“And that’s exactly the reason I need something to keep me from going crazy. I’ve never sat around the house my entire life.”
“You could watch some movies,” Red suggested, “or read. The boys have lots of books around.”
“Thanks, Red, but I’m talking about more than just today. I’m going to be pregnant for the next seven months. If all I do is sit around, I’ll be as big as a house.”
With a grin, Red said, “I reckon you’ll get big as a house no matter what you do.”
“Thanks for that depressing thought,” she returned, but she was smiling.
“Want to walk down to the horse barn with me?” Megan suggested. “I love to check on the babies.”
“Great! I haven’t seen the latest foals. I’ll go get my coat.”
“I’ll get it for you,” Red offered, leaping to his feet.
Janie, already standing, stared at him. “Don’t be ridiculous, Red. I haven’t broken a leg.” Then she rushed out the kitchen door.
“Tell that to Pete,” Megan suggested, sharing a wry grin with Red.
NORMALLY PETE ENJOYED his time in the saddle, especially on a day like today, when, in spite of the cold, the sun shone and the wind was still. But today, all he could think about was Janie.
Had she gotten up yet? He’d debated staying in bed, holding her until she opened her eyes. Then he’d realized that might not be such a good idea. She might feel he hadn’t stuck to his part of the bargain. Or that he was trying to tempt her into dissolving that agreement.
And that would be true.
But he worried that she might throw up this morning and not tell him or the doctor. She’d gotten irritated with him last night when he’d tried to find Doc Jacoby.
And what if she didn’t take her vitamins? He’d forgotten to remind her in the note he’d left. She and the babies were his responsibilities now. He needed to take good care of them.
“You okay?” Jake asked, riding up to his side.
“Yeah. Fine.”
“We’re almost back to the corral. Why don’t you make sure the gate is open and then go on up to the house? You probably want to check on Janie.”
Pete gave him a grateful smile and nudged his horse to a lope. Jake was almost as anxious about Janie and the babies as he was.
His anticipation grew as he reached the house. The thought of seeing Janie again filled him with all kinds of emotions. “Hi, Red,” he said as he rushed through the kitchen, heading for the stairs.
“Hey, Pete, where you going?”
“To check on Janie. Has she come downstairs this morning?”
“Yeah. She and Megan walked to the horse barn.”
Pete came to a sudden halt, a ferocious frown on his brow. “What did you say?”
“She and Megan walked—”
“You let her go outside?” Pete demanded, slowly walking toward Red.
“How was I supposed to stop her?”
“She might catch cold,” Pete said as he changed directions and sped toward the back door. “You should’ve told her to go lie down and rest.”
By the time he reached the horse barn, he was muttering under his breath, so that little puffs of chilled air followed his progress. He should’ve known better than to leave Janie there on her own.
Throwing open the door, he roared, “Janie? Where are you?”
“Shh,” Megan cautioned, leaning against the half door of one of the birthing stalls.
Automatically Pete lowered his voice. “Where’s Janie?”
“Here, helping B.J.,” Megan whispered as Pete drew closer.
“What?” Pete exclaimed hoarsely as he rushed to Megan’s side.
The two women in the stall were concentrating on the mare and the just-born foal.
“Thanks, Janie. You were a lot of help,” B.J. said as she and Janie helped the newborn to its feet.
“No problem. It was a pleasure to watch you work, B.J.”
“Janie, are you crazy?” Pete demanded, steel in his voice.
His wife—he liked the thought of that word—wheeled to stare at him. “What’s the matter, Pete?”
“Have you forgotten you’re pregnant?”
Janie’s hand stole to her stomach, still relatively flat. “No, I don’t think so.”
“You should be in the house, resting. You might hurt yourself helping B.J. Or you might catch cold.”
“Or I might be struck by a falling meteor. What’s your point, Pete?”
B.J. intervened. “Pete, I wouldn’t let Janie do anything that would endanger the babies. But an extra pair of hands helped.”
Pete stared at all three women in frustration. They didn’t understand. “Come on, Janie. Get cleaned up, and I’ll take you back to the house.”
“You think I can’t find it on my own?” She hadn’t moved.
“No, but you might decide to stop and pitch a few bales of hay up to the barn loft. Or brand a few cows. Or round up the strays, for all I know.” His frustration edged his voice.
Janie wanted to let her temper loose, to tell Pete what he could do with his coddling, but she couldn’t. Not in front of the other two women. And not to Pete. As much as his concerns drove her crazy, she couldn’t jump all over him. “I’ll come with you, Pete, but we’re going to have to talk.”
“Sure, Janie, once you’re inside and warm.”
“Pete, it’s not that cold in here.” She couldn’t help but protest. The man acted as if they were wandering around in a blizzard.
He stood patiently waiting.
Rolling her eyes at the other two women, she bade them goodbye and left the stall, crossing to the sink to wash up. Then she put her jacket on, with Pete’s help, of course, and the two of them left the barn.
“Pete, I’m not made of Venetian glass. I won’t break into a million pieces.”
“I’m just trying to take care of you, Janie. You’re my responsibility now. I don’t want you or the babies to get hurt.”
His responsibility. That wasn’t what she wanted to be. She wanted to be the love of his life. His partner. Instead, she was his responsibility. “That’s sweet of you, Pete, but millions of women are pregnant all the time. They still manage to get some work done.”
“There’s no need for you to work. Red takes care of the house, and we take care of the ranch. All you have to do is take care of the babies.”
Janie came to a halt in the snow. “So for the next seven months, you expect me to sit and contemplate my navel as it expands to the size of a blimp?”
Pete blinked several times. “A blimp? Are you going to get that big?”
“Pete Randall! Quit trying to distract me. You know what I’m trying to say.”
“Yeah, I do, honey,” he assured her, a warm smile on his face that reassured her even as it frustrated her. His arm came around her shoulders, and he urged her on toward the house.
“Well? I have to have something to do, or I’ll go crazy. Megan is working on redoing the house. Red doesn’t really need any help. What am I going to do with myself?”
“I don’t know. We’ll figure out something.” He brushed his cold lips against hers, and Janie fought to keep her desire under control. This man could start a fire inside her in the coldest temperatures.
“Hey, Pete, Janie,” Brett called as he made his way to the house. “Some honeymoon you two are having. You should go away to Hawaii or somewhere.”
Pete and Janie, having reached the porch, stood waiting for Brett to join them. “Maybe we will take a honeymoon, but it might be a good idea to go after the babies are born.”
Janie wanted to sock her new husband. He thought it would be easy to leave newborn twins? He had no idea how his life would change once the babies were born.
“I wish I had something like that to look forward to. I’ve got so much paperwork stacked up that I’ll never get finished, even if I don’t ride out this afternoon. And Jake needs me in the saddle.”
Like a light bulb in the comic strips, a
n idea jumped into Janie’s head. “I can help you with the paperwork, Brett, if you’ll show me how you have things set up.”
The rising pleasure on Brett’s-face died a quick death as Pete roared, “No!”
Chapter Eleven
“Pete, what’s the matter with you?” Janie demanded, her hands on her hips.
“Don’t you recognize the signs?” Brett asked, a comical look on his face. “I think he’s about to blow.”
“That’s enough, little brother. You can do your own paperwork. I’m not having Janie worrying about all that stuff.” Pete grabbed Janie’s arm and tugged her toward the door.
“Pete Randall, I’ve just about had it!” Janie protested, pulling away from him. “You’re acting like I’m a mummy, wrapped up and standing in a museum. I’m going to go crazy if I don’t have something to do.”
“Janie—” Brett began.
“You stay out of this, Brett,” Pete ordered.
“I want to talk to Brett.”
“You—”
“What’s going on?” Jake asked, having walked up to the porch without the other three noticing.
All three tried to explain the discussion.
Jake held up a hand. “Can’t we talk about it inside? I’m cold and hungry.”
Janie suddenly exploded. “No, we can’t! I may have married one Randall, but I didn’t marry all four!” Then she threw open the door and stomped through the kitchen, ignoring Red’s cheerful greeting. She didn’t stop until she reached the bedroom she’d shared with Pete last night.
The sight of the freshly made bed enraged her even more. In the hour she’d spent in the barn, Red had rushed upstairs to tidy up after her. Her mother would be ashamed of her.
And she could admit to herself, behind the closed door, that she felt like a guest at an expensive hotel.
But she wanted to feel like family.
“Janie?” Pete called softly, rapping on the door.
She tried to ignore him. But she couldn’t. She’d already been more than rude. Reluctantly she opened the door.
“Janie, Jake didn’t mean to interfere. We’re all wanting to do what will make you happy.”
“I apologize.”
Pete’s smile replaced the anxious expression on his face. “Good. Lunch is ready.”
“I’m not hungry. I think I’ll lie down for a while.”
Her simple words immediately triggered Pete’s overprotective urges. “Should I call Doc? What can I get you? Do you need anything?. I’ll bring a tray—”
“Pete!” Janie almost shouted, grabbing him by both arms. “I’m sulking! Okay? That’s all I’m doing. Go eat your lunch and ignore me.”
She stepped back and closed the door in his face.
Pete stared at the piece of wood that separated him from his wife, stunned by her words and her action. What did he do now?
He’d fix a tray for her, of course. She couldn’t be allowed to skip meals. That wouldn’t be good for her or the babies. Damn! He’d still forgotten to ask about morning sickness and her vitamins.
His mind filled with concern about Janie, he didn’t remember that he had to face his family until he opened the kitchen door to discover them waiting at the table, all their gazes fixed on his face.
“Oh. Sorry I kept you waiting,” he muttered, and sat down in his usual seat, ignoring the place set for Janie.
“Where’s Janie?” Jake asked sharply.
“She decided to rest. I’ll take a tray up to her before I go out again.”
Megan leaned across the table. “Do you want me to check on her?”
“Should we call the doctor?” Brett asked.
“Is she mad at me?” Jake demanded, a frown on his brow.
Chad’s hand reached for Megan’s, as if talk of Janie’s health made him appreciate his wife beside him.
Pete felt envy fill his heart. He wished he could claim Janie as simply. “No. No, she assured me she’s fine.”
After Red served the meal and they all began eating, Pete asked Megan quietly, “Did Janie get sick this morning? I mean, throw up?”
Megan’s eyebrows arched. “She didn’t mention it if she did.”
“Did she take her vitamins?”
Shaking her head, Megan said, “I didn’t see her take them, but Janie is an adult. And I’m sure she’d do whatever she needs to take care of the babies.”
Janie might seem like an adult to Megan, but Pete had been keeping an eye on her all her life. Somehow he’d always felt responsible for her. And now that he’d gotten her pregnant, the feeling had only increased. “I’ll check with her later,” he muttered, unwilling to show how anxious he was.
“She probably just needs to rest,” Jake assured him. “I’ve heard pregnant women need a lot of rest.”
Brett raised his head and stared at his oldest brother. “You’ve heard?”
One would’ve thought Brett had questioned his sanity. Jake stiffened and stared down his little brother. “Yes, I’ve heard. You got a problem with that?”
Shrugging, Brett looked away. “Nope. I just never pictured you standing around talking about pregnant women.”
“I don’t, damn it!” Then, as if confessing a terrible sin, he muttered, “I bought a book.”
Pete’s eyes widened, and he felt incredibly stupid. Why hadn’t he thought of that? Here he was the father, totally inexperienced in these things, and his brother had bought a book. “Reckon I could borrow it?” he asked Jake, a smile on his face to show his appreciation.
“Sure. You want to stay in this afternoon and read it?”
Nothing else could’ve shown Pete how supportive Jake was trying to be. They were shorthanded today because several of the cowboys had the flu. He knew Jake needed him in the saddle. He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ll read-it this evening. I’ll be down to the barn as soon as I take Janie some food.”
“Um, Pete, why don’t I take Janie a tray? She can eat and then take a nap so she’ll feel better when you come in this evening.”
Pete thought of Janie’s temper and decided Megan was right. “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.”
“Well, ready to be on our way, then?” Jake asked, standing.
As they moved to the door, after thanking Red, Chad leaned over to Pete and whispered, “After you finish that book, do you think I could borrow it?”
Both men looked over their shoulders to make sure Megan didn’t overhear them. Pete nodded his agreement.
Brett, behind them, saw no need for secrecy. “Damn! After Chad, I guess I’m going to have to read it. And I’m not even married yet!”
JANIE PLACED HER EAR against the door. No sound. Softly, she rapped on the wood. Nothing. She reached down to turn the knob but stopped when knocking sounded.
It took her a second to realize the knocking was coming from the door to the bedroom, not the bathroom door leading into their second room. She hurried back through the bathroom to open the door, steeling herself to face Pete again.
Instead, she discovered Megan. Carrying a tray.
“Megan! What are you doing?”
“Bringing you some lunch. Pete was going to, but I offered.”
Janie took the tray from Megan and stood back so she could enter the bedroom. “I’m ashamed of myself. I would’ve come down if I got hungry. There’s no need to wait on me.”
“I know that,” Megan assured her, a smile on her face, “but you just got married yesterday. A little pampering won’t hurt you.”
Janie didn’t know why such behavior was easier to accept from Megan than Pete, but it was.
“Would you like to come in and keep me company? Or I could go back down to the kitchen.…”
She trailed off, watching Megan.
“I’d love to keep you company. Do you want to get into bed to eat?”
“No. In fact, I was just thinking about unpacking. Has Great-Aunt Henrietta been downstairs yet? I didn’t see her earlier.” Janie set the tray on the bed and uncovered the steamin
g bowl of stew, the tossed salad and crisp rolls. “This smells delicious.”
“Your mom and dad picked up your great-aunt and the couple from Denver and took them all to the airport this morning. Sorry I forgot to mention it earlier. Your great-aunt didn’t want to be gone too long because of her cats. She said to tell you goodbye.”
“Oh, thanks.” At least she knew she wouldn’t have to face another night in Pete’s arms. She ignored the disappointment that filled her.
After she’d taken several bites, she looked at Megan. “I guess I owe everyone an apology. I’m usually not such a prima donna.”
“Of course you aren’t. These Randall men are a difficult lot. But they really only want to take care of you. Jake even bought a book.”
Janie stared at her. “What? A book about what?”
“Pregnancy, silly!” Megan assured her with a chuckle. “Can’t you picture Jake hiding in the barn reading a book about pregnant women instead of some girlie magazine? He admitted it at lunch, and I had a hard time not laughing.”
“Jake?” Janie squeaked in surprise.
“Yes, and Pete’s going to borrow it.”
Janie joined Megan in some cleansing laughter.
THE MEN RETURNED at dark, cold, tired and hungry. But it cheered Pete to find Janie in the kitchen with Megan and Red, setting the table for dinner.
“You’ve got twenty minutes to clean up,” she announced as they entered, smiling at all of them.
Pete wanted her smile just for him. He moved toward her, his gaze intense. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t sidestep his embrace. “Hi, honey. I’m home,” he whispered in her ear before he kissed her.
When he released her, he had to fight the desire to scoop her up in his arms and continue upstairs.
“You smell like horse,” she complained, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Go grab a shower before we eat.”
“Care to come scrub my back?”
“Pete!” Her reddened cheeks delighted him. He much preferred this homecoming to the one at lunch.
“We’ve got everything under control down here,” Red added, his eyes twinkling. “Just don’t take too long, or we’ll eat without you.”
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