Daddy with a Deadline (16 page)

He reached for her hands and pulled Annie to her feet. “Thank you,” she said. “I got down there but had no idea how I’d get up.”

Trent twisted a lock of Annie’s hair around his finger. She drew a quick breath and her eyes filled with questions.

“Has anyone told you how amazing you are?” he asked.

“You’re mixing me up with someone else.”

“I have a photographic memory. I’m good at keeping people straight.”

Her eyes softened. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone ever said to me.” She smiled. “Is this ‘be kind to pregnant women day’?”

“How did you know?”

Annie giggled again. Her laughter worked like an elixir. Trent felt heady with pleasure every time the woman laughed.

“Sara said you pulled the shower together. How can I ever thank you?”

“There are ways.” His voice sounded husky, and he hoped Annie wouldn’t notice.

As Trent gazed into Annie’s blue eyes, he thought he might drown. Unable to stop himself, he put his arms around her. When he bent toward her, he prayed she wouldn’t pull away. Or send him packing.

When their lips met, Trent felt like he’d touched a power line. Passion and longing washed over him like a tidal wave. And when Annie returned his kiss, the passion intensified. It raged through his body like a grass fire gone wild.

The kiss shook him to his foundation. But it didn’t take long for guilt to surface. While he’d been asked to help, kissing wasn’t part of his job description. Annie had pointed that out earlier. When he pulled away, Annie’s gaze showed confusion. “Is something wrong?”

“Yeah. I got carried away. Sorry, Annie. I’ll keep my emotions under control in the future.”

“But I...”

Trent placed his hand gently over her lips. “This is your day. Sorry if I spoiled it.”

She studied him a moment longer before turning away. Trent noticed the flush that colored her cheeks and the glaze of tears in her eyes.

You’re an idiot
, he told himself.
A total idiot
. Several times now he’d taken liberties with Annie. Liberties he had no right to take. Not now. Not ever.

Annie packed up the gifts and Trent carried them to her car. When they had finished, he helped her in and watched her drive away.

The babies would be born soon and that was good. Circum-stances had tossed Trent into Annie’s life, but he wasn’t a participant. Not in any real sense. He was more like a handyman. Or a volunteer. Someone who got a job done and then moved on.

And his assignment neared an end. While Trent couldn’t imagine not being with Annie, he’d better get used to it. Another week and she’d be gone.

T
RENT SAMPLED THE
breakfast Rosa set before him. She stood, hands on hips, awaiting his evaluation.

“Your French toast is perfect,” Trent declared. “The best ever.”

“It’s not too dark, is it? Shall I make you another batch?”

“You won’t get this batch away from me, Rosa. Unless you hold a gun to my head.” He swirled a bite in the warm maple syrup and stuck it in his mouth. “Mmm.”

Finally his obsessive-compulsive housekeeper seemed satisfied.

“Now you remember that I’m going to my sister Ava’s in Clinton this morning,” she said.

“How could I forget? You’ve reminded me every day for a week.”

“Ava’s the hostess for her bridge club and wants me to help. I’ll be spending the night.”

“Great. Have a wonderful time.”

“Can you get your own meals today and tomorrow?” She eyed him skeptically, as if he were the classroom dunce.

“Stop fussing. Of course I can get my meals.”

Rosa took off her apron. “Well, if you’re sure.”

“Positive. See you on Wednesday.”

When she reached the door, she turned back. “I could call Ava and cancel. If you need me here.”

“Just go. Now.”

“There are fresh cinnamon rolls on the counter. At least you won’t starve.”

Finally the woman walked out the door. As Trent took another bite of French toast, he anticipated another Rosa appearance. A second coming. Possibly a third and fourth. Next she’d be asking if he could brush his teeth without her help!

“Maybe now I’ll get some peace and quiet,” he muttered as he heard her start the Neon and drive away.

While Rosa often grated on Trent’s last nerve, part of him loved her dearly. His mother had ignored and abused him throughout his childhood. Her idea of breakfast was a near-empty box of Lucky Charms. He’d poured his own cereal and ate it dry—because the only beverages in the Madison household were of the alcoholic persuasion.

Trent enjoyed a second cup of coffee and leisurely planned his day. He’d start with a workout with Wildfire. After putting his dishes in the sink, he grabbed his Stetson from the peg by the door and walked to the corral.

Better check on Annie first
, his conscience urged. She’d gone into labor once and could again at any time. He called her cell phone and she answered on the second ring.

When Trent heard her voice, joy bubbled inside him. “Hi. How are things this morning?”

“Great. My doctor’s appointment is in half an hour. Then I’m helping Mrs. Higginbotham make strawberry preserves.”

“Do you need anything?”

“Not a thing.”

“Fine. Call me if that changes.”

He started to hang up when he heard Annie’s voice. “Trent?”

“What is it?” he asked.

“Thanks for checking on me.”

“No problem.”

As he clicked off the phone, the joy of hearing Annie’s soft voice lingered. Never had a woman’s voice affected him as Annie’s did. He forced the thought aside. If he didn’t toughen up, leaving her would be impossible.

At least both of the women in his life were otherwise occupied. Trent whistled as he headed for the corral.

Surprisingly, Wildfire cooperated as well. The horse seemed approachable today. For the first time in weeks, Trent felt like a horse trainer and rancher. And he felt in charge of his life. The sensation made his head spin.

Being in charge only lasted about an hour. Right up to the moment he mounted Wildfire. The horse panicked and bucked him halfway to Houston.

He lay stunned as he watched Wildfire retreat to a corner of the corral. When Trent lifted his head, the landscape around him swirled crazily. So he laid it back down.

Keeping his eyes open proved a challenge. A nap sounded irresistible. But knowing he might have a concussion, he forced himself to stay awake.

He studied the sky for a while, then tried to lift his head again. No luck. Finally he gave in to the drowsiness and dozed off.

“Don’t those preserves look magnificent?” Annie asked Mrs. Higginbotham. Twelve jars of strawberry jam lined the counter in Mrs. H’s cheerful kitchen.

“You helped a lot, Annie. Half of those jars belong to you.”

She shook her head. “All I wanted was a lesson. And you provided that.”

“Tut-tut,” Mrs. H declared. “I’ll never eat all these myself.” She reached for a basket and began filling it with jars. Then she covered them with a red-and-white checkered cloth.

“But...”

“There will be no arguing.”

Annie smiled. “Thank you. I’ll enjoy every bite, since we made them together.”

Mrs. H leaned forward and kissed Annie’s cheek. “You’re such a dear girl. And to think you’ll soon be a mother.”

“Yes. Hard to believe, isn’t it?”

“Those are two lucky little babies. How sad that your own mother isn’t living. She’d love to help with the twins.”

Annie swallowed hard. “I know she would. I’d give anything if Mama were here.”

“Tell me about that cowboy,” Mrs. H said. “Does he have a place in your future?”

“Only a temporary place. As a matter of fact, I’m on my way to his place now. I’m going to break it off with Trent.” Just saying the words tore holes in Annie’s heart.

“I liked him. He was take-charge, charming, and he wanted to help you. Not a bad combination.”

“It’s complicated, Mrs. H. And while I’ll really miss Trent, breaking it off is the best choice. The only choice.”

“Be sure, Annie. The really good ones don’t come along every day.”

Annie knew that. Memories of the struggles with Brad flooded back to haunt her. “True. But I’m ready to be on my own. And put all my energy into motherhood. Thanks again.”

Annie set off with her basket of preserves feeling like Little Red Riding Hood heading for the forest. But she was heading for trouble. Saying good-bye to Trent seemed unthinkable. She couldn’t even imagine her life without him. But he’d done more
than enough to fulfill Brad’s request. Annie could manage from here. And she’d take some preserves as a peace offering.

Annie placed the basket in the backseat. “Let’s go, Pete,” she said. She put the car in reverse and backed expertly out of her driveway.

Instead of turning on the air-conditioning, she rolled down the windows and let the breeze rearrange her hair.

While her challenges still loomed large, a new confidence was building. Trent had helped instill that, among other things. Things she wasn’t thrilled about. Like the unbridled excitement she felt each time she looked at the man.

When Trent put his arms around her after the shower, Annie had felt pure ecstasy. And his kiss had capped the afternoon to perfection. The tenderness in his kiss caught her off guard. But she knew passion lurked just below the surface. Thank goodness he’d pulled back, since she couldn’t make herself. Obviously working together had cemented a bond between them.

But that bond has nothing to do with romance
, she reminded herself sternly. And the time had come for her to move on.

When Annie reached Copper Creek, she parked near the house. She spotted Trent’s truck, but Rosa’s blue Neon wasn’t around. Annie picked up her basket, headed for the house, and knocked on the kitchen door. “Hello?” she cried. “Anybody home?”

No answer. Funny. She opened the door and stepped inside. The kitchen smelled of French toast and maple syrup. And the coffeepot was on. “Trent? Are you here?”

As Annie set the basket on the table she felt a stab of alarm. Something was wrong. Was there an intruder in the house? Deciding a search was in order, she grabbed her cell phone and scanned the kitchen for a weapon. Spotting Rosa’s cast-iron skillet, she figured that would do.

Skillet and cell phone in hand, Annie checked out the house. Each room she entered was quiet and unoccupied. When she
reached Trent’s bedroom, she called his name. It wouldn’t do to surprise the man as he stepped from the shower!

Still no sign of Trent, so she returned to the kitchen. What now? Should she call 911? Or was she inventing problems that didn’t exist?

Annie noticed Trent’s Stetson was missing from the peg by the door. Of course. He was at the corral. But as she made her way through the grassy field, she couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding. She picked up her pace, moving as quickly as her unwieldy body would allow.

Still the panic grew. She knew how quickly life could change. When she got the call that Brad was in an accident, her life had stopped on a dime. And the world as she knew it had ceased to exist.

And then she saw him! Trent! Lying on the ground, not moving a muscle! Annie’s heart lurched as she broke into a run.
Please, dear God
, she prayed.
Please, please let him be all right!