Having the Rancher's Baby (9 page)

“I do,” he said. “Now that you're certain you won't be moving to Seattle.”

“I was never moving to Seattle. That's my mother's idea.”

It was his turn to laugh. “Strange as this sounds, I like your parents.”

She gaped at him. “You're joking.”

“They're interesting people. And challenging.”

“Two words that describe them to a tee. But you forgot frustrating and infuriating.”

“Loving a parent isn't always easy, trust me. My mom's also a difficult person. Bitter and angry all the time. For a lot of years, I blamed Dad. Took me a while to realize she just plain likes being unhappy. And she had more to do with Dad staying away than she claims. I'm pretty sure she'd have taken his head off if he so much as came within a hundred miles of us.”

“He really was a wonderful man. I can't imagine he didn't want to be a father to you.”

“I concede I might not have been entirely fair to him, but he could have found a way to see us if he'd really wanted to.”

“That goes both ways.”

Cole seemed about to say something, closed his mouth, then started again. “You're right. There's no good excuse for me not coming to see Dad when he was dying. I'll regret that the rest of my life.”

Violet didn't push the point. It was enough that Cole had started to come around. It would be impossible for her to truly care for a man who didn't admit his mistakes.

“I'd like to meet your mother one day,” she said. “Have you told her about the baby?” Funny, it hadn't occurred to Violet before now to ask.

“Not yet. I will. Soon.”

“Do you think she'll be glad?”

“She adores Josh's kids. Spoils them rotten. I'm pretty sure she'll be excited.” Cole leaned his head back and groaned. “She'll probably want to come out when the baby's born, if not sooner. Consider this fair warning.”

“I thought she refused to return to Mustang Valley.”

“She'll make an exception for her grandchildren.”

Violet smiled. “Great.”

He groaned again. “You say that now.”

“Personally, I hope she's an involved grandparent. I want to surround my child—
our
child—with lots of family and friends. Raquel, Gabe and your dad were like that with me. I love being included even if I'm not technically a Dempsey.” Though by having Cole's baby, she felt more like a member of the family than ever before.

“You're a pretty special person, Violet Hathaway.” He squeezed her fingers.

His sincerity touched a place deep inside her.

For the next several minutes, they stargazed in silence, their emotional bond quietly growing. Violet had many more questions to ask, but was unsure where to start. Suddenly, an idea came to her.

“Let's play a game.”

Cole glanced at her. “What kind of game?”

“I think you'll find it enlightening.”

He shook his head. “What am I getting myself into?”

She ignored him and explained the rules. “Each of us will take a turn voicing one doubt we have. About us, our relationship, the future, whatever. Then we'll discuss it. List the pros and cons. Hopefully, find some common ground or learn something new about each other.”

“I'm assuming you've played this before?”

“Kind of. Yes.” As teenagers, she and her friends had engaged in a version of the game, though it had been more about obstacles they'd faced with the boys they liked and the boys liking them back.

Cole considered her suggestion for a few moments before relenting with obvious reluctance. “You first.”

“But—”

“The game was your idea.”

She could hardly argue that and picked a relatively straightforward concern.

“I'm worried about us being able to work together, now that we're in a personal relationship, and not let our feelings get in the way.”

His expression brightened. “We have a personal relationship? That's great—and here I thought I'd have to woo you.”

She matched his light tone, trying not to read too much into his remark. “Not that. The baby. We'll be coparenting, which could affect our business relationship. What if we disagree on something? That could carry over to the job.”

“Only if Josh and Gabe don't buy me out.”

Her stomach sank. “Then you're definitely leaving.”

“If I don't go back to rodeoing I'm not sure how I can earn enough money to support the baby. Which, for the record, is one of
my
concerns.”

“The ranch should start turning a profit, sooner or later. Then you can draw a salary.”

“I doubt we'll see much profit this year. Possibly next spring, when we can sell off more of the calves.” He didn't sound optimistic, causing her stomach to sink lower.

“You could always do something else to earn income.”

“Like what? Rodeoing and ranching are all I know, and I'm not good at ranching yet.”

“Horse training? You love it. And it's something you can do to supplement your income while ranching.”

“So is rodeoing.”

“Without leaving,” she clarified.

He crinkled his brow. “I'm not sure there's enough money in part-time horse training. Mustang Valley is a small town.”

“Are you kidding? Mustang Valley is a great place for a horse trainer. Especially with Cara's therapy program taking off like gangbusters. You told me yourself she needs two more horses over the next few months.”

“Cara doesn't pay me for training.”

“Maybe she should.”

The lines in his brow deepened. “I wouldn't feel right about that.”

“Fine. Then partner with Powell's riding stables. Their clients are always looking for well-trained horses. And what about roping or cutting horse clinics? Powell Ranch has a riding arena. You could pay them a percentage of your revenues in exchange for using their facilities.”

He stared at her. “Thought about this much?”

“Not at all. I'm just... There are plenty of opportunities if you think creatively.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “I do like training horses.”

“See?”

“You sound like you want me to stay.”

Was that a trace of hope she detected in his voice? “You're my baby's father. Of course I want you to stay.”

He searched her face. “Is that the only reason?”

Before she quite knew it, she uttered a soft, “No.”

That seemed to satisfy him. “All right.”

“You'll do it? Explore the possibilities?”

“Yeah.” He didn't sound enthused.

Vi, however, was. Very enthused. “Good.”

“There's still the problem of mixing business with pleasure.”

The way he said “pleasure” caused a spark of desire to ignite in her. “I said
personal
.”

“Oh, right.” His grin went from playful to sexy.

Violet almost moaned as the spark burst into a bright flame. She was definitely getting in way over her head.

“I think, if we set some ground rules and abide by them, we can both act professionally,” she stated. “Gabe and Reese are managing well enough working together and they're engaged.”

“Her term as trustee of my dad's estate will come to an end, hopefully in the next six months. Then there won't be a conflict.”

“True.”

When Violet turned and met Cole's glance, something in his eyes had changed. “We could always get married,” he said hesitantly.

She tried not to react. “Is that what you want?”

“I'm...not against it.”

Hardly a sweep-a-lady-off-her-feet proposal, if it even was a proposal.

Violet swallowed, thinking carefully before responding. “Let's wait until I've reached my second trimester.”

“Okay, what's next?”

Was it her imagination, or did Cole seem a bit relieved?

Suddenly, she didn't want to play the game anymore. “We can stop now. I said one or two concerns each, and we've done that.”

“But I don't want to stop. This is fun.”

“Fine,” she said irritably, then blurted, “Will you resent me for tying you down when you'd rather be on the road?”

He sat back in his chair. “That's a really good question.”

“Which means you might.”

“These past seven months have been the longest I've stayed in once place since I left home at eighteen. In some ways, it's been hard. I won't lie. In other ways, it hasn't.”

“Not being hard isn't the same as being easy.”

“Ranching is different from rodeo. But I've adjusted better than I thought.”

“What changed you?”

“I ran into this pretty little gal at the Poco Dinero Bar one night three months ago, and she took me home with her.”

“Cole. I'm not joking.”

“Neither am I. Gabe and Raquel, they've had something to do with it, for sure. But it's you, more than anyone, who've caused me to change. For the better, I hope.” His gaze raked over her, lingering when it found her face.

Oh, boy. If she and Cole continued like this, she wouldn't be able to hold on to her soaring heart.

She had to be careful, she reminded herself. Soaring hearts were always in danger of crashing and breaking.

“I think we should head in,” she suggested.

“It is getting late.”

Not even a small protest? She didn't know whether to be annoyed or glad.

Inside, Cole retrieved his cowboy hat and truck key from the kitchen table where he'd left them. She assumed she'd walk him to the door. Instead, he pulled her into his arms.

“I'm going to kiss you good-night, Vi. Pucker up.”

No romantic buildup? No preamble? No seeking her permission with soft caresses and tender words?

“And if I say no?”

He grinned confidently. “Will you?”

Why in heaven's name was she hesitating? Only one choice made sense. Send him home. Right now. This instant.

“Last chance,” he teased.

Every cell in her brain urged her to listen to reason. Not make a mistake she could ill afford.

Instead, she looped her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down to meet hers. “If anyone's going to do the kissing around here, it'll be me.”

Chapter Nine

“I'm not playing any games now.” Cole broke off their kiss before the last shred of his finely held control snapped. “We either stop and I go home...”

“Or? If we don't?” She smiled up at him.

Was she serious? He couldn't tell. Maybe it was time he closed his eyes and took a leap of faith.

“Then I stay and we see where this leads. Because after that kiss, you have to know how much I want you.”

She wanted him, too. He wasn't so befuddled by lust he didn't recognize her response for what it was. Desire. Need. Hunger.

“Maybe I require a little more coaxing.” Her mouth curved seductively.

Another kiss? He could do that. Take possession of her mouth, wrap her tight in his arms, mold her sweet body to his and let her experience the full extent of his longing. The last minutes had been exquisite. Well worth repeating.

“Is it safe?” He gave up thinking of a polite way to say it. “Did Dr. Medina give you the green light at your last follow-up?”

“She did.”

“But you're not ready.”

“I'm not sure. I mean, I'm not confident, even if we were to be careful.”

“I understand.” He tried to mask his disappointment. “I would never do anything to hurt the baby.”

She gave him an entreating look. “You could still stay. Spend the night with me. We'd just...we wouldn't...”

“We wouldn't make love.”

“I know. Not the same.” She glanced away as if embarrassed.

“I'd love to spend the night with you, Vi. I can't think of anything I'd rather do. And I won't take advantage of you.”

He'd be tempted—he was only human, after all. But he'd respect her wishes. The baby was their priority.

“I'm glad. I wasn't ready for the night to end.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Give me a few minutes to change, if you don't mind.”

“Not at all.”

He went to the hall bathroom and, locating a tube of toothpaste in the medicine cabinet, did what he could to get ready for bed. Staring at himself in the mirror over the sink, he shrugged out of his shirt.

Wait. On second thought, Vi might jump to the wrong conclusion. He put the shirt back on but left it hanging open.

Uncertain what to do next, Cole returned to the living room and sat on the couch. A minute later, he stood and paced.

“Sorry I took so long.”

Hearing her voice, he spun and felt his mouth go bone dry.

She wore a silky, dark maroon nightgown with narrow straps and a hem that fell slightly above her knees. He'd seen more suggestive sleepwear but never anyone sexier than Vi. She very nearly robbed him of his breath.

“Come on.” She inclined her head in the direction of the hall and, he assumed—or hoped—the bedroom.

He followed her, hesitating at the threshold. She'd turned down the bedspread. One of the cats, the tabby, lay in the middle. It scampered away at the sight of him, darting between his legs and disappearing down the hall.

“We scared Stripes,” Vi said. “Poor little guy.”

Personally, Cole was glad to see the competition thinned. He'd much prefer Vi's attention focused solely on him.

She climbed beneath the covers. When Cole hesitated, she patted the mattress beside her in invitation.

He swallowed, his throat still dry. “You're gorgeous.”

“You're exaggerating, but I appreciate the compliment. Been a while since someone gave me one.”

He still didn't move.

“Something wrong, Cole?”

“What the hell,” he muttered under his breath, before removing his shirt, peeling off his socks, unbuckling his belt and stepping out of his jeans. He walked to the bed wearing only his boxer briefs.

He sat on the edge of the mattress, taking his time as much for her as for himself. “I know we don't have all the answers yet. Far from it. But we have the most important ones. I care about you, Vi.” He possibly felt more for her than caring, but wasn't quite ready to tell her. “We're committed to raising our child together to the best of our abilities, and we're both going to stay in Mustang Valley. It's a start, enough to build on.”

“I don't disagree.”

He threw her earlier words back at her. “Which isn't the same as agreeing.”

She looked up at him. “You're right—we're both committed to our child. And I care about you, too. You impressed me tonight, you know.”

“With my talents at dinner conversation, you mean?”

She smiled. “When you came to my defense. It meant a lot to me. The only one who's ever stood up to my parents before was...”

“Let me guess. My dad.”

“I did say you were more like him than you think.”

Reclining on the pillows, he was careful not to let his arm or leg brush hers. Any contact, and he might not be able to stop. “I really hope not. I intend to be a better father.”

She shifted, and he struggled not to stare. It was difficult. The subtle changes in her body were evident beneath the satiny fabric of her nightgown. Fuller breasts, slight swelling of her belly, rounder hips.

There would be little sleep for him tonight.

“Good night, Cole.” She reached over and switched off the light.

He was immediately thrown back to three months earlier and the first time he'd slept with Vi. There'd been no awkwardness like tonight, and they'd lain entwined like familiar lovers.

“Good night, Vi.” He kissed her chastely on the lips.

“This is nice.” She edged closer.

“Yeah, nice.” Actually, it was pure torment. In hindsight, he probably should have gone home.

All at once, he felt her hand on his chest, and every muscle in his body tensed. She threw a leg over his. He gritted his teeth. She nestled her face in the crook of his neck. He suppressed a groan.

She had to be aware of what she was doing to him. She wasn't oblivious.

“Vi.”

“Yes?” Her hand crept lower.

“What are you doing?”

“Having second thoughts.”

“Don't take this the wrong way. I'd like nothing better than to make love to you. But I won't do something we'll regret in the morning. We've been down that road before.”

Her hand traveled another inch. And another. “Who says we'll have regrets?”

“What about the baby? I won't take any chances.”

“We have plenty of options,” she said silkily. “We just have to use our imaginations.”

Had he heard her correctly? Possibly not, as a roar filled his ears.

“What are you saying?”

In answer, she wrapped her fingers around him.

His body reacted with a mind of its own, growing instantly hard.

“Nice.” She began stroking him, slowly at first, then faster.

Cole gulped air, convinced if he didn't get sufficient oxygen, he'd pass out.

“Kiss me,” she said.

He turned his head, their mouths a hairbreadth apart. “This isn't going to be all about me, just so you know. I intend on making you very, very happy.”

She made a low, throaty sound that pushed him to the boundary of his limits. “I'm counting on it.”

They spent a night like none other, exploring each other's bodies with their hands and mouths and bringing each other intense pleasure, made greater by deepening feelings.

When they were spent and completely satisfied, they snuggled. Vi told Cole about burning all the parenting magazines after her divorce. He told her about his first rodeo win at fifteen.

Before long, she fell sound asleep. Cole didn't move. He didn't ever want to leave her bed. Come morning, he'd have no choice. For now, however, he'd relish the sensation of her curled beside him, and consider a future that didn't terrify him quite as much as it had before.

* * *

T
HE
FIRST
TIME
Violet had woken up in bed with Cole beside her, she'd panicked. On this morning, she hunkered deeper beneath the covers, sighing with contentment when his arm snaked around her waist and anchored her to his side. Not that she'd been more than an inch away all night.

Things were far from resolved. Some might say the two of them were heading into much more dangerous waters than before. But for the moment, Violet was content. Cole, too, she suspected.

“Morning,” he whispered in her ear.

“It's still early. Go back to sleep.”

The numbers on her digital alarm clock indicated it was 6:17 a.m. Late for a workday.

“I can't. We have a Cattlemen's Association meeting this morning.” Cole groaned and stretched.

She sneaked a peek at his long-limbed body and remembered. How many men would be that considerate, that patient? Willing to please a woman with less conventional—but no less satisfying—lovemaking?

She wouldn't have guessed it of Cole. Not when she'd first met the then-surly cowboy. He had indeed changed. Or not. Maybe the man she knew today was the one who'd always been there, just buried beneath a thick layer of hurt and resentment.

She thought back to the time last fall he'd sold off his horses to save the sick steers. That said a lot about his character. A man who put family first and who kept his promises—she could love a man like that. She certainly wouldn't want any other kind for the father of her child.

“I'd better get up.” He threw off the spread.

“If you want, I'll make you some coffee while you shower.”

Sitting up on the side of the bed, he grinned over at her. “I'd like that. Actually, what I'd really like is to shower with you.” He stared at her naked body and sucked in air through his teeth. “But I'd better wait and shower at home, where I can change into clean clothes.”

His comment reminded her that him spending the night had, once again, been spur-of-the-moment. Neither of them were prepared.

“I'll take the coffee, though,” he added. “If the offer still stands.”

“It does.” She dashed across the room, very aware of him watching her as she grabbed her robe and donned it. Her nightgown hung crookedly on the bedpost, where it had landed last night in her haste to undress.

“I'd like to see you later,” he said, while she poured his coffee into a plastic travel mug. He'd dressed in his clothes from yesterday and stood at the kitchen counter.

“Mom and I made plans to go to brunch this morning while Dad golfs. Then, later, they're coming to the ranch. Raquel invited them to dinner.”

“That was nice of her.”

“Actually, she and August always got along with my parents. And before you ask, I have no idea why. They couldn't have been more different.”

“Does this mean you're announcing the baby to the rest of the world?”

Violet hadn't forgotten that the only people who knew of her pregnancy were Cole, his brothers, her parents and those relations her mother had told.

“Are you okay with that?” she asked.

“It's entirely up to you.”

With her first pregnancy, she'd informed anyone who remained still long enough to listen. For two whole weeks. Then she'd miscarried and all those people kindly offered their condolences. It had been a nightmare.

The second time, she'd been a bit more cautious, telling only family and several very close friends. Fewer condolences that time. She'd insisted on saying nothing about her third pregnancy. The only reason her parents found out was because Denny accidently let it slip one day when Julia happened to call.

Violet dreaded the prospect of facing everyone should she lose this baby. But come tomorrow, she'd be twelve weeks along—a minor miracle.

“I guess I could make an announcement. Though I wasn't planning on doing it at dinner. Maybe I'll say something to Raquel afterward.”

“Will your mom stay quiet till then?”

“Probably not.” Violet pictured the scene, feeling a combination of nervousness and excitement. “Raquel will be surprised.”

“That you're pregnant or that I'm the father?”

“You being the father is going to give her a heart attack.”

Cole smiled, the kind of smile that made Violet's insides turn to mush. “She loves kids. She considers Josh's two her grandchildren. She'll love ours, too.”

Would
he
? Violet cared much more about his feelings for their child than Raquel's.

“I'm sure she will,” Violet agreed.

Cole came up behind her and put his arms around her waist, then nuzzled her cheek. She closed her eyes. If only their circumstances were simpler. Didn't she deserve a happy outcome after all she'd been through?

“I'll see you at dinner,” he said.

He kissed her cheek, then kissed her again, much more passionately, before leaving. Violet allowed herself to believe, for a few precious minutes, that this was the beginning of something special.

She'd just finished putting a load of laundry in the washing machine when there was a knock on her door. She felt her heart leap, thinking Cole might have returned. But that made no sense; he was on his way to the meeting.

Her parents? Not likely. Mom enjoyed sleeping in, and Dad didn't miss his golf game unless there was an emergency.

All those thoughts and others occupied Violet's mind as she hurried to the front door. A glance through the peephole caused her to break into a grin, and she opened the door to her visitor.

“Raquel! Hi. What brings you here?”

In answer, the older woman held up a basket. “It's not too early, I hope. I see you aren't dressed.”

“Not at all. Come in.”

“I brought you some leftovers.”

The word
leftover
was a joke. Raquel didn't know how to make food in small quantities. There was always extra. Violet had been the lucky recipient of the other woman's bounty on many occasions, mostly when she was sick.

“Thanks. You didn't have to.”