“Yep, last batch was triplets. What about you? Any plans to give us some grandkids some day?”
Her head jerked up, and she looked toward her father. He was eyeing her shrewdly. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well, yes, as a matter of fact. I’m due sometime in June, I think.”
“Thought so. You and Zak have the same look about ya. Is that why you came home?”
“Partly, the main impetus for my coming home is the well-being of my baby.”
“Good! Family is important.” Her father’s happy grin spread wide. “I knew you was hidin' somethin', and I don’t rightly care what brought ya home, but welcome back, baby girl.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
They’d finished dinner, and Luke stood. “I’ll take the boys into the living room so you can clean up without incident, Zia. Or would you rather I stay and give you a hand?”
“Heaven’s no, Luke. We’ve enough hands to do the job,” Winnie said as she began gathering the dirty dishes.
“Dad, Michael, you coming with us?” he asked.
“I think I’ll go outside to walk off some of the pounds I just put on,” said Michael, patting his rock-hard stomach.
“Not me. Gettin’ too cold out for my likin’. I’ll go watch a little TV with Luke and the grandsons.”
Michael gave her a curt nod and donned his winter coat before stepping outside. Leah knew he was heading out for a quick check around the exterior of the house to find out who’d been watching them.
There weren’t many leftovers, but she stored them in the fridge and ran the water for washing dishes.
“This is your first night home. You shouldn’t be doing dishes,” Zakia said.
“I don’t mind. It’s only fair to help clean up after you cooking such a wonderful dinner. I love roast pork.”
“Thank you. I love to cook.”
“Really? You never used to.”
“No, but after I left here, our cook taught me how. I even catered dinners and parties for a couple of years.”
“I’m impressed.”
Michael came back in.
“That was a short walk,” Leah said.
“Lucas was right. It’s cold out there. I don’t know how Cal can stand being outside long enough to exercise the horses.”
She nodded to acknowledge what he was really telling her and relaxed again. “Has to be done. Animals come first on a working ranch. That much I do remember. I’d join him except that my ski suit and winter boots are still packed. I’m looking forward to going riding tomorrow if the snow’s not too deep.”
“Check with Cal. He won’t steer you wrong, but I’d suggest taking someone with you in case you lose your bearings,” he warned.
“Especially with snow on the ground,” said Zakia. “If it starts blowing hard, it’s easy to lose your way.”
“Yes, I do remember that about the ranch in winter.” Leah laughed. “But I lived here for a lot more years than I’ve been away.”
“Maybe so, but give yourself time to become reacquainted with the land. You never know what might happen,” Michael said, a more serious tone to his voice this time.
His words served to remind her of why she was here in the first place. She nodded. “Okay, you win. I won’t go riding off alone.”
She saw Winnie watching them, her gaze darting back and forth between the two.
“Michael, how is it that you weren’t surprised by Leah’s appearance here tonight?”
“I was here earlier today, making my rounds.”
“Uh, huh. Must’ve had a lot of time on your hands to drive all the way out here.”
“Yep, slow day. I think I’ll go join the guys.”
Leah smiled at his retreat. She didn’t blame him for not wanting to lie to his mother.
“Are you in some kind of trouble, Leah?”
She sighed. “Yes, but I don’t want dad to worry.”
“The baby’s father?”
“Yes.”
“If you ever need us, we’re only a phone call away.”
Tears welled up in Leah’s eyes. She turned and made a big deal of wiping off the table, then gave it up to embrace Winnie in a hug. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure what you’d think of me coming home after all this time.” She received a quick hug and a squeeze in return.
“Lordy, girl! I think it’s wonderful. It’ll do your daddy good not to have to worry about you all the time.”
“How’s he doing since the heart attack?”
“He’s doing fine, but if you want to give it a few days, you take your time. Whatever you need to tell him must be serious for you to be here, but he loves you. He’ll understand.”
“I hope so. Thank you for understanding and not asking awkward questions.”
“No problem.” Winnie hung up her dishtowel and, once Zakia finished putting things away, escorted the two younger women from the kitchen. “It’s time to join the family.”
* * * *
From his vantage point on top of Luke's prize stallion, Siren, Cal saw the Manning family gathered around the oversized kitchen table. He didn’t take kindly to Peeping Toms, and he was madder than old hell because he’d become one tonight. Leah had grown into such a beautiful woman. His eyes strayed in her direction every time he circled back toward the house.
Maybe he should take the horse for an evening ride. That would prevent his staring like a lovesick fool through the window. He started to do just that but remembered the weatherman forecasted snow, and lots of it, before morning. It could start anytime, and he didn’t want to take a chance on being stuck out in the fields in a whiteout. Even to take the horse for a short ride down the main road could prove disastrous. Nope, he was stuck here. Besides, he wanted to make himself available if Leah did venture out.
Everyone rose from the table, and a shaft of light from the open door warned him that someone was coming outside. Would it be her? He rode toward the house, keeping the horse’s gait at a steady pace.
“Cal? You’re out kind of late aren’t you? Doesn’t that boss of yours give you evenings off?” His voice carried easily on the frosty air, his soft chuckle following.
“Hey, Michael. Yeah, but there’s a storm coming so I thought I’d put the horses through a few extra paces tonight. They get restless if they’re cooped up too long.”
“Sounds like me. Give me the great outdoors anytime. Had to get outside for a breath of fresh air and stretch my legs a bit after that big dinner. It sure is warm in that kitchen with the wood stove burning.”
“How’s Leah?” The words were out before he could call them back.
Michael riveted his gaze toward him, taking a moment before he answered. “She seems fine…glad to be home and all that.”
“The family sure seems to dote on her. Couldn’t help noticing as I circled the yard on Siren.” He also couldn’t help being jealous of Michael sitting next to her and leaning in close when they talked…too close for his liking.
“Well, I daresay everyone’s glad to see her. She’s been gone a long time. Did you know her back then?”
“Yeah, we went to school together, and she helped me get a job here. It was only part-time, but it was money. Being a city kid, her father was mighty skeptical at first, but I’d always loved horses and took to ranching real quick. I guess Lucas saw something in me, or he wouldn’t have kept me on.”
“He’s a good judge of a man’s worth, for sure.”
Cal laughed. “I don’t know about that, but I’m still here.” Siren pawed the ground, anxious to get moving again. He patted his neck. “Okay, boy, let’s go. See you around.”
“Have a good night. I must be getting back inside before they send out a search party.”
Cal let Siren have his head as he circled the yard a few more times, stopping at the barn to dismount. Resigned to not seeing Leah tonight, he led the horse to his stall and gave him a good rubdown and brushing. It was cold tonight, and it wouldn’t do for the stallion to get sick because Cal needed to run off his fr
ustrations. He replenished the feed troughs, closed up the barn, and headed for the bunkhouse. Might as well join the wranglers for a hand of poker or whatever they were up to.
Maybe it would take his mind off the blonde beauty in the house and give his libido some relief. He’d had a perpetual hard-on ever since she’d bent into the car to retrieve her purse. He grinned wryly. Tomorrow should be interesting. If he knew Leah, she’d be up at first light and saddling a horse to ride out on. He’d be waiting.
* * * *
Her little bedroom was just as warm and cozy as she remembered. No sounds penetrated from the rest of the house, for which she was thankful, but a glance at the bedside clock showed her it was already half past ten. She hadn’t even slept that late when working nights at the club.
She yawned and stretched her entire body as she rolled over to look out the window. Snow? It was snowing! She’d left her slippers beside the bed the night before, and she sat up to stick her feet in them. Her fuzzy housecoat wasn’t stylish, but she’d purchased it more for warmth than looks, which she desperately needed as the cool, morning air reached her. She tied the sash belt on her way to the window.
Oh, my goodness. She'd forgotten how beautiful and pristine a blanket of snow could make everything seem.
Snow was still falling rapidly, and a strong wind swirled snowflakes past her window. How many times as a child had she stood in the snow catching snowflakes on her tongue? Of course, everyone would think her silly if she did that today. She tapped her bottom lip with a perfectly manicured nail as she thought. She’d take the twins outside to play, be the doting, playful Auntie and be as silly as she wanted, needed, yearned to be.
The barn door opened, capturing her gaze, and she watched as the tractor emerged, blowing snow out of its way as it cut a path to the house. They wouldn’t do the bulk of the plowing and snowblowing until the storm had passed, but she knew how important it was to keep a path to the animals open. The tractor backed up to clear a larger spot for turning, and that was when she saw who was driving. Cal waved and she waved back, delighted that he’d taken the time to look up. She pictured him smiling, although the plastic shroud over the cab of the tractor prevented her from seeing his expression.
He’d always had such a gorgeous smile, full lips pulling back to showcase cute dimpled cheeks and straight white teeth. He could’ve been a model, so perfectly made in every way.
She’d missed him—missed his smile, his corny jokes, their conversations, and their most private moments…stolen whenever, wherever they could manage. He drove down the driveway, and she turned away from the window. Her slippered feet were near silent as she crossed the hall to the bathroom. She washed up and returned to her room to dress. Thank goodness she hadn’t gained much weight yet. Her ski suit would still fit. She carried it with her as she hurried downstairs for breakfast.
Chapter Four
“Good morning, Zakia.”
“Good morning. Sleep well?” she asked, smiling indulgently as she looked up from the book she was reading.
“Very well. That’s the best sleep I’ve had in years.”
“Good, want a decaf? I heard you get up and put on a fresh pot.”
“Fantastic, but you sit. I’ll get it,” she said as she hung her outerwear on a hook by the door. “What are you reading?”
Zakia giggled. “A cookbook. I’m trying to decide what I’m making for Christmas treats this year.”
“Sounds like fun. Can I help?”
“Sure, I’d appreciate the extra hands.”
“Where are Casey and Cammy?”
“Up in their room. They’re a little miffed that I wouldn’t let them go outside until the plowing is finished, but I didn’t want to worry about them getting in the way.”
“Okay if I take them out?”
Zakia smiled. “They’d love that. Luke and the wranglers are taking hay out to the herd, and the twins are chomping at the bit for not being able to ride along.”
“Good. Okay if I grab some toast or something?” she asked as she set her coffee on the table.
“There’s a plate of sausage and pancakes in the warming oven if you want something more substantial.”
“Homemade pancakes? Oh, wow! I’m going to gain fifty pounds.” She laughed and collected the syrup, butter, and utensils before grabbing the plate. She breathed in deep. “This smells heavenly.”
She ate and refilled her coffee, relaxing back in her chair. “I wish I had come home sooner.”
“If wishes were horses…you would’ve been,” said Zakia. “I can’t count the number of times I picked up the phone to call, wanting to come back, but chickened out.”
“Well, you’re here and I’m here. We’ll make the best of it.”
Zakia laughed heartily. “Not a doubt in my mind.”
The stomping sound of little feet preceded the boys as they ran into the kitchen.
“Don’t run in the house,” their mother scolded.
They giggled.
“Can we go outside?” the first one asked in a rush as he drew to a halt beside his mother’s chair.
“Is the plow done?” asked the other boy as he hung back near the doorway.
“No, the plowing isn’t finished, but how would you like to take Auntie Leah outside and show her around?”
Two identical faces turned toward her, one hopeful, the other somewhat skeptical.
“Can you make a snowball?” the first one asked.
“Yes, can you?”
He giggled. “Uh, huh. Big ones.”
“Can you guys make snow angels?”
“I can. Cammy always messes them up,” said Casey.
Good! At least now she knew who she was talking to. “How about a snowman?”
“We can make big, big balls if we both push ‘em, but it’s hard to put them on top,” Casey said.
“Hmmm, that could be a problem. What about a snow fort?”
Both sets of eyes lit up. “Where?”
“Well, I used to build mine behind the house so no one would bust it.”
“Really? You make forts with tunnels and everything?” asked Cammy.
“A tunnel for a doorway, yes.”
“Can we go outside now?” asked Casey.
Leah figured she’d kept them waiting long enough. “We sure can. Get ready.”
Zakia helped the boys get their snowsuits, boots, hats, and mittens on while Leah donned her own equipment.
“Grab your shovels,” she said on her way out the door behind them.
The shovels were standing neatly in a corner of the back porch. The boys picked up two smaller ones, one blue and one red, and she grabbed a larger, square one. Someone, probably Luke, had already cleared the snow from the steps, but when she saw the size of the snowdrifts she’d have to shovel to get around back, she almost changed her mind.
The boys charged full steam ahead and had snow flying everywhere as they cut into the drifts to start a path. She joined them, and they were making decent progress when the sound of a motor made her turn around. Cal was steering the handheld snowblower down the path toward the house, widening it for easier walking. When he got near enough, he shut it down.
“Where are you trying to get to?” he asked.
“I’m taking the boys around back to build a snow fort,” she replied, smiling, happy to see him.
“Why don’t I make it a little easier for you? Fall in line behind me or wait in the path. Your call.”
“Casey, Cammy, hold onto your shovels and come stand with me. Cal’s going to make us a path.”
“Yipee!” they chorused.
Once Cal was ahead of them a ways, she filed in behind the boys, and they pretended to be a mini train complete with whistles.
“Woo woo! Chug a chug a, chug a chug a. Woo woo!”
A smiling, happy trio arrived at the back of the house.
“Thanks, Cal.”
“No problem.”
He left with the snowblower, and she watched u
ntil he rounded the corner of the house. Even dressed in winter gear, he was a fine specimen of the male gender, and her heart raced in reaction.
She refocused her attention on the boys, showing them how to carefully cut blocks with their shovels and place them on the wall. The snow was quite deep, so she went first, putting the bigger blocks on the bottom as they followed behind placing the smaller ones. They were doing pretty good, too.
Whack! A snowball hit her. She scooped up a handful and turned to throw it at one of the boys when she got whomped with another one. Cal! The boys got into the fun, making snowballs and firing them at Cal. Surprised that they’d take up for her and not help him gang up on her, she cheered them on. They closed in on him. He was still making and throwing snowballs as he walked backwards, away from them. All of a sudden, he lost his footing. He grabbed for her to steady himself as he fell backwards and ended up pulling her down on top of him.
They were laughing so hard, tears came to her eyes. She heard the boys giggling in the background. She struggled to push herself upright, but when she saw the desire, the longing in his baby blues, she stopped short.
“You planned this, didn’t you?” she accused.
“Nope, but if I had, it would’ve happened sooner,” he said, grinning an unholy grin filled with deviltry, mischief and so much more.
“I need to get up. I’m crushing you.”
“You don’t hear me complaining, do you?”
“We have an audience,” she said, referring to the boys.
“Ah, darn. Okay. Help me up, will you?”
She scrambled to her feet and held out a hand. He took it and stood, only to lose his footing again and fall sideways into the snowdrift, taking her with him. Her lips barely a hair’s breadth from his, she was tempted, sorely tempted, to see if he still tasted the same. Only the presence of two little boys helped keep her mind on track.
The twins were laughing and trying to pull her up at the same time. She let them.
“Hey! What about me?”
“Uh, uh. I helped you the last time and got half buried in a snowdrift for my efforts. You need to attach some grips to the soles of those cowboy boots.”
“Never thought of it.” He grinned. “When I jumped down off the tractor and saw you guys shoveling, I just acted. Hadn’t planned on walking in snow, just driving.”
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