“Why is that?” Iggy asked, his gaze fastened intently on Dorie, no doubt waiting to see what she’d come up with next.
“Why, because Shane was so much older than me.”
The glass of lemonade missed Iggy’s mouth. He spilled a measure of liquid onto the table, but that didn’t stop Dorie. She continued, “That frightened me. Here I was just sixteen and Shane, well, he was a mite older than that. I wasn’t all too sure that bloodying a man’s nose while trying to impress a lady would be considered proper at all. But he was so sweet and, aside from drawing blood on that dance floor, he’d been a perfect gentleman. After that, he courted me for a time, bringing me flowers and gifts. He was most attentive. I couldn’t help falling in love with him. And now, we’re happily married. With a baby on the way.” Dorie patted her flat belly. “Of course, Jeremiah is thrilled at becoming an uncle. Isn’t that right, my love?”
Shocked and stupefied, Shane couldn’t respond. If he’d had food in his mouth, he would have surely choked. He simply stared at Dorie, thinking she’d lost her mind.
Dorie kissed his cheek. “Shane still gets a bit tongue-tied when I speak of the baby. But he’s as excited as I am. And Jeremiah is simply overjoyed at the thought of having a little one in the house.”
The Whitakers held back their amusement the best they could, but Shane caught them both smirking and stifling chuckles they seemingly couldn’t quite contain.
They ate in silence after that, Shane suddenly losing his appetite. He chewed his food as if it were sawdust, too dumbfounded to enjoy the meal.
Dorie hadn’t missed a beat. She’d come on full force with a story that baffled him. She’d never discussed with him any of this, except that they’d met at a church social. She’d painted him out to be some sort of ruffian who, once married to her, became fully civilized. And that bit about her being with child muddied up his brain. The thought of Dorie carrying his child scared the living daylights out of him.
But it appeared that Dorie had the whole story planned out in her mind, ahead of time. To her credit, the tale explained in just a few words what might have taken hours to discover. Their age difference, for one. And how happy a marriage they had now. After all, a baby would prove that the two of them had a future together, and she’d brilliantly included Jeremiah in the whole picture. With a new family member, a baby coming, how could the Parkers even fathom tearing him away from his home?
Yes, Dorie was determined to make this work. That’s what scared him most. When Dorie set her mind to something, there was no telling what might happen.
Shane chewed on his food a little longer then shoved away his near empty plate. “Delicious meal, Alberta.”
“Yes, it was delicious. Why I ate everything up. Eating for two sure brings out one’s appetite,” Dorie said.
Shane set his glass down with a gentle thud.
Dorie jumped slightly in her seat but refused to spare him another glance.
“Yes, I remember,” Alberta said, playing along. “Of course it’s been years, but I can recall having an enormous appetite.”
“Wish I’d have been there then,” Iggy said, looking at his wife with love in his eyes. He’d met Alberta later in life, after she’d been widowed and a mother of two. They didn’t have any children of their own.
Alberta covered her hand over his and patted gently. “You’ve been the best father to my children, Iggy. They think of you with warmth and fondness.”
Shane watched Dorie’s expression as she, too, witnessed the loving scene between the Whitakers. The sense of longing and yearning for a love like theirs was clearly evident on her face. Shane wondered at the effect Dorie constantly had on him. One moment he was ready to strangle her and the next, he wanted to cradle her in his arms to give her words of reassurance and encouragement. Which only angered him further.
Alberta stood and announced, “Why don’t you and Dorie go outside for a breath of air while Iggy helps me clear the dishes and make coffee.”
Shane secretly thanked Alberta for her perception. Shane needed some time alone with Dorie. He’d just about had enough of her antics and tall tales. “I think that’s a fine idea.”
“Oh,” Dorie said, glancing first at Shane before pleading with Alberta, “let me help. The men can go outside, for a smoke.” She bobbed her head up and down hoping to gain agreement.
“I gave it up years ago,” Iggy said. “And I don’t mind helping. You two, go on outside. We’ll have coffee ready in no time at all.”
“Yes, go on,” Alberta insisted.
Shane stood and waited for Dorie to rise. Then he grabbed her hand. “Come on, honey. We have a few things to discuss.”
Shane let go of Dorie’s hand the minute fresh air hit his face. He bounded down the steps then walked down the path leading to the front gate. He turned and waited. Dorie stood on the front porch, watching him closely. “You coming?” he called out.
Dorie cocked up her chin, lifted her skirts and climbed down the steps like royalty. “I’m coming.”
She wasn’t three feet from him before his let go his anger. “What’s gotten into your head, Dorie? We’ve never discussed me sending some poor smitten man to the doctor, like a ruffian who can’t hold his temper. And we certainly never discussed me getting you… I mean you being…” He shoved his hand in his hair then pointed at her belly. “With child!”
“I seem to recall you not being interested much in discussing our plan. You didn’t care at all, Shane. So I made up what I thought was fitting.”
“Fitting?” Shane spoke through gritted teeth. “It’s too big a lie, Dorie. It’s sacrilegious!”
“No, it’s not, Shane. It’s perfect. Don’t you see, once the Parkers realize that Jeremiah has a family here, a true abiding family, they couldn’t possibly think of taking him away from me.”
Shane shook his head and continued to shake it while Dorie continued.
“It’s part of the ruse, Shane.”
“And what of Jeremiah? It’s bad enough to make him lie about all this, but to pretend he’s going to be an uncle? I’m not sure he’ll even do it. That boy is honest to a fault. He doesn’t like lying any more than I do.”
Dorie placed her hands on her hips and defended her actions. “You can thank me for Jeremiah’s honesty. I taught him right and I’m proud of him, but this can’t be helped. I don’t enjoy lying either, Shane. It’s necessary and I’m desperate.”
“It’s too much, Dorie,” Shane said, trying to reason with her.
“What’s got you so upset, Shane? The lying, or having to think of me carrying your child?”
Shane shuddered. “You carrying my child?” Shane let out a derisive chuckle. “That frightens me to death.”
“It shouldn’t,” she said quietly. “The thought just came to me today and, well, I wouldn’t mind, Shane. Having your baby—”
“It’s never going to happen.”
“No, not unless you’re willing to jump into the tub with me, Shane. You wanted to. You admitted that much to me.”
Images of Dorie raced into his head again. Sexy, vivid, alluring images that Shane had trouble blocking out. He breathed a heavy sigh and turned his back on her, bracing his elbows against the fence. “You tempt me, Dorie. Making me think of things I got no right thinking.”
“Do I?” she asked softly.
Shane felt her presence directly behind him, her flowery scent lingering in the air. He turned to find her eyes on him. “You know you do.”
Dorie graced him with a slight smile. “I don’t know any such thing. You continue to confuse me, Shane.”
“Well, at least we have that in common.”
Shane studied her eyes, so clear and earnest and blue at the moment. His gaze traveled down the length of her, the contours of the dress fitting her snugly. And then he looked a bit lower and lingered on her belly, flat and smooth. Shane realized why he’d been so unsettled by the notion of Dorie carrying his child.
Dorie would make a wo
nderful mother.
He envisioned her mothering his children, the baby at her breast, the softness in her eyes, the sweet contented face of a new wife and mother.
“We can’t have a baby,” he blurted out.
“Not even a pretend one?”
“It wouldn’t be right, Dorie.”
“Anything that keeps Jeremiah by my side is right, Shane. Can’t you see that?”
Shane cleared his throat. “Sometimes…you go too far.”
Dorie smiled with warmth in her eyes and stepped closer. “Or not far enough.” With that, she reached up on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn’t give Shane time to protest or back away. Not that he would have found the willpower to push her away, because the moment her sweet giving lips brushed his, all of Shane’s defenses crumbled.
Chapter Ten
Shane braced his hands on her tiny waist, his fingers splayed wide, and while his mind told him to back away, his body needed her closer. She kissed him softly and Shane kissed her back, unable to resist her generous mouth and warm nature. She smelled like heaven, her subtle lavender scent invading his nostrils, the softest coppery tresses brushing his cheek.
A little sound escaped her throat, evidence of pleasure and desire stirring within her, and Shane felt the same way. He held her close, his body fully alive with pulsing need. With the next little moan she uttered, Shane mated their tongues and the kiss deepened. He stroked her backside and she wiggled in closer to him until there was no doubt to the extent of his desire for her.
Shane gently broke off their kiss and rested his forehead against Dorie’s silken hair. Holding her tight, he whispered, “What am I going to do with you, Isadora McCabe?”
“I could think of a few things,” she breathed out.
“You shouldn’t go tempting a man by saying those things.”
“I’m not trying to,” she countered softly, “and I wouldn’t say these things to any man. Just you.”
“Ah, Dorie.”
She pulled back enough to search his eyes, her lips trembling and her voice a mere whisper in the night. “Is it so wrong to speak from my heart, Shane?”
Yes, Shane wanted to say, but now wasn’t the time for a lecture, besides which Dorie didn’t much listen to him. She had her own mind and did what she believed right. He had no control over her, which could only mean trouble at the end of the day. Still, Shane couldn’t resist the earnest expression on her face, parted lips and words spoken with such innocence. “No, Dorie, it’s not wrong, but you need to think before you say things that might…cause you harm.”
“You wouldn’t hurt me, Shane.”
“Not intentionally.”
“I know.” Dorie lifted her lips to his once again, the kiss a sweet gentle coupling compared to the lusty encounter from before.
“Hummmph.” The loud interruption startled them both. They turned their heads to find Iggy and Alberta standing on the porch wearing smug expressions. Shane had the feeling they’d been out there a while, watching. “Dessert is ready, unless you’ve had…enough?” Iggy asked in a tone that implied they’d already had their share of sweets. Alberta elbowed him in the gut. “Uh, coffee’s ready, too.”
Shane ran his hand through his hair. “Thank you. We’re coming in right now.”
Shane placed his hand on Dorie’s back, gently urging her forward. She climbed the steps first, while Iggy held the door. But Alberta grabbed at Shane’s sleeve before he could follow Dorie inside.
“A word with you, please.”
“Of course.”
Iggy shot Alberta a warning look that she readily ignored. He entered the house behind Dorie, leaving the two of them alone on the front porch. Alberta walked to the end of the porch and leaned against a post, facing him. Shane took the steps necessary to look her in the eye. “You two remind me of Iggy and me when we first met.”
“How so?”
“One minute you’re fighting as if you can’t stand each other, and the next you’re kissing and making up.”
Shane backed up a step. “Wait a minute here. We’re not doing that. What you saw—well, it’s Dorie’s impetuous nature again.”
“Shane, she may not realize it, but she’s in love with you.”
Shane blinked back his surprise. Dorie had a sweet nature and naturally she’d be beholden to him for helping her, but he didn’t think Dorie knew about love yet. To tell the truth, after more than thirty years, Shane hadn’t any experience, either. He’d never met a woman he’d wanted to settle down with. He’d always thought there’d be time enough for that, later, once his ranch got going strong. “No, you’re mistaken.”
Alberta arched her brows and smiled. “I don’t think I am, Shane. I’ve spent some time with Dorie lately and I think I know her a bit now.”
“I hope you’re wrong, Alberta.”
“Why, would that be so bad?”
“Hell, yes, it’d be bad. I don’t want to hurt her.”
Alberta turned to stare at the front gate, where he and Dorie had been locked in an embrace moments ago. “From where I stood, looked to me that neither of you were hurting. In fact, you both looked happy. Content. For a minute there.”
“Yeah, a minute. But that’s all it was. I’ve been trying to explain to Dorie why I have to marry Marilee. She just doesn’t understand.”
Alberta raised her voice slightly, turning to face him fully now. “Now, I don’t understand. Seems to me when a man takes a woman into his arms and kisses her like there’s a fire that needs putting out, I guess that would confuse even the most intelligent of women.”
“What are you saying? You think I’m confusing Dorie?”
“I don’t know. Are you?”
Shane hesitated and wondered if he’d been doing that very thing—saying all the right things trying hard to push her away, but having trouble thinking straight when she was near. “She’s so damn innocent. She tempts me without even knowing it. And then she infuriates me.”
“Ha! Just like my Iggy. He said the same about me. And we’ve been happily married for all these years. It’s…love, Shane.”
“No…it can’t be.”
Shane paced the wood decking up and back several times while Alberta remained silent. Then finally she asked softly, “What if it is?”
“Then I’m a dead man.”
Alberta chuckled. “It’s not that bad.”
“You’re right. It’s worse. I can’t get involved with Dorie. Aside from her being too young for me, I gave my word to marry Marilee. You know what Tobias Barkley is holding over my head. There’s too many reasons why Dorie and I—”
“You want her. And don’t deny it, Shane. I saw the way you were kissing her.”
Shane closed his eyes briefly. Then he stared at Alberta and neither denied nor agreed with her.
“She’s young and pretty and she’s just about conquered her tomboyish ways, Shane. If not you, then some other smitten man is bound to court her. Is that what you want?”
“Yes, damn it. Nothing would make me happier.” Shane heard the lie in his words the moment he uttered them. Picturing Dorie with another man didn’t sit well. He couldn’t fathom seeing her on another man’s arm, kissing or bedding someone else. He wanted to be free of her; then again, he didn’t.
For the past three years he’d looked after Dorie and her younger brother. He thought of himself as their protector. But somewhere along the line he’d stopped likening Dorie to the sister he’d lost when he was a child. In the beginning, he thought he could make up for not saving Lora by helping Dorie. He’d had noble ambitions in that regard. Now, Shane felt anything but noble. No matter what his feelings were for Dorie, his fate was sealed. Shane had no choice in the matter.
Alberta walked over to him, patting his arm. She spoke in a gentle caring tone. “If that’s truly what you want,” she began, “then you need to let Dorie go. Completely. Don’t encourage her. You have to be the strong one. If I’m right and she’s in love with you, the
n she’ll be crushed when you marry Marilee. Don’t give her false hope, Shane. She’s had a tough life and, frankly, I admire her for her courage. Don’t make it any harder on her than it already is.”
“I don’t want to, Alberta. But Dorie isn’t easy…to set aside.”
Alberta smiled sadly. “I know. You’re a good man, Shane Graham.”
Shane let go a frustrated sigh. “I’m trying to be. I’m truly trying.”
“You’re quiet again, Shane,” Dorie said as they reached her homestead. Shane pulled the wagon brake and set the reins aside, watching Smart and Sassy halt up in front of the house.
“I’m thinking.”
“You’re angry with me again, aren’t you?”
Shane shook his head. “No, not so much angry as…”
“Irritated.”
Shane took a breath then scoffed. “Doesn’t do any good being irritated with you. You’re gonna do what you want, no matter what I say.”
“That’s not true. I value what you say to me.”
“Do you? Could have fooled me.”
Dorie sat ramrod straight in the wagon seat, recalling Mrs. Whitaker’s words to her tonight, once they’d gotten a moment of privacy. And she had to admit, though reluctantly, that her mentor had been right. “Are you talking about our baby?”
Shane lifted wide silver-dollar-size eyes her way. “There is no baby.”
Dorie smiled. “I know that, silly. I just sort of liked the way that sounded.”
When Shane began to protest again, Dorie stopped him. “No, it’s fine, Shane. I won’t pretend to be carrying your child if you’d rather I didn’t.”
Shane removed his hat and ran his hand through his dark brown hair. “I’d rather you didn’t. But what’s got you changing your mind?”
“I had a change of heart, that’s all.” Dorie wouldn’t admit to him that Mrs. Whitaker had made some rather good points tonight when they’d had their talk. Shane didn’t want her pretending to be with child. It would only cause tension between them, as it had tonight. The Parkers wouldn’t see a loving couple, but rather a man very uncomfortable with the idea of fathering a child. Shane wasn’t a man to take deception lightly. It would be difficult for him to feign happiness at becoming a father when the idea disturbed him so much.
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