by Debra Webb
Pregnant. Shock, fear and finally wonder swept over her. She was pregnant. Gray. She was pregnant with Gray's baby. A feeling of complete happiness blossomed in her chest. Sarah would have a brother or sister.
Sadness quickly overshadowed the happiness. What if Gray didn't want a future with her after what she'd done?
Dr. Prescott's voice dragged Lauren back to the conversation. "You'll need to discontinue your current medication, as well. I'll prepare you a prescription for an appropriate alternative." He paused. "Lauren, you'll need a more complete examination. When can you come into the office?" Concern filled his voice.
"In a few days, Bill." Impatient to be on her way, she said, "I have to go now. Call that prescription in to the pharmacy for me, and I'll pick it up. I'll be sure to call you early next week for an appointment." Goodbyes said, Lauren hung up and hurried out the door. She had to find Gray, and somehow she had to convince him to trust her again. But where could he be? He didn't have any friends in town…Mrs. Jennings. Gray had said she took him in after his mother died. Maybe she would know where he was.
Sarah wasn't the only one depending upon them now.
* * *
LAUREN KNOCKED ONCE MORE on Mrs. Jennings' screen door. Impatience and anticipation buzzed inside her. She was going to have Gray's baby! Tears of joy welled in her eyes and she had to struggle to keep from hyperventilating. Sarah would be so thrilled. She prayed Gray would be as well.
"Yes?"
The sound of the elderly woman's voice jerked Lauren back to the here and now. "Hello, Mrs. Jennings, I'm Lauren Whitmore."
The screen door opened with a creak. "I can see that." The elderly woman scrutinized Lauren from head to toe then met her gaze. "What can I do for you, Miss Whitmore?"
Lauren refused to allow the woman's wariness to dampen her sprits. "I'm looking for Gray Longwalker. I thought that maybe you had seen him today. He mentioned that you had been good to him in the past, so I figured he might come by to see you."
One gray brow winged upward. "Is he leaving town again?"
"Not if I have anything to do with it," Lauren replied bluntly. But the choice was his. She could only hope that he would be willing to give her another chance.
"I hope he isn't leaving. This is his home. And that little girl you're raising is his daughter," Mrs. Jennings said firmly. She stepped onto the porch and allowed the door to close behind her. "He's a good man. Considering the odds that have been stacked against him his entire life, he's done exceptionally well in my book."
Lauren smiled. "I agree."
Mrs. Jennings eyed her somewhat skeptically. "And just what do you intend to do if you find him?"
"Well." Lauren drew in a deep breath for courage. "If he doesn't ask me to marry him, I'm going to ask him."
Amusement flickered in the elderly woman's eyes. "In that case, you might find him at Jeremiah Manning's place. Gray has been working with one of Manning's horses."
Lauren hugged the woman. "Thank you!" She released a startled Mrs. Jennings and bounced off the porch. She had to find Gray. She had to know if he could forgive…if he could love her the way she loved him. She needed him. Sarah and the baby needed him. But mostly, she loved him.
* * *
LAUREN PARKED near Gray's truck. Mrs. Jennings had been right. Lauren studied the scene before her as she emerged from her car. Mr. Manning and a half dozen of his hired hands were standing around or hanging on to the corral fence near the barn. Lauren slowly walked in that direction. For so many cowpokes to be banded in one place, the silence was deafening. She could have heard a pin drop.
When she reached the corral, she understood. Gray was attempting to mount a beautiful black stallion. The horse sidled away whenever he attempted to climb into the saddle. Lauren leaned against the fence and watched. Gray moved closer to the horse's head. He spoke softly to the animal and stroked his neck. Long minutes of this whispered communication went on before Gray again attempted to mount the horse. The horse hedged, then stilled.
Lauren held her breath as Gray placed one booted foot into a stirrup and slung his long leg over the animal. The horse shifted nervously from side to side with the unexpected weight. Gray leaned down and spoke to him in those quiet tones once more. While the crowd watched, man and horse became one. The powerful strides of the stallion moved them around the corral; Gray's body moved in concert with the animal's. It was a sight to be behold.
"I'll be damned," Mr. Manning muttered. "He did it."
Pride swelled in Lauren's chest. Gray trotted the horse for a few minutes more before he dismounted. He gestured for one of Manning's men to take over. Gray soothed the horse as the other man mounted. A wave of murmurs swept over the crowd hanging on the fence.
"That's one fine job you did, Longwalker," Manning said.
"Shadow's a fine horse." Gray removed his hat and tunneled the fingers of one hand through his hair before settling it back on his head. "He'll bring you a fair price."
"Thanks to you," Manning acknowledged. "In fact, I've decided to keep him."
Gray's gaze captured Lauren's, and he moved to stand beside her. "I'm glad to hear it," he said to Manning.
She took a deep breath, and a smile tilted her lips. She was going to have his baby. The realization warmed her to the core of her being. She pressed her palm to her flat abdomen and silently thanked God for this wondrous gift. She couldn't wait to tell Sarah, but she had to tell Gray first, and she wouldn't tell him until they had resolved the issues standing between them. Lauren had to know if he loved her.
Gray inclined his head and studied her face as if searching for the answer to his question even before he asked.
Lauren looked into his handsome face and considered that their child would be dark like him, like Sarah, and probably just as beautiful. "That was pretty amazing, Longwalker." She smiled again. God, how she loved this man.
"You spoke to Buck?"
She nodded. "He admitted that he'd influenced the test results."
Gray let go a heavy breath. "I suspected as much."
"And Sharon," Lauren blurted, remembering. She had so much to share with him, she didn't know where to begin. "Willy threatened to harm Sarah if Sharon ever told you about the child."
Fury darkened his silvery gaze. "Both of them will answer to me for that, and for hurting you."
"It was because of his father's will," she explained.
"Mr. Buckmaster had apparently developed a conscience a few years back. He wanted to make up for what he'd done to you and your mother, so he left Sarah one-third of everything." Lauren moistened her lips and swallowed hard. "That's why Buck wanted to marry me, so he would retain control of Sarah's portion of the estate. I told him we didn't want any part of Buckmaster money." It occurred to her then that she might have been hasty in that decision. Gray might want what was rightfully his.
"Good," he said, to her relief.
Lauren stared at the dusty ground at her feet. "I'm sorry, Gray. I made a terrible mistake." She lifted her gaze back to his. "Can you ever forgive me?"
Understanding replaced the fury in his gaze. "How can I blame you for something I drove you to do? I tried to take Sarah from you. I left you no other choice. You don't need my forgiveness, Lauren. You did what any mother who loved her child would do. I pushed you into Buck's trap."
Lauren took his hands in hers and drew in a steadying breath. "I love you, Gray. I love you for who you are and what you are—a proud, wonderful man. I don't ever want to be with anyone else." The strength of her emotions made Lauren tremble now. She loved him so much, would he trust her enough to believe in that love?
A heart-stunning smile slid across Gray's lips. "I love you, Lauren, and my offer still stands." He pulled off his hat and stepped closer to her. "Marry me," he murmured, his mouth close enough to kiss.
The sound of flying gravel and tires skidding to a stop jerked both their gazes in that direction. Buck and four of his men emerged from the vehicles now parked haphazardly in Manning's drive.
"Go inside the house, Lauren," Gray said in a low voice. "Have Mrs. Manning call the sheriff."
"What does he want?" Fear pounded in Lauren's chest. Hadn't Buck done enough already? Why didn't he just leave them alone?
"Go, Lauren."
Before her body could assimilate the command to run, Buck and his men spread out in a line a few feet away.
"I want you out of my town, Longwalker," Buck commanded bitterly. "And you can take that woman and the kid with you."
Gray stepped toward him. Lauren's breath became trapped in her lungs. How could Gray take on all of them alone?
"It's a free country, brother," Gray returned easily.
"But if you think you're man enough, you can try and make me go."
Fury tightened Buck's features. He didn't take a step forward, but he held his ground. "People in this town don't want your kind here. If you want a piece of me before me and my boys run you out of town, then come get me." Buck wiggled his fingers in invitation.
"This is my property, and Longwalker ain't gonna leave until he's danged well ready." Manning stepped forward, aligning himself with Gray.
"Stay out of this, old man," Gray warned, obviously concerned for the older man's well-being in spite of the odds against him.
"I'd listen to him if I were you," Buck added haughtily.
"I live in this town, too," Manning went on, "and I'd a whole lot rather have men like Longwalker around, than snakes in the grass like you. If anybody's gittin' off my property, it best be you."
Buck aimed his fury at Manning now. "And how do you plan to make me, you old fool?" he growled.
All six of Manning's men moved up behind him and Gray then. Emotion welled in Lauren's chest at the show of support.
Manning chuckled at Buck's look of utter surprise. "Oh, I s'pect it'll be easy enough."
"You haven't heard the last from me, Longwalker," Buck threatened as he and his men backed away.
"I'd be disappointed if I had," Gray assured him.
Buck and his men roared away leaving a thick cloud of dust in their wake.
Lauren's feet finally accepted the command to move. She hurried to Gray's side.
Gray and Manning eyed each other warily for several long seconds before Gray spoke. "Thanks for backing me up." Gray extended his hand.
Manning's hand closed around the offered one and gave it a good shake. "T'weren't nothing. That boy's been needing to be put in his place for a long while now." Manning grinned sheepishly. "Just glad I lived long enough to see the truth and to be the one to do it." He slapped Gray on the back then. "There's a fellow over in Bear Creek got a slew of wild horses needin' the right kind of attention. You interested?"
Gray chuckled. "I am."
Manning nodded, then turned to bark orders at his loitering men.
Lauren slid her hand into Gray's. "Before I say yes to your proposal," she qualified, drawing his full attention back to her, "there's something you need to know."
Gray lifted a speculative eyebrow. "I think we've had enough excitement for one day, are you sure it can't wait?" He tightened his fingers around hers and pulled her closer. "I was hoping to take my future wife home and make love to her."
Lauren placed his free hand on her abdomen. "I just wanted you to know that we're having a baby."
Surprise, then awe filled his beautiful eyes. "You're sure?"
Lauren nodded. "Dr. Prescott called just before I came over here."
Gray hauled her up against him. "Why didn't you say something before?"
Clutching his shoulders for balance, Lauren smiled up at him. "You were a little busy." She tiptoed and tilted her chin upward to align their lips. His warm breath whispered across her mouth, making her lips quiver. "But now I expect your undivided attention."
"Is this what you really want, Lauren?" he murmured, uncertainty in his soft voice.
"More than anything." She breathed the words, yearning for his mouth to cover hers. "Now kiss me, Longwalker."
Desire barbed low in her belly at the first touch of their lips—his firm, hers much softer. She pushed her arms around his neck and held on tightly. His kiss was long and deep, branding her heart and soul as his own, as a Longwalker.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7157-3
LONGWALKER'S CHILD
Copyright © 2001 by Debra Webb.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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*A Colby Agency Case
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Table of Contents
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
