Royal Holiday Baby (7 page)

This was a big decision. Damn. Since she'd met Zach,
everything
had been a big decision. She bit the inside of her lip, a technique she'd developed as a child to cover her nerves.

“Okay, your highness, you ready to see my little plot of land?” he asked, his eyes full of sexy humor.

She smiled. “Your kingdom,” she corrected.

He chuckled and she allowed him to lead her out the door to his SUV. He ushered her into the car, started it and turned on the AC. “West first. We call it the devil's land. It's the worst,” he said. “Nothing grows here,” he said as he turned onto a dirt road.

She looked out the window and couldn't deny what he'd said. “Well, it does look a bit dry. No irrigation possibilities, I suppose?”

“Might as well pour water into Death Valley,” he said.

She couldn't quite swallow a chuckle. “I love it that you're not trying to sell me. It's so rare.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I mean, everywhere I go people always show me the best stuff first and try to hide the bad. This is hideous.”

Zach pulled to a stop and put his car into Park. Propping his jaw against his hand, he stared into the distance. “Yeah, in a way. In a way, if you can get through the barren desert, maybe you can make it through anything.”

She searched his hard face and saw a dozen emotions. Loss, grief, resolve, strength. She wondered where it all came from and she suspected it wasn't from the scrubby landscape in front of them.

“Do you come here often?” she asked.

“Probably every few months or so,” he said. “This kind of place strips you down to the basics. There's nowhere to hide. That's the bad thing. The good thing is maybe you don't need to hide.”

She took a moment to absorb his words. What a concept. No need to hide? She tried to remember when she hadn't felt like she needed to hide. When had she felt like she could be herself? Safe?

She felt a whoosh of tense air exhale from her lungs.

“I heard that,” he murmured.

She sucked in a quick breath.

“Relax. That's what this place is for. It's base line.”

She took a deep breath. “When did you first come here and feel this way?”

He paused a halfbeat. “I was sixteen. Torn between playing football in high school and helping with the ranch. Tough year.”

She knew without him saying which he had chosen. “You gave up football.”

He glanced at her. “How'd you know?”

She shrugged. “Just an instinct.” She met his gaze. “You and I have more in common that most people might think.”

“In what way?” he asked.

“You chose family, duty, heritage. So did I,” she said.

“Not entirely,” he said. “When you needed to make a change, you did. That's courageous.”

She bit the inside of her lip. “Maybe,” she said. “Maybe just necessary.”

“It's still courageous,” he said. “You went against the grain. Against what was expected of you. Don't underestimate yourself, Tina. I don't. No one else should either.”

Feeling a rush of pleasure surge through her, she stared into his eyes and felt herself sinking with each breath. Her gaze slipped to his mouth and she felt a tingling sensation on her lips. It felt like a thousand years ago that he'd kissed her, yet she remembered it as if it had happened yesterday.

Confused by her strange combination of feelings, she struggled with the dipping sensation in her stomach. She took a quick breath to clear her head and smiled. “I love it that we started here. What's next?”

“It gets greener,” he said, putting the truck in gear and turning around.

He drove past the swimming hole where he learned how to swim, then past a field of bluebonnets, then past his parents', his grandparents', and his great grandparents' graves. She wanted to get out, but he shook off her suggestion to linger. They passed fields and fields of cattle, then he came to another stop, this one overlooked rolling green hills. Looking at the beautiful vista, she felt something inside her ease. “Nice,” she murmured.

“Yeah, it does the same thing to me,” Zach said.

She studied his face and saw the same peace she felt inside
her. “You're in love with your kingdom,” she said, unable to keep a smile from her face.

He did a double take and lifted a dark eyebrow. “In love with my kingdom? That's a first,” he said.

“You are,” she insisted. “You're as devoted as my brother is, except not as arrogant, thank goodness.”

He shook his head. “I wouldn't call myself in love. Maybe committed. Maybe I need to be committed,” he muttered under his breath.

“Here's the important question. On your worst day, would you want to be doing anything other than taking care of your ranch?”

He searched her face. “Where did you come up with that?”

“Someone in a very poor village in Africa once told me that on her worst day she wouldn't want to be doing anything else. It was so wise. So magical. I've always wanted to find something that made me feel so strongly.”

“So being a princess didn't do it for you?” he asked.

She hesitated, swamped by guilt. “No, it didn't. I don't want to be ungrateful—”

“You're not,” he said, covering her hand with his. “You're just being honest. I like that,” he said, his gaze wrapping around her heart and squeezing. “I like that a lot.”

T
he next morning when Tina awakened, she found a note from Zach under her door.
Eat an early dinner. I'm taking you to town for a meeting at 6:00 p.m.—Zach

The abrupt language jarred her after the tour of the ranch they'd shared yesterday. He clearly hadn't learned the proper way of addressing royals, she thought wryly recalling all the invitations to her that had read,
The honor of your attendance would be greatly appreciated…
Oh, well, maybe that was part of the reason he appealed to her. Nothing fake or flowery about him. He put his motives flat out in front of her.

After giving her sister Bridget some tips for her upcoming appearances via e-mail, Tina sat in the swing on the front porch, contemplating her and her baby's future with no lightning bolts of decision.

Hildie must have known about the appointment because she called Tina in for early dinner. “Do you know what this meeting is about?”

Hildie glanced at her in surprise. “Meeting?” she echoed. “Zach's taking you into town for an appointment with Dr. McAllister. Dr. McAllister's the best ob-gyn doctor in the area.” Hildie shook her head. “We just wish she would have moved to town sooner.”

Tina frowned, feeling more than a ripple of indignation. “Are you telling me that Zach plans to choose my doctor? If the royal doctors aren't going to deliver the baby, then I think I should be the one—”

“—It's just a checkup,” Zach said from behind her. “Don't most pregnant women visit the doctor by the fourth month?”

“Yes, but the doctor usually just confirms the pregnancy and gives prenatal vitamins. I've been taking prenatal vitamins since I realized I was pregnant. I didn't want the information to be leaked. Unfortunately not everyone at a medical office is discreet.”

“That's why I pulled a few strings and arranged an after-hours appointment,” Zach said from the doorway. “Are you done?”

Glancing down at her half-eaten meal, she suddenly lost her appetite. “Yes, I am.”

“Okay. Let's go.”

“Don't you want anything to eat?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I'm not hungry.”

Me either,
she thought, and picked up her plate as she rose.

“I can get that,” Hildie said, taking the plate from her hands. “Are you sure you don't want me to save something for you? Didn't you like it?”

“It was delicious as always, but I'm full, thank you,” Tina said.

“Alrighty,” Hildie said. “If you change your mind after your appointment, I'll have something waiting for you.”

Moments later, Zach helped her into his SUV. She felt a mixture of relief and anticipation. She'd wanted to visit a doctor, but the thought of dealing with leaks had made her hesitant, so she'd researched the most healthy approach toward pregnancy and strictly taken her vitamins.

“What do you know about this doctor?” she asked after they'd driven several miles and the silence stretched between them.

“She's experienced with routine and high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. She's new to the area and we're lucky to get her. We had to recruit her,” he said.

“Who is we?” she asked.

“The community,” he said.

She frowned in confusion. “But who is the community?” she asked. “How does that work? Do all of you get together and put together a special fund?”

“Something like that,” he said. “Some of us get together and pool funds for the good of the community.”

“Hmm,” she said and nodded. “The haves help the have-nots.”

“The haves help the haves
and
the have-nots,” he corrected. “The whole community.”

She studied him for a long moment. “Bet you were on the steering committee for this,” she said. “I wonder why.”

“Don't,” he said and clenched his jaw.

They were silent for the rest of the drive, leaving her to wonder what was going on inside Zachary. He pulled in front of a medical office, and her thoughts turned to her baby. She automatically pressed her hand against her abdomen.

“You ready?” he asked as he cut the engine.

She nodded. “Yes, I am.”

He helped her out of the car and they entered the office. Zach knocked on the receptionist's window. Silence followed.

“Are you sure someone is here?” she asked.

He nodded, but rapped again.

Seconds later, a door whipped open and a tall woman dressed in a white coat with short hair appeared in the doorway. “Looking for me, Mr. Logan? I don't usually take appointments this late, but you made me curious.” The woman glanced in Tina's direction. “I'm Dr. McAllister.”

“I'm Valentina…”

Dr. McAllister wrinkled her brow. “A lot of names and they're not southern. I'll take a wild guess. Royal and pregnant?”

A rush of self-consciousness rose from her feet up to her cheeks. “Yes. As a matter of fact, I am,” she murmured.

“No need for embarrassment. Pregnancy in all its forms, planned or a big surprise, is my business. I'm here to make everything go as smooth as silk. You're safe with me,” Dr. McAllister said.

Tina felt her shoulders relax and a soothing sensation seep through her. “I would appreciate it.”

Dr. McAllister shrugged. “I wouldn't have it any other way. Come back for the examination.” She glanced at Zach. “I'll call you to come back if necessary. Otherwise, feel free to pace the waiting room.”

With a quietly reassuring nurse by her side, Dr. McAllister conducted the examination. The nurse took a vial of blood to double-check Tina's iron. The doctor set her stethoscope over Tina's abdomen and Tina heard the baby's heartbeat. The sound filled her with wonder.

“I'll do this for Zachary even though he's a pain in the butt,” the doctor said. “Marie, could you please bring in Mr. Logan?”

“This will be cold,” Dr. McAllister said and squirted goop on Tina's abdomen.

Tina twitched at the sensation. The doctor pressed a device over her abdomen.

“Look at the screen,” the doctor said.

Tina stared at the monitor and saw a miniature combination of tiny arms and limbs with a large head and a beating heart. “It looks like an alien.”

“Is it healthy?” Zach asked, walking into the room.

Hearing his voice, Tina swung her head to look at him. He looked so tense. His jaw and his fists were clenched.

“Looks very healthy so far,” Dr. McAllister said. “Sex? I can't guarantee, but if I were a betting woman, I would say this is a girl. We'll know more with the next ultrasound.”

A thrill raced through Tina. Even though she'd known she was pregnant and had been as healthy as possible, the fact that she was carrying a baby hadn't felt real until now. The realization took her breath away. “Wow. A baby,” she whispered. “She's a real little person.”

“A healthy baby,” Zach said.

She met his gaze and he took her hand. Watching him stare at their baby on the screen, Tina had the bone-deep feeling that nothing between them would ever be the same.

After repeated assurances from Dr. McAllister that both Tina and the baby were healthy, Tina and Zach left the office. He helped her into the truck and they both sat silently for a long moment.

“That ultrasound was amazing,” she said. “Amazing.”

He nodded and his lips lifted a notch. “Yeah, it was.” He studied her for a moment. “Would you like to get some ice cream?”

“That sounds wonderful,” she said and remembered when they'd gotten a float after the masquerade party. She glanced around the empty parking lot then looked back at him. “I'm impressed. No paparazzi in sight.”

“Like I said, I pulled some strings,” he said and started
the car. “Dr. McAllister will be discreet, but you won't be able to hide the pregnancy soon.”

“I know,” she said, feeling the weight of her position settle on her again. “I'm just hoping to buy a little more time so I can figure out my plans and how to announce them.”

“Heard any more from your brother or sisters?” he asked.

“Angry text and voice mail messages. I haven't picked up because I don't want their upset cluttering my mind. I feel as if my staying at your ranch is a rare opportunity I need to pursue to the fullest. I can't do that if I'm feeling guilty about how my family is handling my absence.”

“Good choice,” he said. “You need to put your well-being and the baby's health first. If they can't understand that, it's their problem. And if you'd like me to answer for you—”

“No, no,” she said, unable to fight a combination of pleasure and humor at his defense of her. “Have you always been this protective about women who were important to you?”

“You're carrying my child,” he said. “How else could I be?”

She felt a sharp twinge of disappointment. “Oh,” she said. “So, if I weren't pregnant, you would be more detached.”

He tossed a sideways glance at her full of heat and passion. “I've never acted detached toward you, Princess. Not from the first time we met.”

Her heart leapt at the sensual growl in his voice. She still couldn't figure him out. She still had so many questions and she wasn't sure how to get her answers. Tina knew, however, that she wanted to know much more about Zach.

“Favorite ice cream?” she asked impulsively.

“Vanilla,” he said.

“Oh, that's so—”

“Boring,” he said for her and his lips lifted in a secret grin. “Bet yours is chocolate.”

“Times three,” she said. “Favorite color?”

“Blue, like cornflowers or the ocean,” he said.

“But you're landlocked,” she pointed out.

“Doesn't mean I don't like to visit,” he said. “What about you?”

“Blue, too. It makes me feel peaceful. Favorite dessert?”

“Apple pie,” he said. “Yours is chocolate something.”

“Mousse,” she said. “Chocolate mousse. But there've been times when I was visiting a third world country on the behalf of Chantaine and I was extremely grateful for Nutella.”

He chuckled. “I bet you were.”

“What do you think about girls playing football?” she asked.

“Not mine,” he said.

“What if she could run like a jaguar, kick a ball into next month?”

“Not my daughter,” he said implacably.

“Because football's not ladylike?” she asked.

“Because I don't want her hurt,” he said. “She can pick a noncontact sport. If I had a son, I would warn him off professional sports too. Injuries can cut your career plans in a second.”

“Hmm. That's still a bit sexist,” she said.

He pulled into the parking lot of the ice cream parlor. “Are you telling me you would be okay with your little girl growing up and playing pro football?”

“No,” she said.

He nodded. “No need for argument.”

“But I wouldn't want my little boy playing football either,” she said. “It's a primitive sport.”

He grinned and slid his finger over her mouth. “Good thing we're starting out with a girl.”

 

After the doctor's appointment, Tina felt closer to Zach. She felt a tie with him that she hadn't felt before. It made
her think of him when she awakened in the morning, in the afternoon and at night before she went to sleep.

She'd felt such a connection to him. When she'd confessed her dissatisfaction with her duties as a royal representative, his lack of condemnation had made something inside her ease. She'd felt almost hopeful that perhaps she could find something that filled her heart in the future.

But Zach was nowhere in sight. He was like a ghost. After two days, she wondered if she'd imagined her time with him.

After the third day, she awakened, stepped from her bed to look out the window, wishing she could see him, but somehow knowing she wouldn't. Tina looked out onto the rolling hills and felt a mixture of emotions. Longing, desperation, hope…

Not wanting to dwell on any of these feelings, she hit the shower and got dressed. She was determined to beat Hildie before she brought breakfast. Pounding down the steps, she found Hildie on the phone.

“You don't say,” Hildie said and silence followed.

“That's terrible,” Hildie continued and shook her head. “We'll do something, Hannah. We sure won't leave the Gordons hungry.”

A moment later, Hildie hung up the phone and sighed. “Those Gordons. It couldn't happen at a worse time.”

“What's wrong?” Tina asked.

“The Gordons, our neighbors,” Hildie said. “Their house burned down. One of the barns burned down too.”

“That's horrible,” she said. “Do they have children? How large is their family?”

“Six including Sheree's mother. Sheree's the wife. Bob Gordon, her husband, is a rancher. They have three kids.” Hildie shook her head. “And another on the way. I think Sheree is due any moment.”

“No family in the area?” Tina asked.

“None with enough room to take them in.”

“Then they should come here,” Tina insisted.

Hildie gawked at her. “Oh, Miss—” She broke off. “Your highlyness—”

“Please don't call me that,” Tina said, cringing. “This makes perfect sense. The Gordons need a place to sleep. There's plenty of room here,” she said, extending out her arms.

Hildie looked hesitant. “Zachary Logan is generous, but he has always wanted his privacy. He insists on it,” she said.

“I can't believe he would withhold shelter from someone in such need,” Tina said.

Hildie shook her head again. “I can't make that call. You'll have to talk to Zach.”

Tina was surprised by Hildie's reluctance. Hildie was usually vocal with her opinions and how she thought everything should be.

“I'll do that,” Tina said, “but we should get guest rooms ready.”