Someone's Baby

by Dani Sinclair

  "I believe you. But if you're looking for more sex—"

  "Stop trying to provoke a fight. It's late and we're both too tired. With Zed across the hall and the baby in the bed with us, your virtue is safe." She offered him her most innocent smile. "At least for the rest of the night."

  She got under the sheet on the far side of Cade's bed. He appeared flummoxed by her actions and her words. He stood in the dark indecisively, reminding her of that night in the line shack. Unlike that night, he didn't wait for her to point out how foolish he was acting. He pulled off his boots and lay down on top of the rumpled covers. The baby slept blissfully unaware between them.

  "Are you okay?" he asked gruffly, breaking the silence that descended. "I didn't hurt you earlier?"

  She smiled to herself in the dark. "No. You made it a nice experience. Right up until you turned hostile."

  "Nice? What do you mean, hostile?''

  "Don't worry about it. As you said, in the morning I'll be gone and you won't have to think about me again."

  She could practically hear him mulling that over. She decided it was time to give him something more important to worry about. "Cade?"

  "Hmm?"

  "Is it possible that Bonita isn't dead?"

  He jolted to a sitting position. "What?"

  "Because I've been thinking about the person I saw—slender, with long dark hair. In the picture, Bonita and her brother looked an awful lot alike."

  Cade muttered something under his breath. The room fairly vibrated with new tension.

  "The police said she died in that accident," he replied finally.

  "But you don't know for sure. You let her brother claim the body. What if it wasn't her body? If she is still alive, then technically you two are still married. If anything happens to you, she inherits this entire ranch."

  Silence stretched between them like a living presence.

  "Get some sleep, Jayne," he said finally.

  "Sure." Though after sleeping most of the evening away, that wasn't very likely. "And Cade? Thanks for making my first time so memorable."

  She smiled as she heard him mutter, but she sobered quickly. What she'd told him was nothing less than the truth. She would ask her brother the cop to look into Bonita's accident. If Bonita was dead, then Cade was up for grabs. And she planned to be the one doing all the grabbing. She'd use a crowbar if she had to, but she was going to peel away that outer shell he kept around his heart and his emotions. There was a good man inside. One who needed to learn how to laugh and love. She was the perfect woman to teach him how.

  Chapter Ten

  In the morning, Cade knew he had a problem. The sane, sensible thing was to drive Jayne and Heather into town, drop them at the sheriffs office and forget about them.

  He wasn't sure exactly when he'd gone mad, but he wanted Jayne to stay.

  At least for a while.

  Until he got her out of his system?

  It wasn't just sex, though that was confusing the issue. Making love with Jayne had been something he would never forget in a million years. She had taken his orderly life and twisted it until he was starting to look at his existence from a whole" new perspective. That alone was unsettling, but one question continued to haunt him.

  Why?

  Why would a woman who looked like Jayne hang on to her virginity for twenty-four years only to give it to a stranger? He was afraid she had confused gratitude with some stupid romantic notion of falling in love. And it really scared him because the idea of Jayne being in love with him was altogether too pleasing.

  Hadn't he learned anything from his time with Bonita?

  Jayne wasn't Bonita. She was H. L. Bateman's daughter. The trainer was widely known in this part of Texas. Cade knew his work, though he'd never been able to afford a horse trained by the Bateman stables. But as his daughter, Jayne must have grown up on a ranch.

  Sure. Only now she was a private investigator.

  If she'd liked ranching she wouldn't be off chasing kidnappers for a living. The less time he spent with Jayne from now on, the better for all of them. Wanting her was bad enough, but if he let himself contemplate a future that included her… No. He wouldn't think about that.

  After he finished feeding Heather her bottle, she gurgled happily up at him and he dabbed at the traces of spit and milk. What would Heather look like when she grew up? Would someone give her a good home? Love her the way she deserved? Or would she grow up like he had in a series of foster homes, finally rescued by a crotchety old man who hadn't known or cared how to share his emotions?

  "I sure wish I knew someone would take good care of you, little one."

  "She'll find a good home," Jayne said softly at his back.

  Cade twisted and found her watching him from the hall. She was dressed as she had been last night. But it was the thin material of the T-shirt he'd left out for her that captivated his attention. The dark-blue material hugged the outline of her breasts, revealing the tempting profile of her nipples. Was she always going to have this power over him?

  "Someone will be thrilled to have an adorable baby like Heather," Jayne was saying. He forced his attention to her words and away from that bewitching body.

  "You're right," he said getting to his feet. "I'll make you something to eat and then we'll head on into town."

  "I need to grab a shower first. Where is everyone?"

  "Rio said his injured arm felt better so he and Hap just left to check on the herd. Zed went out to the barn to turn Lafferty out to pasture. He's going to ride into town with us to bring back Hap's truck after I pick up mine and have the tires fixed for the SUV out front."

  "So we're alone?"

  "Except for the baby."

  "You're going to miss her, aren't you? Me, too," she added before he could decide how to answer. "I've grown attached to that little girl."

  "But you'll soon be busy with your next big case." He thought he did a credible job keeping the bitterness out of his voice. Jayne smiled. It was a secretive, womanly smile that made him nervous.

  "I don't think so, Cade. The glamour and excitement of being an investigator wore off the minute those two hoods pulled out guns and started shooting at me."

  He stilled the momentary hope that crowded his thoughts. "You'll change your mind once your shoulder heals and you get back home."

  "No. I don't think I will." Her gaze was clear as she stared at him. "I suspect my mind is going to be very occupied thinking about a stubborn cowboy who's afraid to take a chance."

  Cade's entire body clenched. There was no mistaking that challenge.

  "What do you want from me, Jayne?"

  "Are you going to pretend nothing is happening between us?"

  "No. I told you I wanted you. I still do. Is that what you want to hear?" He knew his words hurt her. They hurt him almost as badly, but if she was looking for a declaration of undying love…

  "Okay. If that's all you have to offer I'll take it," she replied sounding sadly resigned.

  His gut tightened another notch. He couldn't pretend to misunderstand her words and they tore at him.

  "Go get your shower."

  "You could scrub my back."

  His mind painted the picture while his body prepared for action.

  "Stop it, Jayne. We don't have time for that this morning."

  She tipped her head, her hair rippling in a fascinating wave over one breast.

  "We could make time. If you want to."

  Oh, he wanted to all right. He wanted to take a long time for an extensive, slow loving. Jayne was highly sensual, an eager, untutored lover. Her body was responsive to the slightest touch. Loving her heightened all the senses.

  And she was H. L. Bateman's daughter. Way out of his league.

  "No."

  The expectant light faded from her eyes.

  "You know, Cade, being a loner isn't a disease. It's a choice."

  He stared after her, mesmerized by the sway of her hips as she disappeared back down the hall. H
eather's tiny hand wrapped around his finger, much the way she'd wrapped herself around his heart. And Jayne's words echoed painfully in his mind.

  Cade and Zed had just finished emptying the back of the truck and putting the slashed tires inside when Jayne joined them holding Heather. Seeing her standing there in the sunlight stole his breath away.

  "'Mornin'," Zed said, smiling at her.

  Cade wanted to hit him.

  His gut gave a lurch. She'd taken off her slacks and was wearing a long, brightly colored full skirt and a white T-shirt. No doubt the skirt had belonged to Bonita, and Jayne must have taken another shirt from his dresser drawer. He told himself there was nothing intimate about that. Not after what they'd shared. She'd needed a shirt and she'd borrowed one. But his brain seemed fascinated by the image of her in his room, going through his things.

  Over the T-shirt she had draped the shawl that she'd used as a makeshift sling the other day. Her hair sparkled like white gold, shiny in the morning sunlight. Strands fell over the soft swell of her chest. She looked young and beautiful enough to create a sense of panic in his orderly thoughts.

  And Zed was still smiling at her.

  "Good morning, Zed," she replied. "Are we set to go?"

  Zed leaned back against the truck bed, his gaze going from one to the other. Cade knew he sensed something in the charged atmosphere that seemed to surround Jayne and him like a glass bubble.

  "I'll need to change your bandage first," Cade said tersely, trying to break the spell.

  "That won't be necessary. It's fine. I covered it with some plastic wrap and didn't wash my hair. The bandage isn't even damp. I'm set to go whenever you are."

  Had she done that so he wouldn't have an excuse to touch her again? The thought was raw.

  Zed came off the truck. "Here, Jayne, you want me to hold Heather for you while Cade puts her car seat in place?"

  "Thank you, Zed."

  Cade set his jaw. His temper sizzled. He couldn't stand watching her with Zed, so he strode into the house, brushing past her without a word. He lifted the car seat and the diaper bag, then turned around to find her silently watching him.

  "I wasn't flirting with Zed," she said quietly.

  "I didn't say you were."

  He hadn't even thought it, not really. It just made him…edgy…to think about her with another man. Especially Zed.

  "Your actions did."

  "I came in to get the stuff so we can get going, all right?"

  For a long moment she just stood there. A shadow crossed her features. He wanted to call back his abrupt words, but she gave a sad nod and turned back to the door.

  He should say something. They shouldn't part like this.

  Cade swore mentally. He'd never been any good with words or emotions. He couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't raise a false hope in her. He wanted to beg her to stay, but he had no right. She was young. Too young for him, anyhow. And he wasn't ever getting married again. Especially not to someone as beautiful as Jayne—even if she had grown up on a ranch.

  She'd forget all about him soon enough. She'd be back home this afternoon. Back where she belonged.

  And he'd be alone again.

  The way he liked it, he told himself firmly. Cade carried the stuff outside and tried not to look at her. She stood talking softly to Zed.

  Zed appeared totally comfortable holding Heather. That only set Cade's back teeth on edge again. As Cade fit the car seat in place, he couldn't stop the stab of possessiveness that lanced him. This was nuts. Heather wasn't his any more than Jayne was. If Jayne wanted to flirt with Zed it was none of his business. Now that she wasn't a virgin anymore she'd probably find dozens of lovers lining up outside her door. The image infuriated him.

  "Want me to drive?" Zed offered.

  "No," he snapped. "I'll drive."

  Zed raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Sure, Cade. Whatever you want. I'll climb in back with Jayne. Heather sure is a cutie."

  "Isn't she?" Jayne agreed. "She's such a sweet-tempered baby. I'm not sure how I'm going to give her up."

  Frustrated, Cade waited for the two of them to get in back. If he'd let Zed drive, he could have ridden in back with Jayne. But he remembered all too well the ride here with her thigh pressed against his. Enduring that again this morning would be pure hell.

  He was turning into a nutcase. There was nothing in the back seat crowding them together. They sat a respectable distance apart. Yet he wished he'd let Zed drive. The ride into town had never taken so long.

  Zed chatted away, talking about the rodeo circuit and towns they'd been in. Jayne listened and even asked a few questions. Cade tried and failed to think of something to contribute besides monosyllable answers whenever one of them directed a question or a comment his way. More than once, he caught Zed's amused glance in the rearview mirror. He wanted to stop and wipe that smug look right off the other man's face. He failed to see anything amusing about any of this.

  "I'll drop you at Sully's to pick up my truck," he said abruptly. "Then I'll take Jayne to the sheriffs office. Check the radio in the truck before you do anything else. If it's been tampered with, take it straight over to Rafferty and see if he can have a look at it. If not, go back to the ranch and keep an eye on things until I get there."

  "Sure, Cade. You don't want help with the tires?"

  "Not until I have to put them back on the truck. You can help me then."

  "Yippee."

  Jayne smiled at Zed. Cade gnashed his teeth.

  "Sounds like a busy day all around."

  Zed met his gaze in the mirror. "Yeah. Busy." He looked away. "Imagine your family will be glad to have you back," Zed told Jayne.

  "Especially my brothers. They live to tease me."

  "Where do you—" He broke off to stare out the window. "Whoa, now. That's mighty interestin'," Zed drawled. "Wonder what brings Zach Logan clear out this way."

  "Who's Zach Logan?" Jayne asked.

  Cade followed their glance to the front of the squat brick building that housed the sheriffs office. A tall thin, middle-aged man with a mustache was striding toward a sedan parked in front. His dark, neatly pressed suit and stark white shirt were as out of place in this setting as his car.

  "Zach Logan used to be the chief of detectives for the Dallas Police Department," Zed told them. "Might still be for all I know. Darwin Crossing is way the heck out of his jurisdiction."

  "You know, I think I've heard one of my brothers mention him," Jayne said.

  "He's made the news more than once. I think he's even had his picture in the paper with Governor Kincaid." Zed pointed straight ahead. "That your missin' truck, Cade?"

  "Yeah."

  Jayne's attention swung to the pickup truck. From her expression, Cade knew she was remembering just as he was. It seemed a lifetime ago that she'd crawled into the back of his truck to hide. The pickup sat in the far corner of the empty parking lot. As they pulled up, Cade saw that the heavy feed bags were still inside.

  Cade pulled up and fished out the spare set of keys. "Here, Zed. I'll see you back at the ranch."

  "Sure. Jayne, you take care of yourself, okay?"

  "I will. Thanks, Zed."

  He touched her hair lightly before he stepped out of the truck. Cade barely contained an urge to hit him. As if sensing this, Zed paused. He looked at Cade and shook his head.

  "Dumber than mud," he said cryptically. "Bye, Jayne."

  Cade gritted his teeth. As soon as Zed was clear he pulled out quickly raising a cloud of dust and gravel.

  "What did that mean?" Jayne asked.

  "Just Zed being cute."

  "Gee, I'm surprised he's your type."

  "Wh— Oh. You have a warped sense of humor."

  "So my brothers tell me."

  Coming up on the sheriffs office from this angle, the first thing he saw was the side parking lot—and a familiar silver car. Adrenaline charged his system.

  "Don't stop!" Jayne cried, leaning over the seat. Obviou
sly, she'd spotted the car, too. "Keep going!"

  "No. I won't let him hurt you, but it's time we put an end to this, Jayne. We need to go inside and—"

  The gun appeared over the seat from nowhere. His gun. The one he'd given her to protect herself with the other day. Now Jayne pointed it at his head.

  "Keep driving, Cade. I mean it."

  For a second, he stared at her, unable to believe his eyes.

  "Go! Now!"

  He could reach out and grab the barrel. He was pretty sure she wouldn't shoot. But her fear was so great the gun could go off accidentally. He pressed on the gas and continued past the sheriff's office while he debated the best way to calm her fears.

  "We both know you aren't going to pull that trigger," he said mildly, tamping down the surge of emotions that threatened his control.

  "I am not taking Heather in there so that man can tell some gullible hick sheriff his lies and walk off with this baby. Not after everything I went through to save her."

  "In the first place, what makes you think Sheriff Beaufort is a hick, let alone gullible? And in the second place—"

  "You didn't believe me. You still don't believe me. Not entirely, do you?"

  "Jayne—"

  "You don't, do you? Well I don't care. Put on some speed. What's the next nearest town? Never mind. You can take me home."

  "All the way to Bitterwater? That's over thirty miles!"

  "Then you'd better get going."

  Time to control this situation.

  "I don't think so."

  He steered the car to the shoulder and rolled to a stop.

  "What are you doing? Keep going!"

  "No."

  Reaching out, he removed the gun from her hand. Her eyes widened in alarm. A glance at the gun showed the safety was on. He wasn't surprised. He'd known she had no intention of hurting him. What did surprise him was that she'd tried such a stunt in the first place.

  "We're going back to talk to Beaufort."

  "For once, just once, will you please listen to me?"

  Her blue eyes were wide with entreaty.

  "These men are dangerous, Cade. My brother said some of these babies may be kidnapped. They coerce or threaten young girls into giving up their infants. And they'll kill anyone who gets in their way. I've got a bullet wound in my shoulder to prove how serious they are. If I walk into that police office it could set off a bloodbath."