THE TEXAS WILDCATTER'S BABY

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  Rand tugged her jeans and panties off, and lifted her onto the counter. Body aching with the need to claim her, he stepped between her spread thighs. Their glances met. He imagined what it would be like to be with her, like this, not just until their baby was born, but forever.

  “It’s basic chemistry.” He undid the buttons of her shirt and lavished the curve of her cheek, the lobe of her ear, her throat, with his lips and the tip of his tongue. She quivered; her full, voluptuous breasts taut against the sheer fabric of her bra. “Whenever we’re around each other for any time at all, I want you, and you want me.”

  She caught her breath. “But...”

  He threaded his hands through her hair. “No buts, Ginger. It’s true.” And proceeded to kiss her, again and again, until she was as hungry for him as he was for her. His head got a little lighter, his body got harder. And still their mouths meshed as he consumed what little resistance remained.

  Ginger kept trying to keep her feelings out of it. This was just sex, fueled by a million different things. Except the one thing that counted. The one thing that could have made them last forever. Love. He hadn’t mentioned it. She didn’t dare. Because she knew if she let herself fall for Rand in that way, there would be no turning back. She’d want him in a way he had never been prepared to give, and that would ruin everything.

  So she forced herself to concentrate only on the warmth of his touch and the urgency of his body. Desperate to feel the heat of him surrounding her and filling her body, she ordered brusquely, “Undress. I mean it, Rand. Now.”

  Instead he tugged off her shirt, her bra.

  And brought her right back against him.

  The nakedness of her inner thighs brushed against the sturdy fabric of his denim. His lips lightly moved against hers, and he kissed her until she felt her soul stripped bare. Tongue plunging into her mouth, hands moving upward to claim her breasts.

  Again and again they exchanged wet, hot, hungry kisses and she welcomed him in, welcomed him with everything she had.

  Catching his head between her hands as he worshiped her breasts, her thighs.

  Bringing her to the edge of the counter and holding her there...plunging her into passion, then sweet rapture, as a violent shudder racked her entire body.

  She tangled her hands in the silky hair at his nape, bringing him upward, forcing his mouth back to hers. And then, finally, his boots and jeans did go. And so did his briefs and his shirt. He stood there, in all his naked glory, wanting her as much as she wanted him. She appreciated all the gorgeous male muscle and whorls of dark silky hair lingering over his navel, his thighs and the most masculine part of him, before returning her gaze back to his.

  He smiled.

  “Ready whenever you are.”

  He laughed. And crushed her to him. She ached with the need to be filled, and yearned with the desire to be loved. “Now, please,” she whispered.

  His eyes softened. “With pleasure.”

  She braced her hands on his shoulders. He lifted her toward him, and up slightly, against him. Their joining was everything she wanted, everything she dreamed. She gave herself over to him, to this, the marriage she’d never imagined possible. And for one long moment, as their bodies exalted and their hearts sang, she let herself imagine that maybe...just maybe...their relationship might last.

  * * *

  RAND WENT TO sleep with Ginger wrapped snugly in his arms and woke at two in the morning, alone. Concerned she might be feeling ill again, he went in search of his wife. She was curled up on the love seat, a blanket across her lap, oblivious to everything but the laptop computer in front of her. He stood framed in the doorway, for a moment just taking in his new wife.

  The softness of her breasts, pushed against her pale blue pajama top. Her long copper hair, tousled from sleep...her fair cheeks still bearing the glow of their recent lovemaking. She was intent on whatever she was studying on-screen, her dreamy concentration only adding to the gentle contentment that seemed to radiate from her these days. Pregnancy agreed with her. So did marriage, though he doubted he could get her to admit that. Yet.

  She turned, spying him in the doorway.

  He smiled, and glad for any excuse to be near her, sauntered closer. “Can’t sleep?”

  “Checking my email.”

  He went to the fridge and poured them each a glass of milk. He closed the fridge with his foot. “I thought the Boernes weren’t supposed to notify the semifinal winners until tomorrow morning.”

  “They’re not.”

  “Then...” He settled beside her. “You’re looking at cribs?”

  Their fingers brushed as she accepted the glass he gave her. “And baby clothes. And furniture. I was trying to get an idea of what it was going to cost to outfit a nursery.”

  She moved the cursor to the bar along the top of the screen that showed him the other webpages she had been perusing.

  “You’re getting excited.”

  She admitted as much with a nod. “Aren’t you?”

  “I am. But I also know you need your sleep.”

  She gave him the look she always gave when anyone tried to tell her what to do, think, feel... “Uh-huh.”

  He grinned at her decided lack of enthusiasm. Figuring he knew just how to get her where she should be, however, he waited until they’d both finished their milk. Wordlessly he set the glasses and laptop aside, stood and swept her into his arms.

  “We’re not making love again,” she warned.

  He carried her to the bed. “I know.”

  But they did make love. And this time they slept, wrapped in each other’s arms, until eight the next morning.

  Ginger was the first to stir. She lifted her head, looked at the clock and groaned. “I forgot to set my alarm.”

  Aware how hard she’d been working, he kissed her brow, then eased from the bed. “Sleep in.”

  “I can’t.” But then Ginger sighed and snuggled deeper into her pillow. “Maybe just five more minutes...”

  She was fast asleep by the time he was dressed.

  Whistling, Rand headed for the buffet, figuring he would surprise her with breakfast in bed. He was halfway to the main house when he saw Cordelia’s white Cadillac parked in front of the guest ranch office, his mother moving hurriedly inside. He had no idea what was going on, and honestly, didn’t think he wanted to know. But when he passed the open windows, Cordelia’s sweet, plaintive voice floated out to him. “I think we should do it, Josie. I think it would help.”

  His mother argued back. “More likely, Cordelia, it will make things worse.”

  And “worse,” Rand knew, was something that they did not need.

  Not when his marriage to Ginger was finally become as real as it needed to be. He took a detour into the building, bypassed the reception area and walked into the party-planning suite.

  Cordelia was dressed in an elegant business suit.

  His mother wore jeans.

  Both were poring over a lot of pale pink and light blue party stuff. Wondering what the hell was up, he asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” both women said in unison, stepping in front of the stacks on Cordelia’s desk.

  The way the two moms were blushing guiltily and wouldn’t quite look him in the eye said a lot. None of it good, Rand thought. He pointed to a cardboard cut-out of a stork carrying a bundle that said, Good News Is Coming Soon! He grimaced. “Tell me this doesn’t have anything to do with me and Ginger.”

  Another telltale silence. Rand took a hard, assessing look at his mother, then another at Cordelia. He shoved a hand through his hair and exhaled wearily. He couldn’t say how or why, but... “You know. Don’t you?”

  For a second no one said anything, no one moved. The two women seemed to know they were being presumptuous. Finally, Cordelia t
hrew up her hands and looked at him as if he were the idiot in the room. “Of course we know. Your mother and I both knew the moment we saw you and Ginger together on your wedding day. The way she was glowing and you were strutting around like a proud papa to be!”

  His mom added informatively, “An even bigger clue to us was the fact you were getting married at all, never mind so quickly, when you had both told everyone after your divorces that you were never walking down the aisle again.”

  Rand scowled. “If it was so obvious, why didn’t you say anything to us then?” he demanded.

  His mother sighed. “Because we didn’t want to deter you from doing the right thing for your baby.”

  “And because I knew the moment I saw you with my daughter that you were the man she’s been waiting her entire life to meet and fall in love with,” Cordelia said.

  Except he and Ginger weren’t “in love” with each other, Rand thought. Not yet. Maybe not ever. And, as long as they stayed as happy as they had been the night before, he was beginning to be okay with that, too.

  He shook his head, as if that would clear it, then went back to what the two women had been quarreling about when he entered. “So why were you arguing?”

  Cordelia stiffened. “I want us to throw you and Ginger a surprise baby shower in the party barn.”

  “Not gonna happen,” Rand decreed. “In fact, no more surprises of any kind.”

  Josie folded her arms. “I told you he wouldn’t like it, Cordelia.”

  “Ginger won’t, either,” Rand added.

  “Why not?” Ginger’s mom argued. “You can’t tell me my daughter’s not happy about having your baby!”

  Of course Ginger was happy; they both were—that went without saying. It was a new life. A part of him. A part of her. What was there not to be happy about?

  “She doesn’t want anyone to know because she’s worried they will hold it against her when it comes to business,” Rand explained.

  “And she’s right to think that way.” Josie backed up his claim. “Wildcatting is still largely a man’s domain. There are a lot of people who don’t want women on job sites period, never mind pregnant women.”

  “You faced the same discrimination?” Cordelia asked her, looking thoughtful.

  Josie nodded. “Naturally, I worked around it, just as Ginger’s doing.” She reached over and squeezed Cordelia’s arm. “I know you mean well. We all do. But you and I have to step back and give these two lovebirds the time and space they need.”

  “And that means,” Rand concurred, “Ginger’s ‘news’ is hers to tell whenever and however she sees fit.”

  Cordelia studied him with a mother’s keen eye. “You really adore my daughter, don’t you?”

  Rand nodded. More than anyone would ever know. “So you’ll do what I ask?” He looked at both mothers. “And pretend you don’t know?”

  Josie and Cordelia nodded in unison.

  That settled, Rand headed over to the main house. He filled a to-go platter for them to share, then circled back to the cottage.

  As he expected, Ginger was awake. She had a broad smile on her face.

  Rand set their breakfast on the dining table. “What’s going on?”

  She pointed to her computer screen. “Maria and I made the semifinals—that’s what! We drew Slot 9 on the Q and A sessions tomorrow!”

  “That’s wonderful.” He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her.

  Ginger hugged him back. “Of course it’s not just me.” She babbled on, reaching for the can of ginger ale she’d been sipping. “Profitt Oil and your mother’s company were chosen, too. But this is great. I’m officially in the running.”

  “Good thing I brought you some breakfast, then.” He winked.

  She put a tentative hand to her tummy. “Thanks, but...” She took another small sip of soda. “I think it’s just going to be saltine crackers and soda for now.” She rose, already in high gear. “I’ve got to call Maria. Get a shower. Prep for the Q and A!”

  The rest of the morning went swiftly.

  By noon, Rand had received a phone call, too.

  Not sure how his news would go over, he went to find Ginger, who was sitting on the back porch, running through her data. She took one look at him and sat back in her chair. “What’s wrong?”

  Reluctantly he filled her in. “Dot and Clancy have asked me to sit in on the Q and A sessions.”

  Her brow furrowed. “I thought only three independent geologists were going to do that.”

  “Initially, that was the plan. Now they want an environmental engineer there to handle any issues that may arise. And since I’ve already vetted all the proposed drilling plans...”

  She considered that with her usual cool professionalism. “Makes sense.”

  “Are you okay with this?” She’d worked so hard. He didn’t want to do anything that could possibly throw her off her game. And having him in the room could distract her.

  Ginger pushed a hand through her hair. “Would it matter if I wasn’t? You’ve already refused to recuse yourself once.”

  He’d since had time to regret that. “For this round, the identities of the participants won’t be hidden, unlike the way they were in the initial proposal review.”

  She studied him, as if wondering why he was even asking her this. “Is this new attitude of yours because we put sex back on the table? And you don’t want us to take it off again?”

  It was deeper than that.

  Not sure she should hear that now, though, when her attention should be solely on the oil lease she was trying to acquire, he merely shrugged. “Let’s just say I’m very invested in keeping peace in our family.” As well as continuing to make love to you every chance we get. “So if this is going to make you uncomfortable in any way...”

  Abruptly she looked vaguely insulted, almost irked. “No. I want you there,” she responded quickly, then paused, struggling to explain. “I feel better when you are around. Safer. And I know that’s odd. Not to mention totally out of character for me. Let’s chalk it up to a pregnancy thing, okay?”

  Damn but she was cute when she was hormonal.

  Chuckling, Rand took her in his arms. “I like being with you, too.”

  * * *

  GINGER SPENT THE rest of the day alternately feeling very confident and very anxious. To the point she was considering her options when Rand ambled in at dinnertime, carrying takeout from the local barbecue.

  His gaze drifted over her. “Still can’t get hold of Maria?”

  Ginger brought plates, silverware and napkins to the table. “I’ve emailed, texted and called her repeatedly all day.”

  Rand filled two glasses with water and ice. “Is it possible she’s on a job?”

  “No.” Ginger sat opposite him. “The one she and her crew were working ended late last week.”

  His gaze swept her thoroughly. “Maybe Maria hasn’t checked her messages.”

  “Maybe.”

  He reached across the table and took her hand. “I’m sure she’ll check them tonight.”

  Ginger hadn’t felt the need to lean on a man in a long time. She felt it now. “You’re right. I’m being paranoid.” Deliberately, she shook off her low mood. “Maria’s probably just been prepping, same as me.”

  He opened the paper bags and set the containers of mesquite-smoked chicken, potato salad, green beans, slaw and peach cobbler on the table.

  “Looks good.”

  He grinned, already loading their plates. “Got to have you strong and fit for tomorrow.”

  Smiling, Ginger took two bites and put her fork down.

  Concern lit his gaze. As always, he knew the second it hit. “Morning sickness?”

  Deliberately she took a deep breath and willed the nausea away. “O
r evening.”

  Rand took his cell phone out of his shirt pocket. “Want me to call your OB-GYN?”

  The sight of him reacting like a parody of an expectant dad made her heart sing. “No. I see her next week. I’ll talk to her then, if it doesn’t improve.” Beginning to feel a tiny bit better, Ginger leaned toward him. “You should go with me. Meet her. I mean,” she added hastily, suddenly wondering if she was asking too much, “if you can.”

  His smile deepened. “Of course I can.”

  They resumed dining. Rand ate with the hearty appetite one expected of a man his size. Ginger tried her best, but still couldn’t really eat anything. Finally she pushed back her chair, knowing if she didn’t get away from the sight and smell of the deliciously prepared food soon...

  Rand joined her as they carried their dishes to the sink. He laid a comforting hand at her back. “Can I do something for you? Make you some chamomile tea or something?”

  “No. But don’t worry...I’ll be okay.” Ginger swallowed hard. With the tips of her fingers, she blotted the perspiration dampening her hairline. “I haven’t actually thrown up since that one time. I’ve always been able to work through it.”

  Determined this would not be the exception to the rule—bad enough he’d seen her hugging the toilet bowl once—she walked out onto the back porch. A nice breeze was sifting through the screens, and the mountain air was cool and bracing. She truly appreciated the beautiful scenery as the peaceful evening descended. Gradually, her pulse rate slowed. Her stomach settled.

  Able to see she was finally feeling better, Rand laced an arm around her shoulders. “I’m really proud of you, you know.”

  The funny thing was, she was proud of him, too. Ginger turned toward him. The fronts of their bodies touched as she tilted her face up to his. She loved it when he held her like this. So tenderly and protectively. “About the job?”

  He sifted a hand lovingly through her hair. “The way you handle everything that comes your way.”

  She splayed trembling hands across the solid warmth of his chest. “I don’t know about that,” she confessed. “I’m feeling pretty nervous right now.”