Eight

Lost in thought, she walked into the house, mulling over how and when she would tell Tony.

By midnight she wasn’t any closer to a solution. She sat in her darkened bedroom, looking out over her ranch and wondering what course of action she should follow. When the baby came, she would face more decisions. Stay home and take care of her baby all day or hire a nanny and go back to ranch work?

Eventually, she figured, that’s probably what she would do, but she wanted to be home with her baby those first few months no matter what she decided to do later. Would she have to buy a house in Verity to secure a nanny or would she be able to find someone to live on the ranch? But maybe she was jumping the gun. First, she needed to find a doctor and have the baby.

She rubbed her forehead and thought about Mike’s offer of his Dallas house in her ninth month. Tony might have some issue with that, being that he had a place in Dallas, too.

Tony. Mentioning his name made her remember he hadn’t called her the past few days. Did he know she had been away from the ranch? She guessed he probably did, but he also knew she always had her phone. Had she heard the last from him until she contacted him?

On top of her worries and her woes, she missed Tony. He was too many wonderful things to suddenly have him disappear from her life and not feel his absence. She missed his energy, his optimism, his charm, his sexy ways. She didn’t want to admit it, but a considerable amount of joy and excitement had gone out of her life. She dreamed about him at night, thought about him constantly during the day. Did Tony miss her at all?

The following Friday Tony climbed from his pickup after a long day. He’d helped some of his men clear a field. He was hot and dirty. He wanted a shower and a steak and he wanted to spend the evening with Lindsay. Since she hadn’t taken his calls or answered his texts, he’d interpreted that as a sign she wanted to be left alone and he’d stopped calling. But that didn’t stop him from wanting her.

He changed and went to his gym to work off the pent-up anxiety he felt from thinking about her. Exercising helped, as did swimming laps in his pool. But when he lay back in the pool, Lindsay invaded his thoughts once again. It was ridiculous, he told himself. If he didn’t hear from her by next week, he promised himself he’d go out and forget all about her.

He swam laps until he couldn’t stand to swim one more. Climbing out, he went in to shower and change, then work on taxes and his records. Later, he lay in the darkness, wanting sleep to come, hoping it was not another night of dreams filled with Lindsay.

During the night, he woke to hear a long, piercing howl. Stepping out of bed, he walked onto his balcony and gazed into the night. After a few minutes, another howl cut through the night. This one seemed to come from somewhere close to the barn nearest to his house.

Returning to his room, he pulled on his clothes and got a rifle. He went outside again to sit and wait, but the howls had stopped. He sat thinking about Lindsay, remembering times together, until he noticed the sky was getting lighter. It was dawn, so he went inside to shower and dress for the day.

After he had breakfast, he headed to the barn. Curious to see if he could find any signs of an animal, he knelt down and searched. But it was unlikely he’d find tracks in the hard, baked earth, so he rose and walked along slowly, studying the ground and turning a corner where thick bushes grew. He heard the faintest whine and froze for a minute. Then he moved slowly and cautiously toward the bushes, stopping instantly when he looked into a pair of brown eyes.

For a startled moment he thought it was a wolf, but then his gaze ran over the animal and he realized it was a big, furry gray-and-black male dog and it was hurt.

As the dog whimpered, Tony moved slowly, holding out his hand, wishing he had brought a piece of meat or something to offer. He spoke softly to the animal and knelt beside him. The dog tried to raise its head but lay back, watching him and giving one thump of its tail.

“Hey, boy,” Tony said, speaking softly. “You’re hurt.” He saw the coat, tangled and matted with blood. One front leg and one hind leg each had bloody gashes. Tony pulled out his phone to call Keane.

Two hours later the dog was awake again, sedatives wearing off. Cleaned and bandaged, he lay in a stall in the barn on a blanket that had been tossed over hay spread on the floor. The barn was air-conditioned and comfortable.

Keane had helped Tony with the dog and, later, Doc Williams had stopped by. Now Tony was alone, sitting on the blanket by the dog and scratching its ears. He pulled out his phone and called Lindsay.

Warmth heated him at the sound of her voice. “I’m glad you answered.”

“I’ve been in Dallas,” she said, a cautious note in her voice that he’d never heard before.

He let her answer go without comment even though her phone had also been in Dallas. “Remember the howls and the coyote/wolf/dog?”

“Yes,” she said, curiosity filling her voice so she sounded more like herself.

“He’s in my barn. He was hurt, with lots of cuts. He may resemble a wolf, but he’s actually just a big, furry gray dog that has been hurt. I thought you’d want to know.”

“Oh, Tony, will he be all right?”

“Yes. Doc Williams has taken care of him. When the sedative completely wears off, he’ll get a little steak. He’s had some water. I held his head and sort of spoon-fed it to him. Want to come visit my patient?”

There was a pause. “Yes, I’ll be there soon. Thanks for calling me. I’m headed to my pickup. By the way, how did you catch him?”

“I didn’t catch him. He woke me in the night and when dawn came, I found him by the barn lying in the bushes where it was shady.”

“I never thought about going to look for him. His howling just gave me the creeps. But I’m so glad you rescued him. And it’s a dog, huh?”

“Definitely. Mixed breed and looks like a wolf, but it’s domesticated.”

“It’s wonderful that you saved him.” He picked up the emotion in her voice.

“Well, well, Miss Tough Rancher is a real softie for dogs? How about men? Men named Tony?”

She laughed. “Maybe dogs.”

He didn’t press the point. He needed to slow down and just be happy that she’d taken his call. He brought the conversation back to the dog at his side. “Well, our patient already looks much better. Keane has a nice touch, and Doc said we did a good job. He said the dog has wounds from a fight. He’s not sick, but Doc said he would stop by again and check on him.”

“You’re a good guy, Tony.”

“I’m glad I can impress you,” he said, brushing the dog’s head as he talked. Despite his resolve, his eagerness to see Lindsay grew by the second. “We’ll let you name him, Lindsay. Doc said no one had inquired about a lost dog that fit this one’s description, and I’ve checked some ads and I don’t see anything. I think he’s homeless.”

“I hope not any longer,” she said breathlessly. “I hope you give him a home.”

“We’ll see how he fits in with the other dogs the guys keep on the ranch. I don’t know what he’s been fighting, but if he fights my dogs, I can’t keep him.”

“If you don’t keep him, let me know.” He heard her fumbling on the other end of the line, then she said, “I gotta go so I can drive.”

“I’m in the first barn. Come on in.”

“See you soon,” she said and ended the call.

Putting away his phone, Tony smiled at the dog. He was happy because Lindsay would soon be at his ranch. “Lindsay is coming to see you,” he told the animal. “I hope she loves you and keeps coming to see you. Don’t look too well too soon, okay, boy?”

The dog thumped its tail a few times. “I’ll feed you in a while. Doc said to wait. Lindsay’s going to love you and you’re going to love her. Maybe you’ll end up at her house and then I can come see you. Just be nice to all the ranch dogs. That’s all that’s required.”

Big brown eyes looked up at him as the dog thumped his tail. Tony petted the dog’s head gently, talking to it softly until he heard a motor. “Here she comes. Be a very nice dog now.”

A pickup door slammed and Lindsay rushed in to stop in front of the stall. She had her hair in her usual braid and was in jeans and a blue T-shirt. She looked wonderful, and he fought the urge to get up, put his arms around her and kiss her.

“Hi, Tony. Oh, my, look at this beautiful dog,” she said, coming into the stall to sit on the floor by Tony and reach out slowly to hold her hand in front of the dog, a treat in her palm.

He thumped his tail and raised his head slightly. His tongue licked out to take the treat.

“Oh, Tony, I’m so glad you didn’t put him down. But he’s all bandaged. Is he hurt badly?”

“Doc said he may limp. Other than that, he should heal just fine,” Tony said, watching Lindsay instead of the dog. She smelled wonderful and she looked great. He still wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, but he knew that wasn’t what she would want.

She placed her hand on the dog’s head to pet him and he slowly thumped his tail.

“He has to get well. Thank you for calling me and thanks for taking care of him. I think he’s wonderful. Look at him. He’s so sweet.”

“You don’t know if he’s sweet yet. Remember, he still has the lingering effects of sedatives.”

“He’s sweet. You’ll see. Look at those beautiful eyes.”

“I am,” Tony said, and she turned to look at him as he met her gaze.

She shook her head. “That’s what I thought. You’re not thinking about the dog.”

“No, I’m not. It’s good to see you.”

She didn’t respond to his statement. Instead, she teased him. “You know, if he had been a gray wolf, you could have had a wish granted, according to legend. As it is, you just became the owner of a stray dog.”

“If I could have a wish, I’d wish that you’d go out with me tonight. But I guess, for the good of all, I would wish for rain this week.”

“Doesn’t matter. That was just a legend and he is just a dog.” She petted him and Tony watched her. He couldn’t help wishing those gentle hands were on his body, caressing him. But while her touch stilled the dog, it had aroused him.

“So,” he prodded, “will you go out with me tonight?”

She turned to look at him solemnly, a slight frown on her brow, and he feared her answer. Then the frown disappeared and she nodded. “Tony, we need to talk,” she said, suddenly sounding serious, as if she had something difficult to discuss. After her hesitation, she nodded again. “Yes. Tonight will be a big thank-you for rescuing this dog and giving him a home.”

“Great. Let’s go someplace fancy in Fort Worth. Someplace to dance, to talk and have a good time and super food, and then you can come back here and we’ll see how our patient is doing.”

Again he received a solemn look that puzzled him. “I don’t know about coming back here, but we’ll go out.” Then, as if a thought just struck her, she asked, “But what about the dog? When you leave, he won’t leave, will he?”

“I’ll shut him in here where it’s air-conditioned and he can be comfortable. In his condition, he can’t get out. He’ll have water and by that time I will have fed him something, so he should be all right.”

“Do you want me to stay with him today?”

“Lindsay, I’m guessing you have a lot of things to do today.”

She shrugged. “I suppose so, but I just don’t want him to get up and go.”

“He won’t. I promise you.”

She leaned down to croon to the dog and scratch behind his ears, and Tony took the opportunity to run his gaze over her. He didn’t know if it was his imagination or just knowing what was beneath the clothes she wore, but she looked better than she used to with her braid, her old hat and jeans. Or was it because he hadn’t seen her for a while and it was good to be with her again?

After a short time, she leaned back. “I need to get home, but I had to come see him.”

They both stood and left the stall. While the dog raised its head, Tony closed the stall door and walked with Lindsay outside. “I’m glad you’re going with me tonight. How about six so we have time to get to Fort Worth? I’ll be glad to see you.”

She smiled, but despite her acceptance of his dinner date, he sensed something off about her. Something had changed. There was a reluctance about her.

He tried to tease her out of her funk. “Still no fights between us, darlin’,” he said quietly. “I’d say we’ve done well.”

“Yes, we have, Tony. I hope it lasts,” she said, and he had an even stronger feeling that something bothered her.

“Lindsay, come back into the barn for a minute.”

She walked with him into the cool barn and turned to look at him with curiosity in her expression. “What’s on your mind?”

“I wanted some privacy for us. Is anything wrong?”

Something flickered in her eyes and her cheeks became pink. “Not really. I just want to talk tonight.”

He gazed into her eyes and wondered if he should probe more deeply. Then he figured they could talk tonight. But he couldn’t let her go without doing one thing. When he stepped closer to place his hands on her shoulders, he felt her stiffen slightly. He studied her and then slipped his arm around her waist to kiss her.

“Tony, I should—” His lips on hers ended her talk.

For a moment she was resistant. Then all her stiffness vanished as she put her arms around his neck and returned his kiss passionately, a blazing kiss that meant whatever her problem was, she still couldn’t cool the blazing sexual attraction between them.

When she stepped away, he let her go. She was breathing as hard as he was and they looked at each other a moment. Her blue eyes seemed clouded with worry. Turning away, she rushed out to her pickup.

“I need to get home, Tony. See you tonight,” she called over her shoulder.

He hurried to watch her while she started the pickup. Gravely, she glanced at him and then drove away.

He stared after her. Something had definitely changed since the last time they were together. He didn’t know what it was, unless she was trying not to tell him that she didn’t care to go out with him again or receive phone calls from him. But knowing her as he did, he was certain she would have just said it.

That day was inevitable and he probably shouldn’t have called her, but he knew she would want to see the dog. Oh, who was he kidding? He’d called because he wanted to see her. The dog was just an excuse. As much as he told himself to leave her alone and forget her, he couldn’t stay away. His body seemed to crave her, the way a starving man craves food. Maybe tonight would be different, he told himself. Maybe tonight the reluctance and resistance he’d sensed in her would disappear. He could only hope.

He retrieved his hat and headed to his pickup to catch up with Keane and see how they were coming on clearing the land for the new pond.

But as he drove, he couldn’t stop the niggling feeling that something big was going to happen tonight. Something sure as hell was wrong with Lindsay and he could only wonder what.

Lindsay spent the rest of the day at her house. Part of the time she helped her cook, Rosalee. Part of the time she was shut in her room deciding what to wear and how to tell Tony about her pregnancy.

She had wanted to wait, make her own decisions, but she couldn’t go back to the carefree, happy times when she was with him after the auction. She had decided to tell him immediately and face dealing with him. It would come sooner or later and she wanted the battle over and done.

She wanted to look her best when she told him. When he was dazzled by her, Tony was much more cooperative. Take the night of the auction, for example. But then, that night she’d had surprise on her side. Oh, she had a surprise this time, all right. One that might make him faint.

Rummaging in her closet, she selected a black dress she had bought on impulse when she had been shopping in Dallas. She had never worn it, just because no occasion had arisen, but tonight should be one.

She yanked off her jeans to try on the dress. Before she pulled it on, she stopped to look at herself in the mirror. Even though it was too soon for physical changes, she couldn’t keep from looking for them. It was satisfying to see she looked as slim as ever. Change was inevitable, but she hoped it didn’t show really early. She wanted to keep working on the ranch, and if any of the guys noticed and realized, word would get to Abe. He would insist she stop and if she didn’t, he’d probably talk to her brothers about it.

By five in the afternoon Rosalee had finished and left for the weekend. Lindsay had bathed and still worked to fix her hair, planning to leave it down in long spiral curls around her face.

As the time drew closer for Tony to arrive, her nerves became more raw. She dreaded talking to him, knowing all the peace between them would go up in flames tonight and they would each have to make a big effort to be civil and work out how they would deal with their new situation. Most of the changes would be in her life, but Tony would have adjustments and decisions, too. And their dates, their lovemaking, the fun they’d had—all that was over. It wasn’t something she expected to get back in her life.

Feeling she had reached a point where her appearance was the best she could do, she went to the front window to watch for him coming up the drive. After a moment she stepped out on her porch to sit in a wooden rocker. In spite of the hot weather, she was chilled. Mounting dread about revealing her pregnancy to Tony enveloped her. She could anticipate his reactions and she suspected battles with him would fill the coming weeks. Underneath that dread was an undercurrent of anticipation, because she would finally be with him again.

When his sports car came into view, her pulse jumped. He might be bossy, but he still was the most charming, exciting, sexy man she had ever known. She went inside to take one more look at herself in the mirror, then stood waiting for the doorbell. Was she about to face her biggest struggle ever with Tony?

As Tony drove up the driveway to Lindsay’s ranch house, his eagerness to see her grew. He’d been nervous all day to find out what disturbed her but, right now, knowing he’d see her in minutes, he couldn’t help hoping for another hot, sexy night of lovemaking.

Never in his life had he been deeply involved in a serious relationship and he knew he wouldn’t start now with Lindsay. They were just too different. Even so, at the moment he wanted to be with her; he missed talking to her and seeing her. He feared their tenuous relationship might be close to termination right now, but he intended to enjoy tonight to the fullest.

When the door swung open, his heart thudded and for seconds all he did was stare.

Lindsay wore another pair of stiletto heels with thin sexy straps crossing her slender feet, which matched her black sleeveless dress. Her plunging vee neckline revved his pulse another notch. Her straight, short skirt revealed her legs for him to view. Had she left her hair falling freely around her face to please him? Probably not, but he’d enjoy it anyway.

“You look gorgeous, Lindsay,” he said. He was breathless, his voice deeper. “That black dress is killer on you.”

She smiled at him, but it wasn’t the wholehearted smile he had received before. “You’ve never been in my house. Come on in and look around.”

He stepped in and the second he inhaled her perfume, he wanted to hold her and kiss her and forget about going out to dinner or eating anything for hours. He could cancel the reservations in Fort Worth and stay right here beside her.

He walked alongside her through a short hallway that opened out into a wide hall with a spiral staircase to the next floor. Above, a beamed ceiling was three stories high with skylights that let light pour into the house.

On either side of the stairs, the house opened up into spacious areas defined only by columns, furniture groupings and area rugs. The open rooms, high ceilings and lots of glass made the already large house seem twice as big.

“Like many other things about you, your house surprises me,” he said. “It’s beautiful, but not what I ever expected. I pictured you in a house more Western, but not the way you pictured mine would be. Just leather furniture and Western scenes in the paintings and traditional Western decor.” He strolled into a living area he’d glimpsed from the hall and noticed a second-floor balcony extending over the length of one side of the room and the French period pieces upholstered in elegant silks and antique satins.

“Now I can picture you in your house,” he said. “At least in part of it.”

He turned to find her staring at him intently with a slight frown. Her expression jolted him. Just as he’d feared, something was very wrong and he didn’t have a clue what it was.

“Lindsay, what’s the problem?” he asked, unfastening the one button on his jacket and slipping out of it. He placed it on a chair. “Looks as if we need to talk.”

As she wound her fingers together, her knuckles whitened. He took her hands in his.

“The weight of the world might as well be on your shoulders. Whatever is bothering you can’t be that bad.” He bent his knees so he could look directly into her eyes. Silently, he studied her.

“Before we talk, I think it would be wise to cancel our dinner reservation. I debated just telling you to come over for dinner, but I thought I might not have the courage to talk to you tonight—”

“Damn, Lindsay, what the hell? Is it—”

“Don’t start guessing. Cancel the dinner reservation. My cook was here today and I had her leave us a casserole if either of us feels like eating later.”

Watching her, he pulled out his phone, looked down and sent a short text. He put away his phone.

“I think you might like a drink. I’ll get you a beer,” she said.

Mystified, he stared after her. Whatever this was, the problem disturbed her a hell of a lot more than any other she’d encountered while he’d known her. From the way she was acting, it seemed even catastrophic.

Was it the ranch? Did she have to sell it? If she did, she wouldn’t have any trouble telling him. Nor could it involve anyone in her family; he didn’t think she would hesitate letting him know that.

He knew she had gone to Dallas recently. He also realized she had another life away from her ranch. Was it someone else? Did she have a lover in Dallas? No, she wouldn’t have stayed with Tony if there’d been anyone else.

So why did she go to Dallas? Did she have some illness and need a big-city doctor?

She looked as healthy as anyone could hope to be, even though that was no indication of how she might feel or why she would have to see a doctor. The thought that Lindsay was sick was like a punch to his middle. What was wrong and how serious was it? Was it incurable? That question almost buckled his knees.

He watched her behind the bar fixing their drinks and went to join her. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was that she had gone to Dallas because of a medical problem. She knew when she told him he’d need a drink.

What the hell could be so wrong that she knew ahead of time and it involved him enough for her to expect him to be upset?

His knees did almost cave on that one. He sat on the nearest bar stool while he stared without seeing anything and his head spun.

One possibility occurred to him and he knew in every inch of his being that he guessed correctly. Taking deep breaths, he looked up to see her coming around the bar with a glass of ice water for herself and a whiskey on the rocks for him.

“I thought you might prefer this,” she said, handing him his drink. She frowned. “Tony, you look white as a sheet.”

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you? You’re carrying my baby.”