“I’m here.” She looked away from him, from the handsome cowboy whom she’d married. She hadn’t thought about attraction between them. She hadn’t planned on caring about him.
The letters... She shouldn’t have written the letters. It had felt like courting. The letters had created this strange, tenuous bond between them. Without those letters they would have remained strangers.
She knew that he wanted a home on his fifty acres of Cooper land. He wanted cattle. He had a degree in counseling. He loved his family.
He had connections, roots.
She was a tiny boat adrift on a big, open ocean. But at least now she had an anchor. She hadn’t had an anchor in years. She closed her eyes and prayed that God would help her do the right thing, to not hold on to Reese because it made her life more secure to have him close.
“You’re still here, right?” Reese’s question pulled her back and she realized that she’d drifted.
“I’m here.”
“You’re nervous?”
“A little.” She glanced from Reese to the Cooper home. “I’m a stranger, and you’re going to take me in there and introduce me as your wife. Right? And they’re all going to look at me like I’m using you. Or worse.”
“They know better.” He pulled off his sunglasses. “Do you want to hide behind these?”
She looked into hazel eyes and fought the urge to reach up and touch his face. “No. Is that what you do?”
He smiled and put them back on. “No. Well, maybe sometimes. There are a few reasons I wear them. I can’t see the sun, so I don’t know to look away. Sunburned eyes is not something I enjoy. It also makes people feel more comfortable if I’m not staring without realizing I’m staring. And in a crowded room it makes people notice that I can’t see—that and the cane—and they’re more considerate.”
“I understand.”
“Maybe you could join me for rehab. They say it’s helpful for family to understand.”
“Reese, I’m not really family.”
“No, I guess not. I just thought...”
“We should go inside.”
“And not discuss this.” He shot her an easy grin and started forward, the white cane swinging easily from side to side in front of him. It hit the first step and he stopped, found the rail and started up. “You’re with me, right?”
“Right here.”
He nodded and continued up. When they reached the porch, the door opened. Heather stepped out, a welcoming smile reaching out to Cheyenne as she gestured for them to enter the foyer.
“Cheyenne, I’m glad you made it.”
“Thank you.” Cheyenne didn’t know what else to say to a family dinner with the Coopers on a Tuesday evening. She could smell the grill.
“Everyone else is out back on the patio. Did you bring a swimsuit?”
“No.” She looked down at her belly, and Heather closed her eyes briefly.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think.” Heather shook her head and her gaze remained on Cheyenne’s belly. “Is he kicking like crazy?”
“Right now?” Cheyenne ran her hand over her belly. “Yes. See him moving?”
Reese’s hand touched her arm. Cheyenne turned, facing him and facing a tumult of emotions that swept through her, making it hard to breathe.
“I’m going to go tell the family that you’re here.” Heather smiled quickly and hurried away. “Don’t be too long or someone else will come looking for you. And, Reese, you smell like a horse.”
“Thanks.” He spoke with a husky, heavy voice.
“Reese?” Why were they still standing in the foyer? Why did it hurt to breathe? Why did he do this to her when she told herself she wouldn’t let it happen, this feeling of being connected to him.
“I want to know what the baby is doing.” He shook his head and laughed just a little. “I feel like I’m missing out on something really important. And I know that doesn’t make sense.”
“I know.” She knew that it didn’t make sense. She knew that it felt as if he was missing out. Or maybe she was the one missing out on him being involved with this baby. She didn’t really know. She reached for his hand, and as her little guy did a somersault in her belly she placed Reese’s hand, calloused and strong, on her shirt.
He was her husband. She closed her eyes as he stepped close but not before she saw his smile. He laughed a little and shook his head in wonder.
“Amazing.” He moved his hand to her arm, up to her shoulder and then to her face. His fingers touched her cheek, her chin, and then they stroked her jaw, down to her neck. He leaned in close, not smelling like a horse but like a man who had been outdoors. He smelled good and clean. He kissed her cheek and then he held her close.
“Thank you.”
She nodded because she couldn’t answer.
“We should go.” He pulled back, but he held out his hand and she took it.
They walked through the house to the kitchen. Bright sunlight came through the big windows and the French door that led to the patio. Through the glass she could see the family gathered around the pool. There were several patio tables and a covered outdoor kitchen.
One of the men on the patio saw them coming and opened the door. Cheyenne searched her memory but couldn’t recall him. He had dark hair and hazel eyes that matched Reese’s strong features. Cut from stone, she thought. He was strong and serious.
“Reese, do you want your burger well-done?” the man asked.
“Blake, this is Cheyenne. And you do know how to get right to the point.”
“Sorry.” Blake smiled at her and held out a strong hand. “Blake Cooper. Older brother.”
“Nice to meet you.” And it was nerve-racking.
“Come on out. We’re taking burgers off the grill. Do you like cheese?” He motioned them onto the patio.
“I do. Thanks.” She started to move, but the world blurred a little. She blinked quick and managed to smile at Blake Cooper. He gave her a funny look and walked away.
“You okay?” Reese grunted a little. “Because you sure have a grip.”
She breathed deep and closed her eyes. “I’m good.”
“Nervous?”
“A little. You have a huge family.”
“They bite.” He held on to her hand. “But don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
“Thanks. I think.”
Reese held her back. “Cheyenne, I wish you would think about moving to the ranch. With preeclampsia, I think it’s important for you to be where we can help you.”
“Do you know what preeclampsia is?”
He laughed and shook his head. “I’m pretty sure I don’t.”
“I’m fine, Reese.” She looked past him to the family lining up at the counter near the grill.
“I know you are, but I’ll rest easier if you’re here. You can drive my truck. Your car has a serious death knock.”
“‘Death knock’? What does that mean?”
“The engine is about to go.” He looped his arm through hers. “After dinner I’ll show you the stable apartment. Don’t let the word stable put you off. When you see what Travis did with the old bunkhouse, you’ll be impressed.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good. And in return, I’ll let you lead me over to the grill where I will show you how amazing I am at fixing my own plate.”
She smiled and nodded her head because she couldn’t do more. Her head ached and her feet were swollen. As much as she wanted to fight Reese on moving to the ranch, she couldn’t because she no longer wanted to be alone.
She wanted to be with people. She wanted to be around Reese.
* * *
Reese waited until most of the family had left before he asked Cheyenne to walk with him. He wanted to show her the stable apartment. But he also wanted a few minutes alone with her. It had something to do with summer, tree frogs and warm air. In the distance he heard a coyote howl. Next to him Cheyenne shivered.
“They won’t bother us,” he assured he
r as they walked across the yard.
“I know. It’s the melancholy sound.”
“Yeah, I know.” He continued walking, and he nodded in the general direction of the garage. “I live in the guesthouse over the garage. It isn’t quite as amazing as the bunkhouse.”
“I find that hard to believe. I haven’t seen anything on this ranch that isn’t amazing.”
“Including me?” he teased.
“You’re definitely amazing.” Her tone caught him by surprise. Cheyenne was flirting. He smiled and switched his cane to his left hand so he could slide his right arm around her waist. The gesture felt comfortable, as if he’d always known her, always had her in his life.
When they reached the barn, he opened the door and motioned her inside. “After you.”
“You’re getting very good at this.” She touched his hand and drew him back to her side.
“Yeah, it’s getting easier.” He moved to the left side of the stable. “The apartment is the last door on the end. It even has a small fenced-in yard and a patio.”
“Seriously?”
“For real.” He swung his cane until it hit solid wall, not the boards of the stalls. “Here we go.”
He reached and found the door handle. Once they were inside, he led her to the kitchen. “Granite countertops, new appliances. And the paintings on the walls are compliments of my very artistic brother.”
“Amazing. Can we turn on lights?” She stepped away from him and flipped a switch.
He laughed. “Yeah, sure, if you insist on not being in the dark.”
“I never thought about it, Reese. You don’t turn on lights.”
“No need.” He opened the freezer and felt inside. “Still food in here. At first I turned on lights. Out of habit, I guess.”
“I’m sure.”
He led her from the kitchen, through the living room and the room that was once an art studio, then to the bedroom.
“What do you think?” He walked back to the living room and sat down. Cheyenne didn’t join him. He listened as she walked around from room to room. Occasionally she paused.
“It’s amazing. You were right. But I don’t know if I can do this.”
“No strings, Cheyenne. It’s a place to live. It’s more comfortable than a storeroom in an old barbershop.”
“I know. I guess it’s too late to care what people think of me.”
“What do they think?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure there are people who think I’m using you.” She sat down on the trunk that served as a coffee table, and her hands touched his. “I feel like I’m using you. Like I’ve used you. That isn’t a good feeling. Not when I’m trying so hard to be strong and make a good life for myself.”
He grasped her hand. “I think we help each other.”
“But you have family and friends all around you.”
“You’re right. They all want to help. But I need independence. I need a ride to Tulsa tomorrow. I have a perfectly good truck in the garage that I can’t drive. And you have a car that needs to be parked.”
“You’re suggesting this is a way to help each other.” She leaned and kissed his cheek. “Very sweet way to make me feel like I’m not using you.”
“Did it work?” He cleared his throat and thought about that kiss on the cheek. Sometimes the most innocent gesture could rattle a guy.
“Yeah, I think it did.”
“Good, but I’m serious about needing your help.” He sat back and she moved to the couch but not close enough to touch. He wanted to tell her how much he needed her at the ranch. She brought a sense of normalcy his world had been missing.
Before he could tell her, a shrill whinny interrupted. She let go of his hand. “What was that?”
He stood. “I’m not sure. Someone is pretty upset.”
Cheyenne followed him out the door and into the stable. The horse whinnied again. He followed the sound to a stall at the far end—not Charlie but the horse next to him. Reese turned, looking for Cheyenne.
“Are you here?”
“I’m right behind you.” She leaned in close. “Oh, Reese.”
“What’s going on?” He unlatched the stall door, but he didn’t plan on going in until he had a little more information.
“I think she’s having a baby.”
“And you think this why?” He stepped a foot into the stall and found the mare’s halter. “Cheyenne, I need information. You have to be my eyes.”
“There are hooves. She’s shaking.”
“Good. Okay.” He ran a hand down the horse’s neck and reached into his pocket for his phone. “Call Jackson. If he doesn’t answer, call Travis. Go down the list until someone answers.”
She took the phone, and he moved down the mare’s side. He could hear Cheyenne muttering as she used his phone. And then he heard her talking to someone.
Without sight, he had to think back to other situations, other mares. Usually horses delivered without a lot of complications. They might wait for hours until no one was around to watch. The main complication was the occasional thick sack that a foal had trouble breaking loose from. They’d lost an Arab foal that way once. The little filly couldn’t break from the sack and she’d suffocated.
He knew in seconds that this was a different problem. He ran his hand down the mare’s rump and examined her. This baby was coming out with one hoof lodged in the birth canal. So much for a relaxing night on the ranch. The mare sidestepped around. He moved when she moved and wished like crazy that he could see.
But his hands knew what to do. He’d done this before—not often, but a few times.
“You’re going to deliver this baby?” Cheyenne gasped a little and leaned in close.
“Could you hand me a lead rope? There should be one hanging next to the stall door. Who’d you get hold of?”
“Jesse.”
He laughed. “Okay, that works.”
“I have the lead rope.” Her voice trembled a little.
“Cheyenne, you don’t have to be afraid. Just clip that on the bottom of her halter, the metal ring. And then if you can hold her so she doesn’t turn, that would be great.”
“I got it.”
He smiled back at her. “Good. Now talk to her. Pet her. Love on her. Oh, and watch those teeth. I don’t know what kind of woman she is. She might be the
angry-in-labor kind.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing at all. Just some are a little more temperamental than others.”
“Nice. Real nice.” She soothed the horse, telling the animal that not all men were so insensitive.
Reese smiled, but he didn’t have time to comment. The horse relaxed, and he had a minute to do what needed to be done. He reached for the bent leg. The stable door opened.
“Need help?” Jesse stepped into the stall.
“I think I’ve got it.”
“Looks that way. Hold up a second.” Jesse put a hand on his shoulder. “Okay, let’s get that baby out.”
The two of them pulled the baby as the head and neck came out.
“Oh yeah, a nice little filly.” Jesse patted Reese on the back. “Good job, Reese. It’s good to know that Cheyenne will have a pro for a birthing partner.”
“Birth partner?” Reese pulled off his shirt and cleaned the foal’s eyes and nose.
Jesse moved him back. “Mama horse is done with our help.”
“Yeah, I figured her for the temperamental type.”
And then it hit him, what Jesse meant by partner. Jesse thought Reese would be in the delivery room when Cheyenne gave birth. He stepped back out of the stall and swallowed hard, thinking about that moment, about the reasons he wouldn’t be with her. But then he wondered who would hold her hand.
“Cheyenne?” He turned, looking for her.
“She’s gone. Sorry, I didn’t think.” Jesse sighed and let out a low whistle. “You sure know how to make a relationship complicated.”
“Yeah, no kidding.” He t
ossed his shirt in the trash. “I need to find a shirt.”
“In the tack room there are a few spares.” Jesse walked away. A few minutes later he handed Reese a shirt. “Do you mind pink?”
“Ha-ha.” He pulled on the shirt. “Where’d Cheyenne go?”
“I think she went back to the apartment. You know, I think I’d give her some space. But keep an eye on her, Reese. Preeclampsia can be dangerous. If she starts having bad headaches, blurry vision or serious swelling, you need to call an ambulance.”
This was one more thing to worry about and one more way he didn’t know if he could help her. He leaned against the stall and waited for Jackson and Travis to walk through the door. He’d heard their trucks and knew that Cheyenne must have called everyone.
What would he do if something went wrong and Cheyenne needed more help than he could give her?
While his brothers took care of the mare and waited for the vet, he slipped down the aisle to the apartment. He rapped lightly. There was no answer. He tried again and still nothing. He opened the door and stepped inside, calling her name.
When she didn’t respond, he walked to the bathroom and got cleaned up. She probably decided to go to her place to pack a few things. He sat down on the couch to wait.
Chapter Nine
The stable lights were all on when Cheyenne pulled back up and parked under the little carport at the back of the big stable. She’d done a little scouting earlier and realized that a back door led to the carport where she could park and walk right in through a sunroom and the art studio rather than walking through the stable.
Tonight it served her purposes because it meant avoiding the gang of Cooper men who were in the barn with the mare. She eased through the door with her suitcase and a bag of groceries she thought she might need. When she walked through the living room she jumped back, startled to see someone on the couch.
She walked a little closer, knowing who it was and not surprised to see him there. He had stretched out and fallen asleep. His boots were on the floor next to the table, and he’d tossed his hat on a nearby chair. She giggled because he’d managed to find a clean shirt and it was bright pink.
For now, she wouldn’t run him off. He was cute. She didn’t want to be alone. Later she’d wake him up and send him to his place. She carried her groceries to the kitchen and started putting them away.
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