“I understand that, but take a step back and think before you do something damned stupid. Do you think if you knew, you would still have told her to come or would you have kept looking?”
“That’s what’s going through my mind—I just don’t know.” He looked up as a squeal of laughter came from the kitchen. “I never thought of having a ready-made child and as much as I think he’s cute, he’s not mine.”
“So what? Get a grip, Rory. It’s only a matter of chromosomes, not the end of the world. If the kid needs a father and you need a family, give it a shot. Let them stay here and give them a decent chance before you do anything stupid.”
“I wasn’t going to send her away. She’s got nowhere to go and no money at all. Plus, she ran out of gas on the way to the ranch and she had to walk up the hill.” Rory shook his head. “I feel as though I have no choice but to see how things work out between us. Only a heartless bastard would throw out a mother and child like that.”
“I sense a ‘but’ in there.”
“Yeah, there is. I don’t know if I want to go ahead with this. I don’t think I can get over the fact she lied to me.” Rory rubbed the skin between his eyes before he looked at his brother.
“Fair enough. It’s your decision. How about you give her the benefit of the doubt and see how things pan out? You might be surprised.” Chance leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
“If, and I mean if, I decide to send her back, I’ll have to give her some money. She came with nothing in her purse and the car ran out of gas before she got to the ranch so she’s pretty down on her luck right now.”
“You’re kidding? She deserves a chance if she came all this way to meet you and try to make a life for herself and the boy. There’s no way you’re sending her back. If you don’t want to marry her, we can sort something out somehow.” Chance shook his head and looked toward the kitchen, his mouth tight.
“I wasn’t going to do that to her if I could help it. Not yet anyway.” He saw the look on Chance’s face and knew his brother would kick his ass if he knew what was going through his mind. Chance was all about right and wrong and, where women were concerned, he was even more stubborn. “I thought about putting off the wedding for a few weeks until we got to know each other better at least.” Really my first instinct was to send her home as soon as I saw the child.
“Do you think that’s fair? Isn’t she expecting you to marry her on a certain date?”
“Probably, I did tell her we need to talk because we’ve both lied to each other.” He sat in one of the oversized armchairs and leaned back, weary of the day already.
“How did you lie?”
“I had Callie take a photo of me standing in front of your house.”
“Idiot.” Chance kicked out, striking Rory on the foot. “You let her think she was moving to live in this place?”
“Yeah, well, I thought it was a good way to figure out if she was genuine or just after me for your money.”
The fire crackled and a log dropped sending sparks up the chimney. “Seems to me like she passed then since she didn’t try to do a runner or gut you on site. That alone says a lot to me.”
*
“So, how did you two meet?”
Gina looked up into the inquisitive eyes of Callie.
“Um, I’m not really sure…”
“I was a mail-order bride.” Callie popped a peanut in her mouth and crunched contentedly.
“What?” Gina almost dropped the spoon she was using to feed Fisher his dinner. Was this a family thing?
“Yeah, you heard right. Chance put an advertisement in a magazine and I just happened to read it all the way down in Australia. Bit of a risk but hey, no pain no gain. It worked out for us. So, how did you and Rory meet?”
“We only met today.”
Callie clapped her hand over her mouth, stifling a peal of laughter. “Oh my goodness. That’s hilarious. Just you wait until I tell Chance.”
“Rory’s probably telling him right now.” She sighed and scooped another spoon of eggs into the little boy’s mouth. He chewed with his fingers in his mouth, getting more down his bib than what went down his throat. Gina was at a loss as to what else she could do to encourage the lawman to keep her.
“The brothers are pretty tight so it wouldn’t surprise me. Why are you looking so down about it then?”
“He didn’t know about my son.” Gina bit her lip, hoping the tremble wasn’t noticeable. The stress of the long drive, days alone at the ranch, and her future prospects was starting to get to her. All she wanted was to go up to bed and hide under the covers and pretend she was somewhere else.
“Hey.” Callie reached out and patted her arm. “Don’t get upset, Gina. It’ll be okay, you’ll see.”
The tears overflowed before she could help herself. “What will we do if he sends us away?” Fear reached up again and gripped her throat. For a moment there, she’d been letting herself imagine a life where there was a pantry full of food like the one in this kitchen, the power was never cut off for not paying the bill, and the roof didn’t leak, ruining the only decent blankets she had to keep them warm. Having a man like Rory want her for his wife was something she could only dream of, and now that might all be pie in the sky because of her deception. I am such an idiot for thinking this would work.
“Not going to happen on my watch. Trust me on this. If it doesn’t work out between the two of you, I’ll help you get settled in town anyway. Us girls have to stick together, you know.”
“It’s not your problem. Thanks anyway.” She wiped her finger under her eyes, ashamed she’d resorted to tears. She must be more tired and stressed than she thought.
“That’s not the bloody point. He got you over here and here you will stay regardless of what he says. Now I’ve met this cute little button, he’s not getting taken away from us.” Callie kissed the top of Fisher’s head, smiled at his mother, and looked up when footsteps sounded coming from the lounge.
Rory walked in and looked between them. “Need any help getting him to bed?”
Gina shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ve got it covered. He’s nearly finished dinner.”
“Okay. Well, if there’s anything you need, make sure to let one of us know.”
“You could start dinner.” Callie pulled a face at Gina. “I loathe cooking. Would rather ear-tag a paddock of bulls.” She shivered dramatically and rolled her eyes.
“Well, in that case, let me get this little one to sleep and I’ll cook for you. It’s the least I can do since you’re letting me stay here.” If only for a day or so, I’ll do whatever I can to make you all want me to stay.
“Don’t you dare take him. If he’s had enough, I’ll hold him until he goes to sleep and then we can sort out how to get him to bed. Deal?”
“Deal. But he needs his sippy cup. Let me get it.” She wiped the dribble from Fisher’s chin and stood up. “Thanks, Callie.”
“Ha, no problem. I’m taking him into the lounge so I can hang out with my spunky cowboy.” She jiggled the baby in her arms while Gina made up a drink. When she walked into the lounge, Callie was leaning against Chance with Fisher on her knee watching the fire. She gave Callie the sippy with a kiss for her son’s cheek. “Later, you two.” Fisher snuggled into her shoulder, his eyelids already heavy with sleep, and milky lips worked the spout.
“You don’t have to do dinner, Gina. I can cook if you’d rather settle the baby first.” Rory looked uncomfortable and avoided meeting her gaze when she walked back into the kitchen. Thank goodness he was feeling as out of sorts as she was. They might have a chance to clear the air so at least she could sleep tonight without worrying so much about being kicked out.
“No, it’s fine. I love to cook when I get the chance. It’s what I love to do and I don’t want to be seen to be skiving off. So not my thing.” She stood up and put the bowl in the sink, running the water over it to rinse off the last of the egg. Her chance to shine and she wasn’t going to let a f
ew anxious moments derail that. “What do you want to eat?”
“I think there’re steaks in the fridge.”
“Okay.” She walked over and opened the door, looking for the meat. Gina reached for it and then changed her mind. She shut the fridge door, turned back to Rory, and crossed her arms, gathering her nerve. “Maybe you want to get this talk over and done with now while there’s just the two of us in the room.” With her head held high, she walked over to the island counter and stood behind it, her hands on the surface for stability for what she dreaded was to come.
Rory looked at her, eyes shadowed, and her heart plummeted. Now she’d started the conversation, she feared he was going to tell her she had to leave.
“I’m not sure where to go from here, to tell you the truth.”
“How about you tell me what’s causing you the most distress and we can deal with that first then? I always believe in dealing with one problem at a time.”
“I can stand just about anything apart from one thing: I hate lies.” He sighed and her mouth went dry. “Being a sheriff’s deputy probably helps reinforce that and when I saw you with Fisher, I wondered what else you’d failed to tell me about. It was rather a letdown from my point of view.” He glanced at her and if he could tell she was terrified, he didn’t show it. “I don’t know where to go to from here.”
She blinked, and sucked in a breath. It was understandable how he was feeling but in her mind she was hurt too. All of the way here, she was looking forward to having a home that didn’t have peeling wallpaper and water stains on the roof, or vermin sharing her living space. A door that closed would be a bonus, and rats not eating out of her garbage can at night would be lovely too. It was stupid to think the house in the picture would be her new home. A small part of her mind knew that. Still it hurt to think he had deceived her and he was the one crying out in protest. What kind of person with seemingly everything advertised for a wife anyway?
She thought for a moment, not wanting to say the wrong thing and risk annoying him but Gina wasn’t one to lay down and let others walk all over her either. “I know you consider it lying and I don’t blame you. But I had no choice. Everything I told you about myself was true. The photo may have been a couple of years old but it was still me and I doubt I’ve changed that much. I do want the things we spoke about; that won’t change no matter where I end up living. I want to make a life for me and my child and if that’s with you, wonderful. I’ll be a good wife, that I promise you. I’ll have your children and expect you to treat Fisher like one of your own because I’ll treat them all the same.”
He coughed and glanced at her then looked away quickly.
She ploughed on, determined to get her point across before nerves overtook her voice and made talking impossible. “I’ll make sure you never have to worry about the home or the children. That will be my job until they are old enough to go into care or school. Then I’ll get a job if that’s what you want me to do or I can work now when you’re home, whatever works best for us.” She swallowed and kept going. “All I expect from you is to be there for me, to keep us safe, and hopefully, one day, love us. None of my ideas changed when I saw the state of your cottage. I’ll make it the home we both want, because I know it’s possible with a little bit of effort and a lick of paint. I don’t need a renovated mansion, Rory. I’ll be happy with what you already have. It’s all your call because I’m not in a position to do anything other than what you choose to tell me you want. Our future is in your hands.” She stood watching him, waiting for him to destroy her dreams.
“Look, I want you and Fisher to stay, at least for now. I want to get to know you before we commit to a marriage. It’s the only way I can live with the deception and not hurt you in the process. I’m sorry, that’s how I feel right now.”
Inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t perfect but a pretty decent start. One she could run with for now. Still annoyed that she had to shoulder all the blame, she bit her tongue, knowing that to do otherwise would end up landing her in trouble.
“When my wife died, I didn’t intend to get married again. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing anyone like I lost her. Being alone was much easier than going through that again. But, seeing my brother happy with Callie made me rethink my feelings. I just didn’t expect to get more than I bargained for.”
So I have to help you get over your dead wife before you can fall in love with me. Is that even fair? I’d almost say that makes us even then, but I can hardly tell you that. I have to bite my tongue and work this out. Gina smiled. “I understand and I’m sorry to have done that to you. I really didn’t have any choice if I wanted to keep my baby with me.” May as well tell him the whole truth.
“It was that bad for you?” The sadness on his face made her gut ache for his loss.
“Yes, it was that bad. I was at my wits end as to how I was going to feed him and pay the rent. Giving him up seemed like the only logical, if not painful, option left to me because I knew I had to do what was best for Fisher, regardless of how it would kill me. Then I saw your ad. It was a godsend that I couldn’t turn down.”
Chapter Six
“I’m sorry. Come here.” His heart missed a beat and Rory kicked himself for trying to be the tough guy he knew he wasn’t. She deserved better than he was giving her. There was no way he could send her back to where she’d come from if the conditions were as bad as she said. He held out his arms and waited for Gina to make the step toward him. When she launched herself around the counter, he wasn’t ready for the tears that flowed as he held her. To be in that kind of position where you almost had to give up your child was too much to deal with. He would do his best to make sure this worked; first he had to get over the niggling in his mind about trust or he would be forever looking over his shoulder wondering if he’d done the right thing.
The smell of strawberries rose from her hair and Rory held her close, enjoying the feel of a woman in his arms again. She stifled her sobs, trying to compose herself and he stood with his arms around her, feeling the frailness of her under his hands. She needed some more meat on her bones in his opinion, and he promised himself she would want for nothing while they tried to work out their future. If they had one.
Gina pulled away and wiped her fingers over his chest. “I’ve made your shirt all wet.” She sniffed and dabbed her eyes with the back of her hand, a shaky laugh escaping her lips.
“I’m the deputy, I think I can take it.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and looked into her warm hazel eyes. “I don’t want you to think things are going to turn out bad between us. No matter the outcome, I’ll make sure you and Fisher are looked after, okay?” That little boy had already gotten under his skin.
She glanced up at him with soulful eyes. The specks of gold were dull and he wished he could bring back the shine to her life. He just had to get over his own insecurities and learn to live life to the fullest. “Okay.”
Rory hugged her to his chest again, deciding the feel of a warm body against his was something he’d missed more than he would like to admit. There’d been nobody since Cindy died. He hadn’t even thought of dating until he caught up with Chance and saw how happy he was with Callie.
“I’d better go and see if Fisher is asleep and then get on with dinner.” Her voice was slightly muffled by his chest but he understood every word. Reluctantly, he loosened his arms around her and she stepped back.
“Thanks. I needed that hug.” She blushed, the color tinting her cheeks delicately and Rory was transported to another time and place. His body reacted with a need that surprised him. “One thing I must insist on though, Rory. I need to be able to pull my weight here until you decide what you want to do. If you point me in the right direction to a tool shed, I can go and do some more work on the cottage tomorrow. It’ll keep me busy and make me feel better about what I’ve done to you.”
Before he could say anything, Gina hurried into the lounge to check on her son and Rory stood there wondering
what the hell had happened. He was still standing in the middle of the kitchen when Chance walked in.
“Gonna share why you have such a goofy look on your face and Gina was red eyed from crying?”
“What?”
“Oh man, you have it bad and you don’t even know it.” Chance walked past him and thumped him on the shoulder. “So I guess this means you’re not putting her on the first bus out of town then.”
“I wouldn’t do that to her. Don’t know why you thought I would.” He walked over and got a glass from the cupboard, pouring himself a large drink of water. Rory downed it all while trying to figure out why he reacted to her so readily. He hadn’t had sex in over three years, unless you counted taking himself in hand in the shower and feeling guilty about it afterwards. Rory couldn’t get over the feeling he was being disloyal to Cindy when it came to sex even though he knew it was wrong of him. So it stood to reason a good looking woman in his arms was bound to have an impact on his libido. For just a fleeting moment, he thought it was more than that. He pushed it down, not ready to take the thought any further with the image of his dead wife still firmly in his mind.
“She’s taken the baby up to put him to bed. Cute little thing he is, too. Be nice to have him around the ranch.”
“You could always have your own, you know.” Now that he was settled down and not following the rodeo circuit, there was no reason why Chance couldn’t have a mob of kids running wild around the ranch.
“I have the feeling this is going to make my new bride very clucky. I could see the look in her eyes when she carried him in to put him to sleep. What is it with woman and babies? It’s like a chain reaction just waiting to happen.” He slid a chair out and eased himself down onto it.
The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2) Page 5
