The Cowboy's Twin Surprise

by Cathy McDavid

  Pinning her arms over her head, he’d driven into her, saying her name, telling her how beautiful she was, insisting she was his, now and always. Before long, she’d climaxed again. That time, he hadn’t waited, but followed after her.

  Frankie had prepared herself for regrets. That hadn’t happened, however. She and Spence were too busy laughing and cuddling and sharing intimate conversation for reflection. But then he’d drifted off, and now she lay awake in bed, unable to sleep, her mind going a mile a minute.

  She and Spence had made significant progress lately, it was true. Still, had they moved too fast? Sex rocketed a relationship ahead to a whole new level. What if he asked to move in with her and the girls? Tried to take a larger part in the management of her catering business? Assumed they were dating? Exclusively.

  All right, those last two were probably reasonable, given they’d just slept together. Frankie wouldn’t have let him near her bed unless she was confident of a future together.

  Did she really just have that thought? A future with Spence? Look at the trouble she’d gotten into last time when she began making plans.

  Lifting her head, she stifled a groan and punched her pillow.

  “Having trouble sleeping?” Spence’s low voice gave her a start.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I was...was...” She’d rather not admit the direction her thoughts had wandered, and said the first thing to pop into her head. “The commercial smoker. Are you still willing to pick it up tomorrow?”

  “I’m devoting my entire day to you and the girls.”

  “I’m serious, Spence.”

  “Me, too.” He must have sensed her anxiety because he said, “Everything’s going to be okay.”

  She flopped onto her back. “How can you be sure?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to make unreasonable demands or invade your life.”

  His profile bathed in the moonlight made him look like the teenager he’d been when they first met. She recalled snuggling with him on a blanket in her dad’s backyard late one night after a high school football game.

  “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  “You’re the same Frankie Hartman you always were. And while we’re on the subject, neither am I going to jump out of bed, get down on one knee and propose.”

  She stiffened with indignation.

  “Not yet, anyway.”

  “I’m th—”

  He didn’t let her finish. “Also for the record, I’m not ruling out marriage. We’ll talk when the time’s right,” he added.

  “Spence.”

  “One day at a time, okay?” He pinched her chin between his thumb and index finger and tilted her face toward his.

  “What about the girls? Come morning, they’ll realize you’ve spent the night.”

  The chance also existed that Paige or Sienna would wake, scared from a bad dream, and come into Frankie’s bedroom. What would they think when they encountered the closed door? She always left it open.

  “Would you rather I leave now?” he asked.

  “You’d do that?”

  “Like you’ve always said, the girls come first. If them not finding me here is what’s best, then, fine, I’ll leave.”

  He was serious, not pulling her leg or patronizing her.

  Frankie thought about her answer before giving it. “No, stay. If they ask—and who knows, they might not—we’ll tell them that lots of mommies and daddies sleep together. They already have some idea from other people and watching television. If we don’t make a big deal about it, they hopefully won’t, either.”

  “Okay. We have a plan.”

  “Unless they say something to my family.” Frankie tensed. “Paige has no filter whatsoever. I swear she loves embarrassing me.”

  “I say use the same strategy. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

  “Mel and Ronnie aren’t children. They’ll have a field day.”

  “Then tell them first, before they hear.”

  “Hmm.” Frankie considered Spence’s suggestion. “Could work if I put the right spin on it.”

  “What is the right spin?” He pulled her closer, turning her and fitting her into the curve of his body, her back to his broad chest.

  She’d forgotten how nice that felt, being enveloped by all of him. “That we’re taking things slow. Which we are. Very slow,” she reiterated.

  “Sure.” He nuzzled her neck. “I can go slow. In fact, I’m known for my slowness.”

  “You don’t say?” She angled her head, giving him plenty of access. “And who are these many people aware of your incredible slowness?”

  “The only person I care about is you.” He pressed his erection into her backside. Where had that come from? Could he possibly be ready for round two so soon?

  “I think you’re going to have to show me.” She shifted, well aware of what his reaction would be to that subtle movement.

  “Do I hear a challenge?” He reached around her, his hand delving between her legs. “Because I’ve never been able to refuse a challenge.”

  She parted her thighs so that his fingers could explore her damp folds. “Not a challenge. More of a request. Because I want you to take your time, Spence Bohanan. Make this last until you can’t wait another second.”

  He uttered a sound, half desperation and half frustration. “You might regret those words.”

  Not likely. Frankie was pretty sure they were both going to drive the other one crazy. And be damn happy with the outcome.

  Chapter Twelve

  “You know of any other veterinarians in the area I can call besides Mel?” Spence asked Ethan.

  “I have a couple names. No guarantee they’d come this far at two o’clock on a Friday afternoon. Not with the weekend looming.”

  The two men stood outside the stall of Spence’s younger mare. The bay’s head remained in the corner. She refused to face them and periodically pawed the ground.

  Could be signs of colic, which wasn’t good during a pregnancy. Also could be signs of uterine torsion, a serious complication that almost always required surgery. With a due date three months away, the foal’s chances of survival were nonexistent.

  Then again, it could be nothing. When Spence had arrived at the ranch a short time ago, he’d questioned Ethan extensively. According to him, the mare hadn’t tried to lie down or roll. She’d also eaten that morning and was seen drinking water. Ethan’s cursory exam had revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

  Spence should be relieved, only he wasn’t. Why was she standing in the corner? Even waving a carrot hadn’t encouraged her to abandon her place. Had the pain in her leg flared up? The limp Mel spotted a few weeks ago seemed to have vanished. Maybe Spence should take the mare for a walk around the stables.

  “Why is it you won’t call Mel?” Ethan asked.

  “She’s pregnant. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “How important is this mare and her foal to you? At least Mel could look at her.”

  “True.”

  The mare’s movement was so unexpected, Spence involuntarily jerked. As if she hadn’t caused the two men intense worry, she plodded to the stall door, lifted her head over and nuzzled Spence’s arm.

  “What’s this?” He petted her nose, and she snorted in return.

  Ethan stared in disbelief. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was pulling your leg.”

  The two men stayed for several more minutes, continuing to observe the mare. Spence needed to be absolutely sure she was all right.

  “I heard you and Frankie are back together.”

  “You...what?” Spence frowned. “Who told you?”

  “An educated guess. I’ve seen you two together around town.”

  He and Fr
ankie had been attempting to keep their relationship under wraps. They were almost caught that first morning, but the girls simply assumed Spence had arrived early for breakfast. Neither did they think much about him coming over every day since.

  Mel and Ronnie had probably guessed, given they were dropping hints, which Frankie chose to ignore.

  Spence hadn’t stayed over a second night, though he would have very much liked that. He took his cues from Frankie, and she hadn’t given any indication she was ready. That wasn’t to say they hadn’t stolen away for a few gratifying moments alone and one very long goodbye while the girls slept.

  “We’re doing things together as a family,” he said. “Plus she has a big catering job tomorrow that’s kept her really busy. I’ve been helping as much as I can.”

  Last Sunday, they’d picked up the commercial smoker. Taking the girls, they’d made a day of it, stopping for pizza on the way home.

  “But you’d like to get back together,” Ethan prodded.

  Spence didn’t contradict his friend and instead executed a side step. “We’re taking things one day at a time.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “Hey, wait a minute.”

  Ethan laughed. “I’ve got to run. I’m meeting a client. I’ll check on this girl periodically and call you if there’s any indication of trouble.”

  “I appreciate that, pal.”

  No sooner had Ethan left than Spence’s phone rang. “Hi, Frankie.”

  “Catch you at a bad time?” she asked.

  “Not at all.” He tried to keep the pleasure from his voice, a phenomenon that occurred each time they talked no matter how determined he was to prevent it. “What’s up?”

  “I hate to impose, but I need a favor.”

  “Hey, we’re a team.” He’d almost said “couple,” but caught himself at the last second.

  “Any chance you can drive into Scottsdale and pick up the meat at the wholesale distributor? I’m stuck at the café and can’t get away.”

  She’d placed the order four days ago. They would have picked it up earlier, only Frankie had yet to purchase a chest freezer; Spence had deemed the one they looked at on Sunday a piece of junk. Neither of them had considered waiting to pick up the meat until today a problem.

  “I thought you were scheduled to get off early.”

  “I was. Antonio insists I have to cover for Sherry Anne. She went home with a hundred-and-one temperature. My request for time off is personal. Antonio says because she’s sick, her request trumps mine. If I refuse and clock out, he’s going to write me up.”

  “Can he do that?”

  “I don’t know. And I don’t have time today to be phoning the EEOC or Department of Labor or whoever one contacts to file a complaint.” She called the new manager a very unflattering name under her breath. “I’d quit this stupid job if I could.”

  Spence held his tongue. She wouldn’t let him support her and the girls until she found other employment or her catering business took off. No point in offering.

  “I’ll get the meat,” he assured her. “Don’t worry. Just text me the distributor’s name and address.”

  “What about Lucas? Will he mind you leaving work early?”

  Spence didn’t admit he’d already left, much to Lucas’s consternation. He and his new boss hadn’t been meshing as well as Spence had originally hoped. His fault. He’d been too optimistic. Not many horse farm owners were as amenable as Annily Farrington.

  “Remember,” Frankie said, “the distributor’s closes at four thirty.”

  He checked the time on his phone. “No problem. I can make it before then.”

  “Can you also pick up the girls from preschool and drop them off at Mel’s? She’ll be done working by then and can babysit.”

  “I’ll take them with me.”

  “Are you sure? Paige and Sienna can be a handful.”

  “They’ll be fine,” Spence insisted. “You’ve taken them to the distributor before. I can swing by the café, which is a few blocks from the preschool, and get their car seats.”

  “Or you can leave me your truck and take my minivan.”

  “Don’t forget to call ahead and let the preschool know I’m coming.”

  “I had you added to the list of authorized people earlier this week.”

  She had? That as much as anything made Spence certain of her feelings for him. She trusted him with their daughters. She believed in his ability to take care of them.

  With their plan coming together, they finalized a last few details before disconnecting. Spence gave the mare another quick inspection.

  “Aren’t you the fickle one?” He patted her neck. “Just like a female.”

  On the drive to the preschool, he called Mel, putting her on alert about his mare. She agreed to keep her phone close and go directly to the ranch if he called her with a problem.

  Paige and Sienna were thrilled to see him when he arrived at the preschool. When they insisted they were hungry, he phoned Frankie and asked her to bring them a snack when they switched vehicles at the café. She was waiting for them outside, keys and to-go boxes in hand.

  “You’re the best.” She gave Spence a hug, which he returned with what might be considered more than necessary enthusiasm.

  “I aim to please.”

  She looked at him with pleading eyes. “I hate to ask, but I have another request.”

  He’d have given her the moon if he could.

  “Will you start the smoker when you get to the house? It needs to preheat. And prep the meat. Call me and I’ll talk you through the process. I already have the seasonings prepared. They’re in a container on the counter. The girls can feed the pets. And there are leftovers in the fridge for dinner.”

  “Okay, okay. I got it.” At least, he thought he did. There was a lot to remember.

  They were at the edge of town when his cell phone rang yet again. “Girls, be quiet for a second. Daddy has a call and needs to hear.”

  When had he started referring to himself as “Daddy”?

  Seeing Ethan’s name on his phone display, he was immediately struck with concern. “Yeah, pal. What’s up?”

  “Your mare’s been trying to lie down in her stall.”

  Not good news. And if she was experiencing uterine torsion, rolling would only worsen the condition.

  “I’ll be right there.” Spence disconnected and immediately called Mel. When she answered, he relayed what Ethan had said. “I’m on my way,” he told her. “Be there in ten minutes.”

  “I’m five minutes behind you,” she answered.

  “Where are we going?” Paige asked when he was done.

  “The ranch. Daddy has a small emergency.” That could actually become a large one.

  All his panic and hurrying felt like an overreaction when he arrived at Powell Ranch, to find the mare was once again behaving perfectly fine.

  “Can we pet her?” Sienna crossed the invisible line Spence had instructed the twins to stand behind.

  He held up a hand. “Not today, angel face. You and your sister just play for few minutes while I talk to your aunt Mel.”

  Sienna’s pout ended the moment Paige grabbed her hand and tugged her down the aisle. Spence entered the stall. When Mel insisted on an up-close examination, he didn’t object. The first thing she did was listen to the mare’s side with a stethoscope.

  “Sounds good,” she said. “I’m hearing plenty of gut noises.” After that, they walked the horse up and down the aisle. Then Mel pressed and kneaded the mare’s underside. “I’m not finding any indication of pain or distress.”

  “What do you think I should do?”

  “Just keep an eye on her. I’ll stay for another hour.”

  “Would you? That’d be
great.” Spence was already planning on returning to the ranch after Frankie got home. She could pick up where he left off with smoking the brisket, ribs and chicken.

  “And I’ll drop by in the morning,” Mel said. “Bring my X-ray equipment. I’m really leaning toward an issue with her leg.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Rather than answer him, she asked, “Hadn’t you better get going? The meat distributor is a twenty-five-mile drive.”

  He gave the mare a last lingering look.

  “Leave, Spence. I swear I’ll take good care of her.”

  “All right.” He turned, glancing about for the twins. They were nowhere to be seen. He muttered, “Shit,” and went in search of them.

  They weren’t in the tack room, the first place he checked; it figured they’d find a new hiding place. Five minutes later, right at the moment he was about to come unglued, he discovered them hiding behind the grain barrels.

  “Come on, you two, we’re running late.” He took them by the hands, refusing to give in to the temper he felt brewing just beneath the surface. Paige and Sienna were kids, and he had told them to go play.

  Eventually, they were on the freeway heading toward south Scottsdale. Spence let himself relax. They still had a half hour to get to the meat distributor.

  Right before the Shea exit, traffic came to a grinding halt. Literally. As in a standstill. Spence swore again.

  “You said a bad word,” Paige admonished him from the back seat of the minivan.

  “Sorry.”

  Five minutes later, they reached the next exit. Spence decided to travel city streets the remainder of the way and exited the freeway. But during rush hour on a Friday afternoon, those, too, were congested.

  He stopped looking at the clock on the dash and tried calling Frankie. Maybe she could contact the meat distributor and let him know he was on his way. When she didn’t answer, he threw his cell phone onto the passenger seat.

  With no other choice, Spence drove as fast as he dared with two youngsters in the vehicle. Every effort he made was in vain, however. When he arrived at the place, the parking lot was a ghost town and the front door locked. Repeated banging and shouting drew no one. Calling the phone number painted on the door, he got a recording.