She sank down onto the hospital bed and he was by her side in an instant. “Are you okay?”
“I’m just tired.” When she looked up at him with those big green eyes that packed so much punch, he almost wished he hadn’t issued the invitation.
She said simply, “I don’t depend on anyone, Grady. That’s not me. I wanted to see this pregnancy to its finish on my own.”
“I know you did. But this is my child, too.”
“That’s why I called you.”
“I’m glad you did.”
She stood again, but when she picked up the pharmacy bag on the bed and stuffed it into a larger one on the bedside table, he noticed her hand trembled. Still, as she moved the rest of her toiletries into the bag one-handed, he didn’t offer to help.
She explained, “One of the nurses brought me supplies since I didn’t know how long I’d be here when this first happened.”
“We’ll need to stop at your place and pack a suitcase,” he suggested.
She raised her gaze to his, and he saw doubts once more.
Stepping toward her, he took her hand from the bag and held it. Her hand was cold. “This is going to be simple, Frannie.” He had called her that once before and it had seemed so right. “You’re going to stay in my guest bedroom, and I’ll be a holler away. That’s all there is to it.”
“I don’t trust easily.”
He searched her eyes to find out why, giving her the opportunity to tell him. But she didn’t.
“You can lock the door on your bedroom,” he kidded. When a guarded look came over her, he added, “I have a great border collie who’ll be your watchdog. Will that make you feel better?”
“You really have a dog?”
“His name is Shadow.”
“Shadow?”
“I found him alongside the road. A car had hit him. After I took him to the vet and brought him home, he never left my side.”
“Tessa didn’t tell me about Shadow,” she murmured.
“But she told you other things?” Grady arched a brow.
“Not much.” Color came into her cheeks because her comment had told him she had asked.
He wasn’t going to let this go. “Not much, such as…”
“She told me her dad bought saddles from your father, that you’re close to your family and spend a lot of time with them.”
“I told you that.”
“I know, but it made me feel easier that she…confirmed it.”
So it was true Francesca didn’t trust easily. Not even herself. Why was that?
Did he need to know? Did he want to get personally involved with the mother of his baby? It was a ridiculous question, but they certainly could stay removed from each other just like divorced parents did. They were going to have to figure out how they wanted to play this. He had to figure out how he was going to play this.
The aide came into the room with the discharge paperwork and Grady was glad for the interruption.
He had a feeling he was going to be spending a lot of time in the barn.
Grady pulled into the driveway that led to a detached two-car garage beside the old Victorian where Francesca lived. He spotted a jewel-toned light shining in the foyer. “Is that on a timer?”
“It is. I set it up after Tessa and Emily moved out.”
“How long have you known Tessa?”
“Since Family Tree opened. We consulted on a case and became friends.” The Family Tree Health Center in Lubbock—which offered the best health care in West Texas—housed many professional offices including Tessa’s and Francesca’s. But the two-story Victorian they’d shared was located in the small town of Sagebrush about fifteen minutes from Lubbock.
Suddenly Grady wished he knew a lot more about Francesca than he did. “How long did Emily live with you?”
“About nine months.”
Vince had told him the three women were as tight as sisters. He knew about sisters. His tried to poke into his life when he let her.
Grady opened the door to his truck and came around to Francesca’s side. After he opened her door, he extended his hand. She accepted his help until her feet were firmly planted on the ground.
“Are you going to live here by yourself?”
“I’m not sure.”
They strolled up the walk, Grady slowing his pace to hers. The early December wind blew and he noticed she shivered.
“You need a heavier jacket,” he said gruffly. The light wool jacket she wore wasn’t insulated enough for the colder weather.
She turned toward him, her gaze locking to his. “I know that. But when I left this morning, I didn’t realize a cold front was moving in.”
In the sudden silence he realized he had to back off a little and corral his protective instincts. “Point taken.”
After they reached the door, Francesca used her key to unlock it. They stepped inside and the Tiffany light illuminated the foyer.
Grady immediately focused on the steps. “I suppose your bedroom’s upstairs?”
“I can handle a flight of stairs,” she said absently, as if the thought of them fatigued her more. She might even still fear a miscarriage.
“I know you can. But Madison told you to rest. Tell me what you need and I’ll go up and get it.” He didn’t want her getting dizzy again or feeling weak and falling.
She smiled. “It’s not that simple. My suitcase is in the closet. I’ve got sweaters in one drawer, jeans in another—”
“You have your cell phone, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Good. And I have mine. I’ll program my number in. You sit on the sofa and call me. You can tell me exactly where everything is you want me to bring down. This doesn’t have to be a big deal, Frannie.”
She hesitated, then said, “I’ve never had a nickname.”
They were standing close in the small foyer, the heat of the house chasing away the cold. Or was his proximity to Francesca chasing it away? This was the woman who’d set him on fire with a desire he hadn’t experienced in years!
Studying her now, he saw she was still pale and the smudges under her eyes were becoming even bluer. She’d had a long, exhausting, traumatic day and he just wanted to get her back to his ranch.
He cleared his throat. “So how about the phone?”
Making up her mind, she slipped her phone from her coat pocket and handed it to him.
“I’ll be done in ten minutes tops. Then you can sit in my favorite recliner with Shadow at your side and I’ll bring you whatever you want.”
“I’m going to need lots of vegetables,” she murmured.
“No problem. I’ve got a freezer full. They’ll only take a few minutes to steam. How does that sound?”
“That sounds great.”
He programmed his number into her phone, then handed it back to her. Taking his from his pocket, he jogged up the stairs and at the top called down, “Ring me.”
She did. For the next few minutes, their system worked pretty well. Until…
“In the second drawer in the chest I have some—” Francesca hesitated “—some underwear. Just grab a few of the blue and pink ones.”
He couldn’t help but tease. “Should I ask what the other ones are?”
“They’re my nonpregnancy underwear.”
He laughed. “It’s okay, Frannie. I promise I won’t look at them. I’m just packing a few into the suitcase, stuffing them under a sweater.” For the most part, he didn’t look. He knew he had to gather everything quickly or she might change her mind.
Grady was on his way back downstairs when the front door opened and two women spilled in. Tessa Rossi he recognized right away. He supposed the other woman was Emily Madison. They both took one look at him and stopped short. Then they aimed their gazes at Francesca, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Rushing toward her, they gave her hugs.
After a few moments, Tessa released her. Her friend’s gaze assessed Grady and the suitcase he was car
rying. “When Francesca called to tell me she was being discharged, she said she’s going to your ranch with you.”
“Her doctor doesn’t think she should be alone.” Grady felt defensive, not exactly sure why.
Emily assured Francesca, “On the way here, Tessa and I talked about taking turns staying with you.”
“You both have kids to take care of. I’m not going to steal you away from them. Grady insists I won’t be any trouble, so I thought I’d try it at least overnight. We’ll see how it goes.”
Grady saw the way the women exchanged looks. He figured Tessa and Emily knew what had happened between him and Francesca, down to the failed birth control. That made him uncomfortable.
As if sensing that, Tessa left her friend, crossed over to Grady and extended her hand. “Do you remember me?”
“I remember exactly how your eyes lit up when you saw your first saddle.”
She smiled. “Vince mentioned you’re going to take one of the mustangs he brought back from the sale.”
“I sure am. Vince may be able to bring one over this week. I’m looking forward to it.”
“She’s going to take time,” Tessa reminded him. “These horses are used to being in the wild and are not at all happy at being penned up.”
“I have a stall ready and the pen outside, too. It’ll be okay, Tessa. I’ll take good care of her.”
Emily had wandered over and now Tessa introduced her. “Grady Fitzgerald, this is Emily Madison.”
“You’re Dr. Jared Madison’s wife?”
Emily nodded and shook his hand, her black, very curly hair bobbing around her face as she did so. “Yes, I am, though I’m still getting used to the name. We married about six weeks ago.”
Grady turned his focus back on Tessa. “And you and Vince married in August?”
“Yes, we did.”
Francesca levered herself up, using the arm on the chair. They all could see she looked exhausted.
Emily went to her and gave her another hug. “If there’s anything you need, anything at all, you call.”
When Emily was finished, Tessa moved toward Francesca and dropped her arm around her. “You know we both mean it.”
Francesca nodded. “I know. Thanks for…being here.”
Tessa dismissed the thanks with a wave. Her blond hair falling over her shoulder, she followed Emily to the foyer and out the door. They called, “Good night” as they left.
Minutes later, Grady heard a car back out of the driveway. “They really care about you.”
“Yes, they do. They’re my family now.”
“You don’t have any family in Sagebrush?”
“I don’t have any family at all.”
When she said it, he heard pain in her voice. Was that from losing them? Or some deeper reason?
“Come on. Let’s get you to my place. After you have something to eat, you can try out my guest bed and sleep as long as you want.” He knew she’d made arrangements while at the hospital with the other doctors in her practice to cover for her.
“I can’t remember the last time I slept without setting the alarm.”
“Tonight, you don’t have to set an alarm. You can sleep as late as you want.”
When she looked up at him, he saw gratitude in her eyes. And he almost…he almost kissed her. But he knew better than to tangle up their lives any more right now.
He knew better than to become involved with a woman who backed away from emotional intimacy. He’d been deceived and betrayed by a woman who didn’t know the meaning of love. He wouldn’t risk his heart again.
Chapter Two
Francesca rubbed her damp palms on her pant legs and worked to slow her pulse rate, telling herself to calm down.
Grady slanted a glance her way as he drove. “What’s wrong?”
“I…I don’t think I should have come.”
“Are you going to chicken out on me?”
“I’m not chickening out!” Her tone was louder than she intended and she felt her shoulders square.
“That’s better. That’s the Francesca Talbot I met the first night. You’re not any different than you were then. I’m not any different than I was then. We obviously got along, so let’s just see if we can’t get through at least one night.”
At that, he pulled into the driveway of a stone and clapboard ranch house and parked. She hurriedly unfastened her seat belt, opened the door and slid out before he could try to help her. But it was a long way down. He was there as she landed unsteadily, his hands at her sides, holding her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s just been a while since I maneuvered in and out of a truck.”
“Or off of a horse?” he asked with teasing lights in his eyes. They sparkled silver under the floodlight that lit up the front of the house.
“I’ve never ridden a horse. I’ve only been around Vince’s lately.”
He let out a low whistle. “Well, after this baby’s born, you’re going to have to learn. Our son will be riding a horse by the time he’s three.”
“Three? Are you out of your mind?”
“With supervision, of course. But let’s get you inside.”
She wasn’t sure if he was trying to rile her on purpose or tease her. The night they’d met, she’d liked his sense of humor. Why didn’t she appreciate it now?
As Grady unlocked the door, a big black-and-white dog shot through the opening before Grady could open the door the whole way. The canine rounded Grady’s legs three times, then sat down in front of him.
Grady leaned down to pet him. “Hi, boy. I brought someone to meet you. I’d like you to spend a little time with her so she feels at home here.”
Shadow cocked his head at her. She’d like to be friendly with Grady’s dog. She loved animals almost as much as children.
Slowly she extended her hand. Shadow came forward cautiously and sniffed her fingers.
She didn’t make a move to pet him, waiting to see what he’d do next.
Shadow went through the same antics he had with Grady. “Can I pet you now?” she asked as he finally sat blinking up at her, feeling herself relax a little. She leaned down and gently touched his head. He rolled his head to the side as if he wanted more.
“I think he likes you,” Grady decided with a chuckle, and pushed open the door the whole way. He switched on a few lights. “I’ll go get your suitcase.”
Francesca stood in the entryway, thinking the place didn’t look at all like a bachelor pad. There were curtains at the windows in the living room—a burgundy-and-navy plaid—the same material as the sofa. There were two navy, corduroy recliners by the native stone fireplace, braided rugs in tan and navy and wood side cabinets and shelves that housed a collection of hand-painted horses. Framed photographs lined the length of his entertainment center.
When she glanced to her right into the kitchen, she spotted clean, off-white counters, maple cupboards and an oval table big enough to seat six.
“Don’t look so surprised,” he said with an amused expression as he came in with her suitcase. “What did you expect? A sink filled with dishes? Coffee rings on all the tables? Newspapers scattered about?”
“I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t know you, Grady, and I’m still not sure I should be here.”
He looked at her curiously. “I never thought you’d be this jumpy about it. We slept together. How much more personal can that get? Spending the night here shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Grady might be perceptive sometimes, but he didn’t know her. He didn’t realize how hard it was for her to trust. That she still bore the effects of a past that she was trying to shake off and didn’t know if she ever could. Her turmoil must have shown in her eyes.
Approaching her slowly, he rested his hand on her shoulder. She was supposed to feel comfort. But there was more…a zingy pull toward him that had affected her since the night they’d met. She backed away, unconsciously trying to create enough distance so she could think.
But he
clearly took it for something else. “You’ve had a difficult day. More than difficult. I’m surprised you’re still on your feet. Come on, let me show you to your bedroom. If you do want to leave tomorrow, we’ll think of another plan.”
We’ll think of another plan.
She absolutely wasn’t used to teaming up. Sure, Emily and Tessa were around for support. But she made up her own mind and made her own decisions. She’d done that since the night she’d had to defend her mother from her father—one very big decision that had changed all of their lives.
Reflexively, she touched her left ear. She’d lost some hearing in that ear because of that night. But only Emily, Tessa and Vince knew that. Somehow she manufactured a smile. “I promise I won’t look for scattered newspapers or coffee rings along the way.”
He didn’t return her smile, just looked troubled. Maybe he was realizing having a stranger in his house wouldn’t be easy. They really were strangers, no matter how intimate they’d been.
His gaze locked to hers, and she felt an elemental tug toward him. But he turned and headed down the hall. She followed him into the guest bedroom.
Grady settled the suitcase on the black metal-and-wood bed. “That door leads to your bathroom. You can reach it from the hall, too. I’ve got one in the master suite so you don’t have to worry about being interrupted. And all of the doors do lock.”
In some ways she felt foolish about her reluctance to stay, in others she just felt totally off-balance. She took off her jacket and laid it on the patchwork quilt next to the suitcase. “Thank you for offering me a place to stay tonight so that I’d have someone close by.”
His penetrating blue eyes searched for the truth in hers. “I want you to get some rest. I want our baby to have the best chance at life.”
He was only doing this because of his son. She’d better not weave anything else into it. “I’ve been talking to this baby ever since I learned I was pregnant. But now that I know he’s a boy, our conversation might change a little.”
Baby by Surprise Page 2
