“Come on. Let’s go inside with your haul.”
“That’s exactly what it is!” Cassie exclaimed.
“Dad won’t be staying here so why don’t we store everything in his room.”
“But what if he and Ellen want to sleep over one night?”
“All they’ll need is the bed.”
Without saying anything, she got out of the car before Trace could help her and reached for one of the sacks in back filled with baby clothes. The wind was blowing harder now.
“You must be tired after volunteering at the sanctuary earlier.”
“I’m not that tired.”
As his father had remarked, Cassie was a hard worker. “How’s Giselle by the way?”
“As precious as ever.”
“She probably waits for your visits.”
“I think she’s happy when I call to her.”
He smiled. “You only think?”
“Everyone loves her.”
“But I wager you’re her favorite. I’ll go by there again soon and see if she remembers me. In the meantime if you’ll open the front door, I’ll bring in all the rest of the things.”
Trace handled the heavier boxes with furniture that had to be put together. After several trips he got everything inside the bedroom. “What did you work on today at the sanctuary?”
“We painted the new fox condo. Paul did the roof and sides while Lindsey and I worked on the legs.”
“The same brown color?”
“Yes.”
“Does it have shutters?”
She chuckled. “No.”
“I think you should add two and apply your terrific artwork to brighten things up.”
“I’m afraid it would be a little much.”
“You’re so expert at it, we can’t let that talent go to waste. If you noticed, I didn’t give you a gift at the party. Why don’t you open the closet door?”
Cassie stopped emptying the bags and walked over to do his bidding. “Oh—a little wooden toy box.” She leaned over and opened it. “How darling!”
“It’s unfinished. I thought you could paint it and decorate it yourself.”
She stood up before her eyes darted to his. “You do too much, Trace.”
He hunched his shoulders. “If you don’t want it—”
“You know I do! I’m just overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness. You’re too generous for your own good.”
“And you’re too stubborn for yours.” He opened the top dresser drawer. “This is empty. Shall we put the clothes in here?”
Cassie walked over to the bed and lifted a little white bodysuit from the sack. They both chuckled. “Trust Connor to find this eenie-meanie bull outfit. Look at the size of that steer’s horns!”
“How about Liz’s contribution?” He pulled out the little pink-and-white bodysuit dress with two cowboy boots on the front. “I can’t wait to see her in this. Or this.” Trace drew out another bodysuit. “Super cowgirl.”
“That was Mac and Millie’s contribution. I never saw so many cute baby clothes in my life.” She started folding them and the receiving blankets in the drawer.
Trace never saw a cuter mother-to-be in his life. While she got busy doing that, he opened the box containing an ivory-colored crib. He had it assembled before she turned to look at him.
“You shouldn’t have set that up.”
“Too late. It’s done. Don’t you want to see what the mobile looks like attached to it? Jarod says Cole is already intrigued by his.”
After a slight hesitation, she opened the box and pulled it out. He knew Cassie couldn’t resist. A horse, bear, cowboy boot, dog and bull dangled from a tan cowboy hat. A laugh escaped her lips. “What won’t they think up next?” She put it at one end of the crib.
“Every little well-brought-up cowgirl should have one of those.” Trace took the crib mattress out of the other box and fit it inside the crib. “The padding with the cowboy boots is here somewhere.” He found it and set it around. “All this crib needs now is your baby girl.”
Cassie stood there clutching the crib rail with a pained expression. After such a great evening, his spirits plummeted to see it. “I realize Logan is the one you wished were here doing this with you. I’m so sorry, Cassie.”
He left the bedroom and walked through the house to the back door into the wind. A ride on Masala was what he needed, and he didn’t care if it started to rain on him. In practically begging Cassie to stay on at the ranch, he’d added too much pressure by erecting the crib. He should never have done that. It hadn’t been on purpose, but he’d been so carried away by the events of the night, he hadn’t stopped to think. She had every right to resent him. Damn and damn.
In a few long strides he reached the barn, but the left door was open and banged against the structure with every gust of air. Trace had closed the doors before they’d left for the party. In all the years he’d lived here, he’d never seen the wind blow one of them open. They were heavy.
Whether it had been left open on purpose or not, he was convinced someone had been here.
Walking inside, he turned on the overhead light and headed for the horses’ stalls to check on them. Speaking in low tones, he examined them to make certain they were all right. They nickered back and forth while he inspected the other two empty stalls and the tack room. Nothing seemed amiss, but he wasn’t convinced a force of nature had been responsible.
Without hesitation he phoned Zane who’d probably gone to bed by now. He picked up on the third ring. “Trace? What’s up?”
“After the great party, I’m sorry to bother you, but this couldn’t wait.” In the next breath he told him what he’d discovered when he went out to the barn. “If we had an intruder over here, he could have left a fingerprint or two. I haven’t touched the handle or the door.”
“I’ll be right over.”
While he stood inside the opening to get out of the wind, Cassie came out of the house. “Trace?”
He stepped outside. “I’m right here.”
“What are you doing? Why is the light on?”
“Come inside and I’ll tell you. Don’t touch anything.”
When she reached him, her hair was in beautiful disarray. “I thought you’d gone out to the front porch.”
“Actually I was going to take a ride on Masala before going to bed, but I found the barn door open the way you see it right now. Before we left tonight, I closed both of them. I could be wrong and it was just the wind, but I think we might have had an intruder while we were at the party. So I phoned Zane. He should be here in a minute to lift any prints he might find besides yours and mine.”
She bit her lip. “The wind wouldn’t do that unless the door had already been ajar.”
“I’m inclined to agree.”
Cassie left him long enough to go over to the horses. While she was talking to them, Trace saw headlights in the drive coming toward him. Zane got out of his truck with a bag. Jarod was with him.
“Thanks for coming.”
“I’m going to test for fingerprints. Let’s go in the house first so I can get a set of yours and Cassie’s. Then I’ll test for prints on the front and back door of the house, window frames and the doors of Cassie’s truck before we go to the barn.”
“While you do that, I’ll take the barn door off the hinges and set it inside,” Jarod offered. “It’ll be easier to work on out of the wind.”
“Good idea.” Zane handed him a screwdriver from his bag before Trace and Cassie went in the house.
An hour later everything had been done and the door was put back and shut. “I’ll get all this off to the crime lab in Missoula first thing in the morning. It ought to be interesting to see what they come up with. You know what this means if we find what we’re looking for.”
Cassie’s anxious eyes revealed her fear. “Will it be enough to send him back to the facility for good?”
Jarod hugged her around the shoulders. “No question about it, cousin.”
After they left, Trace walked her back in the house and locked the door. “Cassie?” he said as they reached the kitchen. “Do me a favor? Zane says he’ll ask for results ASAP. If I’m right and Ned was bold enough to trespass tonight, he’ll do it again once you’re in that apartment. Promise me you’ll stay here where I can protect you.”
An odd sound came out of her. “You don’t have to say anything more, Trace. When I came looking for you earlier, it was to tell you that I’ll stay and work here.
“Neither Ralph or your father minced words with me tonight. I’m not going to let my pride make everyone so nervous for me, they lose sleep over it. I’ve already left a voice mail with the landlord of the apartment that I won’t be wanting it after all. I’m sure he’ll refund the money.
“Ralph’s health has been so much better since Sadie first came back, I don’t want to be the one to put him in bed again. He made a promise to my Grandfather Tyson to watch out for me. No one takes responsibility more seriously than he does.”
Thank heaven.
“Then you know how I feel because my father put me under the same mandate where you’re concerned.”
“I’m sorry, Trace.”
“For what exactly?”
“For being a liability. And for the heartache you must be feeling because your marriage plans didn’t go through. While you were putting the crib together, all I could think of was you, wishing this baby was yours and Nicoletta’s.”
That’s what had put the pain in her eyes? Not the memory of Logan?
“I was wishing your baby was mine, Cassie,” he whispered. “Yours and mine.”
Her green eyes widened.
“I found myself envying your husband. If you remember a certain conversation before I left for Italy, I challenged you to stay with me, unless you had designs on me and were reticent. That was my way of teasing you. But even as a tease, you let me know in a hurry that nothing could be further from the truth. A love like yours doesn’t come along every day. You left your family to be with Logan. As I’ve told you before. He was a lucky man.”
“If Nicoletta couldn’t leave her family, I can’t blame her, not when she comes from such a different world. But it ruins your dreams of a family with her.”
“Once the injury happened, I believe it brought both our dreams to an end. In truth, I don’t think I was ever in love with her enough, or I would have done what she’d wanted and live there.” He’d loved Nicci. If things had worked out differently, he might have married her and then regretted it because deep down he’d always longed for home. It would have caught up with him.
“With hindsight I can see that if you don’t love someone with every fiber of your being, then how can you expect to make it through the difficult times of marriage? You and Logan had that kind of tenacity.”
“It wasn’t perfect. Deep inside he was insecure because he’d been orphaned. When Ned put him down to Dad, it did a lot of damage though he didn’t show it in front of other people. I had to beg him to let us try for a baby. Without a role model, he was convinced he’d make a terrible parent.”
“How sad.”
She nodded. “He’d been in half a dozen foster homes before he turned eighteen and could be on his own. I told him it didn’t matter that he didn’t know his father. It was in the doing of being a father himself that he’d find out how to be a great father. We’d learn together. But it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Are you the one that found him in the forest?” he whispered. Trace had wanted to know the details, but had never dared ask until tonight.
“No. When he didn’t come home for dinner and it got later and later, I called your father in alarm. He in turn called my cousins and Zane. They all went out with flashlights and found him facedown near one of the streams. I told you about the dead marten that lay nearby.”
“I don’t know how you lived through that.”
“I don’t either,” she laughed sadly. “Those first few weeks are a complete blank to me. Avery and the girls took turns staying with me. When I discovered I was pregnant, it was like I’d been brought back to reality and had something to live for again.”
“His little girl...” He took a deep breath. “Was Logan Dorney his birth name?”
“He never knew. It was the one given to him at the orphanage in Dillon. He never did find out if they just assigned him that name, or if it was the name of one of his birth parents.”
“Well he may not have known his parents, but he was married to a wonderful woman.”
Tears filled her eyes. “But that so-called wonderful woman had a brother who wouldn’t leave him alone.” Trace saw her hands tighten into fists. “He jeered him and mocked him and—” But she couldn’t go on and broke down.
Not immune to her pain, Trace pulled her into his arms and rocked her while she poured out her grief. Cassie had been holding all this in for such a long time, she had difficulty quieting down. It was past time for her to let it out. Trace was fiercely glad he was the one she’d turned to. They had a connection that was growing stronger.
When she eventually eased away from him and lifted her tear-ravaged face, it was all he could do not to protest. “The front of your shirt is wet. I’m so sorry to do that to you.”
“Hey—you’re pregnant and have the right to fall apart anytime you want.”
Cassie laughed. A good sign that she didn’t resent him. When he’d gone out to the barn earlier, he’d been convinced he’d blown it with her.
“Just call me water works. I exhibit every pregnant hormone-filled symptom in the book. I’ll probably have momnesia after the baby’s born, too.”
“Momnesia?”
She nodded. “Pregnancy brain. They say there’s forty times more progesterone and estrogen marinating in my brain right now affecting the circuits. The IQ doesn’t change, but priorities do. Something about so many shelves in the brain and the top three are filled with baby preoccupation.”
Trace grinned. “I learn something new every day living around you. Maybe it’ll be contagious. Now I think you’ve had enough excitement for one day and ought to get to bed. I’ll lock up and turn out the lights.”
“Thank you.” Her voice trembled. “For absolutely everything.” She kissed the corner of his jaw and left the kitchen.
He touched his fingers to the spot where her lips had been. Next time she had one of those urges, he’d help her find his mouth.
* * *
THE NEXT FRIDAY Cassie had a dental appointment at noon. A filling had come loose and it was the only time her dentist could fit her in before he left on a trip. She called Mildred who told her to lock the salon. Rosy, her daughter, was visiting and would open it and cover the counter while Cassie was gone.
At one-thirty she returned and entered the shop through the rear door like she always did. When she reached the counter, Rosy stood up and gave her a hug.
“It’s been a long time, Cassie, and you’re more beautiful than ever.”
“So are you.”
“It isn’t fair to look like you do when you’re pregnant.”
“Thanks for the lies. In my condition I can use them. You’re really great to come in and help me out.”
“Anything for an old friend. Mom says you run this place with the precision of a Swiss clock.”
“Is that good or bad?”
They both laughed. “When my mom says it, you know it’s good. Everything has gone smoothly. Oh—I almost forgot. You’re not going to believe it. Remember Owen, your brother’s old friend from high school?”
Suddenly her heart was racing like a runaway train. “Yes?”
“He came inside for a second, looked around and left. I heard he got divorced. Maybe he was looking for his ex. But don’t you think that’s weird? He’s still that same smarmy, squinty-eyed loser.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Cassie felt sick to her stomach. The news had sucked all the air out of her lungs. “Thanks for covering for me, Rosy. I’ll take over now so you can get back to your mom’s house.”
“Let’s get together the next time I’m in town.”
“We’ll do it.”
They hugged again and she left, waving to several customers on the way out. Cassie sat down on the chair and phoned Trace.
Pick up. Please, pick up.
When it went to his voice mail she said, “Trace? I’m at the salon. After I got back from a dental appointment, Rosy said Owen Pearson came in the shop, looked around and left. I’m sure he was on some errand for Ned. You were right about my not moving to the apartment. At least here I’m surrounded by other people. Call me when you can.”
The next hour got busier as it wore on, which helped keep her fears at bay. Trace had to be out doing something that kept him from phoning her back, but she knew he would when he could.
Mildred relieved her at three. Cassie chatted with her for a minute, then left through the back entrance. The first thing she noticed was the glorious sight of Trace lounging against the side of his SUV with his arms folded. Beneath his cowboy hat those shocking blue eyes filled with concern took stock of her. He straightened.
“I’d been out exercising the horses and didn’t check my messages until after I’d put them back in the barn. Rather than phone you, I decided to come here and make certain you get home safely. I’ll follow you, then we’ll talk.”
The knowledge that he was behind her filled her with relief. If she’d seen Owen skulking around the apartment, she would have been panicked. Now that there was no urgency to leave the ranch yet, she’d been sleeping so much better since Saturday night.
Though the threat of Ned was out there, she was comforted to know Trace was in the house. It seemed as though overnight he’d turned back into the rancher with new energy and plans. Cassie could tell he was happier than before. Contrary to her initial worries about living under the same roof with him, they’d slipped into a comfortable routine. By tacit agreement they respected each other’s boundaries, keeping her desire for him sheathed.
She entered the house first and walked through to the kitchen. Before she could open the fridge he said, “Zane got back to me earlier today.”
Cassie turned around. “What did he find out?”
“We got lucky if you can call it that. One set of prints on the inside of the barn door was a match for Owen’s.”
She let out a gasp.
“Zane thinks he probably got spooked and ran without securing the door and the wind did the rest. After his first arrest, he wouldn’t want to be nabbed again. The police have both Owen and Ned’s fingerprints on file because of the investigation into Jarod’s truck accident. What we don’t know is why Owen went into the barn.”
“He was spying for Ned,” she almost hissed. “My brother would have been furious because Masala was Logan’s horse. He probably wanted to know if that horse was still in the barn now that my husband was dead. I think he plans to steal it as part of his absurd plan to run a feral stud farm.”
“Ned wants to know your whereabouts, too,” Trace said. “He probably heard that you are working at the beauty salon. They wanted to know your hours. It would explain Owen’s brief appearance.”
Cassie threw her head back. “He’s up to his old tricks running surveillance for Ned. Owen does whatever Ned tells him to do. It’s sick and twisted.”
“I’ve given this a lot of thought. Ned had time to think and plan while he was in that facility. He has enjoyed harassing you over the years, but no one can predict a timetable for him to do something destructive if he’s going to.”
“Oh...he’s going to. Just give him time.”
“Zane and I talked about putting a restraining order on Owen, but it’s Ned we want to catch in the act. To serve Owen with an order would let Ned know we’re watching them. To do this right Zane feels we need to wait a little longer before netting them at the same time.”
“You mean carry out a sting?”
“That’s how Zane operates, but a sting takes patience. To reduce the anxiety level I have something in mind, but you’d have to be totally on board with it, too.”
“What is it?”
“I was wondering how you would feel about keeping a dog around here to alert us when someone comes on the property.”
His suggestion couldn’t have thrilled her more. “I’d love a dog, Trace.”
He looked pleasantly surprised. “You’re not just saying that?”
“Not at all. When I was young we had a terrier, but he didn’t like Ned because Ned teased him without mercy. Mother was the dog lover in the family. I begged her to give him away so Ned wouldn’t hurt him. One day he was gone and mother never replaced him. I was glad, but I missed Dex horribly. He guarded me everywhere I went.”
Trace’s expression sobered. “Do you think Ned had something to do with his disappearance?”
“I’ll never know.” She turned and got a lemonade out of the fridge. “Do you want a cola?”
“Not right now, thanks.”
She pulled the tab and took a long drink. “What kind of dog were you thinking of?”
Trace rested against the counter. “A sheltie.”
“I adore shelties! They look like little collies.”
One corner of his mouth curved upward. “Our family had a collie once named Kip.”
“I bet you loved him.”
“To me he was the greatest dog on earth.”
“I know. I felt the same about Dex. Every dog owner feels that way, like they’re another member of the family.”
“Yup. Dad thinks Mr. Ogilvie’s sheltie kept him alive after his wife died. He was one of my father’s clients who passed away this week, leaving Dusty who was with him for eight years. His daughter lives in California. She came here to plan the funeral and sell the house. She can’t take the dog with her and asked if Dad could help find a home for him.”
“Oh, the poor thing.” Already Cassie’s heart went out to the sheltie who’d lost his owner. “No doubt he’s still waiting for him to come home. I saw a documentary recently where one dog was in such great mourning, someone found it lying on the ground of its owner’s tomb.”
“It’s a heartbreaker all right. Dad has taken care of that dog since it was a pup and knows its history. He’s a blue merle with a blue eye and a brown eye.”
“You’re kidding—”
“Scout’s honor. We could run by the Ogilvie home after dinner and see what we think.”
“Why don’t we go now?”
He chuckled before cocking his dark head. “Because you’re supposed to put your feet up and rest.”
She rolled her eyes. “Thank you for reminding me.”
There was a time when she wouldn’t have liked him minding her business. But in the past three weeks a change had come over her. She had to admit she loved being watched over by him. He was an amazing, caring man whose company she craved more and more.
“You’re welcome. While you do that, I’ll call Dad and ask him to make the arrangements for us to see the dog. I need an address.”
Cassie hurried to her room and took a shower. Afterward she put on a skirt, which made a nice change from jeans, and teamed it with a summery print blouse with three-quarter sleeves. Then she lay down on the bed and propped her feet for half an hour.
Trace’s suggestion that they get a dog had taken hold. She and Logan had talked about getting one when they could get their own place. It would have been so comforting to have one after he’d died, but she wouldn’t have dared broach the subject to Sam. This ranch house wasn’t hers.
It still isn’t, Cassie.
She got up off the bed to apply lipstick and brush her hair. After putting on a mango-scented lotion, she left her room and went to the kitchen, but Trace wasn’t there. She found him in the living room watching the news on TV. His black hair was still damp from the shower. He’d put on a dark blue shirt over light gray chinos. No other man could possibly match his looks or his charisma.
He got to his feet while his gaze swept over her. “You look rested. How’s your appetite?”
“I’m hungry.”
“So am I. Have you been to that new place called Smoky’s?”
That’s why he’d dressed up. “I’ve been meaning to try it.”
“Well I’m in the mood for ribs. How about you?”
“That sounds fattening and wonderful.”
“There’s no fat I detect on you anywhere,” he murmured. The personal comment did dangerous things to her pulse.
“Liar,” she teased.
“No argument that we might be seen in town together?”
“Since I’m sure my parents know about my pregnancy by now, I’m too grateful for your help to care,” she answered honestly.
A glint of satisfaction entered his eyes. He turned off the TV with the remote. “Shall we go?”
* * *
SMOKY’S TURNED OUT to be another restaurant with a Western motif and a live band of cowboys cranking out country music. The place was crowded. While they had to wait to be seated, Cassie looked so damn beautiful, Trace couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Whatever fragrance she wore was heady stuff.
Less than a month ago, he’d flown into Billings at the lowest ebb of his life. If anyone had told him that in three weeks he’d be head over heels in love with Logan Dorney’s pregnant wife...
At the time it would have been beyond the realm of possibility, or so he’d thought. But he knew in his gut this was the real thing. If she was compelled to live in Siberia, he’d follow her there.
The host showed them to a table and soon they were served baby back ribs with side dishes. Trace smiled at her. “They’re good.”
“Very tasty. Tonight I can’t worry about the salt.”
“Do you really notice a difference?”
“I will when I get up tomorrow. My hands and feet swell. That’s why I removed my wedding ring last week.” She’d done it while he’d been in Italy. “Marsha had to call 9-1-1 to get hers cut off during her pregnancy, so I’m not taking any chances.”
“It was that bad?”
“It was starting to cut off her circulation. The fireman had her lie down on the kitchen table while one of them used a ring cutter that had to be inserted.”
“What a painful experience.”
“She said it was excruciating. Having the baby was nothing in comparison.”
Trace chuckled. “I’m glad you’re cautious, then. Would you like dessert?”
“Nothing more for me. I’m too full and will waddle out of here as it is, but please order some for yourself.”
He shook his head. “Your strawberries are so sweet, they make the best dessert. I’ll eat a bowl of them later.” Trace put some money on the table to pay the bill. “Shall we leave?”
Her green eyes danced. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Too excited about the dog?” She was a true animal lover.
“I can’t wait.”
“Since you can’t keep Giselle, maybe Dusty will be the next best thing.” He stood up and helped her from her seat. They walked out to the Explorer and left for the Ogilvie home on the other side of town.
He pulled into the driveway of the small L-shaped bungalow. Before they could get out of the car, the woman came out the front door with the sheltie on a leash. Trace cupped Cassie’s elbow as they walked to the front porch. They introduced themselves to the woman named Grace and expressed their sympathy for her loss.
“Thank you. You bear a certain resemblance to your father.”
“I hope he doesn’t mind.”
Cassie laughed at him. “You know very well you take after your handsome father.” Trace liked the sound of that.
Grace nodded. “I agree.”
He noticed that the whole time they’d been talking, the dog stood back. “Is Dusty naturally shy?”
“Let’s just say he’s more reserved around strangers, but he’s a dear.”
“I can see that.” Cassie hunkered down in front of him. “Dusty? I know you’re sad to lose your best friend. How would you like to come home with us? I can tell you’re a sweetie. We’d take very good care of you.”
Connor had told Trace that Liz was a horse whisperer. As he watched the way Cassie talked to the dog, he sensed she had that special gift, too. The dog’s ears pricked up. Like the little fox, Dusty’s head moved with the sound of her voice. It was touching beyond belief.
“Do you mind if I pat your head?” She put her hand out palm down and let Dusty smell her before she scratched his ears. “We’d like to take care of you if you’ll let us.”
Dusty lifted his head and licked her wrist.
Trace hunkered down next to her. “What do you think, Dusty? Will you let us be your friend?” The dog cocked his head.
Cassie said, “His name is Trace, and I’m Cassie. Do you know what? I think you have a smile on your face and your blue eye looks like Trace’s eyes. It’s as if you belong together. Isn’t that amazing?”
The dog made a little moaning sound as if he understood. His tail waved slowly back and forth.
Grace was beaming. “I’d say you’ve already won Dusty over. He’s usually hand shy. My father would be in tears if he knew.”
Cassie’s eyes were full as she stood up. She looked at Trace. “What do you think?” she whispered wearing her heart in her expression.
He got to his feet. “Grace? Will you hand me the leash? Cassie and I will walk him around the front yard and see how he does.”
“Come on, Dusty.” The dog went with them, but after a few seconds he worked himself between them and they chuckled. When Trace made a turn, Dusty barked.
“Dusty’s afraid you’re going to take him back in the house,” Grace called to him. “He loves walks and rides in the car.”
“Do you love walks?” Cassie leaned over and rubbed his head and ears. “So do I.”
This time the dog licked her everywhere he could.
“I think we’ll take this dog with us, Grace. I’ll get his dish and dog bed.” Trace handed the leash to Cassie.
“Don’t forget the toys,” Cassie reminded him. “We’ll wait right here for you.”
Before long Trace came outside with the dog’s things. Dusty walked right over to him smelling everything. When Trace opened the rear door, Cassie got in first and Dusty followed. He sat on the seat next to her. There was no question Cassie had already bonded with him.
With a smile, Trace walked around and put everything on the floor in the front before getting behind the wheel. “I told Grace not to come out in case it created more anxiety.”
“That was smart.”
“Are you buckled up?”
“Oh—I forgot. We’re ready now, aren’t we, Dusty.” He barked.
When they got back to the ranch, Trace set up the dog’s bed in one corner of his room with a couple of his toys. Grace had given him the doggie treats she had left, along with his bag of food and bowl.
He and Cassie took a couple of the treats out in front and exercised him to wear him out. When it was time for bed, Trace gave him a treat. “It’s outside time.” He walked around the side of the house to train him where to go.
“Good dog,” Cassie patted him.
They went in the house and removed the leash. Dusty took off running everywhere and sniffing everything, causing them to laugh. Trace eyed Cassie. “One day your little girl is going to be able to crawl around and explore. This dog is going to break you in.”
“I’m already picturing it.”
Trace walked through to the kitchen. After he filled one of the bowls with water, he put it down in the corner. Dusty came running and lapped up most of the liquid. “You were thirsty.”
“You seem to know exactly what to do, Trace.”
“With a vet for a father, you pick up a few tricks, but it’s going to take time to train Dusty to our lifestyle. So far I’d say he’s doing great. You need to get to bed. I’ll turn out the lights.”
“Thank you for an unforgettable evening. I’m thrilled you got a dog.”
When Dusty started to follow her out of the kitchen, Trace told him to stay. He stopped in the doorway and made a few strange sounds, but he didn’t take another step. Mr. Ogilvie had trained his dog well.
“Good night, Dusty. See you in the morning.” She patted his head before disappearing.
“Okay buddy, let’s lock up.” Dusty stayed by him as he walked around before going to his room. “Here’s your bed.” He stood by it until the dog curled up in it with one of his toys that looked like a weasel.
Trace got ready for bed and wore the bottom half of his navy sweats. Before he got in, he knelt down to gentle the dog. “We need you a lot more than you need us, Dusty. That woman in the next room needs all the protection we can give her.”
After turning out the light, he slid under the covers with a deep sigh. He didn’t envy the dog who had undergone a huge change in his life. But as Trace’s father had told him, even if a dog had a long memory, he would adjust fast if given love and attention. He and Cassie could supply that in abundance.
He drifted off with visions of Cassie running through his mind. But sometime during the night he was awakened by low moans that made him jump out of bed. Dusty wasn’t in his bed. Trace left the bedroom and found the dog outside Cassie’s door. He’d put his paws as far under the slit as possible. Trace had to smother his laughter.
I know how you feel, he spoke to himself. I want to crawl into her bed, too, but we can’t. You have to be invited.
“Come to bed, Dusty.” The dog made another moaning sound, but he obeyed Trace. “Stay,” he said after he got back in his little bed.
Ten minutes later the moaning started up again. Through the slits of his eyes he noticed the dog was missing again. Once more he got up and walked down the hall. But this time Cassie opened her door dressed in a robe that revealed her swollen figure. Her hair was beautiful, all disheveled and golden.
“Are you lonesome tonight, Dusty?” She darted Trace a glance. “I know he needs to learn his place, but do you think it would be all right if I sit by his bed for a few minutes so he’ll settle down? Otherwise you’re not going to get any sleep either.”
How could he possibly tell her no when she looked at him with eyes as pleading as the dog’s?
“Come to bed, Dusty,” he told him. Cassie followed them to his bedroom and sat down on the floor next to the doggie bed. Dusty lay down on his back with his paws up, another peculiarity they found endearing. Trace sat next to her. The dog had gotten his way. In the end he was thankful for Dusty because an hour later, Cassie had fallen into a sound sleep against Trace’s shoulder.
He put his arm around her and lowered her head to the floor, leaving his arm there for a cushion. She turned into him, bringing her body breathlessly close to his.
The world in his arms.
That’s what it felt like. In a minute he’d waken her so she could go back to bed. But for this moment he wanted to savor her sweetness a little longer.
When the sleeping dog whimpered, Cassie stirred and her eyes opened. “Trace?” she whispered, sounding disoriented.
“You fell asleep.”
Her free hand had been resting against his chest. Now that she was waking up, she started to touch him experimentally. “For how long?”
“About an hour.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. You were out like a light and needed the sleep.”
“You’re so good to me.”
Their mouths were achingly close. He brushed his lips against hers out of need. “It’s because you’re so easy to please I want to do everything for you.”
“Trace...” This time she took the initiative and pressed her lips against his. That was all it took to deprive him of his last shred of self-control. Maybe he was dreaming, but her mouth seemed to welcome his, urging him to kiss her and hold nothing back.
He pulled her against him, loving the shape of her, the fragrance of her hair, the softness of her skin. She’d aroused his passion on so many levels, he didn’t know how he was going to stop, but he had to. He could feel her baby. Much as he wanted to make love to her, he couldn’t. This wasn’t the time, and the floor wasn’t the place. Cassie needed to be able to trust him.
Let go of her now, Rafferty.
As carefully as he could, he eased her away from him and got to his feet. “Even with the carpeting, the floor is hard. Come on. Now that we’ve got Dusty to bed, it’s your turn.” He helped her to her feet. She weaved in place. Trace clasped her upper arms until she felt steady.
Her eyes looked glazed as she stared at him in the semidarkness. “I won’t pretend I thought you were Logan when I first woke up.”
Her honesty slayed him. “Believe it or not, Nicci wasn’t in there either.”
“Attraction is a dangerous thing.”
“Only if it’s wrong, but there’s nothing wrong with what we just shared.”
“Thank you for having more discipline than I do.”
He smiled, loving her frank speaking. “If I had control, I wouldn’t have let you fall asleep on my shoulder. That makes us even. Let’s blame it on nerves over becoming new parents tonight.”
To his relief Cassie smiled back. “I like that excuse better than anything you could have come up with besides the truth. I’m going back to bed now. If Dusty whines at my door, I won’t open it. He has to learn discipline. Unfortunately his new parents have to teach him ‘do as we say, not as we do.’”
But for the dog, Trace would have burst into laughter. Long after she went to her bedroom, Trace lay in his bed knowing he might not get any sleep for what was left of the rest of the night. Cassie had fanned the flame tonight. It was all part of the same fire he’d felt ignite when he’d first found her in the garden.
He knew in his gut she’d felt it, too.