Baby in the Bargain

by Tessa Berkley

  She moved toward the counter as the sound of the high chair being dragged over the kitchen floor drowned out any other conversation. Using the microwave, she warmed up a few things for the baby. Alli seemed pleased to sit in her chair while her father waited on her hand and foot. Lee gave her a spoon, which she used to pound on the tray.

  “Maybe we should get her a set of drums.”

  Willamenia glanced over her shoulder.

  “Drums? No, she’s using it as a crop so she can round those barrels and head home.”

  “Spoken like a true barrel racer.” Lee chuckled.

  “Here.”

  She handed him Alli’s plate. “Small spoonfuls,” she told him and handed him one of the plastic baby spoons.

  Lee placed small bites of food into the baby’s waiting mouth.

  “Watch out. She’s part chipmunk and can hold a lot of food in those cheeks.”

  “Hey, since the stove is out,” Lee began, “why don’t we grill some steaks?”

  The idea appealed to Willamenia. “Sure, I’ll get them out.”

  “Swallow some of this,” Lee scolded his daughter.

  As Willamenia watched, Alli grinned, and two streams of green rolled down from the corners of her mouth, sending Lee scrambling for a napkin to clean up.

  “So what did the doctor say about her?”

  “Doc said she was fine.” She pulled two steaks from the deep freeze and put them in warm water in the sink. Picking up a hand towel, she dried the water from her hands. “The only thing we have to watch is for a few sn—”

  Just then, a huge sneeze ripped through the kitchen.

  “Sneezes,” Willamenia finished.

  “Ugh!”

  Lee shoved his chair back, hands held out wide from his sides. Her eyes widened as his glance turned toward her and his face appeared, layered with globs of pureed green beans.

  “I’ve been blasted by baby ectoplasm.”

  Willamenia pressed her lips together in hopes of keeping inside the laughter that threatened to double her over. A snicker slipped past. Lee’s brow rose in question.

  “I’m sorry,” she said and grabbed a kitchen towel. “You poor thing.”

  She stepped close and wiped the mess from his shirt. “I was trying to warn you. Close your eyes.” She stroked the towel across his face.

  “What is it about me and the Cogsdale women?”

  “Shush.” She placed a hand beneath his chin to steady him. “We test your patience.”

  “Yes.” He cracked one eye. “You do.”

  Willamenia paused. The look in his eyes turned hungry. The dark brown simmered like warm chocolate, all gooey and waiting to be tasted. She felt the warmth of his hands as they moved just behind her knees. The heat scalded her skin. Her eyes met his, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not throttle the dizzying array of currents racing through her. There was no denying she felt his attraction. The hypnotic movement of his fingers and the racing of her heart told such a different story.

  “Willamenia.”

  Lee’s voice was thick with want. His face turned toward hers. She leaned lower, and their lips met. The smell of cloves and fresh soap invaded her nostrils, sending her senses reeling. Soft at first, his lips tentatively explored the line of her mouth. She felt breathless, as if floating on a cloud of desire spiraling heavenward.

  “I shouldn’t,” she murmured against his lips as her hands flattened along the sides of his jaw.

  “We could stop,” he breathed.

  Her lashes fluttered away from the swell of her cheek, and she gazed down. Something tangible flared between them.

  “No.”

  She turned his head and held it steady, her lips claiming his. Lost in the moment, their kisses eased all measure of time. Only the sound of a spoon and the delighted squeals of a child drew them apart. Her chest heaving, Willamenia backed away.

  “We shouldn’t have done that,” she whispered. Her gaze still centered on those sensual lips that brought her such delight.

  “No,” he agreed.

  But it gave her some satisfaction to hear the same tormented desire in his voice that she too felt. “I…I better get Alli cleaned up.” With the greatest reluctance, she tore her gaze away.

  “Yeah.” His chair scooted away from the table. “I’m going to step out for a bit.”

  She took Alli from the chair. Hearing his words, her heart skipped a beat. “You’re coming back?” She hated the urgency in her voice, but she needed to know.

  “Yeah, I’ll be back.”

  Willamenia stood in the middle of the kitchen and watched as he went through the door.

  ****

  Lee walked toward the barn. Each step he took eased the knot that had formed in the pit of his stomach. Kissing Willamenia wasn’t the smartest thing for him to do. It served only to make him want her more. He moved through the main barn. The smell of cedar shavings and hay usually eased the tension in his body. Usually, but somehow today it didn’t help. At the open back door, he paused to dampen his lips. The taste and the memory of her was strong.

  “Vanilla,” he murmured. “And coffee.”

  She must have stopped at the coffee shop before heading back to the house. Off to the right, a horse neighed. Lee walked to the corral and placed one foot on the bottom board, then draped his arms over the top rail. Silverheels moved along the fence line, eyeing the mares in the other pastures as if he were king of the hill. He paused, lifted his head, and neighed. The mares across the way all paused and lifted their heads to stare at him. The horse tossed his head, and his long mane lifted like a model tossing her hair as he rose on his hind legs for a moment, pawing the air. Then the stallion trotted over to the fence and neighed once more.

  “You make it look so easy,” Lee scoffed as the mares moved toward the same side of the corral.

  Hearing his voice, the stallion turned and trotted over, no doubt hoping to find a treat.

  “I didn’t bring anything with me, boy.”

  Lee reached out and ran his hand over the animal’s velvet nose.

  “She makes me crazy. You know that, don’t you?”

  The horse snorted.

  “I can’t keep my hands off her.”

  The horse stared at him.

  “I’m in deep, aren’t I?”

  The horse bumped his hand with his nose.

  Lee shook his head. “Every time I get around her, there’s an underlying current of something being wrong. I don’t know how to make it right.”

  Seeing that nothing sweet was offered, Silverheels shook his head and ambled back to his adoring fans.

  “I wish telling Willamenia I love her would get me the same look.”

  Silverheels glanced back and stomped his foot as if to say, “Why don’t you try?” Lee gave a grunt.

  “Then there’s Alli. She’s mine. I know she’s mine.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Why didn’t she tell me?”

  You didn’t make it easy, did you? his conscience reminded him.

  “No, I didn’t. I came back home because I thought she didn’t need me. I thought her manager was telling me the truth, that I was causing her trouble. Making it hard for her to focus.” He shook his head. “I should never have listened to him. I should have gone to her first.”

  Moving away, he checked the water in the stables before moving back toward the house. By now, she’d had time to feed Alli and put her down. The least he could do would be to help her with supper. He paused at the barn door and glanced across the yard to see the low flame of the grill glowing in the early dusk. The breeze shifted, and he could smell the tangy scent of steaks broiling to perfection. Lee heard his stomach rumble.

  Blowing out a deep breath, he paused and rubbed his hands against his jeans to wipe the nervous perspiration from his palms.

  “Feel like I’m going on my first date.”

  Perhaps, if he were lucky, he could steer the conversation where they needed to go—to talk about their future and
Alli’s.

  “Standing here isn’t going to get it done.”

  A deep breath and he pushed off, striding toward the flagstones at the back of the porch. His boot connected with a twig, and the snap caused Willamenia to glance in his direction.

  “Got the horses watered.”

  “Oh, good. Silverheels okay? I heard his neighs.”

  “Yeah, he’s a trooper. He’s done his work. Now he’s keeping an eye on his harem.”

  Willamenia chuckled. “Poor boy.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh at the sarcasm in her voice. “I’m sure he sees it differently.”

  “I bet.”

  He pulled out a chair and sat gingerly on the edge. “Those look good.”

  She flipped a steak with the tongs, and the juices dripped from the grate onto the hot coals. Hissing, the flames greedily reached upward for more.

  “They sure smell good.” She glanced back with a grin. “I’m glad he’s calming down rather than fighting to break down a fence and be with them.”

  “True.” Lee nodded. “But there’s no other stallion to challenge his domain.”

  “Ah.” She lifted the tongs to emphasize her agreement. While she worked, his eyes roamed across her from head to toe. She’d filled out in the last two years. Tonight, she’d left her hair unbraided, simply balled into a loose bun at her crown. The whips of spiral curls fluttered as she moved. The urge to sweep them away and plant a warm kiss just below the pulse point behind her ear was strong. He gripped the arm of the lawn chair with all his might to keep from doing what his heart desired.

  “You all right?’

  “Uh?”

  “Your hands.” She pointed. “You look like you’re holding on for dear life.”

  He caught a glimpse of his white knuckles.

  “Oh.” He chuckled.

  “Not scared of anything, are you?”

  “Yeah,” he wanted to say. “You.” Instead, he lifted the edge of his lips to give her his famous bad-boy grin. “Chair wobbles.”

  He shifted from side to side to prove his point.

  Willamenia’s left brow rose in speculation. “As many green horses as you’ve broke, and a wobbly chair gives you white knuckles?” She shook her head. “Cowboy, you’re losing your touch.”

  She could say that again. “Naw.” He shrugged it off. “Not me.”

  Pushing off from the chair, he stood. “Can I help?”

  She turned her head, and he watched her gently bite her lip.

  “Would you mind setting the table?”

  “Nope. I can do that.”

  A rush of air pushed through her lips. “Lee…” She hesitated. “Thanks.”

  “Sure. I don’t know what for, though.”

  “Helping out. Looking after things while I went with Dad.”

  “Hey, that was easy.”

  “I just wanted you to know, I really mean it. It meant a lot to me.”

  With a nod, he made his way into the house. Holding the screen door, he shut it gently so as not to awaken the sleeping child upstairs.

  “Easy.” He shook his head. “What was I thinking?”

  Moving to the cabinets, he grabbed the plates and utensils. It took only moments to set the table. Stepping back, he checked his handiwork. Yep, two plates, forks to the left, knives to the right, glasses at the point of the blade.

  “I’m no waiter, but I think this will do.”

  He was placing napkins on the plates when Willamenia walked in carrying the platter bearing two steaks cooked to perfection.

  “Here, let me get that.” He hurried over and took the plate from her hands.

  “Thanks.”

  He carried the platter to the table as she put the tongs into the sink.

  “I’ll get the beverages.”

  “Anything else I need to do?”

  “Salad is in the fridge.” Willamenia pointed. “Grab it and the dressing.”

  Lee opened the door to the fridge. “Which container?”

  “One with the red top,” she explained.

  Lee heard the clink of ice being added to glasses.

  “You like French or Italian?”

  “Italian.”

  He reached for the bottle and brought it to the table with the container of tossed salad. He waited for her to put the glasses down. Then, crossing to the chair at the head of the table, he held it out for her to sit.

  “Thank you.”

  Lee sat in the chair to her left. “You’re welcome.”

  She pulled the napkin onto her lap as he settled himself. Reaching out, he took her hand, and together they bowed their heads.

  “Dear Lord, We thank you for these blessings we are about to receive. Please look after your servant, Grandpa Cogsdale, and guide his doctor’s skill to bring him home safe once more. And Lord, please look after Alli and bring her up safe and sound.” He paused, and then added, “Amen.”

  “Amen,” Willamenia added.

  For a moment there was silence.

  “That…that was very nice.”

  Lee smiled. “Not everything between us has to be difficult, Willamenia.”

  She nodded, yet somehow Lee wasn’t so sure she was convinced. The conversation grew sparse as they filled their plates. Lee bided his time.

  “You cook a good steak,” he remarked as he reached for his glass.

  She beamed. “You are full of compliments tonight.”

  He lifted his glass to salute her. Then, placing it down on the mat, he took a deep breath.

  “Willamenia, we’ve got to talk about this.”

  “About?”

  “Alli.”

  Her face grew pale.

  “Wh-what do you mean?”

  “When were you going to tell me Alli is mine?”

  Chapter Seven

  Willamenia’s fork clattered against the plate as it fell from her hand. She shifted her gaze and stared into Lee’s questioning eyes. Her mouth opened, but no words spilled forth. She felt like a fish left out of the water way too long.

  Lee took a sip of his tea, then gently placed the glass on the table. Her heart hammered in her chest as he drew her hands into her lap. Defend! Protect!

  “She’s not—”

  The sudden look of something souring in his mouth made her pause in mid sentence. She couldn’t lie to him. There had been too many lies between her and her father.

  “Willamenia.” His scolding tone filled her with shame.

  She shifted her glance away.

  “Did you know before I left?”

  His voice was quiet, calm, almost scary. A lump formed in her throat. She had to tell him the truth. Ariella’s words echoed in her brain. “One day, you’re going to have to tell him the truth.” His sister was right. Her day of reckoning was at hand.

  “I didn’t know when you left. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I realized I’d missed my time. I waited for the next month’s cycle, and when that didn’t come, I went to the local pharmacy to purchase one of those kits.” She shook her head. “Twenty minutes. Do you know how long that is?”

  “I can imagine. But I would have come back to you. Why didn’t you call?”

  Why? That’s a good question. She shrugged. “I don’t know.” A deep breath followed. Willamenia shook her head. “No, that’s not true. I do know.” She brought her gaze to his. “I didn’t tell you because I felt I’d failed my father. I didn’t tell you because I was ashamed to tell you and afraid you’d think I was trapping you into marriage. I didn’t tell you because I messed up my life and I needed to put my big-girl panties on and accept what I had done.”

  Hurt radiated from his eyes. “You think I wouldn’t have wanted to help?”

  “No, Lee, I was afraid you would hate me.” She stared at him, the pain in her heart just as fresh as it had been the day she realized she was pregnant. “You didn’t exactly spell out why you left. You told me you were coming home because you needed to think. What was I supposed to do, call you and say,
‘Hey, while you’re thinking, I’m pregnant with your child, and what would you like for me to do?’ ”

  “I would have said, ‘I’ll be right there.’ ”

  She shook her head. “You say that now, but then, things were so confused. Tell me, why did you decide to come back to Cactus Gulch? Was it something I said? Something I did?”

  “No. No, Willamenia, nothing like that at all.”

  “Why?” She begged for an answer as tears clouded her vision.

  Fearing he might see through her chipped armor, she raised her hand and hid her eyes from his view.

  “Don’t cry, Willamenia.”

  She heard him expel a pent-up breath.

  “You’re right. I owe you an explanation. Look at me, Willamenia.”

  She took her hand down, and the pain in his eyes was nearly palpable.

  “If you remember, I was invited out for dinner with your manager.”

  She nodded. “Paul Wilson was always generous.”

  Lee raised a brow. “Generous? Perhaps, but he was protecting his pocketbook. You brought in good money racing barrels. That night, he told me you had a chance of making the top round. Willamenia, you’ve always deserved every gold buckle. I didn’t have the right to stand in your way.”

  She blinked. “He asked?”

  Lee nodded. “ ‘You don’t want to stand in Willamenia’s way, now, do you, son?’ were his exact words.”

  “Oh, Lee, how hurtful!” She gasped. “This is so insane. But it explains a lot. Once I found out I was expecting Alli, I gathered my courage and went to his trailer and told him I was going to be stopping.”

  “I take it he didn’t like that.”

  She pressed her lips into a thin line. “No. In fact, he offered to pay me to end the pregnancy.” She raised her fingers and made quote marks in the air. “It wasn’t good for my career.”

  “You should have called me.”

  She sank against the back of the chair. “So many mistakes, Lee. I was a mess. I still am.”

  “Never. You’re beautiful; your strength is one of the things I admire about you most.”

  “So how…how do we move past this?”

  “We go to your father and tell him the truth,” Lee told her.