Chapter Six #4
A baby in her life—the thought was scary, but joyous. She had taken care of her little nieces and nephews, and she loved being with them. She had a great support network and a job she loved. No matter what happened with Blake, she would make her new little family work.
When she stepped out of the plane, a warm, dry gust of wind hit her. Blake stood waiting at a car and walked toward her. At the sight of the tall rancher, her heart thudded.
A black, broad-brimmed hat sat squarely on his head, and as always, boots added to his height that was over six feet. He wore jeans and a blue plaid Western shirt. The sight of him kept her heart racing, and all she could think about was telling him that he would be a father.
She was torn between wanting to walk into his arms and kiss him, or blurting out that she was pregnant with his baby.
Before she reached the last two steps on the plane’s stairs, his hands closed on her waist to lift her up and set her on her feet on the ground.
“Someone will get your things. I’ll drive you back to the house,” he said, taking her arm lightly and walking back to hold the car door open.
Once inside, he turned to her. “You look gorgeous, Sierra,” he said quietly.
“Thank you,” she answered.
“I’m glad you’re here. When the new wing is finished, I want to have a party. You can invite your family, and I’ll invite mine. I want them all to see what a great job you’ve done.”
She smiled at him. “Let’s wait and see if it really is a great job.”
“Cade wants to have their family home done over. He’ll give you a call.”
“Blake, I’m out of that business, remember?”
“He’s not going to offer what I did, but I think he’ll make a generous offer for your Kansas City agency, as well as your fee.”
She had to laugh as she shook her head. “I may make more money for the agency by sticking with interior design than I ever did seeking donations.”
Conversation went from one topic to another, and she barely paid attention because all too soon she would be home with Blake and she would have to tell him her news.
The minute they walked into his house, tempting odors of hot bread and roast beef reached her. “Etta must be cooking up a storm.”
“Etta cooked and has gone. We’re alone,” he said, turning to slip his arm around her waist and draw her close.
She had promised herself she would show some resistance to him this time, but the minute he touched her and she looked into his brown eyes, she couldn’t tell him no. She leaned into him, as he pulled her closer and kissed her.
She was lost in his kiss, swept up in desire that made her tremble.
At the same time a pang hit her. If only they had love in their relationship, how wonderful the next few hours would be.
The best news in the world was a baby when there was love and a union of two people who wanted to be together the rest of their lives.
Instead, the news would be an earthquake hitting his life.
His arms tightened, and he held her close with one arm while his other hand caressed her. He took the clip from her hair, letting it fall over her shoulders.
“I wasn’t going to do this,” she whispered, not caring whether he heard her or not.
“I was—I’ve dreamed of this moment since the day I told you goodbye in Dallas. I want you in my arms, in my bed. I want to kiss and touch you, love you for hours. I’ve dreamed about you every night you’ve been gone,” he whispered, and her heart pounded.
“Why do we have to be so different?” she asked, agonizing over what was coming and the monumental differences between them.
“Differences that dazzle me,” he whispered.
“You look fabulous. I’ve missed you,” he added.
Under other circumstances, his words would have thrilled her, but now she worried his feelings toward her would change with her news.
She didn’t know how angry or unhappy he might be.
She was certain he wouldn’t welcome it with joy.
His kiss drove all her worries away. She was swept up in desire, wanting to hold and kiss him, feeling as if this might be the last time. Even so, she knew she couldn’t hold in the news any longer.
In minutes she leaned away to look up at him. “Blake, wait a moment. We should talk.”
“There isn’t anything as important as kissing you,” he whispered, brushing her lips with his. She pushed against his shoulders lightly and stepped out of his embrace.
“There is something as important,” she said. He stared at her a moment and nodded, and she knew she had his attention.
She had put off telling him as long as she could. Standing by the window as the sun slipped below the horizon, she faced him. He sat in a leather chair, his booted feet on an ottoman as he looked at her. “Something’s worrying you. What is it? Can I help?”
“You can help,” she said quietly. “Listen to me, be patient and let’s try to cooperate.”
She saw the flicker in his eyes and knew he realized he was somehow involved in whatever worried her.
“I don’t know how to tell you except to just say it—Blake, I’m pregnant, and it’s your baby.”