Two Times as Hot (20 page)

His heart did a little flip at how amazing this woman was. He tamped it down and nodded.
“All right. You’ve got it. I’ll be right back. Lock yourself in when I leave.”

“Against what? The crime spree in this horribly dangerous part of town?” She rolled
her eyes at him. “I’m a New Yorker, remember?”

“And I’m your boss while you’re here, remember? So please, do as I ask and lock yourself
in.”

“Humph. Yes, boss. And I’ll be thinking of what sort of compensation and fringe benefit
package I want while you’re gone.”

Knowing Emma, and seeing the heated look she shot him as she followed him to the door,
Logan was sure he’d enjoy delivering on all of her demands.

“S
o what do you want to do tonight?” Becca glanced over her shoulder while standing
at the sink. “Tuck’s parents have Scrabble. The real kind with the tiles and everything.
Not just the iPad app.”

“Old school, huh? Sounds good.” Emma smiled.

She was too bone deep tired to be up for anything too exciting. After hauling stuff
around the store all day, her energy was at a low. And forgetting to eat lunch until
her stomach was queasy didn’t help.

Crap, she hadn’t taken her pregnancy vitamins since she’d been here. Forgetting those
wouldn’t help her energy level any. The only time the horse-sized pill didn’t make
Emma sick to her stomach was when she took it after a big meal, so right now would
be a perfect time. Her belly was full of Mrs. Jenkins’ homemade macaroni salad and
charcoal-grilled burgers.

Eating dinners big enough to satisfy a bull rider wasn’t going to help her waistline
any, but she supposed it was a moot point. That area was only going to grow as time
ticked on, but both she and the reason for her weight gain needed the proper nutrition.
Emma had to remember to take her vitamins.

While Becca was drying dishes, Tuck was who knew where, and his parents were already
settled in the living room watching television, Emma reached into her purse on the
kitchen counter. She blindly felt around until she found the prescription bottle.

With one eye on Becca to make sure her sister was still occupied, Emma pulled out
the bottle and tried the lid. She smothered a curse when she couldn’t get it open.
Damn childproof cap. Emma flattened her palm and tried to press down on the top while
turning, like the directions said. The bottle shot out of her grasp and fell to the
tile floor with a sound that resonated throughout the room.

That figured. The one time it was crucial she be inconspicuous, she’d proceeded to
drop it. And loudly, too. Of all the things no one had ever told her about being pregnant,
that she’d become a klutz and start dropping every damn thing she tried to pick up
would have been a nice piece of information to have.

Becca glanced over her shoulder. “What was that?”

“Just my vitamins.” Emma started in pursuit of the bottle as it rolled across the
floor, hoping to grab it before Becca noticed it looked more like a doctor’s prescription
than a brand of vitamins available in the store, when Tucker walked into the room.

Emma watched in horror as he bent to pick it up. He frowned at the label. “Prenatal
vitamins?” His eyes grew large as his gaze shot to his new bride. “Becca? Are you—”

Becca put the dish she’d been drying down and turned to stare at Emma. “Um, no.”

Tuck’s focus moved back to the bottle. He spun it in his hand and drew in an audible
breath when he got to the portion of the label where the patient’s name had been typed.
“Emma? These are yours?”

This wasn’t how Emma had envisioned telling anyone, but what could she do? She supposed
she could make up some story that she was anemic or something, and the doctor thought
the prenatal vitamins would help, but it was only a matter of time before everyone
would know anyway. No hiding this for long.

“They’re mine. I’m knocked up.” She forced a laugh. “Surprise.”

“By who? Someone from New York?” Tuck’s eyes moved back and forth between Becca and
her.

Tuck obviously thought Becca already knew. Not a surprise. Becca looked as guilty
as if she had known. Emma could only guess that was because, after their conversations
about Logan, Becca suspected who the father might be.

When neither Becca nor Emma answered, Tuck let out a frustrated huff. “Why won’t you
tell—Oh my God. Is it Jace’s? Is that why you don’t want to tell me? Because you know
I’ll kill him if he did this to you?”

“No.” Emma let out a short laugh. “Not Jace’s.” Jace hadn’t left Jacqueline’s side
for long enough to get anyone else pregnant.

“Then who?” His frown changed as Tucker drew in a sharp breath. “It’s Logan’s.”

That had been a statement, not a question, as realization dawned on Tuck’s face. He
looked at Emma for confirmation. When she didn’t deny it, and most likely the expression
on her face only confirmed his suspicions, he knocked his cowboy hat back a half inch
and blew out a puff of air. “Holy crap. When? Where? During the reception?”

“Yes, Tucker. At the reception in your parents’ backyard. Right there under the buffet
table. Good thing the caterers chose such long table cloths.” Emma rolled her eyes
at his ridiculous assumption.

“I just can’t believe I was so blind I didn’t notice something going on that day.”

“You were focused on me—your bride. Remember?” Becca moved to stand between her husband
and her sister.

Tucker frowned at his new wife. “Did you know about this?”

Becca’s gaze cut to Emma before she answered Tuck. “I guessed something was going
on between them, but I didn’t know it was this.”

Emma had known her sister would figure it out eventually anyway. There were too many
clues not to.

Tucker continued to look dazed “Holy cow. Logan. A father. Have you told him?”

Emma grabbed the prescription bottle Tuck still held. She didn’t want any evidence
lying around for any more family members to find. “No, and you can’t either. He has
enough to deal with right now with his dad and the shop.”

His gaze dropped down her body and she knew what he was thinking. You couldn’t hide
something like this for very long. Theoretically, Emma shouldn’t be showing any outward
signs of pregnancy so early, but thanks to her stress-induced weight gain, she was.
Her boobs felt huge and heavy. There was a small bump in her belly where there didn’t
used to be. Granted, that was likely the result of too many pints of Ben & Jerry’s
ice cream rather than the seed Logan had planted that fateful wedding weekend, but
Tuck didn’t know that as he zeroed in on the changes in Emma’s body.

He shook his head. “You have to tell him, Emma.”

“Tucker, don’t get involved.” Becca laid a hand on his arm. “Emma will tell him when
and if she wants to.”

“If?” His eyes flew open. “Emma—”

“Stop. Both of you. I’ll tell him. Just in my own time.”

“And when will that be?” Tuck cocked a brow.

“I don’t know.” When she realized she’d pressed her hand over her belly, she dropped
it down to her side.

Tuck’s gaze followed the action. “Emma, Logan’s like a brother—”

“And Emma is my sister.” Becca crossed her arms over her chest.

Emma’s heart swelled with love for her. She had one person on her side in this. “Tuck,
please. This whole thing is devastating enough. Don’t rush me.”

“There’s no need for it to be devastating. He’s the most responsible guy I’ve ever
known. He’ll do the right thing. He’ll marry you, Emma. He’ll take care of you and
the baby. You have to know that.”

“That’s the problem.” Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, crap. I’m crying again. Stupid hormones.
I hate this.” She squeezed her eyes shut and willed her emotions to settle down.

Becca was by Emma’s side in an instant. “Tucker. Please go away and leave me and Emma
for a little while.”

“I didn’t make her cry.” Tuck looked horrified as he protested.

“Yes, you did.” Becca shot a scathing look at him.

“Jeez.” Tuck ran a hand over his face. “Emma, I’m sorry.”

Emma dismissed Tuck’s apology with a wave of her hand, before she swiped at her eyes.
“It’s okay. Everything makes me cry now.”

“I guess I’ll go trim the bushes outside.”

“Good idea.” Becca rubbed Emma’s back as she effectively dismissed Tuck.

After a moment of hesitation, Tucker backed toward the door, and then left.

“Wow. A baby. And here I thought I’d be the one pregnant first.” Becca smiled.

“Then we’re even, because I thought I’d be the one married first.” Emma let out a
tearful laugh. “Or at least married before I got pregnant.”

Tyler came through the door and halted. “Pregnant? Uh, what are we talking about in
here?”

The damn man walked too quietly considering he was as tall as Tuck and was wearing
cowboy boots. Maybe Emma just wasn’t all that observant lately.

Becca stepped forward. “Uh, nobody. See I thought I might be but I wasn’t so don’t
tell anybody, okay?“

Good try on Becca’s part, but Tyler’s gaze fixed on Emma. He wasn’t buying it.

“Crap.” Emma dropped her chin. “This is impossible. I have to tell him. Whether I’m
ready or not.”

“Emma, it’s okay.” Tyler sounded sincere. “I won’t tell Logan if you don’t want me
to.”

“How do you know it’s Logan’s?” Becca’s question just confirmed it, even if Tyler
hadn’t been sure.

Emma shook her head. Good thing Becca’s career didn’t require she be deceptive, or
she’d be sunk.

“Who do you think Logan got the condoms from at the wedding? Guess you didn’t use
’em.” The corner of Tyler’s mouth lifted as he looked at Emma. “Unless you ran out.”

Emma was definitely not going to supply the intimate details to Tucker’s little brother
and her own sister. “I’d appreciate it if you gave me a little time to tell him myself.”

“All right. Don’t wait too long though.” Tyler shook his head as his gaze dropped.
“Your tits are already getting huge.”

“Tyler!” Becca’s eyes popped open wider.

“What? The man’s gonna notice, Becca. He’s not blind. Jeez.” Tyler walked to Emma
and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Congrats, Em. Grow him big and strong. I look forward
to teaching the little rug rat how to ride.”

Emma let out a sigh. No use fighting it. This baby was going to happen, and the secret
was out. Might as well start to embrace that reality. “Thanks, Tyler.”

Tyler treated Emma to a wink, which she was sure, along with his good looks and charm,
had divested many a cowgirl of her panties over the years. Then he walked out the
same door Tuck had disappeared through earlier.

“I’m sorry.” Becca shook her head.

“It’s okay. But can we stop talking about this here, please? I don’t need the parents
hearing, too.”

“All right. Tyler was right though.”

“About what?”

Becca’s gaze dropped to where Emma’s breasts were straining the fabric of her blouse.
“He’s going to notice soon.”

This was her sister’s idea of not talking about it anymore? “I’ll deal with that when
the time comes.”

Emma insured the conversation was over by leaving. She headed for the guest room,
where she intended to bury the bottle of vitamins so deep in her suitcase no one would
ever find them again.

She was still hiding away in the room just off the Jenkins living room when Logan’s
voice had her ears perking up. Emma couldn’t get used to having him so nearby he could
pop in any time of day or night, but she’d like to. She made her way to the kitchen
and found him there.

He smiled when she walked in. “Hey. All cleaned up from today, I see.”

“Yeah, I am.”

He hooked a thumb toward the door. “I was thinking about heading to the cabin to look
for some wood for the signs you wanted. It’s on a lake and there should be a nice
sunset tonight. We can make it there before dark.”

A lakeside cabin at sunset. Logan didn’t need to ramp up the romance because Emma
was already smitten, but the setting would have been enough to snag her even if she
hadn’t been. “Sounds beautiful. Let’s go.“

Logan glanced at Becca and hesitated. “You don’t mind if I steal your sister away
from you again, do you?”

“Not at all. I uh, still have to finish those thank you notes.” She looked pointedly
at Emma. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Later. Don’t wait up.” Emma was sure Becca would anyway.

Logan led the way to his truck, which was parked in his parents’ driveway next door,
striding to the passenger door so he could open it for Emma. He waited for her to
get settled in her seat, before he closed the door and walked around to climb into
the driver’s side.

As he turned the key in the ignition, he glanced to Emma. “I think she’s started to
figure out that we’re not just casual acquaintances.”

Casual acquaintances. No. Not quite. More like two people who happened to be having
a baby even though only one of them knew it.

“Are you okay with that? With Becca assuming we’re—” Emma hesitated. What the hell
were they in his mind?

“Involved?” Logan raised a brow.

Involved
was as good a word as any, Emma supposed. She nodded. “Yeah.”

“Sure.” Logan dipped his head. “It’s fine with me. Is it okay with you?”

“Yup. I can handle my sister and her being nosy.” Emma had had plenty of practice
with that over the years.

He grinned. “I guess it’s easier having a brother than a sister. Especially a brother
who’s on the other side of the world.”

“You have no idea.” Emma let out a snort at the truth of that and then moved them
on to a more pleasant topic of conversation. “So tell me more about this cabin.”

“Not much to tell. My grandfather built it years and years ago. He always said a man
needed a place to call his own, but it was never like he went there to escape from
the family or anything because he usually ended up bringing the kids with him.” Logan
talked as he drove. “I can’t count how much time I spent there as a kid, fishing with
my dad and grandfather. Hunting. Just sitting around a campfire eating something out
of a can.”

Emma could picture the scene as Logan described it. Three generations of Hunt men,
bonding over eating beans out of a can. She couldn’t help but wonder whether she had
the first of the fourth male generation inside her. A boy with dark hair and eyes
who would grow to be tall and strong like his father. Or if she carried a little blue-eyed
girl who’d turn out petite and blond with a smart mouth like the Hart side of the
family.