Cassie was happy to see Mildred come in through the back door of the shop. It was close to three-thirty. The owner was running late. Normally it wouldn’t matter, but today Cassie wanted to get to a couple of yard sales before everything was already picked over. She was looking for a playpen in good condition.
“Sorry I got held up.”
“No problem, Mildred.”
“How are things?”
“Just fine!”
“How do you stay so cheerful when we both know most days it’s a royal pain?”
“Not to me.”
“You’re so great at this job I hope you never leave. Now go on home and relax.”
“Thanks, Mildred. See you tomorrow.”
Cassie had parked out in the back alley. She was glad the owner was pleased with her work. So far it had gone smoothly on her new routine. She’d taken her doctor’s advice and went home every afternoon to put her feet up and check her emails or watch television.
She ate the second half of a peanut butter sandwich while she drove to the first yard sale. But she didn’t even get out of the cab because there weren’t any baby items. Cassie would probably end up having to buy a new one. Still, there was one more sale she’d seen advertised and drove by it.
A painted wood high chair caught her eye, but after seeing all Sadie’s new paraphernalia, Cassie couldn’t make a decision yet. The issue of safety was a factor to consider. In the end she drove back to the ranch without having made any purchases. The budget she’d allowed herself wasn’t big enough for her to acquire everything she wanted. Not when she needed a couch, bed, a TV and a dozen other things first.
Functioning on autopilot at this point, she wasn’t prepared to see the brown Explorer parked in front of the house. Trace... He was back! She was sick with excitement and afraid, too.
He’d been gone so long, maybe he’d brought Nicci with him so she could see the ranch and they could make wedding plans. If that was the case, Cassie would sleep at Avery and Zane’s until she moved to the apartment.
Not wanting to walk in on them, she knocked. When no one answered she knocked harder. After no response she unlocked the door and poked her head in.
“Hello? Trace? Are you here?”
She got brave and walked in. When she passed his bedroom she saw his suitcase next to the bed. Maybe Nicci wasn’t with him after all, unless she was staying with Sam and his wife. Curious at this point, she reached for two horse snacks and walked out to the barn.
Buttercup nickered from the paddock. Cassie went over to the railing. “Hi there, Buttercup.” She patted her forelock and undid the wrapper so her horse could eat. She chomped it down. “Did Masala desert you?”
“We’re right here.”
Trace’s deep voice had her spinning around. He looked down at her with a smile that reached his brilliant blue eyes. “You don’t have something for Masala, do you?”
“Of course I do.” She patted the horse’s head and took the treat out of the paper to feed him. “There you go.” He was a chomper, too. “They’re noisy eaters.” It made both of them laugh. “When did you get home?”
“I drove in to the ranch around two this afternoon to meet with my dad.”
A dozen questions sprang into her mind. Had he come home to tell his father he and Nicci had set a wedding date? Or had he married her while he’d been in Italy? A strange pain shot through her at the thought of either possibility. “After I saw your car out in front, I thought you might have brought Nicci home with you.”
“She’s not coming.”
At those words Cassie’s heart almost failed her. What did it mean?
While she was groping for something intelligible to say, he opened the gate and walked Masala into the paddock. Once he’d removed the bridle, he patted his rump before closing the gate. He hung the bridle over the post.
“Come in the house with me. You and I need to talk. Dad tells me you’re working at the beauty salon in town. No other job offers came through while I was gone?”
“Not yet, and Mildred needed help. It’s a perfect job for me while I’m pregnant.”
“If you’re happy, that’s all that matters. How was your Fourth of July?”
“Fine. My cousins took me to the White Lodge fireworks celebration at the park. It was fun. I’m sure you would have enjoyed it.”
“When I was a kid, I lived for fireworks.”
“You and every male I know.”
“Connor and I put on our own shows when no one else was around. Jarod helped.”
“I’m not surprised.”
He opened the back door for her and followed her through to the kitchen. “Why don’t you sit down while I wait on you? It’s hot out there and your cheeks are rosy. Want a soda?”
She wished he wouldn’t make personal comments. “A lemonade sounds good.”
“Your favorite drink.” He handed her one and reached for a cola. His gaze panned the kitchen. “You’ve put up more jam. I can’t believe the abundant yield from your garden.”
“The weather has cooperated.”
“Only with the help of a green thumb like yours.”
“I used to help my mom in the garden.”
Trace snagged a chair with his boot and sat down. His eyes centered on her. “You never talk about her, but I know you miss her, especially with the baby coming.”
The conversation had started to border on painful issues she’d rather not discuss. “I miss the mother I loved before she started siding with my dad in order to keep the peace with Ned. But I’d rather talk about your news.” Her heart was thudding. “Did your trip to Italy help you and Nicci figure things out?”
He drained his soda and put the empty can on the table. “There isn’t going to be a wedding. We’re two halves of the wrong whole.”
The blood hammered in her ears. Trace wasn’t going to marry her? “I—I’m sorry,” she stammered.
“Don’t be. It would never have worked. We both knew it and avoided the mistake of getting married and then having to end it, maybe with a child involved.”
Cassie drank some of the lemonade while she assimilated what he’d just told her. She must have been born with some evil gene to be happy with his news. Her mind pounced on her next question. “Have you heard from your Realtor? Does he have more buyers lined up?”
He sat back in the chair with his arms folded. “Nope. When I flew into Billings earlier today, I dropped by his office and told him I was taking the ranch off the market. It’s not for sale. Ever.”
Hearing that news made Cassie positively giddy. It was a good thing she was sitting down or she might have fallen over in shock. “Did you tell your father?”
“Yeah. He was pretty happy about it.”
“Pretty happy—I’m surprised he didn’t go into cardiac arrest.”
Laughter poured out of him.
“Do you plan to rent the property, then?”
Her question caused his laughter to subside. “No.”
She didn’t understand. “Then, what?”
“I’m going to live here.”
That did bring her out of the chair. “You mean you’re not going to Colorado Springs after all?”
Trace put his hands behind his head and stared up at her. “Nope. I stopped there on my way home and told the brass I’ve decided to go back to ranching.”
“Are you telling me the truth?” Her voice had come out more like a squeak.
He’d tipped the chair back as far as it would go before there was an accident. “Scout’s honor.”
“Don’t tease me, Trace.”
His dark brows suddenly furrowed. He jumped out of the chair. “You went pale just now. I forgot how this news would impact you, but you don’t need to worry about losing your housekeeping job.”
That wasn’t why she’d gone pale. It was the idea that he’d come home to live and they’d see each other coming and going. “Of course I do!”
“I want you to stay on and work for me.”
She clung to one of the chair backs. “With you living here, too?”
“Why not? Unless you have designs on me.”
“Be serious, Trace—” she snapped. He’d hit a nerve that ran the entire length of her body.
“Better me to be your bodyguard than Mac Henson or your cousins. They’re all married. Since Zane’s responsibilities prevent him from serving that purpose, I’m the logical choice.”
Cassie didn’t understand. “What do you mean bodyguard?”
“Ralph told your cousins that Ned will be coming back to the ranch tomorrow.”
Her gasp filled the kitchen. She gripped the chair back tighter.
“When I was at the Golden Spur last week I bumped into Owen Pearson at the bar. He mentioned that Ned would be released shortly.” Cassie groaned. “Ralph’s news confirmed it.”
“If our grandfather confirmed it, then it has to be true.”
“Afraid so. Your name was mentioned during my strange conversation with Owen. I can tell you now that you won’t be safe from harassment if you live in that apartment. We know what Ned is capable of, but we don’t know what will set him off next, or what he’ll do even on his medication. There’s only one place for you, here where I can protect you.”
“I’m not your responsibility, Trace.”
“You are now. Dad hired you and Logan to look after the property. The shooting took place on our ranch. Now that I’m back, I want you to stay put and do the same things you’ve been doing. It’s worked so far, hasn’t it?”
“Yes! Because you were in Italy and I thought you were moving to Colorado.”
“Cassie—my father thinks the world of you and doesn’t want anything to happen to you or the baby. This isn’t just my idea.”
Incredulous she said, “You mean Sam approves of us living under the same roof?”
“Yes, and your cousins will all be for the idea, too. They don’t want you to be on your own either.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t consider it.”
One dark brow lifted. “Because of what other people will say?”
Adrenalin surged through her veins. “It’s because I don’t believe it’s right!”
“Not even to protect your unborn child?”
She closed her eyes tightly for a minute. “After I move to the apartment I’ll figure out a way to keep us safe.”
“How?”
“If I decide it’s necessary, I’ll buy a handgun and take lessons out at the shooting range like Avery. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention. It’s something I’ll talk over with her and Zane the next time we’re together.”
“That’s not going to stop your brother if he gets it into his mind to stalk you.” Cassie shuddered. “You’re in a unique and dangerous situation. The father you should be able to go to isn’t there for you.”
“How many times do I have to tell you this isn’t your problem?” she asked in frustration.
“What if I want it to be?”
“That’s because you’re like your father and play the Good Samaritan even when your world has been turned upside down. You shouldn’t be worrying about anything but your own affairs.”
“Are you afraid of me, Cassie?”
“Of course I’m not.”
“Do you trust me?”
“What a question to ask.”
“Do you?” he persisted. “Because you’d be foolish to move into town, let alone move to another part of the state, when you’re this far along. There’d be no one to lean on. It would make no sense. Let all of us help you. We’re in this together. Everyone has a vested interest in shutting Ned down. He’s been a menace to you, Jarod, Zane and now Connor.”
Fear pierced her. “What has he done to him I don’t know about?”
“It’s what he plans to do to antagonize your cousin that has us worried. Owen told me they’re going into the feral stud farm business.”
“Ned?”
Trace nodded.
“That’s the biggest joke I ever heard, but I know you’re not joking. He’s always been in competition with Connor. Whatever my cousin did, Ned tried to do and failed miserably, especially at steer wrestling. He’ll probably steal some wild horses which is against the law.”
“Or try to put Connor out of commission like he did Jarod.”
She let out a cry. “I just can’t believe he’s coming home this soon. It’s a nightmare.”
“It doesn’t have to be if you’ll let me help you. Jarod assumes they’re planning to use Ned’s money from his recent inheritance for their latest scheme. But he says Owen’s dad would never allow him to set up business on his ranch.”
“I don’t know. Owen has walked over his father all his life.”
“Sounds like Ned and Owen are two of a kind.”
“Like two peas in a pod.”
“Your cousins are worried that if Ned is thwarted on that score, he and Owen will think of some other scheme that will be up to no good.”
“Dad shouldn’t have released that money. If my Grandfather Tyson were still alive, he wouldn’t allow it. All my father does is placate Ned. There’s something wrong with him, too!”
“Is your father still in counseling?”
“He was in the beginning. Unfortunately I don’t know anything at this point.”
“That’s why Zane and your cousins are so concerned. Let’s not worry about that right now. Why don’t you go in the living room and put your feet up while I cook us dinner. Any suggestions? I won’t use salt.”
When Trace was around, he watched out for her constantly, endearing himself to her in ways he didn’t realize, but this was his home. He could do what he wanted and shouldn’t have to look after her, too. “There’s some hamburger in the freezer.”
“Great. I’ll thaw it and make spaghetti. How does that sound?”
“Sure. I haven’t had it in a long time,” she said before leaving the kitchen. But food wasn’t on her mind. Trace had given her so much to think about, she felt like she was on an emotional seesaw.
After taking a shower, she dressed in a pair of maternity jeans and a short-sleeved top in a tiny pink print on white. Bed sounded so good, she lay down on her side. Two things he’d said stood out above all else. He wasn’t getting married, and he wanted to get back to ranching.
Cassie still had a hard time believing any of it. She’d thought Nicci would go to the ends of the earth for a man like Trace. Was he in pain that she couldn’t bring herself to come and see where he’d lived? Even if he was certain a marriage with Nicci wouldn’t work, his heart had to be aching.
She closed her eyes. His insistence that she continue to live in the house was out of the question. Cassie had made her plans and wouldn’t change them. As for her brother, she didn’t want to think about him coming home tomorrow. It was only a possibility that he’d killed Logan. Without proof, maybe they were all being too paranoid. The doctor wouldn’t release Ned unless he felt the therapy and medications were working.
Cassie didn’t like to think of her brother confined to a facility for the rest of his life if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. Her parents had suffered over Ned for so many years. But when she remembered what he’d done to Jarod, and his cruelty to her and Logan, she shivered and refused to think about it.
For now she was happy to know that Trace had made peace with his past. Sam had to be euphoric that his long-lost son had found his way back home. While she lay there pondering this afternoon’s unexpected events, she felt a flutter in her stomach. At first she thought it could be a hunger pain, but when it came again and again, she knew it was her baby moving.
Her heart leaped for joy. There was no other feeling like it. The sensation could be a butterfly’s wing brushing against your skin, but on the inside. At her ultrasound, the doctor had told her she’d probably feel something pretty soon.
She felt beneath her top to put her hand against the bare skin of her tummy. For a few minutes she lay there absorbing the flutters that meant her daughter was alive and getting ready to be born. Pregnancy was a miracle. Full of hormones, she broke down sobbing in happy tears.
Just then Trace knocked on her door. “Cassie? Dinner’s ready.”
She sniffed. “Thank you.”
“You sound different. I know I upset you.”
“I—I’ll be there in a minute,” her voice faltered.
“Something’s wrong. Are you in pain?”
“No.”
“I can hear you crying. If anything has happened to that baby because of me, I’d never forgive myself.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Do you need a doctor?” He sounded panicked. “Whether you’re decent or not, I’m coming in.”
Before she could get into a sitting position on the bed, he opened the door. One look at her lying there and he said, “I’m calling 9-1-1.”
“No—” she exclaimed. “I’m crying because I felt the baby move for the first time.”
In an instant the lines in his face disappeared. “You did?”
She nodded. “It’s beyond incredible. I was so afraid something was wrong because I’m almost twenty-two weeks along and should have felt movement by now. But I’m getting lots of it at the moment.”
He stood in the doorway watching her. “What does it feel like?” When she told him, the most tender smile she’d ever seen broke out on his face. “I’m not often around a pregnant woman.”
Cassie smiled. “Being a former Ace, why doesn’t that surprise me?” Motivated by a force she hardly understood herself, she told him to come over to the bed. “Give me your hand.” He hunkered down so she could place it against her belly. Their faces weren’t that far apart. “Just wait a minute and you’ll feel it.” Their eyes studied each other. “She senses a male presence.”
“You think she knows the difference?”
“Not only your touch, but your voice. She heard it when I showed you her first photograph. Move your hand a little. Maybe that will stimulate her.”
Trace’s touch was stimulating Cassie so much, she could hardly breathe. “There—did you feel that?”
A look of wonder broke out on his face. “Like the merest whisper.”
“That’s exactly what it’s like.”
Another minute of amazing sensations they could both feel passed before he suddenly took his hand away and got to his feet, breaking the intimacy they’d shared. “Thank you, Cassie. That’s one experience I’ll never forget.”
Bombarded by new emotions, Trace strode through the house and out the back door to get a grip while he put the horses in the barn. Since seeing the sonogram, he’d almost felt as if he was the father of Cassie’s baby. For those precious moments just now, he’d forgotten he wasn’t the father. Was there any woman alive sweeter than Cassie? More generous?
But in his line of vision Logan Dorney’s face in the framed picture had stared back at him, bringing him to his senses. Naturally she kept his photograph on the table next to her bed. That was the first time he’d seen her husband. He was attractive and had a clean-cut look in the dressy Western shirt he’d worn for the picture.
Because of a fatal gunshot wound, the man would never see the fruition of his efforts in the garden. He would never see the little baby growing inside Cassie. He’d never hold his wife in his arms again.
When Trace had felt the evidence of new life inside Cassie, a primitive need had been born inside him to protect her and the baby at all cost.
She was on the phone in the kitchen when he went back inside a little later. He served up two plates of spaghetti with bread and butter. Knowing what her doctor said, he gave her ice water while he drank coffee. After she hung up, she joined him at the table to eat. The sparkle in her eyes was back.
“That was Avery. She called to plan a baby shower for me. When I told her your latest news, she was so thrilled she’s decided to have a big barbecue on Saturday night. It will be your welcome-home party, plus a shower. She’ll invite your father and Ellen and anyone else you’d like to be there.”
“Everyone I care about will already be on her list.” Starting with the gorgeous female seated across the table from him.
“So is Saturday night okay for you? You’re supposed to let her know.”
He finished his coffee and pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll call her now to thank her. I have no plans for Saturday night.” I’m not going anywhere.
The living room of the Corkin ranch house was packed. Everyone had turned out to welcome Trace home. After the feast out on the patio, Zane and Avery had assembled the crowd inside so Cassie could open her shower gifts.
“It’s time for bed, Ryan.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Come on, honey.” Sadie had already put her baby down with a bottle in the guest bedroom, but Zane’s nephew was fighting going to sleep, not willing to miss out on the fun.
“Auntie Cassie?” He ran over to her. “Mommy says you and Trace are going to have a baby. I want to see all the presents.”
Trace was sitting across the room from her, but he didn’t miss the blush that filled her cheeks. She’d worn an attractive khaki skirt with a cream-colored cotton knit sweater that blended with her golden-blond hair. “I’m having a baby, but Trace isn’t the daddy.”
“How come?”
“You remember Logan?”
“Um, I think.”
Jarod saved the moment and swept him up in his arms. “Come on, Tiger. It’s way past your bedtime.”
“I hope it’s a boy like Cole,” he said over Jarod’s shoulder.
“I’m afraid it’s going to be a girl.”
“A girl—” He frowned, causing everyone to laugh, including Trace. “What’s her name?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Jarod carried him out of the room before he could say anything else. Trace loved it. He’d loved every moment of tonight and it wasn’t over.
Avery and Liz started the gift giving. By the end of the evening, Cassie had everything she’d need for the well-dressed, well-equipped baby. By the time it was over, she was in tears. The guys cleaned up the mess before carrying everything to Trace’s car. Pretty soon people were saying good-night.
While they’d been inside, a wind had started up that hadn’t been present during the barbecue. The weatherman had forecast some rain, but it wouldn’t hit until later. Cassie walked out of the house holding Ralph’s arm while Connor held the other.
Trace’s father and Ellen followed. They headed for Jarod’s car, parked next to Trace’s. “I wish your Grandpa Tyson had been here tonight.”
“So do I,” she murmured and kissed Ralph’s cheek. “I’m so thankful you’re alive and could be here. Thank you for your gift. To start a college fund for my daughter is beyond wonderful.”
“No one deserves it more, and I wouldn’t have missed tonight for the world.” He flicked a glance to Trace, who was holding the front passenger door of Jarod’s car open for him. “The good Lord brought you back to us, Trace. Now that you’re home, be sure you take good care of my Cassie. She and her baby are mighty precious to me.”
Trace smiled at her. “I will if she’ll let me.”
Ralph looked at her. “Of course you will. I don’t want to hear about you living in town in some apartment. You stay put, young lady.” Jarod’s exact words to Trace.
“I’m afraid she’s a Bannock with a mind of her own,” Trace said when he could see Cassie was uncomfortable. She must have heard that a dozen times throughout the party.
“Don’t you let her do it,” Ralph warned in a serious tone.
Connor exchanged a wordless message with Trace before helping his grandfather into the car. They were all aware Ned was home but no one more than Ralph, who feared for Cassie.
As Trace opened his own car door for her, his father gave her a hug. “You mind Ralph, Cassie. He knows what’s good for you.”
“Thanks for the advice, Doc.”
His father shut her door, then hugged Trace hard before leading Ellen over to their car.
Trace waved to the others and got behind the wheel, anxious to be alone with Cassie. He hadn’t known this kind of contentment in years. They didn’t have far to go. The weather was definitely growing more blustery, adding to the excitement at the thought of the two of them being together in his house.
He glanced over at her. “Are you tired?”
“A little, but it was such a wonderful party I don’t care.”
“That Ryan was the life of the party. Jarod and Sadie have their hands full with two children.”
“They do, and they love it. Little Cole, or Sun in His Hair, is absolutely adorable.”
“Just like your baby is going to be. I guess she can’t be given a Crow name,” he teased.
“Only Jarod’s offspring are entitled.”
“He always did love his Crow heritage. It’s a shame he never got to know his mother.”
“I agree. But he has everything he wants now with Sadie and the children.”
Trace swallowed to get rid of the lump in his throat. “After tonight I think your child won’t want for a single thing.”
“No.” He heard a big sigh. “Everyone was so generous, I don’t know how to repay them.”
“They don’t expect anything. All they want is for you to be happy and safe.”
“I know. I swear if one more person had told me to stay on your ranch...”
“Did their remarks upset you?”
She shook her head. “I have the dearest family and friends in the world. But they’re so focused on me and what happened to Logan, they’re not considering your situation.”
“I don’t have one, Cassie. I’m eager to get started on some projects. It would be a relief to me if you were there doing the things you always do. I could keep a better eye on you after you get off work at the beauty shop. If you move to that apartment, everyone who attended the party will be checking up on you all the time, including me. Ralph knows what goes on in his son’s household with Ned and he’s worried enough to warn you to be careful.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of, Trace. I don’t want to be anyone’s project.”
“If you stay with me, then everyone can get on with living.”
“But it’s not fair to you. I’m a liability, and you’re too much of a gentleman to admit it.”
He scoffed. “You couldn’t be more wrong. If anything I’m the intruder in your world. You were getting along just fine until I came home. Don’t you know I love getting up to the smell of strawberry jam? I’m crazy about your cooking. I like walking into a clean house and I sleep better knowing someone’s in the house when I go to bed. Flying can be a lonely business and I’ve done it for a long time.”
“I’ve wondered about that.”
“Have you ever heard of Pauline Gower?”
“No.”
“She was a British pilot during WWII. She said that ‘to be alone in the air at night is to be very much alone...cut off from everything and everyone. Nothing’s “familiar” any longer.’”
“Is that how you felt at times?”
“Exactly like that. Another of her quotes was right on. She said that ‘one feels rather like Alice in Wonderland after she has nibbled the toadstool that made her grow smaller—and like Alice, one hopes that the process will stop while there is still something left.”
“Sounds like she was a writer, too.”
“Yes.”
“Do you miss it? Flying I mean.”
“No. I didn’t live for it like some pilots do. It provided an escape for me at a time when I was floundering. I wanted to get far away.”
“You weren’t alone, Trace. I had those same feelings at a very young age and couldn’t do anything about them until I went away to college. There was a time when I swore I’d never come back. If I hadn’t met Logan on a visit, I’d be living somewhere else in the state.”
“Well I for one am glad you ended up right where you are.”
Trace left the highway and drove along the dirt road to the ranch house. He’d left the two outside lights on. Cassie’s description of the little house in the woods came to mind. “With your painted shutters at this time of night, you’d think we’d stumbled on to the Hansel and Gretel house.”
A small smile appeared. “It does kind of remind you of that old fairy tale.”
He parked and turned off the engine. “You don’t really want to move to an apartment when you have a home here for the present. Do everyone a favor and stay until after the baby is born. By then we’ll have a good idea about Ned’s state of mind. It will give you time to find the kind of job you really want.”
“But—”
“No buts, Cassie. Don’t pressure yourself to make a decision you might regret. Who knows? Maybe an apartment won’t look good to you once the baby is here. You may want to rent a house for you and your daughter. Promise me you’ll think about working for me, at least until Christmas. Then you can reevaluate.”
She didn’t answer him. He hoped that was a good sign.