Expecting The Cowboy's Baby

“I can’t wait to meet your date,” Alicia said eagerly. Both she and Brian had looks of anticipation on their faces.

Cassie really hated lying. “He’s just a friend, really. I mean to say, he’s not my boyfriend or anything.”

“He’s coming all this way for our wedding. To be with you,” Alicia reminded her.

Cassie’s heart sunk to the floor. The soon-to-be married couple read far too much into this. And Cassie knew they only wanted her happiness. “Well, sure. But—”

“It’s time for a toast,” Rick said, rising from his seat with a glass held high.

All eyes at the table turned to Cassie, to see her reaction. It was natural for people to be curious, she supposed, but facing Rick and his new bride, after a humiliating breakup, was almost too much for her to bear. Yet she kept her composure and plastered on a smile for all to see.

For certain now, she had to find herself a date for the wedding. She couldn’t take another day of concerned looks and sympathetic stares. There’d be no place to hide on the Sundance Riverboat Wedding Cruise tomorrow.

Unless she tossed herself overboard.

Two

Jake slipped into the back of the Caboose Lounge and took a seat at the hotel bar. It was Rodeo Days in the small river city and rodeo riders from all over the country were welcomed with open arms at the hotels. He ordered a straight-up whiskey and turned to listen to the Country Riders Band, hoping their down-home tunes combined with the shot of Wild Turkey would lull him into sleep mode. He’d been keyed up lately, too wired to sleep and anxious about the rodeo tomorrow. It was always the same. Nerves. Excess energy. When he knew he should be sleeping, his body never seemed to cooperate.

And visions of Cassie Munroe had danced in his head since he’d met up with her at the banquet today. He needed to get a grip, to get the tempting lady off of his mind and get some rest. What he didn’t need was a distraction. He’d come so far and was extremely close to achieving a goal that had been just out of his reach for years.

Winning the rodeo championship meant more to him than the notoriety, money and respect he’d garner from his peers. Winning meant he’d done something that his father hadn’t been able to accomplish. Winning meant he’d finally be able to look John T. in the eye and say that he was just as good a man, if not a better one.

He glanced at his watch. Damn, it was after midnight. He really should get some sleep. He ordered another drink, deciding to take it up to his room when a flash of red caught his eye. He stood up from his position on the bar stool and peered over the crowded room, thinking his mind played tricks on him.

But it was no trick of the mind. He had seen Miss Sexy Red Dress. He stepped in a bit closer, making his way forward, watching her move fluidly, her body gyrating like some exotic dancer’s. Jake’s chest tightened and when her cinnamon hair lifted then fell onto her flushed face, he cursed silently. Mesmerized, he continued watching her. Her green eyes, big, wide, animated, focused on the man she danced with.

Jake sat back in his seat and twisted his mouth in a frown.

The woman intrigued him, but better to take his drink up to his hotel room than to sit here and listen to his heart pound hard against his chest, watching her dance. Jake glanced back behind the bar. “Could you hurry it up?”

The young barkeep nodded his head. “Sure thing. Coming up in a minute.”

When Jake turned around, another man held Cassie in his arms this time. This man he knew. Brody Taylor was a bull rider, full of himself and an all-around lady’s man.

The music drifted into a slow, soulful ballad.

Jake stifled an oath when Brody brought Cassie up flush against his chest. He noted her squirming in his arms—or at least it appeared she was trying to break the connection.

None of his business, Jake thought, shaking his head. She’d given him the cold shoulder today once she’d realized who he really was. She didn’t want him interfering in her life. He turned away to glance at the bartender again. His drink was nowhere in sight.

“You know what, forget it,” he called to the bartender, who’d been flirting with some young blonde at the other end of the bar.

Jake stood, taking one last glance at the dance floor. He noticed Cassie slapping Brody’s hands off her rear end. Fury exploded inside of him.

“Ah, hell,” he muttered.

He made it to the dance floor in five quick strides and didn’t bother tapping Brody on the shoulder. “I’m cutting in,” he said firmly without giving Cassie a glance.

“Like hell you are.” Brody turned, his body staggering some, his bloodshot eyes only just lighting with recognition.

“Time for bed, Taylor.”

The bull rider slanted him a crooked, drunken grin. “That’s what I’m aiming for, Griffin. Now get lost.”

With a firm grasp, Jake removed Brody’s arm from Cassie’s. “Not with her, you’re not.” Jake pulled Brody’s hat lower onto his head with a tug. “You got two bulls to ride tomorrow. If you don’t get to bed soon, they’ll knock you to Texas and back. Now, go on.”

Brody hesitated for a moment, probably too drunk to argue, then nodded and tottered away, slurring curse words.

Jake finally peered at Cassie. She stood, somewhat dumbfounded, in the middle of the dance floor. “You okay?”

“Just fine,” she said with definite irritation. That pretty heart-shaped mouth turned down into a pout. When Jake took her into his arms she asked, “What are you doing?”

“I’m cutting in. You do want to dance, don’t you?”

She broke away from him. “No. Not anymore.”

Okay, so she didn’t want to dance with him. At least she wouldn’t be fending off the likes of Brody Taylor into all hours of the night. He followed her when she walked over to her table. He hadn’t noticed before, but she wobbled when she moved. And those bright, luminous eyes weren’t so bright anymore. In fact, they appeared every bit as hazy as Brody’s had been.

Cassie slumped down into her chair and took a big gulp from a fishbowl glass of margarita. He stood over her. “How many of those have you had?”

“Just one.” Cassie looked up at him in defiance.

“One too many, I’d say.”

Her lips quivered. She appeared so forlorn and her eyes misted with unshed tears.

“Hey, I didn’t break something up back there, did I? If I did, I apologize. Want me to go hunt him down?” Hell, if she wanted Brody Taylor, she could have him. Jake wasn’t going to break up a love affair, if that’s what the woman was after.

“No, no. I don’t care about him. I’m just…so tired. I took an allergy pill a while ago.”

“And washed it down with the margarita?”

She nodded. “It’s been a long day.”

Cassie couldn’t believe Jake Griffin was standing there, in the flesh. She’d been thinking about him all day. And the minute she’d laid eyes on him on the dance floor, her heart sped up and her toes curled. Just gazing up into his dark, ominous eyes made her dizzy. Well, the allergy pill had a little something to do with that, she assumed, but Jake Griffin was just too appealing. Cassie could never trust herself with him. She’d fall hard and then she’d shatter.

Besides, he was the last man on earth she should be thinking about. He’d been the first in a long string of bad decisions. The first one always hurt the most, she presumed, because she’d been so trusting and it had been so unexpected. But the sad fact remained, Jake Griffin had stood her up on what was to be her very first date ever, and the sting of his betrayal wounded her like a gut-stabbing pain. She’d cried the night away and had the worst weekend in her young life. And now, he stood, with hands on hips, looking better than ever, lecturing her on prudent drinking habits.

“We both have things to do tomorrow. We should get some sleep. Let me walk you to your room,” he offered, reaching for her hand.

Her room? Heaven help her! It just dawned on her that she didn’t have a room. She’d gotten back late this afternoon with the tow truck, then made a spectacle of herself at the rodeo banquet before she’d finally found the right room and met with Brian and Alicia for their dinner. Immediately after that, she’d dashed into the rest room, cleaned up a bit and tried applying her hare-brained scheme of finding a date for the wedding in this bar. She’d been here for three hours and had completely forgotten to check in.

“I, uh…um. I don’t have a room, exactly.”

Jake lowered his head and searched her eyes. With a hint of confusion he asked, “You don’t have a room?”

“Yes, I do. I mean I have a reservation for a room, but with all the commotion, I forgot to check in.”

Jake ran a hand down his face. “Okay, come on. We’ll get you a room.”

Cassie took his hand and stood up. Her head reeled and the room spun out. She’d been too busy dancing to notice, but once she’d sat down, everything seemed to hit her all at once. “Uh…oh. I guess margaritas don’t mix well with antihistamines,” she said, trying to keep her balance.

“Oh, man, Cassie. You’re gonna have a whopper of a headache tomorrow.” He put his arm around her shoulder and leaned her into him. They walked slowly toward the reservation desk and that was perfectly fine with her. Cassie liked being in Jake’s arms. He felt solid and steady and he smelled so darn good.

No. No. Those were dangerous thoughts. Cassie’s mind was too jumbled up to think clearly, but she did remember that Jake Griffin was off-limits. She could fall hard for her real-life cowboy. He’d hurt her in the past and would probably cause her pain again if she weren’t careful.

When they reached the front desk, Jake swore. “Damn.”

“What?”

She squinted at the reservation desk through hazy eyes, noting the place swarming with grumpy and beleaguered senior citizens. The chaotic line wrapped around the hotel lobby. Their loud rants rattled around in her head as they shouted out politically correct obscenities to anyone who would listen. Their bus had broken down in the desert. They’d missed their special dinner. They were hungry. They were tired.

Cassie’s brain fuzzed out and her legs wobbled like Jell-O.

“We’re not waiting around,” Jake stated plainly.

With a quick, efficient move, Jake swept her up into his arms. “You’re bunking with me tonight.”

Jake carried Cassie to the elevator. She weighed next to nothing, it seemed, and felt darn good in his arms. Little did he know this afternoon when he’d spotted her at the rodeo banquet that he’d be carrying Miss Sexy Red Dress up to his room tonight. Of course, not for the desired reasons, he thought with wry amusement. Even Jake had standards. He had a second bed in his room and that’s exactly where he’d deposit her.

When Jake reached his floor, he headed for his room, ignoring smirks and curious stares of the passersby in the hallway as they noted the woman out cold in his arms. She’d fallen into a druglike sleep the minute he’d entered the elevator.

With his keycard, he unlocked the door and, with a shoulder shove, pushed through the doorway. He uttered a curse, noting the dishevelment surrounding him. He’d thrown down his equipment on the bed in a hurry this afternoon.

Cassie stirred in his arms and he quieted her with soothing words. It would be better for both of them if she stayed asleep. Having her wake up in his room, in his bed, would be too great a temptation. With efficient thoroughness he removed as much equipment from the beds as possible. He tossed ropes, chaps, gloves and other gear onto the floor, then folded back the blankets on one of the beds. With care, he set Cassie down on her back. Immediately, she nuzzled her face into the pillow and sighed with undisguised pleasure.

That sigh unnerved him and heat surged through his body with rapid speed. Sweat broke out on his forehead and he quickly swiped at it, backing away from the gorgeous woman lying on his bed.

Get a grip, Jake. You can’t get in bed with her. In fact, you’d better not touch her again tonight.

He was ready to cover her up with the blanket, but realized her shoes were still on. “Damn.”

He went to the lower end of the bed and hesitated, glancing at the leggy woman in the red dress. The material had bunched way up, exposing firm, shapely thighs, legs that cried out for his attention. Jake heaved a heavy sigh and slowly lifted one shiny black heel off her foot, then the other, careful not to touch her in any other way.

Jake tossed her shoes aside, covered her up to her chin and closed the drapes. In total darkness now, he might be able to forget that Cassie Munroe slept just three feet from him.

Cassie woke to the alluring aroma of fresh coffee. She opened one eye, then the other, and stared straight into the face of a cowboy. The man sitting on the opposite bed, dressed in Western gear, complete with a black Stetson, smiled. “Morning.”

Cassie blinked, then blinked again. She wasn’t dreaming. He was as real as Nevada heat and so was the hot mug of coffee sitting on the nightstand just inches from her face. She brought the covers up to her chin, probing her mind for answers. Slowly, and with great effort, she began to remember everything. Except how she got into this bed.

What happened last night…with Jake?

Heavens, it’d be just her luck to have a torrid night with the sexy cowboy and not remember a darn thing in the morning. “Morning…oh!” Her head and facial muscles ached. It actually hurt to talk.

“That bad?” he asked, sipping from his mug of coffee. “I would have let you sleep longer, but I didn’t know what time your brother’s wedding was.”

Brian’s wedding! Cassie bounded upright, then paid a heavy price for her quick move when her head spun. She slumped back down with a groan. “I have two questions. What time is it?”

“Ten-thirty.”

That was doable. The wedding wasn’t until later this afternoon. She had time for a quick makeover, hair and makeup after an abbreviated workout. She didn’t have to be at the river dock until four-thirty.

“And…” she began, swallowing past a lump in her throat. This was a more difficult question. Fear ran rampant through her body in anticipation of the wrong answer. “And…well, um, what exactly happened last night?”

Slowly she sat up, bringing the covers with her. She peered directly into Jake’s dark eyes.

“You sort of passed out.”

That much she remembered. It was the “after” part that she couldn’t recall. “I mean, between us, Jake?”

Jake rubbed the side of his nose and tried darn hard to conceal a grin. “Wish I could say I was unforgettable in bed, but guess not.” He chuckled, then added, “Nothing happened, Cassie. When we couldn’t get you a room last night, I brought you up here to sleep. And you slept, all night, in that bed, by yourself.”

Cassie let out the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you,” she said with great relief.

Jake sipped his coffee and eyed her. “Don’t be so quick to thank me.” A sinful smile graced his face. “I do have rules, like a woman has to be coherent when I make love to her.”

Warmth spread to her cheeks and a deep flush of heat traveled the length of her. What an appealing thought, she mused, making love with Jake. Instinctively she knew he’d be great in bed.

Biting her lip, she looked away, taking in the Spanish motif of the room with its intricately carved dark wood furnishings and pictures of haciendas and vaqueros on the adobe walls. How fitting that she’d wake up in such a room with a cowboy. She turned to him again. “I’m really sorry about last night.”

Jake removed his hat, tossing it on the bed. “Yeah, what was that all about, anyway?”

Cassie stared at the shiny black Stetson on the bed, imagining Jake wearing it and nothing else. The image flashing in her head brought hot tingles to her body. Cassie cleared her throat—and her mind. She had to get over her fascination with Jake Griffin. He was strictly off-limits.

“What was what all about?” She played dumb. She couldn’t bear for Jake to know she was so desperate for a date to Brian’s wedding that she’d actually set out to meet a man last night. Her plan had failed, and even if Jake hadn’t intervened with that bull rider, she was doomed to disaster. Brody had already told her he wasn’t sticking around after the rodeo. He had to head home, straightaway.

“Cassie, I doubt you’re the type of woman who goes around picking up strange—”

“I’m not,” she said in her defense. “I don’t do that sort of thing. In fact, I’ve pretty much sworn off men for the rest of my life.”

Jake cast her a dubious look then shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

No, he wouldn’t understand. And she wouldn’t tell him that she’d been a dismal failure with the opposite sex since the beginning of time, it seemed. Cassie didn’t want to try anymore. She was through coming up with the short end of the stick. She’d drawn her last short straw. She wasn’t going to play second fiddle again. To anyone.

Disheartened with the path her life had taken, she’d decided to take a stand. For once she was going to put her needs first. She had other things to focus on besides men…such as that promising new job she’d been offered. It was perfect. There wasn’t even a need for her to find a place to live. All the arrangements had been made for her. The job was set. All she needed to do was to show up in three weeks and sign the deal.

“It’s…complicated.” She reached for the mug of coffee and took a long sip. The hot liquid slid down her throat like soft velvet, soothing her nerves and helping to clear her head. “Coffee is good,” she said, gauging Jake’s reaction to her obtuse answer.

He stared at her a moment, smiled, then jammed his hat onto his head. “Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll get your bags out of your car and you can change your clothes.”

Cassie lowered the sheet a bit, noting that Jake had left her dress on last night. “Oh, yeah. I guess I’d better get going. I’ve got to check into my own room.”

“Where are your keys?”

Cassie pointed to her purse. “In there. I think I’m on level three. Neon-yellow Volkswagen Bug.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find your car. How many of those bright yellow Bugs could there possibly be?”

Cassie chuckled, but her mirth was stymied when Jake tossed her one of his shirts. The one he’d worn last night. “Put this on after your shower. I’ll be back later.”

Cassie watched him rummage through her purse, come up with the keys and head out the door. As soon as he was gone she undressed quickly and, on impulse, donned his light blue chambray shirt. She closed her eyes and turned her face to the collar, inhaling deeply, taking in his spicy scent. “Mmm.”

But then she snapped her eyes open instantly. She’d forgotten to give Jake the code to her car alarm. With the way things were going, hotel security might just arrest him for breaking and entering. She dashed to the door, took a step outside, catching sight of him at the elevators. “Jake!”

He didn’t hear her.

She called again, stepping farther into the quiet hallway. “Jake!”

Finally spotting her, he cast her a questioning look. She waved him over and he left the elevators, heading back to his room. She met him just outside the doorway, gripping tight the shirt she wore. “Cassie?”

“I forgot to give you—”

“Cassie!” Brian’s voice resonating in the hallway spelled out doom.

“Cassie!” Alicia’s sweet voice coming from the same direction spelled out unabashed interest. Cassie didn’t know which was worse. They approached her instantly, but both sets of eyes were on Jake.

Cassie wanted to melt into the floorboards. She wanted to wake up from this nightmarish dream. Neither was going to happen, so instead she looked her brother in the eye. “Good morning,” she said cheerily.

Brian grunted. Alicia grinned.

Cassie knew what they were thinking. What else would they think seeing her dressed this way, just outside the hotel door, with handsome Jake Griffin standing by her side?

“What’s going on?” Brian asked point-blank, staring straight into her eyes.

“Uh—”

“Oh, don’t be silly, Brian. Your sister’s a big girl,” Alicia interrupted. “And this is her date, right?” Alicia smiled at her and continued. “Brian and I worried that you’d made up that whole story about having a date when he didn’t show up with you for the rehearsal dinner. But it seems he made it here just in time for our wedding.”

“In more than enough time,” Brian said sourly, glancing at Jake then piercing her with a look. Things were spinning out of control and Cassie didn’t have a clue how to put a stop to it.

“Well, aren’t you going to introduce us?” Alicia asked, her eyes darting back and forth from Jake to her.

“Uh, of course.” Brian had never met Jake before. Her brother had been away at college for most of Cassie’s high school days. She put a hand on Jake’s arm, giving him a little pleading squeeze. “Jake Griffin, I’d like you to meet my brother Brian and his fiancée, Alicia.”

Jake shook hands with Brian. “Nice to meet you.”

Brian nodded, then Alicia stepped up to give Jake a big hug. “I’m so glad to meet you.”

“Nice meeting you, ma’am.”

Alicia blinked and cast Cassie an approving look. “Oh, he’s just precious, Cassie. Where did you two meet?”

Cassie hesitated, praying for divine guidance. “Uh, well, the truth is—”

Jake stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Cassie’s waist. “Cassie and I go way back, don’t we, honey?”

Cassie braved Jake a look, hoping to keep trepidation and fear out of her eyes. Yet she was grateful that he’d played along, for what it was worth. “Uh, yeah. Way back.”

“Well, isn’t that nice,” Alicia said. “We’ll want to hear all about that, later on. But right now I’m starving and Brian promised me a big breakfast, then it’s off to the hairdresser. C’mon, Brian. Let’s give these two some privacy. We’ll see them at the wedding.”

“Okay,” Brian agreed. “We’ll see you later, sis.” He bent to give her a kiss on the cheek then said a brisk goodbye to Jake. Cassie watched the two of them head down the hallway.

When they were out of sight, Jake took hold of her hand and led her back inside the hotel room. “Mind telling me what that was all about?”

Jake stood with hands planted on his hips, staring at Cassie. She made her way to the bed and slumped down, biting her lip. He took a seat on the opposite bed, facing her, waiting. She wore his shirt, looked damned good in it, too, and her exposed legs were enough of a distraction to keep Jake’s mind from sorting all of this out on his own. He needed Cassie’s explanation.

“This is embarrassing,” she said, “and I’m sorry you got involved.”

“Involved in what, Cassie?”

She looked into his eyes for a moment, then averted her gaze.

“Does this have something to do with that bull rider from last night?” Jake hoped not. For some bizarre reason, Jake’s gut clenched at the idea that Cassie might be interested in Brody Taylor, in any way, shape or form.

“Sort of. I, um, needed a date for my brother’s wedding. I, uh…oh, never mind. It’s stupid.” Cassie ran a hand down her face.

“Why is it so important that you have a date for your brother’s wedding?”

Cassie crossed one leg over the other, a move that sped up his heart. She shifted on the bed, restlessly, and the shirt she wore—his shirt—moved fluidly with her, tempting him with a peek or two of her creamy skin above the knee. Jake curtailed his own desire to concentrate on what Cassie had to say. She stared into his eyes for a moment, then on a long sigh, began to explain. “Because, my ex-fiancé will be there with his new wife, that’s why. Because the date I had for today isn’t coming. And because I didn’t want to face a crowd of people with pity in their eyes. It was bad enough yesterday at the rehearsal dinner when I showed up alone.”

Jake twisted his lips. He was beginning to get the picture, although for all he was worth, he couldn’t figure out why any man would dump Cassie Munroe. What had happened between them in high school didn’t count, in his estimation. He hadn’t dumped Cassie, but that night so long ago had been heart-wrenching for him and had changed his whole life. He couldn’t explain that to Cassie. He never spoke of that night to anyone. But that didn’t excuse the others who had treated her badly.