd go with me?”

He turned to her. “Did you think I wouldn't?”

“Well, I wasn't sure. I was hoping you would.” She spoke quietly, her voice trailing off.

“I want to get it right, too.” He glanced at her belly, something he was prone to do often, as if seeing the evidence of his child growing there would make it more real. But it was too early yet. The only sign he'd seen of Callie's pregnancy was the ripeness of her breasts. He couldn't help noticing they felt heavier in his hands, fuller, and were incredibly more sensitive to his touch. Callie's intense cries of pleasure when he fondled her had gotten him hot and ready in mere seconds. Just thinking about their nights of mind-sucking wicked sex tightened his groin to painful limits.

Tagg had to admit one thing: he enjoyed making love to his new wife.

“I'm taking the red-eye out to Tucson tonight.”

Callie's brows rose. “Oh? You didn't mention it.”

“It just came up. It's a cattle deal I've been working on. I've got a meeting first thing in the morning.”

“Okay. Well then, I'll get dinner on the table right away.”

Tagg looked at the chicken she'd just taken out of the oven, the mashed potatoes, creamed just the way he liked it and his gut growled with hunger. But not the kind food could satisfy.

Callie picked up two plates and Tagg stopped her, grabbing her wrist. “I'm not hungry for food.”

He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“What do you need then?” she asked, breathless.

He filled his nostrils with her scent and nibbled on her throat. She always smelled so good. “You, Callie. I need you tonight. Before I leave.”

“Tagg.” Her voice was soft, her eyes even softer. “I need you, too.”

Callie was always a willing partner. Tagg loved that about her. She'd never once denied him. He brushed a kiss over her lips and then another and another.

She responded with throaty little sounds that wiped away any thoughts of taking her slow. “We've never done it in the kitchen,” he whispered, melding their mouths together.

Sinful laugher escaped Callie's throat. “You want
me
for dinner?”

He grinned between kisses. “You know it.” But the granite island was full of hot food and Tagg didn't have time to waste moving it all away. “On second thought, let's have dinner in bed.”

Tagg made a move to lift her, but Callie stopped him, setting her hands firmly on his chest. “Follow me,” she said, taking his hand and guiding him into the bedroom. He liked it when Callie took the lead. He liked it even more when she shoved him onto the bed and undressed for him.

“What would you like for an appetizer?” she whispered and removed her chambray blouse.

“Unhook that thing and come over here.”

Callie did his bidding and unlatched her white lace bra, freeing her breasts. She came down onto the bed, her legs straddling his thighs. Tagg reached behind her back and splayed his hands out, bending her to him until her breasts were inches from his lips.

He tasted her then, filling his mouth with one beautiful breast and making her purr with unabashed pleasure. “You taste good,” he said, his voice hoarse. The need inside him grew more urgent. “But I need the main course. Right now.”

Callie smiled and lowered down, helping him remove his clothes. His shirt went flying and he struggled out of his jeans and shorts. Once he was naked, Callie gripped his manhood. “Not yet. There's one more course to be served first.”

She bent over him and took him for a ride with her mouth that if he lived a hundred years, he'd never forget. “You're good at that,” he uttered.

She answered back instantly, “Only with you.”

She'd said that enough times that he was beginning to believe her. Her eyes liquid with desire, her body poised over his, Callie was beautiful and eager, but he noticed something else—something powerful and genuine. Something he hadn't paid attention to before. But he didn't have the willpower to analyze it further. He was hot, hungry and ready. And for the next thirty minutes Callie helped him satisfy that hunger.

Shortly after, showered and dressed in Tagg's shirt, Callie followed him into his office. “I have an idea.” She didn't come in here often, but she wanted to see him off tonight. She'd miss him the minute he walked out the door for his business trip.

“What's that?” He searched his desk, filling his briefcase with papers and folders.

“What if I helped out around here? I could be your assistant.”

He stopped what he was doing to look at her. “You want to work for me?”

Callie grinned. “Sure. You work long hours. You do practically everything yourself. I bet I can cut your work time in half. You wouldn't need to be in this office all day long.”

Tagg smiled and grabbed the lapels of the shirt she wore, pulling her up close. He looked into her eyes, slid a glance down her near-naked body and spoke with sincerity. “Honey, if you worked in the office with me, I guarantee you, we'd spend a helluva lot more time in here.
Not working.
”

Callie wrapped her arms around him. “I want to help.”

“You have your duties at Penny's Song.” He brushed a kiss across her throat. His sexy aftershave tempted her senses with a rich combination of fresh mint and musk.

“I don't have to be there all day. I can split my time.” The more she thought about it, the more the idea of working alongside Tagg appealed to her. Perhaps it would be one way to get closer to him. She knew asking this of him put him on the spot, but Callie had the advantage right now. Tagg was softening to her and she didn't want that to stop. She wanted to prove to him that she was a good wife. That she would support him and help him in any way she could.