Worth the Risk

Sammie had met steeper challenges before.

Though, for the life of her now she couldn’t recall a single one.

Three

“Squeeee! I’m tickled to death you’re here for the entire weekend.” A very pregnant Callie had opened her front door and stepped out onto the porch before Sammie had gotten a chance to knock. Her friend wrapped her arms around Sammie as far as her baby bump would allow. Her bulging stomach took up a good foot and half of space between them. Callie called it “happy space.”

Callie’s eyes beamed and her face was radiant with a pregnancy glow.

Sammie grinned. The two had met and become friends while going to college in Boston. “Since when do you say things like ‘tickled to death’?”

Callie laughed and her hearty laughter echoed in the vast open space surrounding them. Behind her stood the Red Ridge mountain range where Callie and Tagg had spoken their vows. “You know I grew up in Red Ridge. Back in Boston, we’re jazzed.But here, we get tickled to death.”

“Or tickled pink?”

Callie nodded. “That, too. You’ll catch on. It won’t be long until you’re speaking our language out here in the wild, wild West. This weekend we’ll be roomies again.” Callie was beside herself with happiness. “Oh, I’ve missed you. I can’t wait to have a good sit down and catch up on everything.”

Behind Sammie’s eyes, tears stung. Callie was the closest thing she had to a sister. Her gracious welcome touched something deep inside. She hadn’t felt this kind of love since her father died. She’d lost her mother at an early age, so he and Sammie had been very close up until the day he’d taken his last breath. If she’d had any doubts about making the move to Arizona, they’d all just vanished into thin air. She’d made the right move. “I’ve missed you, too.”

“The timing’s good, too, isn’t it?” Callie asked. “We’re not pulling you and Jackson away from your work, right?”

Hearing her name paired with Jackson’s gave her momentary palpitations, but she recovered quickly. She didn’t want to walk on eggshells, worried that someone might guess they’d slept together. It was a secret she’d have to keep without experiencing a guilt trip every time Jackson’s name was mentioned.

“It’s absolutely good timing.” It was the truth. She would be able to spend the weekend here and still have enough time to put the finishing touches on her apartment when she returned home. She was almost finished hanging pictures and organizing her kitchen. As for Boot Barrage, the crew wouldn’t be done with construction for several days and Sammie didn’t have any stock due to arrive until the end of the week.

She glanced at Tagg, who’d gone out to the car to say hello to Jackson. The two men were deep in conversation as Jackson pulled Sammie’s small suitcase out of his truck. He turned and found her watching him, and that ridiculous jolt smacked her right between the eyes again.

He studied her for a second, his gaze drifting down to her black ankle boots with three-inch heels and Grecian straps crisscrossing her calves. The boots complemented the flower-print black and white dress she wore. The only jewelry she wore was a lacy silver necklace that dipped over her breasts with earrings that matched.

It was as if Jackson hadn’t noticed anything else on her body but her boots. And now his gaze slowly rose up her legs, over her little dress, until he looked her straight in the eye.

The moment froze in time.

Her nerves jumped.

Get a grip, Sammie.

She had a feeling she’d be saying that to herself a hundred times before this weekend was over. She could endure Jackson’s hot looks and the momentary weakness she lapsed into when she gazed at him, if only Tagg and Callie wouldn’t find out the truth. She vowed to get over this crazy thing she had for Jackson. Somehow.

Sammie was the first to break eye contact.

Callie grabbed her hand. “Come inside. I want to show you the nursery. Tagg’s got it all set up.”

“I can’t wait to see it. I’ve been trying to picture it in my head from your descriptions.”

“I’ve been boring everyone I know about it. But trust me, seeing is believing and I think you’re going to like it. It’s a combination of what Tagg and I love most.”

“That’s intriguing.”

They walked down the hallway, and the subtle baby-powdery scent of fresh diapers and all things infant wafted by. She followed Callie into the sunny room.

Sammie took one step inside and was transported to a Western rodeo, baby-style. The walls were the faintest beige with accents of browns and blues. One part of the longest wall was painted with sweet little lambs, goats and chicks in a white picket pen as part of the petting arena. The other side of the wall was a mural of a rodeo stadium, the shoots filled with friendly looking bulls and beautiful black stallions. A replica of a shiny silver championship buckle took center stage directly over the crib with the name Rory Worth scrolled in italic lettering on it.

Sammie’s mouth gaped open. “Callie, this is gorgeous.” The whole thing was tastefully done and so sweet. Perfect for a Worth baby boy. “It’s the Superbowl of baby nurseries.”

“Thank you. We’re pretty happy with how it turned out.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this. You thought this up?”

“Yes, it was my idea, but with input from Tagg, of course. We had fun picking out the furniture for the room. But I can’t take credit for painting the mural. That was created by an artist. Now that it’s all done, I can’t wait for the baby to arrive.” Callie patted her belly and her eyes grew wide with delight. “Oh, he just kicked. Here.” Callie grabbed Sammie’s hand and put it over her stomach.

The skin rippled under her palm and Sammie’s hand moved from the motion. “Oh, wow.” She took a swallow, awed at feeling the life move inside Callie. Softly, she said, “This little guy is ready to ride broncos.”

“I know. He’s very active and keeps me up most nights. He’s a little kicker.”

“I can see that.” Sammie hadn’t given up on the idea of having children. She wanted them one day, but that day seemed to be postponed further and further into her future. It was a timeline without end and Sammie had to resign herself to that for now. She could only focus on making a home in Arizona and building a business. Babies might come later down the road, or not at all. That notion pulled at her heart with sadness and she hurried the thought away. “The baby’s strong and healthy, Callie.”

“I think so, too. I’m trying to do all the right things for him.”

“I know you are. You’re daddy didn’t raise a slacker.”

Callie’s bright smile dimmed a little. “No, he didn’t.”

Instantly Sammie realized her blunder. Just months ago, Callie had been torn between her love for Tagg and her father, Hawk Sullivan. The two men were bitter business rivals; they hated each other. “Sorry to bring up a sore subject.”

“No it’s okay. It’s the same old, same old with my dad. But I think he is softening a little. I’m hoping that once the baby comes, my father will see the error of his ways and want to be a part of our lives.”

“And Tagg is good with that?”

“Tagg? I’m beginning to think he’s more reasonable about it. He trusts my judgment when it comes to my father. Having Tagg’s trust means everything to me. I won’t abuse it. My husband knows our baby comes first, no matter what.”

“That’s a good thing, Callie. You and Tagg have come a long way.” The baby gave another kick and roll. Sammie smoothed her hand over the baby bump tenderly before pulling away. “You’ve got a good life here, my friend.”

“I do.” She sighed. “Once Tagg and I worked out the kinks, we ended up with something pretty special.”

Sammie stared into Callie’s eyes. They radiated encouragement and kindness. Callie didn’t have to say that she hoped Sammie would find the same happiness. Sammie read it all in her sincere expression.

“Come into the kitchen while I fix supper. You can tell me all about Boot Barrage. I’m anxious to hear everything. Don’t leave a crumb out.”

“Okay, okay. I will, but you have to stop saying things like ‘don’t leave a crumb out,’ or I won’t recognize you anymore.”

Callie only smiled as she led Sammie into the kitchen.

“How’s our little Rodeo Rory doing today?” Jackson asked, coming to stand beside Callie as she chopped cucumbers for the salad. He gave her a peck on the cheek.

Callie turned from the kitchen counter to face him, her lips forming a perfectly adorable pout. “Stop calling him that and we’ll be fine.”

Sammie chopped tomatoes as she listened to their banter.