Stone Cold Cowboy(98)

She’d known a week ago when she was late—she was never late—but didn’t say anything to Rory. She couldn’t stand to see what she saw in him right now. The inevitability of what happened next. He’d do the right thing. Marry her. They’d continue on as they had these last weeks, ignoring the fact that this happened way too fast.

She didn’t say anything these last days because she’d needed time to sort out her own mind and heart. Funny, where Rory worried, she felt at peace. Happy. Even elated by the news. Her father’s death had renewed her sense of living life to the fullest. Watching him deteriorate had made her want to hold on to everything she had and strive for more. She’d opened herself to Rory and love. That love turned into something wonderful they shared each and every day. Everything would be perfect if not for this black cloud hanging over them. Not the baby, but Rory’s strange and confusing feelings about it. He’d be such a great father. He wanted to be a father, but the way this happened bothered him on a deep level. She wished she knew what to say to make him believe her that she didn’t blame him. She wanted him and their baby and the happiness they’d share for the rest of their lives.

“Uh, do you have anything to say?”

He continued to stare at her, his face a blank mask, except for the shifting emotions in his eyes.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better than you look.”

Rory sat on the edge of the bed, planted his forearms on his thighs, and hung his head.

“Right, well, I’ve got some things to do at my place before I head into work.” She’d been working her way through the house, sorting through years of accumulated family stuff that needed to be tossed, sold, or donated to the local thrift shop. While she prepared for the future she wanted with Rory, he brooded about it.

She shrugged off her short robe and pulled out one of the two drawers Rory gave her when she essentially moved in. Soon, she’d need more space for her things. She wanted to put her mark on their room. She didn’t want to keep going back and forth between here and her place, living in this limbo.

“Sadie.”

She turned and stood before Rory in nothing but her panties, her hair tied up in a messy knot she’d hastily done before she yacked in the toilet.

“What?” She let her exasperation show in the heavy sigh she let out.

Rory’s gaze finally met hers. “We need to make some plans for you moving in here permanently. We’ll get married.”

Sadie held up her hand. “Wait. What?” Married? Just like that. She didn’t want to be an obligation, she wanted . . . more . . . everything. She wanted him to love her the way she loved him.

“You’re mad.”

“A little bit.” And a lot disappointed he didn’t show an ounce of excitement or joy for their baby, or about planning a life with her.

“I’m sorry.”

“That, right there.” She pointed a finger at him. “You think I’m mad about the baby. Well, you’re wrong. I’m happy. I’m excited. I’ve already started thinking of names and buying a crib and seeing our child in your arms.

“I don’t care how it happened. I am so thrilled to be pregnant with your child. Do you get that? You’re going to be an amazing father. I can’t wait to be a mother. But you are taking something that is an amazing gift in our lives and are turning it into something unwelcome.”

“No, sweetheart, I want this child more than I can say.”

She held her hands out and let them fall back to her thighs. “Then act like it. You finally have confirmation this morning, but you don’t smile or hug me or . . . anything to back that up. You look like your world just ended.”

“That’s not it at all.”

“What am I supposed to think with the way you’ve been acting lately? When I come home at the end of the day, you look at me like it’s been forever since you laid eyes on me and you can’t wait another second to be with me. You make love to me and everything feels so right. But then there are those times when you look at me and think about the baby and the look on your face is like I did something wrong.”

The phone beside the bed rang. Rory ignored it. “No, Sadie, I swear to you I . . .”

“Rory, Agent Cooke is on the phone,” Ford said, standing outside their closed door.

“I’ll call him back.”

“He needs to talk to you now.”

Sadie shook her head. “Take it. I need to get dressed and get out of here.”

“Sweetheart, please listen to me.”

“Agent Cooke is waiting. Why is he calling anyway?”