Baby in the Bargain

by Tessa Berkley

  “No need for that, Mr. Davis. You’re still the most handsome.”

  He gave a deep chuckle. “You keep them on their toes, young lady.”

  “Will do,” she murmured with an affirming nod.

  Behind them, a horse neighed. Willamenia shifted her gaze to the corral. “Oh, my, that’s a pretty one.”

  She stepped up to the fence. Her boots found the first rung, and then she swung the other leg over the top rail and climbed on board. Her eyes caught every movement of the burnished chestnut whose coat resembled a patchwork quilt, white splotches scattered across her body from her neck to her tail. The mare pranced back and forth along the fence line, her eyes focused on the corral at the far end.

  “She’s out of my mare Stardust.”

  “She’s got some fine moves, sir.”

  Willamenia continued to watch as the silky mane tossed. The ends caught in the breeze, and the sun captured the rays of light before settling the flaxen hair against her neck.

  “I hear you brought your stallion back with you,” Davis said.

  To answer the question in his tone, they heard Silverheels’ deep, neighing call. The mare paused, her ears forward, eyes focused across the way to where the stallion stood waiting.

  “I did.” Willamenia chuckled.

  “I’d like to discuss breeding my mare.”

  She nodded and stepped down from the rail. Sticking her hands in the back of her jeans, she took a deep breath. “Of course, sir. His stud fee is a thousand dollars, but for you, I’d lower it to half.”

  “No. No, you won’t.” Big Jim Davis gave her a stern look. “You will get the full fee.” Pulling out his wallet, he began to count out some bills.

  Willamenia covered his hand with hers. “No, sir.” She gave a shake of her head. “I won’t accept payment until we know she takes.”

  His gaze found hers.

  “Are you sure?” He seemed skeptical.

  “I am.” She swallowed and wondered if her father would give her holy down-in-the-country for the statement. “I’m sure there will be no problem. However, it makes me feel better to make sure your mare is in foal before money changes hands.”

  He gave a nod. “As you wish.”

  Shoving the bills back into his wallet, he stuck the folded leather into his back pocket.

  “Willamenia,” her father said, “I’m going to get the paperwork started. Why don’t you see to the stall and padlock next to Silverheels.”

  “Yes, sir, I’m going inside to check on things, and then I’ll get it done.”

  “I’ll take care of that,” her father answered.

  She looked past Big Jim to her father, who had the decency to glance at his feet as he informed her, “Alli was asleep by the time Mr. Davis got here. I gave her lunch and got her settled.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Just let me know when she wakes.”

  “Will do. Mr. Davis, this way.”

  Jeremiah’s hand arched as he showed the owner of the Diamond D to the house. As they walked away, she heard Big Jim inquire, “Who’s Alli?”

  Not missing a single beat, her father answered, “Willamenia’s daughter.”

  “Daughter?”

  Surprise shadowed his question. She closed her eyes, dreading the next comment.

  “I didn’t know she’d gotten married.”

  “She’s not,” her father replied.

  His words were sharp. The damning condemnation punctuated by the slam of the screen door acted more like a slap than any act of punishment she’d received in the past. Her head dropped and hung against her chest as her shoulders sagged. Without a sound of protest, she walked toward the barn, the toes of her boots dragging against the dirt.

  ****

  Lee yawned as he padded over to the rail of his front porch. He always liked this time of day—perfect, unspoiled by human intervention. He leaned against the post and drew the coffee cup in his hand toward his mouth. The warm liquid stood quietly on his tongue, then gently slid down his throat, washing away the grit and grind from sleep. In the distance, the sun rose over the tips of the mountains and cast a pale golden hint on the land below.

  “It don’t get better than this,” he murmured to the bugs darting from flower to flower at his feet.

  Backing up, he settled into the rocking chair and watched the ranch come to life. Two horses frolicked in their enclosure next to the barn, while a rooster and his following moseyed out from the barn to scratch in the dirt.

  “If this is so perfect, why is my gut so twisted?” Lee sighed. He knew. It had all started three days ago and centered around Cactus Gulch’s latest arrival. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the rocker. The image of her heavy golden hair pulled back in the ponytail sprang to his mind, just as it had done the last few nights every time he tried to slip into a deep sleep.

  “I need about twelve hours of sleep to make up for what I didn’t get last night.”

  “You think that will help?”

  A second voice and a set of footsteps echoed across the wooden steps leading up to where he stood. Lee opened one eye and watched his kid sister advance.

  “What gives you the right to sneak up on a body?”

  “My ancestors.” Ariella Hawks grinned at her brother as she plopped down on the rocker next to his. “Enjoying the sunrise?”

  “Uh-huh. Now, shush.”

  He could hear her smile as they enjoyed the silence.

  “So,” she whispered, “I guess it’s true.”

  Lee opened both eyes and turned his head to gaze at his sister, her face illuminated by the sun. Her skin had a soft bronze that reflected their Native American heritage, her dark hair pulled back and twisted high on her head with a plastic clip.

  “What’s true?”

  “She’s back. That’s why you can’t sleep.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  His sister had the audacity to laugh. “You know what to do, big bro, but are you man enough to take her on?”

  Lee’s ears tingled as the heat rushed up his face.

  Ariella rose and turned to face him. The expression on his face only increased her mirth. Her laughter rose from her toes and tumbled out her lips. She stepped in front of him and placed a hand on each arm of the rocker, blocking him from getting away.

  “Wake up, big brother. You’ve never stopped having the hots for one certain barrel racer. Now that she’s back in town, it’s only taken a few short days for her to tie you into knots.”

  “Is this your diagnosis?”

  Her laughter got the better of her again.

  “Don’t let the white coat fool you. It doesn’t take a degree from Baylor and elsewhere to figure you out.”

  “Stick to taking care of the sick, sis.”

  Lee pushed her hands away and rose from the chair. The barbs she’d thrown sank deep into his skin, opening up old wounds—wounds he wanted left alone. Still laughing, Ariella reached the front door and pulled open the screen.

  “Do us all a favor. Go get that job at the training and breeding facility and get her to marry you once and for all.”

  Lee’s mouth turned into a scowl.

  “How did you know about that?”

  She winked. “Had an early cup of coffee at the diner. Come to find out, you’re the talk of the town.”

  He snorted. “Great.”

  “Get that job.” The words came out with teasing lilt.

  He cast a cynical glance in her direction. “Like Jeremiah Cogsdale is going to walk out of his house glad to see me, shake my hand, and say, ‘Damn, Lee, glad you came.’ ”

  His sister’s expression grew serious. “You never know until you try.”

  “I like my body to be free of holes, thank you,” he snapped back.

  In the distance, one of his horses whinnied, asking for breakfast.

  “Look, I’ll think about it.”

  She nodded.

  “Now, move in or out. I need to get my boots and g
et my chores done.”

  Twenty minutes later, scooping the sweet feed into the buckets, he thought about what his sister had to say. Yeah, it was all easy when someone spoke about it, but reality would put his past dealings with Willamenia into the mix. Jeremiah had never approved of his daughter dating him. Getting caught in the hayloft of the barn half dressed when they were in their senior year of high school hadn’t helped.

  He dumped the food and glanced at the mare enjoying the treat.

  “Maybe if I make it a business venture, he might be persuaded to take me on,” Lee mused.

  Putting the bucket down, he crossed his arms and tilted his head, a dark grimace transforming his features as he weighed his options. Finally, with a shake of his head, Lee picked up the bucket again and placed it in the feed room.

  “I’m now officially certifiably crazy,” he grunted.

  Snatching his keys from his pocket, he headed toward the truck.

  Chapter Three

  “I said, Put your hands up and stay where I can see you.”

  Yeah, just as I thought, I need my head examined. “Mr. Cogsdale, sir, I just want to talk to your son about a job.”

  As he spoke, Lee wiggled his foot along the ground and inched forward.

  “Dad-burn-it! I said, Keep your distance!”

  The screen door cracked open and the barrel of a shotgun protruded from the shadows. Lee’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could jump back, a shot fired from the opening hit the ground in front of him, and gravel, rock, and bits of earth peppered his body.

  Throwing his hands in front of his face, Lee rushed behind the tailgate of his truck and crouched down. The hammering of his heart against his ribs played like the soundtrack of some slasher movie. Keeping his head down, he shouted, “You old coot! You’re trying to kill me!”

  Laughter erupted. “If I was trying to kill you, you would be taking your last breath.”

  “Grandpa!” a female voice shouted. Lee had no doubt of the identity. A turn of his head and he watched Willamenia beat a path from the barn toward the house.

  “Get down!” he hissed.

  As she rounded an old oak and drew abreast of him, his hand shot out and wrapped around her slight wrist. With a tug, he pulled her toward him. The momentum of her pace careened Willamenia into his body.

  “Oomph!”

  Her shoulder slammed into his chest, sending both their bodies into the dirt, and the breath left his body for more than one reason. The warmth of her body molded perfectly to his. She must have felt it, because her eyes widened.

  “What’s going on?” she hissed.

  “Your grandfather has gone pure loco.” Lee grimaced as she rolled off his body. Shifting, he pulled her behind him, placing his body in front of hers for protection. “Stay there.”

  “He’s my grandfather,” she fussed. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  Lee turned and raised a brow in doubt before turning back toward the house.

  “Who was he shouting at? You?” Her whispered breath tickled his ear. Had they not been in such a predicament, he would definitely consider it a turn-on.

  “Me. Now, just get down.”

  “Willamenia?” her grandfather called out. “Girl, are you okay?”

  Her hands tightened on his shoulders as she stood. “I’m going to talk to him.”

  “Don’t!”

  His warning went unheeded as she stood and inched away. “Grandpa?”

  “Has he hurt you?”

  “No. No, Grandpa,” she shouted back. “I’m fine. See? I’m going to walk around the truck now.”

  Lee drew his legs beneath him, ready to pounce should she need help.

  “Can you see me out here, Grandpa?”

  “I see you and hear you.”

  Willamenia paused. “I’m going to raise my hands so you can see I’m holding nothing.”

  Lee dampened his lips and cut a glance at the porch.

  “See, nothing in my hands.” She inched forward. “Put down the gun, please, Grandpa.”

  Lee’s hand found the side of the truck, and he eased to a half stand, then peered over the edge of the truck.

  “Nope. Not as long as a Hawks is lurking around,” her grandfather shouted.

  “Willamenia, he’s loco.”

  “Shh.” She lowered her hand to swat away the words as if his concern was no more than a pesky mosquito after a quick lunch.

  “Grandpa, Lee wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  “He’s a Hawks.”

  “Put down the gun, please,” she begged.

  Lee raised his head above the metal frame.

  “Come back.”

  The click of a hammer sent chills down his spine. Willamenia stopped.

  “Grandpa, don’t.”

  The second barrel of the gun unloaded. A tire on the rear of the truck exploded as it went flat. Willamenia drew her arms down and around her body as she screamed and flinched away.

  “Enough!”

  Lee sprinted forward and grabbed her, half carrying, half pushing her back behind the truck.

  “GRANDPA!”

  This time, her hysterical scream brought another body rounding the corner.

  “Willa!” Jeremiah Cogsdale roared.

  Willamenia pointed at the porch. “It’s Grandpa!”

  Her father moved toward the porch. “Dad, it’s me, Jeremiah. Put the weapon down.”

  “It’s a Hawks.”

  “I don’t care who it is, put the gun down!”

  They clung together and watched as Willamenia’s father pushed open the screen door and grabbed the barrel of the weapon.

  “Dad, what in the blazes has gotten into you?”

  With her father in charge of the weapon, Willamenia eased her grip from Lee’s shoulders and took a step back, opening up some distance between them.

  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

  Lee took a step to make sure his trembling legs would hold. Together they walked around to inspect the damage to his truck. His eyes were drawn to the shattered rubber around the rim of his rear tire. Grasping the hat from his head, Lee pulled it off and slapped it against his thigh. He tried counting to ten, but his words still came out harsh, like the spitting of a male cat ready to attack.

  “My tire!”

  He heard her step behind him and felt the warmth of her tender touch upon his shoulder.

  “Oh, Lee, I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t have a spare,” he groused.

  One deep breath followed the other as he tried to calm down.

  “He’s a Hawks,” came a familiar squawk. “You know they’re good for nothing.” The old man on the porch spit. “That’s what got into me.”

  “Go into the house, Dad. You’re through causing trouble today,” Lee heard Jeremiah Cogsdale urge his father.

  Her hand slipped from his shoulder.

  “I’ll buy you a new tire,” she murmured. “I can call Monty over at Rim Tires. I’ll have him here in an hour.”

  Lee gave a shake of his head.

  Gravel crunched. Slowly, Lee turned his head and watched Jeremiah approach. He couldn’t help the snake-eyed gaze leveled toward him. Stepping away, he wanted Jeremiah to see the scope of the damage caused by his father.

  “I’m awfully sorry, Lee.” Jeremiah held the gun at arm’s length and met Lee’s gaze. “I can assure you it won’t happen again.”

  Lee felt the muscles along his jaw flex. He gave Jeremiah a steely glance, then narrowed his gaze as he looked toward the porch. “Right.”

  An awkward silence engulfed them.

  “What brings you here?” Willamenia asked, changing the subject.

  He swallowed. It didn’t seem such a bright idea now. He glanced at her father, then back to Willamenia. Pulling out the piece of paper he’d taken from the feed and seed, Lee simply said, “The job.”

  ****

  The moment Willamenia caught a glimpse of Lee crouched behind his truck, her heart leapt into her throat. Rushing
forward, she’d been stunned when his fingers encircled her wrist, and with his powerful tug, she’d melted against his body. Suddenly, all her lady parts jingled to life. The dark brown of his eyes morphed into the color of semi-sweet chocolate—sugary and bitter, easily addictive, and bad for her health, just like the real thing.

  Standing alongside, she listened to the conversation between him and her father and watched dumbfounded as a familiar slip of paper unfolded in his hands.

  “The ad,” she gasped.

  Eyes rounding, heart pounding, she watched as he took his time and unfolded the notice she’d hung in the feed and seed.

  Lee handed it to her father.

  “I’ve worked with horses all my life, but you know that.”

  Her father nodded.

  “I’d like a chance to work with you, Mr. Cogsdale.”

  Her father’s lips thinned as he glanced over to Lee. “Why do I sense a ‘but’ coming?”

  Lee’s only sign of nervousness proved to be his tongue, which darted out and swiped across his upper lip. Instantly, she recalled the feel of it skimming over her arm and on to the sensitive skin of her neck. Despite her misgivings, she shivered at the memory. Putting her father between them, she stepped over behind him and pretended to focus on the paper.

  “You need a job?” Willamenia’s father raised his brow in disbelief.

  “I do. However, there is an addendum. I don’t need the salary.”

  Her father’s eyes widened. He gave a quick suspicious glance at his daughter before meeting Lee’s eyes. “Every rancher needs money.”

  Lee folded his arms. “Every rancher needs stock.”

  Another silence followed as they stared each other down for an awkward moment.

  “I need to bring new blood into my herd. I’d like to take the salary and turn it into breeding fees for two of my mares.”

  “Who are you planning on breeding to?”

  Willamenia’s heart contracted. She knew. He didn’t have to say it.

  Still, he did.

  “Silverheels. If you are interested in my services, I’ll work for you for free.”

  Her father stepped back, forcing Willamenia to step aside. Lee’s glance fell upon her in full force. She glanced at her father. His hand came up and rubbed his chin. As the birds chirped, his hand came down, and he folded his arms over his chest to study Lee.