“Lindsay, marry me.”
His words didn’t have the desired effect. Instead, he watched a transformation come over her and he had a sinking feeling a proposal wasn’t what she wanted. Once again her stubbornness surfaced. He could see that in the set to her jaw and the fire in her eyes. Annoyance filled him as it always had. From the start he had known she always stirred up conflict, and this was no exception.
“Tony, that’s a knee-jerk reaction. You take some time and think this through. I’m financially well-fixed, so that’s not a consideration. I have a big, supportive family, so I’ll have all the help I need. The biggest reason I can’t marry you is that we are basically not compatible.” Before he could make a point, she added, “You’re bossy and arrogant and you want to take charge of every situation—which is exactly what you’re doing right now. I don’t want you telling me what to do.”
Impatience stabbed him. Every issue was a conflict with her. Why did he think for one second this wouldn’t be? She was, as always, her usual stubborn self. But then his gaze roamed over her and for an instant he forgot everything. She was stunning. Even steeped in worry, when he looked at her, she took his breath away.
“Lindsay, stop and think and consider my proposal. Don’t answer now. It’s the logical solution for a lot of reasons, plus we get along great in some ways.”
With a slight frown, she started to answer, and he placed his finger on her soft lips. “Shh. Don’t answer me now—give my proposal time and think of all the positive reasons to do this. We can be compatible, we have these big families that have drawn close and we’ll be thrown together constantly. All you’re thinking about right now is that I’m a rancher and how I run my ranch. Just think of all the things in our lives and give my offer consideration.” He walked behind the bar to pour another drink.He stood there, not saying a word, sipping the whiskey while she was quiet. He suspected she was getting her argument lined up.
Shock still reverberated in him. Of all people—Lindsay would have his baby.
Everything fell into place—why she didn’t want to see him, why she was so somber. He walked to the window with his back to Lindsay and the room and stared outside. His entire life was about to change drastically. After a few moments he turned around to find her still standing where he had left her. She looked at him but said nothing.
His mind reeled with questions. He gave one voice. “When did you find out?”
She told him. “As soon as I realized I was late, I had a feeling. I went to a doctor and had the lab work done. I wanted to confirm it before I told you.”
He nodded. “This is something I thought would never happen—an unplanned pregnancy. I know you thought the same thing.”
They lapsed into silence again as he contemplated the changes coming in his life. Fatherhood. Coming fast and unexpected.
“Did you get a doctor in Dallas? I assume that’s why you went.”
“No. I know too many people there. I called Savannah and got an appointment with her doctor in Little Rock. I didn’t want word to get back to you until I could tell you myself. I didn’t think about you guessing correctly.”
“Well, you’ll have to find a doc closer than Little Rock,” he remarked drily. “Damn.”
“I will. I just couldn’t take a chance going to any big Texas city where I could have run into someone I know.”
Another silence fell and he was thankful again that she was giving him a chance to adjust to his new status before they talked very much.
“There are a few things I think we can decide tonight.”
As he stared at her, he thought,Here we go. She sat at the edge of a pale antique satin sofa and crossed her legs. Long, beautiful legs—the best pair of legs he had ever seen. As he looked at her, he noted that her blond hair was like a halo around her head. In almost every respect, he knew this woman would be the best mother possible for his child. He just hadn’t planned on fatherhood so soon. And he and Lindsay were not in love. She didn’t like ranchers. He didn’t like her stubborn streak, her knack for constantly living in conflict.
“We should keep this between us for a little longer, if possible,” he said, “until we make some major decisions about the future.”
She nodded. “When people hear I’m expecting a baby, I’m going to get questions.”
“That’s fine with me. Whatever you want. You said Savannah knows and, I’m assuming, Mike. Who else?”
“Besides you, no one else. Believe me, Mike and Savannah know how to keep quiet.”
“Good. It’s better for both of us to keep it quiet for now,” he repeated. “You don’t show at all and I doubt if you will for another month. That gives us time.” He became silent, his thoughts swirling in his head. Like a mantra, one statement kept reverberating in his mind. Lindsay was pregnant with his baby.
His gaze swept over her again. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever known. And the sexiest. He remembered their lovemaking, which was never out of his thoughts long. Marriage to her would have big pluses, if her stubbornness didn’t overshadow the rest.
She’d had a bit of time to think about this and adjust to the prospect of being pregnant, so she might have already made decisions about the future. He’d better come out of shock and plan what they should do.
Minutes ticked past while he tried to sort through the jumble of thoughts, possibilities and outcomes. Finally, her voice broke the silence.
“I never thought this would be a problem I’d have,” she said, gazing up at him. Her blue eyes were wide and clear.
“There’s a simple solution I’ve already given you.” She directed a steady look at him and he could feel the battles looming between them. “Lindsay, we’re going to have a baby,” he said. “You know I’ll love this baby with all my heart.”
“I know you will,” she replied.