by Rita Herron
She recited it, her eyes widening when another loud moan rumbled from the bedroom.
“It’s all right,” he told her as he hung up. “The ambulance will be here soon. We’ll keep your sister comfortable until they arrive. Is there anyone else we need to call? The baby’s father?”
“I already did,” Deanne said. “He’s on his way.”
“Good girl.”
She didn’t look at all reassured. Her freckles danced across her wrinkled nose when she frowned.
“Why don’t you go outside and watch for them,” Ty suggested.
Grateful for something to do, the girl ran outside, letting the screen door slam behind her.
Ty took a deep breath and headed to the back room, the woman’s moans tearing his stomach into knots. He had helped in problem births with cows and horses, but so far his experience didn’t include two-legged creatures.
“Dex, hurry,” Jessica called.
He rushed inside, reminding himself to remain calm. Jessica could handle this.
“How is she?”
“The contractions are two minutes apart. She’s dilated nine centimeters.” Jessica slipped into her professional mode, taking the woman’s vitals and trying to calm her with a soothing voice. “Your vitals are good, Gwen. And the baby’s heartbeat is strong.”
“I feel like I need to push,” the woman bellowed, her hips rising off the bed.
Ty backed away, feeling out of place.
“Dex, help me,” Jessica ordered, quickly working to drape sheets over Gwen.
Ty froze.
“Dex?”
Shaking himself, he lunged forward and helped her lift the pregnant woman, feeling the first sense of connection when she gripped his hand and squeezed for all it was worth.
Sweat rolled down her pale cheeks as she gritted her teeth, breathing in and out with the pain.
“Don’t worry, ma’am, we’ll take care of things. Dr. Stovall here knows what she’s doing.” Unlike him.
Ty massaged Gwen’s stomach while Jessica began breathing exercises. Tension gripped the woman’s body. Just pretend you’re home helping one of the cows give birth, Ty thought, and said, “Just relax your right rear leg.”
Gwen’s s widened, a burst of laughter erupting.
“What did you say?” Jessica asked, her eyebrow arched.
“He said to…” Gwen clutched her stomach, laughing so hard her words broke. “To relax…my…right…rear…leg.”
Ty stiffened, his gaze riveted to her foot as he realized she was right. He’d spoken to her as if he was helping one of the animals give birth! “I was…joking, trying to get her to relax—”
Gwen’s laughter died abruptly. “It’s coming!” She dug her fingernails into Ty’s shirt. “Roger’s going to miss it.”
“Honey, I’m home!” a man called from the living room.
Gwen jerked Ty’s shirt collar tighter, almost choking him. “Get that damn man in here now!”
Then everything happened at once. Jessica urged her to breathe, the baby’s head crowned, Gwen’s husband rushed in, the paramedics arrived, and Ty stepped back as mother nature took its course.
Seconds later, Jessica cradled the infant girl in her arms, cleaned her off, checked her over, then handed her to her mother. Goose bumps skated up Ty’s neck. It was the most amazing thing he had ever witnessed.
“You were wonderful, Jess.”
Tears misted her russet eyelashes. His heart ached for her. Was she thinking about the baby she had lost? “It’s all right,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. “Everything’s going to be fine, just trust me.”
The baby let out a shrill cry, Roger rocked sideways, his face paling, and Ty and Jessica helped him lie down beside Gwen before he passed out. A few minutes later, when everything had calmed, Ty watched Jessica soothe the baby while the paramedics moved Gwen to the ambulance. He would never forget the moment the baby had come into the world. And the magnificent way Jessica had handled things. She was such a special woman, and for a moment by the lake she had been his. A knot tightened his stomach. Guilt followed. She deserved the truth. They couldn’t make love again until he’d told her everything.
But he couldn’t help but look at her with that baby in her arms and wish that it was his, one of the next Coopers to run the Circle C and keep up the legacy of their land. His breath caught, the memory of their lovemaking flashing through his mind. Dear God, he’d forgotten to use protection.
Maybe he’d be starting that legacy sooner than he thought. A smile floated on his face as he realized the idea wasn’t nearly as frightening as he’d have imagined. But what if Jessica didn’t want the baby?
What if she didn’t want him or the Circle C?
JESSICA WAS a nervous wreck by the time Dex followed her home. She fumbled with the keys as she walked up her drive, trying to think of an excuse to send him home.
“Jess.” Dex stopped behind her, took her keys and opened the door. “Can I come in?”
“I’m really tired, Dex. Can we call it a ni
Tell her, man, tell her now. He hesitated, jamming one hand by the door. “I don’t want tonight to be over.”
“I just need to rest.” Jessica gave him a pleading look. She did look exhausted. “Please?”
He studied her for a long moment, but finally nodded, his eyes grave. “But first, I have something to say, Jessica.”
What? She knew it had to end, but she wasn’t ready to hear him say the words.
“I’m sorry, I forgot to use protection.” He traced her cheekbone with his finger. “But I care about you, and I want you to know that if anything happens, we’ll work it out together.”
Oh, God, he meant a baby. He thought…he didn’t know. Was he afraid? Now was her chance to tell him. She opened her mouth but the words wouldn’t come out. “It’s okay, Dex. I’m on the pill,” she said instead, her voice a mere quiver.
His gaze darkened. For a second, she thought disappointment flickered in his eyes. How would he feel if he knew the truth?
“I really have to go,” she said in a pained whisper. “Good night, Dex.”
He grabbed her before she could escape and kissed her, a slow sweet kiss that brought tears to her eyes. “Good night, Jess.”
She turned and ran inside and locked the door. Then she slid against the wall, wrapped her arms around her cat, sat down and cried.
Chapter Seventeen
A bad feeling haunted Ty the next day, like the slow hiss of a snake at his heels. He had no idea why, but his stomach kept clenching and his nerves seemed to be out of sorts. It was almost as if he had a sixth sense that trouble was looming. He’d had the same feeling the day he’d ridden his first bull and broken his nose.
Adding to his anxiety, Bridget had acted strangely all morning, giving him odd, almost suspicious looks. She’d become irate when he told her he’d used the funds from one of those special accounts marked B & B, and had accused him of squandering away the family money.
And he hadn’t spoken with Jessica all day.
He chalked the bad feeling up to the fact that the day of reckoning had dawned. He had to tell Jessica the truth about his identity. He couldn’t go on lying to her. He wanted to set things straight so they could move forward.
If there was any chance that could happen…
He would tell Jessica everything tonight.
Better to explain things than to wait until she found out some other way that might hurt her even more.
He drove to the restaurant where he was supposed to meet the board to hand over the fund-raiser check, hoping to rush through the dinner and get her alone. On the way, he contemplated whether to take her in his arms and make love to her again before he confessed, or wait and hope to use their lovemaking as a way to cehis apology.
JESSICA’S EMOTIONS rode a rocky wave as she left the hospital and drove to the restaurant where the board had planned to honor Dex and celebrate the fund-raiser’s success.
When she a
rrived, she parked in the parking lot, and sat in the comforting arms of Nellie for a few minutes, gathering her composure. After making love with Dex in the meadow, then delivering the baby with him, she had felt closer to him than she’d ever felt to another man.
And even more frightened.
She’d seen the excitement and awe in his eyes when he’d witnessed the baby make its entrance into the world, had felt the connection between them as they’d shared the birth process. When she’d first met Dex, she’d thought he didn’t like children, but now she knew differently. After the paramedics had settled Gwen and the baby into the ambulance, there had been a blatant longing in his eyes. He wanted a family. Maybe even wanted the two of them to have a family together.
But it could never be.
Determined to get through the evening with dignity, she checked her lipstick, grabbed her purse and hurried inside. The Indian restaurant was one of Dex’s favorites. The food was always spicy and the atmosphere charming. Most of the board members were already present when she entered the reserved room in back; the champagne was flowing and the mood was high.
She spoke to each of the board members, then greeted the Montgomerys.
“It’s good to see you again, dear.” Grandmother Montgomery squeezed her hand affectionately.
“Dr. Stovall,” Grandfather Montgomery said with a firm handshake.
“Thank you for coming,” Jessica’s stomach fluttered when Dex entered. He looked impossibly handsome in a pin-striped Armani, his dark hair combed back neatly, his sexy grin in place. And the raw hunger in his gaze was directed at her.
A shudder coursed up her spine.
Maybe she should open up to Dex, trust him with her secret. Maybe he really wouldn’t mind adoption…
“Hi, Grandmother, Grandfather, Jessica.” He gave his grandmother a hug.
They chatted about the fund-raiser and plans for the hospital, mingling with each of the board members before being seated and served dinner. Jessica tried to ignore the disapproving glare of Dex’s financial advisor, Bridget. Dex claimed nothing was going on between them and she believed him. Apparently Bridget wanted more, though. Would Dex give in to her?
No, Dex was not like Jack. She could trust him.
Not that it mattered. She and Dex had no future. Last night had proved that.
As they took their seats, Jessica’s arm brushed Dex’s, the hungry look he gave her a reminder of how she’d come apart in his arms the day before. How she could so easily do so all over again if she allowed herself the pleasure.
She dug into her appetizer and noticed Dex stare at the curried chicken, a small frown on his mouth as he tasted it. He graed his glass of water, chugging it.
“Whew, that was hot.” He fanned his face.
Jessica laughed. “I thought you liked it spicy.”
A sly grin pulled at his mouth as he leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I do, but I’d rather have my women hot. Like you, Sugar.”
Jessica blushed and rolled her eyes, on the verge of a wicked comeback when Dr. Epstein, one of the elderly board members, clinked his glass with his spoon, signaling everyone to be quiet.
His chair scraped the floor as he stood and held up his glass. “We’re here to celebrate the success of the fund-raiser Dr. Dex Montgomery organized, and to honor his generous contribution to the new children’s wing.”
Ty shifted, looking uncomfortable, and Jessica patted his arm. “Relax, Dex, you deserve all the credit.”
“I’d like to make a toast.” Dr. Epstein waited until the guests raised their glasses. “To Dex Montgomery—”
“Excuse me.” Bridget suddenly jumped up and pointed to Dex. “That man is an impostor. He’s not Dex Montgomery.”
TY GULPED and dropped his fork, splattering sauce everywhere.
Both his grandparents turned startled looks his way, then glanced back to Bridget, the meal forgotten. Jessica cut her gaze toward him, her eyes narrowed in disbelief. And something else—hurt, as if the wheels were turning and she knew Bridget’s declaration was true. Was she remembering all his little goof-ups?
He had to say something, to do something before Bridget ruined everything.
“Excuse me?” Frown lines creased Dr. Epstein’s broad forehead.
Bridget flipped a thumb toward him. “He’s not Dex Montgomery—”
“Bridget, can we go some place private and talk?” Ty stood abruptly and moved toward her.
She slammed her hand on the table. “You aren’t Dex and I can prove it.”
A wave of hushed whispers rippled through the room.
“This is an outrage,” his grandmother said sternly.
“Young lady, sit down,” his grandfather ordered.
“Not until you all listen.” Bridget’s voice rose. “I’ve noticed some odd things lately, like the fact that Dex messed up the copy machine, that he used his left hand to play racquetball instead of his right, that he didn’t know if we had a deal pending with Drake and Stern when we had just celebrated closing it the day before he left for Chicago—”
“Stop it, Bridget, you don’t know what you’re doing.” Ty gripped her arm but she swung free and faced him, anger flaring in her brittle eyes.
Grandmother Montgomery paled, and Jessica sank back into her seat, her hand trembling as she pressed it to her chee
“I know exactly what I’m saying. I was suspicious all along. I’m exposing you as the fraud you are and saving the Montgomerys from a thief.” Bridget suddenly waved a wallet in the air, turned and faced the tables of people. “I don’t know what you’re doing here and why you’ve been impersonating Dex, but I knew your signature looked different and I have the proof right here—this insurance card.”
Ty automatically reached in his pocket for his wallet, but it was gone. “How did you get my wallet?”
“I took it from your jacket back at the office when you were in the bathroom.” She flipped out the card. “He might have Dex’s driver’s license, but this is his writing. He is Tyler Cooper from Rolling Bend, Montana.”
“Oh, my God!” his grandmother cried.
Charles Montgomery flew out of his chair and grabbed the card. “Dear Jesus, it can’t be.”
Jessica knotted her hands. “Tyler Cooper? Who is Tyler Cooper?”
Ty’s chest constricted at the disbelief and shock in Jessica’s voice. “I…I can explain.”
“It is you, isn’t it?” His grandmother fluttered one hand over her chest. “Oh, heavens, I should have known.”
“You sneaky, lying impostor!” his grandfather shouted. “Did the Coopers send you here to steal part of the Montgomery fortune?”
“Who is Tyler Cooper?” Bridget demanded.
“Yes, what’s going on?” one of the other board members asked.
“He’s our other grandson,” Mrs. Montgomery admitted softly. “Dex’s twin.”
“Twin?” Jessica rasped.
“What have you done with Dex?” Charles Montgomery asked.
Ty clutched the edge of the table as if his grandfather had slammed a fist into his chest. “I didn’t do anything with him.”
“Then where the hell is he?”
“He’s at the Coopers.”
“I don’t believe you.” His grandfather jerked him by the collar. “Dex would never have gone along with something like this. How long have you been planing to come here—?”
“Dex did agree.” Ty gripped his grandfather’s hand and pried his fingers loose. “And we didn’t plan this. It just happened.” He sucked in a harsh breath, remembering the hurt and betrayal he and Dex had felt when they’d first spotted each other. “We met at O’Hare Airport two weeks ago. You can imagine how shocked we were since Dex didn’t even know he had a twin, and I thought my twin had died at birth. You and the Coopers lied to us all these years—”
“If he’s Dex’s twin, then these papers are null and void,” Bridget cut in. “And so is the deal, gentlemen.”
“What?” Dr. Epstein a
sked in a pained voice.
“No,” the other board members gasped in worried voices.
“Dr. Stovall, what is the meaning of this?” Dr. Epstein asked in an accusatory tone.
Ty shook his head. “The deal is valid—”
“It most certainly is not,” Charles Montgomery stated. “Not if you forged Dex’s signature.”
“That’s right, “Bridget said smugly. “Tyler Cooper has no power of attorney over the Montgomery finances.”
“Charles, please…” His grandmother’s voice quivered with tears. “Calm down, let’s talk—”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Ty’s grandfather stated baldly. “Not until I speak to Dex.”
Ty backed away, hurt slamming into him. Was that what it had come down to? The way it had ended years ago? He was going to be thrust aside with no rights, no apologies, not only stripped of his heritage but of any financial rewards, just as they had done to his father.
Dex was the Montgomerys’ grandson, not Ty—he was a Cooper. And Coopers weren’t good enough for the Montgomerys.
“Dr. Stovall, I can’t believe you dragged the board into this mess,” Dr. Epstein said in a low voice. “We’ll see you at a disciplinary meeting.”
“This isn’t her fault,” Ty said. “You can’t blame her.”
“She led the entire board to believe falsehoods,” Dr. Epstein said. “So now it’s between us, Mr. Cooper.”
Ty turned to Jessica, praying she’d understand, that she’d see he and Dex had been victims in this whole ordeal. He had to make her believe he would fix things, that he would make things right. But the anger and hurt on her face only drove the knife deeper into his chest. He had lost complete trust in the only family he’d ever known, the Coopers, and now he was losing the tentative bond he’d built with his Grandfather and Grandmother Montgomery. He was losing Jessica, too. He could feel her withdrawing from him already.
With a pained sigh, she pushed her chair away from the table and ran from the room, destroying his hopes that she could ever forgive him.
JESSICA WRAPPED her arms around her waist, the hurt so intense she felt it sucking the air from her lungs. Dex…no this man named Tyler, a complete stranger…had lied to her. He had used her, slept with her, let her believe he cared for her…