Rescue Me (Colorado Blues) (3 page)

Gina
didn’t hear him come closer to her until the weight of her baby left her hip.
Rory had taken him and was holding Fisher against his chest. “Hey, little one.
You’re a cute little button, aren’t you?” Fisher reached for his hat and Rory took
it off and placed it on his head as he squealed with delight.

She
watched as child and man charmed each other, her heart bursting with need for
this to work out. Her baby boy tilted his head back so the hat fell to the
floor and reached for Rory’s mouth, digging his chubby hands into the soft
fleshy skin of his bottom lip and chin. “Gentle baby, there’s a good boy.” Gina
crouched down and picked up the hat.

“Where’s
his father?” Dark blue eyes locked onto hers and the tenseness raced back up
her spine.

“He
died before Fisher was born.” Gina lifted her chin, determined not to break
down until she knew they were safe.

“Don’t
you have any other family that could have helped you out?”

She
shook her head. “No.”
Please don’t try and palm us off, please.

CHAPTER THREE

The
haunted look in her eyes tugged at his heart even though he made up his mind
she’d came here under false pretenses. The emotions in her eyes mirrored what
he’d felt for the last few years. Lost and alone, but still well aware of the
surroundings while not quite fitting in.

 Luckily
he’d managed to clean most of the rubbish out of the house before Gina arrived.
He hadn’t quite expected her to take up his offer as fast as she had, and suddenly
he was glad she was here. The fact remained that she had lied if only by
omission and lying was a big no no to him, not that he considered he’d lied
even though she did. “I’m sorry about the house. I only just brought it and
thought I’d have more done to it before you got here. I didn’t intentionally
mean you to think my brother’s house was mine.”

“I,
um didn’t have any reason to stay in San Francisco once you made me the offer
of a home and marriage.” She blushed beautifully and Rory’s annoyance at her
lie began to shuffle away.

“So,
how about I show you two outside and we can work out what’s wrong with your
car.” He walked to the back door and threw it open, letting the afternoon sun
shine in on the old scarred linoleum. “There’s a chicken pen, pig pen, and the
remains of an old orchard. I haven’t had time to get in and clean that out yet,
but I will soon. Hope you like gardening.”

Gina
followed him out, picking her way through the trodden down weeds he still had
to mow over. Fisher snuggled in his arms, reaching out to point to the clouds
floating in the pale blue sky.

“Do
you want me to take him? He gets kind of heavy after a while.”

“Hey,
I’m more than happy to carry him. Feels like the right thing to do, you know.
Unless you’d rather I didn’t until you get to know me better that is.” He
stopped and waited for her to take the child.

Fisher
protested when Gina reached out and took him. He twisted his body back to Rory.
The toddler held his arms out and opened his mouth to cry. Rory took the baby
back before the noise made it past his lips. “I think you’ll find I’m trust
worthy and won’t hurt him.” He hoped his job would at least waylay her worry
for now until they got to know each other and he decided their fate.

“Looks
like he’s taken to you, which is funny because he doesn’t really know any men.”

Rory
smiled and continued the tour. “The barn needs a bit of work but its sound
enough as are the stables. Most of the paddocks will need new fencing before we
can buy any cattle . There’s plenty to keep you occupied with the gardens and the
orchard if that’s what you want to do.” He turned and pointed to the chicken pen.
“I can get you some hens in town if you want to gather your own eggs. It’s all
up to you, Gina. You can choose. I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t
want to do.”

She
stopped and looked at him. “Why? Why did you advertise for a bride? It’s not
like you couldn’t get a wife the normal way, is it?”

“I
had a wife. We were in love, very much in love in fact so it’s not like I
haven’t ever been happy. She was killed just as we found out she was pregnant.
I put all of my focus into my job until my brother decided it was time I
returned home to where we were born. I couldn’t go through the whole dating
scene again. Figured it was too hard.” He looked away and she followed his gaze
to the mountains that provided a spectacular backdrop to the ranch. “Chance
found his bride through an advert, so I figured it wasn’t such a bad thing to
do.”

She
laughed, and he smiled a genuine smile for the first time in years. The sound
made his heart flip just a little bit and he felt the bud of heat start to thaw
out the cold lump in his chest.

***

“So,
what do you think?”

“I
like it. It has loads of potential. Are we staying here tonight?” She brushed
her hair from her face, turning in the breeze to look around the ranch.

“No.
I live at my brother’s place for now.” He gave her a funny look. “You can
follow me over there shortly.”

Gina
swallowed hard and bit her lip. Dizziness threatened to make her stumble. How
was she going to explain to this man that she had no money, no gas, and no
chance of getting either anytime soon. She was totally at his mercy; not
something she would ever be proud of.

“What’s
wrong? You’ve gone a ghastly pale color. Do you feel okay?”

“Um…it’s
just that, I ah…”

“Just
tell me, Gina. Hell, after driving all this way, I think we can agree to tell
the truth from now on. We haven’t started out that great, but we can improve on
it and try to make things work. Now tell me what’s got you so upset.”

“I
don’t have any gas or money to buy more. We only made it this far by sheer
luck.” She risked a look at him and quickly glanced away, embarrassed beyond
belief.

Rory
seemed to think it over before he finally spoke to her. “I have a can of gas in
the truck. Always someone breaking down or running out. Let’s go and sort that
out and then we can get this little one home to meet Callie and Chance.”

Her
shoulders sagged in relief. He wasn’t going to renege on his deal, at least not
yet. Even thought he was talking chickens and gardens, Gina thought that was
only if they agreed to go ahead with the marriage. She quickly composed herself
and followed him back to the truck where he handed Fisher over to her so he
could get the gas from the back. Together they walked down to her car and Gina watched
as he poured it into her gas tank.

“Now,
when we get to the ranch you and I have to have ourselves a good talk. For now
I think you need to get something to eat and drink and let this little one run
wild. Follow me, it’s not far.”

“Thanks,
Rory. I really do appreciate everything you’re doing for us.”

He
gazed down at her, a sadness in his eyes she didn’t want to think too seriously
about. Heaven help her if the person who put that look there was herself. It
didn’t make her future appear too rosy.

She
strapped a protesting Fisher back in his car seat and climbed behind the driver’s
wheel as Rory stood beside the car. When she turned the key and pumped the gas,
the car roared to life and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Drive
up to the ranch and turn around in the gate way. Give me a minute and then
follow me home.”

Home.
That word had a warmth to it she hadn’t felt for a long time. Living on the
edge of poverty had a way of making every single little thing dark and filled
with despair. If it wasn’t for the darling old lady who lived in the room next
to them, Gina would never have been able to work as much as she had. When they
left, it was hard to say goodbye knowing that she was leaving the only friend
they had for a pipe dream and the hopes of a better life which could go either
way at any second.

Gina
followed the truck down the road and along the main road further away from
town. They passed verdant pine forests before coming to a turnoff marked by a
large grey boulder erupting from the earth. The light was muted and invoked
thoughts of danger on moonlit nights. She gave herself a mental shake. It was
safe here, Rory was a gentleman and a sheriff. The city was far behind them and
so was the danger.
See the forest for what it is, Gina and stop letting your
over active imagination go wild.

After
a couple of hundred feet, the trees stopped and grazing land took over.
Paddocks with horses roaming happily flanked either side of the road. “Look,
Fisher, horses.” Her baby gurgled happily and waved his hands in the air toward
the animals.

She
followed the truck over a heavy wooden bridge spanning a small quick flowing
river and wondered if it was the same one she had noticed meandering at the
back of the ranch. Pretty soon they started to climb up towards snow capped
mountains which were breathtaking in their glory. Thick pine forests surrounded
the great rise of hills and it wasn’t until they crested a rise that she saw
the ranch that sat high above the town.

A
large log house with a bell set into the middle of the roof commanded
magnificent views over the valley below. Rory pulled up at a hitching rail and
indicated she should do the same. When she turned off the car, he opened the
back door, reached into the back seat, and undid the baby harness that held her
son in.

“Let
me show you folks around.” Fisher wriggled in his arms and Rory turned to Gina.
“Is it alright if I put him down?”

“Sure.
He’s been in the car for two days and needs to stretch his little legs.” Gina
watched as he crouched down and set her baby’s feet on the ground. He held his
arms out in case he stumbled. Fisher squealed and tottered off as fast as his
chubby little legs would carry him. He headed away from the house toward a huge
wooden barn and Gina followed with Rory beside her.

“This
here’s the barn as you can see. Chance keeps the horses in here at night and
there’s a few stalls where Callie keeps any calves that need mothering for
whatever reason. You’ll meet them both later.”

Gina
looked around at the beautiful ranch. Everything was in its place and so very
pretty. Cows with calves at foot lazed in the long grass, chewing contentedly. Chickens
scratched in the dirt around the barn and Fisher made a bee line for a hen with
chickens peeping at her feet. They scattered as he toddled closer and he fell
to his bottom with a wail looking for someone to help sort out his problems.

Rory
scooped Fisher up and hugged him. “Hey, let’s go and see the horse. Would you
like that?” He placed him up on his shoulders and jiggled the baby up and down
until he giggled with delight.

“He’s
loving that.” Gina smiled as her baby bounced along on Rory’s shoulders to the
barn door. He pulled it open and flicked on the overhead lights. Inside, Gina
could see a stall holding a calf and more chickens scratching in the shavings-covered
floor. She’d never owned poultry of her own and the thought of collecting eggs
with Fisher was a very warm feeling.

A
snort from the end stable startled her. Rory walked over talking to her son,
telling him about the horses. “This is Sultan. Good boy, Sultan. Say hello.”

“Is
it safe to take him so close?” Gina hurried over to stand behind Rory out of
reach of the horse.

“I’d
never take him this close if it wasn’t. Don’t worry, Gina. I’ll take very good
care of him, I promise.” He leaned forward, bending slightly at the waist so
the little boy could touch Sultan.

Fisher
giggled and held out his hands, touching the coarse hair on Sultan’s forelock.

Gina
watched as man and child bonded over the huge animal and prayed she’d done the
right thing not telling him about Fisher before they got here.

Was
this what parenthood would have been like if Cindy and our child had lived?
The squeals of delight coming from the little bundle of energy on his shoulders
left him with a warmth threading its way through his body like none he’d ever felt
before. When he first recognized Gina from her photograph standing in front of
the ranch with a child on her hip, he’d been gutted and ready to send her on
her way for deceiving him. It was a risk to offer marriage to someone he’d
never met, he knew that. The longer he was in this little one’s presence, the
harder that was getting.
Would I have fallen for her if we’d met on a date
first and I knew she had a child?
Chances are he wouldn’t have even kept
the date. It would have been too hard as he’d tried to explain to his brother
Chance.

“I
can’t put myself out there like that. I just can’t.”

“Why
not? It’s not like you’re offering them anything on the first date. Go get a
feel for what you want out of life.” Chance had thrown a bale of hay to the
cows off the back of the truck as Rory cut the twine holding it together.
Callie was at the wheel and not privy to the conversation.

Rory
looked out over the paddock and sighed, not sure how to make his brother
understand. “Why did you do it, advertise for a wife like you did?”

Chance
threw him a look of comprehension. “Okay, I get it almost. But I was in the
limelight and couldn’t face the idea of settling down with one of the empty
headed hangers on that followed me around the circuit.” He pushed off another
bale and stood up, rubbing his recently healed hip. “You on the other hand,
work in an industry that involves down to earth people. I mean, think about it.
Who wouldn’t love a lawman?”

“I’m
not looking for love.” It hit him as the words fell from his lips. It was
companionship he wanted more than anything. Someone to talk to at the end of
the day and share the highlights with. Romance was a bonus if it ever happened.

“Well
what the heck are you getting married for then? You can find someone to chat
with at the bar after work.” Chance shook his head. “I don’t get it. You’re
younger than me and love kids so why not go for the real thing?”

“It
worked for you didn’t it? I see the way you two look at each other. If you can
find the right person by placing an ad and saving yourself all the hassles,
then so can I.”

Fisher
wriggled to get down and Rory concentrated on lifting him from his shoulders.
He could chastise himself later after he’d had a talk to Gina and decided what
they were going to do. He put the child on the ground and watched him wobble
around on little legs exploring the barn. The chickens ran for cover when he
headed their way.

“He’s
never seen anything like this before.” There was a sense of wonder in Gina’s
voice.

“I
feel sorry for kids not brought up in the country. They miss out on so much to
my way of thinking.” He risked a glance at her. She was mesmerized by her son
walking around the barn exploring anything that moved. A shadow slunk through
the door and shot over to Fisher.

Before
Gina could launch herself to her child, Rory grabbed her by the arm. “It’s
okay, that’s Sherbet, Callie’s dog. She won’t hurt him, I promise.”

Gina
gripped hold of his arm, her body tense, and watched as the dog sniffed
Fisher’s feet making him squeal with laughter. He grabbed handfuls of fur,
leaning down to try and put it in his mouth, making the anxious mother hurry to
his side.

“No,
honey. Please don’t eat the doggy.” She dropped down to her knees and stroked Sherbet.
“See, stroke her like Mommy does. Nice Sherbet.”

Fisher
plonked down on his butt and grinned, holding his arms out for the dog to be
put on his lap. Rory came to the rescue and encouraged Sherbet to lay with her
head on the chubby little legs. “He’s never had a dog this close before, and the
favorite toy is a scruffy little dog.”

“Best
mix ever, kids and dogs.”

“Hey,
who’s stealing my dog?” Callie waltzed into the barn, her broad accent thick.

Rory
stood up and held out his hand for Gina to rise and meet his sister-in-law.
“Callie, this is Gina, and the little pint-sized munchkin is Fisher. He’s taken
a shine to Sherbet.”

Callie
hurried over and held out her hand. “Hey, welcome to the ranch. Rory never told
us he was having company or I would have baked a cake.” She snorted.

“You
liar. You hate cooking but thanks for the sentiment.” He looked at the
questions in her eyes and bent to pick up the baby instead. It would seem that
her husband had left the decision to tell anyone about what he’d done, to him.
“Is it okay if I put Gina and Fisher in the room next to mine?”

“Sure.
Do what you like. How many times have I told you this place is yours as well?”
She whistled and held out her arms. Sherbet launched herself up and licked her
chin. Callie stepped closer to Rory and Fisher, letting the boy pat the dog
again. “Did you want us to get a cot or something for you?” She directed the
question to Gina.

“No
thank you. I have a collapsible one in the car I take with me everywhere. He’s
happier with his own things.” She glanced at Rory. “I’d better get him changed,
and a bath would be a good idea if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.
Let me give you a hand to unpack the car.” He nodded at his sister-in-law and
followed Gina out of the barn. “Catch you up at the house later.”

He
handed Fisher to his mother and started hauling bags from the back of the car
and placed them on the porch as she watched. When the car was empty, he opened
the door to the house and ushered her inside. “Let me show you the bedroom and
bathroom so you can get him organized.”

Rory
pointed out the kitchen and lounge on the way to the stairs. When they reached
the top, he walked past his bedroom and opened the door of the empty guest room,
holding it wide for Gina to enter. She glanced at the large queen sized bed and
walked over to the open door of the en-suite. “This is lovely.”

“I’ll
bring up the rest of the stuff if you want to get him bathed. There’re towels
and everything you’ll probably need. If you want anything, you only have to
ask.”

“Thanks.”
She smiled quickly and turned away. Rory headed back down the stairs and
grabbed the rest of the bags, placing them on the end of the bed before
carrying up the pack and play. He unzipped the bag and looked at it, trying to
figure out how it worked. There weren’t any directions but he was willing to
give it a go. After all, how hard could it be? He pulled the legs hoping they
would slide out and open the whole thing up. No such luck. Not willing to break
anything, Rory decided to leave it to the expert.

“I
can do it.” Gina stood in the doorway with Fisher wrapped up in a big fluffy
towel.

“Sorry,
not used to contraptions like this.” He pushed back his hat and scratched his
head. “Anything else I can do for you that doesn’t involve putting things
together?”

***

She
looked at him and smiled. “I’ll just get him dressed and come downstairs. I
need to think about feeding him before it gets too late. He doesn’t do late
nights very well.”

“Did
you want me to cook something? I’m not that sure what little ones eat though. I
can give it a shot.”

“It’s
okay. I can do it. If I could just make eggs for dinner, he’d love that.” Gina
sat on the edge of the bed and reached for Fisher’s bag of clothes.

“Right,
then. I’ll go down and light the fire so he’s not cold. See you when you’re
ready.” He shut the door behind him and her shoulders slumped. So far so good.
At least he hadn’t sent her away. Her heart ached for her baby boy. She wanted
him to have a father, but it was underhanded to surprise Rory like that. He
seemed like a very nice man, would he have welcomed her if he’d known she had
child already? She couldn’t take that chance.

Fisher
wriggled and tried to climb away from his mother. “Hold still honey, and we’ll
get you dressed and fed before bed time.” Once he was wrapped up in his suit
and slippers, Gina let him down on the floor while she tidied the bathroom and
then set up the cot. She pulled it close to the bed and turned down the
blankets so when her child fell asleep she only had to place him down and cover
him up.

“Let’s
go downstairs and see about dinner.” She scooped her baby up and headed down
the stairs. Voices were coming from the kitchen and she paused, not sure about
walking into someone else’s house during a conversation. It could be personal
and she didn’t want to interrupt. Fisher spotted Sherbet walking from the
kitchen to the lounge and let out a squeal making the decision for her.

There
was no choice other than to head down and see what was going on in the kitchen.
Rory was standing with a mug of coffee in his hands and Callie was leaning on
the kitchen island counter when she walked in.

“Hey
snuggle bug. You look gorgeous all rugged up in your little onesie.” Callie
laughed at the look that passed between Gina and Rory. “You don’t call them
that here? It might be an Australian thing then, sorry. I’m talking about his
little suit.”

“Oh,
right. We call it a sleeper because it covers his arms and legs too.” She put
Fisher down on the floor and watched as he tottered around exploring the
kitchen.

“Right,
what do you want to give him for dinner? I’m not that crash hot in the kitchen,
but you can do whatever you want.” Callie walked away from the counter and took
a seat at the table leaving the kitchen to Gina.

“Are
you sure you don’t mind? I hate the thought of taking over.”

“Doesn’t
worry me in the slightest. Go for it. The pantry is pretty well stocked as is
the fridge and freezer. Do whatever makes you happy while I keep an eye on this
little bundle of joy.” She kept her gaze on Fisher as he touched everything he
discovered, casting quick glances at the adults watching his every move.

“You
don’t have any children yet?”

“Ah,
no. We’ll get there one day though when we figure the time is right. Chance and
I’ve only been married for a short time so there’s no rush.” Callie clapped her
hands and Fisher came running toward her. “Aren’t you just the sweetest little
thing.”

“I’ll
make him an omelet if that’s alright?”

“Of
course. We have loads of eggs. The girls are doing really well.” Callie picked
up the baby and carried him on her hip to the pantry. She came back out with a basket
filled with eggs. “I collect this many every day. I just wish I knew what to
cook so I could use them up.” She put the basket on the counter.

“I
could make French toast for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Hell
yes. I love that stuff . Shame I always burn it. All that butter and cinnamon,
yum. My mother used to give it to us on Sundays because that was the only day
we had off on the farm.” A shadow crossed Callie’s face.

“Okay,
done then.” She looked around the kitchen, to orientate herself, checking
cupboards and drawers. Gina then found the utensils she needed to make dinner, and
put a small fry pan on the stove to heat. From the bucket on the counter she
took a couple of eggs and broke them into a bowl she’d found under the sink,
whisking it with a fork before adding a small dash of water.

Rory’s
frowned when Gina added the water and she smiled. “I know, I get it all the
time. Most people use milk. I find water makes it lighter and for a baby, going
to bed on a heavy dinner won’t be comfortable.”

The
back door opened and in strode a cowboy, his eyes lighting up when he saw
Callie with a child on her hip. He walked over and grinned, glancing between
the adults standing in the kitchen. “Hey cutie, what’s your name?”

Rory
took over and made the introductions. “This is Fisher and over here we have
Gina, his mother. Gina, meet my brother Chance.”

“Hello.”
She wiped her hand on the tea towel and walked toward him, holding out her
hand, her insides shaking as he scrutinized her.

“Hi,
nice to meet you. Looks as though you’re already settled. If there’s anything I
can do for you, please let either Callie or I know.”

“Thanks,
that’s very kind of you.” Gina went back to making dinner and watched as the
adults fussed over her son. A prickling sensation ran down her neck and when
she looked up, Rory was watching her. She tried to smile but he turned away to
answer something his brother said.

“Do
you have a high chair for him?” Callie was standing by the counter with Fisher,
blowing raspberries on his neck while he squealed.

“No,
I don’t. I had to leave that behind. It wouldn’t fit in the car.”

“That’s
okay, he can sit on my knee while you feed him then.”