Rough Road Home (The Circle D series) (23 page)

“The potatoes are done,” Grace called, dragging Rachel back to the present.

“Oops, I almost forgot my part of the meal.” She turned toward the kitchen. Jennifer caught her arm before she could take a step.

“Don’t worry about Nick,” she said quietly, a light dancing in her blue eyes. “He’ll be home before you know it.”

Heat burned Rachel’s face as she hurried back to the kitchen. Were her feelings for Nick that obvious? Reaching the stove, she gripped the pot and poured out the water before shaking the contents into a mixing bowl. Masher in hand, she pounded the vegetables as she blinked the mist from her eyes. How embarrassing. She hardly knew Nick Davidson, yet a perfect stranger had pieced together the emotions she’d fought to hide revealed the answer she’d tried to deny.

Rachel loved Nick.

She dropped a dollop of sour cream, butter and seasonings into the bowl and continued to mash. Oh, this wasn’t happening. She planned to leave for Denver tomorrow no matter the road conditions. After tonight, she’d never see Nick again and if she were smart, she wouldn’t scour the Internet for any news tidbits of his rodeo rides. She sniffed as she regained her perspective. Nick was a nice guy. Of course, she liked him. She wished him well.

She scooped the potatoes into a serving bowl and placed her masher and spoon in the sink. Just as she moved the dish on the stove to stay warm, the back door of the kitchen opened. Nick and Zac burst in on a wave of cold air.

“Close that door,” Grace ordered, her voice tinged with affection. “Get in here and warm up. Dinner is just about ready.”

Zac wasted no time wrapping Jennifer in a hug that made it look like he hadn’t seen her in days. “Everything’s fed and watered. Good thing Nick was along or I’d still be chasing cattle across the Rocky Mountains.”

Nick rubbed his palms together before he wrapped his arms around Rachel and gave her a hug. She stiffened in surprise for all of a second before her arms snaked around his waist and she held him just as tightly. His hands were cold, his jeans wet and he smelled of drowned dog, and she wanted to hug him forever.

“Little brother got us stuck in that ravine that borders your north field. Took the winch and a few choice words to get us out of that, otherwise we’d have been back an hour ago.” He pulled back and grinned at her. “Miss me?”

She couldn’t help the silly smile that stretched across her face. “There’s something wrong with your head.”

“Nope.” He pulled her back into a hug and stepped into the corner by the wall as everyone started speaking at once. Nick leaned close, his breath tickling her ear. “I’ve never felt better in my life.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Nick tossed the book aside and sat up on the bed. He’d slept like a rock through the night, up until about an hour ago when he’d awakened with a restless distraction he couldn’t tamp down. His mind shot from one instance to the next, reviewing every conversation, every activity with his family since he’d arrived home.

And Rachel being a part of it all.

Sitting beside her last night at the family dinner had knotted his emotions and thoughts together until he couldn’t figure out what he wanted anymore. The whole family had gathered around the table and shared stories of the day, news from town and projects that needed to be tackled. Even Melanie had joined them and offered ideas for the upcoming holiday decorations as she pushed her food around her plate and palmed her huge belly.

His heart warmed as he remembered Rachel recounting a harvest event gone wrong on the ranch in Oklahoma. She’d been as animated talking about baling twine and gear parts as he’d imagined her talking about any other aspect of her life. It didn’t take long for her and Zac to discover their mutual appreciation for investments and percentage points on returns. She could hold her own in any conversation lobed at her including Jason’s fascination with her being able to cup a spoon on the end of her nose.

Rachel had captured his heart and won the approval of his family.

Not that it mattered, of course.

He couldn’t take it anymore. Between her penchant for pacing back and forth in the room next door and his desire for one more kiss, he was out the door and down the hallway before he drew a second thought. Lifting his hand, he rapped his knuckles in a tentative knock.

“Rachel? Are you okay?” He paused. “Everything alright?”

Footsteps stopped. Fabric rustled on the other side of the room. “Just a minute.”

He crouched toward the threshold. She cracked the opening and stood level with him, her beautiful emerald eyes wide and sparkling.

“You sounded restless.” His gaze roamed over her features as if he hadn’t seen her in years. “I thought maybe I could help.”

A knowing smile made her cheek dimple. “Are you spying on me?”

“Not at all.” He straightened and leaned against the door jamb. “Just wondering if you’d like to go on a date.”

“A date?” She glanced over her shoulder at the flurry of snowflakes outside her window. “It’s a blizzard out there.”

“Bundle up.” He took her hand in his and tugged. “We won’t go far.”

“A date.” She stepped out of the room as if she’d been released from prison. “Mr. Davidson, you do know how to show a girl a good time.”

“Hold judgment until you see what I have in mind.”

Nick placed his palm on the small of Rachel’s back as he urged her down the short hallway to the living area. A fire crackled behind the screen and the couch remained where they’d dragged it toward the warmth the night before last. They’d listened to the wind and talked. He couldn’t remember when he’d enjoyed sharing a late-night snack so much. Tracing his fingers along her waist, he took her hand and squeezed, her soft skin warm against his rough fingers.

Too soon, the roads would be clear and Rachel gone. But not today. He knew she’d wanted to leave today, but the second storm had blown in and traveling wasn’t an option, she’d have to realize that. He reined in his meandering mind. If he thought about her leaving too much, his head hurt, and he knew it had nothing to do with the concussion.

“It looks cold out there.” His hand remained tight in her grasp as she pointed out the window. “Are you sure you want to go out in this?”

“Have to. Chores need to be done.”

Her nose wrinkled in displeasure. Rachel Hill was one cute lady. Glad he noticed before it was too late.

“Someone’s gotta go out and feed, and it’s about time I pulled my weight around here.”

“Now?” Dark eyelashes framed her rounded eyes as she pushed strands of hair off her face. “You’re thinking of getting responsible now? It’s six in the morning.”

“No better time. Besides,” - he dipped down and nuzzled her ear, not able to get enough of her sweet scent - “I knew I’d have help.”

She giggled. Shaking free of his grasp, she drew her hand up to his chest. “Such a charmer.”

“Ha, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.”

They crossed the living room and turned into the kitchen.

Zac and Jennifer sat at the table with their hands around mugs and a pot of coffee between them. Memories of similar scenes raced through his mind. Years ago, he hadn’t noticed the bond that had formed between his youngest brother and the semi-orphaned waif who had found comfort on the Circle D after the death of her mother. He’d been too self-absorbed to notice much about anything unless it affected him.

Guilt nipped at his heels as he stuffed the willful memories of his marriage back where they belonged and forced himself to look ahead, rather than behind. Oh, Lord have mercy on my soul.

Nick glanced at Jason sitting at the other end of the table, a bowl of cereal in front of him. “Why’s everyone up?”

“Melanie’s having contractions.” Zac looked up. “Morning, Rachel.”

“Good morning.” She tried to wiggle her hand out of his grasp. Giving up, she scowled at him before turning back to Jennifer. “Anything we can do?”

“I’ve checked her blood pressure and monitored her contractions.” Jennifer took a sip of her coffee and swallowed. “I didn’t want to call Dr. Morowitz in the middle of the night. I called my dad to let him know what was going on. He’s not her obstetrician, but he is general practice at the hospital." She shrugged. "He’s talking to Melanie’s doctor. Melanie’s uncomfortable, but the babies aren’t in distress. I’ll keep track of her vitals and hopefully we can wait until the weather clears a bit before we go to town.”

“Good to have a nurse in the family.” His heart began to track faster as Nick looked out the window. The snow had lessened and weather reports indicated the storm blowing out by nightfall. “We have a plan to get her to the hospital?”

“Of course, Gabe has a plan.” Zac looked at him as if he hadn’t a brain in his head. “He’s had a plan since Melanie announced she was pregnant.”

Of course, Gabe was prepared
, Nick mentally repeated. Gabe Davidson, consummate Eagle Scout. “Just checking.”

Nick tugged Rachel along the table toward Jason, stopping long enough to ruffle his hair.

Jason flinched away. Letting Rachel’s hand slip from his, Nick sank to his haunches until he looked eye level at Jason. The boy looked at him, glanced over his shoulder at the back bedroom where Melanie rested, and then turned back to Nick. “Mom hasn’t been feeling good.”

“Between God and your dad, you know your mom is in good hands, right?” Guilt washed over him as he realized Gabe had a son, a family. Nick had missed so much since he’d been gone. “How about we go out and feed the horses before we all go to the hospital?”

Jason clenched his jaw and blinked back frightened tears. “I don’t want to leave.”

“I know.” The boy’s uncertainty made Nick want to pull him into a reassuring hug. But Jason barely knew him. He didn’t want to frighten the kid any more than he was already. Instead, he squeezed the bony arm. “I know you want to help.”

“Jason, we’ll be gone a long time when we take your mom to the hospital.” Rachel followed Nick’s lead, her soft voice a visible calm on Jason. “How about we go feed, and when we get back, I’ll bet Jennifer will have a game plan for us. What do you think?”

Zac stood from the table. Bending down, he stole a quick kiss from Jennifer before stepping up beside Nick. “C’mon Jay, let’s give your uncle a refresher course on doing chores. Your dad will be proud of you for taking care of things for him.”

That did it. Jason followed Zac to the back door and grabbed his jacket, stuffing his arm in the sleeve. “Chores need to get done.”

Nick lifted Rachel’s jacket off the hook and held it open as she shrugged it on. She pulled her hair out of her collar and glanced at him as she worked her zipper. “Jason looks so worried.”

Since returning from their outing to his house, all he could think about was kissing her. And he had...many times when no one was looking. He felt like a teenager hiding a crush on a girl from his parents. Even now, dressed to weather the storm outside, he wanted to kiss her.

“I’m scared for Melanie, too.”

He re-captured her hand and led her out the back door. “Nothing worse than standing around and waiting. When we get back, I pray Gabe has some idea of what we’re doing.”

“He will.” Her fingers tightened around his, the confidence in her grip sending warmth all through him.

* * *

They navigated past snowdrifts to the paddock fencing. Wind burned her cheeks as Rachel ducked her chin into her collar. She flashed back to similar excursions to feed livestock on the ranch back in Oklahoma. She’d felt bad for the animals in the cold barn and worse for the cattle on the range. She’d ridden with her brothers to locate herds and throw hay for them. Even with warm fur and a tough hide, the cattle had huddled together for protection from the storms. A chill of sympathy raced down her spine.

As they edged toward the barn doors, Nick led the way, his solid frame shielding her from the brunt of the winds. She kept a hold of his sleeve, not wanting to lose him to a big gust. Finally, they reached the black panel doors, the sturdy lumber rattling against the frigid assault. Zac waved for them to hurry, standing on the inside ready to secure the door behind them. As soon as she crossed the threshold into the barn, the wind resistance subsided. She stumbled against Nick like a pup tripping over her own feet.

“Easy there.” Nick steadied her, holding her tight. “Don’t want to lose you to the storm.”

Her arms wrapped around his lean waist as her cheek brushed across canvas and snaps. She saw a hint of humor in his crystal blue eyes and couldn’t help but laugh. “We’ve crossed too many miles together for a little storm to blow me away.”

His arm tightened around her. “Glad to hear it.”

“Now is not the time for this.” Zac scowled as he glanced from Nick to Rachel. Shaking his head, he swiped past them. “Grab a bucket and start filling the troughs, will you?”

Nick laughed as he tucked her firmly to his side and followed Zac. “What? We’re feeding horses, right?” His chin brushed her hood from her head. “Buckets. Water. Troughs. Got it.”

Zac stared at Nick as if he’d popped a cork. “Just get to work.”