Chapter Fifteen
Melanie supposed Spence was up at his usual time since the bed was empty when she awoke, but she really didn’t know. All she knew was that his demand had given her an easy way out of her predicament. With his demand, she was able to return to his bed without discussing his anger.
She looked at her watch. Almost eleven. Spence was going to think she was lazy. If it weren’t for the snow, she’d already be at the restaurant. But before they left last evening, Jessica told her not to come unless she called her.
She snuggled under the cover, her hand straying to her side, where Spence had been. Last night, after his sudden demand that she sleep with him as payment, there had been no conversation. The magic of his touch had made capitulation easy. . . and incredibly pleasurable.
Should she go downstairs to see if he was angry this morning? He hadn’t been angry last night. After the first few awkward moments, he’d loved her as he had the night before, making her feel loved, wanted, a part of him. How could he do that when he didn’t love her?
She didn’t know, but she wanted to share the intimacy of marriage with him, as long as it lasted. So how was she going to do that? Did she have to take something from him every day? Did she have to owe him?
A sudden thought struck her. She examined it from one side to the other, looking for flaws. Would he fall for it? She didn’t know, but she was going to give it a go. If it kept Spence in her bed, or more exactly, her in his bed, it would be worth it.
She reached over and picked up the bedside phone.
 
MELANIE TIDIED the upstairs again before coming down. She didn’t intend to eat breakfast anyway. When she finally reached the kitchen, Maria was already preparing lunch.
“How are you feeling this morning?” the housekeeper asked.
“Fine. I’m sorry I slept so late.”
“You’re entitled. Do you want some breakfast?”
“No. I’ll have a cup of hot tea and wait for lunch. Shall I set the table for everyone?”
“That would help. There’ll be seven of us, unless you and Spence want your lunch in the dining room.”
Melanie thought about that. Then she shook her head, smiling at Maria. “I don’t think so. How deep is the snow?”
“We got about six inches. But the temperature’s down to eight degrees. It’s really cold out there.”
“Should the men be out there?”
“Spence has a stove in the barn, and he makes sure the men don’t stay out too long at a time. Besides, since the sun came up, the temperature has risen to twenty-two.”
“Ah. Balmy,” Melanie agreed with a smile. “What are they doing?”
“Mostly they’re making sure the water isn’t frozen over, so the cows can drink. And any new babies and their mommas are brought to the barn. Sometimes they put out hay for extra feed.”
“Spence said they already had their first spring calf the other day.”
“Well, after lunch, you’ll be able to see all the new ones in the corral on the other side of the barn.”
Melanie hoped she could talk Spence into staying in this afternoon, but she wouldn’t mind a visit to see the baby calves. She wanted to learn more about Spence’s life.
“What else can I do to help?”
“Would you check on the bread in the oven?” Maria asked as she iced a chocolate cake.
Melanie was taking the bread out of the oven as the back door opened and the men hurried into the warmth. She smiled and nodded as each man introduced himself to her. She was glad to meet all of them, but she kept looking at the door. After the last introduction, she asked, “Where’s Spence?”
“He’ll be here in a minute. He was putting the last mother and baby in the corral and told us to come on in.”
Maria ordered them all to be seated. She’d made a big pot of chili, its aroma filling the warm kitchen, cut up a large salad, added a bowl of corn, and Melanie put the hot rolls in a napkin-lined bowl.
“Is that chocolate cake?” her husband asked.
“Yes, but you get none until you eat your lunch.” She looked at Melanie. “He likes his dessert first, but I try to reform him.”
Melanie smiled but she thought she heard footsteps. Flying to the back door, she swung it open before Spence could reach for the knob. “Are you frozen?” she asked.
“Just frost-bitten,” he assured her. His gaze stayed on her face, as if looking for something.
She smiled. “Lunch is ready.”
“Thanks.” He crossed to the kitchen sink and washed his hands before joining his men. Melanie slid into the chair next to him.
Conversation languished while everyone turned his attention to the hot food. Gradually, as they all warmed up and erased the sharp hunger, the men began to talk about their morning, sharing information about the condition of the pastures and animals.
Melanie listened with pleasure, seldom speaking. Occasionally she caught her husband watching her, but she pretended to be perfectly at ease.
At one point, under his breath, he asked, “The chili doesn’t bother your stomach?”
She shook her head no.
“You get enough sleep?” He watched as she flashed him a quick look before nodding her head. The vision of her curled up in his bed stirred him.
When everyone had finished, the men grabbed their outer wear and started back outside.
Melanie grabbed Spence’s arm as he moved to join the others. “Spence? I wondered if you’d mind if I used your computer this afternoon?”
“You’re not going into work?”
“Jess is keeping the restaurant closed today.”
“I see. Yeah, feel free to use the computer. I’ll be glad to show you how it works tonight, but I can’t until then.”
“It’s okay. I know how to work one.”
His eyebrow arced in surprise. “You do? I didn’t see one when we moved you.”
“I used one when I took some night classes.”
“All right.”
He glanced toward the door, where the last of his men were filing out, and Melanie thought he was leaving. Instead, he slipped his arm around her waist and hauled her against him for a long goodbye kiss that had her thinking of last night.
“I’ll try to be in early,” he whispered.
With that promise, he disappeared out the door.
She hadn’t asked him about visiting the calves, but she could manage that on her own, she decided.
At least he wasn’t mad at her. He hadn’t ignored her. And he’d promised to come in early. That was more than she’d hoped for.
 
SPENCE HAD BEEN AFRAID to face Melanie. He felt guilty for insisting she sleep with him last night, but she hadn’t objected. In fact, she’d seemed as eager as him once he took her in his arms.
But sometimes things looked different in the cold light of day. And it was certainly cold today. He entered the barn, the change of temperature welcome. As he walked down the center aisle, Cupcake nickered a welcome. He stopped to pat the old mare. “How are you, girl? Glad to be in the barn?”
He thought about Melanie patting the mare. He hoped he got to teach her to ride. He hoped she stayed that long. There was a real fear in his heart that she’d leave after she had the baby.
Somehow, he’d find a way to keep her. Her and his child. He needed both of them, but most of all, he needed Melanie.
He put in another four hours of work before he came back to the house. Maria had prepared dinner and left it to be heated up. She told him as they passed each other that she was feeding the other men at her house.
That meant he and Melanie would have the evening alone. He wondered if it would be awkward, if she’d talk to him or ignore him? If she’d come to his bed again?
The house was quiet. The warmth began to seep into his frozen body, but he wanted to know where Melanie was. Maybe she was taking a nap. He moved quietly into the hallway, preparing to climb the stairs when he heard the quiet click of computer keys.
“Melanie?” he called softly, stepping into the den. She was sitting at the computer, a stack of papers by her.
She jumped and spun around. “Oh! I didn’t know it was so late. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. A little cold. What are you doing?”
“Setting up files, doing a spreadsheet of probable costs, designing some forms I’ll need.”
He was impressed. “I didn’t know you could do all that.”
“I’ve taken a lot of business courses, preparing for the day I’d own my own business.”
“I should’ve been taking those classes with you,” he said ruefully.
“Why?”
“I own my own business, but I tend to shove the paperwork aside until my accountant yells at me.” “I enjoy it,” she assured him with a smile. After a little hesitation, she said, “I could help you with the paperwork, if you wanted me to.”
“I’d love it,” he exclaimed fervently. Then he paused. “I don’t know, though. It might put me too much in your debt.”
She dropped her gaze and he was afraid he’d said too much. Running her finger over the edge of the keyboard, she said, “I wanted to talk to you about that.”
“About what?”
“Um, well, I don’t think I can continue to work at the restaurant. It makes me too tired.” She continued to keep her gaze on her fingers.
Spence almost stopped breathing. Where was she going with this?
“I wondered if. . . if you’d mind if I quit working for Jess.”
“I told you I thought you should.”
“It means I may have to let you pay for th-things for a while.”
“No problem.”
“It will put me more in your debt,” she added in a low voice.
Feeling as if he was walking on slippery ice, he said slowly, “I think we can, uh, work it out, if you don’t object.”
“Okay.”
Did she understand what she was suggesting? And why had she changed her mind? And wasn’t he crazy to even be wondering when it meant she’d be in his bed every night?
“Okay,” he agreed. “And you’ll help me with the paperwork?”
“I’d like that. Why don’t you show me what you need done?”
“Right now?” He’d envisioned some payback in the bedroom. He’d thought he’d hate the idea, but last night, Melanie had loved him as if her heart were involved.
“Are you hungry? I thought I’d work another hour, then heat up dinner. After you show me what you want me to do, you could go clean up, thaw out in a hot shower.”
He couldn’t argue with that plan, so he pulled out the disorganized pile of bills and paperwork. He was amazed at how quickly Melanie caught on to what he wanted. After fifteen minutes, he was free to enjoy his hot shower.
He went up the stairs filled with satisfaction. Not only had his wife indicated she wanted to be in his bed, but she also was taking a load of work he hated off his shoulders.
He knew which one was more important to him. He could do his own computer work even if he didn’t like it. But he was discovering he couldn’t do without Melanie in his bed, in his life.
 
AFTER A COZY DINNER where Melanie asked him lots of questions about his day and extracted a promise to take her to see the calves in the morning, they returned to the den.
“Uh, there’s a basketball game on,” Spence noted, looking at her hopefully. “I don’t suppose you’re interested?”
“Not really,” she told him with a smile, “but if you don’t object, I’d like to look at some books I have. I could sit in here with you while you watch the game.”
“Okay,” he agreed, but he wasn’t sure if their evening would work out. However, Melanie gathered several books on decorating and settled beside him on the sofa, next to a reading lamp. He sprawled out beside her, his feet, after he’d taken off his boots, on the coffee table, the remote control in his hands.
Two hours later he decided he liked sharing his evening with Melanie. When he’d gotten excited about something in the game, she’d look up and he’d explain. Occasionally, she even asked his opinion about some room arrangement. And all the time, her warmth was there, stirring him, making him anticipate the night to come.
He clicked off the television after the news that followed the game. “I’m ready for bed. How about you?”
“Yes. I can’t seem to get enough sleep.”
“I’ve heard of eating for two. Maybe you’re sleeping for two.”
“I guess so. I’m hoping to pick up a little weight this week before I have to see the doctor on Saturday.”
“Since you’re not working, you can get a lot of rest, make sure your blood pressure is down, too.”
“I hope so. I’m going to have a glass of milk before I go up to bed. Do you want anything?”
“I might have another piece of cake.”
As they stood, she slapped his flat stomach. “I don’t know where you’re putting it. It doesn’t show.”
“Hey, I work hard,” he said, laughing.
“I know you do.” Her gaze turned serious.
“So do you,” he assured her, linking his arms around her. “And you’re doing Mama duty, too.”
She broke out of his hold, as if he’d made her nervous. “I’d better go get my milk. And I’ll cut you a piece of cake.”
He followed her into the kitchen, keeping his eye on her. Was she getting nervous about the unstated agreement they’d made?
He couldn’t keep his hands off her as she opened the refrigerator. Pulling her against him, he nibbled on her soft neck, aching for her. Instead of protesting, she turned in his arms, leaving the milk on the shelf, and wrapped her arms around his neck. His lips claimed hers and he drank deeply of her magic.
When he lifted his lips, trying to be a reasonable man and not overwhelm his wife with his demands, he muttered, “You wanted some milk.”
She lifted her face to his and kissed him several times, short, enticing kisses that lured him closer. “I’ll drink an extra glass tomorrow.”
It took him a couple of seconds to understand what she was telling him. When he understood she was giving him permission to forget their snack, he swept her into his arms and headed for the stairs.
 
MELANIE GOT UP to have breakfast with Spence when he came back to the house a little after seven. He was surprised to find her helping Maria put breakfast on the table.
“Are you feeling all right?” he hurriedly asked.
As an answer, she kissed him and then turned to pour three glasses of orange juice. “I’m fine.”
“Why didn’t you sleep in?”
“Because I felt too lazy. I have a lot to do.” She gestured for him to sit. “Why don’t the other men come to breakfast?”
“They fix their own breakfast at the bunkhouse. What do you have to do that’s more important than you getting your rest?”
“Spence, I’m not an invalid. Besides, I may take a nap this afternoon.”
“I approve,” he said with a smile before starting to eat.
“May I come out and see the calves after breakfast?”
“Sure, as long as you bundle up. I’ll have time to show them to you.”
Melanie congratulated herself on her decision to quit her job at the restaurant. It had been a scary thing, to give up her job. She’d had a job since she was fourteen. She’d learned early she could only rely on herself.
But if relying on Spence, just a little, kept him at her side, it was worth it.
After breakfast, she put on her coat and mittens.
“Is that the warmest coat you have?”
“I’ll be fine. I have on a sweater and jeans, too.”
“We need to do some shopping for you. You need boots, too,” he said, looking at her feet.
His offer to buy her things made her nervous. But she didn’t want another argument. “We’ll see,” she said calmly. “Let’s go see the babies.”
He took her hand and led her outside. The coldness almost took her breath away. “I don’t know how you stand it,” she muttered, burying her chin in her coat collar.
“Maybe we should wait until it’s warmed up,” Spence suggested.
“No, I want to see them now. I’m fine. It’s only for a few minutes.”
He pulled her close against him, wrapping a warm arm around her, and she felt better already. They hurried to the corral on the other side of the barn, and Melanie climbed on the bottom rail. “They’re so cute and little.”
“They grow fast. Like all babies.”
She looked at him and then away, wondering if he was talking about their own baby. A human baby was even more helpless than these babies. But she and Spence would be around to help her. Or him.
As if he read her mind, he hugged her close. “Our baby will be all right. Don’t worry.”
“How did you—”
“You always cradle your stomach when you’re thinking about our baby.”
She jerked her hand away and stared at the calves.
“Are you anxious for the baby to come?” he asked, his mouth near her ear.
“Yes. I—I want to get to know her.”
“Or him,” he added, laughter in his voice.
“Yes. Are you. . .do you—”
“Honey, I want to enjoy every minute of your pregnancy. I want to see your body change, our baby grow. But I’ll admit I can’t wait until our baby makes his appearance.”
His eagerness was there in his voice, and it thrilled her. Afraid to show him how much she loved his enthusiasm, she looked for a distraction. “They look so cold,” she said, pointing to the calves.
“Their hair isn’t as thick as their mamas’.”
“Will they be okay?”
“Maybe, if we’re lucky. We’ve got the two newest ones in the barn with their mamas. And so far we don’t have any orphans.”
“Orphans? What do you do with them?”
“We bottle feed them if we have time. Sometimes we take them to the house and Maria tries to take care of them.”
“I’ll help her,” Melanie said, her face lighting up. “I never had pets when I was younger. I’d love to help out.”
“No pets? Not even a dog?”
She shook her head and said nothing else. After a minute, he pulled her from the fence into his arms. Turning her around, he kissed her, then hurried her back to the house. “Get warmed up and don’t work too hard.”
Then he hurried out to work.
Melanie watched him go. She’d enjoyed their visit to the corral. The more they shared, the more likely Spence would find her indispensable. She hoped.
After another cup of hot tea, she sat in front of the computer and began work.
At ten-thirty, she hurried into the kitchen to tell Maria she was going to town to meet the electrician.
“But the roads are still bad,” Maria protested.
“There have been several cars going up and down the road, Maria. I’ll be all right. And I need to get the work started on my shop.”
“Does Spence know about your appointment?”
“Of course he does.” She stepped forward and gave Maria a hug. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.” She grabbed her coat and gloves and hurried out of the house.
 
SPENCE CAME IN for lunch, looking forward to seeing Melanie. It seemed the more time he spent with her, the more he hungered to have her close. He was already contemplating the evening they’d spend together.
He and the men all came in, cold and ready for a hot lunch. When he realized Melanie wasn’t in the room, he turned to Maria. “Is Melanie working on the computer? Should I call her to lunch?”
“She’s gone to town,” Maria said, watching him. “She said you knew about her appointment.”
“Damn! I’d forgotten.” He moved to the window over the sink where he could see a portion of the road. “Silly woman. She should’ve canceled the appointment.”
He was angry about her behavior. He didn’t like worrying about her, feeling vulnerable. But there wasn’t much he could do about it now.
“Shall we wait lunch on her?” Maria asked.
“No,” he snapped. “We have work to do.”
But he could hardly eat as he wondered if she was all right.
Halfway through lunch, the phone rang. Spence beat Maria to it.
“Is Ms. Rule there?”
That really irritated him.
“Mrs. Hauk isn’t here at the moment. May I take a message?”
“This is Gil Bocker, the electrician. You tell her I can’t wait no longer. I’m running a business. She can call me when she can get here on time!”
Spence couldn’t speak. But the man’s goodbye galvanized him. “Wait! Are you saying she didn’t show for your appointment?”
“She sure as hell didn’t. If she’s changed her mind she should’ve told me.”
“Man, she left here for her appointment at—Maria, when did Mel leave?”
“At ten-thirty.”
That was over an hour ago. Surely it didn’t take that long to get to town. His head started to pound; his heart to race. “Something’s happened to her!”