Baby in the Bargain

by Tessa Berkley

  Willamenia swallowed. “Nothing, Dad.”

  For a moment, he stared at her. She knew that look. It was the same one she used to receive for curfew violations. Yet tonight, it was almost as if her father couldn’t bear to watch her lie to him.

  “Toss me your keys. I’ll move the truck and trailer. You can disconnect your rig in the morning. Get some sleep, Willamenia. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”

  “Yes, sir,” she whispered as she handed him her keys. She watched him walk out the door and felt like a complete heel. Sitting on the bed, she pulled her boots off one by one and then curled up on it, pulling a pillow to her chest and crushing it against her heart. “I can’t tell you yet, Dad. Please, don’t judge me.”

  ****

  Morning came early. Willamenia heard her father move down the hall and take the stairs to the first floor. Even though she craved another hour of sleep, she couldn’t afford to look like a slacker. Lifting her body from the bed, she made sure Alli was still sleeping. Then, rising, she hurried into the bathroom for a shower. Returning to the room, she found a bright smile greeting her from the portable crib.

  “Morning, Sunshine.”

  Alli raised her hands, begging her mother to lift her from the crib, and Willamenia scooped her up and cradled her against her chest.

  “Time for a diaper change, and then we’ll get some breakfast.”

  Necessities taken care of, Willamenia hurried down to the kitchen, bottle filled with formula in hand. The smell of coffee and bacon permeated the air. Standing outside the kitchen door, she could hear the two most important men in her life talking.

  “She can’t afford to work and take care of the baby, Jeremiah. Use some common sense,” her grandfather argued.

  “She’ll find a way,” her father’s feisty gruff voice answered back.

  A big snort followed. “How about if she straps the infant to her back, like them women from a third world country? You think Big Jim is going to like that?”

  “Big Jim can do what he likes, but she’s going to earn her keep,” her father snapped.

  Plastering a bright smile on her face to chase away the tears, Willamenia pushed on the door, and their voices ceased.

  “Morning. Is there a pan I can boil some water?”

  Her dad jerked his thumb to the cabinet on his left side.

  Willamenia hurried over and pulled out a saucepan, then moved to the sink to fill it with water.

  “How do you feel this morning, Grandpa?”

  “Oh, fine. Just fine.” He lifted his cup to hide the scowl that formed on his face as he stared at her dad.

  “Give me that,” her father grumbled and placed the saucepan of water on the stove.

  Willamenia moved to the table and drew out a chair beside her grandfather. “Look at this, Alli. You and your great-grandpa are gonna have breakfast together.”

  She watched her grandfather put out a finger. The little girl latched on to it and offered a smile.

  “She’s a cute little button.” He chuckled. “You call her Alli?”

  Willamenia nodded. “Her name is Allison Mary Cogsdale. I named her after Momma and Grandma.”

  “That’s nice.”

  She heard her father sigh.

  “Here.” He walked over and put the pan on the table.

  “Hold Alli for me, Grandpa.”

  Willamenia shifted the child into her grandfather’s lap and unscrewed the cap to the bottle. After pouring the water in, she put the top back on and began to shake the mixture up. “So what do we have planned for today?”

  Her dad slid a platter of food onto the table and leveled her grandfather a hard stare. “I have a little job I want you to help me with.”

  “Oh?” She glanced between the two. Her grandfather wouldn’t meet her eyes.

  “I have to go out of town for the Diamond D in a few days. I’m thinking of taking on some help.”

  “Help?” Willamenia glanced at her grandfather, then over to her dad. “But Dad, I can do the work.”

  “I didn’t say you couldn’t. I said I wanted to hire help because it’s going to be a lot even for you.” He let out a sigh. “Big Jim has been after me for months to get someone in. Maybe it’s time. I’m not so hot on the computer, so after we eat, you and I will go to the den and make a handbill. I want you to take it to the feed store.”

  “Sure, Dad, anything you say.”

  ****

  Lee Hawks crouched down to look at the stack of saddle blankets. He needed to replace a few worn-out pieces before he began breaking the next round of horses that showed up at Hawk’s Lair. Tugging at the bottom of the pile, he pulled out a deep-red-and-black Navaho Indian pattern that caught his eye. Thick and well woven, it would stand many years of wear. Standing again, he had turned his back to the shelf and opened the blanket to view the workmanship when the bell over the door to the feed and seed jingled. Boots scurried along the worn wooden heart-of-pine boards. His heart began to race. A fine sheen of perspiration began to layer upon his upper lip as the air around him evaporated.

  “Morning, Mr. Smith.”

  He didn’t have to turn around to know who had just walked back into his life. Her warm voice tore open the past and brought a flood of memories rushing forward, including nights in a camper as they laughed and talked about their dreams.

  “Willamenia, when did you get home?” the proprietor questioned.

  “Came in last night, Mr. Smith. Sure is good to see you.”

  Hearing her name spoken caused the hairs on his arms to stand on end. Blanket forgotten, Lee moved down past the saddles on display. Peering through the end of the aisle, he saw that two years had not diminished the want that slammed into his soul. Her back to him, that long blonde hair with shimmers of fiery highlights was bound in a braid almost to her waist. Lee’s fingers itched to pull the rubber band from the end. Then, as his lips blazed a trail along her shoulder to her ear, he would untangle those locks and fill his hands with their silky touch.

  His short pantings filled the air. Get a hold of yourself, cowboy! He gave a shake of his head. Remember, she’s just a woman. Even if those words were spoken only in his head, Lee wanted desperately to laugh aloud. There was nothing about Willamenia Cogsdale that would ever be “just a woman.” He inched closer to listen in on the conversation.

  “So are you here to stay?”

  “For a while.” She seesawed, staring down at the counter.

  Mr. Smith shook his head.

  “Perchance, do you still own the best pound of horseflesh Texas hill country ever threw?” He leaned against the counter and lowered his voice. “You still put him out to stud, right?”

  Her head bobbed. “A thousand dollars a shot.”

  Mr. Smith reached up and placed a finger aside of his nose and gave her a wink. “I know a few folks that will be glad to hear that.”

  “Thank you. I’d appreciate it if you would pass the word.”

  The owner of the feed and seed straightened. He glanced over at the corner where Lee stood. Quickly, Lee slipped around and pretended to look at something else. Behind him, he heard the owner clear his throat.

  “But that’s not why you’re here, is it?”

  “No, my father is seeking some help out at the training and breeding facility. He’d like to put up this flyer, if it’s okay?”

  “Sure. Sure.”

  Lee glanced over his shoulder and watched him point toward the huge corkboard that lined the back wall.

  “Put it right up there.”

  “Thanks.”

  Lee stepped back into the shadows and watched as she walked past. The scent of honeysuckle and roses swirled. Her gaze focused on the board, she walked past without noticing him. The paper posted, she turned and, with a wave, walked toward the doorway.

  “Thanks, Mr. Smith,” she called.

  The door opened, the bell jingled, and Willamenia once again walked out of his life.

  Chapter Two

  Lee clenched
his teeth and stared at the departing figure. She never noticed. I could feel her the moment she walked through the door, and she never noticed me. His heart hardened. Beneath the shadow of his hat, he narrowed his gaze at the doorway.

  “Damn,” he muttered without regret as the word slipped from his lips with all the venom he could muster. “Did I mean so little?”

  He turned toward the corkboard. His gaze immediately sought out the piece of paper she had pinned there. Lee drew a deep breath, then walked quietly toward the board. Reaching out, he tugged the sheet from underneath the tack and stared at the words printed there.

  “What’s she need?”

  Lee glanced over his left shoulder at the man standing off to the side. James Smith, owner of the feed and seed, seemed focused on the paper he held. With a deep sigh, Lee glanced at the paper and summed up the request.

  “She needs a hand.”

  “Hand, huh?”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Smith scratch his chin.

  “That’s something you can do. Young fella like yourself, it should be no trouble.”

  Lee cut his glance over to Smith. The owner of the feed and seed appeared to have the expression of a pious saint.

  “How about that. Something I can do.” His words took on a sarcastic sting, but Smith ignored it. Folding the piece of paper into a small square, Lee stuck it into the pocket of his jeans. “Now, about that horse blanket.”

  James blinked. “You looking at a horse blanket?”

  “Horse blanket,” Lee repeated.

  “Oh, well, they’re over here. You have one in mind?”

  Together, they ambled over to the display, and Lee picked up the one he’d admired.

  “Oh, nice work in that one,” Smith agreed.

  “How much?”

  “Sixty-five. Hand woven on the reservation.”

  Lee paused and glanced at him.

  “Is it too much?” Smith asked. “I mean, you can always take a second job. I’ll hold it for you.” He gave a nod toward Lee. “That piece of paper in your pocket could help.”

  The muscles along Lee’s jaw twitched. “Never mind about that piece of paper.” He handed the blanket to the owner of the feed and seed. “I’ll take it.”

  “You sure?”

  Lee lowered his head and glowered at the owner. Smith turned, and Lee followed him toward the counter.

  “You’re good with horses. It only makes sense that you take the job.”

  Lee fumbled as he removed his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  James Smith pushed the keys on the old cash register to record the sale. “Say, come to think of it, didn’t you have a thing for Willamenia when you two were in high school?”

  Lee shifted on his feet and refused to meet James’ glance. “What was that cost again?”

  “Sixty-five.”

  He opened his wallet and pulled out the bills. Handing them over, James took the money and pushed another key. The bell on the register rang, and the drawer opened. Lee watched as he pulled out the change.

  “Here you go.” Smith held out his change, a five-dollar bill.

  Snatching it, Lee shoved it into his wallet and stuck that back in his pocket. “Thanks.”

  He picked up the blanket, tucked it under his arm, and turned toward the door. As his hand hit the knob, Smith spoke again.

  “Sure wouldn’t let a second chance with Willamenia get put out of the way by my pride.”

  Lee took a steady breath, then opened the door and walked out.

  The heat of Cactus Gulch rose to fill his nostrils as he strode over to his old pickup truck parked in front of the store. The window was already down, so he just tossed the blanket through, onto the passenger seat. Hands on the roof, his gaze wandered up and down the wide main street that was the center of town. There was no sign of the truck from the Diamond D or the beauty who was driving it.

  “She must have been in a hurry to get out of town.” He gave a grunt. “Always wanted to see Cactus Gulch in the rearview mirror. Guess things really haven’t changed, have they?”

  Either his mouth felt dry or he needed to wash the taste from his lips; whatever the reason, Lee needed a drink. The Lucky Quarter wouldn’t open till past sundown, so it would have to be the Peacemaker Bar and Grill. On the driver’s side, he reached in through the open window and opened the door.

  “Yep, need to get that fixed, too,” he grumbled as he slipped behind the wheel and started the truck.

  The drive to the north side of town didn’t take long. Heat from the car hoods shimmered as he made his way across the parking lot to the doorway. Lee paused to stomp the loose dirt from his boots. He opened the front door, and the blast of cool air nearly took his breath away. A blink of his eyes, and he adjusted to the shadows.

  At the reception desk, Emerson Andrews stood poised and waiting for him. Her bright smile lit up her face.

  “Afternoon, Lee. Good to see you today. Here for lunch?”

  He swept his hat from his head.

  “Afternoon, Emerson. Yes, thought I’d get a bite before heading back to the spread.”

  “Do you want a table? The lunch crowd is already in, but I have a few left today, due to the heat.”

  Lee shook his head. “No, ma’am, bar will do.”

  With a nod of her head, Emerson led him through the packed room of the broad tavern to the long bar that ran the length of the back wall.

  “Here you go.” She placed the menu on the top of the bar. “Enjoy.”

  “Thanks,” he murmured as she walked away.

  Placing his hat on the next stool, Lee climbed up on the stool in front of him. His gaze centered on the words printed on the menu, but his mind focused upon the words he’d read on the scrap of paper in his jeans. His right hand lowered and covered the pocket where it rested. He dampened his lips. I could do it. If Jeremiah Cogsdale would hire him, it would be a big factor. It would mean that he would spend a lot of time near her. A fate that was both heaven and hell.

  “What will it be?”

  He startled and glanced up to the ruddy face of David Polk.

  “Afternoon, David.”

  “Lee. You looking for some lunch?”

  “Yeah, I’m thinking burger and some fries.”

  “Sure.” David gave a nod. “Long neck?”

  Lee shook his head. “No. Ice tea.”

  He pushed the menu toward the bartender.

  “I’m on it.” David picked up the menu and stuck it behind the bar before he grabbed a glass beer stein, filled it with ice, poured a generous amount of sweet tea inside, and placed it in front of Lee.

  Lee grasped the handle and took a sip. “Just what the doctor ordered.”

  David flipped a paper coaster onto the highly polished wood. “Can I say something and you won’t get mad?”

  Lee gave him a hesitant look. “Come again?”

  The bartender looked at the bar and ran the cloth over the surface. With a shrug of his shoulders, he repeated. “Can I tell you something?”

  Lee picked up the mug and lifted it halfway, then paused. “Sure.”

  David took a quick glance to assure himself that no other ears were tuned in on their conversation. Stepping closer, he lowered his voice. “Word on the street has it that she is back in town.”

  Lee took another sip from the mug. There was no doubt regarding the identity of the “she” he meant.

  “If you’re referring to Willamenia, you’re a tad too late.”

  David paused in mild surprise as Lee placed his mug on the coaster. Crossing his arms over the bar, he gave David a matter-of-fact stare.

  “Ran into her at the feed and seed.”

  David’s eyes widened. “You didn’t.”

  Lee nodded his head.

  “She came in last night. Levi Clarkson saw her trailer at the Quick Stop. I heard she brought that stallion with her. Stud fee is a grand.”

  “You don’t
say.” Lee sighed.

  “Order up!” The call from the kitchen reverberated in the room.

  David moved away and within a moment returned with a warm plate.

  “Enjoy.”

  David moved away and left Lee staring down at his food with little enthusiasm. “Right. Enjoy,” he groused.

  ****

  Willamenia pulled the truck to a stop at the entrance to the ranch. Taking her hands from the wheel, she lifted them upward and watched as they trembled. “Some things never change.”

  From the moment she’d entered the feed and seed, the hairs on her arms stood on end. She didn’t see him. Still, she knew he was there.

  “Lee Hawks, I didn’t think you’d still be in town.”

  Lawd! She put her forehead on the steering wheel. How was she going to keep her heart safe?

  “Breathe,” she reminded herself. “Just breathe.” She lifted her head and focused on the picturesque ranch scene in the distance. “There’s no way Lee Hawks would ever lower himself to work for my father.” She summoned her courage, reached for the key, and the truck hummed back to life. “No matter what happens, I can never let him know.”

  The truck pulled into the drive. Willamenia noticed her father standing shoulder to shoulder with another familiar figure. Shifting the vehicle into park, she turned the motor off and slipped from behind the wheel. She grabbed her hat and slapped it into place, and then, as calm as she could, she sauntered over to the fence where they stood.

  The sound of her boots on the gravel drew their heads around. She recognized the second figure. His face was a bit older than she remembered, but the sparkle in his eyes had never changed.

  Willamenia extended her hand. “Mr. Davis, it’s good to see you again.”

  “Willamenia.”

  He took her hand and gave a firm shake. Then, throwing protocol to the wind, he pulled her to him for a deep bear hug.

  “Come here.” He gave a squeeze. “When I heard you’d come home, I wanted to be the first one to welcome you back.”

  The hug ended, but he only released her as far as his arms would extend. “My, you’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.” He gave a wink. “I’m jealous of these young boys.”

  A blush crept into her cheeks and filled them with heat.