Having Adam's Baby (Harlequin Special Edition) (12 page)

Adam didn’t know exactly what his brother was talking about, but he was sure of one thing. He didn’t want any details. He also wasn’t sure if he wanted to get inside that bird.

Thanks to the services available at the Veterans’ Center, he’d been able to get a meeting with a counselor a few days ago. They’d talked about the episodes Adam had experienced and the added stress of finding out about the baby. While a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress hadn’t been made definitively—that would take more time—the counselor had been pleased with the positive things in Adam’s life, like his new job, family and friends, finances and physical health.

And at how happy Adam seemed about becoming a father.

Adam had left the appointment with a feeling of hope and some strategies for coping. He’d even gotten a book on exposure therapy, a method in which confronting trauma-related emotion and painful memories would, over time, diminish their effect.

No time like the present.

He checked his phone again. No response from Fay. He wondered if she’d taken time tonight to talk to Peggy about the baby. Letting her employee know about the pregnancy was necessary for Fay and the baby’s health. Adam had made a comment about doing just that when they’d talked about his plans for tonight with his family, but Fay had bristled at his suggestion so he’d backed off.

“So, what do you say?” Dev asked.

Adam’s gaze was drawn to the four-seater helicopter, a necessary part of running their business. “Yeah, let’s do this,” he said. “Take me for a ride.”

“All right!”

Adam stored the leftovers in his truck and instructed the dog to stay in the backyard while Dev headed to the helicopter, his phone to his ear. Soon they were strapped inside with microphoned headsets that allowed them to communicate.

“I told Liam we were heading out,” Dev said.

Adam nodded. Dev then went through a pre-flight checklist, pointing out various items on the instrument panel.

Most were too complicated to understand fully, but at least Adam could read the fuel and speed gauges and the altimeter, which told them how high off the ground they were.

First thing Adam heard was the rapid
click-click-click
of the igniter. Then a whooshing noise that Dev said was the jet fuel lighting. Next came a whine as the engine spun and the blades picked up speed overhead.

Minutes later, they were airborne. Adam tensed for a moment, and immediately put a newly learned breathing technique into play as he waited for the old memories to resurface.

Nothing came except for the relaxing of his muscles and the wonder of seeing the earth in a totally new way.

Adam felt a tap on his arm and looked at Dev, who gestured toward the ground. He glanced down and saw the entire family out on the back deck waving at them.

“The old homestead looks pretty cool from up here, doesn’t it?” Dev’s voice echoed in Adam’s headset. “I’m going to head over to Camp Diamond, the summer camp Bobby and Leeann Winslow put together.”

“I’ve been there. Thanks to an early spring, we completed all the buildings,” Adam replied. “They’re working the interiors now.”

“Yeah, but our land borders Winslow’s. I want you to see how we’re cutting the trees out that way. Then if you want, we can buzz over the Zippenella job site and a few others.”

“Sounds good.”

“How about we finish with a quick fly over your place?”

Adam grinned at his brother. “Sounds perfect.”

Before he knew it, ninety minutes had passed as they covered a huge area including two job sites outside of Laramie. Nolan was working on home plans for a well-known Hollywood director, a huge place in the resort town of Jackson Hole, their first on the other side of the state. The helo would make traveling to the location a breeze.

“Okay, we’re losing daylight fast so let’s head back by way of… Hey, you ever think up a name for your place?” Dev asked.

“I’m thinking about Never-Never Land. That’s how close I am to making it a working ranch.” His brother’s deep chuckle filled Adam’s ears. “Maybe I’ll let you come up with something.”

“Oh, don’t tempt me, bro. Hey, looks like someone might be in some trouble down there,” Dev said, dipping the bird down to just above tree level. “Do you see the white van?”

Adam’s heart lurched as he picked out the vehicle on the side of the old country road that ran past his land. As they got closer he could see the right side of van was actually halfway into a ditch. The headlights shone on the trees at a weird angle and the moment he saw the painted logo of Fay’s shop he felt as if his heart stopped completely.

The driver’s-side door opened and seconds later, Fay got out. Adam released the breath he hadn’t even known he was holding.

“What the hell is she doing way out here?” He reached for his cell phone, but Dev was already radioing the sheriff’s office with Fay’s location. Adam’s call didn’t go through and neither did his text message. “Damn! I can’t reach her.”

“Hey, she’s seen us, she’s waving,” Dev said. “We’ll stay overhead until the sheriff shows up.”

Adam remained silent, one hand pressed hard against the glass, his gaze locked on Fay standing below them on the road. She looked so close, but still a million miles away. He couldn’t tell if she was hurt in any way, but she seemed to be fine as she looked over the van, even kicking at one of the rear tires.

“If there was a place to land, you know I would, right?” Dev looked at him. “The trees are too close and with that road only being two lanes…”

Adam nodded, waving off his brother’s explanation. They soon spotted flashing lights heading toward her. The Jeep pulled to a stop next to where Fay stood and Sheriff Gage Steele got out. He and Fay spoke for a moment before he looked up and waved, then leaned back inside the Jeep.

“He’s calling for a tow truck and then he’s going to take Fay home.” Adam listened as Dev relayed the message. “We’ve got about a quarter tank of fuel left, but I was taught to keep an eye on my watch and not the gauge. We need to head back so I’ve got enough fuel to take her over to the airstrip in the morning.”

“Okay, let’s go, so I can get back to Fay.”

Dev landed a hand on his arm. “She’s okay, Adam.”

He could see that, but no one knew about the scare they’d just had with the baby. He couldn’t believe she was out driving on these back roads by herself in that dilapidated van. All he wanted now was to get back on the ground and get home.

Get to her.

* * *

Like most mornings, Fay had risen early, showered and dressed. Waking up hungry was the norm now and she sliced fresh fruit into a bowl as country music classics played low in the background from the kitchen radio.

Shadow sat in rapt attention at her feet, ready to scoop up any pieces before they hit the floor. He’d been a constant companion for her the last two days, moving back and forth between her bedroom and Adam’s, often sleeping in the hallway between the two rooms.

Fay didn’t know if Adam normally worked on Saturdays, but it was almost nine o’clock and the smell of freshly brewed coffee hadn’t caused him to stir yet.

He must be so tired.

She’d arrived at his place last night moments before he did, thanks to a lift from the sheriff. Gage had told her how Dev and Adam had called in her accident. She figured as much after spotting the helicopter overhead.

Thanks to a dead cell phone she hadn’t been able to call or text Adam to let him know she was okay. The relief on his face when he’d climbed down from his truck, Shadow at his side, had brought tears to her eyes.

The sound of the front door opening startled her back to the present. Fay spun around as Shadow barked and raced across the room.

Adam stepped inside, removing his battered felt cowboy hat. He spotted her as he closed the door behind him. “Good, you’re up.”

“Adam Murphy, you scared me to death!” She tossed the knife into the sink. “What are you— I thought you were still asleep.”

“No, I was up half the night.” He gave the dog a quick scratch behind his ears and then shoved his hands into his pockets. “How about you?”

“I slept fine.” Fay pulled a fork from the drawer and grabbed the bowl. “I told you last night I was fine. No pains or discomfort. Then or now.”

“That’s good to know.”

She took a bite of sliced strawberries, Adam watching as she chewed. “So, where have you been?” she asked, after swallowing. “Working on the barn?”

Adam shook his head. “Nope. Come here, I want to show you something.”

Was that a smile on his lips?

Curious, she set down her bowl as Adam walked backward to the door, opened it and paused to set his hat back on his head.

He then stepped out onto the covered porch and motioned to her with a crook of his finger. “Give me your hand. Close your eyes.”

“What?” Surprised, she stopped at the threshold. “Why?”

“Just do it. Please?”

She did as he asked, curling her fingers around his. Closing her eyes, she said a quick prayer that he hadn’t felt the same sizzle she did when her flesh came in contact with his warm, calloused palm. “Now what?”

“Walk toward me.”

He guided her outside, the heat of the July day making her glad she’d slipped on a pair of simple cotton shorts and shirt. The smooth wood of the porch was warm beneath her bare feet as she shuffled forward.

“Stand here.” He released her hand, and she felt him move in behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Now open your eyes.”

Chapter Eleven

F
ay did as he asked, stunned at the sight before her. “Oh, Adam! What have you done?”

He tightened his grip slightly, then eased his hold and gently caressed her upper arms with his fingertips. “You don’t like it?”

Fighting against her body’s response to his touch, she stared at the vehicle, a cross between a van and delivery truck, sitting in the shaded half-circle driveway next to Adam’s pickup. Shiny and new, the truck was a pale green color, a shade lighter than the tint of the magnetic shop logo stuck on the side.

“It’s beautiful, but how? Why?”

“You need transportation.” He dropped his hands and moved to stand next to her. “I’ve had this in the works for a couple weeks. For what it’ll cost to have your van fixed, it just made sense to get a new one. So I did.”

Just like that?

“Adam, I can’t—I know the van was on its last leg, but this is too much. It costs too much.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Swallowing hard, she forced the words past her lips. “My bank account can’t afford this.”

Taking her elbow, he half turned her until she faced him. She looked into his eyes, read understanding in his gaze, but there was something else there, too. Concern? No, the stark emotion shining from his dark eyes was closer to fear.

“When I saw you on the side of the road last night, the van half in the ditch—” He paused, pressing his lips into a hard line. He then cleared his throat and continued. “That sight about killed me. That I couldn’t get to you. You needed my help and I couldn’t be right there.”

“Adam, I’m fine.” She dropped her arms, one hand resting over her belly. “I told you—”

“I know I can’t be with you all the time, to keep you and the baby safe,” he continued, overriding her words. “But when I
can
do something, like provide reliable transportation, you need to let me.”

Adam stepped closer, laid his hand across her belly below hers, gently cupping the slight swell that was their child. Her stomach muscles jumped—as much a reaction to his surprise move as to the heat of his touch—and he recoiled.

She quickly placed her fingers over his before he could pull completely away. “Go on. I can tell you have more you want to say.”

“Besides the fact the shop requires a vehicle like this to move supplies and materials, you explained last night how your delivery service is a major part of your business. Not to mention how much it means to you to see someone’s face light up when they receive the gift of flowers.” He gestured toward the driveway with his head. “Well, consider this my gift…for the baby. He deserves to be kept safe for the next seven months.”

That was some gift. And the first she’d received for the child she carried.

Fay smiled. “He?”

“Or she.” Adam shared her smile. “Either way is fine with me.”

Oh, how the way this man’s mouth rose at one corner into a sexy grin made her weak in the knees. She forced herself to look away and peered again at her new mode of transportation. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Try thank you.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you. From the both of us.”

Adam’s fingers pressed to her belly lightly for a moment and then, as if he’d finally realized he’d been touching her this whole time, he backed away. He tugged on the brim of his Stetson, pulling it low on his brow. She tried not to take his sudden retreat personally, not after what he’d just done, but it still stung.

“Why don’t we take your new wheels out for a little spin?” He dug into a pocket for a set of keys. “You can get a feel for how it moves.”

“I should really finish my breakfast.” Looking down, Fay wiggled her bare toes. “And I need to get shoes on.”

“All right.” He placed the keys in her hand and then headed down the front steps, Shadow on his heels. “I’ve got some work to do. Come get me when you’re ready to head out.”

“Aren’t you hungry? I’ve got fresh coffee made.”

He shook his head and kept walking. “Thanks, but I ate when Dev picked me up this morning. Keep the coffee warm, okay? I’ll get some later.”

Fay wasn’t sure what she wanted more. To take her new van out for a drive or to recreate the closeness she and Adam just shared before he shut down on her.

Hurrying back inside, she finished off her breakfast and brushed her teeth. She slipped her feet into a pair of simple canvas sneakers, grabbed her purse and paused to check her reflection in the mirror, accepting that the half up, half down hairstyle would have to do.

Back outside, she tightened her grip on the new set of keys and walked toward Adam who was standing near the still dismantled barn. “I’m ready to go.”

He looked up, and slowly lowered the hammer in his hand. “That was fast.”

“What can I say? You got me all excited.” She bit hard on her bottom lip, barely able to hold back her groan. “About the van, I mean. I want to give it a try. If you want to show me.”

Adam held her gaze for a long moment before he laid the hammer on the workbench and then unhooked the tool belt that hung low around his hips.

Fay’s mouth went dry. She quickly spun around and headed for the driveway. Opening the van’s passenger-side door, she reached for the owner’s manual stored in the glove compartment.

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who actually reads those things.” His words drifted over her shoulder.

She turned. Adam stood behind her, one arm braced against the door frame. “From cover to cover.”

“Yeah, I figured as much.” He grinned, then stepped back. “For now, we’ll just go over the basics, okay?”

Nodding, Fay followed him around to the driver’s side, sliding behind the wheel as he pointed out the rear-view camera and reverse sensor system. She loved the dual sliding doors—perfect for deliveries—but when he’d opened the back-end cargo doors revealing the customized shelving unit, with its cabinets, racks and drawers, fresh tears flooded her eyes.

“You can rearrange the shelving any way you want,” Adam said. “Depending on if you’re doing just regular running around or if you have a big event like a wedding—Fay, what is it?”

A quick and simple thank-you kiss. On the cheek.

She could honestly say that had been her plan, but when she placed one hand on the side of Adam’s face to steady herself, he turned to her and their mouths collided.

A low moan slipped past her lips seconds before his tongue chased after it. She closed her eyes and welcomed him, knowing in a heartbeat how much she wanted Adam to kiss her.

Again.

One arm anchored around her waist, pressing her body fully to his. His other hand grazed her jaw before burrowing into her curls. He held her in place and she leaned into him, letting him know there was no place else she’d rather be.

This time, the kiss was different.

Powerful as when he’d kissed her less than forty-eight hours ago, but this time there was a slow control, a slow build as Adam angled his head, deepening the kiss and twisting the restless desire inside her in a way she’d never felt before.

His hand skimmed low on her back and molded over her backside, causing her hips to line up with his. She desperately longed for everything he wanted to give, to share. Her fingers curled into the soft fabric of his shirt, tightening into a fist as she gave back, shared with him.

Then suddenly Adam stopped and lifted his mouth from hers. Her eyes flew open, locked with his, and she read his need, his desire, but still he released her and backed away.

A cool rush of air flowed between them as he leaned against the inside of the cargo door, his gaze now locked on the gravel drive at their feet.

He rubbed hard at his mouth with back of his hand, pausing and holding it there for a moment before letting it fall to his side. “Sorry. I have no idea where that came from.”

“Adam—”

“Yeah, that’s a lie. I know exactly where that came from, but we’d agreed not to go there.” He straightened and turned away, his focus on closing the door. “Boy, I’ve got to find a way— Ah, look, I’ll get these latched. Why don’t you jump in the driver’s seat and we’ll get going.”

Not knowing what to do, other than wanting so badly to ask him to finish what he’d been about to say, Fay instead walked away. She used those moments alone to get her breathing under control.

Seconds later, Adam climbed into the passenger seat. Except for small talk about the new van, nothing else was said as they drove around the back roads before heading for town. By the time she parked outside her shop, Fay had to admit she was half in love with the vehicle.

And right on the edge of being fully in love with Adam.

On the way home, he surprised her with the news about his counseling sessions at the Veteran’s Medical Center in Cheyenne. The fact that he was taking steps to understand how his time overseas affected him meant the world to Fay. She should have told him that, but then they were home, their test drive complete.

Three hours and a freshly made pot of coffee later, Adam left the house and headed for his office, claiming he had some work to catch up on.

Fay wasn’t sure she believed him, but she kept busy with laundry and dusting. By midafternoon, she stared at the open freezer, realizing she hadn’t taken anything out for dinner tonight. She wanted to do something special, to somehow thank Adam for his amazing gift.

And that amazing kiss?

The phone rang, interrupting her thoughts as she pulled out a couple of steaks. Tossing the frozen package on the counter, she almost grabbed the receiver, then paused.

This was Adam’s home, Adam’s phone. She didn’t have any right to answer. Four rings and then it stopped. She guessed it went to his voice mail.

Then the song about never promising someone a rose garden filled the air. Fay grabbed her cell phone from the outside pocket of her purse and glanced at the display.

“Hey, Peggy,” she answered taking a seat at the dining table. Shadow roused from where he’d been napping in a puddle of sunlight and joined her, laying his head on her lap. “Is everything okay at the shop?”

“Everything’s fine. You’ll never guess who just walked out of here.”

“Don’t tell me you’re calling to pass along local gossip.”

“Even if it concerns you?”

Fay’s stomach clenched, her fingers tightening in the dog’s fur. She’d only been staying with Adam for two days. Was it all over town already?

She forced herself to pull in a deep breath and slowly release it. “Me?”

“You know Jackie Timkins, right?”

The name sounded familiar, but Destiny was such a small town, that happened quite often. She thought for a moment, trying to place the woman. “She works at the Blue Creek, right?”

“She’s the assistant manager, but because Racy’s been staying home with the twins full time, she’s now the acting manager.”

During the ride back to Adam’s last night, Fay had asked about Racy and the babies. Gage had smiled then said he and his wife had their hands full taking care of their twins, a boy and a girl, born just a couple of months ago. “What about her?”

“Well, I guess Jackie has gone out a few times with Dev Murphy. I mean, there’s not too many ladies in this town who haven’t spent time with Dev—”

“You haven’t.” Fay cut off her friend. “Have you?”

Peggy sighed into the phone. “No. I told you, Dev and I are just friends. Anyway, Jackie said that Michelle, one of her waitresses, just moved back to Destiny from Reno and she was very excited to find out that Dev’s brother, Adam—your Adam—was back in town as well.”

“He’s not ‘my Adam.’”

“Right, and I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn I can get a great deal on. Will you let me finish?”

Fay thought back at how surprised Peggy had been last night when she’d confided in her about the pregnancy and her new living arrangements. It had taken a lot of convincing before her employee accepted that there was nothing going on between her and Adam.

Except the fact they were having baby together.

“Okay, go ahead.”

“Well, I guess Michelle and Adam went out on a few dates before he shipped out last time. I mean, that was well over a year and half ago, but she suggested to Jackie the four of them double date. I guess she’s determined to ‘hook back up and cross the finish line,’ if you get my meaning.”

Yes, Fay understood all too well.

Bracing her elbows on the table, she pressed her fingertips to her lips. News like this shouldn’t come as a surprise, still a dull ache rose in her chest. She remembered how Adam had stressed the sparseness of his sexual activity while talking with Liz, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t dated. Of course he had. Back then, they had been very different people at very different places in their lives.

Now, because of one crazy night, their lives were forever entwined, but that didn’t mean—

They weren’t—

Adam had made it clear after both kisses he didn’t want to get involved.

“Fay? You still there?”

Pulled from her jumbled thoughts, she nodded, then realized Peggy couldn’t see her. “Y-yes, I’m here, but I don’t think you needed to call and tell me this.”