And Baby Makes Three

They would have something going for them most newlyweds didn’t have-a ready-made child they both loved. In that regard he and Catherine shared an unassailable bond. It was what had brought them together. Who knew what the future might hold for them?

In two days she’d become so important to him he felt a stunning sense of loss at the thought of never seeing her again. Nothing close to this had happened to him before, except for the way he’d felt about Jenny when they’d first been introduced.

He knew for a fact that, having met Catherine, he would pursue her under any cir cum stances. But with the minutes ticking away, and no sign of her, he had to conclude she couldn’t bring herself to say yes to him, not even with Bonnie as the prize.

Cole unconsciously pounded the flat of his hand against the steering wheel. He could swear she was aware of the instant chemistry between them. Hell, he knew she could feel it. The tension between them was palpable.

But he had to remember Catherine had been deprived of her family from birth. She’d obviously struggled through her teens. Clearly she’d been let down by the man who’d impregnated her.

After the miscarriage she would have been devastated, yet she’d gone on to make a total success of her life. She couldn’t have achieved her goals without using her native intelligence to make unimpulsive decisions.

By proposing marriage, he’d asked something of her that meant she not only had to let go of old fears, she had to trust him and herself enough to face the unknown. Hopefully the possibility of raising Bonnie was reason enough for her to make that leap of faith.

Going on the hunch that she needed more time to make up her mind, he started the car and drove three blocks to a convenience mart he’d passed on the way.

Alighting from the seat, he went inside for a cup of coffee. Once back behind the wheel, he decided it was time to make the phone call he’d been putting off. Whether she was at work or home, he could reach her on her cell.

She picked up on the second ring and said hello.

“Brenda? It’s Cole.”

“At last- I know how much you’re hurting. I guess I was beginning to wonder if I’d hear from you before the weekend.”

This was the last time.

“Buck’s death has set me back, no doubt about it. But I’m dealing with another issue right now.” He paused. “I’m afraid it’s going to prevent me from seeing you again.”

“You don’t need to lie to me,” she said in a brittle tone. “I know I don’t measure up to Jenny. No woman does.”

Her comment didn’t faze him. Like a glorious rainbow over the Rubies following the most violent of storms, Catherine’s unexpected appearance had changed the entire landscape of his life.

But Brenda didn’t need to know that. He expelled a controlled sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I. It’s been ten years. You should have gotten over her by now, Cole.”

The sound of the click came as a relief.

He finished his coffee, then backed away from the curb and headed for Catherine’s once more.

Bringing another colleague up to speed on the case coming into Girls’ Haven had taken longer than Catherine had realized. It was six-twenty before she turned the corner of her street so fast her rear wheels squealed.

She strained to discover if Cole’s rental car was parked out in front. When she couldn’t see it, her heart pounded sickeningly. He’d said six o’clock and it appeared he’d meant it!

Suddenly any misgivings she might still have been entertaining about the wisdom of marrying him vanished. She wanted Bonnie, and so help her she wanted Cole too, but it looked like she was too late!

He would have come for an answer. Not finding her here, he’d gone. For all she knew he was halfway to the airport and she’d never see him again-

Like a drowning victim her life flashed before her, giving her glimpses of the three of them living in that glorious piece of heaven. But the thrill of it only lasted a moment, because it was a dream she hadn’t reached for in time.

Too many old demons about trust issues had clouded her thinking. She’d taken too long to make up her mind. Now all could be lost.

Shattered by the realization, she doubled over the steering wheel in pain. She might not have known Cole for more than a few days, but she knew enough to under stand he was a man of action.

Once he made up his mind about something, he didn’t deviate from it. Those who couldn’t meet that high standard were left in the dust. One way or another he would claim his brother’s child, only Catherine wouldn’t be a part of it, and it was her fault.

Maybe it wasn’t too late to catch up to him, wherever he was-

Unfortunately he’d never given her his cell number. If she wanted to get in touch with him she would have to phone the ranch and leave a message.

But she didn’t dare do that. Cole had done everything to ensure this matter remained ultra-private. Too much was at risk for her to make a call that might alert his family and raise unwanted questions.

Barring another visit to the ranch, which would be a disaster, she didn’t know how to contact him without letting anyone else know.

Unable to stem the tears gushing down her hot cheeks, she opened the car door with every intention of making it inside her condo before someone saw her. But as she swung her legs out into the heat, she found her way blocked by a powerful male body.

“Cole-” she cried, on a little sob of joy he couldn’t have helped but hear.

He stared down at her, studying her moist face with an intensity she could feel travel the whole length of her body.

“How am I supposed to interpret those tears?” he asked in a thick-toned voice.

The time for truth had come. She would never get another chance.

“I was late b-because I had a lot of thinking to do.”

Like the sun penetrating a dark cloud, his eyes filled with light. “But the point is, you came.”

She moistened her lips nervously. “I had to. I love Bonnie too much to let her go without a fight. If I become your wife, we’ll have the optimum chance to win custody.”

Beneath the expensive brown silk sport shirt he was wearing, his chest rose and fell visibly, a sign of vulnerability she wouldn’t have guessed at considering he kept such a tight control on his emotions.

“We’ll be taking solemn vows in a little while. There’ll be no going back,” he declared with a refined savagery, reminding her he was a cattle king with an iron hand and those exceptional gifts. The idea that he was about to become her husband sent another shiver through her body.

“No.”

“If the judge grants our petition, our marriage is for real.” His eyes trapped hers. “You do under stand that?”