would often wonder. Why hadn’t she stopped him immediately?
Case slugged back another gulp of beer and shook his head, remembering. Sarah had been furious and called him every name under the sun. Denial played heavily on his lips, but he didn’t defend himself, he couldn’t. But to keep Reid from getting suspicious, he’d finally convinced Sarah to go to the party. They’d both agreed not to tell Reid what had happened and not to speak of it again. It was the only way Case could calm her down.
They’d spent an awkward tense night with Sarah hardly able to look at him. She hadn’t let him touch her. They hadn’t danced. Case knew Sarah thought he played a dirty trick on her. He couldn’t blame her—he’d always teased and tormented her in their younger days often times pretending he was Reid. But Case had to let her believe that he was just plain rotten, that he’d used her in a mean-spirited game rather than to let on to the truth. Because the truth was far worse and it had hit Case right smack between the eyes that night. He’d fallen for his brother’s girl. The girl Reid had professed to love since the age of fourteen. The girl Reid was going to marry.
Case cursed his bad luck and chugged down another swig of beer. The strong smell of liquor was soon replaced by a flowery scent that teased his nostrils as it drifted by.
“Case?”
Sarah’s soft voice from behind had him swiveling his head. She stood in the doorway, dressed in a short white cotton robe. His gaze riveted instantly to her legs, exposed from the knees down. They were still shapely, regardless of her pregnancy and he recalled how damn soft they’d felt when he’d slid his hand up her thigh and touched her there. He wanted that again. He wanted to hold her, kiss her and finish what they’d started that night. Damn. His whole body tightened, just looking at her. “Huh?”
“I forgot to tell you at supper that you had a few messages. Penny Applegate, Josie Miller and Reba Stokely called. They’d heard you were back in town and wanted to say hello.”
Case nodded and averted his gaze. The last thing he needed was to hook up with any of his old girlfriends. He’d had enough female trouble on the rodeo circuit to last him a lifetime. It’d be hell enough living with Sarah, much less getting involved with any other female right now. “What’d you tell them?”
“Only that I’d give you the message.”
He nodded and lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Consider it done. You going to bed now?”
“Yes. Uh, well, good night, Case.”
“’Night, Sarah.”
Case listened as Sarah entered her bedroom and closed the door. Good thing she decided months ago to move into the downstairs bedroom, he thought earnestly. At least, he wouldn’t be bumping into her in the middle of the night.
He finished his beer and rose slowly, trying to banish Sarah and those torturous memories from his head. He cursed his bad luck once more, thinking of the lonely nights ahead and the promise he’d made to his brother. He’d take care of Sarah and the baby for as long as necessary and she’d never know why he’d really come home. Her stubborn pride wouldn’t have it. Case knew undoubtedly if he’d told her of Reid’s deathbed plea, she’d become indignant and refuse his help.
Case needed to do this. He had demons to chase and guilt to absolve. He wouldn’t let Reid down again.
But it wouldn’t be easy. Sarah barely tolerated him. She didn’t want him on the ranch. And she didn’t trust him worth a damn.
Two
Case was used to fast speeds and quick action, but he deliberately took it slow with Sarah seated beside him in the truck. She sat as far away as possible and glanced out the window rather than make conversation with him. He knew he’d bullied her into agreeing to this, but darn it, she could grant him a smile once in a while, couldn’t she?
“What’s the doctor’s name?” he asked.
“Dr. Michaels.”
“Never heard of him,” he said conversationally.
“She came to town about a year ago.”
Case raised a brow. “She specialize in delivering babies?”
Sarah turned to him and nodded. “She’s an OB/GYN, if that’s what you mean. She has a great reputation. Reid and I researched all the doctors in the area and she seemed to have the best credentials. I have a lot of faith in her.”
“That’s good, Sarah. When’s the baby due exactly?” he asked. He had one more rodeo event scheduled this month, but he wouldn’t go, if it were close to the baby’s due date.
“I’ll know more after today’s appointment, but Dr. Michaels thinks the baby will come in about four weeks.”
“You and Delaney go to those classes and all?”
“Yes. She took me to six childbirth classes. She promised to come back when it’s time. She’ll be a great labor coach, having gone through it twice already.”
Case shuddered at the thought of witnessing the baby’s birth. Selfishly, he was glad Sarah had Delaney to rely on to be there for the delivery. Case had pulled many a calf and pony in his day, but it ended there. He knew nothing about delivering babies.
When their brief conversation died, Case glanced at Sarah out of the corner of his eye. So pretty, he thought, with her long golden hair blowing in the breeze. He witnessed her tucking the strands that had brushed her cheeks, back behind her ear. He wished he had the right to run his fingers through her hair, to let the golden lights play over his hand.
She was a feisty one, though, with her chin raised indignantly. She wasn’t going to make today easy on him. But he’d secretly admired that trait in her. He’d put her through a lot as kids, but she’d never buckled under. One thing about Sarah Johnston, she always came out swinging.
The usual thirty-minute ride into Prescott took Case over forty-five, going ten miles under the speed limit, just to make sure Sarah was comfortable. He’d been careful on the pitted road not to hit any big potholes.
Once in town, Sarah directed him to Dr. Michaels’s office building. She was nearly out the door, before he stopped the truck. “Thanks, Case. You can come by for me in about an hour.”
“Hey,” he said, bounding out of the truck in time to help her down. She hung on to his arm, mostly for balance as he helped her feet hit the ground. He’d like it fine if she’d keep her hands on him, but she pulled away from him real quick. “Not so fast. I’d like to come and meet the doctor.”
“W-why?” she said, curiously.
“Why? This is the doctor who’s going to deliver my nephew, isn’t it?”
“Could be a niece, Case. We don’t know for sure and yes, Dr. Michaels will do the delivery.”
“Well then, I’m coming with you.”
“But, I thought you had errands to run in town.”
“That can wait. This is more important.” Although the thought of the delivery scared the dickens out of him, Case was just plain curious about this whole birth process. He needed to understand things, like how would he know that Sarah was in labor? What were the signs? What if Sarah had trouble?
Another shudder ran down his spine. Damn, the whole thing made him jittery.
“I don’t know, Case,” she said, a doubtful expression marring her face. There was mistrust there, too, along with a large dose of reluctance.
“You can decide inside,” he said, glancing at his watch, then taking her arm gently. “Or you might be late for your appointment.”
Once inside the office, Case took a seat next to Sarah in the waiting room. For all anyone knew, they must have appeared like a loving expectant married couple. Case breathed in her subtle flowery scent, noted her shapely legs peeking out