The Rancher's Hired Fiancee

by Judy Duarte

  “Of course. I’ll try to come up with an excuse for our breakup, too.”

  He handed her a cup of coffee, then grabbed his and took a drink of the rich, morning brew. He hoped the familiar taste, as well as the caffeine, would right his world again.

  Three sips later, it hadn’t helped a bit.

  He’d known this day would come. Why hadn’t he planned for it? Why hadn’t he realized they’d need an explanation?

  Or did they?

  Compelled to drag his feet, he asked, “Would it be so bad to let things ride a while?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well… Maybe we can tell people you had to go to take care of business in New York. We can let them think you’ll be returning. That would keep the marriage-minded women in town at bay for a bit longer. And by then, maybe Jim will be back on the job as mayor, and I’ll be at my ranch more often than not.”

  She seemed to chew on that for a moment, then began to nod. “That sounds like it might work.”

  It also bought him some valuable time. Time for Catherine to change her mind about leaving. Or, if she got to Manhattan and missed the small-town life and wanted to return to Brighton Valley, it provided them with an opportunity to pick up right where they’d left off.

  At least that’s the excuse he seemed to be hanging on to.

  What the hell was happening to him? Why the uneasiness about her plans to leave, especially when that had always been part of the plan?

  Why was he missing the idea of having her around, when she’d never even hinted that she was looking for a husband or a home, let alone relocating to a town that must seem like Podunk, Texas, after living in a metropolis?

  Damn. If he didn’t know better, he’d think that he’d fallen in love with another woman who didn’t share the same affection for him. And if anyone ought to know better than to imagine a woman having loving feelings where none existed, it was Ray. Heather hadn’t placed any value on love, marriage or promises. And when she left the ranch, she’d never looked back.

  Of course, Catherine wasn’t at all like his ex-wife. She didn’t have a selfish or greedy side. At least, not that he’d noticed.

  Catherine lifted her cup and took a sip. Then she grimaced and set it down.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “I don’t know. It doesn’t…taste very good.”

  “Really? Mine tastes fine.” And just the way he liked it, just the way he made it every day.

  “I guess it just isn’t hitting the spot.” She picked up the mug, carried it to the sink, then poured it out. “I’m sorry. I can’t drink it.”

  “Would you rather have some orange juice?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe.”

  “It would be a lot more nutritious.” He strode to the fridge and pulled out the container. “Wouldn’t that be better?”

  “I think so.”

  As he poured her a glass, he wondered if she was having any reservations about leaving. Maybe second thoughts, instead of the coffee, had left a bitter taste in her mouth.

  Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on his part.

  Either way, he was going to have to get used to the idea—no matter how much it weighed him down.

  As he handed her the glass of OJ, he thought of something his grandma used to say: You don’t miss your water until the well runs dry.

  It hadn’t been the case for him when Heather had moved out. By then, he’d actually been glad to see her go. But that certainly seemed to be the case now. He felt empty, just at the thought of Catherine going away.

  “You know,” she said, “if we put our heads together, I’m sure we can think of a good reason for us to break up.”

  He’d rather come up with a reason for her to stay. But she was right. They lived in two different worlds. Forcing her to clip her wings and remain on a ranch or in a small town like Brighton Valley would destroy a part of her—maybe even the part that appealed to him most.

  But how was he going to get by without water, now that his well had gone dry?

  * * *

  The night of the talent show finally arrived, and no one was more excited than Catherine. Working with Kaylee and Shauna had been an amazing experience, and so had coaching the Wexler High School students.

  Ray had been tied up at a meeting all afternoon, so he told her he’d meet her there and asked her to save him a seat. He’d also mentioned that he had something to talk to her about and suggested she bring an overnight bag so she could stay in town with him.

  If her flight had been another week out, she might have refused, fearing that her resolve to leave might weaken. As it was, she’d be flying out of Houston on Sunday afternoon—just a little under twenty-four hours from now.

  In all honesty, she was going to miss Ray when she went to New York—more than she’d realized. And certainly more than he would ever know.

  So what harm would there be in having one last evening together?

  After dressing for the talent show and telling Kaylee she’d see her there, she borrowed one of the ranch pickups and drove to town. Instead of going straight to the theater, she first stopped at the florist shop on Main Street.

  Three days ago, she’d ordered two bouquets of red roses to give to her favorite stars after tonight’s performances. Wouldn’t Shauna and Kaylee be surprised?

  Next she drove to the Lone Star Theater, which had been built sixty years ago. When the owner died, his widow hadn’t been able to find an investor or a buyer. Upon her death, she donated it to the city.

  From what Catherine understood, it wasn’t used very often. But it certainly made a perfect place for a talent show, with its old-fashioned curtain, stage and lighting.

  Catherine sought a seat in the front section that was reserved for the families of those performing.

  Eva and Jane, along with the parents of the younger contestants, had been allowed backstage to wait with the girls. That left Jerald Morrison, Dan and Hank Walker, as well as Kaylee’s siblings to sit in the same row as Catherine.

  Knowing she would need to get up and present the flowers to the girls, Catherine took an aisle seat, then placed her purse on the one next to it, saving it for Ray. Rather than hold the flowers and be unable to clap or to read the program, she slipped the bouquets under her chair, where they’d be safe.

  Ray, who’d just arrived, greeted the others in the row before slipping into place, next to Catherine. Then he reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Would it be appropriate for me to say ‘Break a leg’ to the dance coach?”

  “Absolutely.” She returned his smile.

  Moments later, the show began, and Catherine sat back, waiting for the act she hoped would win in the ten-and-under division.

  When the time came, and the girls finally stepped onto the stage, looking darling in the costumes Eva had made, Catherine sat upright and leaned forward. Her heart soared at the sight of them, at the smiles on their faces.

  Eva and Jane had come around to the front part of the theater and knelt in the aisle, taking pictures. Somehow, even Jerald Morrison had managed to get out of his seat and film the girls using the video camera on his cell phone.

  It was nice to see Shauna’s new foster family being so supportive of her. The poor kid certainly deserved to finally have a stable, loving home. It was also high time someone recognized how sweet she was, how pretty and talented. And Catherine was thrilled to have the opportunity to encourage her.

  As the girls performed on stage, it was clear to everyone that all their practice in the Walkers’ living room had paid off. Shauna, who also had a solo part, brought down the house when she belted out the song’s refrain.

  And no one’s heart swelled as much as Catherine’s. In a way, she was paying it forward, encouraging young talent to reach their dreams.

  When the song ended, Ray rose from his seat, clapping and cheering with all the rest. Yet when his eyes met hers, they seemed to tell her how very proud he was…of her.

  In
all her many performances, going back to those in the high school auditorium, on to college and even those on and off Broadway, no one had cheered like that for her. Sure, she’d been proud of her own success. And so had Jennifer Walker. But it wasn’t quite the same as…

  Shaking off the sentiment and the memories, Catherine reached for two of the small bouquets she’d set under her chair, but couldn’t quite get a grip on them. So she stood and bent over to retrieve them.

  The dizziness that had plagued her earlier in the week struck again as she stood upright. But she couldn’t miss the chance to offer roses to Brighton Valley’s newest and youngest stars. As she headed for the stage, she blinked her eyes, trying to clear her vision.

  When she reached the bottom of the stage, she handed one bouquet to Kaylee and the next to Shauna.

  “I’m so proud of you two,” she said, realizing she would have given anything to have had someone say the same thing to her—and to truly mean it.

  The lights up front glared, causing the dizziness to increase. Wanting to find an empty chair in which she could sit until her head cleared, she made her way to the far side of the stage.

  In the meantime, Jane Morrison, who was standing in the wings, snapped a photo of the girls holding their roses. The camera’s flash set the theater walls spinning.

  Oh, God. No, Catherine thought as everything faded to black.

  * * *

  It had taken Ray a moment before he realized that Catherine had disappeared from his vision, and only half that time to see that she’d collapsed on the floor.

  He rushed forward, nearly knocking over a couple of parents with cameras. He mumbled an apology, but all he could think of was getting to Catherine. The thought that she was hurt, that she was sick, nearly tore him apart.

  When he reached her side, she was just starting to come to.

  “What happened?” he asked, his gaze raking over her, trying to assure himself that she was okay.

  “I…” She blinked. “When I…bent to pick up those roses…I got a little dizzy. I probably should have asked you to…pass them out for me. But I…wanted to be the one…”

  Ray turned to a guy who’d been holding a cell phone, taking a video of the two girls on stage. “Hey, buddy. Will you call an ambulance?”

  “Oh, Ray,” Catherine said. “Please don’t let anyone interrupt the show. If you want me to see a doctor, I will. Can’t you take me?”

  “Yes, of course.” He scooped her into his arms, holding her close to his chest. The thought of losing her, of…

  Hell, if she went back to New York, he was going to lose her anyway, and the truth nearly tore him apart. Because either way, he didn’t want to let her go. He…

  He loved her came to mind, but he couldn’t even consider telling her, not when he knew she was leaving.

  The man using his cell phone to film the girls, who Ray now realized was Jerald Morrison, said, “I’ve got my truck parked right outside the door, Mayor. I’ll give you the keys, if you want to take it. I can ride home with my wife.”

  “Thanks.” Ray knew his vehicle was several blocks away, thanks to his late arrival. And he was eager to get her to the E.R. as soon as he could.

  “I don’t think the girls saw anything,” Catherine told Jerald. “But if they did, tell them that I’m fine.”

  “Don’t you worry,” he said. “I’ll reassure them.” Then he reached into his pocket and handed Ray a set of keys. “It’s a black Dodge Ram.”

  Ten minutes later Ray had placed Catherine in the borrowed truck and driven her to the E.R. at the Brighton Valley Medical Center. He parked as close to the entrance as he could.

  “I can walk, Ray. The night air has cleared my head. I’m not feeling dizzy anymore.”

  He agreed to let her give it a try, but he wrapped his arm around her for support and held her close.

  Upon entering the two double doors, they headed for a triage area, where they spoke to a nurse. Catherine told her about the fainting spell, the dizziness and the occasional bouts of nausea.

  After making note of it, the nurse sent Catherine to the registration desk. There she provided them with the pertinent information, as well as her insurance card.

  Fortunately, the waiting room was fairly empty, which was unusual for a Saturday night. But that, Ray realized, could change in a heartbeat.

  They chose seats near a television monitor that was set on the Discovery Channel. Catherine seemed to tune in to whatever show was on, but Ray couldn’t help thinking about the various diagnoses that they might hear—things like brain tumors, aneurisms…

  He supposed it could also be something less scary, like an inner-ear problem. He certainly hoped it was something that minor with an easy fix.

  When his cell phone bleeped, indicating a text, Ray read the display and saw that the message was from Dan and read it.

  * * *

  How is Catherine? Dan asked.

  So far, so good, Ray texted back. Waiting to see the doctor.

  Let us know what he says.

  Will do.

  Kaylee and Shauna won the ten-and-under competition, Dan added. Both families are thrilled. Please tell Catherine.

  * * *

  After typing in OK, Ray turned to Catherine and gave her Dan’s message.

  “They won?” A broad smile stretched across her pretty face, lighting her eyes and making her look well and whole again. “I had a feeling they would. They worked so hard.”

  Ray reached out and caressed her leg. “They did a great job. You did wonders with them.”

  “Thanks, but it was my pleasure to help out. I really enjoyed watching Shauna come out of her shell. I’m so glad she found a loving home. Jane, her foster mom, has been so supportive. And did you see Jerald? He’s taking an active paternal role, too. Hopefully, she can remain in the Morrisons’ home until she’s able to move out and live on her own.”

  “I hope so, too. The Morrisons raised three kids of their own. When the youngest went to college, they signed up to become foster parents.”

  While Ray was happy to know about Shauna’s good fortune, he couldn’t help worrying about Catherine. In fact, he’d been concerned about her ever since she’d had that first dizzy spell on Friday night. And while he hadn’t seen her again until this evening, he’d called her every day to ask how she was feeling.

  According to Catherine, she hadn’t been dizzy since Ernie’s birthday dinner. At least, that’s what she’d told Ray. And he had no reason to doubt her. But then it had happened again.

  Ray glanced at his wristwatch. What was taking so long? He really wanted Catherine to see a doctor.

  Twenty minutes later, a tall red-haired nurse called Catherine’s name, and Ray got right to his feet.

  The nurse let them inside, then took them down one hall and then another. “Here we go,” she said as she pulled back a screen and pointed out the hospital exam room assigned to Catherine. “Why don’t you take a seat on the bed while I get your vitals.”

  After taking Catherine’s temperature and blood pressure, the nurse checked her pulse, then made note of it on a temporary chart.

  “The doctor will be here in a minute or two,” she said, before whipping back the curtain and walking off.

  That minute stretched out to ten or more. Finally, a lean young man wearing glasses and a lab coat pulled back the curtain and introduced himself as Dr. Mills. He talked to Catherine about her symptoms, then looked at the nurse’s notes.

  After listening to Catherine’s heart and examining her ears, nose and throat, he took a step back. “Everything appears to be normal, but I’m going to ask a lab tech to come in and draw some blood. As soon as I get the results, I’ll be back to talk to you.”

  “Thank you,” Ray said.

  When the doctor left and they were alone, Ray was finally able to relax long enough to take a seat near Catherine’s bed.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,” he said, although he wasn’t nearly as confident as
his words and his voice might imply.

  He prayed silently, God, please don’t let it be anything serious.

  Moments later, a balding, middle-age man came in and drew Catherine’s blood, then he took the vials to the lab.

  To pass the time, Ray tried to make small talk, to keep both their minds off the possibility that there might actually be something seriously wrong.

  Earlier today, when he’d told her to bring her overnight bag and stay with him after the talent show, he’d planned a romantic evening alone. He’d hoped to talk her into making love one more time before she left for New York.

  Now, with her health in doubt, he wouldn’t think of suggesting sex, which was out of the question. Instead, he’d be content to sleep with her and hold her all night long.

  Damn. What was taking so long?

  In what seemed like forever, but was less than an hour, the doctor returned.

  Catherine, who was sitting on the bed fully dressed, her feet hanging over the edge, bit down on her bottom lip, preparing for whatever news he had to give her.

  Ray got to his feet and made his way to her side, taking her by the hand.

  “Well,” Dr. Mills said, sitting in the swivel chair and wheeling a little closer to Catherine. “I think I have an answer for what’s been causing the dizziness and the nausea.”

  Ray hoped for the best, but braced himself for the worst. Yet nothing prepared him for what the doctor announced.

  “You’re pregnant.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Pregnant?

  Catherine wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. There had to be some mistake. The other doctor, her gynecologist in New York, had said that it was unlikely she’d conceive, that…

  “Are you sure about those results?” Catherine asked Dr. Mills.

  “I’m afraid so. You’re definitely pregnant, Ms. Loza. And that’s probably what’s causing you to feel dizzy and nauseous.”

  Yes, of course. That made sense. But still…

  She was pregnant?