Carrying the Rancher's Heir

by Charlene Sands

  In only her most selective, perfect fantasies did she entertain thoughts of a future with Taggart Worth. She wouldn’t use the baby as bait to lure him into a relationship. She wouldn’t trap him into marriage. Yes, he had a right to know about the baby, but not yet. Shoving aside the guilt that burdened her by not revealing the truth to him, Callie held firm to her convictions. She needed a little time and a chance to win him over. She’d fallen in love with him and wanted nothing less in return. Before she told him she carried his child.

  Callie had set the wheels in motion. Tomorrow she would begin working with the Worths at Penny’s Song.

  Two

  Tagg’s eyes nearly crossed as he stared at the computer screen. He’d been intent on doing an inventory of Worth Ranch holdings and had spent the better part of the morning staring at numbers.

  Tagg’s office space, which was an appendage of his main house, consisted of three rooms. The room where Tagg would conduct business if need be, he had designed himself. Rough wood beams angled across the ceilings, wall-to-wall walnut bookshelves and cabinets spread across the entire perimeter, and his wide desk faced the door. The other two rooms were smaller with walls painted in rustic gold. One he used as a makeshift lounge area, complete with a wet bar, built-in refrigerator and a chocolate leather sofa. The other room was where he kept old file cabinets and outdated equipment. All of the Worths’ business machines and electronics were state of the art now, upon Jackson’s insistence.

  “Enough,” he muttered as he shut down the computer. He squeezed his eyes closed for a moment. At the age of thirty-one he was too damn young to be feeling so weary before noon.

  “You’re doing too much,” his brother Jackson said as he walked into the office. “Why the heck don’t you break down and get yourself some help? A secretary, for Pete’s sake. You know, someone who can answer phones and file, crunch those numbers you’re staring at too long.”

  “When the hell did you get here?” Tagg asked, baffled. He was concentrating so hard on his work, he hadn’t heard Jackson drive up and walk into his office.

  “Don’t change the subject. You know I’m right.”

  Tagg glared at him. His brother was two years older and a whole lot more polished than Tagg. He wore six-hundred-dollar snakeskin boots and dressed like a fashion model for Cowboys & Indians magazine. He operated the Worth offices in downtown Phoenix.

  “I’m thinking about it.” He hated to admit it. His brothers were always on his case about hiring someone to help out. The trouble was that Tagg liked the solitude of the ranch. He liked keeping his own hours without answering to anyone. He liked being alone with his thoughts. An employee would cramp his style.

  In his younger days, he’d spend all-nighters with the rodeo boys, drinking whiskey until the sun came up without one iota of sleep. But his eyes never burned like they did now, spending hours in front of the computer screen. Of course, after a long bender like that, he’d felt no pain anywhere on his body.

  Tagg smiled thinking about his crazy rodeo days and the friends he’d left behind. But then, dark memories immediately flooded in, reminding him why he left the rodeo.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear you’re thinking about it,” Jackson remarked. “I can have Betty Sue take a look at the list of résumés we have at the main office. That woman is great at hiring the right employees for the company.”

  Tagg waved him off. “Maybe. But not now.”

  Jackson persisted with a coaxing smile. “There’s no time like the present.”

  Tagg rose from his seat and shot his brother a look. “Give it a rest. I said I’ll think about it.”

  Jackson took Tagg’s suggestion and shrugged with nonchalance. “Fine with me. So, are you helping this afternoon with Clay’s project?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be there. He wants me to pick out the right horses for the kids coming to the ranch. You going?” He gave the tailored suit his brother was wearing the once-over.

  “Not today. I have a meeting in the middle of the day. Gotta get back to Phoenix.”

  “Something important?”

  “Maybe. I’m thinking the Worths should get into the restaurant business.”

  Tagg shook his head. “What?”

  “Could be a really sweet deal. We could franchise, eventually.”

  Tagg shook his head. Jackson was the go-getter in the family and had done very well for himself outside of Worth Enterprises. He had a gift when it came to making money. “That’s out of our comfort zone a tad bit, isn’t it?”

  Jackson smiled wide. “Nah. I’m thinking it’s time to broaden our horizons.”

  “Cattle, land development and now restaurants? You’ve got too much time on your hands, Jack.”

  “Not true, I’m busier than ever.”

  “Then maybe you need some outside interests that don’t include work.”

  “Look who’s talking,” Jackson said with a grin. “This, coming from a man who doesn’t step foot off Worth land. Maybe you need to get a life.”

  “I’ve got a life, right here. I’m not a recluse. I go out.” Rarely. But he did venture out on occasion. The last time he left town, he’d gone to Reno and had a sizzling hot night of sex with a sultry brunette.

  “Okay, whatever you say. You got some time to feed me before you head over to Penny’s Song?”

  “Yeah, I think I can wrangle us up some lunch.”

  An hour later, Tagg got into his Jeep Cherokee and drove over to the Penny’s Song site. He had to hand it to his brother. Clayton Worth, country-western superstar, had retired from singing at the ripe old age of thirty-seven to live a simpler life on the ranch. Along the way, he’d had the inspiration for Penny’s Song and was making it a reality. All three brothers had pooled their resources and invested in its development. But Tagg felt close to this project for his own reasons.

  He climbed out of his Jeep and studied the construction site. At least a dozen workmen applied their trade, though most of the major construction was complete. Shingles were being nailed down, barn doors were being set on hinges and new buildings forming an old-town-style street were wet with paint announcing Sheriff’s Office and General Store. The Red Ridge Saloon had an attached kitchen where the meals would be served. The bunkhouse where the kids would sleep would be run by well-screened volunteers.

  “It’s coming along,” Clay said, walking up to him. He pushed his hat back on his head.

  “It’s looking better than I imagined. The kids are gonna love it.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  Tagg captured his brother’s attention. “So, no hard feelings about the other day?”

  Clay chuckled and shook his head. “You mean when you barked at me for not turning down The Hawk’s daughter? Nah. No hard feelings. I’ve never held Callie responsible for her old man’s doings. Even after you explained he’d just beaten us out of a big deal, I can’t fault her. She’s capable and more than qualified. Our mama didn’t raise no fool,” he said with a grin. “I know a good thing when I see it.”

  Tagg held his tongue as Clay continued, “Fact is, she came up with a great idea for the general store. The kids are gonna get tokens every time they complete a chore. And then they can barter them for something in the general store. She’s donating little prizes and gifts to put in there.”

  “That so?” Tagg had to admit it was a good idea. What child wouldn’t feel a sense of accomplishment being given a little reward for a job well done? His own father had instilled in all three of his sons the idea that hard work paid off. If you do a good job, you reap the benefits. “You should’ve thought of it.”

  Clay’s eyes gleamed. “Maybe, but I was smart enough to hire on a pretty gal who knows child psychology. I’m taking full credit for that.”

  Before Tagg could respond, his thoughts were interrupted by a burst of laughter coming from behind him. He turned around to find Callie Sullivan in the midst of a group of workmen by the barn, her head thrown back in amusement. All of the men in on the
joke had their eyes on her, laughing along with her.

  Something churned inside his gut. Seeing her again, smiling and happy around the crew, put him in a foul mood. She looked beautiful, even in faded jeans and a soft plaid work shirt with her hair pulled into a ponytail. She didn’t need frills to get him hot and bothered. Didn’t need her hair wild and loose to remember how soft those strands felt falling through his fingers.

  She turned her head and caught him staring, then smiled wide, her dark eyes still glistening with mirth. She lifted her hand in a slight wave.

  “There she is,” Clay said. He immediately gestured for her to come over. “I was darn surprised when she landed on my doorstep the other day inquiring about Penny’s Song. I hadn’t seen her in years.” Clay narrowed his eyes and shot a glance Tagg’s way. “But then, she stopped by your place, too, didn’t she? Enough to get you riled.”

  Tagg bit his tongue. He’d seen enough of Callie Sullivan to occupy his dreams. “She didn’t rile me,” he said through tight lips. With Callie fast approaching, he couldn’t say much more to his brother.

  “Hi, boys.”

  Callie smiled at him then focused her attention on Clay. A piece of straw was stuck to her hair and Tagg had an uncanny urge to pluck it free. He focused on that strand of gold sticking out while Callie engaged in conversation with his brother.

  “I’m so proud to be a part of this, Clay. Don’t forget, I’ll be happy to help with fundraisers, too. I’ve got some ideas that might bring the community together on this.”

  “That’s real thoughtful, Callie.” Clay reached up and pulled that piece of straw from her hair. Tagg ground his teeth, watching Callie touch her hair and smile at his brother, like he’d just cured world hunger.

  “Oh, thanks.”

  Clay nodded and continued, “We’re depending on volunteers right now, but eventually, if all goes well, we’ll need more funds and have to hire on permanent help.”

  “Keep me in mind.”

  Clay smiled. “I surely will.” He turned to Tagg. “Actually, I’m glad you’re both here. I’ve got a job for the two of you.”

  Callie shot Tagg a quick look then focused back on Clay. “Okay, I’m ready for whatever you have in mind.”

  “We need to decide which horses will work best for the kids. Their ages range from six to thirteen. We need the tamest of the string, the horses with the most patience. We can’t afford to give up too many of our own trained cutting horses, but if you could select a few for now from our stables then we’ll go from there.”

  Tagg could do this with his eyes closed. There was no need to involve Callie.

  “I’d love to,” Callie said immediately.

  “I can get this done, Clay,” Tagg stated. “If you need Callie for something else.”

  Callie turned his way and he sensed her stare. He kept his gaze trained on his brother, not willing to see the recrimination in her eyes.

  Clay shook his head. “No. I need you both for this. You each know horses, but Callie’s worked with children. And since none of us Worths have been around kids much, the two of you will make a good team.”

  Tagg shrugged, giving up. Wasn’t as though he couldn’t spend an afternoon with Callie without jumping her bones. “Fine. We’ll pick out a few gentle mares from the string.”

  Clay glanced at his watch and winced. “I’m running late. I’m gonna have to leave the crew in your hands today. I’ve got an appointment in town. Tagg, keep those boys in line for me. Seems every one of them is already smitten with Callie.” Clay winked at her and the sound of her sweet throaty chuckle set Tagg’s nerves on edge.

  “Something tells me Callie can take care of herself.”

  Clay narrowed his eyes and the conversation quickly died.

  After a few seconds of silence, Callie chimed in, “Now, don’t you go worrying about me. Those boys are treating me just fine.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Clay darted them each a curious look as if trying to figure out something.

  Tagg set his jaw, waiting for his brother to leave.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Clay said finally, then bid them farewell.

  Tagg stood alone with Callie in front of the general store. They stared at each other for a few uncomfortable seconds until Callie’s smile brought him up short. “Well, I’m glad I stopped by your house the other day to break the ice. Because that wasn’t awkward.”

  Callie’s remark broke the tension. Tagg relaxed and sent her a smile. “Do you always blurt out whatever’s on your mind?”

  Callie smiled back and her caramel eyes lit up. “Yeah, most times I do.”

  “What about those other times, when you don’t? How does that work for you?”

  Callie thought about it for one second then replied, “It works fine. When I keep my words in check, it’s usually to keep the peace with my father.”

  “The Hawk,” Tagg bit out.

  “My father.”

  “Are you afraid of him?”

  “Heavens, no. Let’s just say it’s usually easier to deal with him without hysterical drama. Which is what it would be if I really let loose on him.”

  “So you hold back.”

  “I deal with him in my own way and, most times, I’m successful at making my point. What about you, Tagg? Do you always hold in your feelings?”

  Tagg didn’t like speaking about feelings. What man did? “What feelings are you talking about exactly?”

  Callie got a distant look on her face and then blinked it away. “Scared feelings. Like leaving a girl a note on the hotel bed instead of facing her.”

  Tagg wasn’t going there. He chose to ignore Callie’s comment. It was safer that way for both of them. He put his hand to her lower back and applied slight pressure. “Let’s get to those horses. I’ll drive.”

  They strode toward the Jeep in silence, Tagg aware of Callie right beside him. Her unique scent wafted up to tease his nostrils and remind him of things he wanted forgotten. His foul mood kicked up a notch. When they reached the vehicle, he opened the door for her before he walked to the driver’s side and got in. He turned the engine key and gave it gas, but didn’t put it in gear. Hesitating, he stared out the dashboard window.

  They’d both entered into the one-night fling. Callie wasn’t completely off the hook. She’d done her part in tempting him beyond his willpower. But Tagg never shied away from his responsibilities. And he had felt responsible for what had happened between them because he knew going in that Callie Sullivan was off-limits for more than one good reason. She was the daughter of his biggest competitor. She was his neighbor and a woman he’d be bumping into at times. But perhaps most importantly, Tagg knew Callie wasn’t the one-night stand kind of woman. She didn’t play loose and fast, which was the only kind of woman Tagg ever got involved with these days.

  After mulling it over in his mind, Tagg figured an explanation was exactly what was needed. Basically, he was an up front kind of guy. He liked to lay things on the line. “Callie, I wasn’t afraid of anything. I had to leave and didn’t want to wake you. That’s the truth.”

  “The whole truth?” she asked.

  With an inward sigh, he rested his arm across the steering wheel and turned to probe deep into her eyes. “Look, I don’t want to be a jerk about this. But that night wasn’t about feelings.”

  “That’s a lie.”

  “Okay, it was about feelings, but not my feelings for you.”

  “I know that. You were hurting.”

  “Yeah, I was and you were there. Easy. Convenient. Beautiful.”

  Callie’s eyes grew round with stunned surprise and then they squeezed shut. “Oh.”

  Tagg cursed under his breath.

  She squeezed her eyes even tighter as if to ward off the pain he’d just caused. When she opened them she nodded quickly. “Got it.”

  “I didn’t say that right.” He felt like a heel and hated every second of this conversation. Moments like this one were the reason he didn’t get involved wi
th women anymore.

  “Oh, no. You made yourself perfectly clear.”

  Callie refused to look at him. She stared straight ahead, her body as rigid as an ancient statue. Tagg put the Jeep in gear and drove toward the Worth stables. About five minutes into the ride, Callie shocked him when she began making small talk, seemingly fully recovered from his callous words. “You know I went to Boston College for four years. I only came home for short summer stays and holidays.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He glanced at her. She appeared more relaxed and looked him square in the eyes.

  “You know?”

  He shrugged. “Nothing’s a secret in a small town. We all thought The Hawk’s only child couldn’t wait to get as far away from him as possible.”

  “He’s not that bad, Tagg. He loves me. And I love him. But I really liked having a life without a lot of meddling.”

  “Can’t imagine he could do too much meddling from over two thousand miles away.”

  “He managed some, but overall my stay in Boston was wonderful. It’s a very quaint city in many regards.”

  “So why did you come back?”

  “I missed Arizona. I missed the ranch. Silly me, I’m not a city girl after all. And my father had a little health scare. He’s really the only family I have. Except for my mother’s side. I have an aunt and a cousin who live in Reno.”

  The Jeep barreled over some rough patches in the road and tossed them both forward. On instinct, Tagg threw his arm across Callie’s body to keep her from hitting the dashboard. The back of his hand connected with her chest as he pressed her back to safety. His knuckles grazed her breast and met with resistance, the contrast of firm giving way to soft, so female, so Callie, that his blood pressure elevated. Instant images flashed in his head of touching her there, pressing his lips to her perfect pink tips and filling his mouth with her taste.

  He swallowed down and slid her a glance. “You okay?”

  Her lips curved up in a soft smile that unnerved him. A smile that seemed to suggest touch me anytime, take me anywhere. “Yes.”