by Rita Herron
With a weary sigh, she pulled into her driveway, cut the engine off, and patted Nellie good-night. Dex parked behind her and walked her to the porch.
“Are you going to be okay now, Jess?”
Jessica unlocked the door and turned to say good-night, knowing if she didn’t, she would invite him in, and she would give herself to him, then she’d wake up in the morning and be alone.
She was too vulnerable tonight.
Maybe tomorrow when she was stronger she could have a fling, but not now, not with her feelings so fragile.
“Yes, thanks, Dex.”
He traced a tender line around the outlface. “You don’t have to thank me for caring.”
Her throat closed.
“Jessica, will you answer me one question?”
She met his gaze, the stark turmoil blazing in his eyes a mirror of her own. “What?”
“Did your husband leave you because you lost the baby?”
His question stunned her, but not as much as the anger brimming in his words. But she couldn’t go there tonight; she just couldn’t. So she looked at him and lied.
“No. The marriage was on shaky ground before. We…we just weren’t meant to be together.” It was true, she realized. If what they’d felt for one another had been true love, they would have clung to each other in the face of their tragedy, not let it tear them apart.
He studied her for a long moment, then cupped her face in his big hands, angled his head and kissed her.
It was the tenderest, most gentle kiss Jessica had ever imagined, yet buried beneath that tenderness, the hot yearning of some primal need erupted between them. He sipped at her lips, then gently probed them apart with his tongue, tasting and teasing her with loving strokes that set her on fire. She answered with her own hunger, moaning as his arms enveloped her, clutching at his broad back and sinking into the pleasure of his touch.
Slowly, almost hesitantly he released her. “I told you I wouldn’t do anything you didn’t want.”
Jessica nodded against his chest.
“Call me if you need me.” With a whispered good-night, he released her, then walked back to his car, leaving her alone with her demons. She only wished she had the strength and courage to face them.
TY ACHED to go back inside Jessica’s home and make sure she was all right. Never had he wanted to protect a woman so badly in his life.
The irony of that thought didn’t escape him. He wanted to protect her, yet if they carried things any farther, he might hurt her. And she had the power to hurt him and didn’t even know it.
Jesus, what a mess.
At least now he understood why the kids at the hospital meant so much to her. She hadn’t been able to save her own baby, so she wanted to take care of the others. It all made sense.
And he admired her for it.
He steered Dex’s Mercedes toward the office, the evening traffic thick, his mind spinning. The busy street noises bombarded him, reminding him he was completely out of place here. And that he could never truly be happy without the ranch, the wide-open spaces and big family. The smell of his grandmother’s flowers around the front porch, the scent of the woodsoap he used when he carved, the bustling energy of the kids at dinner and the clattering of pots and pans in the big old-fashioned kitchen, the pounding of Dodger’s hooves on the path by the creek.
What about Jessica? What would she think of the Circle C? Would she like the rolling hills and lush greenery as much as he did? Or would the smell of cattle and the simplicity of ranch life puher off as it had Paula? Would she miss the fancy restaurants and shows and shopping malls?
Finally, he maneuvered his way into the parking lot of Dex’s office complex and rode the elevator to his office. A light glowed from the inside, and when he opened the door, he was surprised to find Bridget in her office. Did she often work late on Saturday night? Was she working late because he’d asked for those monthly reports?
Regret pulled at him. The poor woman needed a life.
But they were alone in the office. If he went in, would she question him about his strange behavior? Or would she come on to him, thinking he was Dex?
Uncomfortable at the thought, he bypassed her office and hurried straight to his. A half hour later, he’d finished reviewing the funds and had pulled up the two accounts he had questions about. The company file told him zilch, so he searched the file cabinet for hard copies of old information. He had to find out what these were for, in order to know if he could use the funds set aside in them. He headed to Bridget’s office, but decided to make copies of the files first to take home and review.
He slipped into the copy room and stared at the sophisticated machine. Second later, he punched a button, but a page jammed, and the machine spat papers everywhere. The documents sailed past him, flying to the floor so fast he couldn’t catch them. Ty grabbed a couple that floated toward him, then dropped to his knees to catch another just as it jetted toward the underside of the machine.
A pair of purple high heels appeared in front of his face. “Dex, what are you doing?” She reached up, pressed a button and the copier whirred to a stop.
“I…I guess I hit the wrong button.”
“Obviously.” Her blood-red manicured nails tapped along the metal top. “I don’t understand why, though. You’ve used this copier a hundred times.”
“It was an accident,” he hedged, hurriedly gathering the papers.
Bridget knelt to retrieve one, picked it up and glanced at the contents. She swung an odd look his way, her expression a cross between irritation and…fear?
“What are you doing with these?”
“I wanted to ask you about these accounts—B & B,” Ty said, standing. “They both hold sizable amounts of cash. Grandfather said they were probably some type of reserve account you’d set up for special funds.”
Her gaze flitted sideways, her hand trembling slightly. She almost seemed nervous.
“They are,” Bridget said in a curt tone. “I thought we discussed them last month.”
Ty frowned. He had no idea if she and Dex had talked about them, and no way of knowing, barring calling Dex. Or giving himself away.
He had to play along.
“Right. Since they are on reserve, I’d like to use one of them for funding for the children’s wing. That way we won’t cut into profits.”
“Let me take a look at them first. Then I’ll let you know how much is available.” Bridget smiled tightly. “That is ’re still going ahead with that project?”
Ty nodded. “I gave my word.”
Bridget’s stare turned icy. “Dr. Stovall just wants you for the money, Dex. You should know better by now.”
Ty’s fist almost crushed the papers in his hand. He wouldn’t acknowledge her accusation with a reply. Instead, he simply turned and walked out. But he hated the tiny seed of doubt she had planted. He knew Jessica better, didn’t he?
Was this doubt and mistrust the way of the Montgomerys? Was it the reason his grandfather could never bring himself to totally trust that Ty’s mother had really loved his father? Had people used the Montgomerys so much that they couldn’t take anyone at face value?
If so, he didn’t like being a Montgomery.
And he wouldn’t believe that Jessica was so devious. Jealousy had probably triggered Bridget’s reaction.
Although her hand had trembled when she’d picked up the file. Had something else been wrong—had Bridget been nervous because he’d questioned her about those accounts?
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning Jessica dressed in jeans and a denim shirt, stuffed her hair into a ponytail, then rushed to the hospital to help the staff with the children attending the barbecue. All the kids who were receiving ongoing treatment on an outpatient basis had been invited. The staff had commandeered a church bus to transport the children to the picnic. Dex’s grandmother and volunteers had prepared goody bags full of crayons and paper and hand-held games the kids could play with while recovering.
When the crew arrived after lunch, Jessica stared in shock at the transformation of the Montgomery property. They had set up the festivities on the grounds far away from the gardens and the pool area, deciding to avoid pool activities for the day. Decorations and balloons brightened the backyard, one area had been blocked off for games, another for pony rides, and a separate area near the pond held picnic tables draped in checkered tablecloths laden with foods, drinks and snacks. A clown roamed the growing crowd, telling jokes and making balloon animals for the kids.
The children squealed when they saw the ponies, their faces lighting up with smiles. Jessica wanted to hug Dex for giving them this special day. The volunteers guided the children who could walk toward the games, assisting others with the activities they could manage. Children gathered to play the balloon toss game, to enjoy the sand-art tables, hula-hoop contests, bean bags, musical instruments, horseshoes, and to have their faces painted. A separate booth full of volunteers accepted pledges and donations, also showcasing the plans for the hospital’s future development.
Jessica searched the crowd and spotted Dex immediately. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans again, not designer ones as she would have expected, and a white shirt with the sleeves unbuttoned and rolled up, displaying his tanned, muscled arms. His handsome face took her breath away.
He stood beside an elderly man wearing a cowboy hat and brand new jeans and a checked shirt. He’d tied a bandanna around his neck and wore a red apron. Dex leaned forward, obviously giving him tips on how to grill burgers. She was surprised he knew himself.
She’d never pictured Dex at a backyard barbecue but somehow the image fit and made him look even more appealing. In fact, he looked better in jeans than he did in a suit, like Clint Eastwood in an old western classic.
“Here you go, sweetie.” She wheeled Ashley’s chair to a shade tree. “You can watch everything from right here.”
“Dr. Jesse?”
Jessica stooped down to her level. “What, honey?”
“Can I wide de ponies?”
Jessica squeezed her hand. “Not today, sweetie, your surgery is in a few days. The doctor said we can’t take any chances.”
Ashley’s lower lip trembled. “But I wanna wide.”
“I’ll take you to pet the horses in a few minutes, I promise.”
Ashley’s eyes glittered with disappointment, but she perked up slightly. Jessica glanced at Dex and saw him watching her.
“I wike Mr. Dex,” Ashley said.
Jessica silently dittoed the sentiment. In fact, she liked him too much. It was all she could do not to run and leap into his arms and kiss him.
Dex crossed the lawn to check on the games, but Jessica caught him. “Dex?”
“Yeah?”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly nervous. “I just want you to know that I was wrong about you.”
Dex narrowed his eyes.
“I used to think that you’d traded your medical degree for money. But I see now that you still use your talent to help people. And in a way you help a lot of people with the company.”
A strange look tightened his face as if he didn’t quite know what to say. She didn’t give him a chance. She turned and ran back to Ashley.
TY HADN’T BEEN ABLE to take his eyes off Jessica, but he’d forced himself not to make a move yet. He didn’t want to seem too anxious. After all, Dex was probably a pretty smooth ladies’ man. Reality slammed into him.
If she was falling for anyone, it was Dex.
Not him.
“Are they done yet?” George indicated the charred burgers.
“Uh, yeah,” Ty said. “You might want to move the others a little further away from the flame.”
“Oh, yes, right. Thank, you, sir.” George grinned, looking pleased with himself that he’d mastered the art of cooking hamburgers on a grill.
Ty chuckled. He’d been shocked to see Dex’s valet in starched jeans and a new cowboy hat, but he had to give George credit for trying.
“I’ll check with you later.” Tyrted across the lawn toward Jessica, trying to tame his libido. This morning, he’d awakened from the most erotic dream. He’d been kissing her in a field of daisies, then they’d climbed on Dodger and ridden into the sunset like a couple in a TV movie.
Panic hit him. Why was he thinking like this? He’d never let a woman shake him up before, mess with his life, his responsibilities. How many times did he have to remind himself that when she discovered the truth, she might not even like the real Ty Cooper? Her earlier comment about Dex’s work confirmed that she was attracted to the doctor. God, he hated to sound jealous of his own twin.
Still, did he dare trust that she might forgive the lies, that somehow the two of them, though from opposite worlds, might fit together? Pa Cooper had always said that it was the curse of the Cooper men—when they fell, they fell hard. It had happened that way with Chad when he’d met Jenny, and with Court and Brenda.
Was he falling hard for Jessica Stovall, a woman he couldn’t have? A woman who might be in love with his brother? Dammit. What a mess.
At least she was smiling this morning, that sadness in her eyes gone momentarily. His grandfather certainly hadn’t been happy. He’d complained about how much time Dex had put into this project, about the expense of cleaning up after the ponies when the day ended. Ty had also noticed his grandfather and George arguing and wondered what it was about, but when he’d asked George, he’d mumbled something about airing dirty laundry that hadn’t made sense.
“Hi, Dex.”
Ty hesitated, wishing just once he could hear her say his real name. He stood within inches of her now, and it hurt not to touch her. But there were too many people around, especially children. And this day belonged to them. He even felt more like himself in his jeans and white shirt. Thankfully, he’d found a mall and had picked up some regular Levi’s instead of having to wear those stiff designer ones in Dex’s closet. He did hate using Dex’s credit card, but he’d promised himself he’d pay him back.
“Hey, Mr. Dex.”
“Hey, pumpkin.” Ty bent over and pecked Ashley’s cheek, sending her into a fit of giggles. “You having fun?”
She crossed her arms into an infamous three-year-old pout, reminding him of his niece Angelica. “I wanna wide, but Dr. Jesse won’t let me.”
He cut a questioning look toward Jessica but she shook her head, then tenderly brushed Ashley’s bangs from her eyes. “I explained the doctor’s orders, but I promised her we’d pet the ponies later.”
Ty nodded. “Maybe we can compromise.” He dropped to his hands and knees. “I’ll be your pony today, Ms. Ashley. Dr. Jesse, will you help her mount?”
Ashley giggled and slapped her hand on the wheelchair. “Yes, Dr. Jesse, pwease.”
Jessica laughed and scooped up the little girl, careful of her bandaged leg. “The horsy has to go slow,” she warned. “And no bucking.”
Ty made a neighing sound like a horse and dug his right hand into the ground as if his hoof was scratching the dirt. Ashley squealed. “You’re sill-wee, Mr. Dex.
Ty scratched the ground again, and Ashley laughed louder as Jessica settled her on top.
Ashley slapped Ty’s side. “Giddy up, pony, giddy up.”
Ty slowly gave the child her own kind of pony ride, his heart melting at the sound of her laughter. He felt like the biggest kind of fool when he saw his grandparents and George staring at him in shock, but the smile on Jessica’s face made up for it.
Joey, the little boy he’d met at the hospital who was undergoing chemo, teetered up to his grandfather. The child offered the football to Grandfather Montgomery, obviously asking him to play, and Ty’s gut clenched. Would his grandfather turn the little boy away?
To his amazement though, his grandfather reluctantly accepted the ball and walked toward a clearing, then awkwardly tossed it to Joey. The boy returned it, his throw much harder than his grandfather’s, and Grandfather Montgomery jogged to
catch it. When he caught the football and spun around, Ty thought he actually saw his grandfather laugh. He wondered why he didn’t do it more often.
JESSICA HAD NEVER LAUGHED so much in her life. The rest of the day flew by. She played games with the children, and greeted the guests along with Dex to explain the plans for the new wing.
The donations had poured in.
When evening dawned, some of the younger children left for the hospital so they wouldn’t overdo it, all of them pleased with their goody bags. A few others remained, along with a hundred or so guests. They gathered around a makeshift stage on the lawn where a country music band played tunes. Two of the board members cornered Dex, so Jessica sank into a chair to rest while the band warmed up.
Dex’s grandmother slipped into a chair beside Jessica. “This was a great idea,” Mrs. Montgomery said softly.
“I agree,” Jessica said. “The kids had more fun than they’ve had in ages.”
“It makes me happy to see their smiling faces.”
“It was all your grandson’s idea,” Jessica added, wanting Dex to receive the credit. “He really threw himself into this project.”
Mrs. Montgomery folded her age-spotted hands across her slender legs. “I know. I can’t say when I’ve seen him so enthusiastic about anything.” Her voice softened. “I was just thinking how much Dex reminds me of his father today. He looks just like him.”
Jessica patted her hand. “I know you lost your son a long time ago, but you must still miss him.”
“Terribly,” Mrs. Montgomery admitted. “Charles, Jr. was our whole life. Especially since…” She sniffed, then dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Especially since what, Mrs. Montgomery?”
The older woman dropped her hand. “Since we couldn’t have any more children.” She paused and Jessica’s heart squeezed, compassion budding in her chest.
“Oh, we tried,” Mrs. Montgomery“But I had two miscarriages after that, and Charles, Sr. got scared, so we gave up.”