Baby in the Bargain

by Tessa Berkley

  “What’s in it for Willamenia?”

  With a deep breath, Lee offered his bargain. “First colt.”

  “Which two mares?” She broke in before her father could speak.

  “Maggie and Doodlebug,” he answered.

  Willamenia blinked. Those two mares were his pride and joy. Because their bloodlines could be traced back to the beginning of the Quarter horse breed, they were considered Heritage stock. Oh, how she wanted a colt from their bloodlines! She breathed low and deep.

  “Dad?” Her voice was half wanting, half begging. He lifted a hand, and she quieted.

  “You will have to stay on the premises. Who will be looking after your stock?”

  Her gaze shifted over to Lee.

  “My sister. There will be only two mares in the barn. The rest are out on the summer pasture. I will bring the other two horses for breeding.”

  “There won’t be any problem? Your sister is still working at the hospital, isn’t she?”

  He nodded. “Yes, sir, she is. But if there is any problem, I will give her a list of names to call for help.”

  “It’s that important to you?”

  “It is.”

  Willamenia waited, her nerves stretched tight. Her father seemed to be taking a long time to make up his mind, as if something other than the horses was fueling his skeptical nature. Finally, she caught the nod of her father’s head.

  “All right, we’ll give it a try.”

  She let out the breath she’d been holding. Yes, it was going to happen.

  “Willamenia?”

  “Yes, Dad?”

  “Draw up the paperwork.” He turned to Lee. “You are to be here by seven in the morning. Be prepared to work.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  They watched her father move toward the house.

  “So, about that tire?” Lee murmured.

  Her head jerked back toward the truck.

  “Oh, yes. Let me call Monty. I’ll be right back.”

  She turned and hurried to the house. Once away from prying eyes, she leaned against the closed door and let her heart settle back into its natural rhythm. She couldn’t believe her luck. By the grace of God, her father had let him stay. She cast a glance at the ceiling. If he only knew. She hadn’t believed in miracles for a long time, but maybe she’d give it another thought now. Pushing away from the door, she crossed to the old rotary phone on the wall and dialed a familiar number.

  Monty’s gravelly voice came on the line. A few minutes later, after she’d explained the situation to the owner of Rim Tires and he stopped laughing long enough to take a breath, he agreed to come out with the resources truck.

  “Oh, man, Willamenia, you get into town and things sure start popping.” Monty continued to chuckle.

  “Thanks, I think.” She did her best to ignore the glee in his voice. “Do I need to get you the type of tire?”

  “Nope. I just put those on his old truck last month. I’ve got the number here. How many did you say your grandfather shot out?”

  She shifted her weight onto her left leg. “I saw two flat.”

  Monty howled once more.

  “I’ll bring four, just in case.”

  She could picture him leaning on the counter behind the green parts notebook, his face red with laughter, bifocals perched on his forehead as he wiped his eyes. Yes, he would be enjoying himself at their expense.

  “Well, I’ll see you in an hour. Oh, Willamenia…”

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t do anything foolish.”

  “I’ll see you in an hour, Monty.” Her tone harsh.

  She hung up before he could say another word.

  ****

  She tried to appear calm as she sauntered back toward Lee and his truck, sticking her hands in her back pockets as she walked. Lots of things were running through her mind. Why did you leave? How come you didn’t come back? Have you found someone else? All questions she couldn’t really blurt out and demand answers. A leaf blew past, and Willamenia turned her head to keep it from hitting her face. Pushing back the tendrils of hair that had wiggled loose from her braid, she blew out a breath and reminded her conscience that no good would come from stewing about what might have been. The past was gone.

  “Willa, you okay over there?” Lee’s voice so close to her ear made her jump.

  “Me? Yeah. Something in my eye.”

  She pretended to wipe it away. Plastering a smile on her face, she turned to him.

  “Monty will be here in an hour, as promised.”

  Lee nodded. “Good to hear. I’d hate to have to replace an almost new tire.”

  “Yeah, he sort of told me about that.”

  “I bet he did.”

  They stood in silence, both staring at the truck.

  “So I’m looking forward to working with your dad.”

  “I’m glad you came by.” She blinked and gave a slight laugh. “This is going to be a bit awkward, isn’t it?”

  He shrugged. “We can manage.” He glanced over his shoulder. “As long as I’m not shot at again.”

  Willamenia pressed her lips together. “I’m sure that didn’t help.”

  “No.”

  She could feel his gaze wander from her toes to the top of her head.

  He asked, “You are okay, though, right?”

  “Yeah, it scared me.”

  “I’m sure. I wasn’t fond of it myself.”

  She relaxed. “I bet not. Would you like to see where your mares will be staying?”

  “Yeah, sure. Lead the way.”

  Stepping toward the barn, Lee fell into step with her. She paused at the edge of the open door.

  “You’re probably more familiar with this than I am.” She gazed down the main aisle and the four faces looking back at her hoping she’d brought a carrot. “Mr. Davis has four mares to be trained for saddle here. I bet that’s who you’ll be working with. Dad has one of his geldings in the smaller barn on the other side of the house.”

  “Is the gelding broke?”

  “Only green broke. Dad’s schooling him. I’ll be taking over his training for barrels. I hear he’s a quick learner.”

  “That’s always good.”

  From behind the barn, an impatient neigh echoed.

  “That”—Willamenia sighed—“is Mr. Davis’ mare to be bred. She’s just coming in season.”

  A deeper squeal followed.

  “Sounds like Silverheels is anxious to get his work completed.”

  “Evidently.”

  She moved toward the rear door, and together they walked toward where the mare stood, her head hanging over the top rail staring at her new boyfriend. Willamenia put her hands on the rail. Lee did the same. She breathed in the warm summer sunshine. “We will be putting them together first thing tomorrow.”

  “You think she’ll be a handful?”

  “Don’t know. I have to ask if she’s been bred before.”

  Silverheels tossed his head and pawed at the ground. Then he jogged off to the other end of the pasture before turning and running back to his new lady friend.

  “Looks like she’s not going to give too much of a fight.”

  She chuckled. “No, she’s had her eye on him since I brought him home. I think it must have been love at first sight.”

  “He should know it’s overrated,” Lee groused.

  His words stung. She blinked against the tears that sprang in her eyes. If he felt anything, he didn’t show it.

  “With his good conformation and temperament, my mares should have good foals that will sell well.”

  “Yes, they should.”

  She swallowed the hurt, but it left her throat raw. “So how have you been doing?”

  His jaw twitched. “Fine.” He answered in a clipped tone.

  The hairs on Willamenia’s arm rose.

  “And you, do you still do rodeo?”

  She shifted her gaze to him. “I left the rodeo a little over two years ago.”

 
Lee blinked, surprise washing over his face. “What do you mean ‘left’?”

  “Left. Gone. Not a part of it any longer. You choose the meaning you want.”

  His penetrating stare unnerved her. “I don’t understand. You loved the rodeo.”

  She shrugged and turned toward the barn. “I grew up.” She gazed back at him to find one brow arched in disbelief. “What? Is that so hard to believe?”

  “Yes. It is.”

  She dampened her lips. “Well, it’s true.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “Suit yourself.” She shrugged. “I’ll take you over to the bunkhouse.”

  She pushed away from the fence only to have his fingers wrap around her upper arm and hold her in place. Her heart hammered against her chest, and she wondered why he didn’t hear it. Her eyes focused on his hand, then shifted to his face.

  “You’re a poor liar, Willamenia. You would never have left the rodeo. You were on top. What happened? Did you get hurt?”

  Yes, she wanted to scream. You hurt me. You left me when I needed you most. How could you do that? Instead, she replied. “People change. Lives change. Needs are redefined.”

  He shook his head.

  “No, not you, Willa.”

  “It’s Willamenia.” Her head rose and she glared at him. “If you’d like to see your room?” She jerked her arm free.

  Lee stepped in front of her.

  “Who hurt you?”

  “Get out of my way.”

  “Not until you answer me.”

  “I don’t have to answer to you. You don’t have any hold on me.” She paused. Her glance grew hard. “Not any more.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Lee’s eyes narrowed.

  She brushed past him only to have his hand reach out and swirl her around. A bit off balance, she put her hands out to brace herself and touched his chest. The rapid beat of his heart equaled her own.

  His lips were level with her eyes.

  “Let me go.” Even as she said the words, she didn’t mean them.

  “Not until you tell me why.”

  Her heart ceased to beat as he leaned closer. The scent of warm spice and the coffee he’d consumed that morning filled the air. Her head tilted.

  “I have nothing to say.” She murmured the words even as her tongue dampened her lips in anticipation of what she desired most.

  “On the contrary, I think you do.”

  His words were as breathless as hers. Her gaze focused on the firm line of his mouth. Her hands balled the loose cotton of his shirt as their lips met. Her anger turned to hunger as the movement of his lips stoked the fire that raged in her veins. No. No. I shouldn’t be doing this. I can’t allow myself to be seduced by his allure a second time.

  He paused and lifted his head to stare down into her eyes. The want, the need she could see gave her the courage to push him away. Her hand connected with his jaw.

  “Don’t. Ever. Kiss. Me. Again.”

  Turning on her heel, she fled toward the house.

  Chapter Four

  Holding Alli made everything go away. All the heartache, the disappointment, the loss of her sponsorship, the swallowing of her pride to return home, all of it dissolved with a cherubic smile.

  “You’re Momma’s little angel, aren’t you?”

  Legs kicked in delight as the child took the bottle Willamenia offered. After the confrontation behind the barn, she’d retreated to the house. Passing her father along the way, she asked him to make sure Lee saw the room while she put the baby down for a nap. “Besides, you should be with Lee when Monty shows up,” she’d said.

  A breeze lifted the curtains away from the open window. She could hear the rumble of men’s voices and the ring of metal against metal as the tire was removed. Their words were unintelligible, but the laughter that followed made her chafe. Deep down, she knew the point of the joke would be at her expense.

  “He doesn’t mean it, really.”

  Alli paused, the dark eyes that stared back at Willamenia cast a certain amount of doubt on the words. Two streaks of milk ran down the sides of the baby’s cheeks toward her neck. Grabbing the small towel, Willamenia wiped them away. She tossed the cloth over her shoulder and ran her hands across the soft curls.

  “It’s going to be difficult.”

  The creak of the rocker resumed as Alli took the bottle again. The sound was hypnotic. The milk drained from the bottle, and the child grew still. Willamenia watched as her daughter’s eyes closed. She set the empty bottle on the small table beside her chair and lifted the baby to her shoulder. Alli snuggled close to her neck.

  “You are so beautiful,” she whispered. “Never forget you are loved.”

  She rose and placed the child in the crib and pulled a lightweight blanket over the sleeping form. From where she stood, she could see the figures at the truck below. Her thoughts drifted back in time.

  At first she’d been content to show a friend from home around the rodeo. Two people, both a long way from home, it seemed only natural they came together. Her passion, as it had been throughout her youth, was barrel racing.

  The excitement of racing around the barrels in an effort to beat the clock put her in the top of her field. She had three silver buckles to prove it. But with fame came notoriety. As her talent grew, she received endorsements, and with that, her freedom slowly slipped away. All too quickly she found she was at the mercy of her sponsors, never having a moment to herself, but when Lee showed up, things changed. He provided a buffer between the publicity side of the professional life and the need to have her own space.

  Having Lee there stabilized her. She could retreat to the camper they shared and close the door, away from the world’s worries.

  Her brow furrowed. At least, until they’d reached Denver.

  “That’s where things began to go south,” she whispered.

  The baby sighed, and Willamenia looked down on her. “It wasn’t your fault. You were the best thing out of my mess, Alli. I love you. I won’t let anyone tease you about your daddy. That’s why I’m not telling him. His name will be between us, our little secret.”

  ****

  “Hand me that wrench.” Monty pointed at the array of tools spread across the ground.

  Lee bent down and picked up the desired tool.

  “Here.”

  With all the skill of a surgical nurse, he slapped the metal into Monty’s open palm.

  “So Grandpa Cogsdale really shot at you?”

  Lee’s eyes narrowed.

  “You see the flat and the pepper marks.”

  Monty chuckled.

  “Good thing his eyesight isn’t what it used to be. I might be trying on a dark suit instead of putting on this tire.”

  “Point taken.” Lee grimaced.

  “How’s it coming?” Jeremiah Cogsdale rounded the end of the truck and watched as Monty turned the first lug nut tight on the rim.

  “Just about done, Mr. Cogsdale.” Monty picked up another nut and, his eyes dancing, spoke. “I was just telling old Lee here, only a few dings in the rim. He missed the brake lines completely.”

  “I’ll get you a check.”

  “No need, Mr. Cogsdale. It’s been a pleasure to come out here today. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Besides, Lee still had warranty on these.”

  “Ah, well, good. I’ve got some things to do in the barn. I’ll let you two finish up.”

  Monty put another nut in place and made sure Jeremiah was out of hearing distance.

  “So how is Willamenia?”

  Lee stilled. “Okay, I guess.”

  Monty’s right eyebrow lifted toward his hairline. “You guess?”

  The muscle along Lee’s jaw clenched. He refused to give the big man beside him the benefit of seeing how the questions irritated him.

  “She’s not my problem,” Lee answered with a lift of a shoulder.

  Monty paused and shot him a wicked glance. “Right.”

  The long, dra
wn-out tone of the word signaled his disbelief.

  “Just get the tire on. I’ve got things to do,” Lee snapped.

  Even at home that evening, he couldn’t escape being the focus of the joke. Ariella sat cross-legged on his bed while he packed, unable to contain her giggles at the retelling of today’s events.

  “Oh, God.” Her hand went to her belly as she shook. “He really shot at you?”

  Lee slapped a pair of jeans into the overnight bag with such force the bag fell sideways. “Let me know when you are through.”

  Ariella laughed harder. She drew his pillow to her body and held it there to allow the sound to drift into the stuffing.

  “What did you do?” she asked between guffaws.

  “I hid behind the truck. Hence the reason the tires were shot out.”

  She fell sideways, tears rolling down the side of her face.

  “Oh, I would have loved to see that. Lee Hawks, cowering behind a truck while a man of eighty draws a bead on him.”

  “I could have been shot!”

  Ariella wiped her eyes. “His eyesight’s not that good. I’ve seen his chart.”

  “I was a fool to do this,” he groaned.

  Her giggles slowly subsided, and she sat upright again.

  “No, don’t be sad. Be glad. You’ll be working with one person who means more to you that the whole world.”

  “Right, if I live to see the next day.”

  “Oh, stop,” Ariella told him as she slid off the bed. “You don’t mean that.”

  He leveled a dark glare at her.

  She punched his arm. “So how long will you be gone?”

  Lee turned back to the dresser and closed one drawer only to open another. “Shouldn’t be too long. Her dad is going out on a job for Mr. Davis. I think he’ll be gone about two weeks.” He tossed three pairs of socks into the bag before looking over at his sister. “You think you can handle feeding the animals for me?”

  “You know I don’t have a problem with it. I’m still a farm girl. My shift for the next two weeks is from eight to five. I think I can handle feeding, as long as your hired hand, A.J., will stick around in the afternoon to check water.”

  “He will.” Lee tossed in a stack of T-shirts.

  Ariella leaned on the door jamb. “You know, without Mr. Cogsdale hanging around, maybe you and Willamenia will be able to figure out what when wrong. You know you guys are meant for each other.”