The Rancher's Christmas Baby

In the end, they’d given up and promised they’d do it again later, just in case the window of opportunity was still the slightest bit open. But Amy wasn’t kidding herself….

Until last night, when she had seen Teddy with that list of instructions her physician brother had given him, she’d thought—hoped—that something magical and romantic was happening between them. She’d imagined he was falling in love with her every bit as much as she was falling in love with him.

Only to discover it was all about having a family, after all.

Given how much she wanted a child, that should have delighted her.

It didn’t.

Instead, she felt foolish and hurt and emotionally exposed in a way she had never been before.

She’d let herself go with Teddy, in a way she had never done before. And it had been more than just the physical. She had completely opened her heart to him. Let herself think they were starting a new chapter in their life together, one that had all the traditional romantic elements of a strong and solid marriage. Only to find out it was all about friendship and having a baby together in the most efficient way.

And now…now she had to figure out how to leapfrog back to where they had been before they’d made love that first time, to the place in her heart where she didn’t expect or want quite so much, the place where she would be able to settle for what her husband was able to give her.

“Earth to Amy…earth to Amy…”

Amy looked up, realizing her employee had been talking to her for several minutes and she hadn’t heard a word of it.

She put down her spade and gave Ed her full attention. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“We’ve rescheduled the couple’s baby shower for a week from Saturday. Obviously, we can’t have it at the restaurant now, with Sheryl on bed rest, so we’re going to have it at the house. I assumed you would want to bring Teddy, now that you’re married.” The words were casual, but there was a question mark in his eyes.

Amy figured Ed was wondering the same thing as everyone else. Was this hasty marriage of hers going to last?

Yesterday morning, Amy had been certain of it.

Now she didn’t know what was going to happen, over time.

Ed carefully moved starter plants to bigger pots. “Do you want to issue the invitation? Or shall I?”

“I’ll ask him.” Amy flashed a confident smile she couldn’t begin to feel. “We promised Rebecca and Trevor we’d babysit the twins tonight. I’ll do it then.”

Chapter Seven

Rebecca and Teddy were both running late when they met up at the Silverado that evening.

Because he only had one full bath in his ranch house—albeit a very luxurious one—and time was running short, they were forced to share quarters as they got ready to go over to Rebecca and Trevor’s. It seemed to him that the close proximity was apparently a lot harder on him than it was on her. Seeing her wrapped in a robe, knowing she was fresh out of the shower and had on nothing but her birthday suit beneath the thick terrycloth, had him aching like there was no tomorrow.

Stripped down to his boxers, he hid the proof of his need for her by turning into the bathroom sink.

While he shaved, Amy stood in front of the sink at the other end of the long bathroom cabinet and ran a comb through her damp, fragrant-smelling hair. “I hope tonight goes okay,” she said.

Teddy watched as she put a small dab of some sort of hair product in her palm and sensually worked it through her hair, from root to ends.

Trying not to recall how those same hands had felt, gently caressing him, he focused on his task and spread shaving cream over his face. “You’re the last person I’d expect to be apprehensive about babysitting.”

Amy flashed him a wry smile. “I know we can handle the mechanics of taking care of the babies.” She switched the hair dryer on low and began running warm air over her damp honey-blond hair, the lighter streaks around her face turning platinum as they dried. “It’s just, up to now, seeing the twins has been bittersweet for me.” Amy paused to meet his eyes in the mirror. A mixture of emotions glittered in her soft eyes. “I’m hoping it will be different now that I’m married and going to have a baby of my very own.”

My very own.

Not our very own.

Trevor pushed aside his disappointment. One day soon she’d be thinking of the baby they were trying to conceive as theirs. Taking in the unbridled hope shining in her eyes, knowing how deeply romantic she was—and how easily she could get disappointed—he felt compelled to caution gently, “It may not happen the first time out of the gate, you know.”

Amy tensed, as if she didn’t even want to consider the possibility that they might have to try to conceive again and again before they got the desired results. She shrugged and turned away from him. “Then we’ll keep trying,” she said tensely.

But what if it didn’t happen for months? Teddy wondered. He stroked the razor across his face, shaving away the day’s growth of beard. Would Amy become discouraged if it took six months or a year or more? Lose interest in marriage and him? Misunderstanding, Amy turned off her hair dryer and came close enough to touch his arm. “My lack of…enthu siasm…this morning was a mistake that is not going to happen again, Trevor. I’ll get into it next time, I promise.”

Teddy knew it wasn’t that simple. Men were more straightforward in their wants and needs. Desire in a woman was a complicated thing. And that was especially true with a romantic like Amy.

Giving him no chance to comment further, she slipped out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Glad for the privacy, Teddy stepped into the shower and turned the dial from warm to cold.

When he emerged, Amy was on her cell phone with her sister Susie, taking an order for more landscape plants. They continued talking business during the drive over to the Primrose ranch house, where Rebecca and Trevor had been living since they were married. Trevor’s house was right next door, on the Wind Creek, but Rebecca and Trevor had opted to reside at Rebecca’s home, since it was bigger and more family-friendly.

“Jenny and Joshua are sleeping in their cradles in the family room,” Trevor said as he ushered them inside. “Rebecca’s writing out the list of phone numbers.”

“And what a long list it is,” Amy laughed, allowing Teddy to help her with her coat.

Rebecca made a face at her younger sister. She handed the legal pad of numbers over. “Give me a break. I’m a new mom and you never know who you might need to call. The pediatrician, fire department.”

“I know we know our own parents’ phone numbers,” Teddy said, perusing the list.

Rebecca made a face at him. “In an emergency, people sometimes can’t recall what they need on the spot.”

Trevor motioned for Teddy. “Come in the kitchen. I’ll show you how the bottle warmer works.”

“I’ve also written down what time they should have their next bottle. Although all times are approximate since we feed on demand.” Rebecca wrung her hands. “Obviously, they’ll need diaper changes throughout the evening. I’ve written down when those are most likely to occur.”

Amy touched Rebecca’s arm. “Take a deep breath. It’s okay. There’s two of them and two of us. We’re not going to be outnumbered. Furthermore, Jeremy is right next door. And although our brother can be very annoying at times, especially when he’s waxing on and on about that broken-down ranch he purchased and can’t yet live in, he’s also a fine family physician. Should a medical emergency occur tonight he will be here in thirty seconds flat.”

Trevor reemerged, holding Rebecca’s coat and what looked like another long list. “If we want to get our Christmas shopping done tonight, hon, we need to get a move on.”

Rebecca started to launch into another long list of instructions.

Trevor clamped his hand over his wife’s mouth and playfully compelled her out of the room as if she were a vaudeville comedian who needed to exit the stage before a riot ensued. “The stores are open late. So don’t expect us back before midnight. Food and beverages are in the fridge, so help yourselves. And stay away from the mistletoe!”

“Cute,” Teddy quipped.

Trevor grinned as if he knew it.

Rebecca rolled her eyes and they left.

Alone at last, peace stole over them. “What should we do?” Amy asked eventually.

Teddy took Amy’s hand and drew her toward the sofa. “I suggest we relax while we can.”

“Good thinking.”