“Nice meeting you.” Herb walked over and shook her hand. “Glad you could pay us a visit.” He, too, had kind eyes.
“Thank you.” She managed a smile. “So am I. Your place is charming.”
“Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes,” Rosie said, “but I can let it simmer a little longer if you two need more time to talk. Herb, let’s go whip up a salad.”
“I’m on it.” He left the room.
Tess wished she could follow them both into the kitchen. She’d rather do almost anything than stay there with the smoldering volcano that was Zeke. But Rosie was right. Telling him in person was the way to go, no matter how awkward it might turn out to be.
He let out a breath and met her gaze. “Guess I should have called you.”
“Maybe this is better.”
Gradually the color drained from his face. “Why?”
“I’m pregnant.”
He stared at her. Then he shook his head. “You can’t be.”
“I didn’t think it was possible, either, so I put off going to the doctor. Frankly, I thought I might have some serious health issues and I didn’t want to deal with them until school was out.”
His breathing accelerated. “How can you be pregnant? We used condoms!”
“I can’t answer that for sure. The doctor said it could be for any number of reasons, but she said it happens.”
“So much for modern science.” He grimaced. “Look, this feels like a lousy thing to say, but I have to ask. Are you sure it was me?”
“That’s a fair question. But you were my first lover after my divorce, which was a year ago, and there’s been nobody since. I don’t have any proof, though, so you’ll have to take my word for it.”
“I will.”
“Thank you.” That was one ugly discussion they could skip. “Look, I know this is a shock, but let me put your mind to rest. I’m here to inform you because I don’t believe in keeping a pregnancy a secret from the father, but I don’t expect anything from you.”
“But you’re pregnant with my kid!”
She shrugged. “So what? You didn’t intend for this to happen and, judging from our discussions in April, you never planned to have children, so I’ll handle everything. I absolve you of any responsibility.”
“That’s crazy. You can’t just—”
“Sure I can. I’ll have a lawyer draw up something legal for us to sign if you’d prefer that. I know you don’t want him, but the thing is, I do. I love children, but I was told I had about a five percent chance of ever conceiving. This is a miracle baby and I can’t wait to be a mother.”
“You said him.”
“Yes. I’m having a boy.”
“I thought you couldn’t tell at three months.”
“They have a blood test now. It’s very accurate.”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “A boy. Wow.” Then he glanced toward the kitchen. “Did you tell Rosie you were pregnant? Is that why she set up this meeting?”
“No, you’re the first person I’ve told.”
“Really? What about your folks? What about your friend, the one you came to Texas with?”
“Nobody knows. I wanted a plan before I broke the news. But I think Rosie suspects. When I called back a second time and told her it was very important that I get in touch with you, she probably guessed why.”
“I should have called. I apologize for that. I thought—well, it doesn’t matter. I still should’ve called.”
“You thought I was out of school and looking for a way to spice up my summer?”
“Yes, ma’am, I did.” His hazel eyes gleamed for a moment but then the twinkle was gone. “And I’m not feeling up to that.”
The temporary gleam of desire got to her. She hated to admit it, but the longer they talked, the more she wanted to touch him. “I’m sorry about your shoulder. I thought you might show up here in a sling.” She didn’t know which shoulder was injured, either.
“I have one but I don’t like wearing it.”
“Does your bad shoulder make it hard to shave?”
“Shave? No, I’m right-handed. Oh.” He stroked his beard. “You mean this. I decided to grow it since I’m not doing public appearances.”
“Mmm.” She wondered if it would be prickly or soft.
“You don’t like it.”
“It makes you look different.” Like a pirate or a mountain man, both intimidating images of rugged men who couldn’t be bothered with changing diapers and warming bottles.
“You don’t look different.” His gaze drifted to her stomach. “This is so hard to believe. I feel like this is a dream and any minute I’ll wake up.”
“Trust me, I felt the same when I got the news. The difference is, I was thrilled. I don’t expect you to be.”
“I don’t know what I’m feeling, Tess.” He looked into her eyes. “I’m pretty disoriented right now.”
“That’s understandable.”
Rosie appeared in the doorway. “Dinner’s ready. But you don’t have to come right away if you need more time.”
“I do need some time.” Zeke glanced her way. “I wouldn’t be fit company right now, anyway. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take a rain check on dinner.”
“Your decision, but I made another rhubarb pie.”
“Thanks, Rosie. At least I know you’re not too mad at me for not returning Tess’s call.”
“I wasn’t mad, son. Just a little disappointed. If you feel the need to head on back, I’ll save some of the pie for another time.”
“That would be great.” Crossing the room in three long strides, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “And thanks for setting me straight on this deal.”
“You’re welcome.”
He turned back to Tess. “I’d like to ask a favor, if I may?”
“What’s that?”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stick around for another day or so. Give me a chance to get my bearings before you go back to Casper.”
“I don’t want to impose on your foster parents.”
“It’s not an imposition,” Rosie said. “Stay as long as you like.”
Zeke nodded. “Good, then. It’s settled. I’ll be back tomorrow. Ladies.” Touching the brim of his hat, he walked out the front door.
* * *
Zeke made the trip back to Matt’s ranch on autopilot. He couldn’t have said how he got there but, sure enough, there he was parked in front of the house. He sat in the truck for a while, unable to summon the energy to go inside.
Against all odds, he’d created a child, something he’d vowed never to do. Worse yet, the kid was a boy. He’d decided years ago that girls were more resilient. They bonded with each other in some mysterious way that strengthened them against disaster.
But a boy—specifically his boy—could end up battling demons alone. That had certainly been Zeke’s experience. And when this as-yet-unnamed boy figured out that his father