by Em Petrova
She’d been doing this too much—leaning on him. She couldn’t get used to it. She had to tell him.
“Lane. I’ve loved having you here, but I think it’s time for you to go.”
He tensed, and she released him to move to see his face. His hat was pushed back to reveal the pain on his features. She swallowed hard.
“You still won’t admit we’re good together.”
She shook his words away. “You’re a wonderful man who requires attention that I don’t have to give you.”
He locked her in his stare. “I’m not a two-year-old. I can entertain myself. Hell, these keep me busy for hours.” He cupped her breasts, lights glinting in his eyes.
She moaned. “I’m not kidding. But that does feel good.”
He caressed them for a minute and then slid his hands to her shoulders. Looking deep into her eyes, he said, “From what I see you need me.”
She had a feeling he didn’t only mean the ranch. Suddenly, she questioned everything she was. For years as a single mother and a woman with a career, she’d prided herself on taking care of everything. She’d had moments where she’d struggled but had always come out on top.
Having Lane here made her feel more vulnerable. Like she was losing her grasp. He saw her fatigue and took care of her. He saw what needed done and did it. Was she floundering for help without realizing it?
Or had she just finally found a man she wanted to take part of her burden?
She ran her fingers through her hair and he didn’t look away. He caught a tendril and rubbed it between thumb and forefinger.
“I’m not leavin’. But I think we need to talk about what’s going on here.”
Oh no. She wasn’t ready for this. She tried to dump him and he refused to let her. That strength and determination was something she was glad of even if she didn’t want to admit it to herself.
He waved a hand at the horses. “We need to discuss the animals and how they’re working for you.”
“For me? You know I don’t have time for them and need to think about getting rid of them.”
“No, I mean how are they earning their keep? Right now they’re a drain. That’s not what a ranch is about.”
“This isn’t exactly a ranch.” She laughed. “It’s a petting zoo.”
He smiled, and the worry lines around his eyes vanished. Lines she’d put there—she didn’t like that. She only wanted to see him happy.
“You have two good breeding horses here. Have you considered that?”
“No.”
“If I were you, I’d breed them and sell the foals once they’re old enough. It’s strong stock you have, and you’ll get a good price.” Before she replied, he went on. “Plenty of people looking for goats. I think you should sell it. Doesn’t do much good here.”
“But Brant—”
He looked at her hard. “Your son has his own life—you said yourself. When he was here yesterday, he never even looked at the goat that I noticed.”
She pushed out a breath. “You’re right. Okay, let the goat go if you can find it a good home.”
He nodded briskly, all business. “I can. There’s a family right up the road with goats and they’ve said another wouldn’t make a difference if you decided to let it go.”
“You’ve already spoken to my neighbors?”
“Ran into them at the feed store. The little girl was happy at the thought of a new pet.”
That made Delaney smile despite the small pinch of pain at letting the goat go. Old Billy had been with them forever. He’d eaten countless things over the years, but that didn’t warrant her dumping him. Except he’d have a better home.
She swallowed and made her decision. “Okay, make the deal.”
He nodded again. “Now there’s the chickens.”
Oh no. He wasn’t giving away her bantys. Their soft clucking as she fed them usually made her mornings fill with peace. A happy ray of light in a long day ahead. She loved her job, but the moments when she stepped into the coop and scattered grain to the chickens was just for her.
“You can’t possibly eat all the eggs they lay.” Lane eyed her.
“Well no. I give some to the office girls.”
“But not enough. Do you know how many dozen are in your fridge?”
“Umm. I haven’t actually looked there in a while. Since you made me dinner last.”
His white teeth flashed. “I’m tellin’ ya there are nine dozen in there. And I’m taking eight of those to town with us and selling them at the organic market I saw on the drive in.”
“You… can do that?” She was raised a country girl, and somewhere along the way she’d lost her knack for country things. Which was why owning these animals had become such a strain.
“Can and will. With your permission.”
“Of course. What am I going to do with nine dozen eggs?”
“Hopefully not pelt me with them the way you did that pillow last night.” His low tone spread liquid heat through her body. She tipped her head back to meet his eyes, and they shared a smile.
Whatever was going on between them, she’d deal with tomorrow. Right now wasn’t the time. Her heart was too happy, and she had the same peaceful feeling as she did when she came out to spend the morning feeding her chickens.
He curled a hand around her nape and dragged her near. She inhaled his fresh scent and leaned against him.
“Better get you to work. I’ll ride in with you and bring the truck home.”
“We can talk about the donkey on the way.”
“Haven’t figured how to deal with the donkey yet.”
She pulled away with a shocked cry. “What? You have the rest of my life all settled. Not the donkey’s?”
“Not everything. I’m workin’ on it.” This time she knew he wasn’t only referring to the animals.
Chapter Six
Delaney moved around the house, tidying things. She tossed away some junk mail and sorted a bill or two that couldn’t be paid online. Then she checked the pantry to make sure she didn’t need to pick up anything in town, but Lane seemed to have everything covered, right down to the brand of coffee she preferred.
Damn, she was really going to miss him when he was gone.
Especially miss him in her bed. She couldn’t believe how well she slept with him next to her. After years on her own, she would have thought she’d toss and turn, annoyed that he was taking up too much space or snoring. But he was the perfect bedmate.
He was the perfect everything, actually. That scared the bejeezus out of her. She couldn’t keep him around. Thinking of the upcoming holidays and office parties made her wince with the idea of bringing such a young guy as her date. Everyone would think she’d lost her mind.
Men did this all the time and nobody gave it a moment’s notice, but if she tried it, what would happen?
Then again, having a gorgeous hunk like Lane on her arm would make her the luckiest woman on the planet.
She drained the coffee in her mug and sighed. She was such a wreck, torn in different directions. In the end, it came down to one thing—she liked Lane but it couldn’t work.
She set her cup in the sink and turned to the window to look out on her small ranch. The horses were happily trotting around the fenced area but Lane was nowhere to be seen.
She needed to get to work soon. What she wouldn’t give to grab him by the shirt front and drag him back to bed. Since getting a taste of his stamina, she was insatiable. Hungry for him morning, noon and night.
When she drifted outside into the cool morning, she stopped at the sight of something coming up the road. An odd-shaped figure that seemed to be much bigger than an animal and certainly wasn’t human.
She peered closer. She didn’t believe in bigfoot, but her son did. “What the hell is that?”
A loud bray ripped through the air, and her brain reconfigured the form she was seeing. Suddenly she realized the legs were those of a man and he was hunched over beneath the weight of the donkey.
Its legs were hooked around Lane’s shoulders and he seemed to be walking slowly yet making steady progress.
She rushed forward. “What are you doing? What happened?”
“The stubborn thing got away and was down near the road in the ditch. Took me a while to get him up outta there, but when I did, he was limping and wouldn’t budge an inch.” He panted a little with exertion and speaking.
Delaney walked alongside him. “Can I help?”
He shot her an amused look. “I doubt you can lift him.”
“How can you?” She knew he was strong but this was crazy.
“He’s skinny and young still. ’Bout two hundred fifty pounds.”
Holy crap. This man was the real deal.
“What can I do?” she asked.
“Just get the barn door when I get there.”
She ran ahead and did that. As he passed inside, she admired the flex of his muscles. He crouched and let the donkey slide off his shoulders. The animal stumbled a bit on three legs and then found its balance.
“Dumb donkey. How did it get out?” She went to rub the animal’s ears to soften her words.
Lane didn’t even take a moment to recover his breath. He walked to the back door and pushed on it. Sure enough, the lock had been kicked free and the door could swing easily.
“Guess I’ll be fixing this today.” He gave her a look. “You’d better get to work, doll.”
She stepped up to him and hugged him, yanking a smile from him and surprising herself. She was too drawn to him for her own good.
He brought his arms around her back and squeezed her in a way that felt so good. Then she got a whiff of him.
“Oh my God, you stink!”
“Didn’t before I had to carry that thing.” He waved a hand at the animal standing there chomping a bit of hay it had stolen from one of the horses' stalls. Lane stood back from her. “But yeah, you’d better not touch me again. And spritz some of that good-smelling perfume on.”
She laughed, feeling happier than she’d been in forever. Whether she wanted to admit it to herself or not, it was Lane’s doing.
* * * * *
Every time Delaney laughed, he grew more smitten. The soft, throaty tones reverberated through his whole body and made him want to throw her right into bed. He eyed her. If he didn’t smell, he’d back her into one of the clean stalls and have his way with her right here and now. Sure, she’d be a little late for work, but surely the babies would understand and delay their arrivals.
In his jeans, his phone vibrated as a text came in. Dammit, he didn’t want to even look at that. Andrew had been harassing him since dawn to call him, to come in for an interview, that they would be riding out to the next rodeo in two days’ time.
Lane didn’t want anything to do with that life at the moment. It could wait. The interviews, prods to come home, to go to the rodeo, do this and that… all of it could go to hell.
Another flurry of texts came in. Delaney stared at him. “Aren’t you going to get that?”
“Nah.”
“Do you know who it is?”
“My family, most likely. And the show’s producer, Andrew. He’s been bugging me all morning.”
Her lips tightened. “What for?”
He lifted a shoulder and let it fall. She didn’t need any more ammunition to send him packing. Instead of checking his phone, he found some rope and started knotting it around the barn door handle and securing it shut. She watched him silently. When he finished, he stood back.
“It ain’t pretty, but it’ll do until I get some supplies to fix it.” He turned his head to sniff at his shoulder. “Whew. I do stink. Maybe I’d better jump in the shower first.”
At that moment, a car door slammed. His first thought was oh shit, it’s Brant. But when they drifted out, he spotted a small blue car in the driveway. A young woman stood next to it awkwardly.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
“It looks like Brant’s friend, Rachel.” Delaney’s voice was odd as she watched the woman struggle to take a few steps and then stop and hunch over.
“What’s the matter with her?” Lane stepped out of the barn, prepared to rush to her aid.
“I don’t know.” Delaney set out across the yard. Her country girl strides eating up the space. He hurried behind. When he got near enough to see the girl’s features, he saw they were twisted in agony.
“Rachel! That is you.” Delaney caught the young woman around the shoulders.
“I’m sorry to stop in this way. I need… some help.” She panted and gasped in a way that had Lane looking her over good. She didn’t bear any sign of injury, but it was clear she was in terrible pain. Sweat poured down her young face.
He shot a look to Delaney. Her eyes were wide with shock. “Lane, help me get her inside.”
He didn’t question, just stepped forward and took hold of the girl. Supporting her as they made their way to the house. At the porch stairs, she went dead still, panting hard.
“Hurry, Calhoun!” Delaney’s snapped command made him jerk to action. He picked the girl up and carried her inside. She was taut in his arms, soaked in sweat despite the layers she wore.
“To Brant’s bed. Hurry!” Delaney ran ahead of them and ripped the covers down to reveal a fresh sheet. He placed the girl on the bed, confused as hell as to what was wrong. But Delaney seemed to know and he watched in awe as she began tearing at the girl’s clothing and shoes.
“How far along are you?” she asked the young woman.
She scrunched her face in pain and breathed hard. In and out, in and out. Fuck, he didn’t know jack about childbearing, but he’d seen enough cattle drop their young to finally realize this girl was in labor.
He scanned her body. She hardly looked pregnant.
“How far? Is this a term baby?” Delaney barked.
The pain seemed to loosen its grip on her, and she nodded.
“Who’s your doctor? Where are your parents? Why didn’t they take you to the hospital?”
“I don’t have a doctor. My parents don’t know. I’ve been hiding it from them.” Tears spilled over.
Lane stood blinking while Delaney gave a hard nod. “Okay, I’ll need to check you. Lane, you call 911. If she’s had no prenatal care—”
Rachel cut her off. “No, I don’t want a hospital. It’s why I came here.”
Delaney stared at her for half a beat. “I’ll make that judgment call after I check you. Damn, what were you thinking?”
She opened her mouth to reply when another pain struck her.
“Damn, the pains are coming right on top of each other. Lane, strip off those smelly clothes and get over here.”
He jolted. “What?”
“You heard me.” She parted the woman’s knees and looked between them. “Oh shit. It’s not a head.”
“What? What is it?” Rachel screamed around her pain.
Lane dropped his boots and went for his buttons and zipper. When he was in his boxers, Delaney said, “Wash your hands to the elbows in case I need you. And bring all the towels out of the bathroom.”
Jesus, what the hell was he going to do? Deliver the baby? He rushed into the bathroom to do her bidding while she sprinted to the kitchen. He heard doors slamming and rattling. She came back with a medical bag and dripping hands. The scent of alcohol hung heavy in the air. Guess this was the closest she could come to a scrub-down.
“Get on the bed behind her. She’ll need you to lean on and push against as she bears down. But only when I tell you, okay, Rachel?” She stared gravely at the young girl, whose eyes were as wide as dinner plates. “This baby is coming out feet first, and we need to make sure the head is delivered as quickly as possible.”
Oh double shit with a side of fried potatoes. They were about to deliver a breech baby in her son’s bed to what appeared to be an underage girl who had hidden her full-term pregnancy.
“Lane! Didn’t you hear me?” Delaney didn’t look at him when she barked her command.
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He wasn’t about to cross a woman like her, especially under these conditions. He hopped onto the bed in his underwear and pulled the young girl back against him. It felt wrong as could be, but he understood the urgency spelled all over Delaney’s face.
This baby needed to come out—now.
“Grab her legs under the knees and pull them up.”
He did so, trying not to focus on the bizarre action but the intense expression on his lover’s face as she knelt before Rachel’s legs and examined her. “One foot’s up inside still. The other’s right at the entrance. Rachel, honey, I’m going to feel around and find the foot, okay? Just breathe and try not to push as I do.”
She tensed and groaned. He knew the instant Delaney reached inside her, though. She bit down hard and he heard her jaw crack. His heart expanded for the poor thing. She couldn’t be more than seventeen.
A shriek left her, and Delaney whooped with success. “Got it! Thank God. Okay, we’re going to push now. I’ll count to ten while you bear down. You know how?”
“I think so. It feels like I’m pooping a watermelon.”
“You are, pretty much. Come on, honey.” Delaney’s grin flashed and vanished as fast as it had appeared. She began to count and Rachel shook in his hold as she bore down. He pulled her legs up and back to ease the baby’s way.
The child had a lot working against it before it was even born—feet first, to a teen mom whose family didn’t know she was even pregnant. He reached over and snagged a towel off the stack, using it to mop her sweaty face and neck as she pushed and Delaney counted in a rhythmic tone.
“I see the knees now. Rest for a minute.” Delaney’s face was fierce with concentration. He was seeing a brand-new side of her. The focused and professional midwife moved her hand back and forth, and he wondered what she was doing.
“I’m just massaging your perineum to keep you from tearing when we deliver the butt. You might feel a stretching sensation.”
She nodded, still fighting for breath. A total-body shudder shook her in his hold.