Ash laughed. He couldn’t help it. And it felt good. He’d been wound too tight. The only thing that could have made it better? Having Renata here with them. If anyone needed a laugh, she did. But remembering the husky timbre of her laugh—and the effect it had on him—was dangerous.
“Daddy here.” Curtis held out his block and sat in Ash’s lap. “Go.”
“You got it.” He stacked the blocks up.
Curtis nodded, leaning back against his chest with a sigh.
Ash stacked them all, then wrapped his arms around his small son, drawing in his clean scent. Being away from Curtis for a few days had been hard. How was he supposed to co-parent with Renata? If he ever figured out what the hell co-parenting meant?
He sighed, tickling Curtis until his son was shrieking with laughter. He tugged up his shirt and blew raspberries on his little stomach, loving the free and easy glee his son expressed.
“Stop, Daddy.” Curtis arched up, his arms stretching over his little head. “Stop.” He kept giggling, pulling up his shirt and exposing more of his tummy.
“Stop?” Ash asked, still tickling.
Curtis shook his head. “No, Daddy. No stop.”
Ash laughed, renewing his tickle attack and sending Curtis off on another giggle fit. There wasn’t much he could do to fix the mess he and Renata had gotten themselves into. Might as well lose himself for a while in the simple joy of his son’s laughter.
Chapter 8
Somehow the crying had turned to throwing up. Lots and lots of throwing up. But now that her stomach was empty, she was feeling almost human. Until she heard the knocking on her door. Rather insistent knocking.
“Coming,” she said, not moving from her place on the bathroom floor. Never mind. She was too weak to move. “Come in,” she called out with as much energy as she could muster.
“Renata? It’s Kylee.”
No, no, no, no...
“Are you in there?”
Hanging out in the bathroom.
“Renata.” Kylee sounded worried.
By now they’d all know, of course. She’d officially bowed out of the family dinner—her stomach had demanded it. Kylee was here because she cared. Even if all Renata wanted at the moment was to be left alone. At least it wasn’t her brothers. She’d had more than enough of them.
“We could hear you. And we’re coming in,” Kylee said, cracking the bathroom door.
We? An audience for her humiliation.
“Oh, Renata. Are you okay?” Kylee’s sympathy was genuine.
The minute she saw Kylee try to kneel, Renata spoke up. “Don’t you even think about getting down here. Then we’ll both be stuck on the floor.”
Kylee smiled, then stepped back.
Josie, Annabeth and Eden waited—wearing various expressions of concern.
She covered her face with her hands and groaned.
“Renata.” Josie laughed. “It’s okay.”
“We’ve all been there,” Annabeth added. “Literally, on the floor, throwing our guts up.”
“Some of us multiple times.” Eden laughed.
“We’re here to offer moral support,” Kylee finished.
“My brothers couldn’t wait to spill the beans, could they?” She spoke through her hands.
“They’re worried.” It sounded like Annabeth. “So worried, they volunteered to watch all the kids. With Clara and Dad, of course. You’ve got a whole tribe of women on your side. What can we do?”
She had no idea what she was supposed to do. “I don’t know,” she murmured through her hands.
“First, drink this.” Josie knelt on the floor at her side. “Peppermint tea. Always soothed my stomach.”
It did smell delicious. And Christmassy, too.
“Having a hard time keeping things down?” Annabeth asked.
She uncovered her face, the smell of the tea too tempting to resist. Just holding the mug and breathing in the fresh mint offered relief. “It’s going to get easier, right?”
The four of them smiled back.
“No?” She sighed.
“Up to moving this conversation out of your bathroom?” Annabeth asked.
Renata nodded, handing off her tea and pushing off the floor. Her stomach grumbled loudly. I’m trying, baby. I promise. We’ll sneak into the kitchen later.
“The joys of pregnancy,” Annabeth said.
“So far, not so joyful.” Renata sat on her couch, pressing back into her seat.
“It will get easier,” Josie said, nodding, as she perched on the arm of the chair where Kylee sat. “We’re here to help.”
“Does this offer of help extend beyond the pregnancy?” she asked. “Because I need help. As far as the baby goes... I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”
“Why tomorrow?” Eden asked.
“Well, I have a doctor’s appointment—so I’ll get a due date. D-Day right? I can start a countdown?”
“If baby cooperates.” Josie smiled. “Babies have their own schedule. Starting now.” She pointed at Renata’s stomach.
All eyes focused on her stomach, including her own.
“Are they upset?” she asked, knowing the women wouldn’t need any clarification. She’d grown up wanting to make her brothers and father happy, especially after their mother died. It had been her goal, something she’d been aware of every day. Her mother had had the sort of smile that made everything better—Renata had done her best to fill the void she left. And now? It was hard to accept she was the reason they were all unhappy.
“They just want you to be happy, Renata.” Annabeth used her perky voice.
“But they’re not going to hurt Ash, right?” she asked. “Because they looked like they really wanted to.”
No one said anything.
“Seriously?” she asked, her head falling back on the couch. “Poor Ash. I was the one waiting for him on the back porch. I was the one that suggested we spend the night together.”
Josie giggled. “I knew it.”
She giggled. “You did?”
“You’re not exactly a shrinking violet, Renata.” Kylee laughed.
“Should I be offended?” she asked, staring around at her sisters-in-law.
“I’m pretty sure it was a compliment.” Eden laughed. “It was, right?”
Kylee nodded. “It was.”
“You don’t think there’s the potential for something more? With Ash, I mean?” Annabeth asked. “He seems like a decent enough guy. And I caught a glance at his kid and he is adorable. So, there’s an upside.”
Renata was laughing now. “I’ll make sure to list cute kid and decent guy in the pro column—if there’s ever a need to make a list.” But Annabeth had a point. “His son is precious, isn’t he?”
And Ash was more than a decent guy. Not that any of them would ever know it. She couldn’t let on about his misguided marriage proposal, not without dire consequences. Still, it was with the best intentions—he thought it was best for the baby. And that was what their relationship would be about: the baby. Nothing else. No matter how off the charts their attraction might be.
* * *
Ash paced the doctor’s office. He had a list of questions a mile long, his stomach was in knots and the room was a good twenty degrees past bearable. He smiled at Renata again, tugged at his shirt collar and studied the obstetrics poster on the exam room wall. The miracle of birth. A time of excitement and anticipation—a new life, a fresh start.
He didn’t feel any of those things. Pregnancy, to him, meant the beginning of the end. It meant sickness and frailty. Risk after risk. Uncertainty, pain and loss. Watching Shanna suffer, he’d vowed never to have another child. Now, here he was, preparing for fatherhood less than three years after that nightmare ordeal had begun.
There were so many questions without answers. But one
stood out against all the rest. It was gnawing at his insides, making it impossible to focus on anything else. Was Renata healthy? And the baby? They were both fine? Once he knew that, he’d be able to relax. But he had to know that first.
“Ash?”
He turned. “What?”
“You okay?” She sat in a gown, looking just as uncomfortable as he felt. Only she was asking if he was okay.
Way to be supportive. “Fine. Sorry. Just reading...” He pointed at the poster he’d been blindly staring at.
She nodded, but he could tell she didn’t believe him. “You didn’t have to come today.”
He glanced at her then. She wasn’t thrilled that he’d been adamant about coming with her but, for him, it was necessary. He’d been up with nightmares most of the night—every worst-case scenario running through his mind. Renata wasn’t Shanna. The only way to ease his fears and stop the comparisons was to hear it, himself, from her doctor.
Dr. Farriday arrived minutes later. She took one look at Ash and pointed at the stool in the corner. “Dr. Carmichael. Sit there for me.” She was all smiles for Renata. “Congratulations, Renata. I was surprised to see your name on my patient schedule today.”
“We’re all surprised.” Renata was smiling, teasing even.
While Ash was trying not to hyperventilate.
“Well, the bloodwork looks good so far. Numbers are where they need to be.” Dr. Farriday was skimming over her chart. “In case you were wondering, you are pregnant.”
Renata’s laugh was surprised.
Ash couldn’t. A thousand pounds of pressure seemed to be resting on his chest, threatening to crush him at any second. “How’s everything else?” he asked. “She’s healthy?” He was up, at her side, taking her hand in his. “No concerns. No need for more tests or scans? What, exactly, did her bloodwork show?”
“Am I missing something? Renata?” Dr. Farriday shook her head. “Is there a reason I should be concerned?”
Renata was looking at him—he could feel it. “No.”
“Good. I’m not. Her bloodwork is perfect. There’s no reason to worry.” Dr. Farriday smiled. “She’s young and strong, Dr. Carmichael. You make sure she gets plenty of rest and she’s eating whatever she can keep down and this will be over before you know it.” She winked at Renata. “And then the real fun begins.”
Renata was squeezing Ash’s hand. She was offering him support—the exact opposite of what she needed.
“You take care of her, she’ll take care of the baby.” Dr. Farriday was looking at him, waiting. “Believe me, you have the easier job.”
In other words, pull it together. She was fine. She was healthy. And she needed him. Breathing was easier. “I can do that,” he said, nodding.
Ash watched as Dr. Farriday lay Renata back, put a healthy dollop of gel on her stomach and pulled out a high-power stethoscope. “We’re listening for heartbeats. You’ll hear two. Mom, yours will be slower. The faster one is the baby.”
Renata’s grip tightened and her eyes locked with his. They shone with pure excitement. And it was contagious. When the rapid thump-thump filled the room, Ash’s heart rate picked up, too.
“That’s it?” she whispered, covering her smile with her hand. “That’s the baby.”
Their baby’s heartbeat was strong and steady.
“Perfect,” Dr. Farriday confirmed.
Renata laughed softly, so damn beautiful his chest hurt. He wiped away the tears that slipped from the corners of her eyes.
“Huh.” Dr. Farriday moved the stethoscope, pressing a little harder. “Hold on. Well, it seems the Boone tradition continues.” Dr. Farriday chuckled. “That, right there, is a third heartbeat.”
“Two?” Renata whispered, her grip all but crushing his.
Two. He swallowed. Twins. They were going to have twins. And, terrified or not, she needed him. He smiled down at her, smoothing the hair from her forehead. “Go big or go home, right?” He winked.
“I like your way of thinking, Dr. Carmichael.” Dr. Farriday pulled an ultrasound cart around, flipped on the monitor. The heartbeats disappeared, leaving the room oddly quiet. “Let’s see what we can see.”
But Ash focused on Renata. Twins. Did that increase her risk? More questions started forming. Questions that could wait, for the time being. He pulled a chair to her side and sat, doing his best to enjoy the moment—to savor this time. It would be easier if he could forget how terribly wrong Shanna’s first prenatal appointment had gone.
“Looks good.” Dr. Farriday was pointing at the screen. “There’s baby one.” She clicked on the keyboard. “And there’s baby two.” More clicks. “I’ll take a few pictures for you. And I’ll make a disc for you to take home, too.” She sat back, wiping the gel from Renata’s stomach. “Questions?”
“Twins?” Ash asked. “What sort of risks are there?”
Dr. Farriday nodded. “No more than any other pregnancy, really.”
“Delivery? Pre-term? Higher mortality rates?” He swallowed.
Dr. Farriday studied Ash. “You’re worried about her. That’s normal. But Renata is going to come through this. And the babies. Well, twins come early, but that’s expected. I’ll keep a close eye on her. If we’re lucky, she’ll go into labor on her own and deliver without any complications. If there are any complications, we’ll be ready.” She leaned forward. “But that’s a ways down the road yet. She’s healthy. The babies are healthy. Questions are good but worrying her isn’t. Try to relax.”
Good advice. If only he could listen to it.
“She’s going to need you to take care of her. Little things like reminding her to get plenty of sleep, to eat a balanced diet, get some exercise—but not overdo it. It helps.”
“I’ll do my best, but that’s easier said than done.” He couldn’t stop smiling when he saw her scowling at him. “I’m learning Renata Boone is all kinds of stubborn.” And she was his. Healthy and alive and carrying his two babies. He was going to do whatever it took to keep them that way—all three of them.
“Another Boone trait?” Dr. Farriday laughed, handing him the ultrasound pictures. “Congratulations on the babies—I’m sure the wedding will be a big to-do. Waiting until after the holidays?”
“No wedding,” Renata said, shrugging.
Dr. Farriday paused at the door, glancing back and forth between the two of them. “Oh? Well. All right.”
It was on the tip of the tongue to mention that was all Renata’s decision, but one glance at her red cheeks kept him quiet.
“No.” Renata’s cheeks turned a bright red as she carefully avoided his eyes. “Guess I should change. Give me a minute?”
Ash stood in the lobby, staring at the pictures, until Renata nudged him.
“Ready?” she asked, not waiting for his answer.
It had been a long time since hope and anticipation had surged through his blood, but now, because of these babies—because of Renata—it was there. While she was making their next few appointments, he watched her. The way she used her hands when she talked. Or wrinkled up her nose. Or how expressive her face was. Right now, she was all but vibrating with happiness. And when she flashed those blue eyes his way, he felt it, too. He glanced at the pictures of their babies. Babies. Twins. He tucked the pictures carefully into his wallet, a newfound sense of euphoria kicking in.
Today had gone from bad to incredible. There were no words to describe what he was feeling. But he didn’t need words. What he needed was right beside him, talking and laughing and delighted about the babies growing in her belly.
His babies.
Life was going to be different now. But, dammit, it would be good. Her smile, her energy, woke him up in a way that excited him. And scared the crap out of him. Scared or not, he knew what he had to do. First up, talk to Teddy Boone.
Chapter 9
Renata hid behind one of the tall, elegantly potted Christmas trees placed strategically throughout the main tent. Hosting the ball at the refuge, located a stone’s toss from the Lodge, allowed attendees an up-close-and-personal experience with the facility and the incredible work Archer did. But there were few places to escape from the heat, the noise and the countless clashing perfumes of a hundred or so women inside the tent. To say Archer’s first charity ball was a success was an understatement. Archer, poor guy, was doing his best to be gracious, but it was taking a toll on him. Thank goodness his sweet wife, Eden, stayed by his side—her smiling, eloquent self—because her brother’s patience was wearing thin.
At around the two-hour mark, Renata started to relax. But once the excited butterflies wore off, good old-fashioned pregnancy-induced nausea set in. She’d downed water and eaten a few crackers from the appetizer trays—fresh air was her last hope.
Now that the success of the ball was a foregone conclusion, an early departure might be her only option. Tonight’s focus should remain on the refuge and all the good work Archer did here—without any whiff of the scandal of her pregnancy tainting it. But navigating the crowd of perfume and cologne that stood between her and the exit without throwing up would be no small accomplishment. The other option, climbing over several corral fences—in an evening gown—would likely lead to the one thing she wanted to avoid: attention.
“Renata?” Josie appeared, offering her a glass of water. “Here.” Kylee, Annabeth and Clara were behind her, wearing equally sympathetic expressions.
“You’re looking a little pale.” Annabeth smiled. “Doing okay?”
“I’m fine.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. According to the pregnancy ebook she’d downloaded, nausea was perfectly normal. So was being emotional. And tired. “But, don’t judge me here, I’m wondering how hard Archer would take it if I snuck out.”
“Archer would be fine.” Kylee smiled. “But people will notice you leaving.”
“They will?” She sipped her water. It was cool and clean and delightfully refreshing.
Home on the Ranch: Texas Wedding Page 10