“Okay, Friday night, then.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I’ll ask Sherry tomorrow if she wants to go.”
“Dad!”
The call came from a stall at the far end of the stable, and Quinn smiled. Would he ever get used to this rush of joy at being called Dad? He doubted it.
“On my way.”
Zack was kneeling in a pile of straw, a mass of wiggling puppies crawling all over him. When Quinn stopped next to him, the mother, a Border collie mix, rolled onto her side, tail thumping gently as she eyed him. Leaning from the waist, he extended the back of his hand to let her catch his scent, then scratched behind her ears.
“I take it this is Daisy?”
Zack nodded. “She’s the mama.” He patted the straw. “Sit down so you can see the puppies.”
Quinn hesitated. Getting down wouldn’t be much of a problem, but getting back up might be. His leg tended to give out when he put too much weight on it.
Carefully, he checked to see where Lanie was. She had opened the pasture door and was freeing the horses from their stalls.
Making sure he was close to the stall partition so he could use it as a brace, he gingerly lowered himself to the floor, extending his left leg in front of him. He barely got settled before the puppies mobbed him. They looked about six weeks old and were a mixed lot. Daisy obviously wasn’t choosy when it came to lovers.
Zack held one up for his inspection. “This one is mine. Mom said I could keep him.” The pup was only half the size of his littermates, but just as energetic.
“Got a name picked out yet?”
“Spot.”
Quinn eyed the solid black pup wryly. “Works for me.”
“You can have this one.” Depositing Spot in his lap, he picked up a brown and black ball of fuzz and thrust it at his father, giggling when the pup tried frantically to wash Quinn’s face. “Now you have to pick out a name, too. How about Frodo?”
Quinn examined the pup critically. “There’s just one problem with that. It’s a girl.”
Zack tilted his head, thinking, and Quinn’s heart turned over. God, he looked so much like Lanie when he did that. It made him ache for all the time he’d missed with this child they had created together.
“Okay, how about Pippin? That could be a girl’s name.”
It was easy to tell who his favorite characters were. Quinn laughed. “Pippin it is.” He glanced around as Lanie stopped at the stall.
“Five more minutes, guys. Martha will have supper ready soon.”
“Aren’t you going back with us?”
“I’ll be there in a bit. I want to run over to the brood mare barn first. One of the mares has been acting restless all day and she had some problems with her last foal. Kenny is there, but I want to check her myself.”
“Kenny?”
“Kenny Kelly. You don’t know him. He and his wife, Barbara, moved here a few years ago. He helps me with my breeding program, and trains the colts.”
Quinn nodded. “Guess we’ll see you at supper then.” He breathed a sigh of relief as she left the stable. At least it gave him a chance to stand up without her watching. He wanted her love, not her pity.
Chapter Nine
Lanie’s boots clicked on the concrete floor of the barn as she made her way past the roomy box stalls, each filled with an expectant mare. A rustling noise came from half-way down the row and she saw Kenny’s battered Resistol come into view as he stood.
“How is she?”
Lines of worry etched his weathered face. “Not good. I was about to come get you. She’s definitely in labor. Near as I can tell, the foal is turned wrong.”
“Damn,” she muttered under her breath. Last year she’d spent a small fortune to buy an Andalusian stud. This would be the first of Cortez’s foals and she didn’t want to lose it or the mare.
Leaning against the stall door, she watched the obviously distressed bay. Sweaty lather coated her neck and her eyes rolled with each contraction.
“Okay, keep an eye on her. I’m going to go call Jared then come right back.”
Kenny nodded. “Give Barb a call for me, too, if you don’t mind. Tell her what’s going on so she won’t worry when I’m late.”
Lanie nibbled her bottom lip as she headed for the house. Quinn probably wouldn’t like her calling Jared, but he’d have to live with it. Jared was one of the only vets in the area that specialized in large animals.
Quinn was holding Zack at the sink, letting him wash his hands when she entered the kitchen. His welcoming smile faded as he gazed at her.
“Something wrong?” He dried Zack’s hands and lowered him to the floor. The boy immediately joined Duncan at the table.
“The mare I told you about? She’s having problems.” Lifting the receiver to her ear, she punched in Jared’s number, anxiety flowing through her when she got his answering machine instead of him. “Jared? It’s me. Kadia is in labor and Kenny thinks the foal is turned wrong. Please come over as soon as you get this message.”
She hung up and dialed another number. “Barb? It’s Lanie. Kenny wanted me to let you know he’s going to be late. We’re having trouble with one of the mares.”
Quinn was watching her when she turned. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Not really.” She made herself smile at Zack before glancing at Quinn again. “You may as well go ahead and eat. I have to head back out to the barn. I don’t how long this is going to take.”
Martha was stirring something on the stove, but she paused at Lanie’s words. “And when are you going to eat?”
“I’ll grab something later. Oh, and Martha, I hate to ask you but I promised Kelsey I’d bake some cookies for tomorrow. Would you mind terribly stirring up a batch?”
“Don’t bother yourself.” The cook waved her spoon. “I’ll take care of the cookies.”
“Thanks, Martha. You’re an angel.”
Quinn followed her to the door. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?”
Lanie shook her head. “There’s really nothing even I can do except try to keep her calm until Jared gets here.”
“Couldn’t you page him?”
She blinked in surprise. This certainly wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. Nor was it Duncan’s if his frown was any indication. No matter what Quinn said, his friend didn’t like her and she couldn’t understand why. They’d barely spoken.
“I could, but the fact he’s not home means he’s already on an emergency call. He’ll check his messages the first chance he gets.”
Before she realized what he was going to do, he dropped a light kiss on her forehead and gave her a gentle push. “Then go. I’ll keep an eye on Zack.”
She held his gaze a moment. Somehow, during all the fights they’d had, with the pain of their breakup, she had forgotten that Quinn could be kind and compassionate. The man she saw standing here now was the one she’d fallen in love with, the one she’d married. And that made him even more dangerous, made her confusion even greater. It would be so easy to forget how he’d left her. Something she couldn’t allow herself to do.
“Thank you,” she murmured, lowering her gaze as she went out the door.
* * * * *
It was full dark by the time Quinn headed across the yard, a thermos of coffee in one hand and a bag of sandwiches in the other. Light spilled from the open doors of the brood mare barn, guiding his feet over the uneven ground. He paused to let his eyes adjust, then walked toward the low murmur of voices.
“How is she?”
Lanie looked up from her position next to the mare. “Not good. The contractions are coming faster.” She gestured to the short, bow-legged man beside her. “Quinn, this is Kenny Kelly. Kenny, Quinn McAllister.”
Tucking the thermos under his arm, he shook hands with the man. “Kenny.”
“Nice to meet you,” the trainer replied.
“Since you both missed supper, I thought you might like some sandwiches. Martha had plenty of roast
left.”
“Thanks.” Lanie stood and stretched while Kenny took the bag. “Where’s Zack?”
His heart rate sped up a notch when her breasts pushed against the fabric of her T-shirt. “Watching TV with Duncan.” He tore his gaze away from her chest, hoping she hadn’t noticed.
Luckily, her attention was focused on the food. She took a sandwich from Kenny and bit into it, leaning back against the stall door to keep an eye on the mare while she ate.
Crossing his arms on the top of the stall, he gazed down at the mare. “She’s a beauty.”
A frown marred Lanie’s brow. “Yes, she is. One of Xan’s daughters. If Jared doesn’t make it soon, we’ll have to try and turn the foal ourselves.”
“You still have Xan?” Xan had been his horse and for some reason it surprised him that Lanie would still have the big black.
“Of course.”
The sound of tires crunching on gravel had them all turning to the door. Lanie’s frown eased to a look of relief when Jared appeared in the light, a black bag in his hand.
“Sorry it took me so long to get here. Seems like every animal in the county picked today to get in trouble.” He gave Quinn a brief nod as the others made room for him. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”
Quinn touched Lanie’s arm. “I’m going to head back to the house and put Zack to bed.”
She gave him a distracted smile, her gaze on Jared as he knelt by the mare. “Thanks. Give him a kiss for me. And thanks again for bringing the food.”
“No problem.” With a sigh, he slipped out of the barn.
* * * * *
Lanie wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, watching the filly try to stand on wobbly legs. Kadia, the mare, had regained her feet, her efforts at nuzzling her daughter hindering the foal’s attempts more than helping.
Jared stopped at the stall, drying his hands on a paper towel. “You can stop worrying now. They’re both fine.”
“Thanks to you.” She smiled as she stepped out of the stall and closed the door.
“Just doin’ my job, ma’am,” he drawled. “Kenny leave?”
“I sent him home. Not much use in both of us staying here now that the danger is over.”
“Tell me you aren’t going to stay in the barn all night.”
“I won’t.” She glanced at the mare and foal again. “I just want to check them again in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” He hesitated. “Can you walk me to the truck, or is that against the rules?”
She squared her chin. “Forget the rules. I’ll walk you to the truck if I want to.”
“That’s my girl.” He tossed the paper towel in the nearest trash can and picked up his bag.
Lanie followed him out, waiting while he put his things in the truck then turned back to face her. The light from the barn made a square on the ground just beyond where they stood, and she could clearly see the lines of pain on Jared’s face as he lifted her hand and studied the rings she now wore.
“I thought I’d seen the last of these a year ago,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry. I had no choice, Jared. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy when I agreed to Quinn’s terms.”
He paused, his gaze moving over her face. “Maybe we were wrong, Lanie. It’s not too late. We can still fight him. All you have to do is say the word.”
“I can’t do that to Zack,” she said, softly. “You know what it would do to him.”
“God, this is hard.” He skimmed his knuckles down her cheek. “I miss both of you and it hasn’t even been a week yet.”
“We miss you, too.”
“So how are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” It was her turn to hesitate. “But there’s something I have to tell you.” She took a deep breath. “Quinn and I had a talk this afternoon and he made me realize something. I can’t spend the next three months pretending he’s not here just to get through it and get the divorce. The deal was to try and make the marriage work, to give it another chance. Jared, I gave him my word. I have to try.”
The hurt glimmering in his green eyes made her want to cry.
“I’ve lost you already, haven’t I?”
“No.” She cupped his cheek. “It only means I have a decision to make. This isn’t what I would have chosen, but it’s what I agreed to. Three months is a long time.” Her gaze drifted to the darkened house. “Knowing Quinn, he’ll head back to Chicago the first time his father calls. If he does, our deal is off.”
“Then I’ll pray he calls fast.” He took a step back. “Guess I better be going.”
Lanie nodded. “I’ll see you Saturday when you come to pick up Zack.”
He climbed into the truck and started the engine before looking at her again. “Don’t let him make you forget I love you, Lanie.”
“I won’t,” she whispered, the lump in her throat nearly choking her. “I promise.”
* * * * *
Wearily, Quinn closed his eyes and rubbed the scar on his temple, wishing he were any place but sitting on the back porch steps. If he could have left without letting them know he’d been there, he would have. But any movement on his part would have drawn their attention instantly.
He’d tried not to listen, not to watch. Unfortunately, sounds carried well on the night air, and the light from the barn had outlined them clearly. And now he felt like crap. He hoped Lanie would head back into the barn, but as soon as Jared’s truck vanished down the drive he heard her steps moving toward the house. They stopped abruptly and he opened his eyes to see her peering uncertainly into the darkness of the porch.
“Quinn?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
She moved closer and propped a foot on the bottom step. “How long have you been here?”
“Too long.” He smiled wryly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“You heard everything?”
“Yes.”
Climbing the last few steps, she sank down beside him, remaining silent while she rubbed her eyes. “I had to call him, Quinn. He’s the only vet in this area. And I owed him the truth.”
“I know.” Gingerly he put his arm around her, surprised when she leaned into his body. “I’m not blaming you. It’s just not easy seeing you together.” He let his thumb caress the skin on her arm. “You were wrong about one thing you told him, Lanie.”
“What?”
“Me leaving. I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s what you said last time.”
“Last time I was an idiot. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
“What about Edward?”
Quinn’s expression turned fierce. “He’s my father, and part of me will always love him. But the rest of me hates him for what he’s done. He made a big mistake when he broke us apart and kept my son from me. One he’s going to regret. You have to believe me, Lanie. A second chance to be with you and Zack, for us to be a family, means more to me than anything Edward has to offer.”
He put a finger under her chin and tilted her face to his. “Jared isn’t the only one who loves you, Lanie. So do I. There was a time I fooled myself into thinking I didn’t, but the minute you walked into that fund-raiser, I knew I’d been wrong. If anything, I love you more now than I did before. That’s why I’m doing all this, why I want us to have another shot at making things right.”
She lowered her head, rested it against his shoulder. “What about McAllister Pharmaceuticals? It’s as much a part of your heritage as this ranch. I can’t see you giving it up easily.”
Involuntarily, his jaw clenched. “Let me worry about the company. I promise you, it won’t interfere in our life.”
A prodigious yawn stretched her features. “What were you doing out here?”
He lifted to gaze to sweep the ranch. There was a full moon tonight, its blue light creating familiar shadows. “Thinking. Soaking the place in. I used to do it a lot.”
“I remember,” she murmured. “I’d wake up and discover you weren’t in bed.
I’d always find you sitting out here.”
“You never said anything.”
“No. You seemed…I don’t know, sort of untouchable. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You should have. It’s a lot nicer with you here.” He rested his chin on top of her head and put his other arm around her.
“I guess we both should have done some things differently.” She paused for a moment. “Did Zack give you problems over his bath tonight?”
“Bath?”
She grinned. “Don’t tell me he talked you out of it?”
“He never even mentioned it. Sorry. I’m still new at this father thing.”
“It’s okay. He can take one in the morning instead. You’ll learn.” She shifted, then straightened. “I need to go check Kadia one more time before bed.”
“How is she?”
“Fine, now. The foal is a filly.”
“Mind if I go with you?”
“No, I don’t mind.” She went down the steps, waiting for him at the bottom.
He’d forgotten about his leg. Stifling a groan, he rose awkwardly, well aware of Lanie’s curious stare. He forced a smile. “Been sitting in one position too long.” When he joined her, he took her hand. “I had a look at Gator earlier. That’s about the ugliest bull I’ve ever seen.”
“Now you know where he got his name.”
“Why are you keeping him in the corral?”
“We moved him there about two weeks ago after he tried to gore Kenny. Luckily, he didn’t get the job done, but I can’t risk the same thing happening with one of our riding groups. Kenny knows what to do, these people don’t.” She glanced toward the corral that stretched between the brood mare barn and the stable. “I suppose I’m going to have to sell him. He’s gotten too dangerous.”
“Do you have a replacement?”
“A couple of his sons. They’re still a little young, but I think they’ll do.”
“That’s good. Oh, and I talked to the contractor. He’ll start the new bunkhouse as soon as you show him where you want it.”
She glanced up at him. “You don’t have to do that, Quinn.”