by Sable Hunter
“I don’t believe you, this is just too bloody convenient.” Lance spit the words out like poison.
“Convenient for what? I’m not asking you for anything!” Tricia felt her throat tighten. “The baby is yours, Lance. We didn’t use protection. It was my first time and I wasn’t on the pill.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “I just thought you’d want to know.”
“I want a paternity test.” Lance felt like his world was careening out of control.
“Fine, but there’s no need.” The condemning expression on his face debilitated her. “Since I don’t want anything from you, it doesn’t matter if you believe me or not.”
“How desperate are you?”
The disdain in his voice was the last straw for Tricia. “Quit looking at me like that. I’m not desperate!” The hateful look in his eyes was more than she could take. “You don’t have to worry. I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on the face of the earth!” She stood up to him. “But know this, Lance Rogers, I didn’t do this by myself. You were as anxious to be with me as I was to be with you.”
“You tricked me!” He stepped forward, his eyes blazing, a condemning finger raised in her face. “You knew what you were before we fucked!”
“Yea, I guess I did. I knew this was too good to be true. I’m was a fool to have ever loved you!” Tricia felt something break inside of her. She was tired. She hurt. She didn’t feel good. Covering her face with her hands, she began to weep. “Lance, please, this isn’t you. I know you. You’re a good, kind man. What happened to you? Why do you hate me so much?”
“As if you didn’t know!” he yelled back. “I have proof that you knew exactly what you were doing!”
She was too tired to argue. “Look, I don’t care if you believe me or not. This is my baby and I want it.” When he grunted a disgusted scoff, she hugged herself tightly, trying to dismiss the swimmy headed sensation and the pin prickles of unease peppering over her body. “I thank you for giving the baby to me, Lance. I didn’t expect you to have a change of heart when I came here, this was just a courtesy visit. I wanted you to hear the truth from me before news got around town.” She began to walk slowly toward the steps.
“Don’t expect anything from me and don’t go telling people the baby is mine! He belongs to you and that demon grandmother of yours.”
Tricia could hear him, but his angry voice sounded like it came from a great distance away. She just wanted to go. She needed to go. She’d ridden from town with Isaac and she’d forewarned Freddy to be here to pick her up within the hour. All she needed to do was make it back to the main house. Keeping her arms clasped around her waist, she focused on putting one foot ahead of the other. The pressure of being held, even if in her own embrace seemed to help so much. The most horrific part of the seizures for her was the loss of control, the feeling of splintering apart. “I’m going. I’m going. I won’t say anything…I won’t say…”
Lance stood and watched as she moved slowly across the front yard. “Where’s your damn van?” There was no answer. Why did he feel as if someone had stuck their hand down his throat and was ripping his heart from his chest?
He started to go in the house, then he realized he couldn’t turn his back on her – not until she disappeared from his sight. How pathetic was that? She’d lied to him, used him, tricked him, and now she was tormenting him with something he couldn’t have. His eyes lit on her slight form as she faded farther into the shadows and abruptly dropped out of sight. Had she fallen? “Tricia?” Hell! He didn’t need this! “Tricia?” Afraid she’d stumbled in the dark, he took off after her.
Tricia lay on the ground, quivering, jerking, still wrapped in her own arms. “No. No. No.” She repeated over and over again. Not now. Not here. Please God. She clenched her jaw, afraid she’d bite her own tongue. The night sky swirled around her, the stars seeming to break away from their place and hurtle through space like flaming meteorites.
Lance grew close enough to see the small form lying on the ground. “Tricia? What’s wrong? Answer me!” When he drew close, he could see she was shaking and jerking. “Are you cold?” His question seemed to fall on deaf ears. Gathering her up in his arms, Lance was scared to death. “Talk to me! Is it the baby? Oh, God!” He tried to hold her with one arm and pull his phone from his pocket with the other. “I’ll call 9-1-1.”
“No, no,” she whispered. “Don’t. No need.” Tricia struggled. “Normal.” She needed to get up. Leave.
“There’s every need!” How could this be normal? “Are you in pain? Are you losing the baby?”
“No!” Tricia cried. “Hold me, Lance. Just hold me. Texas Holdem. Texas Holdem.”
At first, he didn’t understand what she was asking, then he remembered how he’d teased her when they’d made love, the way he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed, saying this was the way to play Texas Holdem. He had no idea why he complied, but he couldn’t ignore her small request. Lance was desperate to do anything that would quell the violent shaking. Holding her securely, Lance cradled her close. “What’s happening to you?”
Tricia clung to him like he was the only tether holding her to this existence. “You know…” she whispered. “You know.”
“I don’t know. I’ve got to get you some help!” He wanted to pick her up and race to the hospital or at least to the house. “Tell me what’s wrong!”
She couldn’t speak, but she could pray. Tricia begged whatever deity was listening to give her the strength to get to her feet and go home.
“I’m going to stand up now, I won’t let you go. Hold on to me.” Lance banded his arms about her. He did notice the tighter he held her, the less she shook.
“No. Please. Just leave me here, I’ll be okay in a minute,” she whispered, tremors still vibrating through her voice. Thank God, she could feel herself coming out of it. Ironically, his holding her helped and she felt totally humiliated. Lance hated her and here she was clinging to him like a vine. Why was he pretending like he didn’t know what was happening to her?
Despite her struggles and protests, Lance began walking, carrying her away from where she’d fallen. Tricia wanted to check her face for spittle, but she didn’t seem to be able to turn him loose. It was as if her hands were welded to his body. “Just put me down. I’m getting better.”
“Talk fast or I’m calling the ambulance.” His heart was hammering in his chest. “None of that was normal. I want to know what you’re dealing with and I want to know now.”
By the time they reached the porch, she felt halfway decent. “Stop here.”
“No.” He opened his door and he carried Tricia inside his cabin to the couch before he relinquished his hold on her, placing her down gently on the cushions. “Can I get you some water? An aspirin? A respirator?”
“No, no, and no.” She started to rise to her feet, but she was still too dizzy. Burying her face in her hands, she tried not to cry. “If you’d drive me over to the main house, my Uber ride will pick me up in a few minutes.”
“At least you’re not driving.” He sat down in front of her. “God, now I’m shaking.” Fuck, she was pretty. He hated his body for reacting to her. “Do you know you still haunt my dreams? What does that say about me?”
Tricia sighed heavily. “If I’m haunting your dreams, you have nightmares, I guess,” she muttered dryly.
“What happened to you? Are you on something?”
His question infuriated her. Tricia tried to stand again, she had to get out of here. Being near Lance just hurt too much. “No, I’m not on drugs. Why are you torturing me? You know exactly what’s wrong with me. This is why you pushed me away!”
Lance was perplexed, she wasn’t making any sense. A knock on the door prevented him from responding.
“Tricia?”
Freddy. “Thank goodness. I’m here! I’m coming!” She pushed to her feet, her legs still a little wobbly. Turning to Lance, she spoke quietly, saying goodbye, “I just wanted you to know about th
e baby. Like I said, I don’t want anything from you. I wish you well, Lance.”
Just as she reached the door, Lance stopped her. “Wait. You’re carrying my baby, I need to know what happened to you out there. Are you under a doctor’s care?”
“Yea, I am.” She shrugged away from his hand. “I don’t understand you. One minute it’s not your baby, the next it is.” When he tried to stop her again, she jerked out of his grip. “You don’t want me, Lance. Let me go.”
His hand dropped.
Tricia exhaled, all the adrenaline draining from her body. “I’m tired.” She took one last look at the face of the man she loved more than life. “The baby’s fine. That’s all you need to know.”
* * *
Lance couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t sit still. His thoughts were ricocheting through his mind like stray bullets.
Tricia was pregnant!
Despite his protests, Lance didn’t have any real doubts he was the father. In all the time he’d known Tricia, he’d never known her to be involved with anyone. She’d always only had eyes for him. “Fuck! Fuck!” he bellowed to the heavens as he galloped through the night, trying to clear his head. Staying inside the cabin made him feel boxed in, he couldn’t breathe. What the hell was he going to do? As harshly as he’d treated her, there was no way Lance could walk away from his child. But before he did anything, he needed to get his act together. He needed answers. Reining in his horse, he climbed down to sit on a felled tree, staring off into the valley below. As soon as dawn lit the eastern sky, he’d call Tricia. This time he’d listen, he’d be civil.
But when he tried, she wouldn’t pick up. All his calls went straight to voicemail.
…At the shop, Tricia met with her small staff in the office before the shop was due to open. Bryn had come in for an interview and Tricia hired her on the spot. The woman’s personality brightened the room. She had an infectious laugh, a sweet smile, and the prettiest auburn hair Tricia had ever seen.
Since it was Saturday, Kristen was here all day, or at least until it was time to get ready for her date with Nathan McCoy.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” Bryn asked, staring at Tricia’s cell phone vibrating and buzzing on the desk.
Glancing at Lance’s ID, Tricia said simply, “No, I’m not.”
Since the other two women were checking out the phone, Kristen leaned in to read the name on the screen. “Lance Rogers.” She raised an inquisitive eyebrow to her boss. “I’m not sure what happened between the two of you, but I assume it’s over?”
Tricia laid a folder over the offending cell. “Completely over.” She felt her cheeks grow warm. “Since I need you girls to help me guard the gate, I’m going to be honest with you. Kristen, you already know about my medical…issues.” She turned to her new employee. “Bryn, one of the reasons I needed you is that I have recently been diagnosed with epilepsy.”
Bryn drew in a surprised breath. “I’m so sorry.”
Tricia shook her head. “It’s no fun, but I grew up with it.” She shrugged. “I thought I’d outgrown it, I had no symptoms for a number of years. A couple of weeks ago, I hit my head in a small wreck and suffered a seizure. I’ve had three others since then. I can function, I intend to function…but I need help. I can’t risk driving.”
“Don’t worry.” Bryn assured her. “I’ll do anything I can to help.”
Tricia glanced from Bryn to beautiful Kristen. “To complicate matters, I’m pregnant.”
Both girls squealed and Tricia laughed. “Yes, I’m happy too.” Picking up her phone, she pointed to it. “However,” she paused, “I’d rather not see or talk to Lance. At least for a while.” Nodding her head at their questioning expressions, she verified their suspicions. “Yes, he’s the father. I intend to cooperate with him about the baby. I just don’t want to see him right now. With everything going on with my health, he stresses me out. So, if he shows up or calls, I’m unavailable. Okay?”
Kristen was onboard. “You got it, Boss.”
“I can be a bulldog.” Bryn informed her. “I’ve got your back”
“Good.” Tricia felt better. After last night, all she wanted to do was get on with her life. He’d been the one to push her away, but she intended to follow his lead and make sure he stayed at arm’s length. She had no intention of setting herself up for another fall.
* * *
Lance stood with hat in hand just inside the door of Tebow main house. Since his sister lived within the walls, he was a frequent and welcome visitor. Today, however, he wasn’t here to see Skye, he needed to talk to Isaac’s wife – about her best friend.
“Watch it, you outlaw! I’m a Texas Wanger! Bang! Bang!”
Lance edged back against the wall as a small bandito ran through, complete with a black eye mask.
“You’ll never catch me! I’m not scairt of no wawman!”
The small masked figure was closely followed by a miniature cowboy, riding a stick horse and brandishing a toy pistol. “Put your hands up, B.T. It’s all ova. I’se gonna put you behind bahs in de jailhouse!”
“Bang! Bang!” Little Colt McCoy, apparently on the lam, fired his tiny gun at his cousin.
“All right! All right! The range war is over! Time for lunch.” Jessie McCoy, looking quite pregnant, began rounding up her son and nephew. “Oh, hi! I didn’t know you were here, Lance. Do you want some lunch?”
Lance grinned. “No, I’m here to see, Avery. Isaac said she was in. Could you ask her if this is a good time?”
“Sure. Let me get these wild west wranglers seated at the table and I’ll go up. She’s in the nursery with David.” Jessie grinned, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “With two new babies and four little ones under five years old in the house, we’re going crazy around here!”
“I can imagine.” A chill ran over his body. He was going to be a daddy. The whole idea didn’t seem real yet. As he waited, he strolled to the fireplace mantle and checked out all the family photos lined up over the hearth. He was even in a few of them. Lance blew out a long breath as he surveyed memories from happy occasions. This family had been good to him. A smile came to his face as he found Noah and Skye’s wedding portrait. His sister looked so happy. Next to it was a photo from Isaac and Avery’s wedding with Tricia standing up for her. His heart jerked in his chest at the sight of the woman he’d made love to so passionately. Closing his eyes, he admitted that she still affected him. If he hadn’t been halfway in love with her, none of this would hurt so much.
“Hey, Lance, what’s up?” Avery’s voice drew his attention.
When he moved to face her, he wasn’t surprised to find her looking a bit reserved and apprehensive. Of course, she would know about his and Tricia’s…difficulties. “I’d like to talk to you, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, let’s go into the sunroom.” She carried a sleeping David in her arms as they entered the glass enclosed area.
“I appreciate you seeing me, Avery. I know you have your hands full.”
Avery placed her baby on one end of the couch and sat down beside him. She indicated a wicker rocker across from her. “You are family. Of course, I’d see you.”
Her words might be civil, but the chill in her voice wasn’t lost on Lance. He took the seat indicated and leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees, his hat in his hands. “This is a little awkward, but I need your help. I need some answers.”
“Be careful, Lance. Tricia is my best friend.”
Lance nodded. “I understand. I guess you know what’s been going on.”
“Maybe. What are you talking about?”
Lance found himself to be a bit nervous. This woman was a success in her own right and she was married to the badass of Kerr County. “We went out together after Skye’s birthday party and…things didn’t work out.”
“Why? Did you plan it that way? Were you only interested in a one-night stand?”
Lance’s head jerked up. “No, I didn’t plan it. I thought we were
headed toward…something…”
“You slept with her and then gave her the brush off. What’s wrong with you?”
Avery was solidly on Tricia’s side. Lance wasn’t surprised. “I found out she hadn’t been totally honest with me.”
“About what?” Avery raised her voice, then placed her hand on David when he jerked in his sleep.
“That doesn’t really matter. She’s pregnant with my baby and I need to know if she’s sick. When she came to see me last night, she collapsed in my yard…”
“What?” Avery held up her hand. “Hold on a minute. Tricia is pregnant?”
Lance was surprised she didn’t know. “I thought she told you everything.”
“I thought she did too. When did she come see you?”
“Last night.”
“My God, I need to go to her.” Avery stood and picked up the baby. “Lance, I’m so disappointed in you.”
Lance tried not to be offended. “There’s more to this story than you know, Avery. I found out that it was Tricia’s grandparents who stole my family’s ranch in a stupid card game years ago. We lost everything! The night we slept together, I found a photo of Tricia with her grandmother standing underneath the gate of Shenandoah, my ranch!”
Avery stopped, turned around and sat back down. “You pushed her away because of ancient history? A history she had nothing to do with?”
“She’s Marcelle and Slade Lambert’s granddaughter! Why would she keep that from me?”
“Tricia grew up living with her mother, Lance. Her father and his family abandoned them when she was just a baby. When Marcelle Lambert contacted her a couple of years ago, they hadn’t seen one another since Tricia was in diapers. As far as I know, she’s only visited her grandmother a handful of times. They’re just now getting to know one another. I bet Tricia doesn’t have a clue about your ranch or anything her grandparents might’ve done to your family in the past!”
Lance froze. “The picture I saw was made under the Shenandoah sign,” he said weakly.