A Montana Cowboy (18 page)

Cassie's breath caught. “When did it happen?”

“Soon after his mother moved to Billings and he had to go with her.”

Dusty echoed Cassie's moan as they went in the house.

* * *

A
ROUND
NINE
, T
RACE
walked in the back door. Dusty rushed out of the kitchen to greet him. “The last camera has been mounted on the exterior of the barn.”

“Great!” Cassie was sweeping the kitchen floor. Zane and Avery had just left after he'd helped mount a camera over the back door. “Between those and Dusty, you've got us covered.”

“That's the plan.” He walked over to the sink and washed his hands. While he dried them, he looked at her. “Want to take in a late movie in White Lodge? A James Bond film I understand. I never did see all of them.”

She put the broom in the closet. “I'd like to, but I can't.”

“Why?”

Cassie had been mulling over Avery's words in her mind all evening. “Why don't we go in the living room?”

In an instant, stress lines marred his striking features. He went ahead of her, but he didn't sit when she sank down on the couch. Dusty wandered around the room with a toy. “I've been waiting until we were alone to find out why you were in tears earlier.”

“No one deserves an explanation more than you do. Today at my appointment, the doctor told me I've developed a condition called preeclampsia.”

“I've heard of it. One of the pilots in my squadron had a wife who suffered from it.”

“How did it turn out for her?”

“Fine. But she had to go to bed for eight months of her pregnancy.”

Eight?

“So I guess you have a good idea of what my doctor told me I have to do.”

“Yup. I'm going to turn into Mr. Mom.”

His comment was so unexpected, she laughed. “I'm being serious now, Trace.”

“So am I. Did he tell you to quit your job?”

“Yes. I already did it today.”

“Good.”

“Trace—if I continue to stay here, my activities are limited.” She listed everything so he'd understand exactly. “I'm supposed to be working for you, remember?”

He smiled. “Did your doctor know he was talking to the most independent mother-to-be in Montana? Does he know how drastic this is going to be for you to let someone else help take care of you?”

Trace knew her better than she knew herself. “I don't imagine any woman likes hearing it.”

“Especially you, but I'll help you pass the time. It won't be so bad.” If only he knew how heavenly that sounded.

“You don't have to do this, Trace. I talked to Avery and can move there tomorrow.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Knowing how your mind works, whom would you rather inconvenience? The Lawsons or yours truly?”

“That's not a fair question because there's no good answer.”

“Why don't you think about where you'll be happiest and give me your decision tomorrow? But I'd rather you stayed here so you can walk me through the process of putting up raspberry jam. They're starting to ripen. I'll set up a sun lounger in the kitchen. You can lie there with your feet up and give me instructions.”

“You'd actually do that?”

“Whatever it takes to entertain you until your daughter arrives. Have you thought of a name yet?”

“I
have
.” While he was mounting the camera in front, it came to her.

“And?”

“I'm going to think about it for a while before I say it out loud.”

“So you're superstitious?” he asked playfully.

“No. I've just got to be sure. Trace—if I stay here, you have to promise you'll let me pay you the money I was going to use for the first and last month's rent on that apartment. I have it and more saved in the bank.”

“Agreed.” He answered too fast. “Do we have a deal?”

Her heart pounded so hard she felt sick. “Only if
you're
sure.”

He flicked her another glance. “Do you honestly think I would have bothered to get a dog if I hadn't planned on you being here throughout your pregnancy? Dusty will go into mourning if he can't find you tomorrow.”

Trace knew how to apply emotional bribery to her exact vulnerable area.

“Any other conditions before I send you to bed where you should have been an hour ago? Considering everything you've done since you left the doctor's office, you've already disobeyed his instructions.”

“I'm aware of that.”

“If you want to know the truth, I've been hoping you won't leave. I like having you around. That first day I got home from Italy, I dreaded driving out here knowing I'd be bombarded with too many memories I didn't want to think about. But the minute I saw you in the fruit garden and realized the pain you were living with, they seemed to vanish.

“Now that we've got Dusty and your pregnancy is coming along, it feels good to be alive despite my bad eye, your brother and maybe even momnesia.”

Avery had been right about everything.

“I'd like to stay, but only on the condition that if it gets too hard, Avery will insist on taking over.”

* * *

C
ONNOR
AND
T
RACE
rode Buttercup and Masala to the pasture to exercise the horses. Before Cassie had been put to bed, he'd planned to have a herd of cattle unloaded. But the situation had forced him to put any of those ranching ideas on hold.

“I went to the checkup with her this morning. While she was in the restroom, I spoke to Dr. Raynard. After eight weeks of virtual bed rest, her blood pressure is even higher and there's too much protein in her urine. He's given her a medication to help. If it can get her to last another week, then he'll perform a Cesarean.”

“That's too early,” Connor muttered.

“He says that at thirty-three weeks the baby will be in good shape. I need to be on hand because once she's born, the baby could be in the hospital a month or longer and Cassie will want to be right there with her. He wants me to bring her in day after tomorrow to see if the medicine is helping. That's why I haven't done anything about the cattle yet.”

“I hear you.”

“What's the word on Ned?”

“We've noticed him riding around the ranch with my uncle. Jarod caught sight of him headed into the mountains alone the other day and followed him until he came back. I saw him driving with Owen in Owen's truck yesterday.”

“Did they leave the ranch?”

Connor nodded. “I followed them into White Lodge. They hit the supermarket. I'll give you one guess what they bought. Then they drove to the Pearson ranch. I stayed hidden and followed them after they left to bring Ned back. Jarod and I are doing our damndest to keep an eye on him. It's clear my uncle hasn't put him to work yet, which means he's still afraid of his son and Ned is the same old Ned.”

“Cassie never believed he would change. Now he's free to come and go. I check the video on the cameras every day. So far, neither Ned or Owen have trespassed, unless they're aware of the cameras and move out of the line of vision.”

“We simply don't know what Ned's up to. I've talked to Zane. He's no closer to finding the person who shot Logan, but we're all keeping a close eye on Ned.”

“You can't do more than that, Connor. If he gets into one of his manic moods, he'll make a mistake and we'll be ready for him.”

“Liz and her mom are planning on taking turns with the girls to help when the time comes.”

“You've all done so much already bringing food and keeping her company. Cassie is so grateful.”

“My cousin didn't deserve all that's happened to her. Thank God she has you, Trace. Let's get back to her.”

“Do you ever talk to Cassie's mother?”

“No. She stays away. The only time I see her is when she leaves the ranch. Her mother still lives in Bozeman and she goes there a lot.”

Trace shook his head.

“Don't try to figure it out, Trace. It's Cassie she should be visiting and giving comfort to. I think living with my uncle and Ned did something to her mind a long, long time ago. Jarod's convinced of it.”

On that tragic note they galloped back to give the horses a workout. When they reached the paddock, Connor took off in his truck. Trace watered their mounts and left them to graze while he hurried toward the house. He could hear Dusty's bark before he entered through the back door.

“Hey, buddy. Let's go see how Cassie's doing.”

He found her on the couch in the living room with her jean-clad legs propped. Her blond hair fanned around her head on the pillow. She was one woman whose body hadn't looked that pregnant at six months. But over the past two the baby had really grown.

“Sorry we were gone so long. Are you ready for dinner?”

“Whenever you are. It's disgusting how I can lie around all day and still be hungry for every meal. Did I tell you my little girl has found a new place to jab me? She did it during the night and now she's at it again. Here. Feel
this
.”

His pulse raced. Trace had been hoping she'd let him feel the baby again. He hadn't dared touch her since the night he'd wanted to go on kissing her senseless. That seemed like a century ago. After she'd left his arms to go to bed, he'd forced himself to put his desire for her in cold storage.

But now that she'd just given him permission, he hunkered down next to her. She took his hand and put it on the side of her swollen belly. He felt movement at once, hard and strong. “Good grief. That has to hurt!”

“It kind of does now that she's been doing it in the same place for so long. I need to shift positions.” He had to give her credit for trying. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to move when you feel like a beached porpoise?”

“Don't you mean whale?”

Her eyes rounded. “Do I look that huge?”

He chuckled over her hurt expression. “No, Cassie. No. You look good enough to eat,” he whispered. Without waiting for permission, he covered her mouth with his own, breaking the rule he'd set for himself two months ago. He couldn't help it.

For a pregnant woman who was more or less stuck in that position, her hungry response sent
his
blood pressure spiking through the roof. Neither of them could get enough of the other. Cassie was with him all the way. His patience was paying off.

Don't blow it now, Rafferty.

He finally lifted his mouth from hers, struggling for breath. She made a little groan of protest that thrilled him. But he was far too conscious of her medical condition to take advantage of the moment. Instead he gripped one of her hands.

“You're so lovely, I couldn't resist. Don't say another word about how you look. There's a glow about you I find irresistible. You're going to make the most stunning mother.”

“I hope you know your compliments are spoiling me.”

“Good. Connor said you were the most popular girl at high school and I believe it.”

“He made that up.”

“Nope. I heard it from Jarod, too.”

“Thanks for trying to cheer me up.” Fear had entered her eyes. “You really think the baby will be all right being born premature?”

“Believe your doctor. Even if it came today, he said both of you would be fine.” Overwhelmed by love for her, Trace drew her into his arms and pressed his cheek against her hot one. “You're going to have a beautiful baby.”

“I just want her to be healthy,” she said as Dusty started barking.

“Someone's at the door.”

Trace had been so involved with Cassie, he hadn't heard a knock or the doorbell. “Just a minute and let me see who it is.” He sprang to his feet and strode to the front door. When he opened it, he discovered his father and Ellen standing there with food they'd brought. He invited them inside. No sight could have been more welcome.

While they hugged, Dusty brushed up against Sam who leaned over to pet him. “You remember me, don't you, boy. Do you like your new home?” The dog barked.

“He was talking to you, Sam.” This from Cassie.

“Cassie has me convinced he really does talk,” Trace exclaimed. “How did you two know Cassie and I were hungry for dinner? Something smells delicious.”

Ellen smiled. “I'll fix a plate for everyone and we'll eat in here.”

A few minutes later they settled down to enjoy the fajitas she'd made. Trace told them what the doctor had said. His father leaned forward in his chair.

“Cassie? I understand your fears, but thousands of women face this and come out of it fine. Your doctor knows what he's doing. Remember—you've been through the worst part having to stay on bed rest.”

“I disagree. Your son is the one whose life has been living torture. He's worn every hat there is taking care of me and has listened to me cry and worry until I'm sure he's ready to scream. Both of you should get a medal.”

Sam looked surprised. “What do I have to do with it?”

“You raised him to be as exceptional as you are.”

“She's right,” Ellen chimed in.

Trace had rarely seen his father blush. He was glad his dad had come over tonight. Cassie had never needed reassurance more. When they were ready to leave she said, “Ellen? Take one of those jars of raspberry jam home with you. Trace made it.”

“He did?”

“She told me what to do,” Trace explained. “It all sold at the White Lodge fair, but I held a few jars back for us.”

“We're both impressed.” Sam gave Cassie a kiss on the cheek. After hugging Trace, they left. He could tell their visit had relaxed her.

“What can I do for you?” he asked after shutting the door.

“You and Dusty can watch football to your heart's content while I go to bed.” She got up from the couch with some difficulty. “Your dad and Ellen are the greatest. See you in the morning.”