Baby in the Bargain Read online

  Willamenia stood and walked toward the sink. Her arms hugged her body. “I don’t know. Oh, I don’t know. He may get mad and throw me off. I’ve got nothing left until the breed money comes in.”

  She heard Lee’s chair scrape across the floor as he rose. His boot steps came up behind her, and the warmth of his palms caressed her shoulders.

  “You’ve got me, Willamenia.”

  Tears welled again.

  “Money isn’t important. If I have to dig ditches to support you and Alli, I will do it willingly. I don’t think that’s going to happen, but we have to be honest with your father.”

  She nodded. “My pride got in the way two years ago. I won’t let it get in the way again. All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved. When you left, it broke my heart. Nothing seemed to be working. However, it was a valuable lesson.”

  “What lesson was that?”

  She turned and gazed into his face. “I learned I can’t live without love.”

  His gaze searched hers. With her heart laid bare, Willamenia watched as his face lowered to hers. She turned her head slightly so that their lips came together. Her anticipation rose. Her fingers clutched at the excess of his shirt. Soft, feathery, he brushed his lips across hers as if testing her reaction. Her heart beat a little faster with each sweep. The knot in her stomach rose and twisted.

  “Oh, Willamenia,” his voice growled, and he crushed his lips to hers.

  The kiss sent her senses spiraling. His arms surrounded her with the security she desperately needed. She pressed closer, wishing somehow to be absorbed by his warmth. Her hand opened out, and she could feel the steady thump of his heart beneath her palm. Yes, yes, this was what she wanted. Lost in the embrace, she nearly missed the jangle of her cell. About the third ring, her common sense returned.

  “Lee.”

  His name seemed to shatter against her lips. As heartbreaking as it was, she pushed away. “My phone. It might be Dad.”

  He took an awkward step back, and on wobbly legs, she crossed to her purse in the chair and retrieved her phone. Pulling it together, she answered. “Hello? Dad?”

  “Hey, Willamenia, I thought I’d better call.”

  A glance of alarm brought Lee to her side.

  “Is everything all right?”

  Lee’s arms encircled her, and she put the phone on speaker.

  “Lee’s here with me, Dad. How’s Grandpa?”

  “Good. Am I on speaker?”

  “Yes.”

  “Lee?”

  “Mr. Cogsdale?”

  “This isn’t what I planned, son. We’ve run into something here, and it looks like I’m going to be spending a few days at the hospital with my dad. I’m going to need you to take over my training schedule. Willamenia knows where my notes are.”

  “Is Grandpa okay?” Willamenia’s voice shook.

  “Your Grandpa had an episode tonight, one very similar to what happened at the house. Luckily the doctor was here. They think he might have a blocked artery. They are going to do some tests tomorrow, and if they find it, there’s some surgery.”

  “Balloon surgery?” Lee asked.

  “Yeah. They are just worried about doing it at his age.”

  “I can understand,” Willamenia whispered. “Dad, I know this is not the right time, but I—we—need to talk to you.”

  The phone was silent until they heard, “Are you finally ready to admit Lee is Alli’s father?”

  Willamenia’s eyes widened. “How…?”

  A soft chuckle followed. “That was the only explanation, honey. But the more I pressed, the more you resisted. So like your mother. Lee’s a good man, Willamenia. You need to let him into Alli’s life.”

  “I plan to be a part of her life, Mr. Cogsdale. In fact, if she will have me, I would be honored to make her my wife.”

  “You’re asking me to marry you?” Willamenia’s eyes widened. “After all my deception?”

  “I love you, Willamenia. I always have. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than spend my life making you happy.”

  “Willamenia, what do you say, girl?” her father asked.

  Her heart swelled. “I didn’t think I could love you more, Lee Hawks, but I’d be honored to become your wife.”

  He took her hand and pressed it against his lips.

  “Sir, do I have your blessing?”

  “You do indeed.”

  Epilogue

  Willamenia stood at the fence and watched her husband walk the big roan gelding around the ring. Alli sat in front of her father, holding on to the saddle horn and grinning from ear to ear.

  “He’s doing a fine job.” Her father’s voice echoed across the yard.

  “Dad! You’re home.” Willamenia turned to her father and hugged him tight. “How was the trip?”

  “Fine. I’m glad Mr. Davis shifted it back a couple of weeks. He got a fine deal on a brood mare. He’s already talking about breeding her to Silverheels.”

  They shared a laugh.

  “And Grandpa? How is he doing? Alli and I went over the other day, and he was puttering around in the barn.”

  “He’s doing so much better. The doc seems to think he will make a full recovery by the end of the month. The nurse is going to stay on for a few more days. He’s still fit to be tied that he wasn’t able to be at the courthouse when you two tied the knot.”

  “I know, but I didn’t want to wait another minute.” Willamenia sighed and gazed down at the gold band that encircled the third finger of her left hand.

  “I can understand.” Her father nodded and draped a hand over her shoulder. “I’m so glad you and Lee worked things out.”

  “Mr. Cogsdale, howdy.” Lee called out as he pulled the horse to a halt.

  Willamenia slid between the rails and reached up for her daughter so her husband could dismount.

  “Looks like we’ve got another cowgirl in the making.”

  Lee grinned. “She’s a natural. It must be in the genes.”

  Stepping down from the horse, he reached out to shake his father-in-law’s hand. “What brings you by?”

  “Well, I was hoping to invite you and Willamenia to the house on Sunday. With Grandpa home now, I think a good old-fashioned family dinner is in order.”

  “I’d be honored, as long as he promises not to shoot out my tires again.”

  Jeremiah Cogsdale chuckled. “I’ve hidden his shotgun.”

  “Good.”

  “I want you to know how happy I am that you’ve joined the family, Lee. Mr. Davis has come by to see the horses we were working with, and he’s offered you a job as trainer, if you’d like to take it.”

  Lee glanced at his wife and grinned. “I’d be honored, sir.”

  Jeremiah stepped back and scratched the back of his head. “You know, we have to do something about this ‘sir’ business. I hope that one day soon you can see your way to calling me ‘Dad’ instead.”

  Lee beamed. “Sure, Dad, I’d be honored.”

  “Good.” Jeremiah smiled. “Oh, Willamenia, your grandfather said you need to get started on that promise you made to him.”

  “Promise?” Lee looked at his new wife.

  Willamenia blushed.

  “What promise?”

  “He wanted me to marry you and fill the house with beautiful children just like Alli.”

  Lee chuckled.

  “Well, tell Grandpa that’s one promise I plan on keeping. Anything for a baby in the bargain.”

  A word about the author…

  Growing up in the south, Tessa Berkley immersed herself in history. She uses her imagination to create fantastic characters on a broad story canvas. Drawn to the romance of the West, she finds her heroes in ranch life and the cowboys who live there. Whether they ride the range in the 1850s or drive a pickup truck, Tessa welcomes you to join her and be swept away with the touch of a brim.

  http://tessaberkley.wix.com/tessaberkleyromance

  ~

  Other Books by Tessa Berkley
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  Available from The Wild Rose Press

  Castillo’s Fiery Texas Rose

  Road to Glory

  Incident at Cold Creek

  Baby On His Doorstep

  And watch for more of the Babies of Cactus Gulch to appear as part of the Boots and Babies series…

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