Expecting the Rancher's Heir

When the driver stopped in front of the lodge, she got out and hurriedly let herself inside. Only after she had closed and locked the door did she give in to the emotions that she had held in check since overhearing Shane and Senator Kurk.

First one tear and then another slipped down her cheeks and Melissa rushed into the bedroom to collapse on the bed. As she stared at the diamond ring on her left hand the loneliness of a lifetime came crashing down on top of her. She had never been able to live up to her father’s expectations and it appeared that she wasn’t enough for Shane now.

Nine

When Shane and the senator returned to the ballroom the closing speech had just begun and all eyes were focused on Blake Jarrod, Lissa’s brother, the new CEO of Jarrod Ridge. As he thanked the guests and investors, Shane looked around for Lissa.

Where the hell had she gone? Had she become ill and had to leave? If so, why hadn’t she found him to take her back to Willow Lodge?

As he scanned the crowd to see if she might be sitting at another table, he glanced at the head table. Lissa’s sister, Erica, was staring at him and he could tell from her expression that she knew something about where Lissa might be.

Frustrated by the fact that he couldn’t get to Erica to ask where Lissa had gone until after Blake concluded his speech, Shane barely heard his name being called when the investors were asked to stand and be recognized. By the time Blake gave his closing remarks, Shane was already on his feet and threading his way through the crowd to the head table.

“Where did Lissa go?” he demanded when he reached Erica.

“Just before Blake’s speech she sent me a message that she was having someone take her back to Willow Lodge,” Erica said, looking worried. “Do you think she’s not feeling well?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure as hell going to find out,” he said, already turning toward the door. “Thanks.”

“Please let me know if she’s all right,” Erica called after him.

Nodding that he would, Shane impatiently made his way through the crush of people leaving the ballroom. Was there something wrong with her or the baby?

As all of the things that could go wrong during the first trimester ran through his mind, he quickly decided that he’d done a little too much research about pregnancy. Apparently, ignorance really was bliss. It had to be better than the hell his imagination was putting him through now.

It seemed as if it took an eternity to make his way across the crowded lobby and out the resort’s main doors. Unwilling to wait for the valet to bring his truck around, Shane broke into a run as he headed for the lane leading up to the private lodges.

Why had Lissa sent her sister the message saying she was leaving instead of him? What had happened between the time he and the senator stepped out into the corridor and the time they reentered the ballroom?

As he sprinted up the steps and across the deck of Willow Lodge, he fished for the key Lissa had given him from his pocket. His fingers felt clumsy as he rushed to unlock the door and let himself in.

“Lissa?” he called when he finally opened the door.

The silence was deafening. He glanced around the room. Her handbag was lying on the couch as if she’d tossed it aside so he knew she was there.

“Lissa, where are you?” he called, his heart thumping against his ribs as his fear increased. When he found her in the bedroom, she was lying on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. “Lissa, angel, what’s wrong?”

Before he could sit on the side of the bed and take her into his arms, she raised her face from the pillow she clutched. “D-don’t, Shane.” Shaking her head, she scooted to the opposite side of the mattress. “P-please just…go home.”

What had gotten into her? When he left the table at the dinner, she had been fine.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded.

“I want you…to leave,” she sobbed. “Just go…back to your ranch…and leave me alone.”

“Angel, you’re not making sense,” he said, trying to maintain a patient tone. “Calm down and tell me what happened to make you so upset.”

Pushing herself to a sitting position, she swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, then shook her head. “I overheard you and Senator Kurk.”

“And?” He couldn’t think of a single thing they had discussed that would send her into such an emotional meltdown.

“There’s nothing to keep you from traveling extensively?” She shook her head. “What about me? What about our baby? Are we always going to come in a distant second to whatever project you’re working on? Aren’t we important enough to you that you want to be with us?”