Someone's Baby

by Dani Sinclair

  She tried to force her eyes open. She should get up. The baby wasn't Cade's responsibility. But it had stopped crying. Maybe she'd just lie there a couple more minutes. Then she'd get up and do her part to help.

  "Jayne. Jayne!"

  The voice was insistent. Demanding. Sexy.

  She didn't want to leave this incredible dream. Hard, callused hands had been running through her hair, stroking her tenderly. Those lips had been inches away. He had such a sensual mouth.

  "Jayne, wake up. Come on. Open your eyes."

  The man in the dream faded to black. Cade's voice was no longer sexy.

  Opening her eyes took a lot of effort, but she wanted to see his features. She peered at him through slits. Dark-gray eyes loomed over her in concern. She had to blink several times to bring Cade's blurry face into focus.

  "That's it. Wake up, little one."

  "I'm petite not little," she corrected. Her mouth was so dry it seemed filled with cotton.

  The lines around his eyes crinkled. "Wake up petite one doesn't have the same ring to it," he said.

  Inexplicably, she wanted to smile, but her lips wouldn't make the effort. "Tired."

  "I know you're tired, but you have to eat something."

  "No." She promptly shut her eyes again. Her shoulder burned with pain and she ached in places she normally never thought about. She sensed him moving away and tried to call back the velvet warmth of sleep, and that wonderfully erotic dream that had slipped away. What would Cade's lips feel like pressed against her own?

  The scent of food tickled her nose. It mingled with the smell of wood smoke. Her stomach growled. Maybe she was hungry after all. But getting up was far too much work. It would hurt.

  Wasn't getting shot bad enough? Topping it with at least a ten-mile hike carrying the baby and gear had nearly done her in. The unbearable truck ride had depleted her completely.

  She had no reserves left. Zip, zero, none. Her back and hips felt black and blue. She'd bet she had bruises all the way down her spine.

  "Try this."

  Cade cupped the back of her head and lifted her slightly. This should have been like her dream, only the movement made her arm hurt like crazy. She wanted to tell him so, but he pressed something against her lips. Liquid, but warm. She didn't care. She was so thirsty. Taking a cautious sip, she allowed the broth to slide down her throat. It received an enthusiastic reception. She placed her good hand over his to steady the cup and drank greedily.

  "Easy. Don't choke, there's bits of meat and vegetables in there."

  She opened her eyes all the way. His face was inches from her own. All the tiny lines at the comers' of his eyes were visible. How old was he? There was a small scar over one eyebrow and another one near his left cheek. Jayne resisted an urge to touch them.

  There was something sensual in the way his hand threaded through her hair, cupping her head like this.

  Why did she keep thinking thoughts like that?

  "Want some more?"

  "Please."

  Approval shone in his dark-gray eyes. He lowered her with tender care and she followed his path to the stove. His jeans were old, fitting snugly enough to outline muscles that had come from hours of hard work. Cade had a nice butt. Heck, he had a nice everything. He must have women falling all over themselves to get close to him. .

  What was wrong with her? Must be the fever. She'd never noticed a man's body before in her life. She had entirely too many males hitting on her as it was, and she'd learned early on that men only wanted one thing from petite blondes.

  "Think you can sit up?" Cade asked as he returned.

  "Not without a lot of pain."

  He made an amused sound low in his throat. "Let's give it a try anyhow. I'm going to support you until you can lean back against the wall here. Okay?"

  "Couldn't I just lie here and die in peace?"

  "No."

  He placed his arms around her carefully and lifted. She was intensely aware that her breasts were covered in nothing but her thin bra, and one side of that no longer gave any support. Her breasts pressed against the material of his shirt. If he noticed, he gave no sign.

  She should have been embarrassed, but that required more energy than she could summon. On the other hand, she was so busy being aware of him and the stubble on his firm, square jaw that she forgot to cry out in pain until she was already upright and he was moving away from her.

  She yanked up a blanket self-consciously and tried to keep her eyes open. Cade seemed to be unaware that she was even female. He pulled over a rickety chair to use as a makeshift table. Asleep in her carrier, the baby sat on another chair closer to the fire.

  "Are you right-handed?" Cade asked.

  "Yes."

  "Good. Eat what you can, and holler if you need help."

  There was a spoon for the stew, but he'd put it in a mug so she had the option to drink it instead. There was also a can of cola and an empty cup.

  "Aren't you going to eat?"

  "Already did."

  "Oh."

  He walked back across the room and began doing something in the small sink. Since he had his back to her, she gathered he wasn't interested in making conversation. She wasn't used to men ignoring her. But she wasn't used to getting shot, either. She was a mess. Obviously, he resented her and why shouldn't he? Look at the trouble she'd caused him.

  She ate the stew hungrily at first, then drank some of the cola. She really was thirsty—and warm. No doubt about it, she was running a slight fever. That sobering thought sent butterflies of fear scurrying around inside her. If she got an infection and they truly were stranded, she could die.

  Jayne made an effort to finish her small meal but pain and fatigue soon took over. Staying upright became an effort—one she didn't think she could continue to maintain.

  As if summoned, Cade appeared beside her. "More?"

  "No. Thanks. It was good, but—"

  "You want to lie down. Swallow these first."

  She looked at the two white pills in his hand. "What are they?"

  "Don't look so suspicious. They're aspirin. You have a fever."

  "Noticed that, did you?"

  He smiled with his eyes and she put the pills in her mouth, swallowing the tepid water he held out to her. Her eyes were closed before she even got horizontal again. She felt him - adjust the blankets. Her breath caught when he brushed back several strands of hair from her face. The action felt tender and personal. She wanted to see his expression but her eyelids wouldn't cooperate. Hovering on the brink of sleep, she knew he watched her for several long seconds before he moved away.

  Cade McGovern was an enigma. A lot of cowboys had come through her father's ranch looking at horses. Many were loners or drifters and men of few words, but none had been as good-looking as Cade. Nor could she picture one of them diapering a baby with such tender care.

  Who was this man?

  Her sleep proved fitful. Several times she heard the baby cry and Cade's mellow voice as he spoke quietly to the infant. She knew she should help, but she couldn't make her body cooperate. Her system went from 'sweats to chills and back again. More than once, she heard herself moan out loud. Each time she felt Cade's hands on her, soothing her with his voice and cool wet cloths. Twice he had her swallow more water and aspirins.

  She tried to cooperate. Even apologized for being a burden, but she was too weak to do anything but lie there and suffer while her shoulder ached even when she didn't move.

  It was her bladder that finally pulled her from sleep. Something heavy pinned her to the bed. Fear roused her mind to full consciousness as she realized she wasn't alone on the cot. Heart pounding, she found Cade Mc-Govern curled beside her, one arm flung over her waist, holding her in place. For a moment she didn't move as panic swept her. But he was asleep and fully dressed from what she could see. In sleep, his features had softened the harsh set to his jaw. This was a young man's face. A face an angel might covet.

  Her body relaxed as ad
renaline seeped from her system. The idea of this big strong cowboy as an angel nearly made her smile. Maybe she should still feel threatened finding him in bed with her like this, but logic told her he was just tired. Now that she thought about it, she dredged up a dim memory of him actually getting into bed with her to try to stop the chills that had been setting her teeth to chattering.

  Having a man in her bed was a novel experience. One that would have worried her under other conditions. Right now, her bladder reminded her that there was a reason she was now awake. The problem was, Cade looked so peaceful she hated to disturb him. Judging by the light in the cabin, morning wasn't far off. She tried to lift his arm away. It might as well have been a tree trunk. His hand snugged her closer in sleep and began to stroke her side like a lover. Despite his jeans and her own slacks, she felt a bulge that was instantly recognizable.

  Jayne tensed. Cade opened his eyes.

  "What's the matter?"

  Several responses popped to mind, but she settled on the simple truth. "I have to go to the bathroom."

  "Oh." His hand came away from her body and he rolled off the narrow cot and came to his feet in one graceful motion. She tried not to stare at that portion of his anatomy that was in her direct line of sight.

  It would seem his body was proportional.

  "There's a pail over there in the corner."

  That snapped her gaze back to his face. "You're kidding."

  "I'll turn my back."

  "I'll go outside!"

  "No, you won't."

  He didn't waste words or motions. From the hard set, to his features, this issue wasn't up for debate. She thought about what he'd told her happened to his truck and decided he was right. Going outside alone in the dark was a bad idea. But a pail in the corner?

  "Where's the baby?"

  He tipped his head. "Over there. In the car seat. She's sleeping peacefully." He reached out and felt Jayne's forehead before she could move. "At least your fever broke. Go use the pail."

  Her gaze swept the cabin. It landed on her blouse, draped over a chair close to the fire. "You washed it!"

  "It's got a hole in it and not all the blood came out, ' but I figured you'd need it come morning. You might be better off with one of the new shirts I picked up in town."

  His thoughtfulness left her speechless. A blue denim shirt draped one of the other chairs.

  Jayne got off the bed slowly. She was as wobbly as a foal trying to stand for the first time. Cade watched her closely which might have added to her embarrassment if she hadn't known he was ready to steady her if she began to fall. He'd returned the table to its original position and she decided she could lean on that if she needed support.

  She surprised both of them by laying a hand along his scratchy cheek before he could pull back.

  "I was right the first time. You're a good man, Cade McGovern. If I had to get myself into this fix, I'm glad it was your truck I crawled into."

  His discomfort was obvious. She walked over to the table, so weak it was amazing she didn't totter. She pulled on her torn shirt to act as a robe for the rest of the night, then lifted a roll of toilet paper that sat there, and headed for the corner. If Cade could give her his brand-new shirt and tend to her and the baby, the least she could do was not make a fuss over a pail in the corner.

  The process was awkward given how weak and lightheaded she felt, but she got the job done and managed to admire Cade's back in the process. Solid, dependable and sexy. What more could a woman ask for?

  "Thanks," she said walking unsteadily over to where he stood looking at the infant.

  "Didn't like my shirt, huh?"

  "I'm saving it for the morning. This is already ruined, so I might as well sleep in it."

  He nodded. "Want something to eat or drink?" he asked.

  "Water. But you don't have to wait on me."

  He didn't waste words. He filled a mug from a plastic gallon container of water. Their fingers brushed as he held the cup out to her. He must have felt the same jolt of awareness she did because he pulled back so fast she almost dropped the mug. He waited without saying anything while she drained the contents and handed him back the empty cup.

  Getting into the narrow cot once more, she slid over against the wall as far as she could and waited. He went over to the sink and rinsed the cup. Then he stoked the fire. When he pulled up a chair and straddled it backward she ran out of patience.

  "Come back to bed!"

  "I'm fine."

  "You're exhausted."

  "Don't worry about me. Get some sleep. It'll be light soon."

  Stubborn man.

  "You know, being a hero is hard work. But being a martyr is plain stupid."

  His jaw went slack. "What?"

  "I'm in no condition to ravish you. Sitting in a chair for the rest of the night is pretty dam stupid, wouldn't you say?"

  "I'd say you don't have any sense whatsoever. Do you make a habit of inviting strange men into your bed?"

  Her cheeks heated at the deliberate way he framed the question, but she refused to lower her eyes. "No, you're the first."

  He looked pointedly at the bunk over her head. "Cabbage patch?" he asked archly.

  "Back seat of a car."

  "Yeah? Proves my point. You shouldn't have gotten into a car with a man old enough to be your father in the first place."

  Jayne realized he thought she'd meant she got pregnant in the back seat of a car. And she remembered that he thought the man chasing her was her husband. His assumptions made her angry. "He was hardly old enough to be my father."

  Cade snorted.

  She started to explain and stopped. Her head was starting to throb again right along with her shoulder. She was too tired to argue with him.

  "This is a stupid conversation. Will you please come back to bed and lie down?"

  "No."

  "Fine. Just remember, most martyrs die a horrible death. And if something happens to you, I don't even know which direction I should head to find help. But you suit yourself. You can take the top bunk. But, hey, if you'd rather sit on a hard wood chair to prove what a man you are, do enjoy yourself."

  She closed her eyes, but not before she saw something that could have been amused admiration in his expression. She was nearly asleep when she felt him slip in beside her. Her heart soared right along with her pulses.

  Baiting him had been one thing. The reality was something else altogether. She'd made a mistake. She'd thought she could ignore him. What had she been thinking? Despite her fatigue and her injury, she was all too aware of every inch of the rock-solid man at her side. He was a large man. All over. She should never have insisted he share the bed.

  Cade immediately rolled on his side so his back was to her. "Sleep. It's gonna be a long day," he mumbled as if reading her thoughts.

  ' Yeah? Well it was going to be a long few hours until morning, too. But surprisingly, she did sleep, only slightly disturbed when he got up to tend to the crying baby. The low murmur of his voice was a soothing cocoon that seemed to work on her as well as the infant.

  When her eyes finally opened for good, dust motes danced in a room awash in light. Cade sat next to the table holding the baby in his large, capable arms, talking seriously to the infant. On the table was a partially drunk bottle.

  "I know you don't like it. I don't blame you. But we're fresh out of the premixed stuff and your mama said she can't breast-feed. This is the best we can do. You have to drink it until we can get out of here." He touched the baby's cheek tenderly with a long blunt finger.

  Jayne's heart melted at the sight. He'd be a wonderful father. Were all the women around here complete idiots? Somebody should have put their brand on this cowboy a long time ago.

  He offered the nipple to the tiny mouth once more and crooned encouragement as the baby began to drink. Obviously, she was not happy with the taste or quality of the milk, but she did drink it.

  Jayne lay quietly watching, enthralled by the sight of Cade and the
infant. Until this minute, she'd never given much thought to being a mother herself. She was young. She had her whole life ahead of her. On the other hand, she loved working with the kids who came to her parents' ranch. Having a child of her own would be a wonderful thing.

  Not until he set the empty bottle back down on the table did Cade look in her direction.

  "How's the shoulder?"

  No "Good morning." No "So, you're awake." Cade cut right to the chase. Her tranquility vanished with his abruptness. Well, she could be terse, too. "I'll live. Did you burp her?"

  "Burp her?"

  He stared as if she'd said something foreign.

  "Yeah. You know? Put her against your shoulder and pat her back until she burps? It prevents gas bubbles."

  Cade scowled, but he put the baby on his shoulder and began patting her back. He seemed surprised when she cut loose with a loud belch.

  "She doesn't like the powdered stuff," he muttered.

  Jayne sat up carefully and waited for the room to steady. Not good. If anything she felt weaker than she had last night. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, trying to pretend her body wasn't screaming in protest.

  "I need to change the dressing on your shoulder."

  She shook her head. "It's fine."

  "You were running a fever last night and your color's high again this morning. I need to check the shoulder."

  From his tone, arguing would get her nowhere.

  She used the pail in the corner while he fussed with the baby. She was dizzy and weak and sore. Her shoulder hurt more than anything ever had in her life, but she was determined to be just as stoic as Cade.

  "Scrambled eggs okay?" he asked as she collapsed onto the chair that he'd vacated by the table.

  "I'm not hungry." That response seemed more restrained than telling him that the thought of food repulsed her to the point of gagging.

  Cade eyed her grimly. He secured the baby in her car seat and strode toward Jayne. A lion with easy prey. "Let's have a look at that shoulder."

  "Let's not and say we did."

  Ignoring her, he reached out and began helping her off with her torn shirt. Yesterday when she'd been more unconscious than awake it had been bad enough, but today she was fully aware of how sheer her bra was and the fact that one side dipped revealingly. This was an extremely sexy man she didn't know at all who'd already seen her breast fully exposed and could undoubtedly see her nipples through the thin lace.