Pregnant with the Rancher's Baby: Reclaimed by the Rancher

“And why won’t I?” He shook his head. “When I told you I wanted to be part of the baby’s life, I meant starting from the day he’s born.”

She took a deep breath and finished putting several pairs of socks into the dresser drawer before she turned to face him. “While I’m glad to hear you want to be a hands-on dad, you having the baby by yourself for more than a few hours won’t be possible.”

“Why not?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest. “Don’t you think I can handle it?”

“Not unless you grow a pair of breasts and start producing milk,” she shot back, laughing.

“Oh,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “I, uh, hadn’t thought about that.”

Her smile was indulgent when she walked over to place her hand on his arm. “I’m not saying you won’t be part of the baby’s life while he or she is an infant. I’m just trying to tell you that for a few months it would be impractical for you to have the baby for any length of time.”

The feel of her hand on his arm through his chambray shirt sent a shaft of longing from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. It had been months since he’d lost himself in her softness and the slight widening of her pretty violet eyes was a good indication that he wasn’t the only one remembering that fact. It was all he could do to keep from reaching for her. But he’d given his word he wouldn’t push things.

Forcing himself to concentrate on what she’d said, he had to admit Jessie had a valid point. But he wasn’t going to give up that easily.

“Then how are you going to handle going back to work if you breast-feed?” he asked, frowning.

“With maternity leave and the vacation days that I’ve saved, I’ll be off until the baby is three or four months old,” she answered. “I’m sure I’ll be able to work something out after that.”

He covered her hand with his. “It looks like that’s the first issue we need to put on the list of things we’ll have to work out.”

“I suppose so,” she murmured, slipping her hand from beneath his and turning back to the bag she had been unpacking.

As he stood there wishing he could take her in his arms, Nate did his best to shore up his patience. He had told his brothers he would pull out all the stops to get her to marry him. But he had to take his time if he had any chance of convincing her that he really wanted to make her his wife. Rushing her would only send Jessie running back to Waco faster than a New York minute.

“After you get your things put away, I thought we’d drive over to Beaver Dam for supper at the Broken Spoke,” he said, deciding it was time to put his plan into action. “Today is my housekeeper’s day off and I’ll be the first to admit I’m not much of a cook.”

“I could make something for us if you’d rather stay in this evening,” she offered, reaching into the tote bag to remove what looked to be some kind of wedge-shaped pillow.

Nate briefly wondered what it was, but just as quickly dismissed it as he shook his head. “The day’s been pretty busy already and I’m sure you’re more than ready to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

He purposely omitted that the Broken Spoke Bar and Grill had a nice little dance floor and a jukebox filled with slow country love songs. Many a cowboy had used that dance floor and songs on that old jukebox as an excuse to hold his woman close while they swayed in time to the music. Nate fully intended to continue the tradition with Jessie.

“All right,” she finally said, emptying the last suitcase. She glanced down at the clothes she had on. “Will what I’m wearing be appropriate or should I change into something less casual?”

“The food is pretty good, but the Broken Spoke isn’t fancy.” He glanced at her jeans and loose mint-green shirt. “What you’re wearing is just fine.”

“Then I guess I’m ready whenever you are,” she said, picking up her shoulder bag.

As he stepped back for her to precede him from the room, Nate swallowed hard. He hadn’t really paid a lot of attention to the size of Jessie’s belly until now. But her gauzy shirt highlighted the small bulge more than concealed it, unlike her sweatshirt and the gnome costume’s apron had done the day before.

He took a deep breath as they left the house and he helped her into the passenger side of his truck. He had never given much thought to a pregnant woman’s figure and the effect it had on her sex appeal. But there was no other way to describe Jessie other than sexy as hell. Even though she wore loose clothing, he could tell that her breasts were larger and her smooth complexion seemed to have a glow about it that begged for his touch. And for reasons he didn’t even want to think about, just the thought that she was carrying his child made him want her.