The Texan's Baby (Texas Rodeo Barons)

Yes, he probably should, especially since he heard the quiver in her voice. That last bit had hurt her and he hadn’t wanted to, but what did she expect? He’d trusted her, too. He’d started to care about her and the baby so much. He’d been falling in love with her, hadn’t he? And now he knew exactly how much she’d trusted and cared for him, didn’t he? What a fool he’d been, turning his life upside down in order to do the right thing. Every single time he’d done that in his life, he made himself unhappy.

He went to her then and put his hands on her arms. She trembled beneath his touch and regret flooded through him. “I swear on our baby, I had nothing to do with the proposal from AB Windpower. I never knew it was in the works, never heard a word about it. I asked for the transfer so I could be close to you and the baby, and that’s the only reason. It’s up to you whether or not you believe me.”

He let go and retrieved the duffel she’d so helpfully packed before he’d arrived home. It weighed extra heavy as he carried it to the door. He put his hand on the knob but turned around. “Someday, Lizzie, you’re going to have to put your faith in someone. Otherwise you’ll always be alone.”

There was an odd sort of stinging behind his eyes as he looked at her standing there, pitiful and lost. “I know you, sweetheart. That’s not the way you want to live your life.”

He opened the door and shut it behind him and then started down the hall. He was taking a chance right now. She wanted him gone—or at least she thought she did, but he walked slowly down the hall to the elevator. Any moment now she’d open the door and come after him, say she was sorry for blaming him, ask him to come back and talk it out. And he’d hold her in his arms and they’d put the pieces back together.

He got to the elevator and there was no sound. No door opening. No nothing.

And still he waited in front of the closed elevator doors, hoping.

Several minutes later he called himself the biggest fool on earth and pushed the down button.

* * *

LIZZIE WRESTLED WITH the skirt zipper once more and then gave up and reached for the tailored pants with the flat waistband and the peasant-style blouse that camouflaged her changing figure. Her wardrobe was really becoming a challenge as her shape changed but she was still too small for maternity clothes. Besides, the news was still limited to family and, of course, Emory, who would rather die than reveal Lizzie’s secret. She trusted her assistant completely.

She took her bagged lunch from the fridge and put it in her tote bag, then went out the door for the walk in the May sunshine to the train. Got on and thought about the day’s itinerary on the ride to the office. Got off the train and walked the short distance to the high-rise that housed Baron Energies.

She was going through the motions and she knew it.

After Chris had departed, she hadn’t quite known what to do with herself, so she called Maria and got her to set up a board meeting for the following day. She’d offered to drive out to the ranch to speak to her father first, but Brock had a follow-up appointment with his orthopedic surgeon in the city anyway, and Julieta had relented and agreed to bring him by.

Lizzie kne

w the moment he’d arrived because she could hear him grumbling about his wheelchair all the way down the hall. Smiling to herself, she stuck her head out of her office and saw the procession approaching—Brock, in the evil chair, Julieta, with the patience of Job pushing him along, and Maria, carrying a tray with coffee for the three of them.

“Small boardroom work for you?” Lizzie called out.

Brock looked up and a smile spread across his face. “There she is. How’re you feeling, Mama? That man of yours treating you right?”

She tried to ignore the pain that slashed through her at the well-intended words and pasted on a smile. Brock and Julieta both frowned at her tepid reaction while Lizzie noticed Maria’s mouth hanging open with surprise. “I’m feeling fine, Dad. Come on in.”

While Julieta got Brock settled, Maria put down the tray and approached Lizzie. “Sweetie, I didn’t know. I wish you’d told me.”

“I didn’t want anyone to know, Maria, but thank you.” Nerves began to bubble as she realized she would soon be telling Brock everything. “Do you think you could get me some orange juice though? I’ve been craving it all morning.” In a way it was a relief to have a few people know and not have to watch every word or action.

“Sure I can.” She slipped out and shut the door behind her.

Julieta gave Brock a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be in my office if you need me. Be good.”

He patted her hand, then gave it a squeeze. “Lizzie’ll take care of me.”

When Julieta was gone, Lizzie took the seat across from her father.

“What’s going on, Lizzie? Most of the time you try to avoid my input.”

“Sorry, Dad,” she apologized, a little embarrassed.

“Don’t be. I’m going crazy feeling useless and you’re trying to be independent. I’m not stupid.”

She sighed. “Some stuff has been going on and I should have talked to you about it before.”

His brows pulled together. “Why didn’t you?”

Guilt spiraled through her. “Because I wanted to deal with it on my own. Because I didn’t want to think about stuff happening to Baron while I was at the wheel.”