by Leigh Riker
He’d started to rise from the stool in the corner when Doc said, “Everything looks fine, Blossom. And isn’t that a lovely name you have?” Logan turned to see Doc pat her arm. “Stay right there. Why don’t we do a sonogram today?”
“I’ve had one before. It was blurry. Do you think I can actually see him?”
He winked. “The miracle of modern medicine. Just got a new machine.”
“Logan.” Blossom’s eyes again begged him to stay.
He felt bad for her. Ken sure wasn’t here. Another thing to be thankful for, but this wasn’t his place...his responsibility... Logan reminded himself he didn’t want one.
He wheeled his stool over to the exam table.
“Go for it,” he said.
As the images showed on the screen, at first he couldn’t make anything out. Blossom said the same thing. It had been that way with Nicky, too, he remembered. Then the pictures seemed to sharpen and jell into two pairs of limbs, a head, a curved spine. Blossom clutched his hand so hard it hurt.
“Oh. Look. There he is,” she murmured.
There were tears in her eyes, a look of sheer wonder on her face.
Libby had looked that same way.
Logan was pretty sure he would, too, if he’d looked into a mirror.
“All the basics are where they should be.” Doc moved the tool over Blossom’s abdomen a few more times, as if fascinated himself by the images.
“It’s a boy, right?” she asked.
“Can’t tell that. There’s no cooperation at the moment. The baby has the vital parts covered. Maybe next time.” Doc sat back on the opposite stool. “Well. What do you think?”
“I think I’m pregnant!”
Doc laughed. “Right you are, young lady.” He turned to a nearby cabinet. “I’m going to recommend some prenatal vitamins. It’s especially important to make sure you’re getting enough folic acid. I wish you’d come in sooner...” He rattled off some other directions for Blossom’s care. Then, while Logan’s head was still swimming, they were out on the sidewalk again. Blossom was still smiling.
“What a nice man. He didn’t even charge me.”
“Doc gave you the new-baby package. His fee will cover everything from today until you deliver.” Which implied she’d be here that long. “But don’t worry about that now.”
“One-stop shopping.” She raised her face to his. “I need to get my last week’s pay from Shadow—I meant to before I left. I’ll get that while you order the feed, or whatever you need.”
When she turned, he caught her shoulder.
“Congratulations, Blossom. You’re on your way.”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for staying with me.” She paused. “Thanks for insisting I see Doc. You were right. I didn’t like him taking that history, asking about the doctor I saw in Philly. I’ve been worried about that.”
He leaned down, and in the bright morning, in the middle of Main Street, he kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Don’t,” he said, as if cautioning himself instead of Blossom. “We’ve got this covered.”
She let him hold her for a minute before she drew back. “I feel like celebrating.”
“I’ll buy you lunch here in town this time.”
“First, we have some birthday presents to buy—for Nick.” She kissed him once more then started off toward the agency. “Meet me at the truck.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SHE’D ACTUALLY MET her baby! The pregnancy hadn’t seemed quite real to Blossom before, even after she’d felt those first flutters or when she sang lullabies each night, or back in Philly, where she’d had one doctor’s visit before any visible signs were there, but now...
At dinner she broke the news to Willy and Tobias. If they hadn’t guessed before, Sam, who had come to the table tonight, already had. And Blossom held her breath. She should have warned Logan that Sam knew before she said anything. Sam was grinning.
“High time you had another one to carry on this ranch someday. When he’s grown Nick will need help.” He glanced at Blossom. “A boy, you say?”
Blossom rearranged her food, peas on one side of the dish, meat on the other. “I can’t be sure. Yet. I think so.”
“If it’s a girl instead, we’ll have us a cowgirl. Been a long time since we had one here at the Circle H.”
“You mean, never.” Logan glanced at Blossom as if to say, What’s he talking about now? Linking them together. “The only kids on the ranch were me and Sawyer. Boys, and we weren’t babies when you came here. When you adopted us.”
But Sam looked as if he had all the inside information. His gaze homed in on Blossom. “I knew the minute I saw you. Now what you need to do is—”
Blossom forced a bright tone. “Everyone ready for dessert?” She began to stack plates. “I made bread pudding tonight.”
Willy tried to make eye contact with her. “My favorite.”
Logan pushed back his chair.
“Sit down,” Sam said. “I know what I’m talking about.” He actually cackled. “You two might as well get married, that’s what I say. We can have a big wedding right here on the ranch.”
Their eyes wide, Willy and Tobias dropped their forks. Logan’s napkin fell into the remnants of food on his plate. He rose then strode from the dining room into the kitchen.
Her heart in her throat, Blossom followed him.
Logan spun to face her. “He’s gone off his rocker. Why would he think that we...and here I hoped he was getting better.”
“He is, Logan.” Sam hadn’t confused her with Olivia since her return.
“Now those two cowhands think we’ve been closer than we should be.”
“No, I think Sam was just matchmaking.” She could hear Willy and Tobias in the dining room, laughing and making jokes with Sam. All of her good feelings from her doctor’s visit vanished. So did the euphoria she’d felt when Logan kissed her on the street, as if he didn’t care what other people saw or thought. “You make that sound like a crime.”
“Well, it would be.” He studied her, his gaze uncertain. “Wouldn’t it? I mean, sure, I’m attracted to you. I guess that’s obvious by now after—”
“Thank you so much.” Her stomach sank. She turned on the sink faucets. “And here I thought this morning in town you were happy for me—”
“I am.” He turned her around. “I’m happy for you. Blossom, if I’ve misled you, I apologize. I owe you another one for bossing you around about seeing Doc. But I have all I can handle with Sam—and if I don’t get back to Wichita soon I can kiss my promotion goodbye. If that happens, I’ll never be able to get joint custody of Nicky—at least not very soon.” He hesitated before adding, “Libby will likely get an earful about...us anyway.”
A fresh wave of misery ran through Blossom. “I shouldn’t have come back. Olivia thinks you plan to leave right after Nick’s party.”
When she saw Logan flinch, she knew Olivia had been right. After all, she knew Logan better than Blossom did.
“I want my son back, Blossom. I want to be part of his life. I’m grateful to you for his birthday party but, yeah, I can’t stay long after that.” He rubbed his neck. “In the meantime, I need to think what to do about Sam—”
“He did guess I was pregnant. I’d just hoped before today he wouldn’t say so before you knew.” When he turned to leave the kitchen, Blossom said, “You know I care about him. I care about—” She almost said you. But clearly, Logan didn’t feel the same way about her. At least he was being honest. “—this place. I’ll stay until after the party, too. Then, like you, I’ll be leaving. For good.”
* * *
LOGAN WAS IN no mood for a party. He’d been an idiot with Blossom a few nights ago. He’d spent the past two days in the barn or on horseback riding fence—an eternal job because there wer
e always broken wires to be fixed and, frankly, Sam could use new posts here and there—until he wondered if Barney was right. The ranch could use some renovation and, for sure, upgraded technology. For instance, the office computer was ancient and the Wi-Fi here was inadequate, adding to their isolation from the rest of the world.
Now he’d have to face Libby if she showed up today.
At least it wasn’t raining.
Logan watched No-Name scamper up and down the barn aisle, chasing shafts of sun and motes of dust while Logan shined up the black truck he’d bought, and kept, for Nicky. At the house he’d left Blossom—without a word—piling presents on the dining room table. In the oven the birthday cake had been baking, filling the air with the scents of sugar and vanilla.
He had to admire her spirit; he’d hurt her by suggesting she had more feelings for him than he did for her.
He was almost done waxing the truck when Grey arrived. Logan fought a swift urge to hide the toy. Then he saw Grey was alone.
“I thought you were bringing Nicky over.”
“Change of plan.”
His stomach dropped. And he’d thought Libby had finally caved after Blossom’s call. “Libby won’t let him come?” What kind of party would it be without the birthday boy? “Not that I’m surprised.”
“Quit letting yourself down easy. He’ll be here.” Grey said no more, and Logan wasn’t in a mood to probe any further.
“Help me roll this truck back into the tack room, will you?”
“You bet. Wait till he sees it.”
“It’s supposed to be his last present—the crowning touch—not the first.”
“Who said?”
“Blossom. She’s in charge today.” Quite a difference from the uncertain woman with the haunted look in her eyes who had first come to the Circle H.
With the truck secured, he dropped down onto a hay bale in the empty aisle and Grey joined him. The horses had been turned out for the day for exercise until they were needed for the “pony” rides later.
For now, he and Grey were alone, so Logan told him about his quarrel with Blossom. “I really messed up,” he said. “She’s not even speaking to me.”
Grey scratched his head. “You have a real way with women. What happened?”
Logan filled him in on his grandfather, too. “She’s been overprotective of Sam ever since—as if I’ll snatch him from the ranch any minute. It’s like I’d throw him into a cell somewhere and chuck the key just for saying the wrong thing.”
Grey let out a low whistle. “And—I can’t believe this—Blossom’s pregnant?”
“I should never have hired her.”
“Do you hear yourself?” Grey eyed him again. “Yep. You look to me exactly like a lovesick calf. Man, you’ve got it bad.”
“Grey, I learned my lesson with Libby. And no matter what Sam might think, I’m not going back there. With anyone.”
“Sam must see you’ve got a real soft spot for Blossom. He sees what’s between you. Maybe you should focus on that.”
Logan stared at him. “Are you kidding? I can’t fall for her. Yes, she’s pregnant—with another man’s baby. That’s all I need.”
“Sometimes we don’t get to plan—or control—things.”
Logan disagreed. The attraction he felt for Blossom was one thing; a new commitment, when he’d failed so miserably with Libby, was something else. Neither he nor Blossom should be thinking about love—and why call it that?
He stood up. Another car was coming up the drive. He didn’t recognize it, which meant the first guest must be here. He tucked in his favorite denim shirt, which Blossom had ironed nice and crisp for the party. His best jeans, too. Maybe she hadn’t been that mad at him. A little boy tumbled out of the car as soon as it stopped. His mother trailed after with a wrapped present. Logan looked at Grey.
“Well, right now there is a plan. Let’s get this party moving.” He just hoped Nicky, the guest of honor, showed up.
* * *
OLIVIA WAS NOT what Blossom had expected.
The yard was already full of six-year-olds when Olivia finally pulled up near the back door with Nick, and Blossom breathed a sigh of relief. She and Logan might be at odds, but if his son didn’t come to the party, she imagined his heart would break. He wasn’t as tough as he looked.
Slim and taller than Blossom, Olivia wore a white suit with a pastel blue-and-green scarf. Her sleek blond hair was wound into a knot at the nape of her neck. Looking as far from Blossom’s image of a ranch wife as possible, probably on purpose, she walked into the kitchen. “We’re here.” Her tone didn’t sound happy.
She’d barely said the words before Nick exploded past her then straight into Blossom’s arms. “Where’s my kitty?”
Blossom hugged him tight. “I think she’s at the barn.” She leaned back to see his face. “Happy birthday, Nick.”
He glanced at his mother with a solemn expression. “Thank you.”
Blossom wondered if Olivia had lectured him all the way from Barren about how to behave. Blossom kissed the top of his head.
“Why don’t you go say hello to No-Name? And all your friends are waiting.”
Olivia was juggling a big box wrapped in Star Wars paper, and she dropped it on the table into a smear of icing Blossom had been about to wipe up.
She grabbed a sponge. “Let me get that. I think I can clean this package until it’s as good as new.”
Olivia’s smile looked rueful. “Knock yourself out, but Nick won’t notice. He’ll tear the paper off without even seeing it’s from his favorite movies. He has his father’s impatience.” She gave Blossom a once-over. “You must be the caregiver.”
Blossom held her gaze. “That’s me.”
Then Olivia surprised her again. “I apologize for that day on the phone. I’m sensitive about Logan—not that I’d take him back. Or he’d have me. As you must know, he’s still bitter about our divorce.” She looked around the room. “So am I. I made enough memories here to last a lifetime. I don’t need any more.”
“Welcome to the Circle H anyway.” Blossom rinsed the sponge then took the slightly damp present into the dining room, where the table was stacked with other gifts. Gleeful childish laughter floated from the barn and yard into the house. The aroma of meat grilling permeated the kitchen.
“I’m glad they’re having fun.” Olivia set her purse on a chair. “Now. As long as I’m here, what can I do to help?”
* * *
LOGAN PUT DOWN the saddle he’d been about to lift onto Gumdrop’s back. The little buckskin mare was the gentlest horse in the barn other than Sundance.
He couldn’t believe Olivia had come.
The quick rush of pleasure didn’t last before Logan mentally crossed his fingers. They’d be lucky to get through the party without a quarrel, but he was more than glad she’d brought Nicky. Glad for Blossom, too. She’d really pulled out the stops for this birthday party to make sure it was one his son wouldn’t forget.
“Daddy!” Nicky ran into the barn.
Logan held out an arm to stop him. “Hey, buddy. What’s our first rule here?”
Nicky’s mouth turned down. “No running. It scares the horses.”
Logan ruffled his light hair, which was slicked into some kind of spike in front. Olivia had dressed him up for the party in tan khakis—a color too light for horseback riding—and a white button-down shirt. The mare didn’t twitch an ear.
“Gumdrop’s your ride today.”
All he needed was for Nicky to have another bad experience, the perfect excuse for Libby to forbid his coming to the ranch again, even with her. Logan planned to watch him like a hawk, which was too bad, really. Kids needed to let off steam, especially boys, as the horde of six-year-olds buzzing all over the yard seemed to prove. The three g
irls Nicky had invited were part of the pack, too. They all wore sturdy jeans, and more than a few had boots. Ranchers’ kids. Nicky wore a spiffy-looking pair of what appeared to be new boat shoes or loafers.
“Can I ride now?”
“Not yet.”
Nicky looked around. “Where’s my kitten? Blossom said she’s here.”
Logan pointed at a nearby hay bale where the little cat was snoring in the sun. “Let her nap for now. You can play with her later.”
“She got a lot bigger!”
“Yes, she did. She’s growing—like you. But your friends are waiting, Nicky.”
“Oh. I forgot.”
“Excitement will do that,” he said.
Nicky ran out the barn doors to join his pals. A rowdy game of hide-and-seek was under way.
Logan was saddling another “pony” when Nicky ran back inside again.
“Can we ride now?”
Apparently, the game in the yard was over. “As soon as I finish getting Ginger and Trig ready.” He pulled Nicky away from Ginger’s hooves then pointed him in the other direction. His son had been about to get stepped on. “Would you fetch his bridle for me from the tack room?” He’d no sooner said the words than Nicky raced off and Logan realized what he’d just done.
“Daddy! My truck!”
Logan straightened Trig’s forelock. “Whoa,” he said.
In the tack room doorway Nicky was trying without success to tug his pickup into the barn aisle. Logan tucked the horse back into his stall.
“Leave it. You guys can ride now then we’ll try out the truck. It was supposed to be a surprise for later.”
But Nicky dropped the bridle in front of him and raced out again.
“Guys! Wait till you see this!”
More than a dozen kids were suddenly in the barn swarming around the tack room with exclamations of delight. They tested the truck’s horn, the lights. The horn again. Country music blared through the barn.
“It’s got a real radio and everything,” Nicky told them with the obvious pride of new ownership.