“It was nice to see you, Mr. Dalton.”
“Neal. Please.” He politely touched the brim of his Stetson. “The pleasure is mine, Erica.”
In silence they watched him walk away. Morgan knew there was a fine line between charm, flirting and just plain friendliness. He wasn’t sure which side of that line his father had just walked, but women usually had a sense of those things and Erica seemed fine. He, Morgan, was the one she apparently had an issue with.
When they were alone, she said, “I know you’re working. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
He gave her an “oh please” look. “Yeah, because shoveling dirty hay takes a lot of concentration.”
“I’ll take that as a no.” She twisted her fingers together. “So, your dad is nice.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
“I know you told me your parents had problems, but I just saw them together. They were like newlyweds.”
“Yeah.” He took off his work gloves and shoved them in the back pocket of his jeans.
“How long ago was your mother’s heart attack?”
“Before we moved here.”
“You came for her, but why do you stay?” Her eyes narrowed. “Clearly you resent your father. I know ranch work. It’s not like you can avoid him. My father and brother have a really good relationship. But Daddy is set in his ways. He and Gabe get into it when my brother comes up with some ‘newfangled’ ideas. My brother rebelled in his own way by backing off and getting into real estate.”
Morgan thought about his recent negotiations with the man. “I don’t know about real estate, but he can wheel and deal pretty well when stock is involved.”
“My point is that he distanced himself from conflict and you put yourself into the middle of it. Why don’t you go?”
“I stay for my mom. She wanted her family back together, and I won’t be the one to break it up. We all want to take care of her.”
“That’s sweet.” Erica’s eyes grew soft. “You’re probably not going to like this, but you remind me a lot of your father. In a good way. I can see where you get your charming streak.”
“I’m nothing like him.” Morgan did his best to push back against the bad. But her words gave him an opening. “You’re probably not going to like this. But we all have DNA. From our mothers and fathers. The baby you’re carrying is no different. You know what I’m asking, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell me again that I don’t need to know.”
“I don’t plan to,” she said. “That’s actually why I’m here. To tell you about the baby’s father.”
“Are you in love with him?” Morgan surprised himself with the question. He hadn’t planned to ask, but the words were just right there and he couldn’t stop them.
Erica blinked at him, then started laughing.
He’d expected anger or indignation, not this. “What’s so damn funny?”
Her amusement faded slowly and she got serious. “There is no father—well, not like that. I went to a sperm bank.”
He moved closer and badly wanted to touch her, but he’d been doing a dirty job and kept his hands to himself. He also wouldn’t stop this flow of information. “That’s not an easy thing to do on your own, Erica. If you want to talk about it, I’m happy to listen.”
She nodded. “It would be a relief actually.”
He angled his head toward the other side of the barn. “There’s a bench over there. Something tells me this isn’t going to be fast.”
“Probably not—” Then she stopped and looked unsure. “But you’re working. I don’t want to bother you.”
“Trust me—the stalls will still be there after I take a break.”
“Okay.” She fell into step beside him, and they stopped at the wooden bench, then sat side by side.
He met her gaze. “I’m listening.”
“I dated someone in Denver. Peter. He’s the son of the owner of the media company where I worked.” She looked down for a moment at the clasped hands in her lap. “Things were getting serious and I thought marriage was the next step. It seemed as if we wanted all the same things—until I brought up kids.”
“I take it he was a no vote?”
“Yup. And that was a roadblock for me. So we broke up.”
Morgan studied her and decided she didn’t seem too upset about it. So he stayed quiet and let her go on.
She told him how loud her biological clock was ticking, how she was pushing thirty and fearing the fertility issues her mother had faced at that age. How she felt it was now or never.
“Never, for me, wasn’t an option. So, I went the sperm bank route. Got lucky on my first round of insemination.”
Morgan saw a look on her face, part anger, part disillusionment. “There’s more, isn’t there?”
“Yeah. Peter started dating a receptionist at the company not long after we split. I wasn’t at all hurt. Figured I dodged a bullet. But they got married and she was pregnant.”
“That had to have hit a nerve,” he said.
“I’m not going to lie. It did, but even that was okay. I didn’t love him, and I was over the moon about having a baby.” But not everything went well, she told him, when Peter’s father gave her the ultimatum: transfer to Miami or get fired. She shrugged. “And here I am.”
“That sucks.” He heard how that sounded. “Not that you’re here, but the way it happened,” he clarified.
“I knew what you meant.” When she looked at him, there was uncertainty in her expression. “This experience of becoming a mother isn’t going at all as I planned.”
“I’m really sorry you went through that. But I can’t say I’m sorry to hear that some guy isn’t going to turn up and arm-wrestle me to be your labor coach.”
“Nope, that’s not going to happen.” She grinned, but wariness erased it. “But this is why I can’t say anything to my folks. Daddy can’t even embrace new and improved ranching techniques. I don’t think the idea of a sperm bank grandbaby would go over well.”
“I can see why you’re hesitant. But you were the one who said we should give our families a chance.”
“You first,” she said.
“Touché.” He laughed, then turned serious. “So you weren’t in love with Peter.”
“No.” She caught the corner of her lip between her teeth, and uncertainly met his gaze. “Are you still in love with the girl you bought the ring for?”
“I thought I was at the time. Looking back, I don’t think I ever really loved her.”
And speaking of love... Morgan was awfully damn glad Erica wasn’t in love with her baby’s father. But that meant his feelings were turning into more than he wanted them to be. If it was anyone else, he’d walk away, but after giving his word to see her through the birth, he wouldn’t back out. It would be okay, though, he reasoned. It wouldn’t be long until the baby was born. He’d keep his promise, then that would be that.
* * *
The morning after clearing the air with Morgan, Erica was both relieved and full of purpose. He didn’t resign as her coach. That made her unreasonably happy. Also, crying on Mel’s shoulder about her job search turned out to be not all bad. She’d come up with an idea and was energized.
She’d interviewed with perfect strangers who could only see her pregnancy. They knew that shortly after starting she would be absent for six weeks. So, she needed to talk to someone who did know her.
It was barely nine o’clock, and she was in her room because privacy was required for the call she was about to make. And she had a strategy. She wanted to catch Jordan Taylor just as the workday started, before he was up to his neck in Taylor Beef business. After tapping in the number on her cell phone, she waited.
But she didn’t get further than the receptionist.
“I’m sorry. Mr. Taylor’s busy today and asked me to hold his c
alls. But I’ll make sure and give him a message.”
The woman was friendly but firm. Erica knew assertiveness was almost certainly not going to work in her favor. So, she could leave the darn message, then go camp out at his office and be the proverbial squeaky wheel. It was incredibly irritating, but the woman was simply doing her job.
Erica would admit to the tiniest bit of prejudice toward anyone in that position. Based on the fact that a receptionist at Barron Enterprises was responsible for putting her in need of a job, she had a right to the feeling.
“A message would be great.” She repeated her name, recited her phone number and said to tell him that she was back in town and would like to say hello.
She ended the call and thought about her next move to contact the man she’d gone out with all those years ago. She’d never felt they’d clicked romantically and apparently neither had Jordan. One night he’d told her he liked her, but she felt more like his little sister than his girlfriend and he hoped they could still be friends. Then they’d had a nice dinner together. It was the best brush-off she’d ever had.
Since then she’d run into him on visits home over the years, and Jordan had always been friendly. At least that’s how she saw it. Hopefully he did, too, and would give her a chance to prove she had a lot to offer his company if he could see his way past the pregnancy.
Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten yet this morning. She needed fuel for this job-hunting campaign and went downstairs to the kitchen. Malone was the only one in the room.
“Mornin’,” he said.
“Same to you.” She looked around. “Where’s Mama?”
“She left early. Said she had shopping to do. Something about a new dress for that Denim and Diamonds shindig.”
“Right.”
A wave of mixed feelings washed over Erica. On the one hand, with all the tension in the house right now it was kind of a relief not to see her mom. Their one talk after the Harvest Festival had made things better but hadn’t completely resolved the strain. On the other hand, she missed the time when they would have made a day of buying a special occasion dress, then gone to lunch. She missed that so much.
“Are you hungry?” Malone looked at her baby bump. “Gotta feed that little one. And before you say anything, I know you’re not eating for two. You don’t have to double your rations.”
It surprised her that he knew about not doubling up on calories when you were pregnant. “I am starving, actually.”
“Okay. I can whip up some pancakes and eggs. Got some fruit cut up. Now sit. I’ll have breakfast ready in a jiffy.”
“And I can have one cup of coffee.”
Caffeine wasn’t strictly forbidden during pregnancy, but limiting it was recommended.
She did as he instructed, and he put a mug of steaming coffee in front of her. Then he proceeded to mix the pancake batter. While she watched, her cell phone rang and the ID said Private. She hoped this was who she thought it was.
As soon as she heard his voice, she knew it was.
“Hi, Jordan. You got my message.” And he was returning her call a lot faster than she’d expected. Hopefully that was a good sign.
“Yes, you caught my receptionist when she was actually working.” Oddly, there was a smile in his voice. “So, you’re back. Are you home to stay?”
“Yes. And that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Okay. I have a meeting now but I’d really like to catch up. Could you meet me for lunch?”
“That would be great, Jordan. Tell me where and when.” After he gave her the information, she said, “Okay. See you then.”
She ended the call and saw Malone looking at her. “What?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” He poured batter on the griddle and scrambled eggs into a skillet.
“I’m just meeting an old friend for lunch. I have to feed the baby, right?”
“And this old friend just happens to be the one your folks were hoping you’d end up at the altar with.” That wasn’t disapproval in his voice. Not exactly.
“Yes. Why?”
“He’s got a reputation with women. Quantity, not quality, or so I’ve heard.”
“It’s not like that with us,” she assured him. “Besides, look at me.” She glanced down at her very rounded belly. “I’m so not his type.”
“Still—” He finished cooking, then slid pancakes and eggs onto a plate and carried it to her at the table, along with a bowl of fruit.
“You’re sweet to worry about me, but there’s no need.” She was the one who wanted something from Jordan.
Which was why a few hours later she got to DJ’s Deluxe and told the hostess she was meeting someone. The woman pointed him out and Erica walked over to the table where he was already seated. He stood as she approached and his eyes widened, evidence that he noticed her condition.
He gave her a hug and kissed her cheek, then held her at arm’s length. “Look at you.”
“Yup.” She smiled. “Gonna be a mom.”
“I didn’t know you were married.”
“I’m not.”
He studied her for several moments, then simply said, “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” She sat down across from him. “It’s been a while. How are you, Jordan?”
“Good.”
“And your dad?”
He shook his head slightly. “Same as always.”
She saw a look in his eyes and said no more. The man who intimidated her also had a reputation for being difficult, and she couldn’t imagine being his son. But not everything was his cross to bear. He was very tall and very handsome, with short dark hair and brown eyes that were incredibly compelling. A man that women noticed. He was also the son of the richest man in town, and women noticed that, too.
“What’s new?” she asked.
“Not much.” He shrugged those broad shoulders. “But you’ve got a lot going on. A baby on the way. Miss Independent moving back to Bronco Heights. Why?”
“Because I got fired from my job in Denver.” There was no point in evading. They’d always been honest with each other, and she wasn’t about to be anything less now. She told him the whole humiliating story, except for the part about how she got pregnant. Then she explained about filing a lawsuit against her previous employer.
“I think your attorney is right that you’ve got a good case.”
Their server walked over then, and they ordered.
When he was gone, Jordan met her gaze. “How can I help, Erica?”
“I was hoping you’d ask.” She leaned forward. “I need a job. The money I’ve saved won’t last forever, and this lawsuit could take a long time to resolve.”
“I see.”
“I realize this is presuming on our friendship, but no one in their right mind will hire a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy.”
“It’s touchy,” he admitted.
“I have upper management experience and a lot to offer. If you give me an opportunity, I promise you won’t regret it.”
“Of course I can help.” He didn’t even hesitate. “We’re always looking for good people.”
“Really? Just like that,” she said.
“It’s the least I can do for a friend. But I have a feeling you’ll be doing me a favor in the long run.” He took out his cell phone and started tapping into it. “I’m texting my assistant now to check my schedule and then she’ll contact you to make an appointment to come by.”
Her eyes got a little blurry with grateful tears, but she blinked several times, determined not to get emotional. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Name the baby after me. Jordan works for a girl or a boy.”
His teasing smile brought women to their knees, but she was immune. Why was that? Because she had that re
action to another man. Every time she saw Morgan, her heart skipped a beat and her legs wobbled a little. It made her wonder about what combination of factors attracted a certain woman to a certain man.
Before she could decide, their food arrived and she couldn’t believe she was hungry again after the big breakfast she’d eaten. Now that the reason for this meeting had been settled, she could relax and enjoy catching up. They reminisced about the short time they’d dated and decided it wasn’t a total waste, what with the friendship that came out of it.
She speared a piece of chicken and lettuce. “You know my parents were hoping I’d fall for you and not go away to college.”
“Really?” He took a sip of his beer. “I don’t think you ever told me that.”
“It’s true. They wanted me to marry you. Hometown boy.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” he teased.
“Unless I miss my guess, I think they’re still holding on just a little bit to some kind of fantasy that we’ll see the error of our ways and get married.” She laughed, then looked up from her salad, expecting that he would be laughing, too.
He wasn’t. And his expression was a little dark and brooding. “You deserve someone better than me, Erica.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I don’t think I am. I’m not good enough for you.” He looked thoughtful. “And you’re going to have a baby. That’s a special responsibility.”
“The fact that you recognize it as such is proof that you’re so much better than you think you are.”
He shook his head. “You’re wrong.”
Erica disagreed, but trying to convince him of that would be a waste of time. There was no question that he was flawed, but who wasn’t? She considered him a good friend. And she was confident he was a good man.
As good as Morgan?
Since when was he the bar by which she judged other men? Maybe it was talking about the responsibility of a baby that made her think of him now. It was a darn shame that he didn’t want kids and doubted his suitability as a father.
She liked him very much and that kiss at the Harvest Festival said he liked her, too. But this baby had to be her first priority. Sometimes liking someone a lot just wasn’t enough.
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