Chapter 15
Well, he’d done it, now. Trent set about cracking eggs and sticking bread in the toaster. He used six eggs because they hadn’t discussed cooking up the bacon in the crisper drawer and he didn’t want to add more cleanup when they were crunched for time.
She had to leave soon and he’d take off then, too. His truck parked at her curb had already been there long enough to arouse neighborly curiosity. But once he was out the door, once they’d said their goodbyes, would he ever be back?
Oh, sure, if he gave her a ride somewhere, or later when they were shuttling their daughter back and forth from her place to his. But he’d been too damned efficient, and now they’d completed the baby-making phase. The most incredible sexual experience of his life was officially over and he’d done it to himself.
If he hadn’t agreed with her, if he’d cast doubt on her belief that they’d accomplished the goal, he might have talked his way back in. But he would have had to lie.
He knew in his heart and soul what had just happened. Barring the unexpected, they’d welcome a baby girl in nine months.
If he’d had a clue what making love to her would be like, would he have played this differently? Instead of being so damned confident they’d make it happen right away, would he have emphasized the difficulty of conceiving a child?
He was the king of research. He could have found plenty of stats to back up that premise. But no, he’d let his ego take control. If she wanted a baby, he’d give her one in record time because he was just that potent.
Congratulations, dummy. You just worked your way out of the sweetest job you’ve ever had.
“Trent?” Her voice drifted from the bedroom.
“Yeah?”
“Have you started the eggs?”
“Not yet.” Because he’d been staring into space and cussing himself out.
“Would you please hold off for a bit? I’m going to jump in the shower.”
“Sure thing!” He pictured her naked in the shower and groaned. He’d likely seen her naked for the last time about fifteen minutes ago, and he hadn’t stopped to take a good look.
He’d just made love to her for the last time, too, and he hadn’t paused a moment before leaving the haven of her body. He hadn’t stopped to treasure the feeling of being cradled inside her warmth with no latex barrier between his skin and hers.
Instead he’d focused on the baby, their baby, which is what this was all supposed to be about. But he hadn’t counted on the life-changing experience of making love to her coupled with sharing the excitement of conceiving a child.
He hadn’t figured on the pleasure of that blowing him out of the water. Was it just because they hadn’t used condoms? Or was it her special brand of lovemaking? Or did the magic come from the joy they created together?
He had no answers and was unlikely to get them in the future. He’d better quit feeling sorry for himself and be wearing a smiley face when she walked into the kitchen, because he’d landed himself in this position. It wasn’t even slightly her fault.
She took longer in the shower than he’d anticipated and the eggs turned out crispy instead of moist. The toast sat too long so it was on the dry side, too. Butter helped, and he added some strawberry jam he found in the fridge.
“Sorry about the eggs.” He set down both plates on her small kitchen table. “I misjudged the timing.”
“No worries. Your timing was perfect where it counted.”
He snorted. “Guess eggs are an appropriate breakfast this morning.”
“Very.”
“Have a seat. I’ll get your coffee.”
“Thanks, but I’m going to skip it.”
“You are? Oh! I didn’t even think about that. Is caffeine bad for the baby?”
“Ella’s stopped drinking anything with caffeine in it, just to be on the safe side. Her dad said a little bit might not hurt, but she’s not taking any chances. I don’t want to, either.”
“I’ll get you some water, then. Will it bother you if I have coffee?”
“By all means have some. It smells delicious. I’m glad you made it because the smell is half the reason I love it.” She slid into her seat and picked up the napkin he put by her plate.
“Do you have any decaf? I could make?—”
“I don’t have any. I’ll pick up some today. I should have thought of it yesterday, but I was focused on buying those little lanterns.”
“They’re beautiful.” So was she, with her hair in a jaunty ponytail and her cheeks flushed, which brightened the color of her eyes. She smelled like lilacs. “Will you leave them up?”
She dropped her attention to her plate and picked up her fork. “Probably not.”
His heart sank. She was moving on. He started eating, although he had no appetite. When would he see her again? What excuse could he manufacture? Then he hit on a legitimate one. “What do you want to do regarding your mother?”
That brought her head up. “I’ve been thinking about that. I’ll see her shortly. She’s Doc Bradbury’s office manager.”
“That’s convenient.”
“She’s the reason I have that job. I used to commute to Missoula, but Mom found out in advance the Doc’s hygienist was leaving and I was the first and only applicant.”
“That’s great.”
“Sure is. We work well together. Anyway, I should have a chance to talk to her this morning. We usually take a quick break for coffee.”
“Which you won’t be drinking.”
“Right.” She paused. “It’s short notice, but can you meet us for lunch today at the Buffalo?”
“Sure can.” Only a few hours away. “What time?”
“We close the office between noon and one-thirty, so we can be there around twelve-fifteen, which’ll give us almost an hour.”
“I’ll show up a little early and get us a table. What’s your mom’s name?”
“Margaret. She’ll want you to call her that instead of Mrs. Powers.”
“She’s not Margie or Marge?”
“No, she likes Margaret.”
“Three syllables?”
She smiled. “Yep. Although most people slur over the middle one. She called me Brittany until I started school. Then everyone started calling me Brit, so eventually she did, too. Listen, if you want, you can shower here so you don’t have to drive home and come back.”
“Thanks, but I’ll shower at home. I don’t mind the drive and I’d like to put on clean clothes.”
She studied him. “We need to talk and sort out a few things. But I have to get going.”
“I’m available anytime you want me.” Which was a little too on-the-nose, but the absolute truth.
Her gaze flickered. “It’s not fair for you to do all the driving.”
“Then come to the ranch sometime.” But she’d need a reason. “You should check out my place, since our baby will be staying there once she’s old enough.”
She didn’t answer right away, just sat there looking at him. Then she took a quick breath. “Good idea. My last client’s at three-thirty. I should be done around four-thirty.”
“Then come out for dinner.” He tamped down the excitement churning in his gut. “Just dinner.”
“That’s what we need to talk about. We’ve shared something special, but now?—”
“I get it. You’re pregnant. Mission accomplished.”
She made a face. “You’re upset.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are, and I don’t blame you. I’m not feeling all comfy cozy, either. We need to discuss how things will be going forward and figure out what we plan to say once we start letting our friends and family know about the baby.”
“Which’ll be after the wedding, so no rush on that.”
“Except your parents will be here tomorrow.”
“Oh. Yes, they will.” He and Dallas would be driving to Missoula to pick them up at the airport. His head wasn’t in the game. It was still in the previous game.
“I have to go brush and floss before I leave.” She pushed back her chair and stood.
“That’s funny.”
“Professional pride. Just leave the dishes. I’ll handle them when I?—”
“You’re coming out to my place after work, remember? Go brush your teeth so you can skeedaddle. I’ll take care of this.”
“Thank you.” She held his gaze for a moment. “You’re great, Trent.”
“So are you, Brittany.” Rance had told him she was special. Dallas had praised her, too. They didn’t know the half of it. But he did. He’d been given a brief glimpse of heaven.
And now he was in hell.