The rapid tramping of footsteps in the leaves behind her startled her and she looked over her shoulder, swamped with irrational fear for a second until she saw who had found her. Then she wanted to disappear under the nearby rock.
“Shoot. Me. Now,” she whispered, plunking her butt down so she sat on her haunches, a really uncomfortable position considering her swollen ankles. Honey, you’re just a ticking time bomb, aren’t you?
Tank and Troy came running up to her, their faces tense. Troy’s cheeks were flushed like he’d run the entire way. Breathlessly, he said, “Sweetie, are you okay?”
Tank kneeled down to her and wrapped a gentle hand around her upper arm. “We saw you walking along the creek and then the next time I looked up you were gone. I decided to check and I thought—we thought we heard you crying.” His gaze noted the tears in her eyes and on her cheeks which she quickly swiped with her shirt sleeve.
“And then we saw you down on the ground. Honey, are you okay?” Troy asked as he gently grasped her other arm. “Here, let us help you.”
Unwilling to have them think she was a damsel in distress in need of rescuing, even though that seemed to be a pattern with her, she pulled away and tried to rise to her feet on her own. As if proving the point, she lost her footing in the slippery oak leaves covering the ground.
“Whoa, sweetie. Here let us help you out of here,” Troy said, placing her arm around his waist. “You just hold on to us, okay?”
“Sorry,” she muttered, furious with herself. “I should’ve stayed on flat ground up where I belonged. It just looked so inviting in here.”
“Did you fall down?” Tank asked as he slipped her arm around his waist and they maneuvered her around to a flatter area.
As if she wasn’t humiliated enough already, she realized she needed to find a bathroom, if the damp state of her undies was any indicator. Not that she was going to tell them that.
“No. I got down there on my own volition.”
“Did you lose something?” Troy asked, looking at her like she’d been in the sun too long.
Besides control of my bladder? “No. This is so embarrassing. On my hands and knees is one of the few positions that’s still comfortable. I just wanted to get some fresh air and the baby started acting up. Stop, I need to sit,” she said as her belly tightened up with another Braxton-Hicks contraction. She rubbed the heel of her hand against her stiff, aching lower back, feeling like a wreck. It was so embarrassing to be seen in such a weak state, especially by those two hunks.
So much for making a good impression on people.
“Why were you crying?” Tank asked as he gazed down at her, his bulky arms crossed over his muscular chest. He probably didn’t mean to be so imposing but he succeeded anyway.
She frowned as a sharp pain shot down her right leg and she had no choice but to straighten it out as she kept rubbing her back. Oh yeah, real dignified.
“Honey?” Tank squatted down so he was at eye level.
“Oh. I wasn’t crying, at least not at first. I was laughing. I—I have kind of a goofy laugh. My position suddenly struck me as funny and I had to laugh. Once I got started I got tickled and couldn’t stop. I haven’t had that much to laugh about lately, you know? That’s all. Although this pain is no laughing matter,” she said as she suddenly grimaced.
Tank frowned and asked, “Did you bring your cell phone with you down here?”
“What? No. I was just going for a little walk. I was within sight of the cabin and the ranch house.”
Tank lifted a dark red eyebrow. “Until you came down here. What if you’d really fallen down? Or fallen in the water? This area isn’t safe for you to walk in alone. You should’ve brought the phone, or asked one of us to come with you.”
“I know that now,” she snapped as the baby let her know that he or she really didn’t like her sitting down on that hard rock by squirming hard enough to send a pain rocketing through her nether regions. “Oh, fudge, that hurt,” she gasped, more at the baby than to the men.
Troy and Tank looked at each other over her head and then Tank said, “I think we need to get you up to the ranch house. Troy, call Lydia and let her know.”
“Oh, don’t bother Lydia. I do need to get back to my cabin but I think I can make it if you can just help me back up to the flat ground. Then I can just waddle my ass to the nearest little girls’ room.
She gasped as Tank kneeled down and scooped her and her big baby tummy into his thick arms. A gush of hot fluid between her legs startled her and Tank as well and horror filled his eyes.
Well that’s just terrific!
* * * *
Presley Ann’s heart raced as she waited for her father’s reaction. He sat at his desk in his study, his eyes trained on the desk blotter. Of all the talks she’d ever had with her dad, this was not one she’d ever foreseen. She knew she’d disappointed him in the past, many times in fact. But she’d never doubted her place in his heart and in the family.
He’d been pushing her to grow up for a while. She knew that all along but now she saw herself through new eyes. Spoiled little rich girl. Daddy’s girl. Social climber. Gold digger. The last thought made her mentally cringe. Opportunist. She’d gone to work for her dad only to shut him up and not because she’d had any real desire to please him or show him she understood his concerns. She’d used him to subsidize her fantasy lifestyle until she could find a man willing to take her on.
Idiot.
He studied the blotter, sliding his mechanical pencil back and forth over the suede. The knot of tension in her gut tightened as he looked up at her with eyes that shone with tears.
He cleared his throat and said, “This is my fault.”
Shaking her head, Presley Ann said, “I’m so sorry, Dad.”
“The last few weeks I noticed you were more…”
Out of sorts. Sick-looking. Pathetic.
“Serious. More focused. Willing to help…without complaint.”
Ow. “I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
“Are you keeping it?”
She looked up at him, pain lancing in her heart. “Of course.”
“Of course. If you were going to get an abortion, you would’ve just done it. You wouldn’t have told me at all.” Behind the words, she heard what he left unsaid. That she wouldn’t have cared what he thought. That she would’ve done anything to protect her lifestyle. It hurt, but she knew there was a good reason he thought that of her. He didn’t understand that the baby had changed something in her. Flipped a switch that could never be unflipped.
Even worse than the judgment she’d feared from him was the realization that his opinion of her was so low. That was all on her. She couldn’t blame him. When she looked back on the last few years, she had a low opinion of herself as well. It hurt to face that.
He sat back in his chair and drew in a shaky breath as he looked at her. “Have you told your sister yet?”
Brushing stray strands of blonde hair from her face, she said, “No. She’s going through some pretty heavy stuff of her own. I’ve tried a couple of times to talk to her but I don’t think she really hears me.” Leah had responded in all the right places when Presley Ann had tried to start a conversation the day before, but when it was clear she wasn’t listening, Presley Ann had given up and let her go on about her routine. She’d waited up the night before but Leah hadn’t come home at all.
“Why? What happened? Something at the store?”
His department stores were his babies and always uppermost in his mind so she didn’t blame him for coming to that conclusion. “No. It’s something personal. A friend of hers was involved in a terrible accident. He’s not doing well.”
He frowned and said, “Oh. Well, that’s terrible. I hadn’t heard,” he said with a frown.
“Yeah. He’s in ICU. She’s been at the hospital a lot.”
“That explains why she hasn’t been answering my calls to her cell phone and why Evelyn has been telling me she’s unavailable when I c
all the store. I wish she’d called me and told me. I would’ve sent her some help.”
“I can help out if you need me to.”
He flicked his gaze back to her and she saw the doubt in his eyes. She deserved that, too. He gave a minute shake of his head. “I’ll send one of the assistants from the store in Morehead to help.”
“I’m sure I’ll see her at some point after I leave here. Would you like me to tell her?” She wanted very much to tell Leah something that might lighten her burden.
He shook his head. “That’s all right.”
“I don’t mind.”
He tilted his head and gave her the look. “I know you mean well but you have to admit, honey, your memory isn’t the best. It’s no help to her if you forget to tell her. You’ve been otherwise focused lately.”
She actually flinched even though there was no accusation in his voice. That was his nice way of saying she was a pampered self-absorbed dingbat.
Honey, if the shoe fits, lace the bitch up and wear it.
“I’ve let you down in the past more than I’ve given you reason to trust me. I know that,” she said as she moved forward on the edge of her seat. “When I see her, I’ll tell her, I promise.”
“Fine. And I’ll let Evelyn know as well.”
“I guess that’s a good idea. I know I’m been scatter-brained.” There was no point in denying it. When she’d been little, he’d always called her his little dingbat. She knew it was for a good reason and she’d never been hurt by it. But she’d still do what she could and let Leah know, if she would listen.
“Have you told the father yet?”
She couldn’t look him in the eye as she shook her head.
“You have no idea how to contact him do you?” he asked with a heavy sigh. The minute shake of her head drew another heavier sigh from him. “Okay. I suppose this means you’ll be quitting the store and moving back home?”
“No,” she said, finally finding her voice. “And I’m going to be finding my own place, too.”
He leveled her with his “come on” look and said, “Seriously? You have no way of making a decent enough living doing what you’re doing at the store. You’ll need day care, rent, groceries, clothes and shoes…” That last jab really hurt even though she deserved it since up until now he’d been the one paying for her shoes, clothing, and handbag habit.
“I’ve already talked to Uncle Marvin. He’s going to rent me the little apartment above his computer shop.”
“Honey, have you seen that place? It’s tiny, and by your standards it’s a total dump.”
She had seen it and while he was sort of right, she already was envisioning it as her home. “No it’s not. I can make it work.”
He raised his eyebrows and said, “Just one of your shopping sprees would fill it to the ceiling.”
“I won’t be doing that anymore,” she said firmly, thinking of all the shoes and clothing she’d be packing up that night to take to a designer resale boutique in San Antonio. She had to plan ahead for when she needed to purchase maternity clothes. She was disgusted with herself, recalling how nonchalantly she’d handed over her father’s credit card to pay for all of it over the years. Plus, there was no point in holding on to items that wouldn’t fit her soon.
When she looked up at him, she saw speculation in his eyes, as though he wondered if she was telling him the truth or perhaps if she was fooling herself. The resolve inside her grew as the seconds ticked by on the grandfather clock in the corner of his study.
“Okay, Presley Ann. Here’s what I’ll do—”
“Daddy, I don’t expect you to do anything. I just needed for you to know about the baby.”
“Let me finish, honey. I respect your desire to make a go of it on your own. I often hoped you’d do that, prior to this morning. I’ll keep you on my insurance and pay any medical expenses you incur.”
“Dad, I—” Conflict tore at her. The medical bills were going to pile up and she knew that. It would be the largest expense she had, at least short term. She was proud but she wasn’t completely stupid. She did need his help even though she wouldn’t have asked for it. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I don’t expect you to say anything. In addition, I’ll pay for the formula or lactation consultant after the baby arrives and for the diapers the first year. Basic disposables, though. No diaper service or fancy diapers.”
“Dad—”
“Hush,” he said gently. “Even though it would’ve hurt her to know all of this, that’s what your mom would’ve done for you if she was here.” He paused for a long time and then a bittersweet smile crossed his lips and tears filled his eyes. “Before your mom died, she used to tell me that I spoiled you too much. That if I didn’t push you to spread your wings, you’d never leave the nest willingly. I—” His voice sounded like his throat was clogged and he rubbed his fingers against his eyes hard.
She was around his desk in a matter of seconds and down on her knees with her arms wrapped around his shoulders. “I’m so sorry I disappointed you, Daddy. So sorry.” His familiar scent of Wrigley’s Spearmint gum and spicy aftershave comforted her as he hugged her back while struggling to control his emotions.
“Dad, I know I’ve always been a hot mess for you to deal with. I know it’s going to take time but I’m going to make it. You have every right to be furious with me, to write me out of your life, and to mark me off as a failure. But I’m not and neither is this baby. I’m going to show everyone I can do this—including myself.”
He lifted her chin with a gentle hand. “Was the father nice to you? Is there any chance he’d be involved?”
Presley Ann smiled thinking about that handsome cowboy, his brown eyes so dark they were almost black, his short spiky black hair, and features that were somehow masculine and beautiful all at the same time. “He was really sweet to me, Daddy. He made me laugh so much. If he knew, I’d like to think he’d care. He wasn’t from this area and I doubt our paths will cross again. But if they did, I would welcome his involvement…as long as he doesn’t try to take my baby from me,” she added, marveling at the fledgling sense of protectiveness that curled tight inside of her.
“Well, I can’t promise that I won’t have a few words for a guy that would have sex with a beautiful young girl and then leave her stranded, if he ever did show up.”
Presley Ann snorted. “Daddy, I’m too old for you to be referring to me as a young girl and I was on the pill. Neither of us anticipated this.”
“I know you want to make a go of it on your own, honey, and I want you to be successful. But if you ever need to say ‘uncle’ I’ll understand. You can always come—”
“Don’t say it,” she said, putting a finger to her lips. “I’m not moving back home.”
“Then I’ll leave it unsaid as long as it’s understood.” He helped her rise from her kneeling position. “You shouldn’t squat like that. It’s bad for your blood pressure when you’re pregnant.”
She giggled for the first time in what felt like a long time. “Hey, I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”
“And you’re my little girl. So, what now?”
“Right now I go to work. I have prom dresses to sell and commissions to make. That rent and grocery bill won’t pay itself.”
He chuckled and said, “Now you sound like me.”
She hugged his neck and said, “There’s more of you in me than you realize, Daddy.”
She had no illusions about the future being easy or carefree. Those days were over. But knowing that her father still loved her and hadn’t cut her out of his life made everything seem possible.
Chapter Fourteen
“Oh, thank the Lord,” Grace said when Charity and Justine snuck into her room after taking Justine for a follow-up appointment with her doctor. Grace sounded relieved and Charity felt for her. She’d been cooped up for four days with nothing to do but have her brain cells sucked out by daytime television. She’d tried reading when Charity had brought her iP
ad to the hospital but holding it up to read made her shoulder ache.
“Hey, how’s your headache?” Charity asked when she noticed that the light was out and the blinds were drawn.
“Hurts. It’s from sitting still too much. I’m booooooored.”
“You want some cheese with that whine? Has Emma said when we can spring you from here, sis?”
Grace stuck her tongue out at her sister and then said, “She hasn’t said anything yet. I’m bored stiff. Any chance you might bring my—”
Charity raised an eyebrow and gave her sister the look. “No computer, sis. What did your publisher say?”
Grace made a face and then said, “She said to follow my doctors’ orders and that the work on the edits can wait until my doctor releases me. But I can move my hands. I’ll rest my elbows on pillows. I can do those edits.”
“Yeah,” Justine said. “And put a lot of strain on your shoulders and your back while you’re sitting up in bed. Aunt Grace, you can’t do it.”
“Hey, you’re supposed to take up for your sweet auntie,” Grace pouted.
“I am. I know how you lose track of time while you’re working on that stuff. Dr. Emma will be pissed and in the end you’ll just take longer to heal. Relax, okay? And lookie what I brought you!” Justine said as she put the big fluffy teddy bear in Grace’s arms and hugged her gently. “It’s for the nursery.”
“Speaking of nurseries, how goes that operation?” Charity asked as she sat down in the chair next to the one Justine sat in so Grace wouldn’t have to swivel her neck back and forth, which hurt her still.
“Well, it’s no longer a clandestine op, according to Adam when he called me a little while ago. Rose Marie figured out what they were doing in Adam’s bedroom. At first she thought she was moving into her daddy’s room and thought that was cool, until she realized he was moving the rest of his stuff out of it. She actually threw a tantrum.”
Charity snorted with laughter. “Poor baby. I’ll bet now you wish you’d added on.”
Divine Charity [Divine Creek Ranch 18] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 22