by Lauren Canan
“Sophie, don’t do this. Don’t leave.”
There was nothing else to say. She pulled her door closed, put the key in the ignition and started the engine. As she drove away, all she could see through blurry eyes was Clay in the rearview mirror.
Thirteen
Clay watched as Sophie drove down the street, around a corner and out of sight. He couldn’t believe she was gone. How had he screwed this up so badly?
Returning to the ranch, he couldn’t help but notice that Sophie’s car was still there, which struck him as odd. In the house he automatically turned toward the office. Her space was cleared and neat as a pin. Gone were her weekly People magazines and the romance books she always kept on the credenza behind her desk. In fact, all that remained of her presence was the screen saver on the two computer monitors: a running horse, its mane and tail blowing in the wind. In the background were the magnificent Guadalupe Mountains.
Sophie loved this part of the world. She loved the haunting beauty of the desert as much as the towering mountain peaks with the thick groves of pine. She took great joy in the animals, from the tortoise to the antelope, although she didn’t suffer any love lost for the mountain lion. He smiled at the memory of their shared night in the cabin near the branding site.
And she seemed to really like working with him. Especially in the years since the accident, she had not just been his assistant, she’d been his friend and his supporter. She was smart and knew her job and his, as well; she was independent enough that if pushed, she could do both. She was going to be missed in the office and out. Especially out.
She was the most amazingly beautiful woman he’d ever met yet unlike most, she didn’t wear a ton of makeup or tight-fitting clothes to show off her figure and impress him. She left it to her smile and her dancing blue eyes and hands so soft it was like being touched by a warm silk mitten. And when she succumbed to his touch and his kisses, she went from a kitten to a cougar in the blink of an eye. She never played coy, never minced her words, sometimes to her detriment, especially in the office if his mood was bad enough. But 99 percent of the time, she was right and thankfully, he’d had enough good sense to realize that before he said or did something he would later regret. Until now.
Probably before the accident, definitely after, he was flawed as hell. He knew he was a hardheaded, arrogant son of a bitch and Iron Heart had provided scars and a permanent limp to go along with his flawed insides. Yet Sophie made him feel so alive, as though he could accomplish anything. Granted, he was a risk taker by nature, but she smoothed out the bumps and made him think twice before jumping into the fire. Consequently, he’d accomplished a lot more than he probably could have without her.
Sophie Prescott was going to be missed in every way from A to Z. And he was going to regret his part in her leaving for a very long time. He’d made a lot of mistakes in his life and he would probably make many more. But the worst of them were with Sophie.
If there was one single thing about this fiasco that was in the remotest sense positive, it was that he’d realized he was totally and completely in love with Sophie Prescott. He would not—could not—live his life without her in it.
He was the kind of man who went after what he wanted and that was not going to change. Not chasing after Sophie was one mistake he would not make. And if he could convince her to come back, it wouldn’t be enough just to have her in his bed anymore. He wanted more; he needed more. He wanted to make a life with her and their baby. He just hoped she would be willing to listen to him. He would make her listen. He intended to convince Sophie to come back with him and dammit, he would not take no for an answer.
* * *
The flight to Indiana was long. Sophie had a lot of time to reflect on what had gone down. Clay was probably telling her the truth about Carla but that was only one incident with one woman and there were hundreds who would happily take her place. On his lap, in his arms and in his bed. The dark, brooding, impossibly handsome man who now carried the scars of battles won and lost in the arena was a temptation to women everywhere. The full lips, with dimples on both sides and those deep grooves that showed off that slow smile, would have most women feeling the heat from the beginning. If Sophie closed her eyes, she could see the passion lighting his emerald-green gaze, could hear his voice as he made demands and whispered encouragement that sent them both to the moon. His big hands, callused and strong, could bring out all kinds of intimate feelings. Dressed in a dark suit and tie, with his demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, he took command over a boardroom. Clay Everett was the most amazing man she’d ever met or would ever meet. She felt a slight blush run up her neck and over her face for ever thinking she would be the one he wanted. What a foolish idea. But at least she had one thing no other woman had: Clay’s baby growing inside of her. An unknown and unintended gift she would cherish the rest of her life.
Although her mother had sounded shocked that Sophie had left her employment with Clay permanently, she was nonetheless delighted to know Sophie was on her way home. Her father had made it through the surgery without any complications and was doing great; at this rate, he’d be able to return home in a week. Her older sister was there with him while their mom picked Sophie up at the international airport in nearby Indianapolis. The thought of seeing her family again after so many years was exciting but still couldn’t override the sadness of leaving Clay.
When and how had her time at Everest become so entangled and perplexing? Probably about the time she fell in love with its owner and CEO. She’d fought the feeling when it hit, tried to ignore it when it refused to go away and finally gave in to the sheer pleasure of being in love. Whether he’d ever felt anything for her or merely saw her as a new conquest, she couldn’t honestly say. She only knew Clay had always made her feel special. Whether that was his standard mode of operation with most women, she didn’t know. But it was enough to propel her into his arms all the while trying to deny that it was exactly where she wanted to be. Forever.
She should have seen the mistake coming. She should’ve known a life in love with Clay Everett was not a lasting thing. He wasn’t a man who would ever settle down with one woman and want a family and children. It was only since his accident that he’d spent more than a month in the same place. It was a life much too tame for him to be content. His mind-set was more in tune with taking on a wild Brahma bull.
He’d never told her he loved her. Even when she had blurted it out during their lovemaking, he hadn’t said anything in return. Her heart had withered a little at the time. Now the sorrow had spread throughout her body. She wanted to curl up and die. She had never seen herself as one of those girls who silently grieved while she watched the man she loved go on to other relationships. But that was pretty much what she’d done. Caught in her own inability to conceal her love, she had, by her admission, put their relationship in a very precarious setting. Had he grimaced when she told him she loved him? Surely she wasn’t the first.
And she wouldn’t be the last.
* * *
Sophie and her mother’s first stop was the hospital. Visiting with her father did wonderful things for Sophie’s self-esteem; he was just so excited to see her. And he looked great, considering what he’d just gone through. But even seeing that he was going to be okay hadn’t taken away all the pain she carried inside. She left with a promise to come visit him again tomorrow.
“You remember where your old room is,” her mom said as she and her sister carried her luggage inside the small white frame house. “I put fresh linens on the bed, gave the room a good cleaning and opened the windows to let in some fresh air. Both your and Susan’s rooms have been closed for a while.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Susan’s arms came around her. “I’ve got to get back to work in Indianapolis next week, but that will give us a few days together. Did Mom tell you the amazing news?”
Sophie frow
ned. “No.” She looked across the room at her mother. “She didn’t say anything about anything, really.”
“I wasn’t going to overwhelm you your first second home, but...” Sophie noticed the tears welling in her mom’s eyes. “I’ve been awarded my PhD. All those years of studying and research finally paid off.”
“Oh, Susan!” Sophie hugged her sister. “That’s so awesome! Congratulations!”
“That’s not all... I’m engaged.” She held out her left hand. On the fourth finger was an amazing engagement ring. While delighted for her sister, Sophie couldn’t help the tears that stung her eyes. “That’s wonderful news!” Sophie proceeded to put on an act like none other.
“We’re getting married next summer then flying to the Bahamas for the honeymoon. Grady said we will have to live in Indianapolis, but we’ll be less than an hour away from Mom and Dad. I’m hoping to get on the faculty at Purdue with Grady.”
“Isn’t that great?” their mother interrupted.
“It sure is,” Sophie agreed and smiled. If only Clay could be here to share the joy.
“So.” Susan looked at Sophie. “I hear you’re going to be a mother! That’s wild, Sophie. It’s good news, but strange to think of my kid sister having a baby.” She laughed and gave Sophie another hug. “Are you going to have it here or back in Texas?”
“Here.” She swallowed hard to keep the disappointment from showing. She would give anything to have her son or daughter in Royal, Texas, to raise the baby near its father. But it wasn’t feasible. Clay, if he cared, would have to come here. “After it’s born, I’ll find a job and rent a little house. Maybe I can do some substitute teaching between now and then.”
She hadn’t really thought this through but it made sense. She had enough in her savings to buy a used car and carry her for several months. If she could find a job in spite of what she’d done back when she was a senior in high school, it would work out okay. She was serious when she’d told Clay she wanted nothing from him. She wasn’t about to leave him one day and call him asking for money the next. She’d definitely want child support, but wouldn’t ask for a dime before then.
“Are you hungry?” her mom asked.
“I would love a bowl of cereal, if you have some.”
“Cereal? Is that all you want to eat?”
“Come on, Soph, I’ll help you find it,” Susan said. “I want to hear more about Royal, Texas. Did you really work for a billionaire? I’ll bet he was a hunk.”
* * *
The next few days slowly crept by. It was good being in her childhood home with her family. Her father did so well in recovery that he was released early from the hospital, and caring for him took Sophie’s mind off her troubles a little bit.
She realized she should’ve made the trip home a long time ago, for Christmas or another holiday. At first she’d avoided coming back to Tipton County because of what happened her senior year in high school. After that, she’d immersed herself in her new job, wanting to do the best for Clay that she could, especially after the accident. One month led to the next and the next until the years had passed.
While she tried to keep the smile on her face whenever someone was nearby, she knew her parents sensed her sadness. Thankfully, neither one said a word. But her mom knew. About Clay and the baby. About leaving him. About the turmoil and pain that was ripping through Sophie’s heart.
She had been on pins and needles every time her parents’ phone rang. And she faithfully kept her cell charged. But no call came through. By the fifth day, she was forced to accept the finality of the situation. Clay would never call. Maybe he’d finally had his security division run a check on her background and had found out her history. That, combined with the ball and chain she offered, was more than enough to keep him at a distance. At least until February, when the baby was due to be born. She believed he truly cared about the baby. It was just the kind of man he was. He would be a good father. Of that she had no doubt. But it would be fatherly time spent with his son or daughter when she wasn’t around. Tea parties in the grand salon if a girl. Riding his first horse and learning to rope if a boy.
Then one day, as she was heading outside to do some gardening, the tears sprang to her eyes before she reached the back door. This time there was no holding back. Dropping down onto the outside stoop, she gave in to the misery she’d kept inside for so long, until the sobs overwhelmed her and she could no longer feel or think of Clay Everett.
Fourteen
The rumbling sound of thunder filled the far-off horizon. Sophie looked up to see an almost cloudless blue sky. Odd, she thought. But then out here in the miles and miles of flat terrain of the farming communities, sound had a way of traveling great distances.
She was sitting outside the house under the shade of the large tree on the bench swing her father had built when she was only a child. She had so many memories, most of them good, of growing up in this small, rural American town with a population under a thousand. For eighteen years it had been her world. Then tragedy had struck and she’d spirited off to a college in a distant county. Ironically, her world had expanded. From there she’d taken a job working for a Texas rancher and part-time rodeo cowboy. Now she was back where she started. She’d come full circle. And she’d brought with her new memories, experiences she would always cherish, and soon a child who would grow up between two completely different worlds: the quiet farming community Sophie had always called home and the Texas ranch of the baby’s billionaire father.
The sound of the thunder grew increasingly louder until Sophie realized it wasn’t thunder but an aircraft of some sort. Whatever it was, it was big and headed in this direction. The numbing thought ran through her mind that it might be Clay. Would he come here? No. That was a ridiculous idea. They had said everything there was to say before she left. He had his corporation to run, Maverick to fend off and an entire ranching operation to manage. Although Clay had help with most of it, the responsibility still rested on his shoulders. He wouldn’t have time to come all the way to Indiana because of her. Even if the time was there, there was no reason.
She had to stop this. She had to let go of that last lingering strand of hope. It was over. Whatever they had at one time, imagined or real, was over. She needed to focus on the future. She needed to apply for a substitute-teaching position for the upcoming fall start to the school year. She had to find reliable transportation. She had to find a doctor, an ob-gyn. She really should find her own place to live but until the baby was born she might be of help to her parents if she just stayed here. Although it was a bit cramped, they had made the room.
The sound grew louder. Then, as though dropping out of the heavens, a helicopter appeared some few miles away. As it came closer, she could just make out the lettering on the side: EVERETT. It was Clay or someone from his company. Her heart rate sped up and she swallowed several times, her eyes glued to the aircraft.
The sheets and towels her mom had hung out on the line to dry in the fresh air began to move as though they were desperate to escape the storm that was headed their way. The trees swayed, the grasses parted as the helicopter lowered out of the sky.
Sophie didn’t know whether to stand there or run into the house. The turbulence caused dirt particles to swirl around her face, getting into her eyes and nose. With no landing pad available, the pilot had no choice but to land on the loosely packed earth of the plowed field directly behind the house. Giving the helicopter one last glance, she bolted toward the house. She didn’t need to stand there fighting the turbulence and she didn’t want to appear overanxious for Clay to step out of the helicopter. She didn’t want him here. She was making some headway in coming to peace with their parting and she didn’t want to face his questions and excuses. Still, part of her wanted to know what had brought him here.
The blades of the helicopter slashed the air as the chopper set down. With
one backward glance, Sophie slipped into the back door of her parents’ house and closed it behind her. She realized she was trembling. She wanted so badly to see Clay again but when he left, the pain would be fresh and new. The thought of his wonderful scent, those green eyes and easy smile, the warmth and gentleness of his strong hands, made her breathing become shallow. It would take her months to get over that yearning, if not years. She tried to be strong. But her ability to resist him was weak.
Her mother was in the kitchen, cleaning up after their supper. When Sophie had asked to help she was told no, to just relax, watch TV or maybe go outside and enjoy the remains of the day. Now her mom’s eyes were glued to the small window over the kitchen sink, as she no doubt watched the helicopter land.
“Is that Clay?” she apparently couldn’t refrain from asking.
“That would be my guess,” Sophie replied. How many people did they know who would fly in and land the helicopter in the backyard like that?
“Aren’t you going out to welcome him?”
Sophie couldn’t hold back a snort. “If he wants to talk to me, he obviously knows where I live.”
Casually, Sophie walked into the empty living room. “Where are Susan and Dad?” It was amazing how calm she could sound when her heart was beating out of her chest.
“Your father is upstairs taking a nap and Susan went over to Mildred Sullivan’s to pick up a pie she baked to welcome you home. Apple. It’s your favorite.”
“Oh.”
Where was Clay? Sophie’s hands formed tight fists at her sides to try to prevent herself from going to a window and peering outside. Just then the front doorbell rang.