Having the Rancher's Baby (12 page)

“Yeah, kind of like an explosion does.”

She laughed, and it dispelled the small case of nerves she hadn't admitted to having. Whatever the day brought, she felt good about her and Cole.

Okay, relatively good. Violet feared she was living a fantasy, one that would come to an end eventually. But she lived it with her eyes wide open.

“Did I keep you up last night?” he asked. “I was pretty restless.”

“No.” It was her turn to lie. His constant tossing and turning had disturbed her, though she'd tried hard not to let him know. He already had enough on his plate, and she refused to add to it.

Cole had spent the past two nights with her. He didn't assume and would wait until she suggested he stay. She liked that. It showed he respected her. Neither did he initiate sex, leaving that to her, as well. Aware they were getting more deeply involved, with no real plan for their future, she still reached for him the moment they were in bed together.

The sex—no, the lovemaking—was wonderful. Satisfying and exciting. The intimacy was ten times better. If not for Cole's wanderlust, they'd be perfectly suited to one other.

“Have you decided to take on Blake Nolan as a client?” Given the history, Violet had been quite surprised when Cole mentioned the arrangement.

“Yes. For now. Reese insisted she didn't mind. And it's only for thirty days.”

One client, one month, a modest fee. Hardly enough to make Cole want to give up rodeoing for horse training.

“When are the Nolans bringing their pony to Dos Estrellas?”

“Tuesday.”

“And you're certain you can train him?”

He gave her a pointed look. “I can train a pony.”

“Will you ride him?”

“If I have to. Welshes are bigger than Shetlands.”

His confidence was appealing and it was warranted. Cole was good at what he did, though a child's mount was hardly a true test of his abilities. The therapy program horses, like Mama, were something else entirely.

Violet hadn't asked if he'd spoken to Cara about referrals from her long list of people who'd adopted mustangs. Vi didn't want to appear pushy.

“What time are we supposed to be at Josh and Cara's?” She rubbed her foot along Cole's calf beneath the table. He'd dressed in his jeans. No shirt. She wore only a robe.

“One. That'll give us an hour before the party starts to introduce you and Cara to Mom, for her to shower Josh's kids with presents, and for Josh and me to assess the situation. Come up with an alternate plan if necessary.”

“Alternate plan?”

“If Mom appears to be gunning for a fight.”

“With Raquel?”

“With any of us.”

Violet stood and carted dirty dishes to the sink. “I still think you're wrong.”

“All I can say is you don't know my mother.”

What if he was right? No one wanted a scene between Miranda Dempsey and Raquel. Especially not in front of all the guests. In addition to the McGraws, Cara's parents, from Mesa, would be coming, as well.

Violet was sure that Raquel would behave herself. The past was the past and, with August gone, there was no reason to continue feuding. At the very least, she'd be civil. She wouldn't be hosting a dinner party otherwise.

Miranda, however, was an unknown entity. Violet couldn't help but think she'd be reasonable. Possibly, her sons had exaggerated. Did someone really hold a grudge for twenty-five years?

“I can't wait to meet your family,” Violet said over the running water. She was rinsing while Cole loaded the dishwater. “Your mother. Grandparents. Your cousin Quinn if he comes.”

Cole leaned in and kissed her cheek. “They're going to love you.”

Do you?
she wanted to ask, but refrained. That wasn't a fair question, not until she was convinced of her own feelings for him.

Then again, perhaps she was sure and simply afraid he didn't love her in return. After one failed relationship, she was hesitant to venture out on that limb alone.

After they'd cleaned the kitchen, Cole threw on his shirt and helped Vi make the bed and tidy the room. He hadn't brought a change of clothes with him. She contemplated emptying a drawer for him and suggesting he bring clothes and toiletries with him.

Next week, she decided. Once their parents left.

Cole left the bedroom while Violet dressed, and when she emerged a few minutes later, she found him sitting at the kitchen table reading one of her silly gossip magazines.

She paused to study him as she'd done before. He looked so cute and quite at home. Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine him holding their baby. The picture came more easily than she might have anticipated.

Diamond Girl disrupted the peaceful scene when she sauntered in from the living room, meowing loudly. Stripes followed cautiously, as usual.

“What's up?” Cole asked the cat, setting down the magazine.

Diamond Girl brushed up against his leg. While Violet watched from her hidden post around the corner, he got up, located the kitty chow in the pantry and filled the empty bowl on the floor next to the fridge. Diamond Girl ate as if she was starving. Which she wasn't.

“Good cat.” He scratched her head. Stripes refused to come out from under the table.

Violet fell a little harder for Cole. When she could speak without an emotional quiver in her voice, she entered the kitchen, not letting on that she'd seen him.

“You don't have to stick around,” she said. “I'm sure you have things to do.”

“Uh, yeah.” He stood there, his gaze reflecting his appreciation.

She'd traded in her robe for a full-length sundress that was too nice for lounging around the house and too casual for wearing outside. Truthfully, she'd wanted to impress Cole without going overboard. She also liked the dress because it flattered her figure even with her thickening middle.

“You look nice,” he said.

“Thanks.” He'd seen her naked many times now, yet her cheeks heated at his praise.

Violet didn't often feel pretty, not in her line of work. Denny used to compliment her on her outfits when they went out, picking her up and swinging her around in circles. He'd never had the chance to see her waist thicken and her breasts swell.

After the second miscarriage, he'd stopped picking her up and swinging her around. After the third, he'd stopped touching her altogether.

In his defense, he'd stayed by her side without any talk of leaving. When the marriage disintegrated, she was the one who'd faced reality for the both of them and moved out.

Cole smiled, his gaze still glued to her. “I suppose I should hit the road.”

He didn't appear eager to leave. She wasn't eager for him to go, either.

“If you want to stay, we could ride together.”

“I need to shower and change.”

“Sure. Of course.” How could she have forgotten?

“Come early. We'll walk up to the apartment together.”

“Don't you want to visit with your mom first? It's been a while since you've seen her.”

“No.”

“Cole!”

“I'd rather wait for you.”

I'd rather stay in Mustang Valley, be with you forever.

She heard his voice in her head. Or was it in her heart? Definitely not out loud, here in this kitchen.

“I don't want to interfere,” she protested.

He moved closer, pinning her with his intense stare as only he could. “Interfere. Please. I'm begging.”

She thought he might kiss her. Find a way to slip her out of the sundress she'd taken such care to put on. It would be easy to wrap her arms around his neck and mold her body to his, but reservations prevented her. As attentive as he'd been, as obvious as he'd made his interest in her, he hadn't said what she needed to hear.

Perhaps that was the reason she chose not to offer him an empty drawer.

She'd given in often, including that first night in the Poco Dinero Bar. Granted, it had felt right then and didn't exactly feel wrong now. Yet she sighed and stepped out of his reach.

“Josh is probably leaving now to pick your mom up at the airport, and my folks will be here soon.”

“I could bring you home later.”

“Let's see how it goes.”

“Okay.”

She could sense him shutting down in response to her subtle dismissal. So much for living the fantasy. The mood had definitely altered, and Violet was the one responsible.

“I'll meet you at the ranch house about twelve forty-five,” she said, and brushed his hair from his face. She wasn't that ready to let go.

“Sounds good.”

At the door, he kissed her goodbye, and she felt the hesitancy in his touch.

Watching through her living room window as he drove away, she wondered if she'd been wrong to abruptly apply the brakes.

Pressing a hand to her stomach, she thought
no
. She and Cole were walking a fine line. He knew her expectations; she'd been clear about them from the start. The decision to meet them or not was his.

She hoped he didn't disappoint her.

Chapter Twelve

With seven people present and thirty-odd packing boxes pushed into corners, Josh and Cara's small apartment was incredibly crowded. Along with the four usual occupants, Cole and his mother were there. And Vi, of course.

She was in the kitchen, helping Cara fix cold drinks for everyone and a bottle for baby Kimberly. Cole tried to keep his eyes off Vi and would succeed in averting his gaze, only to return it the next moment.

Must be the outfit. She'd mentioned choosing the sundress to hide her tummy, probably not realizing how much it flattered the view from behind.

She caught him staring on her return trip to the living room, a glass in each hand. He supposed it was bound to happen, and smiled guiltily. A cool nod was her only response.

Apparently he was still in the doghouse.

It had been his intention to smooth things over with Vi, but unfortunately, there hadn't been much chance to talk after she met him at the ranch—twelve forty-five on the dot, not a minute before. First, Raquel was there, hustling and bustling about in preparation for the dinner party. Either she didn't know what was in store for her with Cole's mother, or she did know and was using the overambitious dinner as a distraction.

Second—and this Cole didn't notice until they were just outside the apartment—Vi was extremely anxious at the prospect of meeting his mother. Not the best time to bring up their earlier awkward parting.

He would, however, find an opportunity later tonight. If she was still willing. She may have changed her mind, and it would be his fault. She'd been feeling vulnerable and needing him to reassure her. Instead, he'd choked.

What a loser. His grandfather would be ashamed of him. He'd holler at Cole and remind him that he'd been raised better. Hell, Cole was ashamed of himself.

He and Vi were having a baby. He cared about her. He thought—no, knew—she was the kind of woman he could love. Putting his child first was the right thing to do, which included marrying the mother.

Yet he held back, doubting himself and his abilities to be a good husband and father. He had a job with no salary, and if he stayed in Mustang Valley, his only other prospect was training ponies for pennies and mustangs for free.

Returning to California, assuming Vi would go with him, might be an option, but he refused to mooch off his mother and his grandparents. At least at Dos Estrellas he was pulling his weight and contributing his fair share. At his grandfather's, he'd be given a pity job, one he didn't really want, and which would likely send one of his grandfather's workers to the unemployment line.

Rodeo seemed to be the only viable option, but even that was limited. Eventually, Cole would be getting too old to compete at a level where he could make decent money. He was also sorely out of practice, not having stepped in the arena since last November.

His situation could and would change if Josh and Gabe bought out his share of the ranch. Except they were as broke as he was.

Every direction he turned, he was met with a brick wall. How could he ask Vi to marry him when he had no real prospects? She was better off without him.

Again Cole heard his grandfather ranting and raving, accusing him of making excuses. The old man was right.

“Cole, don't just stand there,” his mother insisted. “Come sit with us. I haven't seen you in ages.”

She motioned to the already crowded couch. With one grandchild on each side of her and Josh perched on the arm next to Kimberly, that left only a small space at the other end.

Cole resisted at first. His mom was setting the stage. She liked being the center of attention, which having her family surrounding her would accomplish. In her defense, it couldn't be easy having both her sons move to another state at the same time and Josh taking her grandchildren with him.

“Sure.” Cole squeezed in beside Nathan.

“Uncle Cole, this is my gramma.” He pointed at his grandmother.

“Yes. And she's also my mother.”

“Your mother?” The boy took several seconds to assimilate the information, glancing back and forth between the two adults. “You have a mother?”

“I do. And she's your dad's mother, too.”

The little boy slapped his cheeks with his hands, and his eyes nearly bugged out of his head.

Everyone laughed, Cole's mother most of all. He relaxed. Maybe today would go better than he and Josh had anticipated. Her grandchildren's antics seemed to be softening her up. Plan A in operation.

“Did you get checked into the inn?” Cole asked.

Josh, Cara and the kids had picked her up from the airport and brought her to the ranch.

“Yes.” She pinched Kimberly's chin affectionately while answering. “Maybe you can take me back tonight. If you don't mind.”

“I, um...” Cole shot Vi a look.

“Don't tell me you're busy,” his mother complained. “I miss you.”

Vi's pointed stare said,
Take her to the inn.

“'Course I will.”

“Oh, good.” His mother smiled.

Cole tried not to feel resentful or believe that his mom had orchestrated the entire exchange simply to satisfy her whims. He did love her and wanted to spend time with her. She just wasn't the easiest person to get along with.

“Miranda,” Cara intervened, “do you have any idea what you'd like to do tomorrow?”

She sat across from Cole in one of the two dining chairs that had been brought into the living room for extra seating. Vi sat nearer to Josh, and Cole tried to recall if she'd chosen that chair intentionally.

“I'd love a tour of the town,” his mother answered. “I'm sure a lot has changed since I was last here. Maybe we could have lunch at the Cowboy Up Café. I noticed when we drove by that it's still open. Anything, really, as long as we take the children.”

She gave each one a loving squeeze, stopping only when they giggled.

“Josh.” Cara turned to him. “I have an idea. Maybe your mother would like to see the house we're renting. I'm sure the landlord won't mind. I can call him and ask if he'll meet us with the key.”

“What do you think, Mom?” Josh asked.

“If that's want you want.” She couldn't sound less enthused. “But what about the children?”

“They can come. They've been before.”

“All right.” She sighed, as if seeing the house would be a huge concession on her part.

Cara fidgeted, and Cole felt sorry for her. She and Vi, who also appeared uncomfortable, had a lot to contend with, being members of the Dempsey clan. He said nothing, certain if he spoke his mind, his mother would retaliate.

“We could visit the mustang sanctuary,” Cara said.

“Good idea.” Cole thought the suggestion an excellent one. As a fellow horsewoman, his mother would appreciate all that Cara had done.

Or perhaps not.

“Maybe.” Again, Miranda's tone reflected disinterest.

A thought struck Cole, one he hadn't considered before. Was his mother nervous about the upcoming dinner party with Raquel and Gabe? Could that account for her negativity? The more Cole thought about it, the more convinced he became that he was right.

“You must be looking forward to moving.” Cole's mother surveyed the small apartment, her pinched features conveying her disdain.

“I am.” Cara placed a hand to her chest. “Though I love this place.”

“You lived here before Josh moved in, didn't you?”

“Yes. With my son.”

“I'm truly sorry.” For the first time since she arrived, Miranda expressed kindness to someone other than her grandchildren.

“It was hard to lose him, and I'll always miss him.”

“No one ever recovers completely from the death of a child.”

“You're right.” Cara smiled warmly at Nathan and Kimberly. “I'm grateful for these two. They've helped fill the holes in my heart.”

It was sweet of her to say—and completely the wrong thing. Cole's mother instantly stiffened. Did she think she was being pushed aside in her grandchildren's lives in order to make room for Cara?

Cole wanted to stand up and shout, “You're wrong!” Again he refrained, but it was getting harder.

“I really don't know why you two are renting a house,” his mother said, “when you could move back to California. Wouldn't that make more sense?”

“I can't leave the ranch.” Josh pushed himself up from the couch arm and raked his fingers through his hair, something he tended to do when he was angry or frustrated.

Cole wished he could exercise the same kind of restraint. He tended to vent by causing trouble or taking unnecessary risks, a lot of those on the back of a bull or bucking bronc.

“Why not?” his mother demanded. “You hated the ranch, as I recall.”

“Not anymore,” Josh said.

“Well, that's an about-face.”

“There's also the mustang sanctuary. Cara has invested a lot of time and effort into it. She has a brand-new equine therapy program that's growing weekly and making a real name for itself. She can't bail now. There's no one else to run it.”

“I suppose.”

Both children had started to get restless. They were in good company, Cole thought.

Nathan climbed down from the couch and went straight to Josh, pulling on his shirt. “I hungry, Daddy.”

Josh patted his head. “We're eating soon.”

Not soon enough. Cole hoped they all survived until the dinner.

“There are wild mustangs in California, too,” his mother said. “You could move the sanctuary there.”

Would she ever give it a rest?

“We're not moving,” Josh said. “Besides, I happen to enjoy ranching, and as it turns out, I'm pretty good at it.”

“Like your father.”

Josh laughed. “I'll take that as a compliment.”

“Hmm.”

Cole wouldn't have thought it possible, but his mother actually turned up her nose.

What would she say if she knew Josh and Gabe wanted to buy out Cole's share? He hadn't told her yet, feeling it was Josh's place. Now, he was glad he'd kept his mouth shut.

His mother deftly changed the subject. “Violet, tell me. Are you also from the area?”

“No. I grew up in Seattle. Found my way here ten years ago by accident and stayed.”

Cole gave Vi credit; she was handling his mom like a pro.

“Pregnancy suits you. You're very pretty.”

Vi blushed at his mother's complement, and Cole wished he was sitting next to her.

“I have another ultrasound scheduled in two weeks. I'm hoping the doctor will be able to tell us the sex of the baby, though it's a little early.”

Cole blinked. He wasn't sure which took him further aback—that Vi had an ultrasound scheduled she hadn't told him about or her use of the word
us
.

“Son, if you don't mind me asking...” His mother leaned forward. “How are you going to support the baby? From what Josh says, you two aren't drawing salaries from the ranch.”

Had she really just asked that?

Vi also waited for him to answer. Cole ground his teeth together. He didn't need to be grilled in front of an audience.

“Mom.” Josh's warning was unmistakable.

“It's a reasonable question,” she protested.

“And none of your business.”

She ignored Josh. “You should come home to California, Cole. You have a job waiting for you there.”

Now she was manipulating
him
, having failed with Josh. Cole wanted to be angry. He
was
angry, but at himself more than his mother, as she was echoing his own sentiments and doubts.

“I'm not moving, either,” he said.

“Bring Violet and the baby with you.”

“Ma'am,” Vi interrupted. “I can't leave—”

Cole's mother cut her off before she could say more. “I told you to call me Miranda.”

“Miranda.” Vi drew in a breath. “Mustang Valley is my home.”

“Please say you'll think about it. I can't bear not having any of my grandchildren near me.”

Josh went to Cara and placed his hands on the back of her chair. “It's almost two. Raquel will be ringing the dinner bell any minute.”

Cara stood and said brightly, “I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting hungry.”

A party. In the house where Cole's mother once lived. Where his father's long-time companion now resided with her grown son. Cole gave it ten minutes at most before all hell broke loose.

As they walked down the stairs, she held Nathan's hand. “Josh, who watches the children while you work?”

Cara hurriedly jumped in with an answer. “I do, a lot of the time.”

“What about when you're at the sanctuary?”

“We have a babysitter,” Josh said, not admitting it was Raquel who watched the kids most days.

One by one, they reached the ground floor. The short walk to the house passed pleasantly enough. Then, right on schedule, just as they entered the house through the kitchen door, the moment Cole had been dreading came.

Nathan ran ahead of everyone and straight for Raquel, calling,
“Abuela!”

Cole's mother's lips thinned to a flat line and her eyes burned with fury. She spoke enough Spanish to recognize the word for
grandmother
.

* * *

C
OLE
CORNERED
V
IOLET
in the hallway outside the kitchen as she returned from the restroom. Everyone else was in the living room, except for Raquel and Cara. Violet had been helping them set up the dining room when she suddenly needed to excuse herself, an occurrence happening more and more frequently of late.

“You've been avoiding me,” he said.

“Not at all. Raquel needed a hand.”

He was right, of course. Vi had been avoiding him.

“I'm sorry about my mom.”