Having the Rancher's Baby (10 page)

They went to the kitchen, where Raquel deposited her basket on the counter. “It's nothing much. Just some of this and that.”

The basket actually contained a small feast, including tortillas, rice, salsa, two desserts, a container of green chili pork and braised cabbage.

“Wow,” Violet gushed. “This is more than I can eat in a week.”

“I thought you could use some food around the house. Your father's always liked my cooking.”

“Thank you for having us to dinner tonight.”

“My pleasure. I always enjoy seeing your parents. We're eating at six, but come earlier. And be sure to bring Cole.”

Violet nearly choked. “Cole?”

“Oh.” Raquel looked chagrined. “My mistake. I thought you two were seeing each other.”

“He, ah, we...”

“Yes?”

Violet wasn't ready yet. “It's complicated.”

“I'm sorry.” Raquel touched her shoulder soothingly. “I was obviously out of line. I didn't realize your pregnancy was a secret.”

“You know?” She gasped. “Did Gabe tell you?”

“No. We just assumed.”

“We?” Violet struggled to keep her voice level. “Who's we and what did you assume?”

“Cara, Reese and me. We've noticed you've been sick a lot lately. I mentioned to them I'd seen you like this before. When you and Denny were married.”

“I see.”

“Are you? Pregnant?”

“I was going to tell you tonight. My parents only learned about it last week.”

Raquel pulled Violet into an affectionate hug. “I'm so happy for you. And Cole.”

“What made you think he's the father?”

“Well, Cara saw the two of you heading out of town with your parents last night. She said the truck Cole borrowed wasn't back at six this morning when she arrived at the ranch. She put two and two together.”

“Great. I've been found out because of a truck.”

Raquel laughed, the sound warm and rich. “We were already thinking it was Cole. We're not blind. He's been following you around like a stray dog for weeks.”

“We work together.”

“Oh, please.” Raquel dismissed that with groan. “I'm not blind. You should see how he looks at you.”

“How?” Violet was almost afraid to ask.

“Like a man head over heels.”

Was it possible? Did she dare hope?

“Not that it's any of my business,” Raquel said, “and please tell me if I'm overstepping, but I thought the feeling was mutual. I've seen the way you look at him, too.”

Overstepping? That was a hoot. Raquel considered everyone at Dos Estrellas family, and their actions entirely her business. It was quite often annoying as much as it was endearing.

“I care about him.” There was no sense lying, because Raquel would see right through her.

“You're afraid he'll leave.”

“He says he's going to make Mustang Valley his home base.”

“But you want more. A commitment.”

“My child deserves a full-time father.”

Raquel took Violet outside to the back patio and the same chairs she and Cole had sat in the previous night. Pointing to the nearest one, the other woman said, “Sit.”

Violet did, slumping like a recalcitrant child. “I suppose you're going to tell me my expectations are unreasonable.”

“Hardly. The exact opposite.” A note of sadness crept into Raquel's voice. “I think you should fight for Cole. Unless you don't want him.”

“I'm not sure what I want.”

“I don't believe you.”

“I just wish he were...”

“Thrilled about the baby?”

“Yes,” Violet reluctantly admitted.

“In his defense, the baby was probably a bit of a shock.”

A thought suddenly occurred to Vi, one that sent a ribbon of alarm coursing through her. “You don't think I planned this, do you?”

“Of course not.”

“What if Cole does? That could explain his reservations.”

“Has he said anything to you?”

“No.”

“Then I wouldn't worry about it.”

Easy for Raquel to say. Violet wasn't convinced. She'd lost three babies. Cole could think she'd tricked him, used him to get pregnant.

“You could always ask him,” Raquel suggested.

“I suppose.” And how would she broach the subject?

“Don't let him get away, Violet. Marry him, if he asks you. Let him know that's what you want.” Her expression grew sad. “I always regretted never marrying August. It wasn't fair to Gabe. He suffered, growing up in a small town where everyone knew he was born out of wedlock.”

The terms Raquel used were old-fashioned; single mothers were common these days and few people would look down on Violet or tease her child as they had Gabe when he was young.

Nonetheless, she couldn't bear the idea that her sweet and innocent baby would suffer in any way.

“But what about love?” she asked Raquel. “My parents have been miserable their entire married lives. I would hate for the same to happen to Cole and me. And he may resent me for tying him down.”

“He won't. Trust me.”

“There's no guarantee.”

The sense of security Violet had felt so strongly this morning was fading as the day progressed, hastened by her conversation with Raquel.

She was having this child with or without Cole, but she'd rather it be with him, for both her and the baby.

After Raquel left, Violet dressed for brunch, unable to quiet her racing thoughts. Was Cole falling for her? If only she could be sure. Better she not leave herself open for hurt and heartbreak.

Chapter Ten

“You ready?” Josh called, rapping on Cole's bedroom door.

“Give me a minute.”

Cole quickly fastened his shirt and tucked it in. Next, he threaded his belt through the loops on his jeans, admiring the gold buckle. He'd earned this particular one in Payson on a bull named Damnation. It was his favorite win and the buckle he usually wore.

He recalled that scary ride and how lucky he'd been to walk away uninjured, much less take home first place.

“Those were the days,” he mumbled to himself, and grabbed his boots, sitting on the chest at the foot of the bed to put them on.

He'd missed rodeoing when he first came to Dos Estrellas. Not as much now, though he sometimes craved the excitement and the ever changing landscape. Was it Vi, the baby or the ranch that was responsible? Maybe all three.

“Hurry up.” Josh rapped on the door again. “We don't want to be late.”

“Coming.”

Between Vi's parents' visit and spending the night at her house, Cole had forgotten about the Cattlemen's Association meeting until early this morning. His first months here, he'd rigorously avoided the meetings—that had been his late father's life, not his, and Cole had wanted no part of it.

After much arm twisting from both his brothers, he'd relented and agreed to go, discovering the meetings weren't as awful as he'd anticipated. They reminded him a little of the camaraderie he enjoyed with his rodeo buddies. And with him filling in as livestock foreman, it made even more sense for him to attend.

“Let's go,” Josh said, the instant Cole entered the kitchen, his hair still wet from the shower and a nick on his chin from a rushed shave. “You don't have time for that,” he barked when Cole reached for a coffee mug. “Get some at the diner.”

Cole grumbled but obliged. “Where's Gabe?”

“We're meeting him there.” They took Josh's pickup, which prompted him to ask, “When's your truck going to be out of the shop?”

“End of the week.”

Josh made a sound of disgust. Cole wasn't sure what his brother was more annoyed at, how long the shop was taking with the repairs or the fact that Cole's reckless driving had landed him in this mess.

“How'd the visit with Violet's parents go?” Josh started the engine. The next second, they were off.

“All right.”

“You don't sound enthused.”

Cole went on to tell Josh about the evening, though he omitted the part about spending the night with Vi. That was between the two of them.

Leaving her this morning had been hard. He'd relished seeing her at her worst, as she put it, finding her mussed hair and ratty old cotton robe incredibly sexy. If not for the Cattlemen's Association meeting, and his fear of someone discovering their unplanned sleepover, wild horses wouldn't have dragged him away.

Apparently, Vi didn't like being separated from him, either. She'd already texted him twice, with Cole breaking into a smile at the sound of his phone beeping. The messages weren't important, mundane really. Not that it mattered. Just like him, she wanted to sustain their connection.

“Doesn't sound like you had a good time,” Josh commented.

“I did, actually.”

“During dinner or after?”

Cole frowned at the insinuation. “What are you saying?”

“Cara said you weren't at the ranch when she got there at six. But mysteriously appeared by six-forty-five.”

Shoot. Cole should have figured out he'd been caught from the stern scowl his brother wore.

“Vi and I talked. We have a lot to work out.”

“For eight hours? What did you do the rest of the night?”

“None of your business.” Too late, Cole realized he'd given himself and Vi away.

“I hope you know what you're doing. Violet's vulnerable right now. She's been through a lot.”

“The last thing I want to do is cause her more grief.”

“But you might. She could easily misinterpret your actions.”

“My actions?”

Josh braked at the stop sign and shot Cole a heavily weighted glance. “Women put a lot of importance on sex.”

“I happen to put a lot of importance on it, too. This wasn't a one-night stand for me.”

“It was the first time you spent the night with her.” Josh pulled ahead.

“Only because Vi insisted. I'd have gone out with her again.”

“Gone out?”

“Don't say it like that.”

“My guess, little brother, is that she wants more from you than dating.”

Cole didn't appreciate the tone in Josh's voice. Probably because it hit too close to home. He'd been thinking the same thing himself.

He kept quiet after that. Luckily, Josh got the message and shut up. About Vi, anyway.

“Mom called yesterday.” he said as they entered town. “Quinn's being released in two days.”

“Finally!” Cole grinned. This was the news they'd been waiting months—no, years—to hear. “I bet Aunt Edna and Uncle Spenser are happy.”

“Mom says they're planning a big welcome-home party for him. She wants us to come. I told her we probably couldn't make it on such short notice.”

“How'd she take it?”

“Not well. She mentioned coming here for a visit.”

Cole suppressed a groan. “I don't suppose there's some way one of us could go.” By “one of us” he meant Josh.

“I might be able to get away. I'll talk to Cara. Unless you'd rather be the one.”

“No way. You go. Having to take three days off to check the cows has gotten me way behind schedule.” Cole wasn't lying; he had fallen behind. But he also didn't want to leave Vi, not with their recent big step forward. “I'll visit Quinn in a couple months. That should appease Mom.”

Quinn Crenshaw, Cole and Josh's cousin from their mother's side, had lived in the same town as their mutual grandparents. The three boys grew up together and were the best of friends as well as cousins. Three years ago, Quinn had been wrongfully accused of assault, but a lengthy legal process had found him guilty and he was sent to prison.

The family remained steadfast in their support, never believing Quinn had committed the crime and never abandoning him. By sheer luck, a recent discovery had brought new evidence to light that proved his innocence.

Now, Quinn would once again be a free man. Cole wondered how prison had affected his cousin and if being free would restore him to his former easygoing self.

“I was thinking,” Josh said. “What if Quinn came here? After he gets settled.”

“To Mustang Valley? Why?”

Josh shrugged. “He's going to need a job. Not a lot of places will hire an ex-con.”

“He's no con.”

“He spent over two years in prison. It won't be easy for him to explain to a prospective employer what's he's been doing all that time.”

Cole didn't want to be selfish, but he had to ask, “Can we afford him?”

“Maybe he'd be willing to work for room and board like the rest of us.”

“There's a difference. We're the owners. We can't expect anyone else to work for free.”

“I want him to know he's welcome.”

Cole understood where his brother was coming from. They were both close to Quinn, but Josh more so. Still, there was the matter of money. The ranch was barely making ends meet.

“Have you mentioned it to Gabe?” Cole asked. “He needs to be included in the decision.”

“I figured we could bring it up together after the meeting.”

Cole shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His brother was moving kind of quickly. “It'll be interesting to hear what he says.”

The three brothers' relationship had been tested often these past seven months. The issues, however, had all been centered on the Dempsey family and the ranch. If Quinn came, Cole and Josh would be introducing an outsider whose loyalties would be with them. Gabe might not like that.

The parking lot at the Cowboy Up Café was full, forcing Josh to find a space across the street with all the other latecomers. As the town's one and only diner, the café had hosted the monthly Cattlemen's Association meeting since the organization's inception seventy years ago.

The group, made up mostly of men, occupied almost the entire diner. They were a noisy lot, too, having to converse loudly in order to be heard above the clinking of glassware, clattering of plates, clanging of silverware and each other.

Cole and Josh were greeted by the assistant manager. The shiny, red high-heeled shoes she wore with her black, tight-fitting skirt weren't typical cowgirl attire and garnered plenty of male attention this morning.

“Follow me, guys.” Not exactly a hardship.

She smiled prettily at Cole over her shoulder as she guided them on a crooked course to one of the last empty tables. Cole had always found it hard to tell if she was flirting with him or just being friendly. He didn't respond. This time. Admittedly, he had in the past. Before Vi.

“There'll be two more joining us,” Cole said.

“Mary Ann will be right over to bring you coffee and take your order.” The woman winked at him before sashaying away, drawing a dozen admiring glances in the process.

“She likes you,” Josh said.

“It's her job to like everyone.”

“You, especially. Does she know about Violet?”

Cole glowered at his brother. He wasn't in the mood for teasing.

Menus at the Cowboy Up were printed on the paper place mats, not that most people needed one. The fare, basic to begin with, rarely changed.

Mary Ann brought them the promised coffee and jotted their orders on a small notepad. While Cole and Josh waited for their food to arrive, they made conversation with several of their nearest neighbors. Beef prices and the weather were two reliable topics, along with the Millers, a longstanding family in the area who were putting their small ranch up for sale.

Before long, Gabe and his future father-in-law, Theo McGraw, arrived, accompanied by a chorus of jovial howdys and hey theres. Stopped by more than one person, they took a full five minutes to reach Cole and Josh's table.

“Good to see the three of you together,” Theo remarked. He sat with difficulty, his Parkinson's requiring him to use a cane. “Your father would be proud.”

“That's a fact,” commented one of the few women present, from the next table over. “You three have done a good job with the ranch and are to be commended.”

Her companion chimed in, echoing the sentiment. “Some of us assumed Dos Estrellas was done for sure when ole August died. Glad we were wrong.”

Cole felt a surge of pride rise up in him, something he hadn't experienced in a long while. Not since his last big rodeo win. He, Josh and Gabe had pulled together to overcome some pretty difficult challenges. There was more to accomplish, but they'd made remarkable progress.

They were almost finished with breakfast when the meeting started. It typically ran about an hour, and today was no exception. The interaction of the members was interesting and impressive to watch. These people were competitors in the same business, yet they united for the benefit of all.

At the end of the meeting, some of the members quickly cleared out, while others lingered over coffee.

Theo struggled to his feet. “If you don't mind waiting, Gabe, I'd like to speak to Billy Jorgenson over there.”

“Go right ahead.” The moment Theo left, Gabe said, “I have some good news. Reese was able to convince the cancer treatment center where Dad stayed to settle for considerably less money, but only if we agree to monthly payments.” The reduced amount he cited was significantly lower, enough to make the high monthly payments worthwhile. “We can pay off the balance by November.”

A year from the time Cole and Josh had arrived at Dos Estrellas. A month before Vi's baby was due.

“Good for Reese,” Cole said.

“Good for us,” Gabe seconded. “This is the last of Dad's medical bills. I don't want to get ahead of ourselves—a lot depends on how well we do at the fall sale. But there's a chance we may be able to start drawing small salaries by Christmas.”

Cole tried to imagine the changes having income would mean for the family. He could possibly quit the rodeo circuit altogether and reside full-time in Mustang Valley rather than returning every few weeks. He'd be able to help Vi and play a larger role in their child's life. With more to offer her, he might actually embrace the prospect of taking their relationship to the next level rather than proposing out of a sense of duty and responsibility.

“If that's the case,” Josh said, “and we can draw a salary, I'd like mine to go toward paying someone else.”

Josh's remark snapped Cole back to the present.

“Who?” Gabe asked.

“We have a cousin getting out of prison. I'd like to give him a job. And before you say anything, it's not what you think.”

Cole watched Gabe closely, observing his reaction while Josh recounted the story of their cousin's arrest, imprisonment and release.

“Quinn's a decent guy,” Josh continued. “An honest guy. And he needs a break. I'd like to give it to him.”

“And you'd be willing to sacrifice your salary?” Gabe looked doubtful. “What about Cara? Would she go along with it?”

“She would,” Josh answered confidently. “And I'm sure Cole would be willing to give up his salary to Quinn, as well.”

“Wait a minute.” Cole held up a hand. “I never said that.”

“He deserves a chance.”

“And I have a baby on the way. I'm going to need every dime I can get my hands on. And in case you've forgotten, Vi's only working half days and, once her vacation and sick pay run out, getting half salary. She needs my help.”

“I forgot,” Josh admitted.

Gabe pushed back from the table. “This whole thing may be academic, as we aren't even sure yet about drawing salaries. First, we pay off Dad's bill. Then we'll consider hiring your cousin. Before then, you two should probably hash it out, since you clearly don't agree.” He paused, his voice gathering assurance. “I can tell you this much. If we can't swing the money, there's no way I'll agree to hiring on anyone new.”