Someone's Baby Read online

  "I had a lead on a black-market baby ring," she continued, blithely unaware of his internal reaction. "They make the exchange in shopping centers. Heather was about to be sold when something went wrong. They pulled guns so I tried to get her away, but they came after me. I escaped, only the car ran out of gas. I had to walk until I stumbled on your town. Unfortunately, the man in the silver car was there ahead of me. He was talking on the phone on the far side of the gas station. That's why I hid in the back of your truck. The rest you know."

  A rush of anger mingled with a wave of hurt that she would lie to him so blatantly after he'd essentially saved her life. "And you expect me to stand here and believe a story like that?"

  "It's the truth!" Her jaw set in familiar mutinous lines.

  The story was so ridiculous he couldn't believe she even made such a feeble attempt. Did she really think he'd be that gullible?

  Of course she did. He'd told her about Bonita. She probably thought he had sap stenciled on his forehead. The worst of it was that despite her lie, part of him did want to protect her no matter what the truth. But the sane part wanted to shake her until she coughed up some honest answers. He hooked his thumbs in his waistband. He didn't trust himself to touch her in that moment.

  "Give me the baby."

  She blinked in obvious surprise. "Why? What are you going to do?"

  The protective way she clutched the infant hardened his jaw and his resolve. Whatever the truth, he wasn't going to let her take the baby and ride out of here.

  "You can't ride and carry her," he managed to say evenly.

  "Of course I can. How do you think we got here? I just can't mount holding her without something to stand on."

  "Give her here."

  Her eyes widened. "You can't give her back to them! Don't you understand? They'll kill both of us and sell her to the highest bidder. They're part of an organized crime ring. Probably that one Governor Kincaid is going after so publicly. They can't afford to leave any witnesses behind."

  He had to hand it to her, when she told a whopper, she made it |big and bold. He reached down and lifted Heather from her arms. Jayne scrambled to her feet, grimacing slightly.

  "What are you going to do?"

  He eyed her calmly. "I'm going to take you both back to the ranch."

  "I told you it isn't safe."

  Her guileless expression meant nothing. Bonita used to have a similar look, especially when she was caught red-handed. When was he going to learn? Women learned to lie before they learned to speak.

  "Do you have crystal earrings?" he demanded.

  "Do I what?"

  "Have some crystal earrings?"

  Her hand went to her naked earlobes, fingering them in puzzlement. "I did, but I lost them. What does that have to do with anything?"

  "Those men found one in the back of my truck."

  Her eyes widened in stark fear. Whatever the truth really was, she was terrified of those two men.

  "Then they know I'm here! We've got to go!"

  He gripped her right arm with the hand that wasn't holding Heather. "Calm down. I told them the truck was stolen. They think you took it."

  The panic began to fade from her eyes. "Then let's go! They won't be fooled for long."

  "I'll give you a leg up."

  "I can do it as long as you hold Heather."

  She hurried over to Twister, but Cade was pleased to see she slowed down when she reached him. She knew how to approach a horse. Twister gave her an indifferent look when she took up the reins and mounted with only minor difficulty.

  "Arm okay?" '

  "I'm fine. Give me the baby."

  "I'll carry her."

  "I'd rather hold her myself."

  Sure, and then she'd take off.

  "I don't think so." He walked over to Aries, gave the horse a pat and swung into the saddle. "We're going back to the ranch."

  "We can't! I just told you—"

  "I know what you told me and I know what they told me. And I'm real tired of being caught in the middle here." Jayne flinched and he hardened his heart against her look of betrayal. "I asked the agents to tell the sheriff about the cut phone lines and the problems we're having."

  "They can't afford to go near the sheriff! They're no more FBI than I am. We have to ride to the nearest telephone. You can call the sheriff from there."

  "No."

  "But—"

  "Jayne, no matter who those guys were, odds are they're going to canvass my neighbors just to be sure you aren't hiding nearby. I've got good neighbors. They mind their own business. But they're law-abiding, churchgoing people. They aren't going to cover for you. If they see you with me, they'll tell those guys you're here."

  "I don't want anyone to—"

  "When they flash those badges, my neighbors will do whatever is necessary to keep trouble from-their door. And you can't blame them."

  "I wouldn't. But—"

  "If those men are federal agents like they claim, they'll let the sheriff know we need help out here. Sheriff Beaufort will ride out and you can tell him your story!"

  "And if I'm telling the truth and those phony agents don't send the sheriff out?" she demanded.

  "Then we'll drive into town first thing in the morning."

  "Why not tonight?"

  Obviously, she couldn't wait to see the last of him. He was the one who should be feeling that way.

  "You're in no shape to ride that far. There's a red stain on your shirt which means you opened that wound again."

  Jayne spared a glance at her shoulder where a tiny red spot was visible against the blue of the blouse.

  "I sent Zed for Hap and the truck," he continued. "By the time they make it back here it'll be too late to go into town."

  "Why? Does your sheriff only work from eight to five?"

  Cade sighed, holding on to his temper with supreme effort. "By the time we get into town and talk to the sheriff, it'll be too late for me to pick up the new tires, get the wires fixed on the radio and get back here before dark. And I am not making a third run into Darwin this week. In case it escaped your notice, I'm trying to run a working ranch out here. I know you can't wait to get away from me, but don't worry, I promise I won't touch you again after I check your shoulder."

  "What do you mean?"

  "That kiss won't happen again. If you want, I can get Zed to change your bandage.".

  The saddle creaked as she leaned forward and stared at him. "Why would I want Zed to change my bandage? What are you talking about?"

  "You were packing to leave long before those men showed up," Cade said. "I realize my kiss scared you off, and I'm sor—"

  Her mouth dropped open in such an expression of shock that Cade stopped in the middle of his apology. He had the bad feeling he'd not only miscalculated, but that he'd just made an utter fool of himself as well.

  "You…I… Oh! How could I have thought you were…? You've got an ego the size of your spread, do you know that? You think I left because of a simple kiss?"

  Outrage filled her voice and added color to her cheeks. .

  She'd thought that kiss was simple? It had seared its way into his memory.

  "You are such a…an arrogant male! I wanted to be ready to go in a hurry in case there was more trouble. I left because the baby-nappers were out front and someone was sneaking around the back of the house!"

  "Sneaking around the house? Oh. You must have seen Rio when I sent him to cover us."

  She made everything sound so believable. All except the part about her being a private investigator and saving the infant from a baby ring, of course.

  Unless it was her baby.

  The thought rooted, making the first real sense he'd gleaned from any of this. An unwanted pregnancy, a hasty decision to give up the child, a change of heart, a stolen baby—that scenario he could buy into.

  "The guy that shot you wasn't your husband, was he?" Cade asked.

  "I told you I wasn't married!"

  "Was he th
e baby's father?"

  She hesitated, and it was that momentary hesitation that convinced him he was right. She was still protecting the bastard.

  "The man who approached you at that store was working with the kidnappers," she said quickly, bringing Twister to a stop. "Please, Cade, you have to trust me. Going back to the ranch is a bad idea. What if they're watching? What if they come back?"

  "We'll deal with that if and when it happens."

  She shook her head. "I can't take that chance."

  "You don't have a choice."

  "Yes, I do. Give me Heather. I'll ride to the nearest telephone."

  "Who do you plan to call?"

  "My brother!"

  Instantly, he thought of Luis. How was it, Cade wondered, that he kept getting tangled up with women who had brothers? Or was she making up the brother in hopes he'd let her go?

  "What really happened, Jayne? Did you change your mind after you gave Heather up for adoption?"

  Her mouth opened and snapped shut again. Hurt glimmered in her eyes, but she covered it with sarcastic anger. "You have it all figured out, don't you?"

  "No," he admitted feeling suddenly tired. "That's why I want you to tell me the truth."

  "You don't recognize the truth when you hear it. Go back to your ranch and your cows. You have enough problems of your own. I'll handle Heather and my situation from here on out. Now give me Heather!"

  Grit and determination lent authority to her voice, but the slow spread of the red stain belied her ability to do carry out her plan.

  "You can't even sit a saddle without starting the bleeding up again. How far do you think you're going to get?"

  She spared the stain a brief glance. "As far as I need to. Hand me the baby."

  "When we reach the house."

  Impotent with rage, she glared at him as he spurred Aries forward.

  "Your ranch is such a safe place for us to go," she called after him. "I feel real secure with people walking right up to the house and slashing tires while I'm sleeping."

  Her angry thrust found its intended target. Cade set his teeth and kept riding.

  "I give you my word I'll keep you and the baby safe," he said without looking back.

  A breeze rustled the treetops, drawing both their gazes skyward. Low dark clouds scudded across the horizon. Cade reined up and nodded in their direction.

  "Now unless you want to take a chance on getting soaked in addition to lost out here with limited supplies, we need to get back to the ranch now."

  Jayne's eyes closed in sudden defeat. All the energy seemed to leave her body in a single breath.

  "Come on," he urged gently. "We can beat the storm back."

  Jayne didn't say a word, not even when he kicked Aries into a canter. He knew she followed. He also knew that while the sky looked menacing, they weren't likely to actually be rained on any time soon. But the threat had not only effectively silenced Jayne, it got her moving again in the right direction.

  Rio met them at the barn with the news that no one had returned to the ranch—not even Zed and Hap. Rio offered to see to the horses while Cade took Heather into the house. Jayne led the way without speaking.

  "Let me put Heather down and I'll look at your shoulder."

  "That won't be necessary."

  "It's bleeding, Jayne."

  "I'll take care of it."

  "Not unless you're a contortionist."

  She glared at him but stopped arguing and began unbuttoning the blouse. Cade went for the first-aid supplies, making a mental note to replenish the cache when he got to Darwin Crossing.

  Jayne went into the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed. A slight tremor when he touched her was her only reaction to his presence. Cade removed the bandage and studied her shoulder. The scab had opened, but it was already reforming and the bleeding had stopped. He applied more rubbing alcohol over the area.

  "Ow!"

  "Sorry."

  "Yeah, right." She glared at him while he covered the wound with a piece of gauze and began taping it once again. Bending over her this way gave him an unexpected view straight down her open blouse.

  Her breasts were high and firm with rosy tips that began to bud as he stared. They would fit perfectly in his hands.

  He tore his gaze away, but not before she caught him looking. Shame sent heat up his neck.

  "Sorry," he muttered.

  "Did you get a good look?" she asked scathingly.

  Cade closed his eyes and counted to ten. When he opened them, she'd made no move to rebutton the blouse.

  "You'll want to lie down," he said evenly. "I'll help you get your boots off."

  Her head tipped to one side, the spill of silken hair covering part of the blouse's opening, adding to the sensual image she presented. She could arouse him without even trying. It was maddening.

  Her anger seemed to melt away. "Do you always send such mixed messages?"

  "Jayne—"

  "One minute you act like you want to take me to bed. The next, you act like you can't wait to get rid of me."

  She was right. That was exactly how he'd been acting. Because that was how he was feeling. He flexed his fingers to keep them at his sides and away from the temptation of her hair.

  "See, that's exactly what I'm talking about."

  "What?" he demanded.

  "The way you were just looking at me."

  "How was I looking at you?"

  "The way a man looks…at a lover."

  The room fell so silent Cade could hear his heart beating.

  "Like the way you're looking at me, right now?" he asked.

  Her expression didn't falter.

  "Probably."

  "Talk about running hot and cold, one minute you're running from me, the next you're inviting more than you realize."

  "I was running from the kidnappers, not you. And what makes you think I don't know what I'm doing? You're the one who can't decide what he wants."

  "Oh, I know, all right. I want you," he told her through clenched teeth. "I just don't want to want you."

  Her lips parted and she blinked in surprise, but her recovery was swift.

  "That clears everything up nicely."

  "You're too young and—"

  She stood so fast he took a step back. Anger blazed in her eyes.

  "I am a twenty-four-year-old adult woman. I can't help it if I look younger than I really am. They say in ten years I'll be thrilled with that fact. Right now it's a royal pain in the butt. Try getting anyone to take you seriously when you look like this. I am quite capable of making my own decisions. And quite capable of taking care of myself."

  He wanted to smile, but he remembered the seriousness of the situation.

  "I can see how good you are at that last part." Her blouse hung open providing him with a view that would surprise her. Despite his determination not to be attracted to her, the tempting sight stirred a very basic reaction.

  "So what do you want from me, Jayne? This?" Before he could think, he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his own.

  Chapter Nine

  Jayne was drowning in sensations. Nothing had prepared her for the overpowering onslaught of such a highly charged sensual attack. His hand spanned the back of her head. His fingers threaded her hair, holding her head in possessive demand while his lips and tongue plundered her mouth.

  This was what it was like to be claimed, she thought in stunned elation. And then thinking became impossible as her own desire caught fire and she sought to return the kiss with demands of her own.

  Her body strained upward, trying to draw his tall strength down against her more fully. Her good arm circled his neck. The hard, raw hunger of his body stirred hers to an answering excitement. Tiny sounds of gratification caught in the back of her throat as his hand sought the shape of her breast beneath the blouse.

  Cade groaned when her fingers brushed the zipper on his pants, lightly tracing the outline pressed so boldly there. His hands shaped her body, cl
utching her bottom in blatant sexual heat.

  A shiver of liquid desire made her weak and heady with pleasure. Her body responded to the incredible sensations, hungering for more. No one had ever aroused her to this point.

  Because no one else had been Cade.

  She didn't know her blouse was unbuttoned until his mouth covered the pointed thrust of her breast. The intimacy was bold, shocking—exhilarating.

  "Cade!"

  She clutched his head, her fingers lost in his hair. He gazed at her, his eyes as dark as a stormy sky and burnished by passion.

  "Do you want me to stop?"

  Never.

  Images of Cade—tenderly caring for the baby, protectively standing guard over them at the cabin, fiercely struggling to protect his land and his men, yet unwilling to see a young man suffer for his foolish acts—rolled together in her thoughts. Oh, yes, she wanted him. Shocked, she realized he was the only man she had ever met that she did want.

  "Don't you dare stop!"

  His grin was crooked but pleased, yet still he hesitated. She could see the debate going on inside him. And offered him her own smile.

  "I really am twenty-four."

  His eyes gleamed in satisfaction. "You'd better be."

  His lips claimed her mouth once more, but this time his kiss softened, even as his body tightened against hers. The kiss became a tender, sensual exploration that pushed aside the world, narrowing her focus to him. To them. She forgot the stabbing pain of her shoulder, forgot all the reasons she shouldn't be doing this, and gave herself up to the heady sensations Cade was creating.

  He undressed her slowly, careful not to jar her shoulder. She had never been nude in front of a man in her life, but this felt so right she didn't have a moment of hesitation. His gaze made her feel beautiful and exquisitely alive. She reached for the buttons on his shirt. He let her undo them one by one, pausing to kiss his mouth and his chest between each button. He made an approving noise as she finished, but when she reached for his zipper he shook his head.

  "I'll do it. You take too long."

  "Yes." Her voice was as shaky as her body. "Hurry."

  She lay back on the bed and watched him yank off his boots and socks and slide his jeans and briefs down over his hard, muscular thighs. They weren't the only things that were hard and muscular. Her body went hot then cold at the sight of him, fully aroused. For the first time, she considered the step she was about to take.