His Badge, Her Baby...Their Family?

by Stella Bagwell

  “Yeah. Well, just showing up on the ranch will tell her we’re not going to close this case or forget it,” Evan reasoned, then made a rolling motion with his finger for Vince to get to his feet and get going.

  “All right. Let’s go.”

  The two men were on the verge of walking out of the office when a long-legged young deputy with a shock of blond hair appeared in the doorway.

  “Are you two going somewhere?” he asked.

  “That’s right,” Vince said. “The Rinehart ranch. Why? What’s up?”

  “You might not need to make the trip. Liv Rinehart walked in the building a few minutes ago. Said she needs to talk with you two.”

  Vince and Evan exchanged smug looks.

  “Where is she now?” Evan asked.

  “In one of the interrogation rooms. I gave her some coffee and a magazine, but she seems pretty restless.”

  Vince said, “Thanks, Randy. We’ll take over.”

  Nodding, the deputy left, and Evan immediately began to chuckle and do a jig that had Vince grinning in spite of himself.

  “Stop that silly dancing! It’s bad luck to celebrate before the egg is laid.”

  Laughing, Evan crossed the office and slapped a hand on Vince’s shoulder. “The egg might not be laid yet, partner, but the hen is about to cackle.”

  *

  Later that afternoon, Geena was shocked when Vince showed up early from work and announced he was taking her to Evan Calhoun’s ranch for dinner.

  “Dinner! But I’ve not even met Noelle!” she exclaimed. “And how am I supposed to get myself and the baby ready in thirty minutes?”

  “I’m sorry. I was supposed to have told you about this outing last night. I got the days mixed up. But don’t worry. This is just a casual thing. You look great as you are.”

  She glanced down at her denim capris and black tank top, then back to him. “You’ve got to be kidding! I can’t go like this. Will you change Emma while I take a quick shower?”

  He glanced anxiously at the baby lying in the middle of Geena’s bed. “Dress Emma? I’ve only held her a few times. I don’t know anything about dressing a baby.”

  Geena hurried over to a chest of drawers and pulled out a diaper and a tiny mint-green dress with pink trim around the collar and puffed sleeves. The dress was only one of two that she’d purchased for the baby.

  “Here. It’s time you learned,” she told Vince as she placed the garments on the bed. “While you put this on her I’ll hurry with the shower.”

  He looked helplessly from her to the baby, and just for an instant Geena nearly burst out laughing. How could such a big, tough lawman be so frightened of one tiny infant?

  “What if she starts crying?” he asked.

  Smiling, Geena started out the room. “It won’t hurt her or you.”

  Twenty minutes later, the three of them were in Vince’s personal truck, traveling on the far south side of the city. Geena was still trying to relax and catch her breath after the mad dash of trying to dress and do her hair and makeup in a handful of minutes.

  She glanced down at her simple red flowered sundress. The garment was one of the things Lilly Calhoun had sent to her before Emma was born. Geena had tied a scarf around the loose waist to make it more fitted and thrown a lacy shawl over her shoulders. She looked neat and clean, but hardly dressed for a dinner party.

  “I hope you’re right about this gathering being casual,” she said. “I look like I’m ready to clean house instead of eat dinner with your friends.”

  He glanced over at her, and Geena’s cheeks grew warm under the scrutiny of his brown eyes.

  “I’ve never had a cleaning woman in my house that looked like you.”

  Determined to take his compliment in a light way, she let out a short laugh. “I doubt you ever looked that closely at your cleaning ladies.”

  A faint grin slanted his lips, and the expression lifted Geena’s spirits. For the first time in a long time, he resembled the happy guy she’d first married, the man she’d laughed with and loved with all her heart. She so wanted to see that man again.

  “Not unless they were dressed like a little French maid.”

  Laughing, she looked out the window at the landscape, which was growing more like desert with each passing mile. “It feels good to laugh. These past few months haven’t been easy.”

  “No. I don’t expect they have.”

  She glanced over her shoulder to see Emma sound asleep in the safety seat. Vince had managed to change the baby’s diaper and put the little green dress on her. He’d even tied on a pair of white booties and brushed her fair hair to one side. The fact that he’d tended the baby just as if she was his own swelled her heart with emotion.

  No, Vince could understand and forgive her for giving birth to another man’s child, she decided. But he couldn’t look past the mistakes she’d made as his wife.

  It was just as well, she told herself. She didn’t want another part-time husband. No matter how much she still loved him.

  Determined not to let herself slip into a melancholy mood, she tried to concentrate on the evening ahead. “Do Evan and Noelle live very far out of town?”

  “Several miles. It’ll take about twenty more minutes to get there.”

  “The land is more stark and open out here,” she observed. “It must take a lot of acres just to graze one cow.”

  “Evan and Noelle’s ranch covers a fair amount of land, but they have to supplement the herd with feed and hay. Especially since the drought has worsened.”

  “Marcella explained that Evan’s family owns one of the largest ranches in the state of Nevada. Is that true?”

  He nodded. “Probably the largest. The Silver Horn stretches for miles and miles and extends west nearly to the California state line. The old man, Bart Calhoun, had one son and two daughters, but Orin, the son, was the only one who stuck around and helped him build the empire. He had five sons and two daughters. One of the daughters—she was younger than Evan—died when she was only two of a heart defect. The other daughter, Sassy, was born out of wedlock. She and Jett have a ranch of their own northwest of Carson City, and he’s also the Silver Horn lawyer.”

  “Hmm. With a family that big, I’m sure there’s plenty of family history. I’ve been wondering why Evan has a ranch of his own and why he became a detective. It certainly doesn’t sound like he’s doing it for the salary.”

  Vince grunted. “Not hardly. The Calhouns are incredibly rich. But they’re a responsible, hardworking family. It’s not in any of them to just laze around and live off their wealth.”

  She slanted a thoughtful glance at him. “I guess it’s true that every person needs a purpose to be happy. Without one you just sort of drift.”

  “I remember when you started college right after we were first married,” he said. “You were determined to become a teacher. After we divorced I figured you’d given up on that goal. I’m glad I was wrong. I’m very proud of you for going after what you wanted.”

  Yes, after the divorce she’d somehow found the strength and the determination to acquire her teaching degree. But she’d not had the courage to go after Vince and fight to get him back into her life. A woman had to know her limitations to survive in this world, she thought grimly.

  “Thank you,” she murmured. “I’m proud you achieved your dream of becoming a detective, too.”

  That pulled his gaze off the highway and around to her face. “Are you?”

  His simple question put a resigned smile on her face. “Whatever you might think, Vince, I’ve always wanted you to be happy. And becoming a detective always was your main objective in life.”

  Frowning at the empty highway in front of them, he said, “Yeah. I got what I wanted.”

  At that moment Emma began to fuss, and as Geena looked over the seat at her beautiful little daughter, she wondered if Vince would ever wake up some day and realize he needed more than a gun and a badge to make his life complete.

  Chapte
r Nine

  A few minutes later, when Vince pulled down the short drive to Evan and Noelle’s ranch house, he tried not to express his surprise. There were only two trucks parked near the yard fence. One belonged to Noelle and the other to Evan. If there was going to be a party tonight, the guests must have walked to get here, he decided. Or more likely they’d parked behind the barn.

  “Oh! You said the Calhouns were wealthy, so I was expecting this place to be—extravagant. But it doesn’t look anything like that,” Geena exclaimed with a smile of relief. “It looks like regular folks live here!”

  “The Calhouns are regular folks. Trust me, this house used to be tiny and pretty run-down. After they married, Evan wanted to build Noelle a grand two-story house with all the conveniences, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She’s a simple cowgirl. And a beloved aunt and uncle left her this place. She refuses to change it. Evan was able to persuade her to get a few rooms built on and cover it all with new cedar siding.”

  “From what you say, I already know I’m going to like her,” Geena said.

  Vince smiled to himself. “I’m sure you will.”

  He parked the truck next to Evan’s, and after helping Geena to the ground, he went to the back door to retrieve Emma from her safety seat.

  “You get the diaper bag,” Vince told her. “I want to carry Emma in. Okay?”

  “Sure. I’d be happy for you to.”

  With the baby cradled safely in the crook of his arm, the three of them started toward the front entrance of the house. But before they reached the small porch, Noelle came hurrying down the steps to greet them. Evan followed behind her at a slower pace.

  “Hello, you two! I’m so glad you finally got here!” the woman called to them.

  The tall brunette immediately reached for Geena’s hand. “I’m Noelle,” she introduced herself. “And you’re Geena, no doubt. I’ve been looking forward to this for days.”

  Geena smiled warmly at Evan’s pretty wife. “This is so nice of you to have us for dinner. I hope we’re not putting you out.”

  “Oh, not at all! We don’t have company that often, do we honey?”

  “Just Granddad Bart,” Evan answered with a grin. “He’s the only one who makes a nuisance of himself around here. He’s crazy about Noelle and Joanna. I’m just an afterthought.”

  Laughing, Noelle, moved away from Geena and over to Vince and the pink bundle in his arms. “Okay, it’s plenty warm enough out here to give us a peek,” she said while pulling the blanket back from Emma’s face.

  “Aw, what a sweetheart,” Evan crooned as he peered over his wife’s shoulder at Emma. “And look at you, Vince. You look like you’ve had some experience at this daddy thing.”

  Vince darted a droll look at his partner while Noelle continued to exclaim over Emma.

  “She’s a doll!” Noelle looked hopefully at her husband. “Oh, honey, I know you want our next one to be a boy, but just look at her. She’s precious!”

  Laughing, Evan smacked a kiss on his wife’s cheek. “Boy or girl, whatever we get will be precious. Now, don’t you think we’d better get our guests into the house? Before the food gets cold?”

  “Oh! Oh, yes. Let’s go in. Everything is ready and waiting.”

  As the four adults walked onto the porch, Geena asked, “Where is your little girl, Joanna?”

  Evan and Noelle exchanged glances before Noelle said, “Talulah, our nanny, agreed to stay over while we—had dinner. In case I needed her to help keep Joanna corralled. They’re back in the den.”

  “Talulah? I thought your nanny’s name was Helen,” Vince said as the group moved through the door and into a small living area.

  “Helen had to quit,” Evan explained. “She needed hip replacement surgery. Grandmother Alice was acquainted with Talulah and recommended her. She’s a young Paiute woman who lives on the outskirts of Virginia City.”

  “And frankly, she’s wonderful,” Noelle spoke up. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

  “Honey, why don’t you take Geena on to the dining room?” Evan suggested to his wife. “I’ll take Vince and Emma to the den.”

  Noelle shot her husband a furtive smile. “Great idea,” she agreed, then looped her arm through Geena’s. “Come on, Geena. Don’t worry about Emma. Evan’s an old hand with babies. And we’ve set up Joanna’s bassinet for Emma to use while you’re here.”

  With Noelle tugging on her arm, Geena had no choice but to follow the woman out of the room and down a short hallway.

  “That’s so thoughtful of you. But maybe I should bring Emma with me,” Geena suggested. “If she starts crying I might not hear her. I can hold her and eat at the same time.”

  “Of course you can. But don’t worry. The men will see after her.”

  Puzzled, Geena looked at Evan’s wife. “But aren’t the men going to eat with us?”

  Noelle suddenly began to laugh. The reaction only confused Geena even more.

  “Not exactly,” Noelle said with a wide grin, then drew her through an arched doorway and into a dining room filled with women.

  Geena stopped in her tracks and stared in wonder at the group seated at a long table, beautifully decorated with bowls of pink roses and white peonies. In the center was a tiered pink cake edged with tiny white rosebuds. A few feet away was another smaller table piled high with wrapped gifts.

  The moment the women spotted Noelle and Geena, their chattering stopped and they all began to smile.

  “Finally,” an attractive redhead spoke up. “Let’s get this party started!”

  “Oh!” Geena looked to Noelle for an explanation. “Are you celebrating someone’s birthday?”

  “This isn’t a birthday party, Geena,” Noelle explained. “This is a baby shower for you and Emma.”

  Completely dumbfounded, Geena glanced back at the group of women. It was then she noticed Marcella’s familiar face.

  “I’m sorry, Geena,” Noelle explained as she continued to lead her deeper into the room. “I had Vince tell you a little fib about coming out here to have dinner. I wanted this to be a big surprise.”

  Overcome with emotions, Geena’s eyes brimmed with tears as she glanced up at Evan’s wife. “I don’t know what to say,” she said in a small voice. “I’m totally stunned.”

  Noelle’s smile was a picture of kindness and understanding. “You don’t have to say anything. We just want you to enjoy yourself. Come on and I’ll introduce you to everybody, and then we’ll eat and you can open your gifts. I better warn you, though. I didn’t fix a big dinner like Vince told you,” she added with a laugh. “But there’s plenty for all of us to munch on.”

  *

  More than two hours later, after the food was eaten, the gifts opened and the guests departed, Noelle and Geena relaxed on a long, comfortable couch in the den. Little dark-haired Joanna had finally succumbed to all the excitement and was curled asleep in the cushion of a big armchair. Lying on the couch between the two women, Emma was wide-awake, squirming and waving her tiny fists through the air.

  Noelle looked lovingly down at the baby. “I think everyone, except Marcella, was annoyed with me when I told them you weren’t going to pass Emma around the group. I’m sorry, but she’s still too young to be exposed to that many strangers. No matter how much they all wanted to hold her.”

  “I’m glad you took it upon yourself to tell them. I certainly wasn’t going to,” Geena said regrettably. “Not after everyone gave me such nice gifts and took time out of their schedules to come tonight. I feel bad about disappointing them.”

  Noelle batted a dismissive hand through the air. “Don’t worry about it. They all got to see Emma from a healthy distance. And we had a great time. I’m still stuffed with cake.” She rubbed her tummy and grinned. “Not a good way to start a pregnancy. After tonight I’m leaving rich desserts off my plate.”

  Surprised, Geena looked over at her. “You’re pregnant? Congratulations!”

  “Thanks. I’m only a few weeks alon
g. But we’re already very excited.”

  No doubt, Geena thought. Being an only child and losing her father at a young age had filled her with the hope that someday she’d have a big family of her own. In the first few years of their marriage, she’d often joked with Vince about wanting a dozen kids, or at the very least, a half dozen. In truth, she would’ve been over the moon to be pregnant with a first child, much less a second. But between her college studies and his job, they’d decided a child would have to wait.

  After a while everything that had once been important to her had been put on the waiting list. Until she eventually began to feel like her whole marriage had been put on hold.

  Pushing those sad thoughts aside, Geena said, “I’m sure the both of you are thrilled. It surprises me, though, that some of your friends or relatives didn’t mention your pregnancy tonight. Especially with the party being a baby shower.”

  Noelle laughed softly, and Geena decided it wasn’t just the brunette’s physical appearance that made her such a lovely woman, but rather the glow of happiness that radiated from within.

  “That’s because no one knows about it yet. Except Evan. I don’t even think he’s told Vince yet. Unless he lets it slip while they’re down at the barn looking at the new colt.”

  The two men had left the house more than thirty minutes ago, and although Geena was growing a little tired from the long evening, she was glad he was enjoying this relaxing time away from work with his friend.

  “I imagine those two have plenty to talk about.”

  Noelle nodded. “You know, Vince became a detective two years before Evan. And I’m so thankful they paired my husband with your—uh—”

  “Ex,” Geena finished Noelle’s awkward pause.

  “Well, okay, ex,” she complied. “Although you two don’t exactly seem like a divorced couple. I certainly couldn’t picture my ex-husband doing the things Vince has for you since you arrived in Carson City.”

  Geena blushed. “I didn’t realize you’d been married before.”

  “Unfortunately, I picked a real stinker the first time. But meeting Evan and building this ranch into a home with him makes all that seem insignificant now. I would’ve thought Vince had told you that much about me.”