Her Prada Cowboy: McCulloch County Series #1 (14 page)

Jarrod glared at Noah.  He just
shrugged his shoulders and chuckled with the cousins.  Shannon raised her
eyebrows expectantly at Jarrod.

“Don’t look at me!  Ask him if I have
ever had anything to do with any of the women in Brady!”  He pointed to Noah.

“Yeah, that is true.  He was scared
they would stalk him if he did not go back for seconds.”

“I think your mouth is about to be
trounced, Noah.  Better put a sock in it!”

He chuckled.   “Don’t worry, Chris. 
The ladies will most probably only arrive around one.”

Jarrod and Shannon started to mingle
with the guests.  He kept his fingers tangled with hers where ever they went. 
He introduced her proudly to everyone and his possessiveness was clear whenever
there were guys that stared at her too long. 

The cookout was well underway by the
time they have circled and chatted to all the guests.  They walked back to
where the cousins and Noah stood.  Shannon’s steps faltered when they neared
and she recognized Bennett Lewis standing with them. Jarrod looked at her and
noticed her staring at Bennett. 

Oh Lord, please don’t let it come out
in front of everyone!  He will never forgive me!

They joined the group and Bennett’s
eyes widened when he noticed the possessive hold his best friend had on
Shannon.  He noticed the very slight shake of her head and he sighed.  Damn.
Jarrod was a lucky man. 

“Bennett!  Damn, we have not seen each
other for over two months!  Why have you been so scares?”

“Babies can be quite demanding little
creatures, you know.  I am looking for a partner at present.  My practice is
getting too big.”

“Ben, this is Shannon Davis.  Honey,
this is Bennett Lewis, my best friend.  We grew up together in LA.  He moved
here ten years ago.”

Honey?  He called her honey?  Hell he
never thought to see the day!

“Hi Shannon.  It’s a pleasure to meet
the woman that could make our buddy, who absolutely hates celebrating birthdays,
so relaxed at his own!”

He decided to honor her request.  She
had to tell Jarrod in her own time. He better warn her to do it quickly. 
Jarrod is going to be livid as it was for her keeping it from him for so long.

“Hi Bennett.  Everyone loves to be
spoiled every now and then … even old grouch over here!”

Everyone laughed at the expression on
Jarrod’s face.  Reed and Chris did not let the opportunity pass them by and
Shannon’s cheeks flared up again.

“Yeah … and Shannon most definitely
spoiled him while he got dressed.  He looked like the proverbial cat that got
two bowls of cream when they came back!”

“I think you two better go and find
one of the local beauties I saw arrivin’ ten minutes ag …”

“Where?  C’mon Chris … they are
probably lonely without the two most attractive men attendin’ to them … that
would be us … seein’ as you, old man … are otherwise engaged!”

Jarrod and Bennett shook their heads
at them and they jogged to where Noah was chatting to a few young ladies. 
Dylan called Jarrod over, indicating the barbeque with his hands held up
questioningly.  He excused himself and went to assist his Dad.

“Thank you.”  Shannon’s eyes followed
Jarrod.  Bennett turned to her and cleared his throat.  She looked at him and
he sighed.

“Shannon, I have known Jarrod my whole
life.  He has had a hard life growing up and one thing that he values above
all, is honesty.  You better tell him and you better do it now. I can promise
you, he is already going to be livid that you kept it from him for so long.”

“I know and I will tell him tomorrow. 
I … it’s just, we hardly knew each other and I have been battling to accept the
fact that I am going to be a mother.  How do you think a renowned bachelor and
lover of all women would take such news?”

Bennett chuckled.  “From what Reed and
Chris told me, that has changed since he met you.  The fact that he sees only
you now, should tell you a hell of a lot about that, Shannon.  He probably had
arrangements with two or three women that he might have been with on the odd
occasion, but the rest, they were …”

“Yeah … slam bam type of women.  Who
says that is something of the past?”

“Take it from someone that knows him
better than any other person on earth … Jarrod is done spreading his oats. 
Tell him, Shannon … or you might just lose him forever.”

Shannon nodded and watched Jarrod
walking back towards them, frowning when he noticed their earnest discussion.

“What are the two of you discussin’ so
seriously?”

“I was telling Shannon about my
practice.  I believe the lady got you an awesome gift.  Care to show me?”

“Oh! I nearly forgot!  Come, Babe, it
is in the stable.”

Her excitement returned and Jarrod
shook his head smilingly.  Chris, Reed and Noah came running when they noticed
them walking to the stables.

Shannon led them to the saddle room
and stood back. She waved him inside and everyone shuffled in after him. 
Jarrod walked inside and froze.  In the middle of the room on a saddle stand
was a custom handmade AH saddle.  He glanced at her, his expression bemused. He
walked closer and drew his hand over the saddle.  The leather, he knew, was
made of the highest quality American Herman Oak.  He lifted the flap and
stroked the underside, which was lined with the finest pure wool

 AH saddles were unique
works of art, crafted individually by hand one at a time.  The front of the
saddle was narrow for increased comfort. The big horn had a high pitch of 32
degrees and was called the Guadalajara style, which was very common on Spanish-style
saddles. The horn and tree are strong enough to handle bull roping.  Overall, this
was one of the safest saddle designs on the market.

He knew, because he had
been meaning to have one made for him, but just never got around to it.  He
even had all the measurements done and an appointment made, which Noah and he
never got to … because of the delectable Bellamy twins. It was also one of the
most expensive saddles on the market.

He turned to Shannon,
his eyes glittering.  He did not even notice the others watching his reaction. 
His voice was rough.

“Woman, you totally blew
me away today, but this … you shouldn’t have, but
it is the
best gift I have ever received.”

“I … er … think we better get out of
here.”   Chris pushed everyone through the door, but neither Jarrod nor Shannon
noticed them leave.

He stepped closer and wrapped his
hands around her cheeks.  He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, with the
softest of touch of lips.  He wrapped his arms around her and held her so
tight, she battled to breathe, she managed to wrap her arms around his back and
stroked his muscled cords.

“What have I done to deserve a woman
like you in my life?  Thank you, honey.  I will treasure this gift always.”

She felt his hard ridge rising harder
and bigger against her stomach and she stepped back slowly.  She stroked his
jaw and smiled tenderly.

“I think that …” and she gestured to
his hardening dick, “Is our queue to get out of here!”

“You are a cruel woman!”

But I will never let you go!

The
rest of the cookout passed in a blur.  Jarrod doted on her and hardly left her
side.  She even managed to endure her mother’s presence.  As long as she was
part of a group. 

No one questioned her not drinking any
liquor.  Jarrod assumed it was because of her mother’s drinking and did not
pressurize her when she declined the first offer.  She sighed in relief and set
out to enjoy herself.

She had hours of fun, laughing and
dancing.  Jarrod even joined and was carefree and happy.  He had a continuous
smile on his face.  She learned how to contra dance. She was worried at first,
but it was easy and she caught on immediately.  It's a form of folk dancing
that began in two lines; kind of like square dancing. Later the couples paired
off and danced together, then dancers switched partners. Every now and then
they added some fancy footwork.  She had an absolute blast.

They
only got to bed around two in the morning.   Shannon took a quick shower to
wash off the stickiness of the heat and fell asleep almost immediately.  
Jarrod stood looking down at her.  He leaned over and kissed her tenderly on
her temple.  She sighed and reached towards his side of the bed.  He smiled and
got into bed beside her, drawing her back against his front and folding his
arms around her.  He was asleep before his eyes even fell closed. 

Jarrod
opened his eyes and saw Shannon sitting on her bent legs, watching him and
waiting for him to wake up.  The moment she woke up, she knew she had to tell
him of the pregnancy.  It was dangerous and not fair to keep it from him any
longer.

Her stomach quivered, fear, tightening
like a band around her heart.  She knew he was going to be upset.  Knew he was
going to resent her for keeping it from him.  Which was why she kept postponing
… her fear of his reaction.

He reached out his hand and flicked
his fingers over her tempting nipples.  They puckered into tight nubs
immediately.  She drew a deep breath.

Mornin’ doll face.”

“Morning, Babe.”

“Come over here, honey.  You are way
too far over there and you fell asleep way too early when we came to bed.”

Shannon grabbed the sheet and wrapped
it around it.  Desperate to keep her mind on what she had to say.

“Jarrod, I have something to tell
you.”

Jarrod frowned at the serious
expression on her face, her wringing hands.  He sat up against the headboard
and willed his libido to simmer down.

“I’m listenin’.”

“I … er … should have done this
earlier, but I was … ehm …” She bit her lip and looked briefly outside, trying
to gather her courage and  thoughts.

“Shannon, just tell me.  I am sure it
can’t be that bad that you sit there with fear in your eyes.”

She looked at him, realizing he knew
her pretty well to be able to read her expressions and the emotions in her
eyes.  She only wished she knew what his reaction was going to be!

“I’m … Jarrod, I am pregnant.”

Jarrod did not move.  His eyes
remained motionless on hers.  His expression did not change.

“Drop the sheet.”

“Jarrod …”

“Drop the sheet, Shannon.

She slowly pulled the sheet down and
he reached out and pulled her down on the bed next to him.  He reached out and
cupped her breasts.  His hand moved as if in slow motion over her stomach to
caress over her belly, which he only now realized were slightly rounded.

“I should have noticed this before.”

He sat up and drew her upright with
him.  His eyes drilled into hers. 

“Your belly is already swollen,
Shannon.  How far alon’ are you?”

“I’m … ten … ten weeks.”

“TEN WEEKS!” 

He thundered and jumped up from the
bed to tower over her.  His anger shivered down his spine and was clear in the
glitter in his eyes.

“Ten weeks, Shannon.  How lon’ have
you known?”

“Jarrod, please … I …”

“How lon’, Shannon!”

“Since the morning I threw up.”

His face turned to granite, his eyes
turned nearly black.  He spun and stomped to the bathroom.  Shannon sat on her
legs again and pulled the sheet around her.  She clutched it in front of her. 
Fear now clamping around her heart.

Oh Lord, he is so angry.

See what you get from procrastinating?

Yes I know!

Foolish, foolish woman!

You don’t have to rub it in!

Jarrod stormed back into the room,
wearing a pair of white Prada undershorts.  Their eyes met and she blinked. 
The anger was gone, his eyes were … expressionless.

“I am sorry for not telling you
earlier, but I … it was … I needed time to work through it myself.”

“You did not think, even just once,
that it was somethin’ we should have done together?”

“Jarrod … we did not even know each
other at that point!  It …”

“It is still my child!  I had the
right to know!”

“Yes, you did.  I really am sorry!”

“Who else knows?”

She sighed and bit her lip. 

This is going to anger him even more! 

“Shannon!  Who?”

“Bennett.”

“Bennett?  BENNETT!  How the hell …”

“I searched for the best Obstetrician
and it was him.”

“He knew and did not tell me!”

“NO!  No, he didn’t!  At least not
until he saw me with you yesterday.”

“That’s what you were discussin’ so
seriously. Are you tellin’ me now, because he warned you to?”

“No.  I already made up my mind to
tell you today.”

“He examined you?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Jarrod, he is a specialist!”

“Did he do an internal examination,
Shannon?

“Yes, he did.”

“Fuck!”

“Jarrod!”

“Don’t Jarrod me!  He is my damn best
friend and now he pokes around inside you!”

“You … he … you are being silly.”

“Get dressed, Shannon.  I want to go
and speak to him.”

“There … ehm … there is one more
thing.”

His eyes swung to her, nearly
incinerating her with his anger.  She shrunk back from their heat.  His fists
lifted to his hips and he scowled at her.

“Well?”

“It’s … we’re having twins.”

This time his jaw dropped, his eyes
turned molten silver and his breathing increased.  His voice was hoarse.

“When?  When are they due?”

“6
^th
of November.”

He looked at her unflinchingly,
emotions swirling in his eyes.

“The first time … the very first time
we were together.”

Shannon nodded, but sat quietly,
realizing his emotions were explosive at this point.

“Get dressed, Shannon.”

She sighed, very aware that he has
only called her by her name from the moment she told him she was pregnant.  No
honey and no doll face.

Shannon dressed quickly, put on some
light makeup and brushed her hair until it shone.  She rose and Jarrod took a
deep breath.  She was wearing a light blue sundress with spaghetti straps that
hugged her breasts, leaving a substantial amount of skin and cleavage open.  It
reached to just above her knee and she looked fresh and beautiful.

She rose and walked to the door where
he stood waiting, dressed in casual cargo pants with a black tee-shirt that
hugged his chest.  His hair was loose and she itched to run her hands through
it.  He took her hand and tugged her after him down the passage to Bennett’s
room.  She held back and he glared at her over his shoulder.

“Maybe he is still sleeping.  Can’t we
please have something to eat fist?  I am starving.”

“You’re not nauseous anymore?”

“No.  It only lasted about a week.”

He changed direction and sat her down
at the kitchen table.  She rose to start with breakfast and he snapped at her.

“But I want to …”

“I’ll make breakfast.  Sit down. 
Anythin’ specific you feel like?”

“Bacon, eggs, toast, mushrooms and …
apricot jam.”

His eyebrows raised but he did not say
anything.  He was still busy with breakfast when his cousins came sauntering in
and later Bennett.  Jarrod glared at him.  Bennett looked at him with raised
eyebrows and then at Shannon.  Jarrod’s growl had his eyes return to him
immediately.  He chuckled, realizing immediately what he was aggravated about.

“So … how’s everyone’s heads this
morning?”

“Don’t ask.  Had to dunk mine in cold
water for an hour this mornin’ to open my eyes.”

Reed eyed the breakfast Jarrod was
making.

“I hope you’re makin’ enough for all
of us, cuz.  Stomach is grumblin’ like crazy.”

“Nuthin’ wron’ with your own two soft
hands, cuz.  Make yourself useful.”

“Damn, guess the old man has spoken!”

“Careful, I can still outrun you any
day … .”

Everyone chuckled.  Reed and Chris got
up and started making some more breakfast.  Jarrod dished up for Shannon,
Bennett and himself.

“Hey … what’s this preferential
treatment about?”

“We have somethin’ to discuss.”

Jarrod rose as soon as they finished
their breakfast and nodded Bennett to the door.  He pulled Shannon from her
chair and they followed him to his study.  They sank down on the couches, with
Shannon next to Jarrod.  He looked at Bennett.

“Talk to me.”

Bennett shook his head and smiled
wryly.  He’d be damned if he was able to tell how Jarrod felt about the fact
that he was going to be a father.  His expression gave nothing away.

“You’re ten weeks pregnant. 
Everything is fine.  Shannon is very healthy, eating well and you’re having
twins.  They should arrive around the 6
^th
of November.  All of which
I am sure Shannon already told you.”

“You did an internal examination.
Why?”

“It’s normal practice, Jarrod and it
is only done once, so get off your high horse.  It shows me if there will be
any problems with the birthing channel, which in Shannon’s case, there won’t
be.”

“Have you discussed the birth yet?”

“No, Shannon wanted to talk to the
father first, which she now has, so I guess now is a good a time as any.  What
do you want to discuss?”

“She is havin’ a caesarian.”

“No, I am not.  My children will be
born the natural way.”

Jarrod barely glanced at her.

“What type of scans have you done?”

“Just the normal sonars.  The plan is
to do the first scan with the next visit. Depending on how the babies lie, we
might be able to establish their gender.  Do you wish to know?”

“Yes.”

Both said in unison and Bennett nodded.

“What about sex?”

“Jarrod!”  He ignored her and waited
for Bennett to answer.  Bennett grinned and shrugged.

“You can carry on as before.  Women
are stronger than what we men realize.  But be gentle during the last six
weeks.  As a matter of fact, some women’s sex drive increases substantially
during pregnancy and they have more and stronger needs.  They might become
extremely demanding and not need too much stimulation.”

“How lon’ does that last.”

“That differs.  Could be up to the day
of birth.”

Shannon’s cheeks were bright red.  Now
she knew why she was in such constant need all the time.  She was one of the
‘lucky ones’ whose libido increased exponentially!

“I don’t know what you guys intend on doing,
but you have to realize what you’re letting yourself in for.  Twins are hard
work and for a woman alone …”

“Butt out, Buddy.  Is there anythin’
else about the pregnancy we need to know?”

“Bennett needs your blood group.”

“Don’t worry, Shannon.  His I know. 
We don’t have to worry.  You are compatible.”                                                                  

Jarrod’s eyes met Shannon’s and for
the first time there was a flicker of excitement in his. 

Bennett left without them noticing.

“Are you … how do you feel about the
pregnancy, Jarrod?”

“I told you I wanted children,
Shannon.  I would have preferred to know about it from the beginnin’ and I am
livid that you kept it from me.”

“You … you’re still not telling me how
you feel about it.  I know you are angry, but I need to know how you feel.”

He turned and stood in front of the
window, looking out over the pool.  A wide smile spread over his face and his
eyes shone like liquid silver.  His chest felt a mile wide and he wanted to
yell his joy to the mountains.  When he turned around to face Shannon, his face
was once again shuttered.  His anger at her still too shallow to let her off
the hook that easy.