Expecting the Cowboy's Baby (14 page)

But Cassie wanted Jake. She wanted to see him, to have him hold her in his arms. She needed him right now, more than she ever had before. The doctor had given her news she desperately wanted to share with Jake. Where was he? It had been hours since the fall. Was he competing? How long before he would get the message and call?

“The doctor says the baby is just fine.”

“Thank God, Lottie. I've never been so frightened in my life.” Cassie lay a protective, soothing hand on her stomach.
“It was such a freak accident. I don't know what I would have done if the baby…” Tears clouded her eyes and Cassie couldn't speak for a moment. “I wish Jake was here.”

Lottie smiled reassuringly. “He's a good man, Cassie. He'll be in touch. Don't you worry. Now, get some rest. If all goes well, the doctor says he'll release you in the morning.”

Jake was a good man, Cassie thought lovingly. She needed him. He'll call as soon as he gets the message.

Cassie closed her eyes peacefully, thankful for all the good things in her life, and finally allowed sleep to claim her.

J
ake entered his hotel room, glancing at the clock with a frown. Damn, he'd stayed out past midnight, nursing one drink at the bar, listening to the band and shooting the breeze with the guys. He'd never been one to indulge, but lately he found he needed to keep his mind off one gorgeous redhead. She'd been entering his thoughts too often these days, making him question his life, making him uncomfortable with doubt.

But at least he had the good sense not to overdo before the finals tomorrow. Hangovers don't bode well when you're racing to rope a calf. And that's another thing, ever since he met up with Cassie, he'd questioned his lot in life. Just today, as he was looping the rope overhead, ready to make the toss, an uncanny notion filtered in.

This is a fool way to earn a living.

Jake resented that thought as much as he questioned the why of it. He had Cassie Munroe on the brain.

Jake sat down on his bed and tossed off his boots. As he began unbuttoning his shirt, he glanced over to see the telephone light blinking. He lifted the receiver and followed the directions, getting three messages, all from John T., his craggy voice elevated and more than slightly panicked.

Jake listened, his heart thumping hard in his chest.

“Cassie took a fall… She was rushed to the hospital… They're taking tests….”

Jake only half listened to the rest of the messages, his mind working overtime. Good Lord, Cassie had been hurt. She'd been bleeding. She'd been taken to the hospital. Jake had to speak with her. He had to know she was all right. And the baby. Their baby. How did the baby fare in all of this? Stark fear entered his heart. His body physically shook. He was so far away, too far to get to her right away. Damn. He needed to see her.

Since meeting Cassie he had struggled with emotions too raw and deep to name. He'd fought his feelings for her, just as he'd fought his father. With deep, soulful intensity. He'd been bitter and angry and afraid. Yes, afraid to feel anything for the two people in his life that meant the most to him. He'd had a lousy childhood, but his life since coming to the ranch hadn't been bad. It could have been better, had he allowed it. But ingrained hostility and apprehension had entered into the mix and Jake had put up walls to protect himself.

But all that was over now. He needed Cassie in his life. And it took an accident to knock him upside the head, proving once and for all how much she really did mean to him. He couldn't keep up the battle, the price of losing Cassie, far too high. He'd lost, or had he won?

Yes. He'd won, because he loved Cassie.

He could say it now, and damn the consequences. He had to speak with her. He had to hear her voice and own up to
the truth. His truth. He had to tell her she would never play second fiddle again.

But the hospital wouldn't let his calls go through. Of course, it was too late. They wouldn't wake her. She needed to rest.

Jake took up his keys and packed his belongings quickly. He had a few things to attend to before leaving, then he'd drive all night to see Cassie in person.

And tell her what was in his heart.

 

It was late in the afternoon when Jake finally pulled inside the gates of the ranch. He'd stopped to telephone ahead to find that Cassie had been released from the hospital. That must be a good sign, he thought. She was home.

But when Jake knocked on her door, oddly, no one answered. Jake walked over to the main house, hoping that Lottie and John T. were busy pampering Cassie. Maybe they were having an early dinner. That sounded good. After the long drive, Jake was famished, for Cassie and for a hot plate of food. He needed both right now.

He met John T. on the front porch. “You're a little too late, son.”

Jake's heart skipped a beat. “Where is she?”

“Gone. I couldn't stop her. She got a clean bill of health from the doctor. Thank God, for that. But when she didn't hear from you, she took off. Going back to Los Angeles to work with her brother. Nearly broke my heart to see her go, Jake. Why the hell didn't you call her at least?”

Anger surfaced, but Jake tamped it down. That was the old Jake, the one who had too many defenses for his own good. And he'd recognized what he'd done to Cassie all this time. It was the same thing he'd tried to do to John T. He'd driven her away. He could see that now. He knew that she hadn't abandoned him, but rather the opposite. He had aban
doned her. And he was willing to do whatever it took to make things right. “I didn't get your messages until after midnight. I tried calling the hospital, but they wouldn't put me through, so I packed up and drove all night.”

John T. scratched his head. “Cassie kept saying she wasn't going play second fiddle anymore. She's through with you, Jake. She doesn't think you care anything for her.”

“I love her, Dad.”

John T. blinked, a look of shock on his face, and Jake didn't know if it was his admission of love or the fact that he'd called him
Dad
that had caused it.

But John T. smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that Jake finally could return. They grinned together. “I've got things to say to you and a plan for us to work at the ranch, but I've got to get Cassie back first. How long ago did she leave?”

“She couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Lottie. If you hurry, and take the shortcut over the canyon, you might catch her on the road up by Lottie's house.”

“I'll follow her all the way to Los Angeles if I have to. That woman's the best thing in my life.”

“Well, now, we finally agree. You go after her, son. Good luck.”

Jake nodded then took a step, then another, toward his father. He wrapped his arms around John T. and gave him a brief hug. “Thanks, Dad.”

John T.'s eyes misted up and his voice went soft. “You go on now. Bring her home.”

 

Cassie dried her eyes with a tissue Lottie had given her. “This is so hard, Lottie,” she said, ignoring the tea Lottie had put out and the blueberry muffins. She was too brokenhearted to eat or drink. All she'd done today was cry. She
sat at Lottie's kitchen table, willing herself to get up and leave. She had a long drive ahead of her. She couldn't bear to stay at the ranch another day, knowing how little she meant to Jake. Knowing he hadn't even bothered to call her. “I hate saying goodbye to you. It was hard enough seeing the look of pain on John T.'s face. I'm taking his grandchild away. But I swear to you both, you'll see us, whenever you want.”

“Oh, honey. Are you sure you want to leave? Maybe, if you stayed on a little while longer, things would work out.”

Sadly, Cassie shook her head. “No. I have to be strong. I can't live here, knowing that I'm just an afterthought to Jake. I was in the hospital most of the morning and he never called. He didn't call the house, either. He was too busy with the rodeo. It's all very clear to me now. I thought that if I loved him enough, if I proved to him, that John T. truly did care for him, that Jake would finally come around. But his wounds are too deep, I'm afraid. I couldn't get through to him. So, now,” Cassie said, rising slowly, “I have to go.”

Cassie hugged her friend tight and Lottie walked her outside. “Call me when you arrive, okay?”

“I will. I promise.” Cassie got into her car and started the engine, waving a last goodbye to Lottie.

“You're coming to our wedding.”

“I wouldn't miss it,” Cassie said, smiling through a cloud of tears as she drove off down the road and out the gate, leaving her friends and heart behind.

 

Jake's luck was holding. Mounted on Shadow up on a hill, he peered down at the road. Cassie's neon-yellow bug of a car was stopped alongside a tree, apparently out of gas. The woman in dark sunglasses, tight jeans and black boots walked with purpose down the road, the slight bulge of her
stomach against the flow of her soft-pink shirt bringing a wave of warmth to his heart.

“C'mon, Shadow. Looks like the lady needs rescuing.” Jake made his way down a steep path, halting his mount just a few yards from Cassie's approach.

He reined in Shadow. “Need some help?”

“No thanks, cowboy.” She walked right past him. But he didn't miss her look of stunned surprise before she plastered on a stone face.

Jake rode up ahead, dismounted and waited for her. He jutted out his arms in surrender, much like a man being held at gunpoint, although Jake had to admit Cassie's weapons were far more dangerous. “I know, I know. You don't need a white knight.”

“That's right. That's not what I need.” Cassie removed her sunglasses, pointing them at him, and those incredible green eyes, once again, nearly knocked him to his knees. He took a long, slow look at her, grateful that she appeared so healthy. And his heart pounded wildly—his love for her slamming hard against his chest. “I'm through with white knights. So you can climb back up on your horse.”

“Not a chance, honey. I've set things right with my father and I intend to do the same with you. Drove all night to see you, so I'm not about to let you go.”

Jake untied a bag from the back of his saddle and handed it to her. Looking deep into her eyes, he said softly, “Unwrap it.”

Puzzled, Cassie maneuvered an object out of the leather satchel. “It's a…fiddle.”

With pride, Jake announced, “It's a Cremona, Italian-made, and I'm told the best in the line. There's a country player up in Denver with a pocketful of cash right now that has got to be wondering why on earth a crazy cowboy begged him for his fiddle in the middle of the night. But,
it's all yours, sweetheart. You'll never have to play second fiddle again.”

“Jake, I don't under—”

“I've quit the rodeo, Cassie. Gonna work the ranch with my father. Besides, can't see tying up a calf when I've got me a girl like you to rope in. Gonna make you mine even if I have to hog-tie you.”

Cassie looked at him, then the fiddle. A wave of warmth spread through her body. Jake had come for her. He'd made amends with his father. But what was he saying, exactly? She wished the cowboy would simply say what was on his mind. “Jake?”

Jake took the fiddle from her hands and untied a brilliant diamond ring from one of the strings. She'd been too stunned, too jolted, by Jake and his showing up here to notice the ring of gold on the fiddle.

“You're first in my heart, Cassie. Always will be. Baby or no baby, I want you in my life.” With slow calculation Jake slid the ring on her finger, the fit, perfect. “I love you, Cassie Munroe. I love you with all of my heart. You've got to believe me because I've never said those words to anyone. And I mean them with everything I've got inside.”

Cassie stared deeply into his eyes and found truth there. And love. She did believe him. Jake loved her. Joy she'd never known entered into her heart and a sense of peace enveloped her with amazing clarity. “Jake. I love you, too. So much.” Her eyes burned with unshed, happy tears. Their child, too, responded in kind. “Oh, I think the baby just kicked.”

With reverence, Jake laid his hand on her stomach and she witnessed his open expression, free of hurt and pain, perhaps for the first time in his life. “It's a miracle, honey.”

Cassie smiled wide and stated with certainty, “Two miracles, Jake.”

Jake tipped his head sideways, his dark, loving gaze meeting hers. “You mean, because we're getting married and having a baby?”

Cassie shook her head. “No, sweetheart. Because we're having two babies. Twins! I just found out yesterday.”

Jake hesitated a moment, absorbing what she'd just confided. Then he let out a loud whoop of joy. “Twins?” He grabbed Cassie gently, lifting her and spinning her around, his laughter mingling with hers. “Twins,” he said again, pressing his lips to hers in a deep, soulful, passionate kiss. “Two babies at once. You're always full of surprises. God, I love you.”

“I love you, too, Jake. But don't forget we've got another five months to go.”

“That's just fine with me, sweetheart. John T.'s been making wedding plans since the day you showed up at his door. He'll be tickled to know we're getting hitched and there's two babies on the way.”

Cassie stroked Jake's cheek softly, her heart filled with happiness for him, for all of them. “You're finally going to have a family, Jake. John T., Lottie, the babies and me, we all love you. We'll be your family.”

Jake kissed the soft side of her hand. “I'm a lucky man.”

Then Cassie took a mischievous tone, lifting her brows in anticipation. “And what was that you said about roping me in?”

A grin pulled at his lips. He pulled her even closer in his embrace, fitting her soft body into the groove of his hard one, leaving no doubt where his mind and body had drifted. “I've got enough good moves to keep you tied up for a lifetime, honey.”