by Judy Duarte
So he took her near the railing, where she felt more comfortable, and brought her to a slow stop. “Do you want to stay longer? Or would you like to get a bite to eat?”
“It’s been a lot of fun, but to be honest, my ankles are getting a little wobbly and sore.”
“Then let’s go.” He escorted her off the ice, then took her to a quiet spot where they could remove their skates and put on their street shoes.
“Do you like Mexican food?” he asked.
“Yes, why?”
“Because tacos sound really good to me. So let’s stop by Red. They’re hands-down the best restaurant in town.”
“Then Red it is.”
Twenty minutes later, Marcos Mendoza was welcoming them and reaching for menus.
“It’s good to see you back,” he said, as his gaze traveled from Jeremy to his date.
It was easy to see that Marcos was connecting the dots, but he was discreet enough to keep his thoughts to himself. Still, when he escorted them to a quiet little alcove with a table set for two, it was clear that he’d picked up on the romantic vibes.
Jeremy tossed him a smile, letting the younger man know that he’d read things right.
Moments later, a busboy stopped by and gave them water, a basket of warm chips and a bowl of fresh salsa.
When they were left alone, Kirsten said, “You know, it was sure nice to come home this evening and find you and Max chatting. It seemed that you two had hit it off, and I’m glad. I haven’t seen him so relaxed and happy in a long time.”
Jeremy told her why that might be, going on to mention the job at the Double Crown and the plan for him to go back to school.
“No wonder he was in a good mood.” Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “I can’t thank you enough for doing that for him. He hasn’t had anyone take him under their wing like that in ages.”
“We’ll see if he can follow through on the bargain.” Jeremy reached for a chip and dipped it into the salsa. “Maybe he’ll surprise us both.”
Kirsten brightened. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I’ve been clinging to the belief that he’s a fully capable person on the inside. So it’s nice to know that someone else sees it, too.”
Jeremy hadn’t actually seen anything—yet. He just hoped that Max would be able to hold a job on the Double Crown. And that he would register for continuing education classes and complete them. But Jeremy was a realist. And there were no guarantees. The kid had clearly been floundering for some time.
In all honesty, Jeremy had gone to bat for him on pure faith—but not in Max. He was doing it for Kirsten.
And since he liked seeing a smile light her face and basking in her happiness, he decided to let her assumptions and any doubts he might have slip by the wayside, opting to focus on the possibility that Max would turn over a new leaf and make them both proud.
“I don’t know how to thank you for what you did,” she said.
“There’s no need to do that. Maybe all he needed was a lucky break and a little advice.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” She reached for a chip and took a bite. “What kind of advice did you give him?”
“I told him that we’re all on paths leading somewhere. Some of us are destined for success, others are going nowhere. Some are even headed for ruin. But there’s only one person who can change the direction he’s heading. And the longer he waits to do that, the tougher it’ll be in the long run.”
“What did he say to that?”
“He just thought about it. Hopefully, he’ll realize the truth in what I told him and take the new path he’s got in front of him.”
Jeremy certainly hoped he would. It wasn’t very often that he went to bat for someone who wasn’t a tight friend or a close family member. And he could end up with egg on his face if Max blew the chance he’d been offered.
But the younger man’s gratitude had seemed sincere earlier this evening. And he’d promised to give adult school and the job on the Double Crown his best shot.
Jeremy supposed time would tell.
Jeremy’s surprise had turned out to be a fun, special and memorable evening. And Kirsten was sorry to see it end.
As he pulled along the curb and parked in front of her house, she wanted to invite him in for a nightcap or…whatever.
But with Max and the baby inside… Well, she was afraid that too much reality might put a damper on an otherwise dream date.
In spite of Max’s earlier mood, she knew that it could all change in a heartbeat, and she didn’t want to risk it. So she opted to tell Jeremy good-night at the front door.
“I had a good time,” she told him.
“Me, too.”
As he lowered his mouth to hers, the anticipation was almost overwhelming. Her heart opened up like a spinning kaleidoscope as she slipped her arms around his neck and lifted her lips to his.
As the kiss deepened, their breaths mingled and their tongues mated. She closed her eyes, lost in a colorful swirl of hormones, pheromones and musk.
Yet there was something else going on inside of her, something that was more than a physical reaction to an arousing kiss. And while her mind insisted it was happening too soon, that she barely knew Jeremy Fortune, it didn’t seem to matter.
He was a dedicated physician who donated time to the clinic and to people who were in need. And he’d gone above and beyond for Max, something he didn’t have to do.
So what else was there to know about him?
Jeremy Fortune was one in a million, and Kirsten couldn’t help what she was feeling. She was falling in love with him. She didn’t know if she should thank her lucky stars—or pull back and protect herself from the heartbreak. Because when he left Red Rock and returned to California, it was going to break her heart.
But she couldn’t think about that now. Not when she was locked safely in his embrace, yearning for more of his touch, more of his taste.
As the kiss finally came to an end, leaving her wanting so much more than what they’d just shared, Jeremy ran his knuckles along her cheek.
“Sleep tight,” he said, his voice husky.
“You, too.”
Then she watched him head for his car, wishing she could call him back, that she could invite him inside and ask him to stay the night.
His stay in Red Rock is only temporary, she reminded herself. Hold on to your heart.
But she feared it was too late for that.
As she let herself into the house, closing the door quietly behind her, she overheard Max talking on the telephone in one of the bedrooms. She didn’t usually listen in on his calls, but she couldn’t help tuning into this one.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” he said, his voice loud enough to wake the baby. “Is this a joke, Courtney? I knew something wasn’t adding up.”
Kirsten froze in her tracks, then slowly eased closer to the hallway that led to the bedrooms. She wished she could hear both sides of the conversation, but would settle for hearing only one.
“So I’m not listed as the father on his birth certificate?” Max asked. “Then who is?”
Kirsten hung on to each beat of the lull in conversation.
“Oh, for cripe’s sake, Courtney. What do you mean you don’t have his birth certificate? The hospital had to have given you one when you checked out after having him.”
Kirsten wished she could hear the explanation Courtney was giving.
A surge of uneasiness rushed through her, as she realized that Max might not have legal custody of Anthony.
She wondered what rights he actually had.
Could he even take the child to the doctor if he was sick? And what if Courtney wanted the baby back?
Should he take a paternity test?
Max swore under his breath, then slammed the receiver down hard. Clearly, whatever Courtney had said upset him.
Kirsten waited in the living room, near the hallway.
She was almost afraid to confront him, to ruin the sense of calm she’d bee
n expecting from him when she got home tonight. But how could she not let him know what she’d overheard?
So she eased to the doorway of the bedroom, where Anthony was lying on the center of the bed. Max sat on the edge, near the telephone.
“I couldn’t help overhearing a bit of your conversation with Courtney,” she said. “What was that all about?”
Max blew out a sigh, then raked a hand through his hair. “Courtney’s a flake.”
Kirsten had gotten that vibe the first time she’d met her, but Max had been so smitten that he hadn’t seen it back then. But rather than blurt out an I-told-you-so or make him feel any worse than he did right now, she tried to be respectful of him and whatever he was going through.
So she took a seat on the side of the bed, next to him. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really, but I probably should.” He rolled his eyes, then heaved a sigh. “When Courtney and I split up seven months ago, I didn’t even know she was pregnant. Heck, I was completely shocked when she showed up with Anthony last week.”
“I can understand your surprise. But I really admire you for stepping up to the plate and being such a good dad.”
“That’s just it,” Max said. “To be honest, I’m not sure if the baby is mine or not.”
“Did she just tell you that?”
“Not exactly. I had my doubts before. But how could I turn away a child that could be my flesh and blood?”
Kirsten saw the angst in his eyes, and her heart swelled with pride that he’d taken in the baby and was assuming responsibility, even if there was some question as to Anthony’s paternity.
“We can have his DNA checked,” she said.
But what would they do if the baby didn’t belong to Max? Just hand him back to Courtney?
God, Kirsten couldn’t do that to the poor little guy. He deserved so much better.
“Where is she?” Kirsten asked.
“I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me. Apparently, she’s hiding out.”
That was really strange. Kirsten glanced at Anthony, who hadn’t asked to be born, to be pawned off on a man who might or might not be his father. And her heart went out to him.
What would make a woman walk away from her own child? If Kirsten had a baby, she’d want him to be with her all the time.
Was Courtney really a flake, like Max had said? Or was she in some kind of serious trouble?
Kirsten bit down on her bottom lip. “Do you think we ought to try to find her? Maybe she’s in trouble and needs our help.”
Max chuffed. “I’d have to say that looking out for Anthony is a big help to her already.”
“But you don’t have legal custody.” Kirsten tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “And that could be a problem.”
“I don’t know,” Max said. “I need some time to think about what to do.”
Kirsten might have pushed or prodded him in the past, but she was learning to respect him, to let him make those calls from here on out.
As Anthony began to cry, Kirsten turned to him and picked him up. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
“He’s hungry,” Max said. “I’ll get his bottle.”
Kirsten held the baby close and kissed his head, her lips skimming his downy soft hair. A maternal feeling fluttered over her, and she wasn’t sure if she should be happy or sad.
What if she bonded with Anthony, only to learn that Max wasn’t his father? What if she had to hand him back to Courtney?
Her heart crunched at the thought—not so much at losing him, but being forced to hand him over to someone who might not be good to him.
“Everything is going to be okay,” she whispered, hoping she could keep her promise. “You can trust me, Anthony. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
When Max returned with the bottle of formula and handed it to her, she placed the nipple into Anthony’s mouth, then watched the baby greedily latch on as if he were starving.
“Was he good for you?” she asked her brother.
“Yeah. He and I watched a little TV. The last two nights he didn’t wake up until four, so I decided to keep him up tonight. I thought he might sleep until morning.”
“That might work. I guess we’ll have to see what happens.” As Kirsten fed the baby, she studied his sweet little face. He was precious, whether he was Max’s baby or not. And he really deserved a better mom than Courtney.
She looked at the phone, wondering if she ought to call Jeremy and ask his advice. He was so wise, so levelheaded. He would know just what to do, what steps they ought to take.
But she couldn’t dump this on him. He didn’t need to deal with all the Courtney drama.
Is that what you’re really worried about? an inner voice asked, forcing her to face the ugly truth. You’re not trying to protect Jeremy, you’re trying to protect yourself and the whisper of a dream that might come true.
A momentary rush of guilt swept over her as she realized that was just what she was doing.
She might have come to the conclusion that she was falling for him, but ever since meeting him in the parking lot of the clinic, she’d told herself that a relationship with her was just a passing fancy to him. That it wouldn’t last, that he’d return to California and not look back. But she wasn’t so sure about that anymore.
After all, he’d gone above and beyond to help her brother, getting him a job on the family-owned ranch.
That had to mean something.
He had to be seeing the possibility of a future with her. She’d felt it in the heat of his touch, seen it in the intensity in his gaze.
And if that were the case, she wasn’t about to do anything that might mar the beauty of what they were feeling or destroy the dream that had taken root in her heart.
Sure, all the stars would need to align first. And she would have to pray that her luck held out. But she couldn’t still the rising hope that one day she would become… Jeremy Fortune’s wife.
Chapter Eight
On Saturday morning, Jeremy drove to Kirsten’s house to pick up Max and take him to the Double Crown. He wanted to personally introduce Kirsten’s brother to both Lily and Ruben.
He also looked forward to spending some time on the ranch hanging out with the hands, something he hadn’t done since he’d been in high school.
After parking his car at the curb, he walked up the steps to the porch. But before he could lift his hand to ring the bell, Max swung open the door, boasting a Texas-size grin.
“I really appreciate you taking me out to the Double Crown,” he said.
“No problem.”
Max, who was dressed in a black T-shirt, worn jeans and a pair of scuffed boots, held an old Stetson in his hands. He was clearly ready to go, but Jeremy didn’t want to take off without getting a chance to talk to Kirsten.
Before he could ask to see her, she slipped up behind her brother.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey,” he repeated.
A buzz of attraction and a temporary lull in conversation left him feeling a little bit like a love-struck teen who’d been approached by the head cheerleader and was struggling to find his voice.
Kirsten was wearing a pair of jeans and a white blouse today. Her hair hung loose on her shoulders, and her eyes seemed especially blue. Just looking at her set his heart on end.
“Does Max need a lunch or anything?” she asked. “I made one just in case, and packed it in a cooler.”
“No, he’ll be fine. The Double Crown provides meals for their hands.”
There was another lull, another awkward moment.
Jeremy really needed to go, to get the show on the road, but with Kirsten standing there, close enough to catch a whiff of her floral-scented shampoo, close enough to touch, his feet seemed to take root on the porch.
There was, he supposed, only one way to remedy that.
“Would you like to take a ride out to the Double Crown with us?” he asked her. “You can meet Lily while you’re t
here.”
Her eyes sparked and her smile deepened. “It sounds like fun.” Then her expression began to fade. “But I probably shouldn’t barge in on her like that.”
“You’d be keeping her company,” Jeremy said, realizing there was a second reason to take Kirsten along. “It’ll do Lily good to have someone to talk to.”
Waiting for word on Jeremy’s dad had taken a real toll on her. Hell, it had taken a toll on all of them.
“Then that settles it,” Kirsten said. “If you wouldn’t mind transferring Anthony’s car seat from my vehicle to yours, I’ll pack his diaper bag.”
At that, Max chimed in. “I’ll make the switch. I just need both sets of keys.”
Moments later, they were all seated in Jeremy’s rented sedan and heading out of town.
Max was unusually talkative, which was a pleasant surprise. His attitude had certainly made a complete one-eighty turn, and Jeremy hoped that meant he was going to work hard at proving himself to both Ruben and Lily. If he didn’t, they wouldn’t keep him around.
When they reached the ranch, both Kirsten and Max scanned the acres upon acres of grazing land that lined the road.
“I can’t get over the size of the place,” Kirsten said.
Max merely studied the expanse of property in awe.
As they reached the sandstone wall that surrounded the buildings and the living area, Jeremy gave them a little of the history.
“Ryan Fortune’s father, Kingston, bought this place nearly fifty years ago. Back then, the original house was a simple adobe structure with a flat roof trimmed with rough-hewn wood and tile. It had the same sand color as the wall around it now. But over time, as Kingston’s family and his holdings grew, he added on and made renovations. But he did his best to maintain its original style.”
“It’s beautiful,” Kirsten said.
Jeremy agreed.
Max, on the other hand, seemed taken by the large barn of weathered wood that stabled horses, the corral and fenced-off areas for branding time and the outbuildings. When he noticed the three-bedroom ranch-style home in the distance, he asked, “Who lives there?”