by Leanne Banks
Tina frowned, feeling more than a ripple of indignation. “Are you telling me that Zach plans to choose my doctor? If the royal doctors aren’t going to deliver the baby, then I think I should be the one—”
“—It’s just a checkup,” Zach said from behind her. “Don’t most pregnant women visit the doctor by the fourth month?”
“Yes, but the doctor usually just confirms the pregnancy and gives prenatal vitamins. I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins since I realized I was pregnant. I didn’t want the information to be leaked. Unfortunately not everyone at a medical office is discreet.”
“That’s why I pulled a few strings and arranged an after-hours appointment,” Zach said from the doorway. “Are you done?”
Glancing down at her half-eaten meal, she suddenly lost her appetite. “Yes, I am.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
“Don’t you want anything to eat?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”
Me either, she thought, and picked up her plate as she rose.
“I can get that,” Hildie said, taking the plate from her hands. “Are you sure you don’t want me to save something for you? Didn’t you like it?”
“It was delicious as always, but I’m full, thank you,” Tina said.
“Alrighty,” Hildie said. “If you change your mind after your appointment, I’ll have something waiting for you.”
Moments later, Zach helped her into his SUV. She felt a mixture of relief and anticipation. She’d wanted to visit a doctor, but the thought of dealing with leaks had made her hesitant, so she’d researched the most healthy approach toward pregnancy and strictly taken her vitamins.
“What do you know about this doctor?” she asked after they’d driven several miles and the silence stretched between them.
“She’s experienced with routine and high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. She’s new to the area and we’re lucky to get her. We had to recruit her,” he said.
“Who is we?” she asked.
“The community,” he said.
She frowned in confusion. “But who is the community?” she asked. “How does that work? Do all of you get together and put together a special fund?”
“Something like that,” he said. “Some of us get together and pool funds for the good of the community.”
“Hmm,” she said and nodded. “The haves help the have-nots.”
“The haves help the haves and the have-nots,” he corrected. “The whole community.”
She studied him for a long moment. “Bet you were on the steering committee for this,” she said. “I wonder why.”
“Don’t,” he said and clenched his jaw.
They were silent for the rest of the drive, leaving her to wonder what was going on inside Zachary. He pulled in front of a medical office, and her thoughts turned to her baby. She automatically pressed her hand against her abdomen.
“You ready?” he asked as he cut the engine.
She nodded. “Yes, I am.”
He helped her out of the car and they entered the office. Zach knocked on the receptionist’s window. Silence followed.
“Are you sure someone is here?” she asked.
He nodded, but rapped again.
Seconds later, a door whipped open and a tall woman dressed in a white coat with short hair appeared in the doorway. “Looking for me, Mr. Logan? I don’t usually take appointments this late, but you made me curious.” The woman glanced in Tina’s direction. “I’m Dr. McAllister.”
“I’m Valentina…”
Dr. McAllister wrinkled her brow. “A lot of names and they’re not southern. I’ll take a wild guess. Royal and pregnant?”
A rush of self-consciousness rose from her feet up to her cheeks. “Yes. As a matter of fact, I am,” she murmured.
“No need for embarrassment. Pregnancy in all its forms, planned or a big surprise, is my business. I’m here to make everything go as smooth as silk. You’re safe with me,” Dr. McAllister said.
Tina felt her shoulders relax and a soothing sensation seep through her. “I would appreciate it.”
Dr. McAllister shrugged. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Come back for the examination.” She glanced at Zach. “I’ll call you to come back if necessary. Otherwise, feel free to pace the waiting room.”
With a quietly reassuring nurse by her side, Dr. McAllister conducted the examination. The nurse took a vial of blood to double-check Tina’s iron. The doctor set her stethoscope over Tina’s abdomen and Tina heard the baby’s heartbeat. The sound filled her with wonder.
“I’ll do this for Zachary even though he’s a pain in the butt,” the doctor said. “Marie, could you please bring in Mr. Logan?”
“This will be cold,” Dr. McAllister said and squirted goop on Tina’s abdomen.
Tina twitched at the sensation. The doctor pressed a device over her abdomen.
“Look at the screen,” the doctor said.
Tina stared at the monitor and saw a miniature combination of tiny arms and limbs with a large head and a beating heart. “It looks like an alien.”
“Is it healthy?” Zach asked, walking into the room.
Hearing his voice, Tina swung her head to look at him. He looked so tense. His jaw and his fists were clenched.
“Looks very healthy so far,” Dr. McAllister said. “Sex? I can’t guarantee, but if I were a betting woman, I would say this is a girl. We’ll know more with the next ultrasound.”
A thrill raced through Tina. Even though she’d known she was pregnant and had been as healthy as possible, the fact that she was carrying a baby hadn’t felt real until now. The realization took her breath away. “Wow. A baby,” she whispered. “She’s a real little person.”
“A healthy baby,” Zach said.
She met his gaze and he took her hand. Watching him stare at their baby on the screen, Tina had the bone-deep feeling that nothing between them would ever be the same.
After repeated assurances from Dr. McAllister that both Tina and the baby were healthy, Tina and Zach left the office. He helped her into the truck and they both sat silently for a long moment.
“That ultrasound was amazing,” she said. “Amazing.”
He nodded and his lips lifted a notch. “Yeah, it was.” He studied her for a moment. “Would you like to get some ice cream?”
“That sounds wonderful,” she said and remembered when they’d gotten a float after the masquerade party. She glanced around the empty parking lot then looked back at him. “I’m impressed. No paparazzi in sight.”
“Like I said, I pulled some strings,” he said and started the car. “Dr. McAllister will be discreet, but you won’t be able to hide the pregnancy soon.”
“I know,” she said, feeling the weight of her position settle on her again. “I’m just hoping to buy a little more time so I can figure out my plans and how to announce them.”
“Heard any more from your brother or sisters?” he asked.
“Angry text and voice mail messages. I haven’t picked up because I don’t want their upset cluttering my mind. I feel as if my staying at your ranch is a rare opportunity I need to pursue to the fullest. I can’t do that if I’m feeling guilty about how my family is handling my absence.”
“Good choice,” he said. “You need to put your well-being and the baby’s health first. If they can’t understand that, it’s their problem. And if you’d like me to answer for you—”
“No, no,” she said, unable to fight a combination of pleasure and humor at his defense of her. “Have you always been this protective about women who were important to you?”
“You’re carrying my child,” he said. “How else could I be?”
She felt a sharp twinge of disappointment. “Oh,” she said. “So, if I weren’t pregnant, you would be more detached.”
He tossed a sideways glance at her full of heat and passion. “I’ve never acted detached toward you, Princess. Not from the first time we met.”
Her heart leapt at the sensual growl in his voice. She still couldn’t figure him out. She still had so many questions and she wasn’t sure how to get her answers. Tina knew, however, that she wanted to know much more about Zach.
“Favorite ice cream?” she asked impulsively.
“Vanilla,” he said.
“Oh, that’s so—”
“Boring,” he said for her and his lips lifted in a secret grin. “Bet yours is chocolate.”
“Times three,” she said. “Favorite color?”
“Blue, like cornflowers or the ocean,” he said.
“But you’re landlocked,” she pointed out.
“Doesn’t mean I don’t like to visit,” he said. “What about you?”
“Blue, too. It makes me feel peaceful. Favorite dessert?”
“Apple pie,” he said. “Yours is chocolate something.”
“Mousse,” she said. “Chocolate mousse. But there’ve been times when I was visiting a third world country on the behalf of Chantaine and I was extremely grateful for Nutella.”
He chuckled. “I bet you were.”
“What do you think about girls playing football?” she asked.
“Not mine,” he said.
“What if she could run like a jaguar, kick a ball into next month?”
“Not my daughter,” he said implacably.
“Because football’s not ladylike?” she asked.
“Because I don’t want her hurt,” he said. “She can pick a noncontact sport. If I had a son, I would warn him off professional sports too. Injuries can cut your career plans in a second.”
“Hmm. That’s still a bit sexist,” she said.
He pulled into the parking lot of the ice cream parlor. “Are you telling me you would be okay with your little girl growing up and playing pro football?”
“No,” she said.
He nodded. “No need for argument.”
“But I wouldn’t want my little boy playing football either,” she said. “It’s a primitive sport.”
He grinned and slid his finger over her mouth. “Good thing we’re starting out with a girl.”
After the doctor’s appointment, Tina felt closer to Zach. She felt a tie with him that she hadn’t felt before. It made her think of him when she awakened in the morning, in the afternoon and at night before she went to sleep.
She’d felt such a connection to him. When she’d confessed her dissatisfaction with her duties as a royal representative, his lack of condemnation had made something inside her ease. She’d felt almost hopeful that perhaps she could find something that filled her heart in the future.
But Zach was nowhere in sight. He was like a ghost. After two days, she wondered if she’d imagined her time with him.
After the third day, she awakened, stepped from her bed to look out the window, wishing she could see him, but somehow knowing she wouldn’t. Tina looked out onto the rolling hills and felt a mixture of emotions. Longing, desperation, hope…
Not wanting to dwell on any of these feelings, she hit the shower and got dressed. She was determined to beat Hildie before she brought breakfast. Pounding down the steps, she found Hildie on the phone.
“You don’t say,” Hildie said and silence followed.
“That’s terrible,” Hildie continued and shook her head. “We’ll do something, Hannah. We sure won’t leave the Gordons hungry.”
A moment later, Hildie hung up the phone and sighed. “Those Gordons. It couldn’t happen at a worse time.”
“What’s wrong?” Tina asked.
“The Gordons, our neighbors,” Hildie said. “Their house burned down. One of the barns burned down too.”
“That’s horrible,” she said. “Do they have children? How large is their family?”
“Six including Sheree’s mother. Sheree’s the wife. Bob Gordon, her husband, is a rancher. They have three kids.” Hildie shook her head. “And another on the way. I think Sheree is due any moment.”
“No family in the area?” Tina asked.
“None with enough room to take them in.”
“Then they should come here,” Tina insisted.
Hildie gawked at her. “Oh, Miss—” She broke off. “Your highlyness—”
“Please don’t call me that,” Tina said, cringing. “This makes perfect sense. The Gordons need a place to sleep. There’s plenty of room here,” she said, extending out her arms.
Hildie looked hesitant. “Zachary Logan is generous, but he has always wanted his privacy. He insists on it,” she said.
“I can’t believe he would withhold shelter from someone in such need,” Tina said.
Hildie shook her head again. “I can’t make that call. You’ll have to talk to Zach.”
Tina was surprised by Hildie’s reluctance. Hildie was usually vocal with her opinions and how she thought everything should be.
“I’ll do that,” Tina said, “but we should get guest rooms ready.”
Hildie blinked. “Alrighty,” she said. “But I’m telling you that you better talk to Zach or there’s going to be big trouble.”
“As you wish. But if I can’t reach him by cell, I’ll need to use the car,” Tina said, because she’d learned that cell service wasn’t always reliable at the far reaches of the ranch.
Hildie winced. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I need the car, please,” she insisted, using her best royal voice.
Hildie frowned. “Alrighty,” she said. “But I’m going on record as claiming no responsibility.”
Tina gave a quick nod. “Thank you very much. I’ll take the keys.”
After failed attempts at reaching Zach by cell, Tina asked where Zach was and drove in the direction of the south pasture, but she couldn’t find him. She drove down several dirt roads and finally came upon several men outside a barn. She pulled alongside the barn and got out of the car.
“Hello. How are you? Is Zach here?” she asked.
The men looked at her as if she were an alien. “Zach?”
“Yes,” she said. “Zachary Logan. I need to speak with him.”
One of the men rested his hand on a rake and stared at her. “Who are you?”
She felt a frisson of uneasiness, but didn’t give in to it. “I’m Valentina Devereaux.”
The one who’d asked her name stepped forward and dipped his head. “I’m Ray and I’m sorry, but Zach left here about an hour ago. I think he was going to the next field, east,” he said. “But I can’t be sure.”
Tina sighed. “Thank you very much, sir. If you should see him, please tell him to contact me.”
“We’ll do that, ma’am,” Ray said and tipped his hat.
Tina climbed into the car and headed east. She came upon another barn where one man stood outside. Stopping her car, she stepped out of her car. “Hello. How are you?” she asked. “I’m looking for Zachary Logan. Have you seen him?”
The man shook his head. “I’m looking for him too. He’s supposed to stop by here sometime today. You want to leave a message?”
Impatient with trying to track Zachary down, Tina returned to the car to grab a piece of paper and a pen. “Yes, I do. I’m Tina,” she said. “And you are?”
“Fred,” he said.
“Lovely to meet you, Fred,” she said and scribbled a note to Zachary. “Could you please give this to Zachary? Please tell him to call me if he has any questions,” she said, handing him the piece of paper.
“I can do that,” Fred said, dipping his head. “If you need anything you can give me a call,” he said and gave her a business card. “Cell phone number is on the bottom, although as you probably know, the service around here is a little sketchy.”
“Exactly,” she said, pocketing Fred’s card. “Thank you very much.”
“My pleasure,” Fred said and Tina got into the car with an invigorated sense of purpose. Surely Hildie was mistaken that Zach would have a problem giving the Gordons a place to stay. Zach would want to help his neighbors.
&
nbsp; Tired and achy from a long day outside filling in for one of his managers, all Zach wanted was a hot shower, a hot meal and a quiet evening. He stepped inside the mudroom to ditch his boots. His mind flitted to Tina as it often did lately. He wasn’t quite sure how to handle the woman. How to keep her at the ranch without her getting under his skin.
A loud shriek caught him off guard. “What the—” He strode down the hallway to sounds coming from the den. Turning a corner, he quickly took in the sight of his very pregnant neighbor, Sheree Gordon, sitting on the couch, an elementary-school age boy sitting in Zach’s chair working the remote to his large flat-screen TV and Tina sitting on the floor with two small children.
Hildie walked into the den. “Supper’s ready. Everyone wash up and—” She caught sight of Zach and immediately stopped.
Tina glanced up at Hildie, then looked at Zach. Rising to her feet with the two little children still clinging to her hands, she met his gaze. “Well, there you are, stranger. I tried to call you several times on your cell today.”
Zach pulled his phone from his pocket and noticed his message sign was on. “I was out of range for most of the day.”
“That’s what I heard, so I drove out to find you. No luck, so I left a message with a man named Fred,” she said.
“Yeah, I didn’t get to him today,” he said.
“Oops,” Tina said.
Sheree stood and eased the children away from Tina. “Yes, I know you’re having fun with your new friend, but it’s time to wash your hands for dinner.” She looked at Zach. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your letting us stay here with you for a few days. You and Tina are too generous for words.”
Stay here? he thought and blinked. Here in my house?
“I mean, I’m due in a couple of weeks and my mother is recovering from knee surgery. The fire totally wiped us out.” Sheree’s eyes filled with tears. “Bob and I will never be able to repay you for helping us.”
Zach had heard about the fire at the Gordon ranch and he’d planned to help in some way—maybe help put the family up in a hotel for a few nights, provide a few meals and some clothes. But not this.