Building Dreams

by Ginna Gray

  "I love them. But you shouldn't have," she protested, then blushed when she realized how trite that had sounded. "I mean... you've done so much for us already."

  "Since I was the first one to hold her, it seemed only right that I give Molly her first present. I couldn't very well leave you out, now could I?"

  He made the statenent with a straight face, but that stern mouth slowly curved into one of his rare, heart-stopping smiles, and Tess experienced a moment of acute shock whai she realized that Ryan was teasing her.

  Flustered, she looked down at the teddy bear and fiddled with the bow around its neck. "Well...it was sweet of you, anyway. Thank you, Ryan." She plucked at the stuffed animal's fluffy ears, not knowing what else to say.

  Astonishment and something close to panic slammed through Tess when he sat down on the side of the bed and took her hand. The expression on his face was one she had never seen before. He was so close she could make out the faint shadow of whiskers beneath the surface of his freshly shaved skin, each individual eyelash, the slightly darker streaks of blue that rayed outward from his pupils. Drops of moisture clung to his dark hair and splotched his pale blue cotton shirt. He smelled of rain and soap. And maleness.

  "I came early because I couldn't wait any longer to be sure you were okay."

  Despite its deep timbre, his voice was husky and infinitely gentle, and Tess felt a lump form in her throat. What was the matter with her? It seemed this morning the least little thing produced extreme emotion. She wondered if new mothers were always so sensitive.

  "I'm fine. Couldn't be better, in fact," she said in her perkiest voice.

  "Are you sure?" Absently, he stroked the tender skin on the back of her hand with his thumb. He watched the action for a moment, then looked into her eyes again. "I worried all night that I might have bungled things and done you permanent damage."

  "I'm perfectly all right. Really. The doctor who checked me over last night was in first thing this morning. He gave me a clean bill of health."

  Her stomach fluttered. She was acutely aware of his hip pressing against hers, so tight she could feel his heat through the covers. His nearness, his clean masculine scent, his intensity, overwhelmed her. Unable to hold that steady stare, she looked down, but the sight of their joined hands sent her gaze skittering out the window. Her twanging nerves set her tongue in motion.

  "So. Tell me," she said brightly. "How is your family? And Mike? I'll bet they were relieved to see you and Reilly. They must have been terribly worried. Hurricanes can be so destructive. I'm really looking forward to meeting—"

  "Dammit, Tess. Why are you chattering like that? And why the hell won't you look at me?"

  "I...I..."

  "Tess?" Hooking his finger beneath her chin, he turned her face toward him. He stared at her flaming cheeks. "Good Lord. Don't tell me you're embarrassed?"

  More scalding heat rushed to her face and spread ova: her chest and shoulders. She stared at the teddy bear, still clutched in her hand, and nodded.

  "Look at me, Tess."

  The gentle command brooked no denial, and slowly, reluctantly, her eyelids lifted. Her heart skipped a beat. Never had she expected to see such warmth and caring in that hard face, those vivid blue eyes.

  Cupping his callused palm against her cheek, he looked deep into her eyes. "There's no reason to feel embarrassed, Tess. Delivering Molly was the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world. Believe that.

  "Somehow we've become friends." The comer of his mouth twisted ruefully. "I'm not quite sure how it happened, but there it is. And, honey, there's no need for embarrassment or shyness between good friends." He tipped his head to one side and gave her a coaxing half smile. "Agreed?"

  Tess was so relieved she went limp. She smiled sheepishly and sagged back against the pillow. All the tension drained out of her like air escaping a balloon. "Agreed."

  "That's my girl." He leaned down and brushed her lips with his.

  Tess was sure that he had intended it to be merely a soft salute of friendship, but at the first touch the kiss set off sensations that took them by surprise.

  Her breath caught. Her heart stumbled, then took off at a gallop. She tingled all over. The pleasure was intense, like a shower of sparks cascading through her. She felt the shudder that rippled through Ryan's big body and knew that he was experiencing the same feelings.

  Slowly he pulled back partway. In the taut silence they stared into each other's eyes, bewildered, mesmerized. Neither moved nor spoke. The air around them throbbed and hummed.

  His breath puffed between parted lips, erratic and shallow, feathering her cheek. A pulse beat rapidly in his temple.

  Tess's heart hammered painfully against her ribs, then jumped right up into her throat when Ryan's gaze dropped to her parted lips. He leaned forward, slowly, and her eyelids drifted shut.

  Before their lips could touch, the door burst open and Mike sang out, "Hey, Tess! Look who I brought to meet you. My grandma and grandpa McCall.''

  Ryan sprang off the bed as though the lumpy hospital mattress had suddenly caught fire. He recovered himself quickly, however, and when he turned to his family his face wore its usual indifferent expression. Only his eyes revealed any emotion; they glittered a silent warning at his brother.

  Reilly's wicked smile merely grew wider. "Nice roses," he drawled, flicking a yellow flower petal.

  Tess was so mortified she wanted to curl into a ball and hide under the covers. Good Lord, what on earth was the matter with her? What would Ryan's family think? A fiery blush swept over her from the soles of her feet to the roots of her hair, suffusing her body with heat.

  If Ryan's parents noticed the intimate scene they had interrupted or Tess's discomfort they had the good manners to pretend otherwise. With an aplomb that Tess thought astounding, Ryan made the introductions, and Maggie and Colin McCall came forward, greeting her with smiles and warmth.

  "Tess, my dear, we're so happy to meet you, at last." Maggie took Tess's hand in both of hers. "Mike has told us so much about you."

  "Yes, indeed. All we've heard is Tess, Tess, Tess ever since the boy arrived. But in all that chatter, he neglected to tell us how lovely you are," Colin said gallantly. "Although, I must admit, I'm not really surprised. We McCall men have always had a fine eye for feminine beauty."

  "Awww, Grampa," Mike groaned, rolling his eyes and turning pink to the tips of his ears.

  Grinning, Colin rumpled the boy's hair, his pale gray eyes twinkling with devilment and sheer enjoyment of life.

  Ryan and Reilly may have inherited their black hair and blue eyes from their mother, but it was apparent to Tess that Reilly at least had his father's personality and easygoing nature.

  "I'm just sorry we had to meet under these circumstances."

  Maggie gave Tess's hand another squeeze. "It must have been horrible for you, my dear, giving birth in the back of that cluttered Jeep in a storm. Why, you must have been terrified."

  "I was, at first. But then things started happening so fast there wasn't time to think of anything except having the baby." Faced with Maggie's open friendliness and warmth, Tess began to relax, her embarrassment dissipating.

  "Yeah, and I missed it." Mike shot his father and Tess a surly look. "I told you I shouldn't have come here. I wanted to be there when Tess had the baby."

  "Trust me on this one, sport. You lucked out. That was the most hair-raising ride of my life. I can't remember ever being that scared. I tell you, pal, my heart may never be the same. Of course, luckily for Tess, I kept a cool head and handled myself well."

  "Oh, yeah. Right." Ryan snorted.

  "Hey! I did my part." Reilly gave his brother a wounded look. "I'll have you know it took nerves of steel to drive with all that going on in the back."

  "I'm sure it did. And here I haven't even thanked you yet." Fighting back a chuckle, Tess took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you, Reilly, for all that you di
d for me. I really do appreciate your help."

  "Anything for you, gorgeous." Reilly slanted his brother a smug look and brought her hand to his lips for a kiss. "Anyway, it was nothing."

  "You got that right," Ryan muttered.

  Mike looked at his father, his expression changing from belligerent to awed. "Gee, Dad. Did you really deliver Tess's baby in the back of our Cherokee, like Grandma said?"

  "Tess was the one who did all the work. I just helped out a little."

  "Wow. Wait'll I tell the guys."

  "Well, I for one am thankful that my sons were there to help you when you needed them." Maggie gave Tess's hand a pat. "Are you feeling all right now? I hope you're not suffering any unpleasant aftereffects from the ordeal."

  "No, I'm fine. Actually, I feel wonderful. So does Molly."

  ''So it's Molly, is it? Och, a beautiful name for a beautiful colleen," Colin said in an Irish brogue that rolled from his tongue with the ease of a mountain brook flowing over smooth stones. Grinning, he rubbed his palms together. "What do you say we go down to the nursery and have a look at the little darlin'?"

  "Can we, Dad?"

  "Sure."

  "Certainly you can." Tess sat up gingerly and reached for her robe. "Just give me a minute and I'll go with you."

  "You'll do no such thing," Ryan barked. "You're staying in that bed where you belong."

  "Don't be silly, Ryan. A Dr. Tuttle came by first thing this morning and checked both Molly and me over. He says I we're doing fine. He even encouraged me to walk around. He said it was the best way for me to regain my strength."

  "Huh. What the hell does he know? I've known Joe Bob Tuttle all my life, and believe me, he's nothing but a snot-nosed, know-it-all jerk with the brains of a flea. I wouldn't trust a dog to his care.''

  "I have to side with Ryan on this one," Reilly put in. He looked pale and shaky at the mere idea of Tess getting out of bed. "Look, honey. Maybe you ought to just lie back and take it easy for a while."

  "Don't pay any attention to these two. They haven't liked Joe Bob Tuttle since they were all in the third grade together," Maggie said, helping Tess into her robe.

  "And with good cause. Don't you remember? He chopped down our tree house."

  "Only because you and Ryan were behaving like typical nasty little boys and refused to let him join your club. He was hurt and upset, so he retaliated."

  "Yeah, well, we didn't want the jerk in our club." A satisfied grin spread over Reilly's face. "But Ryan got even. Bloodied his nose good."

  "Wow. Did you really, Dad?"

  "Reilly McCall, you will not talk about such things in front of this child. You hear me? I don't want him to grow up thinking that the way to solve a problem is with his fists. And as for you, young man. Don't you go letting your uncle give you any ideas. I'll have no hooligans in this family. Is that clear?"

  "Yes, ma'am," Mike agreed in a subdued voice.

  "Good... now let's go see Molly."

  When Tess eased out of bed, Ryan was there to slip his arm around her waist. His sudden nearness made her pulse flutter, nevertheless she leaned into him, grateful for his support. She was a lot shakier than she had thought.

  She took small, tentative steps. He tried to shorten his long-legged stride to match her shuffling gait, but the effort caused him to wobble comically.

  Tess looked down at her well-manicured toes peeking out of the white satin slippers, and the large well-worn cowboy boots clumping along beside them. It was heaven to see her feet again at last. She only hoped they survived this walk.

  "Are you sure you should be doing this?" Ryan questioned. "You're not too steady on your feet, you know."

  "Would you be if you'd just had a baby?" his mother asked dryly.

  "My point, exactly."

  "Ryan, please don't fuss. I really am fine. Not only did Dr. Tuttle say I could walk around, he gave me permission to travel back to Houston any time I wanted. I explained that you and Reilly would probably be in a hurry to return, now that the worst of the storm has passed."

  She felt Ryan shrug. "No hurry. Things are in such a mess down there it's chaos. I heard on the radio that power is still out over most of the city. Anyway, after all the rain, it'll take the ground at the site at least a week to dry out enough for us to move the heavy equipment back in."

  "But what about our apartments? What if they're damaged?"

  "Same thing. With so much damage all over town the contractors will be swamped with jobs. It'll probably be a week or more before the owner will even be able to get bids. We're here—so we might as well spend the weekend."

  ❧

  They found Mike, who had run ahead, at the nursery with his nose pressed against the glass. They came to stand beside him, but Ryan didn't remove his hand from Tess's waist. She told herself he was just being helpful, lending his support, but her heart thumped wildly anyway.

  Tess knew she was being foolish, considering what they had been through together, but she couldn't help it. She was much too aware of the hard strength in the big body pressed against her side, of his heat seeping through her gown and robe, of his tantalizing male smell—much more aware than she had any business being, she told herself severely.

  Molly had been taken out of the incubator and placed in a bassinet, but it was at the back of the room. When the nurse saw Tess, she waved and grinned, and hurried over to pick up the sleeping infant and bring her to the nursery window.

  "Gosh. She sure is little," Mike murmured.

  "Little! I'll have you know she weighs five pounds and four ounces. That's a very respectable weight, especially considering she was two weeks premature."

  ''How come she's all red and wrinkly?"

  "Mike!"

  "Well,she is."

  "She's no such thing. She's adorable."

  "Grandma's right. She's a beauty, just like her mother," Colin said, and Tess beamed with pride.

  "Son, you'd be red and wrinkly, too, if you'd gone through the ordeal she did last night. Just give her a week or so—she'll pretty up."

  Tess looked up to thank Ryan, but the words flitted right out of her mind and her breath caught. His intense gaze was fixed on the baby, every trace of harshness and indifference gone from his face. His expression now held so much warmth and tenderness, it brought tears to her eyes.

  He's such a complex man, Tess thought. So hard and cold on the outside. Yet, when it came to babies and small children, he was a marshmallow. A faint smile tugged at her mouth, and —luckily for her—pregnant ladies.

  Molly began to fret. She puckered up to cry, flailing her arms in building outrage. By accident, she found her thumb, and the tantrum ended abruptly as she gave a little shuddering sigh and began to suck.

  Everyone laughed, including Ryan.

  Tess watched the crinkles form around his eyes, watched those chiseled lips stretch wide with merriment and affection, and she felt a sharp pain in the region of her heart.

  No, he was not really complex, she amended. And certainly not cold. Just wounded. He had loved once, deeply, had trusted a woman with his heart, only to have it stepped on. Now he worked hard at keeping people—women especially—away and guarding himself against more pain. But inside... inside he yearned for the very love he spurned.

  The nurse unwrapped Molly, and she released her thumb and stretched and yawned.

  Mike laughed. "Lookit her scrunch up her face. And look, she's got legs like a frog."

  "Michael Patrick McCall! Shame on you. If you keep making remarks like that Tess is going to forbid you to get anywhere near her baby."

  Mike flashed a cocky grin. "Naw, she wouldn't do that. Me 'n Tess are pals. Aren't we, Tess?"

  "Yes, we are," Tess agreed, biting back a grin. "But I'm warning you, pal, you're skating on thin ice. So watch it."

  Mike chuckled and gave her a dig in the ribs with his elbow.

  "Oh, hey, would you look at that. She's smiling. Ahh, aren't you a cutie," Reilly crooned with a sappy grin. "You'
re gonna break a ton of hearts one of these days, Molly girl." He cocked his head and gave a wistful sigh. "You know ... I wouldn't mind having a kid myself."

  "You? A parent?" Ryan snorted. "Oh, yeah. Right."

  "Hey. I resent that. I happen to think I'd make a pretty darn good father."

  "Say, Uncle Reilly. That reminds me of a joke. Do you know what the tuba calls his father?"

  Reilly rolled his eyes. "Oh, Lord. I know I'm going to regret this but, what the hell, I'll bite. No, Mike, I don't know. What does a tuba call his father?"

  "Uoom pah pah."

  Making a sound somewhere between a groan and a growl, Reilly hung his head. Then he lunged and hooked his arm around the giggling boy's neck. "Can I choke him, Ryan? Pleeeese. Just a little?"

  "Sure. Be my guest. But I'm taking Tess back to her room now. She's been on her feet long enough." He looked around and frowned. "Where's Mom? She was here just a minute ago."

  "You know your mother. She probably saw someone she knew and wandered off to talk. She'll show up." Colin said without a trace of concern. "Go ahead and take Tess back. We'll stay here and admire Molly a while longer."

  No sooner had Tess settled back into the bed when Maggie breezed through the door waving a piece of paper. "Pack Tess's bags while I go check her out of here. I saw Joe Bob making his rounds and I talked him into signing her release. She's coming home with us."

  "What!"

  Tess was so floored by the announcement, she gaped at the other woman. By the time she found her tongue, Maggie had shoved the paper into her son's hand and was pushing him out the door. "On second thought, you go take care of the paperwork while I pack her things."

  "But Mrs. McCall-"

  "Did Joe Bob give you any argument about this?" Ryan paused in the doorway long enough to ask.

  "Humph. A little, at first, for all the good it did him. I reminded that young man that when he was small I used to wipe his nose and that I'd paddled his rear end a time or two as well, and I told him I wasn't going to stand for any foolishness out of him now. I pointed out that if Tess could travel all the way back to Houston, she could certainly come home and stay with us."