“Shh!” Daisy chastised.
Chynna winked. “Come on, you can’t tell me you don’t think the Search and Rescue team aren’t as hot as a desert summer afternoon.”
Daisy’s cheeks flushed. “That’s beside the point.”
Grace was glad when the women didn’t pursue a response about whether or not she and Ruger had slept together.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
HE SAW HER the instant he entered the building. Like a bright light, she drew him in, filling him with her energy. A band played from a makeshift stage, and the lights were turned down low.
Ruger stood in the shadows, watching Grace, feeling his body ache with desire. She didn’t see him because she was talking to a group of women. He liked watching her, admiring her smile and laughter. She appeared happy and he hoped he had something to do with her new feelings. He wanted her to feel loved and deserving.
He’d spent most of the day waiting to see her—wanting to taste her. Craving her. How was it possible that in such a short time he’d fallen for her? Love didn’t have a time frame. When it happened it happened, and he was struck hard and he wasn’t complaining. He knew how much she meant to him the second Flora hijacked him with a kiss. He would have chased Grace across Cooper’s Hawk—the world—to let her know she was the only one he wanted to kiss.
When a man knew what he wanted he needed to make it known.
Ruger wanted her to stay in Cooper’s Hawk, with him. To see where their future led them.
Scanning the row of hats set up on a long table, he spotted Grace’s and dropped the sealed envelope inside. He’d donated enough that no other cowboy could dance with her. Tonight was his. And hopefully every night after.
Proudly, he started to stroll toward Grace when he felt a tug on his wrist. He looked down at the slender fingers and bright red talon-like nails, recognizing them. Flora had a tight grip on him.
“Yes?” He gently pulled his hand free from her grasp.
“I need to speak to you.” There was a slight quiver to her tone.
“Can it wait?” He had a one-track mind and it was on Grace.
“Trust me, you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
With an agitated sigh, he motioned for her to step into a less crowded area in the room. “Flora, I hope you’re doing great, but like I said before, I’ve moved on and you deserve to also. What you did out in the arena wasn’t right. I love Grace—”
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted.
Raising a brow, he finally smiled. “Congratulations. Who’s the lucky man?”
“You are.”
The oxygen was sucked from the room. He sputtered, “What?” His head felt like someone had hit him with a crowbar. Was she pulling his chain? Was this a ploy to get him back?
“It’s true, Ruger. I only found out a few weeks ago myself. I’ve always had trouble with my period, so I assumed it was normal that I was late. I saw you today and I realized that I should tell you.”
“Flora, how did this happen?” he lowered his voice.
She twirled a piece of hair around her knuckle and popped a bubble with her gum. “Do you need me to tell you how babies are made?” She walked her fingers up the front of his shirt.
“I’m asking how did you get pregnant? I used protection and you said you were taking the pill.” He glanced around to see if anyone was listening. When he saw a couple heading their direction, he motioned for her to follow him into the hallway.
“Not every contraceptive is fool proof, Ruger. I was taking the pill.” She crossed her arms and looked up at him through a thick fringe of lashes. “This wasn’t a plan of mine if that’s what you’re thinking.”
He swiped off his hat and forced a hand through his hair. He felt like he might be sick. Laughter reached his ears and he turned to glance into the growing crowd, Finding Grace, he was struck with the reality that he could lose her.
“Well?” Flora tapped the toe of her boot. “Is that all I get? Silence?”
He dragged his attention back on the woman who’d pulled the rug out from underneath him. “I’m at a loss for words.”
“I understand. I was stunned when I peed on the stick and two lines popped up.”
“Maybe the test wasn’t accurate.”
“I went to the doctor and he verified the positive result.” She fanned herself. “I can’t believe it. This wasn’t what I wanted.”
Pressing his hat back onto his head, he swallowed hard. He was in a tug of war. Standing before him was a huge responsibility that he couldn’t shun or walk away from. However, in the next room was what he’d hoped would be his future. His forever. How could he think of his future with Grace when suddenly he was thrust into an icy ocean?
“What do you want from me?” he muttered.
“I don’t know if keeping the baby is best.” She crossed her arms. “I haven’t really thought about what I should do.”
“But you have to be far enough along that keeping it is the only choice.”
She shrugged. “There’s always adoption.”
“We made the mistake, Flora. He or she shouldn’t pay for it,” he said numbly. His world was falling like a tower crumbling.
“Then we should talk about where we go from here.” She glanced toward the other room. “I bet Grace would like to know.”
“Let’s keep her out of it,” he growled.
“Fine.” She dropped her arms to her sides. “She’s not my girlfriend.” She rolled her eyes.
“Come with me.” With one last glance toward the vicinity of Grace, he left through the back door with Flora.
~~~~~
Grace stopped at the table where Hannah was ladling punch into cups.
“Hi, Grace. You look lovely.”
“Thank you. You look lovely as well. So you’re here with Lance?”
Hanna’s cheeks colored. “Yes.”
“I’m so happy for you. By the way, have you seen Ruger?”
“No, I haven’t seen him. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine, just looking for him. I’ll talk to you later.”
Stepping away from the table, she checked the screen of her phone for any missed messages or calls.
Spotting Hank, she made her way to him and tapped his shoulder. He looked around and gave her a nice smile. She could see why Chynna and Daisy thought he was handsome. He had kind eyes and a friendly. “Hello, ma’am. How are you this evening?”
“I’m looking for Ruger. Do you know if he’s here?”
“Yeah, we came in together. Last I saw him he was in the hallway.”
“Okay.”
Her cell buzzed and she took it out to read the message.
It’s Priscilla. I need your help.
Grace’s stomach dropped into her boots. Yes. Where are you? G.
The message wouldn’t send so she stepped through the exit door into the parking lot.
So worried about the other woman, Grace didn’t realize she wasn’t alone until she heard, “Grace?”
It was Ruger. He was leaning against his truck parked in a front spot.
She covered the space between them but stopped a few feet away. “There you are. What happened? Are you okay?”
His haunted expression made her heart skip a beat. His hat was laying on the hood of the truck and his hair looked tousled.
“Ruger?”
He still didn’t say anything
“Aren’t you coming inside?”
“No.”
That one word felt like a hammer being dropped on her mood.
“You’re scaring me.”
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “That’s not my intention.”
She wrung her hands together and took a step forward, but his expression warned her that he needed his space.
“I’ve thought long and hard about us. You deserve better, Grace. I’m not ready to give you what you need and are worthy of.”
His words flattened her. Did she hear correctly? “What?
But…but what changed in the last few hours?” She dropped her hands to her sides.
“I fucked up.”
“How?”
He pushed off the side of the truck and slipped his hands into his back pockets. He looked beaten. “It’s Flora. She’s pregnant.”
It took her a long moment for Grace to wrap her head around his words. “Pregnant? By you?”
His nod seemed uncertain. “Yeah. I need to figure out where I go from here.” There was a sour tone to his voice.
“I-I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. This is my problem, Grace, and I don’t want to drag you into it. This doesn’t change anything about the ranch and the contract we have. I’ll ask Hank to sleep at the house on the couch a few nights and keep an eye on things. For now, I think it’s best I take some time and figure this all out.”
Tears welled in her eyes. Her heart beat so fast and she couldn’t breathe. A part of her wanted to rush to him, promise him that this news didn’t change anything between them, at least for her, but who was she kidding? It changed everything. The look on his face changed everything. She knew him, well enough to understand that he wouldn’t walk away from his responsibility—not that she would ever expect him to. What that meant she wasn’t sure, but that was one reason why she loved him. He was a good man and he’d make a great father.
Opening her mouth to say something, anything, she had no choice but to remain silent. What could she say? He’d made his mind up and she had to let him go. Some dreams weren’t meant to be. She’d learned that a long time ago. Love didn’t always keep people close or together. Happily ever after didn’t always happen. She touched the tattoo on her wrist, feeling like it burned her fingers.
Without another word, he pushed off the truck and strolled to the driver’s door.
“Wait,” she said. She grabbed his hat off the hood and met him at the side of the truck. “Here.” She gave it to him.
They locked gazes and she could see his pain. Without another word he climbed into the truck. She stood there, watching him leave, taking with him her heart.
She wanted to run away, but she had to face the people inside the building.
Her phone buzzed again. It was another message from Priscilla.
Come to the barn. I’m here.
Looking where the truck lights had disappeared, she swallowed her grief and headed toward the barn as Priscilla had asked.
The barn was quiet when she arrived, mostly everyone was at the dance. Her throat constricted. This wasn’t the evening she’d wanted.
Fighting tears, she called out, “Priscilla?”
“Miss Grace? What are you doing out here?” Harvard strolled from the shadows.
“I’m meeting someone. What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be at the dance?”
“Tammy had a craving for a pickle, so I hurried to the booth to grab one before they closed.” He smiled proudly. “Do you need me to wait with you? It’s pretty quiet out here.”
“No, take your wife that pickle. I’ll be okay.”
“All right. I’ll see on Monday.” He left her alone.
She sucked in a breath as a scorching pain erupted in her chest. Would she see him Monday? Would she be back on the ranch? Could she face Ruger again? He said this wouldn’t change their agreement, but how would they function on the same property, seeing each other every day?
Just as Harvard said, the area was almost too quiet. Tapping into her phone. Priscilla, I’m here. She waited for a response. Lifting her phone, she searched for service bars. Nothing.
Hearing approaching footsteps, she lowered her phone and scanned the dark shadows.
“Priscilla? Is that you?”
Rocks being crushed under boots sounded behind her and she swiveled at the same time she felt a firm clutch on her shoulder, knocking her phone to the ground, and a cloth pressed against her face. A strong odor invaded her nostrils. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t scream. Her voice was useless as everything blurred.
“Be still and accept your fate,” a man whispered in her ear.
Everything was blurring.
Darkness was coming over her.
The last thing she remembered was her phone being kicked aside.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
RUGER CAST HIS fishing line into the lake water and held it steady between his knees as he popped open the cap to a beer. He swallowed half the can, not because he was thirsty but because he felt doomed. He probably wouldn’t catch much, but again, he didn’t care.
In fact, he couldn’t see a damn thing in the dark.
He’d contacted Hank and asked for him to stay at the ranch. Without hesitation his buddy agreed. They should be back from the festival by now, but Ruger planned to stay at the fishing hole all night.
Music played from his truck radio, a little louder than necessary but he wanted to disconnect himself from the world for a few hours.
What the hell had he done?
In all his adult years he’d been careful. When he slept with a woman, even his wife, he’d used a condom. And now, he knocked up Flora, a woman he felt nothing for. Guilt flowed through his veins like acid. He wanted kids eventually, maybe, but he’d always thought if it happened it would have been with someone he loved.
A vision of Grace filled his head.
When he told her about the baby, she’d been devastated. He saw it in her expression.
He wasn’t a man who was overcome with emotion often, but he’d wanted to drag her into his arms and forget his worries for a minute or two. He’d watched the joy leave her in exchange for confusion and sadness—that he’d caused. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he also wanted to be fair. How could he think of having something with her when he had no clue what to do with the news of Flora’s pregnancy? He had a new responsibility that required patience, understanding, and utmost attention.
He would make things right.
What did that look like?
He had no idea.
In his heart, he realized that if Grace would have been pregnant, he would have gotten down on one knee, professed his love, and asked her to marry him.
Yet, he didn’t feel the same for Flora.
Did that matter?
He leaned his pole against his chair.
Laying his head back on the chair, he stared up into the dark sky. “Pa, I sure wish you were here. I need you. I need your advice. What do I do? Are you disappointed in me?”
The music stopped and Ruger jumped up from the chair, looking through the blackness but seeing nothing. He heard twigs break underneath heavy boots.
“Who the fuck is out there?” he grumbled.
“I thought I’d find you here.” It was Hank’s voice.
Grabbing his phone, he flicked on the light and shined it into Hank’s face. “What the hell are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with Grace.”
“That’s why I’ve come. Have you thought about answering your damn phone sometimes?” Hank bit out. “I thought maybe she was out here with you.”
“I shut it off. I want to be alone,” he pushed through tight lips. “Out here with me?” He wrapped his sluggish brain around the words. “Why would you think that?”
“We can’t find her,” Hank said in a tight voice.
Ruger dropped the phone at his feet. “What do you mean?” Hell, did she leave Cooper’s Hawk? Without a goodbye? What would he expect? “We got into it. She might have left town.”
Hank rubbed his forehead. “Stay calm and listen to what I have to say.”
“What is it?” Ruger’s heart dropped into his boots.
“Harvard said he saw her out by the barn at the fairgrounds. She said she was meeting someone. As he was heading back to the dance, he heard a squalling of tires and caught a glimpse of a red car speeding away. He thought it was odd and told Chynna who then tried calling Grace, but she didn’t answer. We found her purse left at the dance.”
Ruger felt panic blanket him. “
It’s Gam. He’s done something with her.”
“We can’t prove that, Ruger.”
“You said Harvard saw a red car? Gam drives a red car.”
“A lot of people drive red cars.”
“Fuck that! It’s Gam. You know it too!” With this, Ruger swiped up his phone, hat and stomped toward his truck.
Hank followed. “How do you know for sure?”
“Because I know the bastard and I feared something like this could happen. Have you seen Priscilla and Sam?” Ruger jerked open the door of his truck.
He blew out a long breath. “Chynna said Priscilla and Sam were missing since this morning.”
“Surprise, surprise,” Ruger slurred.
“Stop right there, man. You ain’t driving. You’ve had a few too many.”
Although he wanted to argue with his buddy, it was true. He’d drank a few too many to drive, on top of that he felt like his nerves were in a vice. “Then you drive your truck and let’s get the hell out of here.” He marched to Hank’s truck and climbed in.
Hank slid in the driver’s seat, tossing his phone into the console. “Where are we headed first?”
“To the campsite where that Sum’bitch lives.” He reached for his phone and stabbed the button that powered his phone on. Dialing a familiar number, his ma answered on the second ring.
“I know she’s missing,” Hannah rushed. “Oh my. I hope she’s okay. What can I do?”
“Go to the ranch and wait there just in case she shows up.”
“I will, Son. Take care.” She clicked off.
“What happened, Rug?” Hank asked as they headed out to the main road. “Is it possible that she’s upset and just needed some time?”
“She didn’t jump into the car with Gam of her own freewill.” Realizing how angry he sounded, he shook his head. “She didn’t leave of her own freewill. That’s the point. She wouldn’t have left her purse.”
“Okay.”
Ruger gritted his teeth. Why the hell had he left the festival? Why hadn’t he stayed and kept an eye on her? “Flora told me she’s pregnant,” he said in a flat tone.
“What the hell?” Hank gasped. “With your baby?”
Cowboy Wilde (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 2) Page 20