Daddy with a Deadline

by Marilyn Shank

  Trent sighed. “Good night, Warden Samuels.”

  Annie clutched her cell phone in case of emergency. Either his or hers. After Trent fell asleep, she slipped out to the kitchen and perked some strong coffee. She intended to keep a careful watch on the man all night long.

  She settled back in the recliner and sipped her coffee. Trent stirred and she gazed at him and smiled. She liked watching him sleep. For once she could stare at the man to her heart’s content. Besides, staying up all night was good practice. When the babies came, sleeping through the night would be a distant memory.

  Annie yawned. The gentle ticking of the wall clock and Trent’s steady breathing comforted her. A coyote howled in the distance—a sound she never heard in town. Oddly, that comforted her too.

  One hour passed. Then two. Trent seemed fine. Each time Annie’s eyelids drifted shut, she forced them open. Stay awake, she told herself. No dozing allowed.

  After another forty-five minutes, Annie’s head started to droop. She bit her lip, pinched herself, but nothing helped. At this rate, she’d never make it till morning. With difficulty, she climbed out of the recliner and tiptoed to Trent’s bed. He slept with one arm cradled under his head, and his tousled hair made him look boyish. Annie brushed a strand from his forehead.

  She gazed at the unoccupied part of Trent’s king-size bed. The hours she’d spent in the recliner had taken a toll. Now she felt both huge and stiff—a gruesome combination. How she would love to stretch out—even for a minute or two.

  She slipped around to the far side of the bed. It called to her like a temptress beckoning her lover. Come closer, it said. Stretch out for a while. You’ll feel wonderful. Which, of course, was true.

  Annie eased herself onto the edge of the bed as Trent slept on obliviously. She tried just sitting there, but after several minutes, her body refused to stay upright one moment longer.

  Aaaaah! Stretching out proved pure luxury. Annie laid her head on Trent’s extra pillow and sighed. She’d rest for an hour and then move back to the torturous recliner. Trent would never know she’d stowed away in his bed.

  As Annie glanced at Trent, her heart beat faster. His arm was within reach and she traced her fingers gently over his forearm. She couldn’t be this close and not touch him.

  You’re here to rest, she reminded herself sternly. Only to rest.

  A moment later Annie drifted off to sleep.

  Trent awoke to blinding sunshine streaming through his window. He started to sit up then realized his head weighed fifty pounds. And every muscle he owned was on strike. Yesterday’s adventure with Wildfire inched into his thoughts.

  Annie. Annie had rescued him. Probably saved his sorry hide. What a woman, Annie Samuels. He smiled. They’d spent the entire day together. A great day, even factoring in a chick flick and a near concussion.

  And Annie had insisted on spending the night. Trent lifted his head to see if Warden Samuels still occupied her post in the recliner. He saw the quilt she’d used to cover with but no sign of her. Maybe she’d used good sense for once and gone home.

  Trent felt a slight shifting of the mattress, and when he turned he saw her. Warden Samuels occupied the north side of his bed! Aha! For once the woman had taken his suggestion and joined him.

  But the smugness was soon replaced with longing. And a yearning so powerful it shocked him to the core.

  What a fortunate man Brad Samuels had been. To wake up every morning to the sight of Annie must have been heaven on earth. Yet the foolish man hadn’t valued Annie. He probably hadn’t even loved her.

  Annie turned toward him and sighed. The sound reminded him of a breeze teasing his willow tree. Trent inched closer, ignoring his aching joints, tendons, and ligaments. While he’d never been aware of them before, now he practically knew them by name.

  Trent gritted his teeth and inched nearer still. The closer he got to Annie, the more radiant she became. Knowing he shouldn’t, he reached out and stroked her curls. Then he caressed her shoulder. If Lady Luck was with him, Annie would sleep for hours. And he could lie here all morning and pretend Annie was his. All his.

  Lady Luck gave him five minutes. Then Annie bolted straight up and looked at him with horror in her eyes. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Loving you, Trent thought to himself. Just loving you.

  CHAPTER 11

  TRENT CRINGED WHEN Annie pulled a skillet from his cupboard and slammed it onto the stove. Good thing he didn’t have a range with one of those fancy glass tops. It would have a major crack down the center.

  She glared at him. “How do you want your eggs?”

  “Scrambled, please. If you don’t mind.”

  Obviously she minded. Very much.

  Annie had changed from his T-shirt into the yellow sundress, and Trent could no longer view those amazing legs. He missed Annie’s legs. Soon he’d miss Annie, period.

  He’d lost his mind this morning when he scooted so close to her and caressed her shoulder. But he couldn’t help himself. There she was in his bed, looking and smelling delicious. And most surprising of all, it seemed normal for her to be there.

  Dawn had lived here with him for only six months before she left. During that time, she hadn’t cooked a single meal. All the woman did was shop, shop, shop. Her goal in life was spending money—his money. All Dawn ever did was take.

  It suddenly struck Trent how different Annie was from his ex-wife. Annie was all about giving, not taking.

  “Do you want fried potatoes?” Her glance shot an arrow to his heart. If it had been a poison arrow, he’d be done for.

  “Only if you’ll have some too.”

  She yanked open his vegetable drawer, pulled out a couple of potatoes, and peeled vehemently. He hadn’t known you could peel potatoes vehemently until now.

  Another skillet banged onto the stove and soon the potatoes were frying. Trent didn’t want Annie to feel obligated to cook for him. He’d send her home, but she’d just ignore him.

  She filled their plates and they sat across from each other like robots. “It smells wonderful,” he said, waving a white flag.

  “Good.”

  “I took a look at that name book,” Trent said hoping to jumpstart the conversation. “I like Matthew for a boy.”

  “Not bad.”

  “Girl names are harder. Thought I’d leave that up to you.”

  Annie nodded, and the brief conversation skidded to a halt.

  “Anybody home?” The back door swung open and Doc Rivers came in. “Morning, folks. How’s my patient progressing?”

  Trent stood and shook Doc’s hand. “Doin’ better, thanks.”

  “Thought I’d give you a quick once-over. Just to be sure.”

  Trent nodded. “Let’s go into the living room.”

  “Excuse us, will you, Annie?” Doc Rivers said.

  “Of course.” When she flashed the doctor a charming smile, Trent felt a zing of jealousy. He hadn’t been privy to a hint of a smile all morning. And Annie showed no signs of relenting.

  Trent sighed.

  He was in the doghouse.

  Big-time.

  Annie felt profound relief when she heard Doc Rivers tell Trent he could resume normal activities—within reason. The headache would linger, but otherwise the man was fit as a fiddle. That meant Annie could tell him he was off duty. And then she could leave. Thank goodness this ordeal was nearly over.

  When the doctor left, she turned to Trent. “I want to say something, and I’d like you to just listen.”

  “You’re forbidding me to speak? Is that a new rule?”

  Annie felt heat flush her cheeks. Trent wouldn’t make this easy. The man never made anything easy. “I’m not forbidding you. I’d just appreciate it if you let me do the talking.”

  “Fair enough.”

  He crossed his arms across that broad chest—the one that had been shirtless and within touching range this morning. Pushing that tantalizing image aside, she said, “I’m delight
ed that Doc Rivers says you’re doing well. Really, I am.”

  “Me too. Oh yeah, I’m not allowed to talk.”

  She almost smiled, but she must be firm. Decisive. Otherwise Trent would pay no attention.

  “Since you’re doing better now, I’m going home.”

  He did a little thumbs-up sign, which Annie ignored.

  “Before I go, I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me and the twins. I couldn’t have made it through these past weeks without you.”

  He smiled but thankfully didn’t comment.

  “The nursery is furnished and ready, and I can make it on my own now. You’ve more than fulfilled Brad’s request, and you’re off duty now. Free to resume your normal life.”

  “Now wait just a minute. What exactly are you saying?”

  She looked into Trent’s amazing eyes, pulled together every ounce of courage she possessed, and said, “That I can take it from here, Trent. I don’t need you anymore.”

  The pain in Trent’s eyes tore at every fiber of her being. So did his anguished expression. His jaw shifted tensely and his brow furrowed. For several moments, a deadly silence filled the room.

  Finally Trent nodded. “If that’s the way you want it.”

  “That’s the way I want it.” Somehow she held her gaze steady and kept from bursting into tears. How, she would never know.

  Annie rushed out the door, hopped into the VW, and left Copper Creek Ranch. She must put as much distance between herself and Trent as possible. As she drove away, the tears came. In bucketfuls.

  You did the right thing, she assured herself as she blinked to clear her vision. But she’d never forget the agony of telling Trent she didn’t need him anymore. She did need him! Desperately! And she wanted him as well. But she must release him from his responsibility. She couldn’t bear being an obligation.

  She would always remember waking up this morning with Trent so wonderfully near. While she’d been furious with the man, she’d also felt wildly attracted to him. And warm and safe, besides. Best of all, she’d felt loved.

  False hopes. Silly imaginings. Every one of them. And Annie knew that. All that kept her going was knowing she’d done the right thing.

  On her way home, she stopped at Wes’s garage to pick up Eloise. She’d called the shop this morning and learned her car was ready. Never mind that it would take the rest of her life to pay the repair bill. She’d manage one way or another.

  As she handed over the keys to the dear little VW, she swallowed hard. “Thanks for the loaner, Wes. I really love that car.”

  “Thank Trent Madison. He had me order it in especially for you. And he’s paying the rental fee.”

  Annie inhaled deeply. “I see. I’ll be sure and thank him.” And pay him back, she promised herself.

  As Annie climbed into Eloise and drove home, tears again clouded her vision. Trent had given her so much these past few weeks: a fully furnished nursery, companionship, passionate kisses, a wonderful car to drive, and so much more.

  But the only thing she wanted from Trent was something he could never give: a commitment to happily ever after. Her odds of collecting that gift from this man were infinitesimal.

  Annie pulled into the driveway. “Welcome home, Eloise. It’s just you and me again. And of course the babies. We’ll take care of them together, won’t we?”

  As Annie entered her house, all she wanted was a shower and a good cry. After that, she’d start the hard work of forgetting. Forgetting the feelings of excitement Trent stirred; forgetting the joy of laughing with Trent, or watching the sunset with him. Forgetting how marvelous it felt to have his arms around her.

  But toughest of all would be forgetting the feeling of Trent lying close to her this morning and inhaling his masculine scent. And seeing what looked like love in his eyes.

  Looks can be deceiving, she told herself. She’d thought Brad loved her too. What a fool she’d been.

  Annie spent most of Saturday morning poring over her budget. She juggled the figures, but no matter how she aligned them, expenses exceeded income. By a country mile.

  She sighed, wondering how she’d cover the needs of two babies. If Eloise would cooperate by hanging together, that would certainly help.

  She went to sort the laundry and had just tossed in the first load when it hit. Labor! And judging from the intensity of the pain, there was nothing false about it. She paced her living room for an hour as the pains got stronger and closer together. She’d promised Trent she’d get someone to take her to the hospital.

  Annie punched in Mrs. Higginbotham’s number and was relieved when she answered. “It’s time,” she said. “Will you drive me to the hospital?”

  “I’d be honored. I’ll pull my car into your driveway, and don’t you dare touch your suitcase. I’ll carry it to the car for you. See you in five minutes.”

  Tears welled in Annie’s eyes. “I’ll be ready. Thanks, Mrs. H. Thanks a lot.”

  Annie pulled her suitcase from the closet and moments later answered the knock on the door.

  An in-charge Mrs. Higginbotham stood before her. Not even a trace of anxiety was evident. “Oh, Annie,” she said smiling, “we’re going to have babies. Two babies.”

  As another contraction started to build, Annie bit her lip. “Yes, we are. And we’d better get going so you don’t have to deliver them.”

  Even that didn’t ruffle Mrs. H. “The car door’s open and I’ll grab your suitcase.” Then she leaned forward to hug her, and Annie basked in the maternal embrace. She clung to Mrs. H as she would have to her own dear mother—had Mama lived to share this moment.

  “I’m a little scared,” Annie confessed as the two women walked to the car.

  “No need to be frightened, my dear. I delivered three babies without a single hitch. You’ll manage just fine.” She said it with such conviction that Annie believed her.

  Moments later Annie and her neighbor drove toward Ash Grove Memorial in Mrs. H’s turquoise-and-white 1955 Chevy. When Annie first got pregnant, she’d never imagined such a scene. She’d planned to be chauffeured to the hospital by her husband, Brad. But fate had rearranged her life.

  Concentrate on giving birth, she told herself as another pain hit. There wasn’t time or energy for anything else.

  Minutes later Annie was admitted. A nurse brought a wheelchair and pushed her to the birthing room while Mrs. H padded along behind.

  Annie changed into an oversized gown and climbed into bed. Since they’d arrived her neighbor’s cheeks had flushed, and she fanned herself with her handkerchief. “Are you all right, Mrs. H?”

  “Don’t you worry about me,” she said. But Annie knew her friend would be better off at home.

  “Have you eaten lunch?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Then I want you to go home and eat. You know what happens to your blood sugar if you miss a meal. If you get sick right now, how can you help me with the babies?”

  Mrs. H fidgeted with her handkerchief. “But I can’t leave you alone, my dear.”

  “I’m not alone! There’s a staff of six people hovering over me. You did an important job by getting me here, and I’m grateful. But I’ll be happier thinking of you at home sipping chamomile tea.”

  Mrs. H sighed. “Will you promise to call if you need me? And let me know when the babies arrive?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “All right then, I’ll go.” Mrs. H stood and placed a gentle kiss on Annie’s forehead. “I love you, honey,” she said.

  “I love you too.”

  “Mr. Trent? Your lunch is getting cold.” Rosa called to him from the kitchen.

  Trent looked up from the article he’d been reading, or trying to read. Concentration was impossible since Annie had walked out on him two days ago. It seemed like two years.

  “Coming,” he said.

  He took his place at the kitchen table and glanced at the burrito Rosa had prepared. While it smelled heavenly, he wasn’t sure he could eat a single
bite.

  Rosa poured herself some coffee and joined him.

  “Something’s bothering you, Mr. Trent. You’ll feel better if you talk about it.”

  He smirked at his housekeeper. “You say that a lot, Rosa. Are you prying into my private life again?”

  “I certainly am. It’s part of my job description.”

  “Actually, it’s not. Better reread your contract.” He shoved a bite of burrito into his mouth to appease Rosa. And to head off even more interrogation.

  “It’s Miss Annie, isn’t it? When are the babies due?”

  “Today.”

  “Have you called her?”

  “I can’t. Annie wants nothing to do with me.”

  “You said that the first morning you met her. And look what developed between the two of you. You fell in love.”

  The woman was delusional. “Why would you say that? Annie and I had some fun for a few weeks and faced some challenges. I honored her husband’s request, and now it’s over.”

  “It’s not over. If you recall, Brad’s letter asked you to help Miss Annie bring the babies home from the hospital.”

  Trent took another bite, wishing he could sidestep this conversation. But he’d have to leave the ranch if he wanted to escape Master Sergeant Hernandez.

  “Are you going to help her bring the babies home or not?” Rosa demanded.

  “I can’t. Annie dismissed me and said it was over. She thanked me for helping and said she could manage on her own now.”

  “And you believed her?”

  Trent hadn’t wanted to believe her. But Annie had sounded so certain. And it was her life. He couldn’t barge his way into it unless she let him. Or wanted him. Which she didn’t.

  The sound of a car door slamming interrupted the conversation. “Are you expecting a client?” Rosa asked.

  “No.”

  “I’ll see who it is.”

  Trent breathed a relieved sigh as Rosa went to the door. Hopefully one of the church ladies had come to pay a visit. Then they could end the interrogation.