Before long he was removing her clothing and carrying her to a built-in bunk spread with a down comforter. From the small bed, she watched him undress in the dim yellow glow of the lamplight and as the soft shadows slipped fingers across his hard body, her throat thickened with emotions she didnt understand or even want to analyze.
This amazing man wanted her. Needed her. That was enough for now.
At Chillicothe, shed believed it impossible for Quint to thrill her more, to take her to even higher heights with his lovemaking, but somehow he did and it was a long time afterward before she could find the strength or composure to utter a word.
Lying in his arms, her body lax and replete, she rested her cheek upon his shoulder and savored the feel of his fingertips marking a gentle trail from her hip to her breast and back again.
What is this place? she asked drowsily.
Our hideaway, he murmured.
By now the candle had burned out and the single flame of the lamp mottled the chinked walls with golden splashes of light. Beyond the open windows and above the tops of the pines, she could see a portion of the black sky riddled with stars and at that moment it was impossible to think of a more beautiful place to be.
Her lips tilted to a dreamy smile. I mean before.
The cabin was here before Gramps built the ranch and we figured pioneers must have lived here long ago. At one time Gramps used it as a hunting cabin. But now hed rather feed the deer than shoot them. And so do I.
Do you come here often?
He shifted ever so slightly, and then she felt his lips brushing against the crown of her hair. It was such a sweet and loving contact that her throat suddenly stung with tears.
No. The last time I was here was more than a year ago, when I learned that my mother had kept a secret life from me and my sister, Alexa.
I heard bits and pieces about that even before I returned to Hondo Valley. Knowing your lovely mother, its still hard for me to imagine her having another family that no one knew about.
He sighed and Maura could only imagine what the ordeal with Frankie Cantrell had done to him. It hurt to think of him going through such emotional turmoil. Like her, everything hed believed in had been ripped asunder and she knew firsthand the deep wounds that deception left behind.
No one knew about her first marriage but my father, he said lowly. And he took the secret to his grave. Seems my parents decided that it would be too hard on Alexa and me to know that we had brothers in Texas, but couldnt associate with them. You see, Moms first husband was abusive. She was forced to run from him and didnt stop running until she reached Ruidoso. He must have been a real bastard. On the other hand there must have been some good in the man because my two half brothers are great guys.
She smoothed her palm across his broad chest. You get along with them?
Oh, sure. Why do you ask? Did you think I might resent them?
It would be only natural to feel resentment. Especially since Abe told me that your mother makes regular trips to Texas to see them.
His hand lifted from her hip and then his fingers pushed into her long hair to lift the strands away from her cheek and neck.
Id never be jealous of that. Mac and Ripp have families and she needs to be a part of their lives. She missed out on so much. And Alexa lives there now, too. So she has plenty of reasons to go there often.
You ever get the itch to move closer to your siblings? she asked thoughtfully.
Move from New Mexico? Away from Gramps? Never. This land is a part of my soul. And Gramps iswell, ever since Ive been big enough to walk, hes been my hero. With a throaty groan, he rolled her onto her back and poised his lips over hers. Besides, if I moved to Texas, youd have to come up here to the cabin by yourself. And that wouldnt be any fun at all.
No. Life without Quint would be boring and lonely, Maura thought. It was something she refused to think about. At least, for tonight.
How lucky for me that youre not a wanderer, she murmured, then latching her fingers around the back of his neck, she pulled his head down to hers and closed the last bit of space between their lips.
Chapter Eight
Two weeks later Maura stared numbly across the desk at her sister. It was past the clinics normal working hours and the last of Bridgets patients had left the building. All except Maura.
What did you say? Maura asked in a slow, dazed voice.
Her hands folded in front of her, Bridget leaned forward and in her no-nonsense manner, repeated, I said youre not suffering from an acid stomach. Youre going to have a baby. Id say in about eight months from now.
A baby! Howhow can that be?
Bridget smiled knowingly. You meet a man, chemistry clicks and before you know it the two of you are too close for comfort.
With a loud wail, Mauras head shook back and forth. Thats not what I mean! Im talking about birth control! How did it fail? All those years with Gil
Yeah. Thank God it didnt fail with him, Bridget muttered, then smiled at Maura as though she couldnt be happier. I suspect you unwittingly forgot a pill or two. Or it could be the dosage needs to be changed. In any case, do not take another one.
Dropping her head in her hand, Maura struggled to think past the shock of the moment to the past month or two, before shed fallen into bed with Quint Cantrell. Now that I think about it, I did get fouled up for a few days. Thats when Dr. Weston was hounding me and Id given the hospital notice to quit my job. I guess with all the stress I forgot to take a few pills. But I got back on schedule more than six weeks ago.
Bridget shook her head. Apparently the interruption was enough to give your reproductive organs a window of opportunity. And they took it.
Oh, God. How was she going to explain this to Quint? How on earth was he going to react to the news that he was going to be a father?
Trembling now, she rose from the wooden chair and began to pace around the small space of Bridgets office.
Oh, Brita, this is unbelievable! What am I going to do?
Bridgets brows arched with faint surprise. Why, Maura, there shouldnt be a question with you. Youre going to have the baby.
Stopping in her tracks, Maura bit back a yell of frustration. Of course theres no question about that! Every cell in my body loves and wants this baby. I was talking about the father! Hehe is not going to be pleased. In fact, I figure hes going to be outraged.
Frowning with doubt, Bridget asked, How do you know that? Ive always thought of Quint as a sensible, responsible person. At least thats how I always saw him in high school. Course I cant say much for him hanging on to that gold-digging Holly like he did. But I forgive him because he was young and it takes a man longer to wise up about life. Ill bet after all this time he can see what a narrow escape he made with that witch.
Stunned, Maura stared at her. How did you know the father was Quint? I havent told you anything about seeing him and
A sly smile spread across Bridgets face. Im not blind. Im your sister. And Ive been seeing the change in you since you went to work for old Abe. Then that night at the hospital, when Brady was there with the gunshot wound, I overheard you telling Dr. Weston, in no uncertain terms, to get lost and stay lost. I knew then that youd finally woken up and come out of your shell. And I figured Quint had to be reason. Abe is certainly too old to bring about that sort of change in you.
A sly smile spread across Bridgets face. Im not blind. Im your sister. And Ive been seeing the change in you since you went to work for old Abe. Then that night at the hospital, when Brady was there with the gunshot wound, I overheard you telling Dr. Weston, in no uncertain terms, to get lost and stay lost. I knew then that youd finally woken up and come out of your shell. And I figured Quint had to be reason. Abe is certainly too old to bring about that sort of change in you.
Groaning with embarrassment, Maura covered her face with her hands. Oh, Lord, you must be thinking Ive lost my mind. Hes so young and
A hunk to boot, Bridget finished for her, then let out a suggestive laugh. I think for the first time ever, my sister has really blossomed into the woman she should be. And Maura, just think, youre going to have a child! Finally! Oh, how I envy you!
Completely dismayed, Maura walked back over to Bridgets desk. Envy me? Are you crazy? Im divorced, single and pregnant. With a child whose father doesnt love me. Im sure youd jump at the chance to trade places with me.
Bridget shook her curly head. How do you know Quint doesnt love you? Has he told you that?
Mauras troubled gaze dropped to the floor. No. But he doesnt have to. What we haveits like you said a few moments ago. Just chemistry.
So you dont love him, either? Thats strange because I just cant imagine my big sister jumping into bed with a man she doesnt care about. Really care about.
Did she love Quint? For the past few weeks shed been telling herself that her heart hadnt taken that big of leap for the man, but deep down she had to admit shed only been fooling herself. She was wild about him. Crazy about him. She couldnt imagine life without him. If that meant she loved him, then she was definitely guilty.
So maybe I do care about him, she muttered. Maybe I do love him. That doesnt fix anything. He doesnt love me back. And he sure as heck doesnt want to get married.
Sighing, Bridget reached for a prescription pad and began to scribble instructions on it. Maura, you need to remember youre not dealing with Gilbert anymore. Quint is a real man. Not a jerk.
Standing, she moved around the desk and handed the scrap of paper to her sister. Heres a script for vitamins and something for your stomach. Take them all faithfully and try to eat right. Right now that little ones most important parts are developing. We want him to be healthy whenever he gets here. Or maybe its a she, Bridget added with a happy grin. I cant wait to see! Are you going to tell the family, or can I break the news?
Mauras mouth fell open. Shed not yet thought about her parents reaction to this news, or her other siblings. Shed always been the cautious, practical Donovan. Were they now going to see her as disgrace to the family?
Dont say anything just yet. I need a few days to come to terms with all of this and gather my wits about me. Im not sure I can face anyone with the news right now. Especially Quint. And he needs to hear this first.
A few minutes later as she left Bridgets office, Maura began to doubt the wisdom of holding her secret for a few more days. The longer she held this sort of news from Quint, the worse it would make things. Especially if Bridget accidentally let it slip to her family and the information got back to him before Maura had a chance to speak with him.
The thought of confronting Quint with this sort of life-changing news was twisting her nerves into knots and yet in spite of that, she was euphoric, thrilled to her very toes at the idea of a tiny life growing inside of her.
For years now shed had to push aside her desire for a child. And after the humiliating divorce with Gilbert, shed practically crossed out the idea that shed ever be a mother. But now a baby was actually growing inside of her. Quints baby! As far as she was concerned, it was a miraculous turn of events.
Nearly an hour later, when she parked in front of Abes house, her mind was still spinning as she tried to decide how to approach Quint.
This past Sunday, shed had a brief phone call from him, explaining that he and Jake were leaving for Clovis on Monday morning and werent planning to be back until Wednesday, which was today. The trip was to purchase a special herd of cattle and haul them back to the Golden Spur. Calling him tonight wouldnt be the wise thing to do, she decided, as she let herself into the house.
No doubt hed be tired and could possibly still be out on the range, moving the cattle to their new location. When she talked to him about the baby, she wanted his undivided attention. Early in the morning, before he became too deeply involved in work, shed call and suggest they meet somewhere private. Hed probably get the idea that she was calling to make a date for them to make love. And hed be partly right, she thought wryly.
Maura, is that you, honey?
Maura turned from putting her purse away to see Abe entering the living room. The look of concern on his face troubled her even more than she was already. She was here to see after Abes health. Not the other way around. But several times this past week hed caught her taking stomach medication instead of eating her breakfast and hed pestered her until shed promised to drive to town and visit the doctor.
Smoothing a hand over her hair, she wondered if she looked as unsettled as she felt. Im sorry Im so late getting back, Abe. My sister was very busy and had to work me in as her last patient.
Hmmph, he said with a snort. Youd think being a relative youd get special treatment.
Bridget always plays fair, she said, then looked at him more closely. Are you feeling okay?
Hell, yeah! Just worried about you. He took her by the arm and led through the small hallway toward the kitchen. Ive fixed you a nice little supper and I want you to sit and eat.
Abe
Its soup and crackers and iced tea. Itll soothe your stomach, he insisted.
Her heart melted. Abe wasnt a kitchen person. For him to take this much trouble for her was more than touching.
Okay, Ill try to eat a little, she told him. Let me go wash up and Ill be right back.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, Maura headed to the kitchen and found Abe at the cookstove. As she sidled up to him, he winked at her and she suddenly realized that no matter what happened with Quint, she would always have this mans love. It was a comforting thought.
Stirring the broth and noodles, he explained, Just giving the soup a little heat. Did that sister of yours give you something to fix your stomach?
Maura let out a heavy breath. Sort of.
Scowling, he practically shouted, What the hell does that mean? Cant she fix an upset stomach? You need to eat. Youre lookin gaunt.
Emotions clogged her throat and stung her eyes. She tried to push it all away, but it was like fighting a tidal wave. Joy and fear were carrying on a giant war inside of her and she didnt know how to make the two emotions call a truce.
Ill be fine, she said hoarsely. Its just going to take a while for me to get over this.
Lying the spoon to one side, he thoughtfully ran his fingers down his drooping mustache, then cut his sharp gaze directly to her face.
Why is that? You gonna have a baby?