The Sheriff's Pregnant Wife

Leah was getting married in a matter of days. Paige was going to have a baby. The Keenan family was growing. In a few months the clan would have added three new members.

She pressed her hand against her stomach protectively, a habit she’d acquired since learning of her pregnancy. This wasn’t the way her mother and father had expected to welcome their grandchild. It hadn’t been how Paige planned, either. She’d planned to bring her special guy home this summer to meet her parents.

How could she’ve been so wrong about a person? She’d believed him when he said he was divorced—that he hated his wife, Sandy.

The day Paige had learned about her pregnancy, Drew announced that he was going back to his wife. In truth they’d only been separated for the past year, and Drew finally admitted that he wanted a second chance at his marriage. What she hadn’t expected was his anger and his threat not to get in the way of his reconciliation. Then he stormed out of her condo and her life.

Paige wiped a tear from her cheek, refusing to cry over the man, or the past any longer. It was all about the future. The Keenans were going to be her baby’s family. She and her child didn’t need any man, especially a man who didn’t want them.

“Would you mind some company?”

Paige tensed and glanced over her shoulder to see Reed. She shrugged. “It’s a free world.”

“Thanks,” he told her, nodding toward the back door. “There’s way too much talk about Gerber daisies and banana cream or strawberry filling for the wedding cake going on inside.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Can’t take it? And you’re supposed to be the stronger sex.”

He cocked a thumb toward the kitchen. “If you think I’m in bad shape, you should see how blurry-eyed Holt is.”

That made Paige smile. Although she didn’t know the groom well, she liked him. “Losing testosterone, huh?”

“Be careful, I’m feeling the urge to spit and find a belching contest.” Reed walked to the railing, sat down.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d resist.”

“I’ll try.” He leaned against the post and looked out at the rows of moonlit pines. “This is nice.”

Paige wanted to ignore the fact that his nearness bothered her. What was wrong with her? She’d left those feelings back in high school. “I know. I’ve missed this place.”

Reed turned to Paige. He could see that she’d been crying. He knew from his sister’s pregnancy that women got emotional. Paige coming home to tell her family about her baby had to be rough. “Your family is going to be happy about the baby.”

She glared at him. “I don’t want to talk about this. And you promised that you weren’t going to say anything…”

He raised a hand. “Hey, you have to know I wouldn’t break a promise to you. I’m just trying to be a friend, Paige.”

She remained silent.

He changed the subject. “Have you seen a doctor?”

She nodded. “Just to verify that I’m pregnant and to start my vitamins.”

“You need a doctor here?”

She hugged herself. “I want an obstetrician.”

“My sister had a good doctor. She’s in Durango.”

She nodded, but looked sad.

“Are you sure that you don’t want to contact the father…?”

“That’s the last thing I want,” Paige whispered as she stared out into the night. Reed felt the familiar ache of wanting to take her in his arms and tell her he was here for her.

Damn, he hated that she could still turn him inside out. She’d come back to town and all he wanted was to be with her.

“I’m sorry…that things didn’t work out for you, Paige.” As much as he wished it, he couldn’t make this right for her. Reed looked over at her and instantly wanted her. He always had, but it wouldn’t work for either of them. They were both carrying too much baggage.

He stood up. “I should be going. I work tonight.” He started to walk away, then stopped. “If you need to get a hold of me for anything, just call the station. If I’m not there, leave a message on my voice mail.”

Paige turned around. “Reed, this isn’t a good idea…I need to stand on my own. I have a lot to figure out.”

He smiled as he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, grazing her incredibly soft cheek. “I know, I was just thinking that if you needed a friend.”

Her lower lip quivered. “We tried that once.”

“Yeah, we did. Maybe this time we can handle it better.”

He turned and walked away, knowing he was lying through his teeth. When it came to Paige Keenan, friendship wasn’t all he had in mind.

The next morning, Paige woke up about eight o’clock, and made it into the bathroom before she got sick to her stomach. Luckily the family had gone downstairs and she was alone. How would she explain puking her guts out?

Paige showered and dressed in a pair of worn jeans, but had to leave the top button undone. While she put on a pale pink blouse she was unable to stop thinking about Reed. It would be such a bad idea to get involved with him, especially in her condition.

She was vulnerable, and could so easily lean on Reed. And that wouldn’t be fair to either of them, even though he had suggested they could be friends again.

Paige smiled. In grammar school she could be friends with him, but now, the man was too good-looking and sexy not to stir her hormones. Any woman’s hormones. No, she needed to stay as clear of Sheriff Reed Larkin as possible. Of course until the wedding was over, that wouldn’t be easy.

She arrived in the kitchen to find her mother.

“Good morning,” Claire said and kissed her daughter on the cheek. “How about some breakfast?”

No way. “Maybe some toast and juice.”

Her mother put a cup of coffee in front of her. Of course Paige couldn’t have caffeine during her pregnancy. “I think I’ll pass on the coffee. I’m trying to cut back.”

“Good. Your job is so stressful that you don’t need it.”

Paige took her place at the table and her mother brought the toast over and sat across from her. “So what are your plans for today?” Claire asked.

“Nothing until this afternoon when we go shopping for our bridesmaids’ dresses. Until then I could help you here at the Inn.”

Her mother patted her hand. “You’re not here to work. You need this vacation.”

“I don’t mind,” Paige said, needing something to fill her time.

“I have an idea,” her mother said. “I’m going out to the nursing home to see Sally. You could come along.”

Visit Reed’s mother? That wasn’t a way to stay uninvolved. “Sure.” Paige finished with her toast and cleared away the dishes.

The Shady Haven Convalescent Home was about twenty minutes outside of Destiny. It was a fairly new facility with manicured grounds and the mountains as a backdrop. With its brick trim and red cedar singles the two-story building didn’t look like a nursing home, but more like a retreat.

Paige doubted that Sally Larkin could afford this place on her own. Reed had to be paying a lot of the bill.

Claire and Paige walked though the double doors and notice the inside was just as impressive as the outside. A reception area was arranged around a fireplace, and gleaming hardwood floors. In an adjoining room, Paige could see several patients in wheelchairs, sitting at tables, playing cards and other board games.

Her mother approached the front desk. “We’re here to see Sally Larkin.”

An older woman with short gray hair smiled. “It’s good to see you, Mrs. Keenan. Sally looks forward to your visits.” She turned to Paige. “Is this one of your daughters?”

Claire nodded. “Yes, this is Paige. She’s visiting for a few weeks.”

“Hello, Paige. I’m Karen. I guess you could call me the social director around here.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Paige told her. “You have a lovely facility.”

“Thank you. Our first concern is our residents.” She stood and came around the desk, then motioned for them to follow her down a wide corridor. “Sally finished her physical therapy about an hour ago. She’s doing very well. And she doesn’t have anything scheduled until after lunch, so this is a perfect time for a visit.”

They passed several rooms on the main floor. Most doors were open, revealing accommodations that looked more like mini apartments than hospital rooms. There was nothing generic about this nursing home.

At the end of the hall, Karen knocked on a door, then opened it. “Sally, you have some visitors,” Karen said as she opened the door wider to reveal a small woman sitting in a wheelchair.

Sally Larkin wasn’t as old as Claire Keenan, but the hard years, and a debilitating stroke had taken a toll. When she saw Claire and Paige, Sally’s eyes lit up bringing back memories of the last time Paige seen Sally. Hers and Reed’s graduation day.

Paige touched her hand. “You remember me, Sally?”

“Y…yes…” Tears formed in Sally’s eyes.

“I hope you don’t mind me just showing up.”

The woman squeezed Paige’s hand. “Wel…come.” She struggled with the word. “P…Paige.”

“Thank you, Sally. It’s so good to see you.” She hugged the frail woman, then looked into those eyes that reminded her so much of her son’s. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Claire joined the conversation. “Sally has improved a lot in the past year. She’s talking again.” Her mother smiled. “I’m glad my friend is back and we can share things. We’re hoping she’ll be able to come to Leah’s wedding.”

Due to the stroke, Sally’s smile was crooked, but she was obviously pleased. “Doc…doctor said o…okay.”

“That’s great news,” Claire said and looked at her daughter. “The facility has special vans and attendants that can take her where she wants to go.”

“Who’s taking who where?”

All three women turned to the door and found Reed. He was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a burgundy polo shirt.

“Hi, Reed,” Claire said and went to him. “The doctor said your mother can come to Leah’s wedding. Isn’t that great?”

He grinned. “Yes, it’s great.” He crossed the room and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Maybe we should get you a new dress.”

Sally frowned and shook her head.

“Oh, Sally, you shouldn’t turn him down,” Paige said.

Her eyes locked with Reed’s, and once again, she was transported back in time to when they were sixteen. He’d driven her to Durango to look for a dress for the prom. She was going with another boy. That had been when he confessed about his feelings for her. He wanted more than friendship.

“We should go,” Claire said, breaking through her reverie. “We need to meet Leah for wedding shopping.”

Paige patted Sally’s hand. “It was good to see you again, Sally.”

“C…come back.”

“I will.” Paige smiled, then looked at Reed to see he was pleased she’d come, too. She walked out of the room and he followed her.

“Paige, thank you for coming by today. Mom loved it. I appreciated it, too.”

“It was no trouble at all.”

His gaze refused to release its hold. “How are you feeling?”

Her mother had already reached the reception area and was out of earshot. “Better. This morning was a little rough. But I’m good now,” Paige said.

He stuffed his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “You look terrific.”

A shiver went through her. She didn’t want to analyze her reaction to the compliment. “I should go.”

“Oh, I got the name of the doctor.” He pulled a card out of his pocket. “KimberlyYork. Jodi said she’s the best.”

Paige glanced down the hall again to make sure her mother was out of earshot. The business card actually belonged to Reed with his private phone number. The doctor’s number was written on the back. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ll call and make an appointment.”

“If you need someone to drive you let me know.”

His offer was so thoughtful she suddenly had the urge to cry. She had to leave. “Thank you, again. I better go.”

When she made her way to the reception area, she found her mother talking with a thin man seated in a wheelchair. He was bent over, with sparse white hair that stood out around his head. His face was weathered and lined with age. She blinked and studied the man closely. It had to be…old Billy Hutchinson.

Memories came flooding back to her. All the trouble he’d caused the Larkin family. And worse. Billy’s manipulation had change the course of her and Reed’s life. It was wrong, no matter if the cause had been a good one. But most of all, she’d always regret the lie…and losing Reed.

She approached them. “Mother…”

Claire turned and smiled. “There you are. Billy, you remember my middle daughter, Paige. She works in Denver now. She’s a lawyer.”

Paige swallowed her nervousness. It had been a long time since she’d seen or talked to this man. She wasn’t eager to now. “Hello, Mr. Hutchinson.”

“Bah, lawyers…they’re all crooks. Give ’em a chance, they steal ya blind.” He peered at her. “Why, you’re that gal who hung around with that Larkin boy.”

Paige’s heart pounded. “That was a long time ago.”

“Everything was a long time ago.” He waved a crippled finger at her. “You should stay away from those Larkins. They’re no good.”

After all this time Paige didn’t want to rehash this, especially not with Reed just down the hall.

“You shouldn’t upset yourself, Billy,” her mother said. “That’s all in the past.”

Abruptly the man’s agitation turned to sadness. “No, we can’t change the past.” His hazel eyes filled with tears. “Can’t change a dang thing…what’s done is done.” He slumped deeper into his chair. “I didn’t mean to…” He looked pleadingly at Paige. “It was an accident.”

“What accident?” Paige asked.

He choked on the next word. “Mick…”

The lawyer in her couldn’t stop asking more. “What about Mick?”

It was as if a curtain fell as she watched Billy’s expression go blank. He stared off into space, not hearing them any longer.

Her mother stroked the old man’s arm. “Billy has Alzheimer’s. He’s been here for the last year. There are days when he talks, then there are days when he just sits here.” Claire sighed. “Billy has talked more with you today than he has in a very long time.”

The attendant arrived and took charge of Billy, pushing his wheelchair down the hall. Paige stared after them recalling the old man’s words. “Mom, what did Billy mean about an accident?”

“I’m not sure,” her mother answered as they walked toward the door. “Billy rambles a lot. It could have been something that happened years ago, or recently.”

Paige knew that Billy Hutchinson had an interest in several silver mines in the area. And it was a fact that he hadn’t always been fair about his business dealings.

“Not only had the Hutchinson family founded Destiny, but they’ve been pretty forceful in their efforts to control it,” Claire said. “Maybe in Billy’s advanced years, he wants to atone for his sins.”

Paige wasn’t the optimist her mother was; she knew the man was a schemer, because she had gotten talked into one of them. For ten years no one had ever known Paige’s connection to Billy. And she wanted to keep it that way. She couldn’t see the man again.

But all the way home old Billy’s words bothered her. Was there more to his ramblings? The word “accident” kept nagging at her brain. Could Reed’s suspicions be truth? Could Billy Hutchinson know more about what really happened the night Mick Larkin disappeared than he previously admitted?

Five hours later, the four exhausted Keenan women, Claire, Morgan, Paige and Leah, collapsed into the chairs at Francisco’s Cantina in Durango. Numerous bags pushed under the table were the result of their shopping labors.

Leah smiled brightly. “Did I tell you this is where Holt brought me on our first date?”

“Yes,” the other three women said in unison.

Leah pouted and her mother patted her hand. “It’s okay, honey, we’re just teasing you. We love hearing about it all. You’ve found a wonderful man and you’re going to be married soon. You should be beaming with happiness.”

Tears filled Leah’s eyes. “Oh, Mom, it’s just that I’m so happy. I love Holt so much.”

Paige had to turn away. She was glad for her sister, but another side of her envied Leah’s happiness. It was something she would never have with her baby’s father.

Paige released a long breath as she picked up the menu and scanned it. That didn’t mean she couldn’t make a good life for her and her child. She didn’t need a man to make a living. She was determined to give her baby enough love to make up for his or her father’s absence. And it was time she started.

Paige closed the menu and placed it on the table. “I have an announcement, too,” she said, drawing the three women’s eager attention. “I’ve decided not to return to my job in Denver. I want to open a law office here…in Destiny.”

“Oh, Paige…that’s wonderful.” Leah jumped up, pulled Paige to her feet and hugged her. “We’ll all be living here.”

Paige caught Morgan’s smile, too. “We’re glad to have you back home. So you’re going to take the storefront in the town square?”

Morgan and Claire exchanged a look. “You knew about this?” she asked.

Paige held up a hand. “When I talked with Morgan yesterday I hadn’t decided yet.” She turned to Leah. “I kept quiet because I didn’t want anything to overshadow your wedding.”

“Oh, Paige. I don’t care. I’m just so happy you’re moving back.”

Paige felt relieved to have shared at least part of her news. “I know. I’ve missed the family so much.”And I’m going to need all of you when the baby comes, she cried silently.

“We’ve all missed you,” her mother said as she squeezed Paige’s hand. “Your father is going to be so happy.”

“What am I going to be happy about?”

They all turned to see Tim Keenan approaching the table. The big man was dressed in a dark blue sport shirt and taupe colored trousers.

Claire slipped her arm around her husband’s waist. “Tim, Paige has some wonderful news.”

Holt walked up behind Tim and went to his excited bride-to-be then hugged her. “What news?” he echoed.

Paige felt herself blush at the attention. She hated that she hadn’t told her family the entire story. Before she could say anything, another man approached the table. Reed Larkin. He was wearing a wine-colored shirt with dark trousers. She’d had no idea he was going to be here, but she was suddenly glad.

Paige gave him a pleading look. He seemed to read her thoughts and went to her side of the table.

“Don’t keep us in suspense.” Reed smiled.

“It’s not that big a deal,” she began. “I’ve decided to try private practice…here in Destiny.”

“Oh, lass,” her father cried and came around the table to hug her. “I’m so happy. Now, I have all my girls home.”

“I love you, Daddy.” She hadn’t called him that since she was a little girl. Tim Keenan had always made her feel so loved…and so special. The last thing she ever wanted to do was disappoint him.

“It looks like we have a lot to celebrate tonight,” he said as he sat down beside his wife.

“Let’s just focus on the wedding for now,” Paige said. “I took a month’s leave from my job so I could think about my decision. I have plenty of time to help Leah with the preparations for her day.”

Reed sat down in the only available seat right next to hers. Paige couldn’t help but wonder if her sisters had arranged for that to happen. She hoped not.

Reed didn’t need to be involved with her and all her baggage. Besides, she’d given up all chances with him many years ago. She stole a glance at him. He was definitely more handsome as a man than he’d been as a boy. Darn her hormones for making her notice, for making her feel something. She didn’t need another complication right now.

But more came when the waiter arrived to take their drink orders. Paige ordered a ginger ale with lime, hoping no one questioned her passing on alcohol. No one did, especially when Reed ordered the same, saying he was on duty later that night.

After the waiter left, her father asked, “Have you decided where you want your office?”

“Yesterday I looked at the vacant storefront next to the real estate office. That’s where I ran into Reed. He thought I was a vandal.”

Everyone turned to Reed. “You can’t be too careful.”

Holt chuckled. “Yeah, we’re overrun with crime in Destiny.”

Before Reed could comment, Tim asked, “Doesn’t Lyle Hutchinson own that building?”

Paige wasn’t surprised. The Hutchinson family owned a lot of property in town square. It was well-known that Billy Hutchinson’s son, Lyle, wasn’t the best landlord.

“If you want any work done on the building,” Morgan said, “you’d better plan to do it yourself.”

“The place isn’t so bad,” Paige said. “It’s a perfect space for what I have in mind, and there’s even an apartment upstairs.” She shrugged. “I don’t mind the work. And I have a lot of family to help paint.” She glanced at Holt. “And a brand-new brother-in-law.”

Holt groaned. “Leah already has me working on the ranch house.” He glanced at his friend. “Reed’s the expert on remodeling. You should see how he’s redone his mother’s house.”

Reed noticed Paige tense at Holt’s suggestion. He didn’t take it personally. What with a new career and…a baby on the way, her life was complicated enough. But he couldn’t help but feel protective of her, wanting nothing more than to get a hold of the jerk that had deserted her. He’d like to teach him a lesson or two.

“Hey,” he said. “If you find you need help, I can paint walls and sand floors.”

She looked at him. “Thank you, Reed. First I have to discuss the rental agreement with Lyle. I might not be able to afford the place.”

Her mother laughed. “If you handle Lyle like you did Billy this morning, he’ll probably agree to your terms without argument.”

Reed frowned. “You talked with Billy Hutchinson?”

“Only for a few minutes,” Paige said, suddenly feeling guilty. “My mother saw him in the lounge when we left Sally’s room. I just stopped by to say hello.”

“Billy recognized Paige right away,” Claire said. “And he just began chattering away. It was more than I’ve heard him say in a long time.”

A familiar sinking feeling overcame Reed as he leaned toward Paige. “We need to talk…later.”

The waiter arrived to take their order. Paige didn’t look pleased, but Reed couldn’t let this go. His only link to his father’s disappearance was Billy Hutchinson. Reed was almost afraid to hope, but this was the best news he’d had in a long time.

Now, if he could just get Paige to help him.

CHAPTER THREE

BY THE end of the evening, Paige was positive that the members of her family were playing matchmakers. Her mother practically insisted Paige ride back from Durango with Reed, and she didn’t protest.

In the passenger seat of Reed’s late model truck, she planned ways on how she’d set her family straight. There was no future for her and Reed. What if she just came out and told them she was pregnant with another man’s baby?

With a sigh, she leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes, happy that Reed also seemed to enjoy the quiet, too. Drowsiness took over and she let the soothing vibration of the road lull her. All Paige’s problems were temporarily erased from her mind as she recalled the pleasant evening with her family…and Reed.

Paige thought back to the shy, thin boy. How he’d walk her home from school and they would sit at the Keenan kitchen table and do homework while his mother cleaned the guest rooms upstairs. Sometimes they’d go outside and look for toads along the creek. They’d talked sometimes, about how it hurt him when people said things about his father. A lot of people in town had decided Mick Larkin was a thief and had run out on his family.

Besides her sisters, Reed Larkin had been Paige’s best friend. But things changed when they went into high school. Girls started noticing tall, good-looking Reed, and other boys had shown interest in Paige.

Reed didn’t like it and he’d told her so. Then he kissed her for the first time. She’d been surprised by the strong feelings he invoked in her.