Carrying the Rancher's Heir (12 page)

“You eating?” he asked.

“Uh, yes. I think I'll have the same.”

She sat with him and they ate in silence, Tagg having a second cup of coffee and Callie nibbling on her too-light-to-be-considered-toast bread. The toaster definitely had issues about evenness in heating, but the rest of the good-size kitchen was state of the art, with black granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a wide double-door refrigerator and cognac-colored wood cabinets. The home was modest in size for the Worths' millions, with its four bedrooms, a study and game room to go along with a parlor and dining room. Callie liked that it wasn't palatial like her father's house at Big Hawk Ranch. Nor was it modern rustic, like the main house that Clay lived in. For Callie, Tagg's house was just the right size to make it a home.

“What are your plans today?” Tagg asked. He rose from his seat to splash the remaining coffee into the sink. Then he leaned against the counter and braced his hands behind him on the edge.

Callie was caught by surprise. Most newly married couples would be on their honeymoon by now without a plan or care in the world but to be with each other. She could only hope Tagg had something wonderful up his sleeve for them to do today. “Why, what did you have in mind?”

He stared at her and scratched at the day-old stubble on his jaw. Tagg's morning look, with rumpled hair and a scratchy beard, made her heart twist with desire. “Sorry, but I've got work to catch up on in the office.”

“Okay,” she said, her rising hopes vanquished. “In that case, then I'd like to spend some time with Sammie before she leaves the ranch.”

“Fine. Well then, have a nice day with your friend. I'll see you later.”

With that, Tagg left the kitchen and walked out the side door that led to the office attached to the house.

Callie closed her eyes. “O-kay.” So that's how he was going to treat her, with measured tolerance and sickening politeness. Was that Tagg
trying?

Callie left the kitchen and headed for her phone. She needed to see Sammie to say goodbye to her good friend, but first she had to call her father back.

Too bad neither of those two options would grant her any peace.

 

Callie's emotions lifted and dipped as the day forged on. She drove to Clay's home later that morning where she had lunch with Sammie. They sat outside on the Worths' covered veranda overlooking miles and miles of grazing land. Close to
the house, an enormous pool with a rock waterfall and stone decking that could accommodate at least a hundred people ate up the width behind the long ranch house. The grounds surrounding the backyard were meticulously groomed and edged with an array of colorful pansies, white lilies and baby roses.

Sammie seemed unusually quiet. They both had a lot on their minds.

“I wish you could stay longer, Sam.”

“I wish I could, too, but I'm just in the way here. You've got a new husband and I've got a lot of work to do when I get back.”

“You could never be in the way, so don't even say that. Clay likes having you here as much as I do.” Callie bit down on her lower lip to hold back tears. She'd already cried enough for one day. “I don't think I could have done this without you. Having you here meant everything to me.”

Sammie took her hand and squeezed. “I know these are unusual circumstances, but you're married to a good man and you'll be a great wife. And remember, I'm coming back when the little one is born.”

“You better! You're the godmother.” She smiled but sadness gripped her heart. Callie's lips trembled. “I'm going to miss you, Sammie.”

Sammie leaned over the untouched salad plates and looped her arms around Callie's shoulders. “It's all going to work out. I just know it.”

“I hope you're right.” They broke their embrace and Callie ducked her head when she gave her confession. “I called my father this morning. I know, I know. I said I wasn't going to for a while. But he left me quite a few messages. I couldn't ignore him.”

Sammie's expression softened even more. “I know he's a hard man. But he's your father. Did you have a good talk?”

Callie thought about their conversation. She knew her father had tried to be civil, but he couldn't help being The Hawk. He'd given her a lecture and demanded that she come see him. “It was brief. I can't shut him out of my life, Sammie. But he'd almost destroyed everything with Tagg. And it's not just about me anymore. I have to protect our baby, too. We're going to be a family and I can't be torn in half anymore. I told Daddy that. He has to accept my decision and support me.”

“I imagine that didn't set well with him.”

“You imagine right.” Callie cracked a smile then and Sammie laughed. They shared a light moment and it felt good to be able to smile about something.

Callie glanced at her watch. “Well, I hate to say it, but if we don't leave now, you'll miss your flight.”

“You don't have to drive me, Callie, but you're a doll for offering. Jackson is having a car pick me up.”

“Jackson, huh? You two were getting friendly last night at dinner.”

Sammie shrugged. “He was being cordial since I didn't know anyone at the wedding but you. I think he took pity on me.”

Callie laughed. “Jackson? Take pity? No, if he paid attention to you, it was because he liked you.”

“So, what's his story anyway?” Sammie asked in a casual tone, yet Callie got the impression her friend was more than mildly interested in her answer.

“Well, all I know is that he runs Worth Enterprises from offices in Prescott and Phoenix. He keeps his private life private, but I know that he was in love with someone and she broke his heart.”

Sammie nodded and then sighed with understanding as
if Callie's reply made all the sense in the world. “Well, you married into a good family. The Worth men are worthy.” She grinned. “I should get so lucky.”

“You will, one day,” Callie said, more sure of that than of her own marital situation at the moment.

When the car arrived to take her friend to the airport, it was hard for Callie to say goodbye. Sammie had been her support, her rock of stability and sanity when Callie had had doubts. She'd given her encouragement over the past three days. Though they'd both promised not to, their farewell was wrought with numerous hugs and mutual tears.

Callie left the main house and decided to head home—it would take some time to get used to calling Tagg's ranch house her home—but she needed to get settled. She had yet to fully unpack. Then there was the matter of getting the rest of her things from her father's house.

Baby steps, Callie.

She'd deal with her father some other time.

As she pulled up to the house, she noted Tagg walking out of the stable, leading one of his prized mares by the reins, his black Stetson tossed over the saddle horn. She walked toward him as he readied the horse, adjusting the saddle cinches.

“Hi,” she said. “How was your day?”

“Busy. Not too bad, though. I usually break up the day with a ride.”

“Oh?” Callie would love to join him. She knew his horses needed exercise daily. She waited for an invitation that never came.

“Did you spend time with your friend?” he asked, straightening the bridle. It was obviously a chore for him to make conversation with her, but she wouldn't let that deter her.

“Yes. We had lunch at the main house. It was good of her to come to the wedding. I don't know how I would—”

Tagg shot her a look, his silvery eyes piercing.

Never mind,
she thought. She shrugged it off. “Sammie's on her way to the airport. So I thought I'd come back and unpack my things.”

“Sounds like a good idea.” Tagg grabbed his hat from the saddle and plunked it on his head. She'd always loved how his hair fanned out from underneath his hat. It brushed the collar of his shirt.

“I don't know all the names of your horses,” she said.

Tagg put his boot in the stirrup and swung his leg wide, mounting the mare. “This is Starlight.”

The mare's black coat was marred by one star-shaped white marking on her forehead. “Hi, Starlight,” she said, stroking her mane. “You're going to have a good ride, I just know it.”

The mare turned to give her a look then faced the pasture ahead.

“We always do.” Sitting atop the mare now, Tagg put his sunglasses on. A cowboy in Ray-Bans.

She nodded. “After I get settled, I might go over to Penny's Song for an hour or two. See if I can lend a hand, but I'll be back for dinner.”

Tagg smiled. “I'll look forward to it. See you later, Callie.”

“Okay.” She watched him ride off until he disappeared from her view.

And she felt more alone now than at any other time in her life.

 

That afternoon, Callie finished unpacking, filling just half of the dual walk-in closet with her clothes and shoes. She set her toiletries in the bathroom on the large marble countertop that, since it had been cleared off, seemed designated as her side. Perfumes, body lotion and hair mousse filled the space now.

Tagg liked to keep things orderly. Everything in the house was clean and free of clutter. He'd been alone in this house for four years and now Callie was here, tilting his perfect world and setting it on edge.

She arranged everything as neatly as she could, so as not to infringe on his goodwill too heavily. The last item she set out was her toothbrush. She plopped it into the holder right next to his. She liked seeing those toothbrushes together. It gave her a certain sense of belonging, as if to say, I'm here. I'm your wife now. Deal with it.

Callie smiled and walked into the bedroom. The comfortable bed beckoned and the temptation was too great to ignore. Newly pregnant women had a right to nap in the middle of the day, didn't they? She pulled the covers back, took off her jeans and climbed in, changing her mind about work at Penny's Song today.

It wasn't too long before sleep claimed her.

Half an hour later as she mildly dozed, she heard the back door open and then shut. Tagg's footsteps resounded louder and louder as he made his way down the hallway. When she heard him stop, she opened her eyes partway to find him standing in the doorway with a tentative look on his face. His shirt and boots were off. He probably left them in the mudroom at the back of the house.

“I'm not sleeping,” she said.

“Looks like you were. Did I wake you?”

“No. I'm just taking a rest. This bed is too comfortable.” She noticed his muddy jeans. “What happened to you?”

“Starlight decided she wanted to swim. There's a stream about two miles out she likes to tap-dance in. Guess we both got carried away. She got her bath. Now I need mine.”

Callie smiled. “Have at it. Don't let me disturb you.”

He glanced at her and nodded, then strode the rest of the
way into the room. Without qualm, he sat down on his side of the bed and removed his jeans and boxers. “Go back to sleep. I'll be quiet.”

Callie gulped oxygen, gazing at the smooth tanned skin on his back. She itched to touch him there, to run her hands along his broad shoulders and slide them down to his trim waist. When he rose, she watched him move through the room, buck naked. Every lazy muscle in her body jumped up in jubilation and she was consumed with raw overpowering lust.

Tagg entered the master bath and she heard him turn on the shower. She lay on her bed imagining him with water raining down, his body slick with soap. “Yummo,” she whispered.

And then she was out of the bed, shedding her blouse as she entered the bathroom before good sense stopped her. On a deep breath and a wave of insanity, she opened the shower door. If she was going to tilt his world on edge, she might as well enjoy the process.

She met Tagg's eyes. A look of confusion crossed his features. He was wet and soapy from head to toe.

“I'm feeling a little grimy.” It was her lame explanation.

He stared at her in her bra and panties. Then he pointed with his finger. “You coming in with those on?” he asked.

It was all the encouragement she needed. She shook her head and unfastened her bra, releasing her swollen breasts from their restraints. Tagg looked on as hot moist steam filled the room. Next, she bent to pull her panties down and when she came up, Tagg's arm shot out and she found herself being yanked into the shower stall. “You know how this is going to end up?” Tagg asked, his voice a low growl. He pressed her against the cool marble wall and trapped her with his arms by the sides of her head.

“We'll save on the water bill?”

Tagg grinned. “That, too.”

And then he kissed her—a serious kiss that told her all games were over. Tagg pressed his hips to hers and she closed her eyes. He was hard already and wanting her. She couldn't think of anything she craved more than being with Tagg in this moment. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, licking at his lips and mating with his tongue, the shower stall a thick cloak of steam.

Tagg bent down and spread her legs, holding her thighs in his grip. He brought her to instant climax with slick moist strokes of his tongue. Her legs nearly gave way from the sharp, powerful contractions that racked her body. Her immediate orgasm brought him up, his erection pressing against her belly, demanding release.

He lifted her body and set her down on his thick shaft, impaling her with a fluid thrust that had them both raising their voices, their cries echoing against the walls.

“So good, Callie,” Tagg uttered, his strength bringing her down onto him again and again. Her hips gyrated in his rhythm. She pushed when he pulled and she wrought out every thrust, every inch of him, straining to give him everything she had.

The release shattered them both, the pleasure unmatched.

They stayed entwined until their breathing steadied. Tagg shut off the spigot and the rain stopped. He spun her around to hold her against him. She leaned back into his chest and let his strength keep her upright.