by Leanne Banks
“Thank you…” She yawned. “…for giving up your holidays to help me.”
Tate swallowed hard. He couldn’t tell her that he’d jumped at the chance to take on the role of her fiancé, or that he’d only put up a token protest when her sister insisted that he stay, rather than spend another Christmas alone in his big empty ranch house. Fortunately, he was spared having to say anything. Marilou had fallen asleep.
The baby beneath his palm moved, and Tate couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if he really was the father of her child. His heart stalled. What was wrong with him?
He’d never given a thought to how he’d feel about a woman being pregnant with his baby. But he sure as hell was thinking about it now. And the idea of Marilou being the mother of his child caused a longing to invade his soul that robbed him of breath.
Forcing himself to think of something—anything—else, he focused on how well he’d ridden at the National Finals and how he’d invest the money he won. He already had a sizeable nest egg socked away, but with the money he’d won in the past two weeks, and the investments he’d made in oil futures, he’d officially topped the two million mark. Now he could seriously think about retiring from rodeo competition by the time he turned thirty, and carry out his plans for fixing up and enlarging the small ranch he’d inherited from his mother.
Yawning, he relaxed and felt the peaceful oblivion of sleep begin to overtake him. But as he drifted off, his last thoughts were of what it would be like to have Marilou and the baby helping him turn the Circle C Ranch into a home where they would celebrate many holidays to come.
The next morning, Marilou smiled and snuggled against the warm male body at her back. It was nice to be held by a man while she slept, even if it was just in a dream.
But when the strong arm thrown possessively over her enlarged stomach drew her closer and her fantasy man kissed the sensitive hollow behind her ear, reality flooded her mind and her eyes popped wide open. Good Lord, what had she been doing? How could she have forgotten that the man pressed to her back, the one who at that very moment nuzzled her neck, sending shivers coursing up and down her spine, was Tate Carson?
“Morning,” he said, his warm breath causing a wave of goose bumps to skip across her skin. She felt his lower body stir against hers. “Did you sleep well, darlin’?”
“I…um, yes.”
“I did, too.” He rubbed his hand over her taut belly. “But I’m not so sure about the baby.” His firm male lips tenderly moved over the sensitive skin along the side of her neck. “Sometime during the night, it felt like he was trying to do the Texas Two-Step in there.”
“I guess I was so tired, I slept right through it,” she said, wondering if that breathless female voice was really hers. Was it normal for a woman in the final stages of pregnancy to feel the degree of desire that she had thrumming through her veins?
She was saved from any further speculation when someone started pounding on the bedroom door.
“Aunt Marilou? Uncle Tate?” Jason shouted from the other side. “Get up and come downstairs. Santa Claus came and it’s time to open presents and my mom says we can’t start without you.”
“How did he manage to get all that out without taking a breath?” Tate asked, laughing. He kissed her shoulder, then rolled away from her. “We’ll be down in a couple of minutes, little buddy.”
“Hurry!” Jason’s voice faded as he ran toward the stairs.
Deciding it would be best to ignore the fact that she had been snuggling against him, or that he’d been responding in a very masculine way, Marilou hauled herself up to sit on the side of the bed. “Uncle Tate? Where did that come from?”
“Yesterday evening before supper, he and Becky asked me if I was going to be their uncle.” He rose from the bed, crossed the room and started digging around in his gym bag. Pulling out a fresh pair of jeans and shirt, he shrugged. “I told them yes, that if you and I got married, I would be their uncle.”
A pang of longing shot through Marilou that she didn’t understand. Why did the fact that they were just putting on an act, and wouldn’t actually be getting married, make her want to cry?
“Hormones,” she muttered as she reached for her robe and shoved her arms into the sleeves.
“What was that, darlin’?”
Her cheeks heated and she avoided looking at Tate as she grabbed a dark red maternity dress from the closet and waddled toward the bathroom to change. “Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“Jason, this is from Aunt Marilou and Tate,” Gabriel announced, handing a brightly wrapped package to the boy.
Surprised, Tate looked at Marilou. “You put my name on the gifts you’re giving to everyone?” he asked, quietly.
“It would have seemed odd if I hadn’t,” she whispered back.
Watching Gabriel pick up another package, a warm feeling filled his chest, and Tate reached over to take her delicate hand in his. “Thanks, darlin’.”
“Tate, this is from me, Faith and the kids,” Gabriel said, passing the present across the coffee table where Tate sat with Marilou on the couch.
Shocked, Tate accepted the package. “I—” He had to swallow around the sudden tightening in his throat. Not since his mother’s passing almost ten years ago had anyone cared if he had something to unwrap on Christmas morning. “Thanks,” he finally managed.
“I hope it’s the right size and color,” Faith said, hopefully. “When I called Gabe yesterday afternoon to have him pick it up, I guessed at the size.” She smiled at her husband-to-be. “He picked out the color.”
Tate’s hands shook slightly as he tore the wrapping from the box and lifted the lid. Nestled inside was a warm-looking dark brown sweater. “The color’s great,” he said, meaning it. He checked the tag, then grinned at Faith. “And the size is perfect.”
As everyone continued to open gifts, Tate enjoyed the warmth and closeness of the Baker sisters’ family Christmas. It was an experience he knew he would never forget, nor did he ever want to.
Glancing over at Marilou as she opened a present from Ann Elise, a longing stronger than any he’d ever felt filled his chest. Her delightful laughter, the sweetness of her smile sent his blood pressure soaring and had him wishing he could celebrate every Christmas with her.
Tate continued to watch Marilou, and couldn’t help but wonder how a nice woman like her could get mixed up with a sleazy jerk like her ex-boyfriend, Bridges. The man didn’t have any idea how truly special she was, or what he was missing. But Tate knew.
He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. “Thank you, darlin’.”
“For what?” she asked, treating him to a smile that caused his temperature to rise.
He leaned close. “For sharing your family with me. This is the best Christmas I’ve had in a long time.”
“Really?”
“Really,” he said, smiling.
She kissed his cheek. “I’m glad.”
As he gazed into her emerald eyes, his heart slammed against his ribs and he felt like he just might be drowning. Could he be falling for Marilou? Was it possible for something like that to happen this fast?
“I have a treat for everyone,” Ann Elise said, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Did you bring the puppies?” Jason asked, his face lighting up at the thought.
“No, sweetie,” Ann Elise said gently. “They won’t be ready to leave their mother for a couple of months. But if it’s all right with your mommy and daddy, you can have one as soon as they’re weaned.”
Jason immediately turned his attention to his mother and Gabriel. “Can I have one? Please? I’ll take good care of it. I promise.”
Tate watched Faith and Gabriel exchange glances before Gabriel grinned. “I think we can handle having a puppy.”
“Yippee!” Jason shouted, jumping to his feet to hug the man who would soon be his father.
“What were you about to say, Ann Elise?” Faith asked as she accepted a huge hug from her
son.
“Every year the Lone Star Country Club has a special dinner party for its members and their guests.” She grinned at Jason. “Santa will be there for the kids and they’ll have dancing for the adults. Joe has invited us all to go as his guests. We might even make it a new family tradition.”
When everyone agreed they’d like that, a deep sense of loneliness swept over Tate. He wouldn’t be taking part in the celebration next year, nor would he be part of any other family gatherings. His being with them at Christmas was a one-time shot.
“Tate, are you all right?” Marilou asked quietly.
Gazing down at her, his stomach twisted into a knot at the thought of never spending another Christmas with her. But she wouldn’t want to hear that. Not now anyway. Maybe not ever.
He clenched his teeth against the emptiness clawing at his gut, then forced a smile as he took her hand in his. “I couldn’t be better, darlin’.”
Seated at the long table the Lone Star Country Club’s staff had set up for her family when they first arrived, Marilou watched Jason and several other excited children as they waited for Santa Claus to make his appearance. Many of the adults were already dancing to the country-western band that had set up right after dinner had been cleared away.
Glancing at her niece seated quietly beside her, Marilou asked, “Aren’t you going to join the other children, Becky?”
“I’m too old for Santa Claus, Aunt Marilou,” the little girl answered, shaking her head. “He’s sooo five minutes ago.”
“How old did you say you are?” Marilou asked, laughing.
“She’s nine, but she’s making me feel like I’m ninety,” Faith said, leaning over to straighten her daughter’s unruly brown curls. Pointing to a couple of girls at the edge of the group of children, she asked, “Aren’t they your friends from school, Becky?”
Glancing in the direction her mother indicated, Becky nodded. “That’s Molly and Jennifer.” She stood up, and Marilou could tell Becky was trying to maintain a dignified air, despite the excitement of seeing her friends. “Maybe this soirée has some hope after all,” she said before hurrying over to the two girls.
Marilou laughed as she watched her niece cross the room. “Soirée? Where does she come up with this stuff?”
Faith rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, but it’s making me old way before my time.”
“I hope you’re not feeling too old to dance,” Gabriel said, walking over to join them. He held out his hand to Faith. “Let’s take a trip around the dance floor and see if I can still do a decent Dallas Shuffle.”
“I hate to leave Marilou here by herself,” Faith said reluctantly. “Where’s Tate?”
Gabriel pointed to the group of children by the huge Christmas tree. “Jason is showing off Tate to all of his friends.”
Faith frowned. “I’m not sure I like—”
“A lot of exciting things have happened to him in the past couple of weeks and he deserves to enjoy it,” Gabriel said gently, pulling Faith to her feet. “Let him have his bragging rights tonight. He’s a good kid. He’ll get his priorities straight once he comes back down to earth.”
“Now I know why I’m going to marry you,” Faith said, smiling.
“And why’s that?” he asked.
“You’re so wise,” Faith answered softly.
“Not really. Contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t born in my mid-thirties.”
“You weren’t?” Faith asked, winking at Marilou.
Gabriel laughed. “Believe it or not, I was a little boy once, too.”
Faith kissed him, then turned to Marilou. “Will you be all right by yourself?”
“Of course,” Marilou said, forcing a smile and hoping they couldn’t detect the sadness that had overtaken her.
Watching her sister and Gabriel join the other dancers doing the Dallas Shuffle, Marilou bit back a sob. Faith had Gabriel. Ann Elise had Joe. She didn’t have anyone.
The baby kicked her as if to tell her to stop feeling sorry for herself.
Rubbing at the little knee or elbow raising a bump on her stomach, she wished that she had someone she could rely on to help her through the tough times she knew were coming. She’d tried to share her fears about childbirth and the apprehension every mother has about their baby being healthy with Harlan. But her concerns had fallen on deaf ears. The man simply hadn’t cared anything about her or the baby, and couldn’t be bothered with lending emotional support when she needed it most.
What would happen once the baby was born? Could she handle being a single parent? Faith had done a wonderful job with Jason and Becky, but now that Gabriel was going to be helping her, Marilou knew everything would be much easier for her sister.
Her gaze strayed over to Tate. He was surrounded by a half dozen of Jason’s friends and seemed to be having the time of his life interacting with the little boys. From his actions, she could tell he was instructing them on how to ride a bucking horse or a bull.
Somehow she knew that Tate would never be like Harlan. Tate would be right beside the mother of his child, lending his support and doing everything he could to make it easier for her. And unlike Harlan, Tate would be there for his child, too.
“He’s going to be a wonderful father some day,” she whispered to herself. The sudden realization that the woman in Tate’s future wouldn’t be her made Marilou feel empty inside.
Shaking her head to dislodge the thought, she wondered what had gotten into her. It was true that she was more than a little attracted to Tate, and he’d told her that he was attracted to her. But that’s as far as anything would ever go with them. She barely knew him and, although he was a wonderful man, her judgment had proven more than a little faulty where men were concerned.
“Are you all right, darlin’?”
Marilou jumped at the sound of Tate’s voice. She’d been so preoccupied with thoughts of the baby and her miserable track record with men, she hadn’t noticed his approach.
“I’m fine,” she lied, smiling up at him.
“Good.” He reached down and tugged her up into his arms. “Let’s go show the good people of Mission Creek how to Waltz Across Texas.”
Marilou laughed, enjoying the feel of Tate’s arms around her once again. “You’ve got to be joking. It would look like you were dancing with a hot air balloon.”
His easy grin faded. “Marilou, I don’t know why you’re so worried about your weight. You’re pregnant. You’re supposed to be bigger than normal. But even if you weren’t ready to have a baby, it wouldn’t make a damned bit of difference how big you are. You can’t change the fact that you’re a beautiful, sexy woman.”
Staring up at him, Marilou could almost believe he meant every word he said. “Th-thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me for telling the truth, darlin’.” He walked her out onto the dance floor, then took her into his arms. “Just let me know if you get tired or your back starts to bother you.”
As the band played “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Tate moved her around the floor with expert care. She loved to dance, but it had been ages since she’d had the opportunity. “You’re a very good dancer.”
“So are you,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Suddenly aware that they were no longer playing a role, Marilou stared up at him. “Tate, what are we doing?”
The possessive look in his chocolate-brown eyes stole her breath. “I’m not real sure, darlin’. But I can tell you this much, I think we started something under the mistletoe last night. And I’d like to see where it goes.”
Chapter 5
When the band suddenly stopped playing the slow country song they’d been dancing to and started playing “Here Comes Santa Claus,” Tate led Marilou off the dance floor. But when they reached the table with the rest of the family, they discovered that someone had taken one of the chairs and there weren’t enough seats for everyone.
“We’ll have to find another chair,” Joe said, standing up to off
er his chair to Marilou while he looked around for one that wasn’t occupied.
“Don’t worry about it. Marilou can sit on my lap,” Tate said, seizing the opportunity to continue holding her.
“Tate—”
Before she could protest, he sat down in the only empty chair at the table, then pulled her onto his lap. “Are you comfortable?”
She put her arm around his shoulders to steady herself. “Yes, but I’m too heavy.”
He wrapped one arm around her back to hold her in place, took her free hand in his and shook his head. “No, you’re not. You’re just right.” Kissing her cheek, he smiled and rested their linked hands on her swollen stomach. “Besides, I like holding you and the baby.”
Faith and Ann Elise both gave him an approving smile, but said nothing as everyone turned their attention to Santa Claus “ho-ho-hoing” his way across the room to the group of excited children gathered around the Christmas tree. As Tate watched Santa hand Jason a bag filled with candy, he felt Marilou relax against him.
“Next year, your baby will be over there with the other kids,” he whispered, wishing he could be here to see it.
He felt a tremor pass through her as she nodded, and knew he was having the same effect on her that she was having on him. Considering her advanced state of pregnancy, it was completely insane, but Tate wanted her like he’d never wanted any other woman. In fact, if he was honest with himself, he’d wanted her from the minute he saw her in the Corpus Christi bus station. And unless he was way off base—and he was damned near positive he wasn’t—she wanted him, too.
When every child in the big ballroom had their treat from Santa, the band once again began to play Christmas songs with a country-western flare.
“Would you like to dance again, darlin’?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”
Helping her to her feet, he took her small hand in his and led her out onto the dance floor. “If you get tired, let me know.”
Her smile sent heat streaking through his veins as she brought her arms up to circle his shoulders. “I will.”
