JAKE RODE to Brett’s side as they approached the barn. “I hope Sylvia’s okay after her dunking.”
“I’m sure she is. We certainly suffered lots worse things as we were growing up.” Brett couldn’t keep the scorn out of his voice. He thought Sylvia was pouting.
“Brett, women are different,” Jake began.
“No kidding, brother,” Brett drawled. “Look, Jake, I know you said I should wait until Sylvia’s visit was over to discuss ending our engagement, but I can’t stand it any longer.”
Jake grimaced and stared straight ahead. Brett tensed, waiting for his brother to respond. It wasn’t that he couldn’t break it off with Sylvia without his approval. But he’d rather have Jake’s approval… and his respect.
“You’re right,” Jake finally said, releasing a big sigh. “I think I was wrong when I advised you to hold on for the rest of the week.” He turned to Brett and grinned. “I thought you might change your mind again.”
Brett rolled his eyes.
“Well, how should I know?” Jake complained. “You’re the one who asked her to marry you.”
“Actually she asked me. Maybe that’s part of the reason I agreed. She pursued me…I mean, really pursued me. I guess I was flattered and—and thought there must be something there. She’s beautiful…at least, at the time I thought so.”
“I don’t think she’s gotten any uglier,” Jake teased.
“Yeah, she has. Oh, I know her looks haven’t changed, but I’ve gotten to know her a little better.”
Jake shook his head, still grinning. “She’s not exactly our kind, is she? I’in glad you woke up before the wedding.”
“Me, too.”
“So when are you going to tell her?”
“As soon as I can. It may mean taking half a day off to take her back home. I don’t imagine she’ll be any more interested in remaining than I will be in having her stay.”
“I hope you’re right. She’s acted a little strange this week.”
Brett thought of the several discussions he’d had with Sylvia when Jake wasn’t present. Jake didn’t know just how strange Sylvia had been. “Yeah,” he agreed fervently.
After tending to their horses, the men headed for the house. As they reached the back porch, his pickup, with Anna at the wheel, came into sight. Brett stopped and watched it.
“You coming, Brett?” Pete called, holding open the door.
“I’ll be there in a minute. Anna’s almost here.”
“Uh-huh,” Pete responded knowingly, and Brett gave him a disgusted look before he disappeared behind the door. His brother acted as if he were juggling women all over the place. He wasn’t doing any such thing. He couldn’t help it that he’d fallen for Anna.
And still had a fiancée.
Maybe Pete had a point. And maybe it was a good thing he’d made up his mind to clear things up with Sylvia.
Anna got out of the truck, a frown on her face. He thought she looked more pale than usual and suddenly wondered if things had gone badly at Gabe’s.
“Anna?” he called, leaping off the porch toward her. “Is everything all right?”
She jumped and gave a muffled cry. “You—you startled me!”
Her reaction made him even more concerned. The unflappable Anna startled in broad daylight? “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing! Nothing’s wrong.”
“Carrie’s fine?”
“Yes, of course. Why would you think she wasn’t?”
“You’ve just spent the morning there, and you looked pale.” His hand cupped her cheek before he could think about whether touching her was wise.
She jerked away from him, suddenly rigid. “I’m a redhead. I’m always pale.” Her voice was almost lifeless, with none of the slight lilt that entranced him.
“You two coming in for lunch?” Chad asked, his head appearing through the open back door.
Anna responded to his question not only with a yes, but also with a quick movement that eluded Brett’s hand. Before he could move, she had disappeared after his brother.
And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.
It was definitely time to talk to Sylvia.
When he entered the kitchen, he discovered everyone at the table except the one person he’d resolved to talk to. “Where’s Sylvia?”
Red, carrying a large platter to the table, said, “She told Megan she didn’t want any lunch.”
Brett squared his jaw. Good. The lady had just made arrangements for their private conversation, even if she didn’t know it. “I’m going to talk to Sylvia. Go ahead and eat without me.”
NO ONE SAID ANYTHING after Brett left.
Anna avoided looking at any of them. And wished she didn’t know what she knew.
Finally Jake said, “I think, when Brett comes back down, he’ll have an announcement to make that will please everyone.”
Anna hoped she held back the gasp she felt. Because Jake’s meaning was obvious. He believed Brett was going to break up with Sylvia. Surely Brett wouldn’t abandon his child. Or Sylvia, for that matter. After all, Anna had never held to the idea that only the woman had to suffer for creating an unexpected baby.
Megan let the bowl of mashed potatoes almost fall to the table, where it landed with a thud. “You think so?”
“It’s about time!” Janie said.
Anna almost bit through the skin on her bottom lip. Had she been that wrong about Brett? “Why— why do you think that, Jake?”
“Brett talked to us this morning, Anna. He feels he’s made a mistake, and the sooner it’s corrected, the better off everything will be. I imagine Sylvia feels the same way.”
“Brett said that?” Anna asked, unable to hide the dismay in her voice. She couldn’t believe Brett would be so callous about the baby.
Chad, who had ignored the conversation to this point, concentrating on his food, looked at Anna. “Why do you sound so surprised? Engagements aren’t permanent, like marriage. Brett has the right to break it off if he wants to.”
“I know, but—Nothing.” Anna suddenly concentrated on her food.
“What’s wrong, Anna?” Jake asked.
Anna peeped at him and found his gaze on her. She quickly looked away.
“Anna, I thought you didn’t like Sylvia, either?” Janie asked.
“It’s none of my business,” Anna said quietly, wishing she’d never said anything. She put down her fork and pushed her chair back. “I—I forgot about a call I need to make. If you’ll excuse me?” Without waiting for permission, she hurried out of the kitchen. If she stayed much longer, she might disgrace herself as Sylvia had this morning.
She hadn’t gotten far down the hallway when Jake called her name. Dismayed, she turned to find him coming after her.
“Yes, Jake?” Keep calm. He can’t suspect anything.
“Did I say something to upset you?”
“Why, no, of course not.” She tried to keep her voice bright.
“Then why are you going upstairs instead of to the closest phone?” Jake asked, watching her closely.
“Um, I’m going to get my notes so I can make an accurate report to Doc.”
“I thought your briefcase was in the kitchen.”
Anna swallowed. Now what excuse could she give? She opened her mouth to try another lie, but Jake cut her off.
“Why do you want Brett to stay engaged to Sylvia?”
Anna fought to hold back the hysterical laughter that bubbled up inside her. Want them to stay engaged? Never! But she wanted Brett to be the kind of man who wouldn’t abandon his unborn child.
“Jake, I can’t—I mean, it’s none of my business.”
“Come on, Anna, tell me what’s wrong.”
With that gentle, caring voice, the man should have been a priest to listen to one’s sins, except that he was too sexy to be monastic. Maybe he should’ve been a dean of students, facing wrongdoers in his office. Or maybe he should just be a father. He’d be a terrific one.
> She couldn’t break Sylvia’s confidence, but she couldn’t continue to pretend, either. “Jake, I can’t tell you why, but I don’t think it would be a good idea for Brett and Sylvia to—to break their engagement.”
“And what reason would you have for saying something like that?”
Anna stared at Jake, wondering how he’d spoken when his lips hadn’t moved. Then footsteps behind her gave her the answer. She turned with a sinking heart to face another Randall who spoke quite like his brother. “Brett!”
“Yes, Brett,” he agreed, a smile on his lips that wasn’t pleasant. He moved closer to her, and she backed away. “Are you going to answer my question?”
“N-no.” She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “Besides, you already know the reason.”
Jake interrupted Brett’s steady stalking of her. “Brett, I gather you can handle this conversation. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
Brett nodded and took another step toward her.
“Wait, Jake. I—I don’t think…” Anna protested, but without looking, she realized Jake wasn’t heeding her request. Suddenly she was alone in the hallway with Brett.
“You haven’t answered my question,” he repeated.
She shook her head.
“Is it because you think my fiancee and I are eminently suited?”
She shook her head again. Speaking seemed beyond her.
“Or maybe you think I want a life in politics? You want to brag that you once fell asleep on the shoulder of the next governor?”
She bumped against the wall, feeling trapped. He leaned toward her, resting a hand on the wall on each side of her head.
“Or maybe, without Sylvia in the picture, you’re afraid that I might take advantage of your sleepiness next time,” he said slowly, his voice lowering with sensual intent.
Anna couldn’t swallow, couldn’t even blink, as his mouth dipped closer and closer to hers. He was going to kiss her. He was going to fill that need that had her heart hammering. He was going to…kiss her while the woman carrying his child was one flight up.
Anger surged through her, and she jerked away from him, ducking under one arm. “How could you?” she demanded, tears filling her voice.
Instead of coming after her, as she’d feared he would, he frowned, staring at her. “Anna? Why are you so upset? Surely you’ve realized I’m more attracted to you than to Sylvia? That’s part of the problem. That’s why I have to break the engagement.”
“No!” she flung back at him. “You will not use me as an excuse to abandon your responsibility.”
“What responsibility? The engagement? Isn’t that the entire point of an engagement—to decide if the marriage will work?”
Her voice trembled as she tried to answer him. “I think your engagement has gone a bit too far for that.”
“For what?” He seemed more confused than anything.
How could he be confused? How could he not understand how serious his situation was? “Brett, I know! Dear God, I know. I promised Sylvia I wouldn’t let on to you, but—” She broke off and covered her face with shaking fingers.
The next thing she knew, he was cradling her against him, his touch comforting rather than sensual. “Shh, sweetheart, it’s all right. Don’t cry.”
She hadn’t even realized she was weeping until then.
“Whatever is the matter, we’ll fix it, Anna. Everything’s going to be all right.”
He was wrong. Nothing would ever be right again, Anna suddenly realized. Because she’d made the foolish mistake of falling in love with Brett Randall.
The Brett Randall who loved his family.
The Brett Randall who was honest and true and sweet.
The Brett Randall who would never abandon his baby.
The Brett Randall who would never be hers.
“I—I have to go upstairs,” she said, pushing against the comfort of his arms. But she’d been foolish again, because he had no intention of letting her escape.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
How could he still sound so honest, so concerned? It seemed easier to stay in his embrace because she could bury her face in his broad chest and not have to look him in the eye.
He wouldn’t even allow her that much. Strong fingers reached for her chin and pulled her face up. “I can’t fix the problem if you don’t tell me what it is.”
“You can’t fix this problem, Brett.” As much as she wished he could.
He reached up to catch a tear as it struggled down her cheek. “Won’t you at least let me try to play the knight in shining armor? It’s always been a fantasy of mine.”
She closed her eyes to hide the agony that filled her. The sweetness of his words reminded her of girlish dreams, dreams that could never be.
“Anna?”
He sounded almost as distraught as her. She opened her eyes. A calm descended over her, as if she’d finally accepted her fate. “I’m sorry, Brett. Babies are too important to me.”
His frown returned. “What are you saying?”
“You can’t break up with Sylvia.”
“We’re back to where we started. That’s what you said earlier, but you never explained why.” A rueful grin twisted his lips. “Not that it matters. I intend to break my engagement no matter what you say.”
“You intend? Then you haven’t yet?”
“No. Sylvia refused to talk to me.”
“Brett, I know you and Sylvia have problems, but maybe if you got counseling…” she said in a rush, hoping to convince him before he could wear her down.
“Damn it, Anna!” he exclaimed, suddenly backing away from her. “Why do you keep harping on me and Sylvia?”
“I told you! Because of the baby!”
He stared at her as if she were insane.
Then he asked, “What baby?”
Chapter Twelve
Anna stared at Brett. Now she was the confused one. Finally she said, “Sylvia’s baby….and yours.”
“The hell you say!” Brett roared.
Before Anna could respond to Brett’s reaction, one she didn’t understand, the door to the kitchen swung open and Jake looked at them. The rest of the family seemed to be gathered behind him.
“Everything all right out here?” Jake asked cautiously.
Brett continued to stare at her, anger and disbelief on his face. Anna didn’t know what to say. Finally she started, “I don’t—”
“Tell ‘em!” Brett ordered, his voice hard.
She looked at him, surprised. “What?”
“Tell ‘em why I shouldn’t break the engagement!”
“Brett, I promised Sylvia I wouldn’t say anything.” She’d already broken her promise once. Besides, she shouldn’t be the one to tell them there’d be another Randall heir in the near future.
But Brett just kept staring at her, and the rest of the Randall clan did, too. Eventually, with her voice trembling, she said, “I don’t think they should break the engagement, because of the baby.” Then, to be sure everyone understood, she added, “Because they’re having a baby.”
The only sound to be heard was the ticking of the grandfather clock near the front door until someone—she thought Jake—muttered, “Damn.”
“Are you sure?” Janie demanded.
Anna broke the hold Brett had on her gaze and looked toward the family. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“I guess that changes things,” Jake said with a sigh.
As if someone had sent a bolt of lightning through Brett, he turned to stare at the others. “Just like that? A few words is all it takes for you to believe it?” It hurt Brett to realize that fact. He’d sometimes felt a little inferior to his brothers because his talents were in numbers rather than more-macho areas, but he’d always thought they believed in him.
“Brett,” Megan said softly, “accidents happen.”
“It didn’t happen to me.”
Jake frowned. “Brett, are you saying you don’t think this baby is yours?”
“Damn right it’s not mine.” Now he understood why Sylvia had tried to seduce him. And he gave thanks that he had rejected her. That Anna had already tempted him. He stared at her, still hurt that she believed Sylvia.
“How can you be so sure?” Jake asked.
“Because, big brother, I’ve never shared a bed with my soon-to-be ex-fiancée.”
“A bed isn’t required,” Pete muttered. “Janie and I are testament to that fact.”
“Then I’ll be more specific. I’ve never had relations with Sylvia. If she’s pregnant, and I doubt that she is, it’s someone else’s baby. Not mine.”
Chad stared at him. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“She’s a good-looking woman. Weren’t you tempted?”
Brett could feel his cheeks flushing. “Yeah. In the beginning, I was. But I was staying under her father’s roof. It didn’t seem the polite thing to do to sit at his table and seduce his daughter at the same time.”
“Oh, good.” Chad gave him a cheeky grin. “I was just trying to decide which would be worse. You being the father of Sylvia’s baby, or you being attracted to something other than women.”
Brett glared at his brother, but he could tell his look didn’t faze Chad. Movement at his side drew him as he realized Anna was slowly sliding down the wall.
“Anna? Are you okay?” he demanded, grabbing her arms to shore her up.
She nodded, just barely meeting his gaze before looking away. “Yes, of course. This has all been a bit of a—a shock. I apologize for causing you any…for upsetting everyone. If you want me to leave, I can—”
Several emphatic no’s rang out, including Brett’s.
“I think we’re all a little shocked, Anna,” Jake said quietly, “but that kind of sacrifice won’t be necessary. Why don’t we all come back into the kitchen and sit down.”
Since Jake’s suggestion was more of a command, everyone did as he asked. Brett found himself beside Anna. He wasn’t happy with her right now, but he still wanted to be close to her.
“Anna, why do you think Sylvia is pregnant? Did she tell you?”
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