Cowboys, Babies and Shotgun Vows

by Shirley Rogers

  “Hi, darlin’,” he said, keeping his voice low so as not to frighten her. He didn’t miss the way her big blue eyes studied him. “My name’s Ryder. And this is Ashley.” Ashley bent down beside Ryder. The little tyke watched them both in silent regard. “Is your mommy lost?” Ryder asked, giving her a smile.

  The cherub’s head bobbed up and down. “Well, I’ll bet she needs you to find her,” he said soothingly. “How about we go look for her?”

  “‘Kay,” she answered in a tiny voice. Two big tears slid down her chubby cheeks.

  Ryder looked at Ashley who was also staring at him. He winked at her, then turned his attention back to the little girl. She was a real sweetheart, and he bet her mother was frantically searching the store for her. “Can you tell me your name?” he asked, keeping his tone to a whisper.

  Her head bobbed again. “Crissy,” she said, and her voice wobbled.

  Ryder smiled again, pleased that she was cooperating. “Well, Crissy, darlin’, don’t worry about your mommy. I’m sure we’ll find her.” He thought he’d try to distract her by getting her to talk. “Can you tell me how old you are?” She held up three fingers. “Good girl,” he said, holding out his hand. She took it and climbed out from the rack.

  Ryder scooped her up in his arms as he and Ashley stood. Crissy put her arms around his neck and hung on as if she’d known him forever. Her chubby fingers stroked his skin as she pressed her soft cheek against his rough one. She trembled in his arms and Ryder felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness for her. He looked at Ashley and his chest tightened as the impact of his feelings hit him—he wanted to be a father to his baby.

  “Let’s try to find a clerk,” he suggested, holding Crissy a little closer. Ashley nodded, and they walked to a nearby sales station.

  The woman behind the counter greeted them, and Ryder explained the situation, being careful to involve Crissy as much as he could.

  The clerk smiled. “You can leave her here if you like. We’ll make an announcement on the speaker system. I’m sure her mother will come when she hears her name.”

  Ryder started to set Crissy on the counter, but she whimpered and clung to him. Her breathing changed and she began sniffling again. The last thing Ryder wanted was for her to get any more upset.

  “Maybe we should stay with her until her mother comes,” Ashley suggested, smiling at the child. “Would you like that, honey?”

  Crissy nodded her head. Her little hand caressed Ryder’s cheek, then moved down and played with his mustache. Even through her fear, she seemed fascinated by it.

  “Sure we will,” he assured her. Looking into her big eyes, Ryder saw the trust she’d put in him to keep her safe, and it made him feel good. “What’s your mommy’s name, darlin’?” he asked her. She was busy looking at his mustache as he talked, and he had to get her attention and ask again.

  “Mary,” she finally said.

  The clerk nodded and picked up the telephone. After a second her voice came over the speakers.

  Minutes later a woman came rushing up to them. She was out of breath and tears glazed her worried eyes.

  “My baby!” she cried. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” She reached for her daughter, and Crissy immediately fell into her mother’s waiting arms. “Thank you so much!” she exclaimed, hugging the little girl fiercely.

  “We found her in a clothing rack,” Ryder explained. The woman looked both relieved and embarrassed.

  “You must think I’m a terrible mother,” she said. “I don’t know how she got away from me. I’m usually so careful.”

  “I’m sure you were watching her closely. It only takes a moment,” Ashley reassured her. “She’s fine now. That’s all that matters.”

  “I’m so grateful to you,” Mary said again, a catch in her voice.

  Ryder nodded. “Crissy was very brave. She told us your name so we could find you.” He looked at the little girl and grinned. She’d started to cry when her mother came for her, but now there was a touch of a smile on her lips. “You take care of your mommy, darlin’,” he said, touching her cheek. Crissy put a finger in her mouth and nodded, her eyes big and wide. The woman thanked them again, then rushed off.

  Ashley turned back to Ryder. “You were very good with Crissy,” she commented.

  Ryder shrugged, a little uncomfortable with her observation.

  “You were,” she said again. “I’m impressed at how she responded to you. She wouldn’t even talk to me. You were able to get her name and her mother’s name. I can’t get over the way she clung to you.”

  Though he didn’t say so, Ryder had surprised himself. He’d enjoyed holding the little girl in his arms. He looked at Ashley’s stomach. The thought of holding his own child made his chest ache a little. He was actually beginning to look forward to its birth.

  They finished shopping, and Ashley left the mall with five new outfits to wear. She had insisted that she only needed a couple, but Ryder had argued that she would be needing more than that soon. They argued once again over who was going to pay for the clothes. This time Ashley was pleased when Ryder finally agreed to let her pay. Maybe at last she was getting through to him.

  After a quick lunch, they drove to the doctor’s office. Ashley checked in, but hadn’t waited long when the nurse came to the door and announced her name. She followed the woman to one of the examining rooms and was told to lie down. The nurse adjusted Ashley’s clothing, then put a sheet over her middle.

  Ashley was flat on her back on an examining table when she heard the door open. She looked up expecting the doctor, but drew in a sharp breath when Ryder came in with the nurse.

  “I brought your husband back,” the nurse said, grinning. “He seemed a little reluctant, but I assured him this was so much fun he wouldn’t want to miss it” She winked and pushed Ryder toward Ashley. “You can stand right beside her. Dr. Charles will be with you in a few minutes.”

  She left the room and Ryder’s gaze fell on Ashley, his expression wry. “She was pretty persistent, and I didn’t want to go into an explanation out there in the waiting room. I hope you don’t mind that I’m here. I can step outside if you’re uncomfortable,” he told her.

  Ashley shook her head, feeling both nervous and excited, and a little bit pleased that Ryder had joined her. She knew that it took some courage on his part to do so. “You might as well stay since you’re here, unless you don’t want to.”

  Before he could answer, the doctor came in and greeted them. Ashley introduced Ryder as the baby’s father. The doctor explained the test to them both, then flipped a few switches on a machine. He spread some jelly on Ashley’s stomach and started moving a scope around.

  Images began to appear on a small screen, and Ryder watched, fascinated. He listened as Dr. Charles talked about doing an ultrasound. Ryder tried to make heads or tails of the wiggling lines on the screen while the doctor kept moving the scope.

  “What is that?” Ryder asked, and pointed to a dominant impression that the doctor had been studying for a few moments.

  “That, son, is your baby,” Dr. Charles replied, a little amusement in his voice.

  Ryder studied the object, then smiled as the image continued to move. “Can you feel that?” he asked Ashley, looking unbelievably amazed.

  Ashley grinned, her eyes widening as she experienced what felt like the baby’s foot roll from one side of her stomach to the other. “Yes.” She watched Ryder closely. He was studying the screen intently, his expression changing constantly. It was clear that he was suddenly very much aware that there was a baby growing inside her. And he seemed utterly in awe of that fact.

  Craning her neck, Ashley tried to get a good look at the screen, but wasn’t able to see very well.

  Ryder grasped her hand as he stared at the screen, watching the dark and light shadows change and shift. He focused his attention on them, then a strange feeling crawled up his spine. These images looked exactly like the one he’d asked about only a moment ago. Ryder�
��s heart pounded as he formed his next question, his suspicious nature aroused “Then what is that?” he asked, pointing at the screen again.

  Dr. Charles turned his attention toward Ashley and Ryder. “That,” he said very definitely, “is your other baby.”

  Eleven

  Ryder squeezed Ashley’s hand. He wasn’t sure if he was trying to reassure her, or needed to hold on to her to keep himself steady. “Twins?” he murmured, his voice shaky. “She’s carrying twins?”

  “Twins?” Ashley mimicked, her heart stopping.

  “You two sound like a broken record,” Dr. Charles joked. “Yes, you’re having twins. Congratulations!”

  “Twins,” Ryder said again, then looked at Ashley. “Damn, you’re having twins!” He was just getting used to the idea of one baby. Now they were having two!

  “You’re serious?” Ashley gasped, gaping at Dr. Charles.

  “I had my suspicions during your last visit. I didn’t want to say anything until it was conclusive,” he explained.

  As he spoke, Ashley searched Ryder’s expression. Time seemed to stop as he digested the news. Then he surprised her by leaning over and pressing his mouth to hers. Ashley’s lips clung to his as his tongue made a swift foray into her mouth.

  “Would you like to know the sex of the babies?” Dr. Charles asked, interrupting the intimate moment as he cleaned the jelly from Ashley’s stomach and pulled the sheet up to cover her.

  “I don’t know,” Ryder answered, sounding as dazed as he looked. He kissed Ashley again, then supported her back as he helped her to a sitting position. He looked at her as she straightened her clothing, his mind still reeling from the news that they were having two babies.

  “Do we?” he asked Ashley, his arm fastened around her.

  Still in shock, Ashley shrugged helplessly. She licked her lips, still tasting him. “I don’t know.” She searched Ryder’s face, but couldn’t tell what be was thinking. If he’d had trouble accepting that she was pregnant, she could just imagine what he was thinking now. “Why don’t we wait?” she suggested, feeling confused and anxious. “We’ve had quite a surprise as it is for one day.”

  “Good idea,” Ryder agreed.

  Dr. Charles nodded and assured them they could find out anytime they wanted by calling him. As he turned off the machine, he told Ashley he wanted to see her in two weeks. He congratulated them again, then left them alone.

  Ryder helped Ashley off the examining table. His hands were steady, but inside he was shaking like an erupting volcano. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Like the wind’s been knocked out of me,” she confessed.

  “I know what you mean.”

  They left the office, neither of them saying much. The ride back to the ranch was quiet. Ryder had been thinking of broaching the subject of marriage with Ashley again, and this seemed like the perfect time. Surely she’d be able to see that their current arrangement would never work. They were talking about two children now. He wanted his children brought into the world with his name. He’d just have to convince Ashley that it was the right thing to do.

  Ashley was glad that no one was about when they entered the house. She wasn’t quite ready to share their news. It hadn’t exactly sunk in, and she felt like she was in a daze, still wondering if it was true. Twins! Was she really having twins?

  Ryder walked along beside her as she went to her room, and she sensed he had something to say. She just didn’t know if she wanted to hear it. He followed her inside, then closed and locked the door behind him, effectively shutting out any intruders.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, watching her closely.

  “I feel the same,” she told him, wondering why he’d locked the door. “I mean, physically I don’t feel any different.” Her heart was pounding, though. She was both excited and a little frightened.

  Ryder’s gaze ran over her. “You hardly even look pregnant I can’t believe you’re carrying two babies.” His babies. Ryder felt an overwhelming bond between him and Ashley. He watched her turn away from him and cross the room, keeping her back to him.

  “I know you’re probably having trouble accepting this. I don’t want—” She gasped when she felt him come up behind her.

  “Shh,” he said, and cupped her shoulders with his hands. He squeezed them gently, then whispered, “I want to ask you something.”

  Fear of what he was going to say paralyzed her. Ashley struggled to find her voice. “What?”

  Ryder slid his hands down her arms and across her body to her stomach. “Would you let me feel my babies move?”

  His warm breath fanned her face as he pressed himself against her. Ashley felt weak at the knees. She closed her eyes and absorbed the emotions rocketing through her, letting him support her weight. She nodded, unable to even verbalize her acquiescence. Giving in to her desire to be held by him, to feel his warmth surround her, she clung to the moment. It had been so long and she craved this closeness with him.

  Ryder felt Ashley’s body pressed against his and he closed his eyes, a feeling of relief washing over him and easing the tightness coiled within him. He had thought that she might reject him, and she was certainly within her rights to do so. He couldn’t blame her. Although he hadn’t meant to, he’d behaved badly the last time she’d tried to share the baby with him. His heart swelled. Babies, he amended silently to himself, getting used to the thought of having two of them.

  Ryder held her to him and waited without speaking, his hand caressing her stomach. He thought he felt a faint movement, but wasn’t sure. Without asking, he slipped his hands inside the elastic waistband of her pants and over her bare skin.

  Ashley felt the warmth of Ryder’s hands at the base of her stomach. They were so large, they covered it entirely, his fingers almost touching her femininity. Awareness, strong and urgent snaked through her, building in strength as it consumed her body. It felt so good to be in his arms again. Too good, she thought, her heart aching. If only he loved her as she loved him.

  She heard Ryder sigh, and his hard body relaxed against her. She gasped when the babies moved, expecting him to jerk away. Tensing, she held her breath and turned her head to the side, trying to gauge his reaction.

  “That’s incredible,” Ryder whispered, feeling as if someone had let a rocket off inside him. His babies were growing inside Ashley. Her body was nourishing them, giving them life. He wanted to tell Ashley how much that meant to him, but the words just wouldn’t come.

  Years of not sharing his feelings had made it difficult for him to articulate the emotions he longed to express. When she turned her head toward him, Ryder touched his lips to hers, taking only a taste of what he ached for. He needed her, needed to make her his, wanted to share this moment, to bind them together.

  He kissed her again, his mouth fusing to hers, and his hands slid lower inside her clothing, caressing her upper thighs, skimming the fine curly hair between them. She moved her body against his, moaning deep in her throat as he slowly slid his hands up and inside her blouse to cup her full breasts. She arched her back and her bottom pushed against his burgeoning desire. Hot blood surged through him, hardening him even more, making the ache so unbearable he thought he’d explode.

  Ryder bent and lifted her in his arms. He heard her soft gasp as he laid her on the bed and spread open her knees. He slid beside her as his fingers slipped inside her lacy pink panties and stroked the softness between her legs. He gently touched his mouth to her lips and kissed her deeply. Slowly and very deliberately, he trailed moist kisses over her face and down her throat, stopping only when he reached the opening of her blouse.

  Ashley looked up at him, her desire fueled by the passion in his blue eyes. She slowly started unfastening the buttons to her blouse.

  “Wait,” he whispered, his voice husky. “Let me.” He stilled her hands with his, then slid the buttons open one by one, examining the tops of her creamy white breasts as he revealed them. She lifted slightly, and he unfastened her
bra, tossed it away, then took both mounds in his hands. His blue gaze skimmed over her, perusing her as if he’d never seen her, never touched her. Her nipples were darker, her breasts fuller. He stroked their hardened peaks with his fingers, and they tightened and grew even harder from his touch.

  “It’s been so long. I love the way you respond to me,” he whispered, then kissed her fiercely, his tongue mating wildly with hers before retreating.

  He looked up at Ashley’s face and watched her as he began to make love to her—her big brown eyes dilated with desire, her lips swollen from his kisses. He turned his attention to her breasts and took one peak into his mouth and suckled it. He bit it gently, then teased it with his tongue before taking it into his mouth once again.

  “I remember everything about you. Your taste, your smell, the way you moan when I touch you.” As if possessed, he moved to her other breast, circling the tip of it with his tongue, drawing out her agony until she cupped her hands around his head and held him to her. His mouth and teeth took her nipple then and Ashley moaned low in her throat, a fevered rush pulsating through her, her hips rocking back and forth.

  She reached for him, her hands in a rush to unbutton his shirt. She groaned when he shifted out of her reach.

  “Take it easy, darlin’,” he whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Ryder watched Ashley’s expression, the thrill of making love to her, observing her coming apart at his touch, making him want her even more. He felt her hands in his hair as he moved his mouth down her body, stopping at her belly to plant kisses where she carried the life of his flesh and blood.

  His babies.

  Emotions he couldn’t even put words to rocketed through him. The need to possess Ashley, to claim her as his own drove him wild with desire.

  He tugged at her pants and she lifted her hips for him. Ryder quickly removed her shoes, then her pants and panties followed them to the floor. He spread her legs and kissed her thighs, then touched her with his tongue, tasting her essence, wanting to consume her, to make her his in every way.