To Catch a Camden

by Victoria Pade

  She was going to have a baby and the father would never be around to be a part of the child’s life. That was serious. And, unfortunately, a fact that couldn’t be changed.

  Trying to keep a positive smile on her face, she shook her head. “Nothing life threatening. I’m fine.”

  “Good. Then let’s get out of this place. I’m not exactly fond of hospital emergency rooms.” Taking her by the elbow, he urged her toward the exit doors, and as they moved forward she was acutely aware of the strength of his hand, the nearness of his big frame. At least she’d had the good sense to faint in front of a man with enough muscle to save her from a nasty fall, she thought.

  “I parked the truck not far from the entrance,” he informed her. “But if you’re still feeling shaky, I’ll pick you up beneath the portico.”

  She hadn’t asked Jett Sundell to meet her at the airport. But when she’d informed him that she’d be arriving today, he’d insisted on meeting her plane and driving her to the hotel. He’d offered because he represented the Calhoun family, the people she’d come to Nevada to meet. She’d never intended to cause him so much inconvenience.

  “No need for that. I can make the walk,” she told him. “And I apologize, Mr. Sundell, for putting you through all this.”

  “Call me Jett. And as for the fainting—forget it. I always wondered what it was like for Roy Rogers or Gene Autry when the damsel in distress fainted in their arms,” he said with a grin. “Now I know.”

  For the past three months her life had been a whirl of grief, shock and confusion. By mere chance, she’d learned she was adopted. Then the man she was beginning to truly care for had been tragically killed. The combined trauma had left her in such a fog she’d not noticed anything going on around her. But now Jett Sundell’s presence was penetrating that daze, making it very hard for Sassy to ignore him.

  Working on the Chaparral, a huge cattle ranch down in New Mexico that was owned by the Cantrell family, she’d seen plenty of tough, rugged men. But there was something about this man that set him apart and demanded way too much of her attention. Especially when she needed to focus on the news she’d just been handed by the doctor.

  Outside the building, the afternoon sun was bright in a cloudless sky. A faint wind was blowing from the west, where a tall ridge of mountains towered over the city. Sassy had worn a light green coat over her dress, and the extra clothing felt good against the brisk January air.

  When they reached a black pickup truck with a brand of J Bar S emblazoned on the door, he helped her into the passenger seat. Sassy supposed it was the same vehicle he’d placed her in after she’d fainted, but she couldn’t remember their trip to the hospital. One minute she and Jett had been talking in the airport, and the next thing she’d known she was in a curtained cubicle with a nurse standing over her. And now she felt very grateful to this man. Even bonded to him, in some weird way.

  Sucking in a deep breath, she watched him settle his tall frame behind the steering wheel. She had to speak up now, she thought, otherwise it was going to make things even worse.

  “Mr. Sundell—I mean, Jett—before we go any further, we need to talk.”

  Instead of jamming the key into the ignition, he squared around in the seat so that he was facing her, and Sassy’s attention was immediately captured by his craggy features. The grin on his face was causing a dent in his left cheek and his dark brown eyes were studying her in a way that gave her the impression he was enjoying the moment. Which didn’t make sense. No normal man wanted to deal with an emotional female.

  “Okay,” he said. “Fire away. I have plenty of time if you do.”

  Feeling a blush sting her cheeks, she glanced away. Before now, talking one-on-one to a man had never been difficult for Sassy. But what she had to say was so personal, and Jett was such a rugged, masculine man.

  “This isn’t easy and I don’t even know how to say it. But I think I should cancel the meeting with the Calhouns.”

  As soon as she spoke the words, a look of comical confusion spread over his face. “Cancel! Are you kidding me? After flying all the way out here?”

  “I’m sorry,” she said feebly. “I realize you’ve gone to so much trouble—first to meet me at the airport and then this whole hospital thing. I feel awful about wasting your time.”

  “I’ve had trouble before, Ms. Matthews. And you’re not trouble. At least, not yet. But I do think I deserve an explanation.”

  Thrusting a hand into her tumbled red hair, she shoved it back from her face while trying to force her breathing to an even pace. “You have to be thinking I must be the silliest woman you’ve ever encountered. But everything has suddenly changed.”

  “Sudden is an understatement, Ms. Matthews. Two weeks ago, when we talked on the phone, you were champing at the bit to meet the Calhouns. And hardly more than an hour ago at the airport you were gung-ho to see them. I don’t get any of this. I thought seeing the Calhouns, Finn in particular, was important to you.”

  No doubt about it, she was looking worse than an idiot right now, Sassy thought. “I’m Sassy to you, not Ms. Matthews. And let me assure you that everything about coming here to Nevada was—is important to me.”

  The square corners of his mouth twisted to a skeptical slant. “Why? Because you believe there’s a million-to-one chance the Calhouns might somehow be connected to your biological parents?”

  She shot him an annoyed look. She’d already explained to this man why she was here. Why was he questioning her again? Especially now that she wanted to leave? “You sound just like a lawyer.”

  “I am a lawyer,” he reminded her.

  And she couldn’t let herself forget it, Sassy thought. Instead of seeing him as a sexy cowboy with feelings, she needed to remember that he represented the Calhoun family. Everything she told this man would most likely be repeated to them.

  “Well, since you feel the need to cross-examine me, I don’t mind answering. Although I don’t understand the need. We discussed all this before I came out here. Or have you forgotten?”

  The sardonic grunt he made brought her gaze back around to him.

  Sassy had a spirited nature that matched her red hair. Any other time she wouldn’t have hesitated to spit fire back at this man. But learning she was pregnant must have done something to her. Instead of using fighting words, she was fighting back tears.

  “I agree it sounds a little far-fetched. At first I didn’t give Barry’s suggestion a second thought. Just because he thought I looked like a friend of his, this Finn Calhoun from the Silver Horn Ranch— Well, it was amusing. We both laughed about it. Then Barry invited me to join him in Canada for a few days where he was going to be competing in a rodeo. I needed a passport to travel there and—”

  “In order to obtain one, you had to have a certified birth certificate,” he finished for her. “I recall you explaining all of that. But hadn’t you seen your birth certificate before? And didn’t you have family who would have said something?”

  She let out a pent-up breath. She’d been in such a daze these past few weeks, she couldn’t remember exactly what information she’d given to this man. “If my late grandparents knew about the adoption, they never told me. I don’t have any other close relatives that might have known the truth. As for the certificate, all my family papers burned years ago when I was seventeen. Before that happened there wasn’t any need for me to see the document. Anyway, that same fire killed my parents, took my home, everything. I just happened to be staying with a friend that night. Otherwise, I would’ve probably perished with them.”

  “Sorry,” he said ruefully. “I’m not trying to be insensitive, Sassy.”

  This man was rattling her, and it had nothing to do with the questions he was asking. His dark, rugged features and muscled frame seemed to fill up the whole left side of the truck, making it difficult for her to breathe, m
uch less think. And those brown eyes—they were warm enough to melt butter.

  “It’s a jumbled explanation, really. But I’ll try. You see, I applied to the state for a new birth certificate, and when the new document arrived in the mail I was stunned to discover that I’d actually been adopted from an orphanage in Santa Fe. I immediately drove up there and visited the orphanage, but they couldn’t tell me anything.”

  “Couldn’t or wouldn’t? Adoption files always have a tight lock,” he said.

  She shook her head. “They don’t know where I came from. I was left there mysteriously—in the night. A few days later, I was still reeling from that discovery when I got word of Barry’s death. All together, it knocked me for a loop.”

  The skepticism on his face disappeared as he shook his head. “That’s understandable.”

  Not wanting him to see the despair in her eyes, she glanced out the windshield. She wasn’t a loser or a whiner. She’d always kept her back straight and her chin high. And that strong woman was the one she wanted Jett Sundell to see.

  “I was still going around like a zombie trying to come to terms with everything when I got a letter from Finn Calhoun saying he’d like to meet me. That’s when Frankie Cantrell, my employer on the Chaparral Ranch, suggested that I make the trip out here. In fact, she and her family even treated me to this trip.”

  He nodded. “Finn told me about his friend Barry sending him a picture of you. He said you looked enough like him to be his sister. And I admit there’s a strong resemblance—I recognized you right away. I just hadn’t been aware Finn had written to you until a few days ago, when you called the ranch’s business office.”

  Suddenly clearing his throat, he twisted the key in the ignition and the engine sprang to life. “It’s getting cool. We need the heater.” As he fiddled with the controls on the dashboard, he said, “I apologize again if I sounded like I’m cross-examining you, Sassy. It’s just that families like the Calhouns...well, they can sometimes be the objects of—”

  “Con artists,” she finished flatly. “Gold diggers or nutcases. I appreciate it’s your job to shield them from that sort of thing. But Finn did invite me to come for a visit. It’s not like I took it upon myself to make this trip. Actually, if Frankie hadn’t pushed me, I wouldn’t be here at all. And it’s not really like I expect anything. But it’s been a rough few weeks and this was a chance to get away—to have a bit of a rest from everything else that’s going on. And maybe discover some information that could help me find my birth family.”

  After studying her for a long, thoughtful moment, he said, “What are you going to do, then? Disappoint her by racing back home?”

  “You don’t understand. I—” She paused, unable to come out with the real crux of her problem.

  “Look,” he said impatiently. “If you’re getting cold feet about meeting the Calhouns, then don’t. They’re just normal folks like you and me.”

  Under any other circumstances, Sassy would have burst out laughing. She’d been raised in a very modest home. And after her adoptive parents died, all she’d been left with had been a small amount of money from their life insurance, a few changes of clothing and an old pickup truck. For the past seven years she’d supported herself by working as a maid for the Cantrells. And though she hardly lived in poverty, she was so far down the totem pole from folks like the Calhouns that it was ridiculous.

  “Normal? Jett, their normal would be a far cry from mine. But that’s not the reason I’m having second thoughts about meeting the Calhouns.” She drew in a deep, bracing breath. “Okay, I’ll just go ahead and say it. A few minutes ago the doctor told me that I—I’m pregnant.”

  A look of confusion washed over his face. “Pregnant? Are you saying you didn’t know until just now?”

  Just getting the word out gave her a measure of relief. “I’ve not been feeling exactly like myself lately, but I put it down to stress. The news about the baby was quite a shock. So maybe you can understand why I think I should go home to New Mexico.”

  “Why?” he insisted. “Is there an immediate problem with your health?”

  She pressed fingertips to her forehead and tried to slow the chaotic spin of her thoughts. “No. But surely you can see why my mind isn’t exactly on meeting Finn and the other Calhouns right now.”

  “I can see that you’re probably anxious to get home and share the news with your husband.”

  Even though she had no reason to be embarrassed, a blush moved over her cheeks. He didn’t understand. And why should he? During the brief conversations she’d had with this man, she’d never mentioned whether she was single or married. She’d never really clarified her relationship with Barry, either. And now, because she was pregnant, he’d simply assumed she had a husband.

  “That would be nice—if I had a husband. But I don’t. The baby’s father is—was Barry Landers.”

  His brows shot up. “Barry Landers! I didn’t realize you were that close.”

  The blush on her face grew even hotter. “We were more than friends. And now— The baby changes everything.” Bending her head, she closed her burning eyes. “Meeting with the Calhouns doesn’t seem that important anymore.”

  Suddenly she felt his hand settle on her shoulders, and even through the thickness of her coat she could feel its warmth spreading through her, reminding her that she wasn’t completely alone.

  “Besides your adoptive parents, do you have any other family?” he asked gently.

  His words brought her head up and she stared at him through misty eyes.

  “As I said, all my grandparents are deceased. There’re two distant cousins up in Oregon. I’ve never met them, though.”

  He grimaced. “Then the way I see it, you being pregnant makes meeting the Calhouns even more important. If they can help you find your real parents, it would be good for the baby to have roots and a medical history.”

  Fishing a tissue from her coat pocket, she dabbed her eyes, then lifted her chin. “That’s true. But I figure that snow falling in Death Valley would be more likely to happen than me learning I belonged on a branch of the Calhoun family tree. And so do you.”

  Her reply put a clever arch to his brow. “Did I agree to that assumption?”

  What was he doing, she wondered, playing some sort of game with her? With this man it was hard to tell exactly what he was thinking or feeling.

  “Not exactly. But—”

  He put the truck in reverse and quickly backed out of the parking slot as though everything had just been settled. “Call the hotel and cancel your reservations. You’re going home with me.”

  Dumbfounded, Sassy stared at him. “What are you talking about? I’m not going home with you. I barely know you.”

  He suddenly chuckled and the sound helped to ease her tense nerves.

  “If you’re worried about my character I’ll stop by the sheriff’s department. Rafe, one of the Calhoun brothers, works as a detective in Carson City and the outlying county. He, or any of the other deputies, can vouch that I’m a man of honor.”

  “I don’t need a character reference! I hardly think a prominent family like the Calhouns would employ a sleazeball for their lawyer. I’m thinking of all the bother I’ll cause your family by barging into your home.”

  “That might be so—if I had a family. But I’m a bachelor.”

  Even though he had that wild and free look about him, the news that he was a single man set her back somewhat. At his age a man usually had a wedding band on his finger and kids at home. Clearly Jett Sundell was not the typical sort.

  “Even so, I’m not sure that going to your house is the right thing to do.”

  “Actually, it’s more than a house,” he corrected her. “It’s a ranch. The J Bar S. And before you jump to conclusions, it’s nothing like the Calhouns’. Just a little spread of my own. But it
’s comfortable. And I think the solitude is just what you need. Besides, if you decide to faint again I want to be around to catch you.”

  For some reason, his show of concern brought another rush of moisture to her eyes. She blinked it away and swallowed hard. “I’m not going to faint again,” she said flatly.

  “How do you know? Your face still looks like a bowl of flour.”

  “As soon as I get to my hotel room I’ll lie down and rest,” she argued. “And if I need help, I’ll have my phone with me.”

  “How are you going to use the phone if you’re lying on the floor in a dead faint? No,” he said emphatically, “it’s decided. You’re coming with me.”

  “But—”

  “Look, if you’re worried about being alone in the house with a man you’ve just met, forget it. My older sister lives with me.”

  “Oh.”

  He looked at her and grinned. “I’ll take that as a word of disappointment.”

  Straightening her shoulders, she settled back in her seat. “It was nothing of the sort. That was a word of confusion. My head is so mixed up right now it feels like it’s going to burst.”

  He pressed on the accelerator and positioned the truck in a faster-moving lane of traffic. “That’s what a good lawyer is for. To help a person who’s confused and in need.”

  She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. There didn’t appear to be a tense muscle in his body and somehow that helped to calm her racing mind.

  “I don’t know if you’re a good, bad or otherwise lawyer.”

  He chuckled again. “Guess you’ll have to find that out for yourself.”

  She wasn’t here in Carson City to bandy words with a sexy cowboy parading as a lawyer, or vice versa, she thought. She was here to meet the Calhouns and hopefully find some sort of clue to her past, her parentage and perhaps even her future.

  Ignoring his last remark, she stared out the windshield at the passing shops and busy traffic. The desert town was totally different from the New Mexico mountains where she’d lived all of her life.