by Sara Orwig
“Have they now?”
“Goodness only knows what your relatives have said about me—only don’t tell me. I don’t even want to know.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you. What I will tell you is that you look gorgeous, and the males in six counties are turning green with envy.”
She smiled. “Thank you, and I think you exaggerate. I’m very pregnant,” she replied, yet she warmed to his compliment.
Ignoring the looks of angry relatives, she tossed away her worries, not caring at the moment what the guests thought. It was heaven to dance again, to move around the floor in Gabe’s arms, and there was something settling and reassuring about him that lowered her guard. And something very appealing. She still remembered her reaction to his brief kiss at their wedding, a kiss that meant nothing to him and should have meant nothing to her. Instead, her heart had fluttered and her breath had caught.
“Your Chicago friends are nice. Good looking women, too.”
“So you notice a few things.”
“Sure, I notice. I just haven’t had much physical reaction to it.”
“They want to meet cowboys,” Ashley said.
“Well, they came to the right place, although Josh is about as reclusive as a bear in winter, but there are plenty of others around.”
“I frankly hope no one else, except Dad and my uncles, wants to dance with me.”
“You’re safe with Josh. I doubt if he’ll dance, and my uncles won’t ask you to dance,” Gabe replied. “Look at all of them now. The Ryders on one side of the yard, the Brants on the other, and they’re not mixing. They’re the Hatfields and the McCoys all over again.”
“They can keep on feuding. I think we’re doing the right thing.” She was aware that she moved easily with Gabe, as if they had danced together many times. And she was aware of how handsome he looked, wondering if she was going to lose that hurt caused by Lars and fall in love with her new husband. He was gazing beyond her, lost in his thoughts, and she wondered whether he was remembering his first wedding when he had been wildly in love. The thought saddened her, both for him and for the moment, but she knew that his grief was part of him and would be part of her life, too.
She noticed Josh Kellogg standing on the sidelines talking with her father.
“I’ve heard the Kellogg ranch is in trouble. That might be one you could have bought.”
“Josh’s busting himself trying to salvage what his old man wrecked. If he ever has to sell any land, I told him to come to me first, but knowing Josh and knowing how hard he’s working to make a go of it, I’d never take advantage of his situation. I’d loan him the money he needs.” Gabe looked down at her. “I guess now, we would be loaning him the money and we’d have to discuss it. You might not approve.”
“You could probably do it without disturbing anything that’s mine.”
“Yep. I can, but we need to work together as much as possible.”
“I’m glad you feel that way,” she admitted. “That’s reassuring if you really mean it.”
“I mean it. I’ll always level with you, Ashley,” he said. His dark eyes were wide and clear and he looked as if he meant what he said.
“I hope so.”
The dance ended and her father came to claim the next one. She danced with each of her uncles before she was back in Gabe’s arms again for a fast two-step that had him shedding his coat and getting rid of his tie. He had relaxed and was a good dancer. She wondered about his past and if life was empty and tedious for him now and that’s why he had thrown himself into work so much. She hurt for his loss again and was sorry for the turn of fate, hoping she could help bring some kind of warmth and fun back into his life, knowing that Julian helped immeasurably because Gabe brightened whenever he was around his son.
Gabe danced easily, relaxed, too satisfied with his new marriage to worry about the wrath of his relatives. They would adjust in time, and before long they would be talking about his big ranch. Gabe’s thoughts shifted from the ranch to Ashley. She was beautiful, and she was smiling at him as she danced. He let his gaze wander down to her mouth that looked sensual and was so soft.
This awareness of her still startled him. He expected it to pass and dwindle away, not increase. She was very pregnant, yet she moved easily and seemed tireless. There was a sparkle in her eyes he hadn’t seen before, so he hoped she was happy with this union, too. A little girl. He didn’t know one thing about little girls. The prospect of having a daughter put butterflies in his stomach. It would be one more thing he would deal with when the time came.
The party grew livelier and the people who were the most angry left early until finally it was only Ashley’s dad, Julian and their closest friends. Then they all adjourned for the Ryder ranch where Ashley and Gabe brought out drinks and their friends stayed for another hour.
Darcy told them goodbye, leaving with one of the local ranchers, Ed Rebman. Quinn Ryder went to bed, and Gabe had long ago put Julian to bed. Now Gabe sat on the porch, his feet propped on the rail, his shirt unbuttoned to the waist, sipping a cold beer while he talked to his friend Josh about cattle.
Ashley sat beside Gabe, content, knowing that now her baby would be Ella Brant with a large family, including an older brother, to love her. As Gabe talked, he reached over to take Ashley’s hand, lacing his fingers through hers.
Surprised, she glanced at him. He was turned away talking to Josh, and she wondered whether he even realized he had taken her hand. He was relaxed about casually touching her. She knew it didn’t mean anything to him beyond a friendly gesture.
When Josh came to his feet, Gabe stood. “I need to get going and leave you folks alone,” Josh said. “I wish you both the best,” he added, shaking hands with Gabe and turning to her. “’Night, Ashley. You got a good man.” He tapped Gabe’s chest. “And you, amigo, got a very wonderful woman.”
“I’m finding that out,” Gabe answered.
“Thank you,” she told Josh, surprised by his compliment because she didn’t think they knew each other that well. She watched Gabe’s friend walk down the porch steps. Josh Kellogg was over six feet tall, maybe an inch shorter than Gabe, with dark brown hair. She knew his father had married a half-dozen times and none of the wives lasted long, although Josh seemed to have stayed friends with all his stepmothers. Quiet and solemn, Josh was as tough as Gabe. She had seen both of them ride in rodeos and had seen both of them at feedlots. She knew Gabe considered Josh his closest friend.
As they watched Josh drive away, Gabe slipped his arm across her shoulders. “And a good time was had by all. Or at least by half of us,” he added lightly. “All the disgruntled, battling Ryders and Brants went home early.”
“That they did. Josh’s nice.”
“He’s great. We’ve been friends since we were too little to remember. It used to be Josh and Wyatt Sawyer and me, but Wyatt’s as wild as Josh’s dad—maybe wilder. Years ago when we were in high school, he ran away from home. He’s the reason I hope to hell I can be a good dad for Julian, and it scared me to go it alone.”
“Why?”
“Wyatt’s mother died when he was only three. His dad was a lousy father. Damn fine businessman—he’s one of the wealthiest men in Texas.”
“I barely know him, but he was there tonight.”
“Yeah, but you invited him. I wouldn’t have. I guess he remembers what close friends Wyatt and I were. He’s a bastard. He was terrible to Wyatt. I would have run away sooner than Wyatt did if I’d had an abusive father like Duke Sawyer. I don’t think he’s heard from Wyatt in years. I don’t think anyone around here has.”
“I remember Wyatt vaguely because all the girls thought he was the best looking cowboy in Texas.”
Gabe laughed. “That’s Wyatt.”
“I think you came in second.”
“No kidding!” Gabe said, grinning at her. He turned to face her, squeezing her shoulder. “We did it, Ashley, and it was a fun party. I’ll have to admit, in a lot of ways
I dreaded tonight because of my first reception, but the evening was all right. Thanks for a good time. I haven’t had many in too long a time.”
His arm was warm across her shoulders, and she felt good about his praise. “I’m glad. It was a fun party for me, too,” she replied.
“You’re getting cheated in some ways because if you’d waited, you could have fallen in love and married for real, darlin’.”
She knew the endearment was as casual as his hugs, but it pleased her.
“Let’s go to bed,” he said. “You’re probably tired. You and the baby. Our baby now.” As they entered the kitchen, she glanced at him.
“Want anything to drink?” she asked.
“I might get one more beer and sit on the porch a few minutes longer,” he said, yanking off his shirt and tossing it over a chair as he opened the fridge and leaned down to search for a beer.
As he peeled away his shirt, Ashley stood transfixed. His tanned chest was solid muscles. Her mouth went dry and she was riveted, unable to look away. He moved to the fridge to look inside and she watched muscles ripple in his back with his movements. He was incredibly sexy and appealing and to her surprise, she was reacting to that sexiness.
He turned. “You want anything?” His eyebrows arched, otherwise, he didn’t show any sign of noticing her reaction, but she was flustered, embarrassed how she had reacted and how he had caught her staring at him.
“Good night, Gabe,” she said, hurrying out of the room and feeling ridiculous, but it had been an awkward moment. She went down the hall to her room and closed the door. She crossed the room to look at herself in the mirror. With her dark skin, blushes rarely showed, but she could feel the heat in her face. Surprised by her own reaction, she pictured Gabe whipping off his shirt. She had married an incredibly appealing man who seemed to barely know she existed, treating her almost in the same manner he did her dad. What kind of bargain had she made?
After the party, through the rest of June and into July, their lives became routine. Gabe and Julian had adjoining bedrooms across the hall from Ashley’s bedroom and the nursery. Immediately, Quinn occupied the large master bedroom at the opposite end of the hall. Gabe immersed himself into helping her father and taking charge of the Ryder ranch so Ashley saw little of him most of the week.
When Lou was off duty, Ashley kept Julian and found she enjoyed the little boy whose dark eyes were so much like his father’s. It came as no surprise to Ashley when Julian and her father bonded swiftly. Quinn accepted Julian as much as if he were his full grandson and Julian was soon tagging along behind Quinn whenever he was home.
Living under the same roof with Gabe, even though he was gone most of the day, Ashley realized she was becoming more and more aware of him. When he touched her now, she was more disturbed than before, something she hadn’t thought possible. Where his light hugs had been comforting, they were now stimulating. Both Gabe and her father were solicitous of her well-being, and she thought she should be satisfied and happy, but her sensitivity to Gabe’s presence was becoming more acute all the time. Then it seemed to fade away and she relaxed, most of her focus shifting to Julian and getting ready for the baby.
On Thursday evening Gabe entered the kitchen. He was dusty, had a scratch on the back of his hand and his shirt sleeve was ripped, but his dark eyes sparkled.
Ashley was watching Quinn peel and cut up an orange for Julian. Now Gabe had everyone’s attention. Julian ran to throw himself into his father’s arms. In spite of Gabe’s disheveled appearance, Ashley’s heartbeat quickened at the sight of him.
“I’ve got your horse, Quinn.”
Quinn raised his shaggy eyebrows in curiosity. “What horse?”
“We caught that wild, white stallion today,” Gabe said, grinning, and Ashley realized he was proud of his catch.
“Son of a gun!” Quinn exclaimed. “You actually caught that hellion. Every inch of him is wild. I’ve tangled with him, but I never could bring him in. Let’s go look at him. Where is he?”
“I’ve got him in the pasture by the barn. Let’s go.”
“Can I go?” Julian asked.
“Sure can,” Gabe said, swinging his son up to ride on his shoulders. Gabe looked at Ashley. “Want to come see this legendary horse?”
“Of course, I do,” she replied. “He’s going to bring you true love now,” she said, teasing Gabe, and he grinned.
“If he does, he’ll bring true love to you, too. He’s your horse now, too. Maybe Quinn’s going to fall in love. Which widow is it going to be, Quinn?” Gabe asked, teasing his father-in-law who had widows occasionally calling him.
“I think I remember hearing you say that you’d get rid of the rascal if you caught him. So the person who gets him will find love, not those left behind.”
“I’m taking a picture of this,” Ashley said. “Wait a moment while I get my camera.”
As soon as she returned, they poured out of the house and both men slowed their step so Ashley could keep up with them.
As they neared the fence, she saw the stallion. He was white and as spotless as if he had just been given a bath. He raised his head, snorted and pawed the ground, his ears standing up.
“He is pretty,” Ashley said.
“Pretty as sin,” Quinn remarked. “He isn’t going to like being cooped up.”
“Might not, but he isn’t getting over this fence,” Gabe said. This pasture held high, pipe fencing and the horse ran nervously along a stretch of ground beside the fence.
“Dad, you know he’s pretty. You have to be impressed.”
“I’m impressed as hell that Gabe caught him,” Quinn replied. “He’s pretty, but he doesn’t have the pure bloodlines of our horses and I don’t want him anywhere near my mares.”
“Stand by the fence, Gabe, and let me get a picture,” Ashley urged. She snapped one and then Quinn took the camera from her.
“Get over there with him and I’ll take one of both of you.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with capturing the horse,” she said, but Gabe extended his hand and she took his hand in hers and stepped beside him. Quinn snapped their picture and then Gabe took one of Ashley, Quinn and Julian with the stallion in the background.
“Are you going to ride him?” Julian asked in a high voice, and Gabe laughed.
“No, I’m definitely not. He and I agree on that one. I think I’ll call Josh and see if he’d like to take the stallion off our hands. If Josh says no, I’ve got several people in mind. You have anyone you know, Quinn, who would want him?”
“I don’t. He’s a hellion. I’ll never know how you caught him.”
“It took seven of us to get him boxed in and then we backed a trailer up and ran him into it. He kicked the daylights out of the trailer, but it’s an old one of mine. I thought we might lose him before we got here and could turn him loose, but we didn’t.”
“Well, cowboy, did you work up an appetite?” Ashley asked him. “Supper’s almost ready.”
“I could eat that horse, I’m so hungry.”
They all turned back toward the house. “I just can’t believe you’ve got him. Damn good, Gabe,” Quinn said.
“Thanks,” Gabe replied easily.
Two nights later, Josh agreed that he would come over soon and try to move the white stallion to his ranch, but the time was postponed, and the stallion remained at the Triple R, a spectacle that friends and townspeople came out to the ranch to view.
As Ashley’s due date, the thirteenth of July, approached, she forgot about the stallion.
By the sixteenth, she began having twinges and mild contractions. Gabe rushed her to the hospital twice, only to be sent home because of false labor.
On the twenty-fourth of July, a Monday afternoon, Ashley drove back to the ranch from Stallion Pass where she had had her hair cut and stopped at the grocery. While her hair was being cut, contractions had started again. After two false labors, she didn’t think this would be the real thing either, so she finished
her haircut and went to the grocery store.
Even though she was in her thirty-ninth week, she wasn’t going to the hospital for a third time until she knew that she was really going to have this baby.
When she was halfway home, the first hard contraction came. In another five miles she had a contraction that almost doubled her over.
Gripping the wheel, she slowed and pulled off the road. “Not now,” she said aloud to herself.
She yanked up the cell phone and called her father, first paging him and then, when he didn’t answer his pager, trying his cellular phone. She knew Julian was with Gabe out on the ranch somewhere.
Feeling panic, she turned the ignition on and tried to drive, hoping to get home, but with the next contraction, she couldn’t. Gritting her teeth, she pulled off the road beneath a shady cottonwood and tried home again, getting the answering machine. She rummaged in her purse, found a slip of paper with Gabe’s cellular number and called him.
“Yep?” she heard his deep voice, but she was in the throes of a hard contraction and didn’t want to talk.
“Gabe—”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m on the road,” she paused to pant, “about twenty minutes from the entrance to our ranch. I can’t find Dad. I’m in labor. I think it’s real this time.”
“I’ll be right there. I’ll call nine-one-one now. Keep your phone on, and I’ll call you back.”
She opened both doors to get a breeze and stretched out across the seat. “Not here and not now, please,” she whispered, wiping her brow.
In minutes the phone rang. She answered and heard Gabe on the other end. “I’m on my way.”
“Where’s Julian? Is he with you?”
“He’s with my foreman, and he’s fine. I’ve called your doctor and he’ll be available if you have the baby in the pickup.”
“Gabe, I don’t want to deliver this baby myself,” she said, gasping.
“When did all this start?”
“A long time ago,” she said, not wanting to tell him that she had experienced twinges and contractions off and on since the first false labor. “But it really started this morning in Stallion Pass.”