The Heart of a Cowboy

When dinner was over, Case helped Sarah bring the plates to the sink. He rinsed as she loaded the dishwasher. At times they worked so closely, their hands brushing as he handed her one dish after another, Sarah felt the need to flee. She hadn’t been touched in such a long time, and twice today, Case had touched her. Once to catch her fall and now this. It was silly to feel so awkward around him. She’d known him a long time. He was her husband’s brother, uncle to her unborn child. But she also felt a sense of disloyalty, irrational; as it seemed that she was somehow betraying Reid by engaging in such domestic rituals with another man.

Get a grip, she warned herself, this is how it’s going to be from now on.

Case looked around the kitchen, nodding his head, claiming that the dinner was a success and the room was cleaned. Sarah had to burst his bubble. Her baby needed more than meat and potatoes to survive and so did she. She cleared her throat and smiled sweetly. “Case, thanks for the meal, but I think I’ll take over the cooking duties from now on.”

Case stood with both hands on his hips, pursed his lips and studied her for a time. “Thank God,” he said finally, surprising her.

“W-what? I thought you wanted to cook some of the meals?”

His lips parted with a devilish grin. “Hell no. I hate my own cooking.”

“Then, why did you offer?”

“Seemed like the right thing to do, Sarah. You nearly keeled over right in front of me today. I was afraid my being here was an added burden to you.”

That was true, but feeding him had nothing to do with it. It was the seeing him every night and waking up in the morning part of their arrangement, that Sarah disliked. She’d be living with her husband’s brother, a man she didn’t know all too well, a man she had a brief history with in the past. She’d put that part of her life behind her, only to have Case move in here and remind her all over again, about times she’d rather not recall.

And besides all that, she hated losing her privacy. She wasn’t always at her best, being eight full months pregnant. Some days she just wanted to scream down the walls and others she wanted to cry until there were no more tears left to shed. It didn’t set well that Case had to witness some of her less than perfect days. She was too tired to try to cover up her feelings from anyone, anymore.

“You made me eat charcoal steak and greasy potatoes, Case. That’s cruel and unusual punishment. From now on, we’ll have a well-balanced meal. The baby needs his vitamins.”

“If you say so,” he said, lifting dark eyes her way. She wore a pair of loose denim overalls with a tiny T-shirt top underneath. It was comfortable attire and she knew she must look like an overstuffed Mrs. Farmer John. Yet, his eyes traveled over her, grazing her with heat as he peered at her blossoming chest. Sarah had never been so well endowed. Her body was preparing for nourishing the baby and it appeared, Case had noticed. The appreciation she noted in his eyes brought forth tingles that ran the length of her spine. With one heated look, Case had the ability to make her forget she was eight months pregnant. With one look, he’d made her feel soft and feminine again.

Sarah cleared her throat. “I do. But tomorrow’s dinner will be a little bit late. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon in Prescott.”

“Who’s taking you?” Case asked immediately.

“Well, nobody. I’m driving in myself.”

“Like hell you are. What time is your appointment?”

“Three.”

“I’ll take you.”

“That’s really not necessary.” Sarah didn’t understand Case’s sudden involvement in her life. She’d made it clear that she wasn’t his responsibility. She didn’t want him watching out for her. She had to learn to get by without any help since she was going to be a single mother. Case was the last man she’d ever rely on. He’d proven time and again that he couldn’t be trusted. “I’m perfectly capable of driving to town, Case.”

He came up as close as he could get without crushing the baby and pinned her with a look. “And what if you get dizzy again? Then what?”

“I only get dizzy if I move too fast. And I’m being very careful about that.”

Case blew out a breath and the classic Jarrett pig-headed expression stole over his face. Sarah knew she’d be better off agreeing, since no amount of discussion was going to change his mind and she just wasn’t up for an argument. Having Case move back home had taken a definite toll on her today.

“Be ready at two, Sarah. I was meaning to get into town soon anyway.”

“If you insist, but you don’t really have to.”

He grunted his reply and strolled out of the kitchen.

Case settled himself on the back porch steps and took a swig of his beer. The golden liquid slid easily down his throat and quenched his thirst. Stretching out his long legs, he leaned on his elbows and glanced up at the stars, but Sarah’s image appeared, out of nowhere it seemed, and interrupted his peace. He’d been thinking about her all day. Couldn’t rightly get her off his mind.

That night years ago flashed into his head, like a moving picture and plagued his memory. Sarah had looked so beautiful in her flowing pale blue gown, standing there on the threshold, expecting Reid to pick her up for her much-anticipated senior prom. Reid had come down with the flu, but hadn’t wanted Sarah to miss out on the evening. He’d practically begged Case to don his rented suit and replace him for the evening. Case protested—he didn’t want to go to some fancy doings with his brother’s girl, but in the end, for his brother’s sake, he agreed.

The mistake was in not calling Sarah first, to let her know the situation. Reid argued that she wouldn’t go if she knew how sick he’d been, so Case agreed to tell her once he got to her house. But once he knocked on her door, Sarah gave him no time for explanations. The minute she saw him standing there in his brother’s suit, believing him to be Reid, she flowed into his arms and kissed him soundly on the lips. Case hadn’t expected the intense surge of passion that erupted within him. He hadn’t expected to enjoy Sarah’s lips moving over his or her sweet scent nearly buckling his knees.

On pure male instinct, he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue in her mouth. Incredible sensations wiped all rational thought clear from his head. He forgot all about his mission, the fact that Sarah could never be his.

They kissed deeply, Case pressing her back with small exquisitely sensual steps until he had her braced against the wall. Their bodies touched intimately, the whisper of satin crushed up against his groin. He couldn’t hide his arousal. He couldn’t get enough of her. He needed more, to touch her and continue touching her. He’d never been so taken by a female before. He’d never felt so overwhelmed and completely helpless to the sudden urges consuming him.

She arched back and he traveled kisses along her delicate throat. Her moans of pleasure caused him to throw all caution to the wind. He couldn’t think beyond absorbing Sarah into his heat. Within seconds, her dress was unzipped and his hands found the contours of her smooth back, his lips the beautiful swell of her breasts. She tasted better than heaven, better than anything he’d ever known. He wanted Sarah more than his next breath.

Intense desire seared through him like a burst of flames. He’d pressed himself closer and hiked up her pretty dress. The soft silky slide of her nylons gave way to bare flesh. She burned under his fingertips and moaned his name. His name. “Case, stop. You have to stop.”

Startled, Case did stop, looking Sarah dead in the eyes. How long had she’d known it was him and not Reid, he would often wonder. Why hadn’t she stopped him immediately?

Case slugged back another gulp of beer and shook his head, remembering. Sarah had been furious and called him every name under the sun. Denial played heavily on his lips, but he didn’t defend himself, he couldn’t. But to keep Reid from getting suspicious, he’d finally convinced Sarah to go to the party. They’d both agreed not to tell Reid what had happened and not to speak of it again. It was the only way Case could calm her down.

They’d spent an awkward tense night with Sarah hardly able to look at him. She hadn’t let him touch her. They hadn’t danced. Case knew Sarah thought he played a dirty trick on her. He couldn’t blame her—he’d always teased and tormented her in their younger days often times pretending he was Reid. But Case had to let her believe that he was just plain rotten, that he’d used her in a mean-spirited game rather than to let on to the truth. Because the truth was far worse and it had hit Case right smack between the eyes that night. He’d fallen for his brother’s girl. The girl Reid had professed to love since the age of fourteen. The girl Reid was going to marry.

Case cursed his bad luck and chugged down another swig of beer. The strong smell of liquor was soon replaced by a flowery scent that teased his nostrils as it drifted by.

“Case?”

Sarah’s soft voice from behind had him swiveling his head. She stood in the doorway, dressed in a short white cotton robe. His gaze riveted instantly to her legs, exposed from the knees down. They were still shapely, regardless of her pregnancy and he recalled how damn soft they’d felt when he’d slid his hand up her thigh and touched her there. He wanted that again. He wanted to hold her, kiss her and finish what they’d started that night. Damn. His whole body tightened, just looking at her. “Huh?”

“I forgot to tell you at supper that you had a few messages. Penny Applegate, Josie Miller and Reba Stokely called. They’d heard you were back in town and wanted to say hello.”

Case nodded and averted his gaze. The last thing he needed was to hook up with any of his old girlfriends. He’d had enough female trouble on the rodeo circuit to last him a lifetime. It’d be hell enough living with Sarah, much less getting involved with any other female right now. “What’d you tell them?”

“Only that I’d give you the message.”

He nodded and lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Consider it done. You going to bed now?”

“Yes. Uh, well, good night, Case.”

“’Night, Sarah.”

Case listened as Sarah entered her bedroom and closed the door. Good thing she decided months ago to move into the downstairs bedroom, he thought earnestly. At least, he wouldn’t be bumping into her in the middle of the night.

He finished his beer and rose slowly, trying to banish Sarah and those torturous memories from his head. He cursed his bad luck once more, thinking of the lonely nights ahead and the promise he’d made to his brother. He’d take care of Sarah and the baby for as long as necessary and she’d never know why he’d really come home. Her stubborn pride wouldn’t have it. Case knew undoubtedly if he’d told her of Reid’s deathbed plea, she’d become indignant and refuse his help.

Case needed to do this. He had demons to chase and guilt to absolve. He wouldn’t let Reid down again.

But it wouldn’t be easy. Sarah barely tolerated him. She didn’t want him on the ranch. And she didn’t trust him worth a damn.

Two

Case was used to fast speeds and quick action, but he deliberately took it slow with Sarah seated beside him in the truck. She sat as far away as possible and glanced out the window rather than make conversation with him. He knew he’d bullied her into agreeing to this, but darn it, she could grant him a smile once in a while, couldn’t she?

“What’s the doctor’s name?” he asked.

“Dr. Michaels.”

“Never heard of him,” he said conversationally.

“She came to town about a year ago.”

Case raised a brow. “She specialize in delivering babies?”

Sarah turned to him and nodded. “She’s an OB/GYN, if that’s what you mean. She has a great reputation. Reid and I researched all the doctors in the area and she seemed to have the best credentials. I have a lot of faith in her.”

“That’s good, Sarah. When’s the baby due exactly?” he asked. He had one more rodeo event scheduled this month, but he wouldn’t go, if it were close to the baby’s due date.

“I’ll know more after today’s appointment, but Dr. Michaels thinks the baby will come in about four weeks.”

“You and Delaney go to those classes and all?”

“Yes. She took me to six childbirth classes. She promised to come back when it’s time. She’ll be a great labor coach, having gone through it twice already.”

Case shuddered at the thought of witnessing the baby’s birth. Selfishly, he was glad Sarah had Delaney to rely on to be there for the delivery. Case had pulled many a calf and pony in his day, but it ended there. He knew nothing about delivering babies.

When their brief conversation died, Case glanced at Sarah out of the corner of his eye. So pretty, he thought, with her long golden hair blowing in the breeze. He witnessed her tucking the strands that had brushed her cheeks, back behind her ear. He wished he had the right to run his fingers through her hair, to let the golden lights play over his hand.

She was a feisty one, though, with her chin raised indignantly. She wasn’t going to make today easy on him. But he’d secretly admired that trait in her. He’d put her through a lot as kids, but she’d never buckled under. One thing about Sarah Johnston, she always came out swinging.

The usual thirty-minute ride into Prescott took Case over forty-five, going ten miles under the speed limit, just to make sure Sarah was comfortable. He’d been careful on the pitted road not to hit any big potholes.

Once in town, Sarah directed him to Dr. Michaels’s office building. She was nearly out the door, before he stopped the truck. “Thanks, Case. You can come by for me in about an hour.”

“Hey,” he said, bounding out of the truck in time to help her down. She hung on to his arm, mostly for balance as he helped her feet hit the ground. He’d like it fine if she’d keep her hands on him, but she pulled away from him real quick. “Not so fast. I’d like to come and meet the doctor.”

“W-why?” she said, curiously.

“Why? This is the doctor who’s going to deliver my nephew, isn’t it?”

“Could be a niece, Case. We don’t know for sure and yes, Dr. Michaels will do the delivery.”

“Well then, I’m coming with you.”

“But, I thought you had errands to run in town.”

“That can wait. This is more important.” Although the thought of the delivery scared the dickens out of him, Case was just plain curious about this whole birth process. He needed to understand things, like how would he know that Sarah was in labor? What were the signs? What if Sarah had trouble?

Another shudder ran down his spine. Damn, the whole thing made him jittery.

“I don’t know, Case,” she said, a doubtful expression marring her face. There was mistrust there, too, along with a large dose of reluctance.

“You can decide inside,” he said, glancing at his watch, then taking her arm gently. “Or you might be late for your appointment.”

Once inside the office, Case took a seat next to Sarah in the waiting room. For all anyone knew, they must have appeared like a loving expectant married couple. Case breathed in her subtle flowery scent, noted her shapely legs peeking out from her pretty dotted dress and marveled at the serene glow on her sweet face. Damn, being near Sarah still had a powerful effect on him. If he could claim Sarah as his, he would and be done with it, and they’d really be the loving couple they seemed to portray. But Case knew beyond a doubt that would never happen.

“Mrs. Jarrett,” the medical assistant called from an opened doorway.

Sarah struggled to rise. Case stood and helped ease her up slowly. He laid a hand on the small of her back and guided her to the door. She stopped and turned to him. Case didn’t want to bully her again. This had to be her decision. “I’d really like to come in with you, Sarah,” he said softly.

Sarah stared into his eyes for a moment and he noted wariness mixed with reluctance, but when she relented with a brief nod, Case felt a small sense of relief that he’d won this round with her. The medical assistant led them into a small examining room. There, the assistant asked Sarah to step up onto the scale. “Don’t look,” she said firmly, before she took off her shoes to get on.

Case stifled a chuckle and glanced out the window. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He’d never understand a woman’s vanity. Sarah was as big as a house, beautifully so, but still she worried that he’d find out how much she weighed.

After her temperature and blood pressure was taken, Dr. Michaels walked into the room and stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed Case. Confusion mingled with uncertainty and she gave Sarah a questioning look. “Mrs. Jarrett,” she said, darting a glance from her chart to Case and back. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression—”

“Oh,” Sarah said quickly, “this is Case Jarrett, Dr. Michaels, my husband’s brother.”

“Identical twins?” she asked, realization dawning instantly.

“Yes,” Sarah answered.

Case put out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

After blinking once, Dr. Michaels took his hand. “Nice to meet you, too. Are you planning on attending the birth, Mr. Jarrett?”

“No, he’s not,” Sarah put in. “My sister will be here for the delivery. You might remember her. She took me to all my appointments during the summer.”

“Yes, I do remember her. Well, then, let’s get started. You’re due for an ultrasound, I see.”

After the doctor did an assessment of Sarah, checking, measuring and answering her questions, the assistant brought in the ultrasound machine. “Here we go,” Dr. Michaels said, once Sarah was all hooked up. “You might want to stand a little closer to Sarah’s side of the bed, Mr. Jarrett. The screen isn’t very large.”

Case positioned himself by Sarah’s side and watched in utter fascination as the doctor applied a jellylike substance to Sarah’s abdomen, then moved an instrument around slowly. The picture on the screen appeared to take form and Case witnessed a miracle in the making. Awestruck, he asked Dr. Michaels, “That’s the baby?”

“Uh-huh, but the little babe doesn’t want to turn so we can see the sex. Healthy one, though.”

“Are you sure, Doctor?” Sarah asked, motherly concern apparent on her questioning expression.

“He looks fine to me, Sarah. The baby’s got a steady strong heartbeat.”

Case watched the baby move around on the screen. He glanced at Sarah, captivated by the look of joy and serenity on her face. He was so moved, he had to put his hand on her shoulder. Surprisingly she reached up to touch his hand. The contact ripped right through him and the solid rhythm of his heartbeat went a little crazy.

“He’s beautiful, isn’t he, Case?”

“Couldn’t agree with you more,” he said, completely taken by the moment. “He’s so small.”

“But it doesn’t feel that way to me,” she said softly.

“No, I don’t suppose.”

Case cleared his throat, humbled by what he was witnessing. “But he or she is keeping us in suspense. Don’t know if we should paint the nursery blue or pink.”

Sarah slowly lowered her hand away. “The room is yellow and green, Case. Delaney and I already painted it.”

The magic of the moment was suddenly gone. Sarah had made herself perfectly clear. She wasn’t including him in with her plans for the baby. He couldn’t say he blamed her, with him showing up spur of the moment and expecting…what had he been expecting? He knew damn well Sarah wouldn’t welcome him home. But he was the baby’s uncle. He did have some rights in that regard.

“I’d like to speak with Dr. Michaels privately now, Case.” she said gently.

He nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll be in the waiting room.”

Dr. Michaels shot Case a thoughtful expression, then handed him a brochure about what to expect when the baby comes. “Here you go. Interesting reading, when you get the time.”

“Thanks, ma’am,” he said, grateful for small favors. “Appreciate it.”

Case sat in the waiting room staring blankly at the brochure. For a minute there, he thought Sarah was softening toward him. They’d shared a moment of sheer joy and fascination, witnessing the baby make its subtle movements. Case had never experienced anything quite so awe-inspiring. And the look on Sarah’s face was worth a thousand eight-second rides.

From behind, he heard Sarah’s voice. She was making her next appointment at the reception desk. Case stood and faced her. She smiled tentatively and he walked toward her.

“Ready to go?” she asked.

“I’m about famished. C’mon, we’re going out to dinner. Anywhere you want.”

Case silently groaned when Sarah suggested a diner notorious for health food salads and soy dishes. The lady certainly wasn’t going easy on him. No sir. And soft sweet Sarah knew exactly how to hit a man below the belt.

He put a hand to her back and led her out to the truck. “Tofu Sally’s, it is,” he said, unruffled. “I can hardly wait.”

Sarah shuffled her salad around on her plate, aware of Case’s eyes on her. He’d been watching her intently as they sat at the diner and ate their meal. He’d already polished off two veggie sandwiches without complaint and was working on peach pie with two scoops of some soy concoction of ice cream.

“So, the good doc thinks the baby will arrive right on schedule?” he asked, after taking in a forkful of pie.

“Yes, four weeks and counting,” she replied.

“And Delaney will be able to get away in time?”

“Yes, she’s going to leave the girls with her neighbor during the day. Her husband Chuck will be able to handle the rest. She’s going to stay at the ranch one week.”

“Good. That must take a load off your mind.”

“It does. I don’t know…” she began and the urge to cry suddenly reached up and grabbed her. Overwhelming feelings of melancholy, of grief, of her gratitude toward her sister, descended on her at once. She managed to hold back tears, but her voice cracked a little. “I d-don’t know what I w-would have done without her d-during the h-hard times.”

The usual hard edge in Case’s eyes softened a bit, and he said carefully, “Your sister wants to help you, Sarah. She loves you.”

“I know. It’s just that she’s sacrificed so much already for me.”

“Delaney wouldn’t think of it that way.”

Her sister had postponed their family vacation to Hawaii just to stay with her for the summer. She’d left her husband for weeks at a time, and disrupted her household. Sarah hated asking anything more of her. Being an independent soul and having lost her parents at a young age, Sarah had gone all through her adult life without depending on anyone. Except Reid. But that was different, she surmised because married people were supposed to help and support one another. Without Reid by her side, Sarah knew she’d be on her own. The grandmother who raised her and Delaney passed away three years ago.

If she had to, she’d face childbirth alone, too, but Delaney insisted she wanted to be a part of the baby’s birth. She’d been enthusiastic about the delivery and so caring that Sarah would never be able to fully repay the favor, or show Delaney just how much her selfless help had meant to her.

“Delaney has been wonderful,” she said, thinking aloud.

Sarah noticed that Case had stopped eating. Half a slice of pie still sat on his plate. Oh Lord, that’s all she needed. Make the man feel so sorry for you that he loses his gigantic appetite, Sarah. “Your ice cream is melting, Case.”

He grinned and lifted his spoon. “Never could take a teary-eyed woman.”

“I’m not teary-eyed,” she said with indignation. It was better to spar with Case than have him feel sorry for her. Sarah hated the moods that came hand in hand with pregnancy. Often she knew she was being irrational or just plain difficult, but she was powerless to stop it.

“Yes, ma’am.”

A dollop of ice cream landed on his chin and stayed there. Without conscious thought, Sarah leaned over and wiped away the droplet with her finger. Case grabbed her finger gently and peered deep into her eyes, holding her hand to his chin. Temptation and danger cast a dark spark in his gaze. Sarah’s heartbeats sped up just looking into those eyes. His touch did things to her, things she didn’t want to encourage or entertain yet she’d certainly felt it and was powerless to slow the pace of her heart. “If you were any other woman,” he said, letting her imagination take hold, “this might have gotten interesting.”