The Heart of a Cowboy
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He put a hand to her back and led her out to the truck. “Tofu Sally’s, it is,” he said, unruffled. “I can hardly wait.”
Sarah shuffled her salad around on her plate, aware of Case’s eyes on her. He’d been watching her intently as they sat at the diner and ate their meal. He’d already polished off two veggie sandwiches without complaint and was working on peach pie with two scoops of some soy concoction of ice cream.
“So, the good doc thinks the baby will arrive right on schedule?” he asked, after taking in a forkful of pie.
“Yes, four weeks and counting,” she replied.
“And Delaney will be able to get away in time?”
“Yes, she’s going to leave the girls with her neighbor during the day. Her husband Chuck will be able to handle the rest. She’s going to stay at the ranch one week.”
“Good. That must take a load off your mind.”
“It does. I don’t know…” she began and the urge to cry suddenly reached up and grabbed her. Overwhelming feelings of melancholy, of grief, of her gratitude toward her sister, descended on her at once. She managed to hold back tears, but her voice cracked a little. “I d-don’t know what I w-would have done without her d-during the h-hard times.”
The usual hard edge in Case’s eyes softened a bit, and he said carefully, “Your sister wants to help you, Sarah. She loves you.”
“I know. It’s just that she’s sacrificed so much already for me.”
“Delaney wouldn’t think of it that way.”
Her sister had postponed their family vacation to Hawaii just to stay with her for the summer. She’d left her husband for weeks at a time, and disrupted her household. Sarah hated asking anything more of her. Being an independent soul and having lost her parents at a young age, Sarah had gone all through her adult life without depending on anyone. Except Reid. But that was different, she surmised because married people were supposed to help and support one another. Without Reid by her side, Sarah knew she’d be on her own. The grandmother who raised her and Delaney passed away three years ago.
If she had to, she’d face childbirth alone, too, but Delaney insisted she wanted to be a part of the baby’s birth. She’d been enthusiastic about the delivery and so caring that Sarah would never be able to fully repay the favor, or show Delaney just how much her selfless help had meant to her.
“Delaney has been wonderful,” she said, thinking aloud.
Sarah noticed that Case had stopped eating. Half a slice of pie still sat on his plate. Oh Lord, that’s all she needed. Make the man feel so sorry for you that he loses his gigantic appetite, Sarah. “Your ice cream is melting, Case.”
He grinned and lifted his spoon. “Never could take a teary-eyed woman.”
“I’m not teary-eyed,” she said with indignation. It was better to spar with Case than have him feel sorry for her. Sarah hated the moods that came hand in hand with pregnancy. Often she knew she was being irrational or just plain difficult, but she was powerless to stop it.
“Yes, ma’am.”
A dollop of ice cream landed on his chin and stayed there. Without conscious thought, Sarah leaned over and wiped away the droplet with her finger. Case grabbed her finger gently and peered deep into her eyes, holding her hand to his chin. Temptation and danger cast a dark spark in his gaze. Sarah’s heartbeats sped up just looking into those eyes. His touch did things to her, things she didn’t want to encourage or entertain yet she’d certainly felt it and was powerless to slow the pace of her heart. “If you were any other woman,” he said, letting her imagination take hold, “this might have gotten interesting.”
Sarah knew all too well what happened when Case got “interested.” For about five minutes in his life, she’d been the object of his desire on her prom night. That evening had been a disaster. Not only had Case tricked her but he’d also made Sarah doubt herself and her love for Reid. That had been a hard pill to swallow because of all the men in the world, Reid Jarrett deserved her love completely and unconditionally. He was a good man, solid and sure. Sarah had been enraged with Case and his hard-hearted game. He’d proven outright that he could never be trusted.
“But I’m not,” she responded firmly, removing her hand from his chin, “any other woman.”
She was his brother’s pregnant widow and a woman who would always be wary of him. That about sized it up. She couldn’t allow her bouts of loneliness to sway her resolve.
Eyes twinkling now, in direct contrast to the hot look he’d just given her, he had the good sense to back off. “No, ma’am. You’re certainly not just any woman, Sarah.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve always known that.”
The soft way he said those words brought unexpected tingles and Sarah hid her smile. At eight months pregnant, Sarah wasn’t used to hearing too many compliments.
She put her head down and toyed with her salad.
“Well hello, cowboy,” a deep sultry voice called from across the room. Sarah snapped her head up to find Case frowning, then followed the line of his vision. Josie Miller, one of Case’s old girlfriends, sauntered up to the table. The leggy redhead had eyes only for Case.
“Hello, Josie.” Case seemed to eye her with typical male scrutiny.
“How’ve you been, Case. Long time, huh?”
“Yeah, I’d say it’s been a long time.” Case pushed his dish away and stretched out. “Just got back in town, actually. I took Sarah to her doctor’s appointment today.”
Sarah wanted to scream from the proprietary way Case had thrown that bit of information out. She’d just barely allowed him to accompany her to that appointment and Case made it sound as if…as if they would be sharing more than her medical appointments.
Josie’s wide smile faded, glancing from Case to her. “Oh, hello, Sarah. When’s the baby due? You look like you’re ready to pop.”
“Babies don’t pop, Josie,” Case said, coming to Sarah’s defense before she had a chance to respond. It more than irritated her that Case would be answering questions on her behalf.
“The baby’s due in about one month, Josie.”
“Oh, that so?” Josie swung her hip in Case’s direction, but he didn’t appear to notice.
“Yes,” Sarah answered. “I can hardly wait.”
Josie tossed her long red hair off her shoulder. “I bet. You plan on being the surrogate daddy, Case?” The woman seemed truly intent on his answer.
“Well, I, uh.” Case blinked and fumbled with an answer. “Not exactly.”
“My child will know who his father is, Josie. And that Case is his uncle.” Sarah hoped she left no room for doubt.