by Judy Duarte
She’d expected him to decline, but he surprised her when he said, “Sure. Why not? I’ll pick you up at the clinic. That way we won’t end up with two cars in Jeffersville.”
Stunned by his response, Rickie was still reeling when Sandra said, “I’d like to go, too.”
Before Rickie could tell her she was more than welcome, she caught a frown on Clay’s face and bit her tongue. Didn’t he want his mom to go with them?
* * *
Clay’s mother was getting way too involved. Fortunately, when he cut her a stern glance, she took the hint.
“I didn’t mean to suggest that I tag along to that appointment,” she said. “But I’d love to go to another one with you someday.”
“Of course,” Rickie said. “I’m going to schedule my appointments as late in the afternoon as possible so I don’t have to miss too much work.”
“Maybe we can make an evening of it,” Mom said, apparently forgetting Clay’s silent admonishment. “The men can call out for pizza or something, and we can have dinner in Jeffersville. We can even go shopping. You’re going to need a lot of baby things, and the twins will be here before you know it.”
“Clay already bought the major stuff,” Rickie said. “So I have the cribs, mattresses and bedding.”
“That still leaves plenty of other things to buy. And I’d love to shop for baby clothes with you.” Suddenly his mother brightened. “I have an idea. I can plan a shower. I have a lot of friends from church and the Wexler Women’s Club who’d come.”
Clay didn’t doubt it. Sandra Masters was the friendly type with a big heart and a generous nature. So women seemed to gravitate to her. She was also easy for them to talk to, so they often confided in her and asked for advice.
That’s why it frustrated her that Clay kept his thoughts and feelings under lock and key. It didn’t help that Granddad was pretty tight-lipped about his feelings, too.
Yet Rickie seemed to open right up. Clay had expected the two of them to hit it off, but they were getting a little too chummy for his comfort. As they talked about invitations, possible dates and the guest list, Clay stiffened.
As if sensing the tension in the room, Granddad chimed in, as usual, in an attempt to defuse it. “I picked up a DVD of that new Denzel Washington flick while I was out. Anyone else up for a movie?”
“I am,” Rickie said. “I love his movies.”
“Good. Come on. I’m going to put it on in the den.”
As Granddad got to his feet, Rickie began to clear the table of the dessert plates and forks, but Clay stopped her. “Oh, no, you don’t. I have cleanup duty tonight.”
Once Rickie left the kitchen and was out of hearing range, Clay approached his mother, who stood at the sink.
“Slow down, Mom. You’re moving way too fast.”
Her brow furrowed. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to overstep. It’s just that...” She paused and blew out a ragged sigh. “I like Rickie. And she’s all alone. I only want to help.”
“I get that. But it’s not your job to mother her. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around all that’s happening to me. And I feel...” He paused. Hell, he knew exactly how he felt. Scared. Backed into a corner. But there was no way he’d readily admit it, especially to a woman who’d dedicated her life to fixing things.
His mother placed her hand on his cheek, her gaze loving. “I know it’s a little scary for you, especially because you never really knew your father and you didn’t grow up with younger brothers and sisters. But believe me when I say this. You’re going to love those babies the moment you see them. And you’re going to be an amazing dad.”
Clay hoped she was right. Because, quite frankly, he had his doubts.
Chapter Ten
Clay drove to Rickie’s house in Jeffersville twice the following week. The first time was on Monday morning, after he’d gone to physical therapy. She’d given him her key so he could go inside and paint the nursery. He’d stayed long enough to get the job done, clean up afterward and air things out. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have any fumes to contend with when she returned to the house after the end of her workweek.
He’d made that second drive today so that someone would be home when the baby furniture arrived. After the deliverymen left, Clay put both cribs together and set them in the spots Rickie had pointed out when she’d told him of her plans to convert the office into a nursery.
He probably should have locked up the house at that point, but he opened one of the comforter sets so he could get an idea of what the room was going to look like after Rickie made the final touches on the project. Then he’d folded the bedding again and put it back into the plastic pouch.
He had a feeling she was really going to be happy when she saw it. And oddly enough, that made him happy, too.
As it turned out, her doctor’s appointment was today. He’d made plans to meet her at the obstetrician’s office, which meant he had to hang around in Jeffersville for an hour or so. But he didn’t mind. He took the opportunity to explore the area, particularly the main drag, which was within walking distance of Rickie’s house.
There he spotted a drugstore, a small post office, a mom-and-pop market and even a fast food restaurant with a drive-through window—Bubba’s Burger Barn.
Jeffersville wasn’t nearly as big and spread out as Wexler. Nor was it as quaint and touristy as Brighton Valley. But as far as small Texas communities went, it was probably an okay place to live.
The only downside was the distance Clay would have to drive from the Bar M whenever he wanted to visit Rickie and the kids, but he’d get used to it. His truck had a good CD player, so he could listen to his favorite music or to books on tape.
He glanced at the clock on the dash and decided it was time to head over to the doctor’s office, but before he could turn off the main drag, his cell phone rang. Poncho’s number flashed on the lit display, which was a relief. Clay had called him last Saturday night and had left a voice mail message, but he hadn’t heard from the guy in nearly a week.
“Dude,” Clay said. “Where the heck have you been? I thought I might have missed seeing a ransom note.”
“Sorry about that. I took a week’s vacation and spent it fishing at a lake in Canada with a couple of guys from my gym. The cell reception was terrible up there, so I didn’t get your message until I got home. What’s up?”
“A lot.” So much, in fact, that Clay wasn’t sure where to start. He began by telling Poncho about Rickie’s surprise visit to the ranch and the news of her pregnancy.
“Oh, wow. Twins? Are you sure she’s telling you the truth?”
Clay’d had his doubts at first, but he’d come to the conclusion that they had to be. There hadn’t been any reason for Rickie to lie to him. “Yeah,” he said, “I’m sure.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“Uneasy. A little scared.” Clay didn’t open up to just anyone, but Poncho had always been safe—and a good sounding board. “At times, I feel like I’m in over my head, but I’m going to do the right thing.”
“You mean you’re going to marry her?”
“Slow down. I wouldn’t go that far. Marriage wouldn’t just ground me, it’d probably put me six feet under.”
Poncho seemed to chew on that for a moment. “You two hit it off pretty good on the beach.”
“That’s for sure.”
“Has that changed?”
“No, not really.” Clay found Rickie just as attractive as ever, just as appealing. But more than that, he’d come to see that she had a good heart. A tender one. And at times he felt compelled to wrap her in his arms. Not just to make love with her, but to protect her. She seemed vulnerable these days, no matter how much she insisted she didn’t need any help.
“So why do I sense there’s a problem?”
“I guess there isn’t one.” Other than Clay’s fear of being a hands-on father, of failing his children. But Poncho, of all guys, ought to understand that.
In spit
e of his reluctance to share his feelings, particularly his lack of confidence, Clay said, “Hell, I pretty much grew up without a dad. So what do I know about being a father?”
“I didn’t have one, either,” Poncho said. “But you know what it’s like to be a kid.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” But Clay didn’t remember being a baby. Nor did he know much about them or their needs—other than the fact that they were fragile and needed lots of love and attention.
They cried a lot, too. And it seemed the only things that made them happy or content were rocking chairs, bottles, and kisses and hugs. Just the thought of getting involved with all of that, of being unable to become emotionally attached to them, was enough to convince Clay to stay out of Rickie’s way until the twins were old enough to go to school.
The two men grew silent, and Clay continued the drive to the obstetrician’s office, following the directions he’d been given. As he pulled into the parking lot, he added, “For what it’s worth, I think Rickie will be a great mother.”
“That ought to be a relief.”
“Yeah, it’s huge.” Clay parked in an open space and shut off the ignition, but he remained seated behind the wheel.
“So what aren’t you telling me?” Poncho asked.
“I don’t know. I really like her, but I can’t give her what she needs.”
“You realize that means another man will probably end up raising your kids someday.”
“I realize that. And I’m not sure that I like the idea. Know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I do. I had a stepfather, remember? And it was no secret that he didn’t like having me around.”
Clay remembered some of the stuff Poncho had told him when they were kids and blew out a sigh.
“There are other options,” Poncho said. “You don’t have to make a marital commitment. You could live together. Or you could just be lovers.”
“I don’t think Rickie would go for something like that. Family is really important to her—more than most women, I think. And I’m not a family sort of guy.” Rather than delve too deep into the touchy-feely stuff, Clay changed the subject to his reason for calling Poncho in the first place. “Speaking of family, Rickie and her twin sister were separated as kids, and she’d really like to find her. Can you recommend a good private investigator?”
“Actually, I can. Once I get back to the precinct, I’ll give you his contact info.”
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”
Poncho paused for a moment. “By the way, I just heard that one of the Life Flight pilots is moving out of state after the first of the year. Any chance you’d be interested in taking his job?”
Hell, yes. In a heartbeat. “I wish I could, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to pass the required eye exam.”
“That’s too bad.”
To say the least.
“Listen,” Poncho said, “I have to go. I’ll give you a call later with the investigator’s contact number. In the meantime, check your calendar. It’s time for another poker night. If we’re lucky and Duck isn’t on the rodeo circuit, maybe he’ll be able to join us.”
“Sounds good. I’ll bring the beer.”
After the call ended, Clay left his truck in the parking lot and entered the doctor’s office. He scanned the waiting room and spotted Rickie sitting in a chair near the window, thumbing through a parenting magazine. She wore a pair of black slacks and a light blue shirt that molded her baby bump. As she stopped turning pages and zeroed in on an article she must have found interesting, her dark curls tumbled over her shoulders.
She looked...cute. And maternal. Yet at the same time, he found her as sexy as hell.
He took a moment longer to admire her then crossed the room and took the seat next to her. “Sorry I’m late.”
She looked up and smiled, those honey-brown eyes having a sweet effect on him. “No problem. I thought something might have come up. Or else you changed your mind.”
Before he could respond, a brunette dressed in pink scrubs and holding a medical file opened the door and called, “Erica Campbell.”
“Come on.” Rickie set the magazine aside, got to her feet and reached for her purse. “This is it.”
So it was. Clay had flown night ops in dangerous situations without blinking an eye, but he’d never been in a situation like this, one that tickled his nerves to the point of sweaty-palmed apprehension.
His heart was thudding so hard he could feel it in his ears. He imagined those thumps as a warning in Morse code. Watch out. Do not get sucked in over your head.
But as he followed the nurse and Rickie into the farthest part of the back office, he wiped his hands on his denim-clad thighs and pushed through it.
* * *
Rickie lay on the exam table, her belly exposed, while Dr. Raquel Gomez applied the gel. Each time she had the opportunity to see the twins on the ultrasound screen, excitement soared. But today, she focused on Clay. He appeared a bit pale and wide-eyed, reminding her of a possum in the headlights.
“This is going to be cool,” she told him. “There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
“I’m not nervous.” A twitch in his eyes mocked his words, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Dad,” Dr. Gomez said, “you’ll get a better view if you step around to the right side of the table.”
Rickie wasn’t sure Clay actually wanted to get a good look. But he did as he was told.
“Here we go,” the doctor said as she moved the probe over Rickie’s belly. “There’s Baby A.”
“That’s the girl,” Rickie told Clay, whose nervous expression had morphed into one of awe.
Thank goodness. Rickie always found it heartwarming to see her son and daughter moving around inside her womb, but she’d been worried that Clay might find it overwhelming.
“That’s amazing,” he said. “Just look at her.” He leaned forward and studied the screen. “Is she sucking her thumb?”
“She certainly is.” Dr. Gomez continued to scan the baby, taking time to make measurements. “And she’s growing nicely. She’s measuring at twenty-one weeks and three days, which is a little small, but that’s to be expected with multiples.”
Rickie had known the twins were getting bigger. Her waistline certainly was. And their movements had gotten stronger.
“Here’s Baby B,” the doctor said. “And he’s right on target, too. He’s measuring twenty-two weeks, one day.”
The doctor took a few more measurements. When the scan was complete, she wiped the gel from Rickie’s belly and gave her a towelette to use to clean up. Then she helped her sit up.
As Rickie adjusted her shirt, the doctor said, “Both babies look good. The placentas are healthy, the heartbeats are strong. And they’re growing at a steady rate. Do you have any questions?”
“Not that I can think of.” Rickie glanced at Clay. “Do you?”
“No, not really.”
“Then I’ll see you in three weeks.” Dr. Gomez reached out and shook Clay’s hand. “It’s always nice to have the fathers come in for these appointments.” Then she left them alone.
“So what did you think?” Rickie asked Clay.
“I’m stunned. This makes them seem...real.”
She’d felt the same way the first time she’d seen them on the ultrasound, their little hearts beating like crazy. And now, when they tumbled around and kicked inside, there was no doubt. Not only were they real, but she’d be holding them in her arms one day soon.
As Rickie got off the exam table and stepped onto the floor, Clay asked, “Have you decided on their names?”
“No, not really. I was going to name the girl after my sister. But now that I have reason to believe Lainie’s alive and that I might find her someday, I’d better come up with something else.” Maybe Katherine, she thought, after Mama Kate. “I’ll think of something.”
Clay nodded his agreement. “What about the boy?”
“I’m not sure. I like David.”
; “Maybe you should consider calling him Goliath instead, since he’s so much bigger than his sister?”
Rickie laughed. “Very funny.”
He shrugged, then said, “It’s up to you. But if I had a say in naming them, I’d call the boy Jonathon—after my dad.”
“I like that.” She also liked the idea that Clay had laid claim to the twins, which seemed like a sure sign that he’d be involved in their lives. “And just so you know, you do have a say about things.”
Hopefully, she wouldn’t regret telling him that. Up until two weeks ago, Clay hadn’t known anything about her pregnancy. And while there were times, especially in the beginning, when she’d felt all alone, adrift on an uncharted sea, she’d also been able to make all the decisions on her own, without any outside interference.
As they left the exam room, Clay said, “I’m going to drive through Bubba’s Burger Barn and pick up dinner. Then I’ll meet you at home.”
Home. Coming from Clay, in his soft Texas drawl, the word had a nice ring to it, reminding her of the family she’d hoped to create, complete with two children, a mommy and a daddy.
While Rickie waited at the reception desk to make her next appointment, Clay headed for the clinic door. She studied the former Black Hawk commander as he walked with assurance, admiring the broad shoulders that suggested he could carry a heavy load—be it physical or emotional—as well as the denim-clad hips and the sexy swagger that reminded her he knew how to treat a woman.
If things continued to progress like they had over the past two weeks, if the two of them grew closer, maybe they’d become lovers again. If so, then her children would not only have a loving father, but she’d have a special man in her life. A friend and helpmate who’d stick by her through thick and thin, who’d love her in sickness and in health. For richer, for poorer.
She’d had plenty of disappointments over the years and suffered more than her share of losses. She didn’t want to jinx anything at this stage of the game, but if her intuition proved true, her luck had finally changed.
* * *
