“I did,” she said proudly.
Donaldson’s smile grew wider. “I also heard about the bachelor auction you planned for The Mommy Club. That was a big hit.”
“We raised a nice amount of money,” she agreed.
“Intelligent, capable and modest, too.”
Marissa blushed a little, and Ty felt like pushing the man out the door.
“I have other business to discuss with Eli, but first I have a question for you. You plan events for the winery. Do you ever plan events for private clients?”
“I never have,” she admitted. “I didn’t start out planning events for Jase. My job just evolved into that.”
“And apparently you’re very good at it,” Donaldson complimented her again. He took a card from his pocket and handed it to her.
Marissa took it and studied it. “You’re a property developer. I don’t quite understand what you’d want me to plan,” she said.
“I’d like to host a cocktail party at my house before Christmas for some important contacts. Do you think you’d be interested in doing something like that?”
In the next few quiet seconds, Ty realized exactly what Marissa was thinking. A fee like that could be nice to sock away for the future, not to mention to help pay some bills. And in the end a cocktail party like that could lead to other private events.
“I don’t know how Jase would feel about this,” she said honestly. “I’ll have to talk to him about it.”
“Fair enough,” Donaldson said with a smile and a nod. “That’s the best way to do business—up front.”
Now Donaldson targeted Ty. “I understand you’ve been transforming this place into a dude ranch. The back taxes have been paid, and the property is now in decent condition. I’m interested in buying it.”
“And undoing everything we’ve just done?” Ty asked, with a bit of edge to his voice.
“That would depend on the buyer,” Donaldson confessed. “But does that really matter if you profited enough from the property?”
Obviously this man didn’t have an understanding of roots or memories, of a childhood spent here when there was nowhere else to go. He didn’t understand what Goldie and the other horses meant. He could never understand that having the dust of a property like this on your boots was important.
Although Ty had funneled money into the place, the property was his uncle’s to sell. He looked toward Eli now, hoping his uncle felt the same about it as he did.
“He named a nice sum, Ty,” Eli said. “If I ever needed elder care...”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Ty said gruffly. “I told you that before.”
Eli studied Ty carefully as if he was judging the determination behind his commitment. Then he said to Donaldson, “I’ll discuss this more with my nephew. We certainly won’t make an impulsive decision. For now, we’d like to get the place up and running as the Cozy C Vacation Ranch.”
“I’m a patient man,” Donaldson said. “If you don’t start drawing clients in for spring and summer, you might want to rethink your plans.” He nodded to Ty. “It was good to meet you, Mr. Conroy. I heard you used to be the best bull rider in the state.”
Before Ty could respond, Donaldson turned to Marissa. “I’ll give you a call after Thanksgiving. If we want to do a Christmas cocktail party, I imagine we’ll have to get moving on it.”
When Ty looked at Donaldson, he wondered what Marissa saw. Did she see a snake-oil salesman? Or a successful man in expensive clothes who had a life that wasn’t as hard as hers, that wasn’t as hard as Ty’s. If she wanted a better future for her and Jordan, would she seriously consider a man like Scott Donaldson if Donaldson was interested in her?
Ty didn’t know where those thoughts had come from. He didn’t even know if Marissa had dated anyone since Jordan had been born. She was beautiful. It seemed obvious that she would have.
Marissa smiled at Donaldson and it appeared to be a genuine smile. She said, “I promise I’ll talk to Jase.”
As Donaldson left, with the door banging behind him, Ty felt disconcerted and annoyed.
Eli said, “I’m going to watch some TV. We can talk about Donaldson’s offer later. There’s certainly no hurry.” To Marissa he said, “You’ve got a fine boy there. Don’t be a stranger.” Then he turned and went into the living room.
Jordan was still pushing the blocks around, running one of them on the floor as if it were a car.
“He was flirting with you,” Ty said, in a low voice. “Working for him could only lead to trouble.”
As soon as he said the words, he knew that had been the wrong way to go about it.
Marissa’s brown eyes flashed. “That’s my decision to make.”
That was true, but she had to be reasonable. “How much time are you going to have for Jordan if you start taking on private clients?”
“Are you opposed to private clients or are you opposed to Scott Donaldson?”
“Maybe I’m opposed to both. Whether you come here to live or not, I have a say in anything that involves Jordan. Are we clear on that?”
But this time she pushed back. “Don’t think you can just drop into Jordan’s life and suddenly change mine.”
“You kept him from me for fourteen months.”
At that accusation, she blew out a breath. Then she said, “You’re right. I did. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you have what it takes to be a dad. I watched you with Jordan tonight. You seem to be good with him.”
They both turned to look at their son, their shoulders brushing, their tempers suddenly short-circuited. When they looked at each other again, the sizzle was back, the pull was back, the desire to fold her into his arms was back. He leaned toward her and he could have sworn she leaned toward him.
But then she stepped away. “What if I come to live here, and then your uncle decides to sell the Cozy C?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
She studied him, glanced into the living room at Eli, and then at Jordan. “I’d better go. I’ll think about it.”
She’d think about it and so would he. Having her in a room down the hall could be a temptation he couldn’t resist. But he might have to if he wanted to be a dad.
* * *
Kaitlyn’s invitation to dinner on Sunday evening at her and Adam’s new house was the answer to one of Marissa’s prayers. As an environmental geologist, Adam was at a meeting at the Sacramento college where he taught. Marissa would take Jordan, of course, but Sara would be there, too, for a girls’ night, as Jase was taking care of their daughter, Amy. The three of them could have an honest, confidential talk.
Kaitlyn and Adam’s house was the type of home they’d both always wanted, so they could put down roots and start their family. The fireplace added a homey touch.
When Marissa arrived, she asked Kaitlyn, “How are you feeling?”
Still early in her pregnancy, Kaitlyn looked well and even more important, she looked happy. “I’m good. Adam makes sure I get at least eight hours of sleep, and we both monitor my diet.”
Sara had arrived too, and all three women laughed.
Jordan toddled up to Marissa to snatch a stuffed blue elephant from her hand and carried it over to Kaitlyn’s sofa where he danced it across the cushions.
Sara pitched in. “Jase told me Adam is so excited about the baby. Every time he goes out shopping he brings home a new stuffed toy.”
“We already have a nursery full of them,” Kaitlyn admitted. “I can empty out the crib if you’d like to put Jordan down to sleep.”
“I don’t want to use your new crib,” Marissa protested.
“Nonsense,” Kaitlyn said. “Cribs are bought to be used. He can try it out, then we’ll know if it’s comfortable.”
“Do you have any more gigs on TV shows?” Mariss
a asked, teasing their friend.
The Mommy Club had asked Kaitlyn to represent the organization on a statewide public relations campaign. The objective was to start Mommy Clubs in more towns, so parents and children could be helped by a free summer lunch program, charitable donations, aid after a tragedy, babysitting services and affordable care for moms and kids. There was so much a Mommy Club could do in any town.
“Actually Adam and I are going down to LA next weekend, where I’m taping an interview. I think he’s more excited about it than I am. Working part-time at the practice is working out nicely. Once the baby’s born, I’ll still be able to be a pediatrician and a mom, too.”
“And Adam is happy teaching?” Sara asked.
Adam had changed his life for love. Once an environmental geologist traveling the world, he’d taken a professorship at a college to start his family and plant roots.
“He’s good at teaching,” Kaitlyn said. “He says the college kids keep him on his toes. He always likes a good challenge.”
“That’s why he married you,” Sara quipped, and they all laughed again. Sara focused her attention on Marissa. “And how are you doing?”
That was the opening she needed, so she might as well take advantage of it.
Kaitlyn sent Marissa a questioning glance. “Does Sara know something I don’t?”
“Ty Conroy’s back in town. He’s been back for a couple of months, and I didn’t even know it. I ran into him at the physical therapy practice when I stopped in to see Sara. Talk about shock.”
Kaitlyn looked totally concerned now. “What happened?”
“Nothing right then,” Marissa assured her. “But his uncle mentioned I had a baby, and Ty put two and two together and came to see me. So I told him the truth.”
Kaitlyn whistled low. “So what’s happening?”
Marissa explained how Ty’s bull riding days had ended, and how the Cozy C was being turned into a vacation ranch. “He wants me to move in with him and his uncle. He wants time with Jordan.”
Sara and Kaitlyn exchanged a look. “How do you feel about it?” Sara asked.
“I’m scared. If I don’t move in, he could file for some kind of custody agreement. I don’t have money to pay a lawyer, and don’t tell me The Mommy Club would help. I know that, but I’d rather avoid a lawyer getting involved.”
“So you’re thinking about moving in?” Kaitlyn asked.
“The thing is, the Cozy C might not take off as a vacation ranch. There was a developer there trying to convince Eli to sell. Scott Donaldson.”
“He’s a good-looking guy,” Kaitlyn commented. “He asked me out when we were on a hospital committee in Sacramento.”
“Did you go?” Marissa asked.
“No. I didn’t date after my divorce, not until Adam.”
“Do you know him?” Marissa asked Sara.
“The name sounds familiar. He might have been a guest at Raintree Winery’s summer soiree. Are you interested in him?”
“Oh, no,” Marissa said, shaking her head. “I just wondered if he’s good at what he does, if he could convince Eli to sell.”
“Do you know what the baby’s dad wants?” Sara asked.
“Ty says he’s committed to the Cozy C and to making it a success. He sounds sincere. And from what I’ve seen with him and Jordan...well, Jordan likes him. They related.”
“So what’s the conclusion, then?” Kaitlyn asked.
She was still figuring it out. But she knew one thing. “The conclusion is I have to do what’s best for Jordan.”
“You’re a strong woman,” Sara said.
If she went to live at the Cozy C, she’d have to be strong enough to hold her own with a stubborn bull rider.
Could she hold her own with Ty? Could she control her own destiny—or would Ty’s desire to be a dad trump all?
Chapter Five
The Thanksgiving food drive the following Saturday—the weekend before Thanksgiving—was an important event for The Mommy Club. Marissa donated some canned goods, but more important than that, she was helping prepare baskets and boxes for families in need. This year, Sara had volunteered to children-sit for all the volunteers.
Kaitlyn and her husband, Adam, had their heads together over a laptop. They were figuring out the best route to deliver baskets to those families who couldn’t pick up their own or had no transportation to do so. Adam’s sister Tina, who was living at the guesthouse at the winery, had left her baby in Sara’s care while she inserted coupons into the boxes that were already assembled. The Mommy Club had helped her, too, and she wanted to pay it forward.
They all did.
Sara’s husband, Jase, carried in cartons of canned goods that had been left at drop-off points. Spotting Jase, Marissa thought about Scott Donaldson’s request for her to take him on as a client and plan a Christmas event for him. If she could take on private clients like him, she wouldn’t have to ask Jase for a raise.
She wasn’t going to talk to Jase about that today. Everyone here was focused on what they were doing. She needed to wait for the right moment and do it the proper way so he didn’t think she wanted to leave Raintree Winery. She appreciated so much everything he’d done for her.
Marissa had just labeled a box with the name Croft when she spied Ty entering the social hall. What was he doing here?
Ty canvased the room, appearing to absorb every bit of activity. He nodded to Jase as he came deeper in. After all, they had met.
Ty’s gaze scanned the row of volunteers and stopped when he spotted her. Every one of his bootfalls toward her made her more aware of him. As he closed the distance between them, she felt the reactions in her body—from the shiver up her spine to the hummingbird heart rate of her pulse.
He had some kind of male pheromones that were more potent than any liquor or aphrodisiac she could imagine. One of the problems was, other women probably had the same reaction to him.
She spotted a couple of female heads turn. After all, he was the epitome of a rugged cowboy.
“Good morning,” he said with a tip of his hat, and the smile that had led her into bed with him.
“Good morning to you, too. Did you come to help?”
“I can give a hand if you need it, but I don’t belong to The Mommy Club.” Again he gave her that smile that curled her toes.
“You could. Anyone who helps belongs to The Mommy Club.” She gestured around the room. “All these baskets go to families who otherwise wouldn’t have a Thanksgiving dinner.”
His smile faded. “I know what it’s like,” he mumbled. “When my dad and I lived in Texas—” He stopped abruptly. She realized he hadn’t meant to confide anything, at least not here.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said with a shake of his head. “You’re doing good here.”
“Why did you really come?”
“I remembered seeing this food drive on the Chamber of Commerce website. I went over to your place, and when you weren’t home, I figured you might be here. I have great powers of deduction. You seem dedicated to this Mommy Club.”
“I am, and your powers of deduction were right on. Why did you want to see me?”
“I need to know if you’ve come to a decision. I’d like to start making plans.”
“Plans?”
“I want you to think about something, Marissa. My uncle has been alone for more years than I want to count. Some of that is my fault, and I want to rectify it. I haven’t come back to the Cozy C often enough, and I regret it. So this year, I’d like to give Unc a real Thanksgiving. Imagine how much more special the holiday would be if you and Jordan were living there with us.”
Sure, her finances were a consideration and Ty had suggested she’d be better off by living at the Cozy C. Not having to parent alone was also a consideration. He�
��d mentioned that, too. And she didn’t know if he was ever going to forgive her for keeping Jordan’s birth from him, for keeping the first fourteen months of their baby’s life a secret. She realized that to the bottom of her heart.
This new reason for her coming to live at the Cozy C jabbed at her emotions. Didn’t everyone need family? Didn’t everyone need a home?
Kaitlyn or Sara would include her in their celebration. There was no doubt about that. But Ty was Jordan’s father. Eli was his great-uncle. Didn’t that mean a whole lot?
Ty studied her with an intense regard. He didn’t push. Although he didn’t say “think about it,” she knew that’s what she’d do.
Instead, he said, “I’ll help out for an hour or so. I was up before dawn working on the cabins but I’m waiting for supplies to roll in. I can help Jase Cramer unload that truck out there if you think that would be of help.”
“It would,” she assured him.
He nodded. “I’ll let you know before I leave.”
The subtext to that was easy. He’d like her decision before he left.
Marissa watched him walk away, thinking about that night they’d shared. How could she help it? That night he’d been so sexy, but caring, and interested in her pleasure, too. She’d seen that caring with Jordan. She had to admit she’d like to see more of it—with both her and her baby.
An hour later she’d finished up with one station of packing boxes and was about to take a break and visit with Jordan, who was happily sitting with Sara. They were looking at a book that made animal noises. He laughed every time he pushed a spot on the page and a moo or a hee-haw blared out.
Marissa went to him and bent down. “Are you having fun?”
He looked up at her, then went back to what he was doing.
“I can see you really miss me,” she said with a laugh.
“He was watching you. He knew exactly where you were,” Sara assured her.
And Marissa had known exactly where Ty was as well as Jordan.
After unloading the truck with Jase, he’d gone on to help sort the boxes. Now he came over to Marissa and Jordan.
The Cowboy's Secret Baby (The Mommy Club Book 3) Page 6