by Rita Herron
“Well, sure.” Ty chewed, wondering if Dex had never expressed an interest in his grandmother’s hobbies or life before. Of course, he assumed she had a gardener or someone who tended the garden, she probably didn’t do it herself.
A few minutes later, she surprised him. “I usually come out early in the mornings to tend to them,” she said as she led him down the path to the greenhouse. She paused to point out several varieties of flowers on the way. Ty didn’t know their names, but he did appreciate the fact that she enjoyed the outdoors and that she liked to grow things.
Gran Cooper had a green thumb, too. She loved her vegetable garden and would tinker for hours, pruning and tweaking the small section of herbs and flowers she grew.
Why couldn’t his two grandmothers have been friends?
His grandfather’s voice boomed behind Ty as he approached. Had Grandfather Montgomery kept the Coopers and Montgomerys apart or had everyone wanted it that way?
Chapter Eight
Ty had no idea how to find the answer except to stage a confrontation.
He wasn’t ready to do that yet.
He needed to get to know the Montgomerys better. Remembering all the times he’d worked with wild horses, he told himself he had to be patient. He had to weave his way into this family so they would accept him when the time came to disclose the truth.
He wondered if Dex had learned anything on the ranch.
Now might be a good time to call home. His grandfather and grandmother Montgomery had taken a stroll together in the gardens. At home, the Coopers would be finishing with supper so everyone would be busy with clean-up or with the kids.
He carried his paper plate into the kitchen, ignoring the odd look from the cook at the sink and George as he dumped it into the trash. His manners intact, he reached for his hat to tip it and realized it was missing. That he was not Ty. He was Dex. But surely Dex was polite.
“Thank you, ma’am. That was a mighty fine supper.”
George grinned and the cook’s chubby cheeks puffed up into a smile. “Si, Mr. Dexter. I am glad you enjoyed.”
Ty rubbed his stomach. “looking forward to the steak.”
Well aware George’s eyes had narrowed, his focus scrutinizing Ty as if he was trying to pick him apart, Ty slid past him, then went to Dex’s office and roamed through it, studying the books on the wall-to-wall built-in shelves. He didn’t know what he was looking for, but he needed to find something in this house that might give him answers. And tell him about his family.
He finally spotted it. A gold-embossed photo album.
Gran had tons of albums at home; one entire album dedicated to his mother. The book also held a picture of his mother and father together at their wedding. His parents had looked so young, so happy, so in love. So hopeful for their future.
Had there been other pictures at home; ones of his parents with him and Dex? If so, had his grandmother purposely removed them so he wouldn’t learn the truth about his twin? That he was alive, living across the country?
An emptiness pulled at him. Somehow he just couldn’t reconcile his loving family as people who would do such a thing. But it had happened. Meeting Dex was all the proof he needed.
He took the album to the desk and opened it, his chest tight as he saw his father’s face fill the pages. The baby pictures made him laugh, a photo of his father’s first day of school followed. Ty’s throat closed as he realized the similarities in looks between his father and him. And Dex.
He flipped the pages and saw more shots, his father earning some school awards; he’d obviously attended a private school nearby. His father in high school on the tennis team, the debate team, winning a science award. Graduating from high school, college and medical school.
He had nothing in common with his father. Ty had played baseball, horseshoes, ridden in the local rodeo. He’d done poorly in biology, although he’d enjoyed agriculture. His grandparents had always told him he was like his mother; that they both had a way of communicating with the animals.
Then again, his father had been raised in a different world. As Dex had. He studied the pictures again, looking more closely this time. In each photo, his father looked so solemn. So intent and serious.
Unhappy.
Not at all like the smiling young man he’d been in the wedding photo with Ty’s mother. Pride filled him as he realized that his mother had put the smile on his father’s face. She’d given him happiness and love, two things his solemn, studious, workaholic father had obviously needed.
But he didn’t find a single photo of his father and mother together in the Montgomery album. It was as if they refused to acknowledge that part of their son’s life. But why? Hadn’t they seen how happy his parents were together?
How would his father and mother have felt if they’d known their sons had been separated? Had they anticipated a family feud over the boys and stipulated the separation in their will? Somehow, he doubted it…
More torn than ever, he closed the book and placed it back on the bookshelf.
Deciding not to use the office phone in case his grandfather walked in, he hurried up the long staircase, grabbed the phone in his room and ducked inside the huge bathroom. Feeling like a kid trying not to g with his hand in the cookie jar, he punched in his home number. His nerves jangled as he heard the phone ring; if anyone besides Dex answered, he’d have to disguise his voice.
On the third ring, a carbon copy of his own voice sounded over the line. Dex. Thank God.
“Ty?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me about the investors and the chaps? And…Leanne,” his brother muttered in a hoarse whisper.
“Me? Why didn’t you tell me about that piranha you’ve got working for you? And I think George is suspicious!”
“What?” Dex asked, sounding confused. “What piranha?”
“Bridget whatever-her-name-is,” Ty snapped. “Are you two involved?”
“No, I don’t mix business with pleasure, although sometimes I think she’d like it if we were together.” He thought he heard Dex chuckle. “Tell her you want the monthly status reports early. That should keep her busy for a while. My best advice would be to avoid her if you can.”
Like he wasn’t already trying to do that.
“What about George?” Ty demanded. “How do I handle him?”
“Tell him you’re not in the mood to discuss it if he starts prying. That usually does the trick.”
“What about your investment meeting?” Dex prodded.
“There’s nothing to tell.” Ty relayed the fact that he’d been trying to expand the ranch and improve profits, but Dex had apparently already learned that. “You’ll get an official response within a few days. Let me know the moment you receive it. I’m anxious to know which way the wind is going to blow.”
“All right. And you let me know how it goes there.”
“Will do. Anything else? I don’t know how much longer I can hide in this bathroom. George may be spying on me as we speak.”
Dex chuckled. Damn him. He was probably eating up the Coopers, in more ways than one. Those homemade biscuits with honey…Gran’s hugs. His brothers’…
They were Dex’s brothers, too.
“One more thing. About Leanne.”
“What about her?”
“I thought you told me you were just friends.”
“We are,” Ty said flatly. “I guess I forgot to mention that our families would like it otherwise.”
“I guess you did,” Dex retorted dryly. “And this dance?”
“The one on Friday night? It’s just a fund-raiser. I take Leanne every year just to keep the peace in the two families. Little bit of square-dancing, foot-stomping.” Ty imagined Dex trying to buck-dance to “Duelin’ Banjos” and grinned.
“I guess I can take her,” slowly.
Ty chewed his cheek. Surely, his twin hadn’t taken a liking to sweet little Leanne. She wasn’t his type. Then again, she wa
s pretty and young. Damn Dex. “You’d better be nice to Leanne. And behave around her,” Ty warned. “She’s young and innocent and I don’t want her hurt in all this.”
“Neither do I,” Dex said.
“Good. Now, how’s my family?”
“The Coopers are fine,” Dex said pointedly. “They’re waiting for me to join them outside.”
Ty closed his eyes, a small spark of something like jealousy skittering through him. But guilt slammed into him, replacing the jealousy. He couldn’t be territorial about the Coopers. They were Dex’s family, too, and the Coopers always had room for one more.
At least he’d thought they had until he’d learned they’d made this agreement with the Montgomerys.
In his mind, he saw the big family gathering around the TV for popcorn and a movie. The kids, the laughter, the noise. He loved them and missed them.
But he had liked his Grandmother Montgomery, too. Sure, he didn’t know her that well, but he could see a softness in her eyes, a spark of true affection. He would have known that affection sooner had the Montgomerys and Coopers not separated the boys.
And Dex would have been a part of the Coopers’ lives. Then they wouldn’t be having this conversation. In fact, he and Dex might have been friends just like he and Chad and Court. They would have shared both families. And a lot of good times together. Would they have competed in sports?
His mind drifted to Jessica—would they have had the same tastes in women?
“Ty, I gotta go.”
“Okay, but one more thing.” Well, really two. He had to ask about the money. “What’s between you and this Dr. Stovall?”
“Dr. Stovall?” Dex paused, seconds ticking by. “Nothing. She’s a pediatrician at the hospital. Sort of a do-gooder—”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
A long sigh punctuated the silence. “Listen, Ty, watch your step. I have to come back there, remember?”
Ty nodded, even though he knew Dex couldn’t see him. “Don’t worry. Everything’s under control. Only there—”
“Listen, man I gotta go. Angelica’s on my heels.”
Dex hung up and Ty grimaced. He still hadn’t asked about the money.
Oh, hell. Dex had told him in the beginning to use his discretion. He was worrying for nothing.
Besides, he wanted to prove to the Montgomerys that he had some business sense himself. That he could move the numbers around, make this deal work and still clear profits for them.
Maybe he wanted to prove something to himself, too. That when he returned to the ranch he could solve those problems as well.
In the morning, he’d review M3I’s financial situation and the funds Jessica had suggested. After that, he’d meet Jessica for lunch, and work out this business deal.
Then his grandfather would have to admit he was worthy of being part of the family. After all, he wasn’t Ty Cooper, cowboy-rancher, here in need of money. He was Dex Montgomery, doctor, businessman, head of one of the largest medical conglomerates in the U.S. He had resources at his fingertips that he could use for some good. And he intended to do that before he returned to his own world.
After all, Ty Cooper had nothing to offer Jessica Stovall or her children. Irresistible as she was, he’d be a fool to start something as Dex—not only would guilt eat him alive, but he’d get burned in the end when she found out the truth. She probably had a ton of men after her anyway. What would she want with a rancher?
THE NEXT DAY, Jessica hurried up the hospital steps, grateful she hadn’t had any emergencies. She desperately wanted this meeting with Dex Montgomery to go well. Then she could get the money she needed and be done with the handsome doctor. Her poor heart couldn’t stand the torture of that man firing up her hormones with his too-charming smile and voluptuous mouth.
A smile and mouth she’d never noticed before he’d returned from Chicago. Whatever had happened to the man there, she certainly hoped the change stayed with him permanently.
In fact, if her memory served her correctly, before his trip, he’d stalked through the hospital corridors with a frown on his face. Always rushed, always hurried, always concerned with crunching numbers, never taking time to notice her or any of the staff, much less the children.
But today he wanted a tour and she intended to give him one. If little Ashley Torry didn’t steal his heart, no one could.
Which was fine, because Jessica had no intentions of letting him near her heart.
He was waiting at the nurses’ desk on the pediatric wing when she arrived. Jessica sucked in a sharp breath. In a couple of hours, the deal would be sealed, and her business with Dex over with for good.
THE MINUTE Ty saw Jessica he knew he was in trouble. She beamed a smile at him that reminded him of sunshine and late-night picnics by the lake. He wanted to touch her so badly he had to stuff his hands in the pockets of his Armani suit. Her gaze met his, and he shifted, pulling at the confounded tie and wishing he could take it off.
Damn, his brother had more suits than a clothing store. He’d fully intended to choose his own clothes this morning, but he’d taken one look at Dex’s closet—it was as big as the upstairs bathroom at home—and gotten dizzy. Then he’d pulled out a few ties and shirts and tried to match them up, but George had walked in and taken pity on him.
He wondered what Jessica thought of George’s selection. Even worse, he wondered what she’d think of him in dusty jeans and his Stetson.
What the hell was he thinking?
She would think he was a down-on-his-luck rancher who smelled like cow dung and d
“Hi, you’re right on time.”
Thank God she hadn’t been able to read his mind. “Yep. I’m ready for the tour.”
Jessica nodded, the miniature Big Bird attached to her stethoscope bobbing up and down.
He reached out and touched it. “Cute.”
She blushed. “Sorry, I was in a hurry. Forgot to take it off.” With a small laugh, she pocketed the instrument. “Come on, I’ll show you my pet project.”
He resisted a flirty comeback and followed her down the hall, feeling oddly out of place as she spoke to the nurses on staff. Her title, Dr. Stovall, was a great reminder of why he was there, that he and Jessica belonged to two different worlds. That this lunch date had everything to do with M3I and her kids. That he had a ton of responsibilities back home waiting for him.
The hospital had been built about fifty years before, Jessica explained, but they kept updated equipment and the staff consisted of top-notch doctors, some coming from Atlanta’s own prestigious Emory University. Being so close to the facility also allowed volunteers and student doctors to train there which helped with patient load, and enabled more individual care.
“Your office is here?” Dex asked.
Jessica shook her head. “No, there’s a medical building adjoined to it where I see patients daily. Patients needing emergency treatment or referrals to specialists go through here. I also help out here when the staff is short.”
“That doesn’t leave much room for a social life, does it?” Dex asked.
Jessica bit down on her lip and led him into the children’s rec room. “No, but that’s okay with me. My life is here with the kids.”
Dex caught her arm. “Your whole life, Jessica?”
Jessica pulled away, uncomfortable with his probing look. She didn’t want to answer personal questions at all. Obviously sensing her unease, he backed off.
“So, this is where the patients come for fun?”
Jessica chuckled. “As much fun as they can have in the hospital.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply—”
“It’s all right,” Jessica said. “I wasn’t chastising you, Dr. Montgomery.”
“Dex.”
She sighed. “Dex. But yes, we provided this room for parents to read, play games, or do other quiet activities with their children while the kids are recovering. As you know, depression is a major problem with illness and affect
s recovery. Keeping children stimulated helps promote a positive attitude.”
Dex nodded. “Of course.”
“We want to expand the facilities and include some computers for games, even access to the Internet for patients to do short school assignments while they’re here.”
“That sounds logic
She continued to point out different programs they hoped to implement. “And now, the best part.”
The door opened and a crew of nurses and nurse’s aides helped several children inside the room. Some came in wheelchairs, some with walkers, others walked but pushed an IV pole, one rail-thin boy who’d lost his hair from chemotherapy walked in with a football clutched to his chest.
Jessica’s heart squeezed at all the brave little faces. When she glanced up, she was surprised to see the compassion and concern in Dex’s eyes. He didn’t speak, only smiled at the children. A little girl with jet-black hair named Molly dragged a beloved blanket behind her, her gait made awkward by the braces supporting her legs. Suddenly her brace caught on the end of her blanket and she pitched forward.
Dex moved in a flash, gently swooping her tiny body into his arms. “Whoa there, little lady. You were about to take a magic carpet ride.”
Molly giggled and clutched Dex’s broad shoulders, laughing when he slowly eased her back down to stand. The airplane noises he made when he lowered her caught all the kids’ attention.
Jessica laughed, unable to believe her eyes. The kids all yelled at once.
“I want to ride, too.”
“Me, too.”
“Me, ’free.”
Dex shrugged. “I’d love to, you guys, but I think the doc here has something else planned for you.” He paused to stoop down and speak to each child individually. When he came to the little boy with the football, he patted him on the back.
“When you get better, son, let me know and we’ll go outside and throw that ball. I bet you’ll have an arm on you like Joe Namath.”
“Who?”
Jessica laughed as he explained the legendary football hero, her throat nearly clogging with emotions. She’d thought Dex Montgomery didn’t like kids; she’d never imagined he’d actually be good with them. But he had a kind, sensitive side. He would make a wonderful father…and he was so damn attractive. It would be easy to fall for him.