Daddy with a Deadline (14 page)

H
OW WILL
I ever give the twins everything they need?
Annie wondered as she wheeled her cart through the baby aisle at Meyer’s Market. Her children didn’t even have decent beds. The bassinettes did look like picnic baskets on steroids, although she’d never admit it to Trent.

As Annie turned the corner, she almost crashed into Sara’s cart. “Hey, lady, watch where you’re going. You need another driving lesson,” her friend teased.

“I’ll have you know I drove to the market myself. Pete didn’t die once.”

“Is Pete the name of the car? The one your cowboy gave to you?”

“He’s isn’t my cowboy. And he didn’t give me the car. It’s a loaner. Just until Eloise is repaired.”

“When’s the last time you saw your benefactor?”

“Yesterday. I drove out to the ranch.”

“Good move. Did you spend some time with Trent?”

“I watched him work with his horse Wildfire. Trent’s wonderful with horses, and his ranch is awesome. We even took a walk.” Annie sighed. “But I shouldn’t have gone.”

“Why not, for goodness’ sake?”

“I’ve already spent too much time with the man. He called this morning and offered to bring me Rosa’s enchiladas for supper, but I told him I was busy.”

“So you’d rather eat alone than spend time with a man you really like? Sorry, I don’t get it.”

“I have to manage on my own. Trent’s only here for a little while. I can’t get attached.”

“But the man likes you, Annie. A lot.”

“He feels obligated. There’s a difference.”

Sara shook her head and sighed. “So where are you headed after shopping?”

“Home. To indulge in frozen pizza and watch some mindless television.”

“Now that sounds exciting.”

“Doesn’t it? See you later, Sara.”

“You’re making a mistake,” Sara called. “A big mistake.”

Annie ignored Sara’s comment. But in truth, returning to her empty house didn’t seem so appealing. And she tried to forget how yummy Rosa’s enchiladas tasted. But worst of all, she missed Trent. She’d seen him just yesterday and missed him already.

When Annie approached her house, she spotted Trent’s truck in her driveway. Her pulse picked up speed as she pulled Pete to the curb and climbed out.

Hmm. The truck was here, but she saw no sign of the cowboy.

Mrs. Higginbotham came hurrying down the sidewalk. “I hope I didn’t do anything wrong,” she said. “I told that man you went shopping and you’d be home soon. But he was extremely persistent.”

Hmm. A perfect description of Trent Madison.

“Since I’ve seen his truck here a lot, I figured he was a friend, so I agreed.”

Mrs. Higginbotham wrung her handkerchief, and her face turned cherry red. Knowing the woman’s blood pressure spiked
under stress, Annie patted her hand. “Don’t worry, Mrs. H. Um, what, exactly, did you agree to?”

“I gave that cowboy the key to your house.”

“You did what?” Annie tried not to screech out the words but didn’t quite succeed.

Mrs. H bit her lip. “I gave him the key. So he could work on the surprise.” The serious wringing of the handkerchief continued and her face looked redder than ever.

Deep breath
, Annie told herself.
Deep breath
. “I’m glad you gave him the key,” Annie finally said. “You know how I love surprises. Now go make yourself some chamomile tea and put your feet up for a while.”

“If you’re sure everything’s OK.”

“Everything’s just peachy. Thanks for helping out.”

“You’re welcome.”

Annie watched her neighbor till she reached her porch steps. When the woman turned to wave, Annie waved back. Then she stomped up her own steps. The nerve of Trent Madison! To wheedle a house key out of poor Mrs. Higginbotham! He’d better have an earthshaking reason for his behavior. Like a house fire or a burglary in progress. Anything less and she’d call the police and send him straight to jail!

“Not half bad,” Trent said as he studied the crib he’d just constructed. At least one of the twins would have a bed. A great, top-of-the-line bed.

Annie’s babies should not sleep in picnic baskets. And Trent was here to see that didn’t happen. He took a swig of the soda he’d brought along and started assembling bed number two.

Trent whistled as he worked. Just like the seven dwarves. Hmm, maybe a dwarf theme would be good for the nursery. Annie’s boys, if that’s what she was having, would prefer that
to those silly woolly lambs. Or teddy bears in dresses! No self-respecting boy could stomach that froufrou stuff.

Trent worked quickly, hoping to vacate the premises before Annie returned. That would postpone his imminent death a while longer.

“Trent Madison? What are you doing in my house?”

Annie’s voice sounded louder and shriller than usual. Trent glanced at the window and considered climbing out.

“Nothing much,” he called back.

“Breaking and entering is a crime. Where are you anyway?” Her voice became more piercing with each word.

“In the nursery.”

“What are you up to now?” she demanded.

“Come and see.” Trent eyed the window longingly but stayed to face the music. It wouldn’t be a soothing sonata—more like a screechy violin solo in a minor key.

Annie stormed into the room with a bag of groceries tucked under her arm. Her cheeks had flushed to a becoming shade of pink, and her blue eyes sparked fire. “You bought the beds!” she yelled. “After I told you specifically that I needed to wait a while longer, you went ahead and bought the beds!”

She had him there. He’d done exactly that.

Annie planted her hands on her hips. “Since the day we met, you’ve ignored every word I say.”

“Not
every
word.”

“And your antics could have sent Mrs. Higginbotham to the hospital. She has high blood pressure and doesn’t manage stress well. And...and neither do I.” The peachy color of her cheeks turned to watermelon red.

“Slow down, Annie. Here. Give me those groceries.” Trent lifted the bag from her and set it on the floor. Then he tucked a runaway curl behind her left ear. “Calm down, Annie. You shouldn’t get so excited.”

“You’re the reason I’m so excited!”

“You mean I excite you?” Trent knew he shouldn’t go there. Turned out he was right.

Annie strode toward him and began beating on his chest. The woman was a powerhouse when pushed too far. And he’d overstepped the limit big time.

Trent caught her hands and held tight. “Will you please sit down, Annie? I’ll get you a glass of soda and...”

“I don’t drink soda. It’s bad for the babies.”

“Then milk. I’ll get you a glass of milk. And when I come back we’ll talk this out. If you’re still mad you can beat on me some more. Or call the police. Deal?”

When she didn’t answer, Trent steered her toward the rocking chair, but she refused to sit. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her down. When she finally sat, he breathed a relieved sigh. “Good girl. I’ll be right back. With milk.”

Trent headed for the kitchen, glad to escape the wrath of Annie Samuels. He’d never seen her livid until now. Hopefully she didn’t have a weapon handy, or his number would be up.

When he returned to the nursery, she sat with her arms crossed in front of her. Fury lit her eyes, and her cheeks still held their flush.

“Before you have me arrested, may I explain?”

“What’s to explain? I’m living my life the best I can under difficult circumstances. You keep trying to rearrange it. I work with a budget. And whether or not it makes sense to you, I have a plan.”

Trent knelt and took Annie’s hands. “I know you do. And I respect your plan.”

“How can you say that? I planned to paint the nursery later, but you stormed my house and painted it yourself.” She loved it, Annie realized, but that was beside the point. “I told you I’d buy
cribs later. After a few more paychecks. But you ignored that too. So don’t say you respect my plan.”

Trent pulled Annie gently to her feet. “I just want to help a little. Sort of pick up the pace.”

When Annie’s gaze met his, Trent felt some serious melting inside of him. His iceberg of a heart was starting to thaw.

“Why didn’t you ask me before you purchased the cribs?” she demanded.

“Because you would have said no.”

“Well, you could have asked.”

“Look, Annie, this is your show. All I did was make a down payment on the cribs as my gift to the twins. Your payments start in sixty days—manageable payments. It’s your show, I promise.”

When Trent slipped his arms around Annie, she didn’t resist. He stroked her hair, marveling at its silky texture. He wanted to tangle his fingers in that profusion of curls. But that wasn’t his place. His role was temporary assistant. Nothing more.

“Just so you understand,” she muttered against his shoulder. “I have to make it on my own. Brad’s gone and I’m in charge now.”

Trent continued the stroking. He could get addicted to stroking Annie’s lustrous hair. “You’re in charge. We agree on that.”

Suddenly Annie’s body relaxed against his. It felt like heaven, having her body mold itself to his. Pure heaven.

“Are we done fighting yet?” he asked.

“Not quite.”

“Getting close?”

“Pretty close,” she murmured.

Trent didn’t care if the fighting continued. They could fight all night if Annie would stay so delectably close to him. He loved having his arms around her and feeling her against him. And inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

“Any other issues we need to resolve?” he probed.

“Yes. You must consult me before making major purchases.”

“You’ve got it. No more major purchases without consultation.”

“Promise? You’ve used sneaky tactics before.”

“I promise. No more sneaky tactics.”

“Good.” She sighed. “I’m so tired, Trent. I’m tired of weighing four hundred pounds. I’m tired of having my stomach bump into pieces of furniture before I enter the room. I’m tired. So very tired.” She yawned and slumped against him.

Trent swept her into his arms. “You need sleep. I’m going to lay you on your bed and you can nap while I finish the last crib. OK?”

“Mrfph,” she said. Trent figured she was too tired to pronounce the real word, whatever it was.

“Mrfph to you too.”

Annie was asleep before he laid her down. He couldn’t resist bending down and kissing her forehead. Then he covered her with a light blanket that lay at the foot of her bed.

As Trent stood gazing at Annie, a sense of wonder bubbled up inside him. Brad had been the luckiest man alive to marry Annie. And yet he hadn’t loved her. Not really. And he hadn’t wanted the babies either. If Brad Samuels came back to earth, Trent would beat the man senseless.

As he continued to gaze at her, Trent realized he was either in love with Annie or dangerously close. But he was a transient in Annie’s life, and that’s what she wanted.

That’s how it should be
, his good sense chided. Trent’s assignment was to help until Annie could manage alone. But each day Trent wondered how he could ever walk away from her. It would be the hardest thing he’d ever done.

He pushed all thoughts of loving Annie aside and headed for the nursery. He would honor Brad’s request and help her bring the twins home from the hospital. Then he’d return to his life as a solitary rancher who trained horses. That was who he was before and who he would be again.