“Aw. She’s even prettier now.” He tucked the thin pink blanket beneath the baby’s dimpled chin. “She doesn’t look nearly as red as when she was first born.”
“Marcella says she looks like me.”
“The nurse is right. I can see the resemblance, too.”
Geena rolled onto her side so that she was facing Vince and the baby. “I guess that’s a good thing. Not because I’m pretty or anything. But after the way things turned out with Brad, well—you understand.”
Just the mention of the unknown man stuck in Vince’s craw. Not because he was jealous, he argued with himself. But because the man was a worthless jerk who’d taken advantage of Geena’s soft heart.
“You’re not sad, are you? That he’s not around?”
She let out a long sigh, and his gaze left the baby to look at her solemn face.
“The only thing that makes me sad is the fact that Emma’s biological father didn’t want her.”
“She doesn’t need a man like him in her life,” Vince said gruffly.
A wash of pale pink crossed her cheeks. “You’re so right. But she’s going to need a father. Every little girl deserves to have a father. At least for part of their life.”
For reasons he didn’t quite understand, Geena’s remarks left him feeling hopelessly empty. “I’m sure you’ll eventually find a man who will be a wonderful father to your daughter.”
A vague smile tilted her lips, and suddenly Vince was remembering the night he’d kissed her, when she hadn’t yet remembered him or their failed marriage. Her mouth had been warm and eager and giving, and for those few moments he’d had her in his arms, he’d forgotten all the tears she’d spilled while being his wife.
“Maybe. But after two strikes at marriage, I honestly don’t know if I can find the courage to try for a third time.”
Not liking the uncomfortable feeling coming over him, Vince rose from the chair and walked over to a window with a wide view of the west side of the city. In the far distance, he could see the jagged outline of the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe. While he and Geena had been married, he’d often promised to take her to one of the ski resorts for a Christmas gift. But his job had never allowed him enough money or time to make good on his promise. It was no wonder that Geena had finally given up on him, Vince thought crossly. Over the five years of their marriage, he’d continually disappointed her with canceled plans and endless excuses.
“It’s a scorcher today,” he said, changing the subject completely. “All the ranchers are praying this winter will bring tons of snow. Before you know it this little girl will be big enough to build a snowman.”
Geena chuckled. “At the moment I’m still trying to decide on a name for her.”
Vince returned to Geena’s bedside but continued to keep the infant gathered close to his chest. He’d never imagined that holding a baby would make him feel so protective, even possessive.
“Guess naming her after your mother is probably out of the question,” he stated.
Grimacing, she said, “After Dad died, finding a rich husband became more important to her than maintaining a relationship with her daughter. She doesn’t keep in touch, and frankly, I prefer it that way.”
“Well, the woman did give you a lesson on things you shouldn’t do as a mother.”
A faint smile crossed her face. “I expect I’ll make mistakes raising my daughter, but I’m going to try my best to be a good mother. Hopefully I’ll be better at being a mom than I was a wife to you.”
Groaning, Vince moved away from the bed and ambled back to the window. “Geena, we both made mistakes. And we made each other miserable. That’s why we’re better off as we are now—as friends.”
Several seconds of awkward silence passed before she finally said, “Friends. I suppose that’s more than most exes can be.”
Friends? Who the hell are you kidding, Vince? Each time you look at Geena all you can think about is making love to her. That’s hardly a friendly connection to your ex.
Shutting his ears to the mocking voice in his head, he walked back over to Geena’s bedside. “That’s right. So let’s forget and move on. We were discussing your daughter’s name. Do you have any more ideas?”
“Well, I was particularly close to my paternal grandmother before she passed on. I’m thinking I’d like to name the baby after her.”
Vince looked down at the infant’s sleeping face, and his heart swelled with bittersweet emotions. “Emma Pearl. It suits her,” he said huskily.
“You remembered?”
The softly spoken question lifted his gaze to Geena. A look of vague surprise parted her lips, and it was all he could do to keep from bending his head and kissing her.
“I remember your grandmother.”
Along with everything else about their life together, he thought sadly. The love and laughter. And especially the tears.
Chapter Seven
The next afternoon the sky was crystal blue and the breeze little more than a warm whisper as Vince drove Geena and baby Emma home from the hospital. But the perfect weather was hardly on his mind. Since Emma had been born and Geena’s memory had returned, his thoughts and emotions had been in a perpetual tug-of-war.
There would be no husband coming to claim Geena. There would be no father to welcome his new daughter home. So that only left Vince to see to their needs.
This morning at the office, Evan had kindly pointed out that Geena and the child were not Vince’s responsibility. That it wasn’t his place to give them a temporary home. But Vince couldn’t be that callous or indifferent. Geena had just given birth. She wasn’t yet up to physically going out to search for an apartment.
Yeah, Vince, keep on making excuses. Why can’t you simply admit that you’ve already fallen in love with little Emma? Why can’t you admit that where Geena is concerned you’re just as big a sucker as you were the day you married her?
Trying to ignore the censuring voice in his head, Vince steered the truck onto his driveway and killed the engine. Across from him, Geena looked around in dismay. “I can’t believe only two nights ago you were rushing me to the hospital. It feels more like a whole week.”
“A lot has happened since then. You’ve gained a baby and your memory,” Vince told her.
“And thank God for both,” she replied.
“I couldn’t agree more.” He left the vehicle and went around to the passenger door to help Geena to the ground. Once she was standing next to the truck, he opened the back door and unbuckled the infant from a safety seat.
“It was very nice of Evan to let us borrow the car carrier,” Geena said. “As soon as I’m able to go shopping, I’ll get one and you can return this one to him.”
“Evan said for us—er, for you to keep the car seat,” Vince told her. “Their daughter, Joanna, has already grown out of this one.”
“That’s very generous. I’ll be sure and send him and his wife a thank-you card.” Geena stepped up beside him and peered around his sleeve at the baby. “Would you mind carrying Emma into the house? I’m still moving a little stiffly.”
“Are you sure? This is your special time. I wouldn’t want to take it away from you. If you like, I can keep a steadying arm at the back of your waist while you carry the baby.”
She smiled. “No. I’d rather you do it. I’ll have plenty more special times with my daughter.”
And he wouldn’t.
The unspoken words sliced him deep, but they were a fact he couldn’t deny. And the sooner he faced the reality of the future, the sooner he could get back to being a detective instead of a standin daddy.
His throat tight, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he carefully extricated the baby from the car seat and positioned her safely against his chest.
Once the three of them were inside the house, he said, “I’ll take Emma to your bedroom. Or would you rather sit here in the living room and hold her?”
“Since she’s asleep, let’s put her on the bed. Thank goodness i
t will take some time before she starts rolling. As soon as I get an apartment, I’ll buy a crib for her. There’s no sense in putting one up here. I’d have to take it down in a few days when I move.”
A few days. So she was already making plans to move out soon. Well, that was only natural, he told himself. She had her own life to lead. And it didn’t include hanging out with an ex-husband.
Geena followed him down the hallway and into the bedroom she’d been using since her accident. As soon as she spotted the bassinet with its white lace skirting, she let out a loud gasp and rushed over to the mobile baby bed.
“A bassinet!” she exclaimed. “Vince, where did this come from?”
With the baby still cradled in his arms, he walked over to where she was sliding her hand over the arched hood covering one end of the bed.
“I bought it this morning,” he confessed. “I figured little Emma would need a bed that was more her size.”
“Oh, Vince, it’s just beautiful! It’s fit for a princess! Thank you. Thank you so much!”
“You’re making too big of a fuss about a little baby bed.”
She looked up at him, and Vince couldn’t ignore the tears in her green eyes. The sight of them tore at his scarred heart.
“You don’t understand, Vince. She’ll never get anything from her father. Not even simple basic needs like blankets, clothing or diapers.” She used her hand to dash away the tears rolling down her cheeks. “I realize you aren’t her father, but that doesn’t matter. When Emma gets old enough to understand, I’ll explain how you thought of her.”
Not trusting his voice, he took his time placing Emma in the bassinet and covering her with a lacy pink blanket. After touching a fingertip to her soft cheek, he straightened to his full height and cleared his throat.
“I’ll go get the rest of your things from the truck before I head back to work,” he said thickly.
“Vince, wait.”
She caught his arm and he was forced to meet her searching gaze.
“I don’t know why you’re being so kind to me and Emma. You and I haven’t seen or spoken to each other in six years. But whatever the reason, I’m grateful to you.”
He didn’t want her gratitude. He wanted her love.
Like hell! He didn’t want her love, he quickly scolded himself. No more than he wanted her body. Everything he’d done so far was for the baby and no other reason.
“I like to think I’m a decent kind of guy, Geena.”
“You are decent and fine. And I—” Her words trailed away as her hand slid slowly up his arm and then suddenly she was stepping forward and resting her cheek against his chest. “Oh, Vince, forgive me. Having a baby—I didn’t expect it to make me feel this emotional. A few minutes ago, when we walked into the house together with Emma—I was filled with regret.”
Confused, he tilted her chin up so that he could look into her face. “Regret? What are you talking about? You adore your new daughter.”
She gave him a wobbly smile. “I love Emma so much my heart is nearly bursting with it. I just regret that we…didn’t have a child while we were married.”
She couldn’t know how much he’d been thinking that very thing. Ever since he’d recognized she was pregnant on the night of her accident, he’d been reminded of their hopes and plans to have a family. Hearing her admit she was having the same sort of feelings was bittersweet for Vince.
“Geena, you weren’t ready for a child then,” he said huskily. “And neither was I.”
Dark shadows flickered in her eyes, and then with a heavy sigh, she turned away from him. “Forgive me, Vince. In a few days I’ll be over this silly, sentimental stuff. I promise.”
He probably should have made some sort of effort to comfort her, to reassure her that he understood the emotional upheaval she was going through. But he couldn’t bring himself to utter a word. And he certainly couldn’t allow himself to wrap his arms around her. If he did, he was afraid he might never let her go.
Without a backward glance, he squared his shoulders with resolve and walked out of the bedroom.
*
Over the next several days Vince’s workload grew so heavy he didn’t have to worry about spending too much time with Geena and the baby. A few words exchanged at the breakfast table and some quick glances at sleeping Emma were all he’d managed to fit into his busy schedule. Which only gave Vince further proof that he had no business entertaining the idea that he could ever be a husband or father.
So how did Evan do it? The man spent just as many hours as Vince on the job, yet he managed to have a happy marriage with Noelle.
But Noelle was different, Vince reasoned. She was a very strong woman with interests and a job of her own. She didn’t need Evan around to hold her hand and remind her she was loved. Geena was fragile. She’d not been able to deal with the demands of his job six years ago. He’d be a chump to believe she could handle it now.
Geena has become a different woman. Since you divorced her, she’s been taking care of herself. She’s finished her college education and become a teacher. She’s a mother now, and she’s not crying or whining for help. In fact, she’s planning on moving into her own place soon. You’re a fool, all right. A fool for thinking she needs you.
“Where would a person hide a high-profile stallion? It’s a cinch he can’t be taken to a sale barn.” Evan spoke as the two men paused their search next to an empty horse stall. “He can’t even be used for stud services. Most any rancher in this area would recognize the horse. The only scenario I can think of is that someone wanted the horse to breed a band of mares without paying the exorbitant fees. So they’ve hidden the stallion in the mountains somewhere with plans to use him. Sound logical?”
Thankfully, Evan’s question was enough to push the tormenting voice from Vince’s head, and he looked thoughtfully over at his partner. During the past week the two men had devoted most of their waking hours to the theft of the horse, but so far the stallion hadn’t been located or the thieves apprehended.
“It’s logical, but I’d rather think the bandits have plans to ship the animal to Mexico, where it would be practically impossible to find. There are plenty of barren stretches in Arizona or Texas where the horse could’ve been led or ridden across the border,” Vince said as he rested a shoulder against the wooden gate of the stall. “That is, if they managed to miss all the livestock checks between here and there.”
This was the third visit he and Evan had made to the Rinehart ranch in as just as many days. So far none of the trips had turned up new clues, but both men were convinced if they continued to look, something would show up to propel the case forward.
“I hope to hell you’re wrong and the horse is still somewhere close.” Evan discreetly caught Vince by the sleeve, then spoke close to his ear. “Don’t look behind you, but we have an audience at the end of the barn. The young blond-headed wrangler, Skip, and his buddy Ted seem to find us interesting for some reason.”
Lowering his voice, Vince replied, “Well, when two detectives keep showing up for three days in a row, it tends to make people nervous. Guilty people, that is. We could confront them with a few more questions, but I think it might be better to let them stew and worry for a while.”
“Hmm. Well, it could be they’re completely ignorant about the horse’s disappearance,” Evan remarked.
“Somebody around here sure as heck knows what happened,” Vince muttered, then inclined his head toward a side door that led outside to the open ranch yard. “Come on. Let’s go. We’ve done enough here for today.”
The two detectives exited the building and climbed into the SUV they’d left parked in the shade of a cottonwood tree near the far end of the barn.
Evan was on the verge of starting the motor when Vince quickly reached over and jerked his hand away from the ignition.
“Wait,” Vince ordered. “Let’s see where she’s going first.”
“She?” Evan looked up to see a woman striding purposely across the
ranch yard toward the barn the two men had just exited. “That’s Rinehart’s daughter, Liv. She’s probably going riding or something.”
“Damn, Evan, your brain must be on vacation. She’s wearing a skirt. I don’t think she has intentions of going riding.”
“Well, she could be planning to change clothes in the barn,” he reasoned.
“I seriously doubt it. She’s the sort that needs a mirror to change outfits.”
Without so much as a glance in their direction, the woman entered the barn at the opposite end of the building and disappeared from the men’s view.
“Ready to go now?” Evan asked.
“No. Let’s just sit here and see how long she remains in there. I have a feeling Miss Liv is not the little princess old Rinehart paints his daughter to be.”
Evan grunted. “She’s his only daughter. And from what I gathered when we talked to the old man, he dotes on her. But that’s nothing strange. I dote on little Joanna, too.”
With baby Emma in the house, Vince was quickly learning how easy it would be to fall under her spell, to have his heart all wrapped up in her blue eyes and dimpled cheeks. But he wasn’t going to let himself be wound around her tiny finger. Because her place in his life was only temporary.
“Joanna is still a baby,” Vince reasoned. “Liv Rinehart is a grown woman and as spoiled as the jug of milk Geena found in the back of my refrigerator. The old man is blind to her.”
“Being spoiled doesn’t mean she’s a criminal or anything close to it,” Evan reasoned, then grinned. “Noelle is always telling me how spoiled I am. And she’s right.”
“I hope you’re right about Liv, too. I’ve come to like Mr. Rinehart. It would be a shame for him to learn his daughter has betrayed him.”
“Okay, we both agree that someone here on the ranch committed the crime. But I can’t see how Liv might fit in. She appears to have everything she wants.”
“Maybe she wants more than money,” Vince reasoned.
His Badge, Her Baby...Their Family? Page 10
