Zach followed her, stopping in the doorway while Jessie picked up the sleepy-eyed little boy. She carried him back into the living room and sat on the sofa with Rowdy tucked on her lap. Zach sat beside her, his arm on the sofa behind her, half-turned to face them. Rowdy eyed him but didn’t object, though he burrowed deeper into Jessie’s arms, still not fully awake.
He wasn’t a child who bounced out of bed chipper and fully aware. Jessie chatted with Zach, asking him innocuous questions about the weather and the status of repairs on his ranch buildings until Rowdy stirred against her and sat up.
“I’m hungry,” he announced.
She looked at him, smiling when he dropped his blanket on the sofa and eyed her expectantly.
“We’ll get a snack in a minute, but first, Zach and I have something to tell you.”
“Okay.” He looked at Zach, his eyes wide and trusting, his expression curious.
“Remember when we talked about how your daddy worked far away across the ocean?”
“Uh-huh. And you said he had a very ’portant job and he couldn’t come home right away.”
“That’s right.” Jessie looked up at Zach. “How would you like it if I told you he’s home now and he’d like very much to spend time with you.”
Rowdy’s instant smile slowly gave way to a frown. “That’s okay, I guess, but Uncle Zach and me have to check on the puppies because I’ve been sick and haven’t seen them for a long time.”
“That’s right,” Zach said gravely when Jessie’s eyes misted, her smile trembling at Rowdy’s matter-of-fact comment. “It’s been several days since you checked in on Zarina and we probably have other important guy things to do, too.”
Reassured by Rowdy’s response, Jessie decided to be blunt. “We’ve been saving this as a surprise, sweetie, but I think it’s time you knew— Zach’s your daddy.”
Rowdy looked from his mother to Zach, surprise making a round O of his cherub mouth. He blinked and eyed Zach. “You’re my daddy? Really?”
“Yeah, really.” Zach met the little boy’s stare with serious consideration. “What do you think?”
Both adults held their breaths.
Then Rowdy threw himself off Jessie’s lap and onto Zach’s. “Wow, this is great! Wait till I tell Cody that I have a new dad! Does this mean I get to have all the puppies? How about a horse? Cody’s daddy gave him a pony and he said if I had a daddy I’d probably have a pony, too.”
Zach’s stunned gaze met Jessie’s over the top of Rowdy’s head, relief mixed with sheer joy. Then he stood, swinging Rowdy into the air and holding him suspended above his head.
“Yes, you can have all the puppies but your mom and I will have to talk about the pony.”
“Yay!”
Jessie watched the two males, big and small, as Zach pretended to let Rowdy wrestle him to the floor and climb on top of him. The little boy talked nonstop.
Rowdy’s temperature was nearly normal but Jessie, worried about a relapse, kept the rest of the day quiet. Zach secured a loose board on the garden shed in Jessie’s backyard, aided by Rowdy wielding a small hammer. The adults sat patiently through thirty minutes of Rowdy’s favorite Elmo video after dinner before tucking him in bed.
“Will you be here when I wake up in the morning?” Rowdy asked Zach.
“Not tomorrow. I have to start work early in the morning, long before you wake up.”
“What are you doing?”
“Rounding up cattle,” Zach replied. “But maybe your mom can drive you out to visit tomorrow night.”
“Can we, Mommy?”
“We’ll see,” Jessie said diplomatically. “It depends on how you feel tomorrow and whether you still have a fever.”
“So you’d better get lots of rest tonight,” Zach told him.
“’Kay.” He squeezed his eyes shut and they left the room.
“Isn’t Charlie out of town?” Jessie asked when they reached the living room.
“He is.” Zach reached for her, pulling her close as he walked to the door. “Which means I’ve got a long day ahead of me.”
“You aren’t chasing cattle in by yourself, are you?”
“Yup, just me. It’ll take longer, but I don’t have a choice. I’ve put it off longer than I’d planned.” He bent his head, nuzzling her throat and the soft skin above the neck of her shirt. “Damn, I love the way you smell. What is that?”
She laughed, his hair tickling the underside of her chin. “It’s a perfume my mom brought me from Paris.”
“It makes me want to lick you all over.”
“Oh.” She tried unsuccessfully to wipe that image from her mind. Then he lifted his head, his eyes hot, and he kissed her, smoothing his hand down her back to press her closer before cupping her bottom and lifting her into him.
When he finally took his mouth from hers, they were both breathless and if he hadn’t been holding her, she would have slid right to the floor.
“I have to go home,” he muttered, his lips brushing the curve of her ear.
“Why?” she murmured, distracted. “Oh, that’s right. You have to work tomorrow.”
“Yeah. And I have to check on Zarina and the pups. I called Rachel on my way to the hospital last night and asked her to check on the dogs and horses this morning. But I have evening chores to do before I can go to bed tonight.” He kissed her temples, and the curve of her cheek before he took her mouth again. Long moments passed before his arms reluctantly loosened. “I wish I didn’t have to leave.”
“It’s probably for the best,” she said. “The Harrises will certainly notice if your truck is parked outside my door for a second night in a row. Last night I can explain because Rowdy was ill, but I don’t want them thinking we’re living in sin.”
“Marry me and we’ll be legal.”
“I’ll think about it,” she murmured.
“Don’t take too long.”
“What time do you have to be awake in the morning?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Before the sun comes up.” He released her and threaded his fingers through hers. “You’re sure Rowdy will be okay?”
“Yes. He’s had ear infections before and I can tell the antibiotic is doing its job. He’s much better. If the drug wasn’t working, he’d still be running a temperature and be lethargic.”
Zach nodded and carried her fingers to his lips, pressing a kiss in her palm. “I have to go.”
Jessie stood on the porch, watching until his taillights disappeared when he turned at the end of the block.
She doubted they’d see him for a few days. Without help, it was likely to take more than tomorrow to gather a herd of cattle scattered over who knew how many acres.
Unless… She stopped, considering an idea, then picked up the phone.
Chapter Nine
Zach rose before dawn. The herd of cattle he needed to bring in was fairly small but the animals were likely to be scattered over several hundred acres of pasture. He left the house, carrying a water bottle and sandwiches, and crossed the dark barnyard, rolling back the heavy barn door and entering the dim interior. His quarter horse, General Patton, stretched his neck over the top of the stall gate and whickered.
“Hey, boy.” Zach paused to rub the General’s nose. “Are you ready to stop lazing around this comfortable stall and get to work?”
The horse’s ears flicked forward and he turned his head to follow Zach’s progress as he walked to the grain bin, filled a can with oats and returned with it to the General’s stall. Zach left the Appaloosa crunching the feed and checked on Zarina and her pups, filling her water dish and food bowl, before he carried a saddle, bridle and the rest of the horse’s gear from the tack room.
Zach had just finished saddling the General and led him from the stall when the rumble of an engine sounded outside, growing louder.
“What the hell?” Zach saw the arc of headlights outside the open barn door and then heard the engine switch off.
A vehicle door slammed.
“Zach?” Jessie’s voice called. Seconds later, she appeared in the doorway and entered the barn. “Hey.” She smiled, walking quickly toward him. “I hoped I’d catch you before you left.”
“Hey, yourself. What are you doing here?”
“I trailered my horse over. I’m going to help you round up cattle today.” She reached him and looped her arms around his neck, going up on tiptoe to kiss him.
Zach caught her around the waist and deepened the kiss, wishing they weren’t both wearing jackets. At last he let her go and she stepped back, hair mussed, eyes dark.
“Where’s Rowdy?” he asked.
“Mom’s watching him today. She’s getting in some quality Grandma-time.” She slipped her arm through his and walked beside him as he led the General through the wide doorway. “I haven’t done this in ages. It’s going to be fun.”
“Fun?” He shook his head. “You think heat, dust and a sore butt from riding all day sounds like fun?”
“Absolutely. But I prefer to think of it as spending a sunny day in the fresh air, on horseback, getting lots of healthy exercise.”
“You’re an optimist but I can use the help so I’m not about to disillusion you. The minute you get tired, though, I’m sending you back to the house.” He tied the rangy Appaloosa to a corral post and headed to the back of Jessie’s horse trailer.
They unloaded her horse and Jessie took the mare’s reins while Zach slammed the end-gate shut. The growl of truck engines broke the hush of dawn once more and he turned to look down the gravel ranch road. Three sets of headlights turned off the highway and moved slowly toward them down the lane, all of the vehicles pulling horse trailers.
“What’s going on?” Zach looked at Jessie but she shook her head, baffled.
The pickup trucks parked in the wide expanse of graveled yard between the house and barn. John McCloud stepped out of the first truck, Luke and Rachel from the second and Chase left the third.
Zach had no clue what they were doing here and without conscious thought, stepped to the left and slightly in front of Jessie, putting himself between her and the three big men.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Zach, stop it.” Jessie’s voice was low and probably only he could hear, but he had no doubt she was annoyed with him. “Hi, Dad.” She lifted her voice from murmur to clear greeting. “What brings you out so early in the morning?”
Luke and Chase joined their father, one on each side with Rachel on her husband’s left. She winked at Jessie and smiled. Zach still didn’t know what was going on, but his internal radar switched off and his tension eased a fraction.
“Mornin’, Jessie.” John McCloud’s voice held no underlying currents that Zach could detect. In fact, he sounded downright friendly. “Your mother told us you were helping Zach chase cattle this morning. We didn’t have anything better to do, so we thought we’d join you.” He looked at Zach. “That is, if you don’t mind the company, son.”
Son? Zach was stunned. If he were seated, he’d have fallen off his chair. Instead, he merely nodded. “I’d appreciate the help, Mr. McCloud.”
“Me and the boys will unload the horses.” John jerked his thumb toward the trailers. “Won’t take but a few minutes.”
The three men walked to the trailers while Rachel joined Zach and Jessie.
“What’s going on, Rach?” Zach asked. The noise of clanging gates and rattle of horses’ hooves on metal and wood made it impossible for anyone but his sister and Jessie to hear his question.
“I told Luke you were rounding up cattle today and I planned to join you since Charlie couldn’t be here.” Rachel gestured at the activity by the trailers. “He got up when I did this morning and said he thought he’d come along and keep me company.”
“Really?” Jessie’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “That’s all he said?”
“Yes. No explanation as to why he’s helping us—and when I asked him, he’d only tell me it seemed like a good day to go riding.”
“Huh.” Zach looked at Jessie. “That’s the same reason you gave—did you ask Luke to help?”
“No,” Jessie said firmly. “And I wouldn’t. I didn’t say anything to Dad or Chase, either. Mom must have mentioned why she’s babysitting Rowdy today and they came up with this on their own.”
“Interesting that they all decided to go riding on the same day,” Rachel commented.
“I hope it means more than that,” Jessie said, eyeing her father and brothers as they slammed the last trailer gate shut and led their horses forward.
“I wouldn’t count on it. It probably doesn’t mean anything more than Luke helping Rachel and your dad and Chase helping you,” Zach commented.
“I hope you’re wrong.” Jessie didn’t sound convinced of it, though.
Zach decided he was thankful for their help and wouldn’t look for underlying reasons.
“How do you want to do this, Zach?” Jessie’s dad asked.
“I’d planned to start in the farthest corner of the south pasture. That section is the roughest land with breaks and scrub brush. It’ll be the hardest riding.”
John nodded. “Best to get the worst done early while everybody’s fresh. You’re going to run the herd in this morning and brand this afternoon?”
“That’s my plan. They need to be inoculated, too.”
“Sounds good,” John agreed. “Chase and me are used to working together so if it’s all the same to you, we’ll ride together.”
Zach nodded and without further comment, John mounted his horse. Chase followed suit and Luke handed Rachel the reins to a sorrel gelding, giving her a leg up before he settled into the saddle of a compact bay quarter horse.
Jessie swung aboard her mare and Zach mounted the General, leading the way out of the ranch yard. The McClouds followed, the six riders strung out two by two as the sun edged above the horizon, chasing away the shadows and gilding horses and riders with pale gold.
The morning was hot and dusty but with six seasoned riders instead of Zach on his own, the cattle were gathered with a minimum of complications. When they drove the small herd into the ranch yard just after noon, Jessie had new freckles across the bridge of her nose from the sun’s rays and sweat dampened the back of her T-shirt. All of them had stripped off their jackets and tied them behind their saddles as the day grew hotter.
A dark green SUV was parked next to the McCloud pickup trucks. Margaret McCloud stood in the bed of her husband’s truck, restraining Rowdy with a grip on the waist of his jeans. He jumped up and down beside her, waving and shouting as the cattle streamed past the pickup, funneling through the open gates to the pens beyond the corral and barn.
Once the cattle were penned in, the riders joined the excited Rowdy at the truck, while Zach leaned out of his saddle and closed the gate on the last straggler.
“Uncle Chase! Uncle Chase!” Rowdy called.
Zach looked over his shoulder. Jessie and the rest of the McClouds had surrounded the truck bed and Rowdy was holding his arms out to Chase.
He watched Jessie’s brother swing Rowdy from the truck bed, seating him on the saddle in front of him. The dark-haired little boy beamed and said something that Zach couldn’t hear, but that made all the adults around him laugh. Jessie looked over her shoulder and beckoned. Reluctant though he was to join what was clearly a family gathering, Zach lifted the reins and kneed the big Appaloosa into a walk.
“Mom brought lunch, Zach,” Jessie called as he neared them.
Rowdy wriggled in Chase’s hold, his eyes lighting. “Zach’s here. Let me go, Uncle Chase. I wanna ride with Daddy.”
Zach felt his little boy’s words like a punch to the heart. His hand tightened unconsciously on the reins, bringing the well-trained General to a halt.
The adults were silent, the air suddenly thick with tension.
Rowdy was oblivious to the emotion charging the atmosphere. He tugged at Chase’s arm and frowned up at him. “Uncle Chase? Did you hear me? I wanna go ride with my daddy.�
�
Chase’s features seemed carved in stone as he stared at Zach but then he looked down at Rowdy. “You do, huh?”
Chase guided his quarter horse toward Zach, distancing himself from the cluster of silently watching riders by the truck, out of hearing range.
“The kid wants to ride with you.” He lifted Rowdy free of the saddle, his legs dangling, and handed him to Zach, who tucked him safely in front of him. “I’m assuming you and my sister will be seeing a minister soon.” It wasn’t a question. In fact, Chase’s calm demand was far closer to a statement of intent.
“I’ve already asked her,” Zach replied, his voice carrying the same level of warning. To his surprise, a brief smile lit Chase’s eyes.
“That doesn’t mean she’ll say yes. I suggest you tie her up and kidnap her.”
“Thanks for the advice,” Zach said, half grinning at the prospect.
Chase nodded abruptly and turned away. “Hey, Mom,” he said over his shoulder. “Is that barbecue beef I smell?”
The spell was broken. In the ensuing stir of dismounting, unsaddling horses and eating lunch, Zach didn’t have a moment alone with Jessie. They didn’t have time to talk until much later, after the McCloud clan had left for home and he followed Jessie back into town to share Rowdy’s bedtime ritual of bath and the reading of several Sandra Boynton stories. Finally, Rowdy was tucked in for the night.
In the hall outside his bedroom, Zach took Jessie’s hand and tugged her toward her room.
“At last, I’ve got you alone.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, tumbling them both onto the soft mattress of her bed.
Jessie reveled in the heavy press of his body, the heat of his mouth on hers and the slow stroke of his hand on the skin of her midriff beneath her rucked-up T-shirt. She was nearly dizzy with desire when he lifted his mouth and braced himself on his elbows, his hands in her hair and looked down at her.
“What is it?”
“Today your brother Chase and the rest of your family pretty much gave their approval. You’ve had twenty-four hours to think about getting married. I need an answer.”
Jessie's Child Page 14