Dr. Raynard helped Cassie sit up on the examining table. “After you’re ready, come into my office. I want to talk to you.”
She hoped nothing was wrong. A little alarmed, Cassie got off the table and straightened her skirt. After reaching for her purse she went into his office and sat down opposite his desk.
“Is there anything wrong?” she asked immediately.
“Your baby is doing fine and we want to keep things that way. But you’ve developed a condition called preeclampsia. For one thing, your blood pressure is higher than I’d like to see it.
“Are you under any undue pressure lately that could have contributed to it since your last exam?”
“Yes.” Ned had come home, but she didn’t want to talk to the doctor about her brother. Everyone in her family was trying to do something about it. Trace had gotten them a dog to ease her anxiety. She loved that man to distraction.
“I’m sorry to hear it. You must have noticed you have more swelling.”
“Yes. What can I do?”
“Don’t salt any food and lie down between your normal household activities.”
“But I’ve got a job at a beauty salon.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to quit. We want to keep your blood pressure from elevating.”
Cassie couldn’t believe it. “Can I take walks with my horse and dog?”
“Once a day. A short walk. Ten minutes, no longer.”
“I’ve been doing volunteer work at the wildlife sanctuary on Saturdays.”
“No more of that, no grocery shopping, no rides in the car. Let someone else do any errands.”
I can’t do that to Trace.
“What aren’t you telling me, doctor? This is really serious, isn’t it.”
“It can be if you ignore it. But if you’ll mind me, you’ll be fine. As a precaution I want to see you weekly for a urine sample and blood pressure check until the baby is born. You’re at twenty-four weeks now. I’m hoping you can go as close to term as possible.”
Panic had taken over. “What if I can’t?”
“If it looks necessary, we might have to do a Cesarean. There’s only one cure for this condition. That’s to give birth. Until then we take every precaution to ensure a healthy mom and baby. Go home and relax as much as you can. You’re in excellent condition in every other way. Continue to take care of yourself and I know things will be fine.”
She wished she had his faith.
“Do you have any more questions I can answer?”
“What are the chances of the baby surviving if you have to take her early?”
“Don’t worry about that right now, Cassie. Just concentrate on rest. Watch TV, read some good books, listen to music. Those are distractions that will alleviate some of your stress.”
Nothing was going to relieve her fear while Ned was out there. She got to her feet. “Thanks, Dr. Raynard. I’ll follow your advice. This baby means everything to me.”
“Of course it does. See you next Friday.”
Cassie left the clinic in such a different frame of mind, she didn’t know which foot to put in front of the other. For the moment she had to get back to work until Mildred relieved her. Then Cassie would drop her bomb. She hated having to let the owner down. It meant Mildred would have to advertise for someone else, but Cassie’s precious baby had to come first.
At three-thirty she left the beauty salon for the last time. Mildred had been so kind and understanding. Cassie drove her truck down the alley and headed for Zane and Avery’s ranch. She needed to find out if their offer still stood to let her stay with them until the baby was born. To put any more burden on Trace was out of the question.
After what happened the night they’d brought Dusty home, she needed to put space between them anyway. When Trace had started kissing her, she’d spun out of control. It still embarrassed her that he’d been the one to bring a halt to the rapture she’d experienced for those unforgettable moments in his arms.
For the past week they’d been friendly and had spent any free time together playing with Dusty. The dog was a great buffer to prevent her from getting too close to Trace, who kept his distance without being obvious. Despite the desire they both felt, he respected her pregnant condition. His gallantry was a revelation.
She’d been so happy since he’d come home from Italy. Who could have foreseen a health problem this serious that forced her to seek Avery’s help after all? If not hers, then maybe Millie Henson would be willing to let her live with them and pay rent until after the baby was born.
Cassie should have known this past heavenly month with Trace couldn’t continue. Tears rolled down her cheeks while she took the turnoff for Zane’s ranch. If Avery wasn’t home yet, she’d wait for her out in front. Maybe she ought to seek out Millie right now, but Cassie needed someone to talk to first. Avery was like a sister.
When she turned in to the ranch her heart leaped to see the Explorer just leaving. Trace put on his brakes and drew alongside her. He was the last person she’d expected to see. She didn’t have time to wipe her wet face before he scrutinized her.
His brows furrowed. “What’s wrong? Did Owen or Ned do something while you were at the salon?”
She wiped her cheeks. “No. I came to see Avery.”
“Zane said she wouldn’t be home until later.” Cassie groaned. “How did your doctor’s appointment go?”
“Fine. What are you doing here? Where’s Dusty?”
“In the kennel for a little while. If anyone comes around, he’ll bark and hopefully warn an intruder off. I’ve just picked up some surveillance cameras Zane bought for me to install on the property. When we’re both away from the house, anyone who trespasses will be caught on video. I’ll follow you home and mount them.”
Trace was doing everything in his power to relieve her fear. The only thing she could do to repay him for his goodness was to move out so he could get on with his life. She couldn’t bear for him to have to wait on her because she knew he would treat her like a princess. Since she wanted to talk to Avery before she did anything, Cassie turned the truck around and drove back to the ranch.
Once parked, she hurried inside the house and ran to her room. After sitting on the side of her bed, she phoned Avery but had to leave a message on her voice mail. Cassie asked her to call her when she could, then hung up.
She made one more call to the sanctuary. When she told the owner she wouldn’t be able to volunteer until after the baby was born, Adrian thanked Cassie profusely for all her help and wished her the very best. She made Cassie promise to visit with the baby when she was able to go out.
Lindsey wasn’t home when Cassie phoned her. She left a message telling her the doctor told her not to volunteer anymore until after the baby was born. With those phone calls made, she went to the kitchen for a cold lemonade and a bologna sandwich. She made an extra one for Trace.
After reaching in the bag for a doggie treat, she grabbed the leash and went out the back door to find Dusty. He barked excitedly when he saw her approach the kennel. She gave him a peanut butter doggie bone, then let him out and walked him around the front of the house.
Trace was up on the ladder mounting one of the cameras. Between his powerful legs sheathed in jeans and the muscles that played across his back beneath his white T-shirt while he worked, she was mesmerized.
The dog led her around the ladder. “Dusty wants to be with you.”
He looked down at her, impaling her with those blue eyes. “I know, but this isn’t the right time. We’ll play in a little while, Dusty.”
The dog barked.
“He understood you! He’s so affectionate.”
“We have Mr. Ogilvie to thank for that.”
And Trace’s kindness. “When you’re hungry, I’ve made you a sandwich. I hope you like bologna and cheese.”
“I like everything you fix.”
Cassie knew he was waiting for an explanation of her earlier tears, but she would wait until Avery called her back. When she told Trace everything, she wanted her plans to be a fait accompli.
“Come with me, Dusty.”
She climbed the front steps and sat down on the swing. The dog jumped up next to her and put his head in her lap. There wasn’t much room for him and the baby, too. She played with him. Anyone looking in on the situation would think they were a real family enjoying a lazy summer evening together.
A pain pierced Cassie’s heart. There was so much wrong with this picture. Trace only had partial vision in one eye and was attempting to get over a broken heart. Cassie had to quit her job so she could hope to keep the baby Logan would never see. Her brother was out there somewhere stalking her. Dusty was grieving for his original owner.
Hoping Avery would return her call soon, she put her head back and closed her eyes. Long before she heard the sound of a truck, Dusty started barking and jumped to the porch floor. That pulled the leash out of her hand, bringing her fully awake.
“Dusty! Stay!” she called to him, but he’d already run out to the parking area and barked at Zane and Avery who got out of their truck. Cassie walked down the steps and caught hold of the leash. “It’s okay, Dusty. These are friends.”
Zane grinned. “That’s a great little watchdog you’ve got there.”
“Come and meet him.”
After Dusty sniffed them, he stayed by Cassie.
“Look at that,” Avery murmured. “He’s adorable. I love his coloring.”
“He has a blue eye and a brown eye.”
“I noticed. You’re an original aren’t you?” Avery patted his head and he licked her hand.
“While you three have fun, I’ll go see what Trace is up to.”
Once Zane disappeared around the side of the house, Avery glanced at Cassie. “You sounded serious on the phone earlier. Tell me what’s wrong.”
The tears started again. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Avery hugged her before they went up the steps to the swing and sat down. Dusty sat at Cassie’s feet. “I went to my doctor’s appointment today. The news wasn’t good.”
For the next few minutes she poured out her heart to Avery, who was the best listener in the world. “It was one thing to stay here as housekeeper for Trace until the baby came, but I can’t do that now. Would you still be willing to let me stay with you? I’ll pay rent.”
“Do you even have to ask? As for rent, you’re crazy. I told you that when I learned you were pregnant, you would always have a home with me and Zane until you were on your feet again. Have you told Trace yet?”
She averted her eyes. “No. He saw me crying earlier and knows something’s wrong, but I needed to talk to you first.”
“Are you prepared for him to protest your going anywhere else?”
“That’ll be the Good Samaritan in him talking. But you don’t know Trace the way I do. He’ll become a full-time caretaker, doctor, nurse, cook, breadwinner. He didn’t sign on for that kind of responsibility when he decided to go back to ranching again. I was hired to keep the house up and fix his meals, not the other way around.”
“What if he wants to be all those things?”
“You’re not serious!” she exclaimed.
“Maybe it’s because you’re too close to it, but Zane and I have noticed a change in Trace over the last few weeks, a contentment. I think helping you has pulled him out of that deep depression since his injury. Zane told me he isn’t the same morose man he was a month ago when he dropped in with Jarod, determined to sell the ranch.
“Frankly, you’re not the same depressed woman, either. You’ll have to look at the video Mac took of everyone at the shower. Anyone watching the two of you wouldn’t have a clue there was any sadness in either of you. Something tells me that if you tell him you’re leaving, his PTSD could act up.”
“You know about that?”
“A lot.”
“What does that mean, Avery?”
“Only my brothers and Zane know what I’m about to confide. Since you’re like my sister, I’m going to tell you. I was assaulted by a man who’s in prison now. It happened when I went to college in Bozeman.”
“Avery—” Cassie hugged her for a long time. So many things suddenly made sense that had never made sense before she married Zane.
“I’ve had to live with my PTSD and Zane’s. We’ve seen it in Trace. It wasn’t just the injury to his eye. He suffered severe trauma when his parents divorced. Not all children of divorce react that way. My psychiatrist told me you don’t just get PTSD in war. I can tell that living with you is helping him to heal.”
Was it true?
“Cassie, when I’ve talked to my therapist about you, she told me you’ve been dealing with PTSD, too. The trauma of your family life was bad enough. But when Uncle Grant ordered you out of the house, you went through a life-changing crisis. Logan’s death only added to it. You need to heal. I’ve seen how you respond to Trace. It’s my belief you two need each other. Don’t worry about the future. Just take it a day at a time.”
Avery didn’t know what she was asking. But since she’d been through the most horrific experience a woman could face, Cassie knew there was a lot of wisdom in her cousin.
“I’ll think about what you’ve said.” She hugged her hard.
“Good. But like I said, you can come home to us if that’s what you decide.”
“Thank you. Have you had dinner yet?”
“No.”
“Then come in the house. I’ll make some more sandwiches and whip up a salad.”
“That sounds good.”
“Come on, Dusty. Let’s go inside. I’m sure you need water.” He barked, causing Cassie to laugh. “Trace swears he understands everything.”
Avery’s eyebrows lifted. “Did he suggest getting the dog?”
“Yes. He had a collie years ago.”
“I remember. Sounds like he’s over the pain of losing his dog. Connor told me he was so broken up, it changed him into a much more serious guy. He swore he’d never own another one again.”
Cassie’s breath caught. “When did it happen?”
“Soon after his mother moved to Billings and he had to go with her.”
Dusty echoed Cassie’s moan as they went in the house.
* * *
AROUND NINE, TRACE walked in the back door. Dusty rushed out of the kitchen to greet him. “The last camera has been mounted on the exterior of the barn.”
“Great!” Cassie was sweeping the kitchen floor. Zane and Avery had just left after he’d helped mount a camera over the back door. “Between those and Dusty, you’ve got us covered.”
“That’s the plan.” He walked over to the sink and washed his hands. While he dried them, he looked at her. “Want to take in a late movie in White Lodge? A James Bond film I understand. I never did see all of them.”
She put the broom in the closet. “I’d like to, but I can’t.”
“Why?”
Cassie had been mulling over Avery’s words in her mind all evening. “Why don’t we go in the living room?”
In an instant, stress lines marred his striking features. He went ahead of her, but he didn’t sit when she sank down on the couch. Dusty wandered around the room with a toy. “I’ve been waiting until we were alone to find out why you were in tears earlier.”
“No one deserves an explanation more than you do. Today at my appointment, the doctor told me I’ve developed a condition called preeclampsia.”
“I’ve heard of it. One of the pilots in my squadron had a wife who suffered from it.”
“How did it turn out for her?”
“Fine. But she had to go to bed for eight months of her pregnancy.”
Eight?
“So I guess you have a good idea of what my doctor told me I have to do.”
“Yup. I’m going to turn into Mr. Mom.”
His comment was so unexpected, she laughed. “I’m being serious now, Trace.”
“So am I. Did he tell you to quit your job?”
“Yes. I already did it today.”
“Good.”
“Trace—if I continue to stay here, my activities are limited.” She listed everything so he’d understand exactly. “I’m supposed to be working for you, remember?”
He smiled. “Did your doctor know he was talking to the most independent mother-to-be in Montana? Does he know how drastic this is going to be for you to let someone else help take care of you?”
Trace knew her better than she knew herself. “I don’t imagine any woman likes hearing it.”
“Especially you, but I’ll help you pass the time. It won’t be so bad.” If only he knew how heavenly that sounded.
“You don’t have to do this, Trace. I talked to Avery and can move there tomorrow.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Knowing how your mind works, whom would you rather inconvenience? The Lawsons or yours truly?”
“That’s not a fair question because there’s no good answer.”
“Why don’t you think about where you’ll be happiest and give me your decision tomorrow? But I’d rather you stayed here so you can walk me through the process of putting up raspberry jam. They’re starting to ripen. I’ll set up a sun lounger in the kitchen. You can lie there with your feet up and give me instructions.”
“You’d actually do that?”
“Whatever it takes to entertain you until your daughter arrives. Have you thought of a name yet?”
“I have.” While he was mounting the camera in front, it came to her.
“And?”
“I’m going to think about it for a while before I say it out loud.”
“So you’re superstitious?” he asked playfully.
“No. I’ve just got to be sure. Trace—if I stay here, you have to promise you’ll let me pay you the money I was going to use for the first and last month’s rent on that apartment. I have it and more saved in the bank.”
“Agreed.” He answered too fast. “Do we have a deal?”
Her heart pounded so hard she felt sick. “Only if you’re sure.”
He flicked her another glance. “Do you honestly think I would have bothered to get a dog if I hadn’t planned on you being here throughout your pregnancy? Dusty will go into mourning if he can’t find you tomorrow.”
Trace knew how to apply emotional bribery to her exact vulnerable area.
“Any other conditions before I send you to bed where you should have been an hour ago? Considering everything you’ve done since you left the doctor’s office, you’ve already disobeyed his instructions.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“If you want to know the truth, I’ve been hoping you won’t leave. I like having you around. That first day I got home from Italy, I dreaded driving out here knowing I’d be bombarded with too many memories I didn’t want to think about. But the minute I saw you in the fruit garden and realized the pain you were living with, they seemed to vanish.
“Now that we’ve got Dusty and your pregnancy is coming along, it feels good to be alive despite my bad eye, your brother and maybe even momnesia.”
Avery had been right about everything.
“I’d like to stay, but only on the condition that if it gets too hard, Avery will insist on taking over.”
* * *
CONNOR AND TRACE rode Buttercup and Masala to the pasture to exercise the horses. Before Cassie had been put to bed, he’d planned to have a herd of cattle unloaded. But the situation had forced him to put any of those ranching ideas on hold.
“I went to the checkup with her this morning. While she was in the restroom, I spoke to Dr. Raynard. After eight weeks of virtual bed rest, her blood pressure is even higher and there’s too much protein in her urine. He’s given her a medication to help. If it can get her to last another week, then he’ll perform a Cesarean.”
“That’s too early,” Connor muttered.
“He says that at thirty-three weeks the baby will be in good shape. I need to be on hand because once she’s born, the baby could be in the hospital a month or longer and Cassie will want to be right there with her. He wants me to bring her in day after tomorrow to see if the medicine is helping. That’s why I haven’t done anything about the cattle yet.”
“I hear you.”
“What’s the word on Ned?”
“We’ve noticed him riding around the ranch with my uncle. Jarod caught sight of him headed into the mountains alone the other day and followed him until he came back. I saw him driving with Owen in Owen’s truck yesterday.”
“Did they leave the ranch?”
Connor nodded. “I followed them into White Lodge. They hit the supermarket. I’ll give you one guess what they bought. Then they drove to the Pearson ranch. I stayed hidden and followed them after they left to bring Ned back. Jarod and I are doing our damndest to keep an eye on him. It’s clear my uncle hasn’t put him to work yet, which means he’s still afraid of his son and Ned is the same old Ned.”
“Cassie never believed he would change. Now he’s free to come and go. I check the video on the cameras every day. So far, neither Ned or Owen have trespassed, unless they’re aware of the cameras and move out of the line of vision.”
“We simply don’t know what Ned’s up to. I’ve talked to Zane. He’s no closer to finding the person who shot Logan, but we’re all keeping a close eye on Ned.”
“You can’t do more than that, Connor. If he gets into one of his manic moods, he’ll make a mistake and we’ll be ready for him.”
“Liz and her mom are planning on taking turns with the girls to help when the time comes.”
“You’ve all done so much already bringing food and keeping her company. Cassie is so grateful.”
“My cousin didn’t deserve all that’s happened to her. Thank God she has you, Trace. Let’s get back to her.”
“Do you ever talk to Cassie’s mother?”
“No. She stays away. The only time I see her is when she leaves the ranch. Her mother still lives in Bozeman and she goes there a lot.”
Trace shook his head.
“Don’t try to figure it out, Trace. It’s Cassie she should be visiting and giving comfort to. I think living with my uncle and Ned did something to her mind a long, long time ago. Jarod’s convinced of it.”
On that tragic note they galloped back to give the horses a workout. When they reached the paddock, Connor took off in his truck. Trace watered their mounts and left them to graze while he hurried toward the house. He could hear Dusty’s bark before he entered through the back door.
“Hey, buddy. Let’s go see how Cassie’s doing.”
He found her on the couch in the living room with her jean-clad legs propped. Her blond hair fanned around her head on the pillow. She was one woman whose body hadn’t looked that pregnant at six months. But over the past two the baby had really grown.
“Sorry we were gone so long. Are you ready for dinner?”
“Whenever you are. It’s disgusting how I can lie around all day and still be hungry for every meal. Did I tell you my little girl has found a new place to jab me? She did it during the night and now she’s at it again. Here. Feel this.”
His pulse raced. Trace had been hoping she’d let him feel the baby again. He hadn’t dared touch her since the night he’d wanted to go on kissing her senseless. That seemed like a century ago. After she’d left his arms to go to bed, he’d forced himself to put his desire for her in cold storage.
But now that she’d just given him permission, he hunkered down next to her. She took his hand and put it on the side of her swollen belly. He felt movement at once, hard and strong. “Good grief. That has to hurt!”
“It kind of does now that she’s been doing it in the same place for so long. I need to shift positions.” He had to give her credit for trying. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to move when you feel like a beached porpoise?”
“Don’t you mean whale?”
Her eyes rounded. “Do I look that huge?”
He chuckled over her hurt expression. “No, Cassie. No. You look good enough to eat,” he whispered. Without waiting for permission, he covered her mouth with his own, breaking the rule he’d set for himself two months ago. He couldn’t help it.
For a pregnant woman who was more or less stuck in that position, her hungry response sent his blood pressure spiking through the roof. Neither of them could get enough of the other. Cassie was with him all the way. His patience was paying off.
Don’t blow it now, Rafferty.
He finally lifted his mouth from hers, struggling for breath. She made a little groan of protest that thrilled him. But he was far too conscious of her medical condition to take advantage of the moment. Instead he gripped one of her hands.
“You’re so lovely, I couldn’t resist. Don’t say another word about how you look. There’s a glow about you I find irresistible. You’re going to make the most stunning mother.”
“I hope you know your compliments are spoiling me.”
“Good. Connor said you were the most popular girl at high school and I believe it.”
“He made that up.”
“Nope. I heard it from Jarod, too.”
“Thanks for trying to cheer me up.” Fear had entered her eyes. “You really think the baby will be all right being born premature?”
“Believe your doctor. Even if it came today, he said both of you would be fine.” Overwhelmed by love for her, Trace drew her into his arms and pressed his cheek against her hot one. “You’re going to have a beautiful baby.”
“I just want her to be healthy,” she said as Dusty started barking.
“Someone’s at the door.”
Trace had been so involved with Cassie, he hadn’t heard a knock or the doorbell. “Just a minute and let me see who it is.” He sprang to his feet and strode to the front door. When he opened it, he discovered his father and Ellen standing there with food they’d brought. He invited them inside. No sight could have been more welcome.
While they hugged, Dusty brushed up against Sam who leaned over to pet him. “You remember me, don’t you, boy. Do you like your new home?” The dog barked.
“He was talking to you, Sam.” This from Cassie.
“Cassie has me convinced he really does talk,” Trace exclaimed. “How did you two know Cassie and I were hungry for dinner? Something smells delicious.”
Ellen smiled. “I’ll fix a plate for everyone and we’ll eat in here.”
A few minutes later they settled down to enjoy the fajitas she’d made. Trace told them what the doctor had said. His father leaned forward in his chair.
“Cassie? I understand your fears, but thousands of women face this and come out of it fine. Your doctor knows what he’s doing. Remember—you’ve been through the worst part having to stay on bed rest.”
“I disagree. Your son is the one whose life has been living torture. He’s worn every hat there is taking care of me and has listened to me cry and worry until I’m sure he’s ready to scream. Both of you should get a medal.”
Sam looked surprised. “What do I have to do with it?”
“You raised him to be as exceptional as you are.”
“She’s right,” Ellen chimed in.
Trace had rarely seen his father blush. He was glad his dad had come over tonight. Cassie had never needed reassurance more. When they were ready to leave she said, “Ellen? Take one of those jars of raspberry jam home with you. Trace made it.”
“He did?”
“She told me what to do,” Trace explained. “It all sold at the White Lodge fair, but I held a few jars back for us.”
“We’re both impressed.” Sam gave Cassie a kiss on the cheek. After hugging Trace, they left. He could tell their visit had relaxed her.
“What can I do for you?” he asked after shutting the door.
“You and Dusty can watch football to your heart’s content while I go to bed.” She got up from the couch with some difficulty. “Your dad and Ellen are the greatest. See you in the morning.”
He didn’t try to detain her. Trace could tell she was tired. Hopefully she’d fall right to sleep and not brood over her condition.