The Cowboy's Baby(17)

Esme’s dark eyes widened as she gazed at the man in shock. Come to…live on his estate? Of course, everyone in town knew about the expansive Hartsford Ranch about a hundred miles outside the city, but few had ever visited it. The two-hundred acre rolling property was very private affair, completely closed off from the outside world. This was, press representatives stated, to ensure that the cattle lived in the greatest comfort and produced the highest quality beef.

Excitement filled her chest at the prospect of being allowed on the ranch, even as her rational mind protested against it. Hartsford was already giving her five thousand dollars month for her own expenses. Now, he wanted her to come live on his property free of charge? It all seemed like a bit much. Atop that, whenever Alyssa decided to stroll back onto the scene, Esme was sure the Hispanic beauty wouldn’t be too happy about another woman so close to her man.

Esme swallowed her excitement, forcing herself to remove her personal feelings from the equation. “That’s an amazing offer, Mr. Hartsford.”

“Call me Daniel.”

The interjection caught her off guard, sending warmth curling through her belly as his brilliant blue eyes pierced through her. “Daniel. But I’m afraid there’s no way I can accept. The stipend you’re giving me is already immense. It’s more than enough for me to make sure I have everything I need to keep your baby healthy.”

“In my opinion, it’s nowhere near enough.” Daniel added more coffee to his cup his expression completely sincere. “If I had my way, Esme, I’d make sure you had every comfort available. The ranch is closer to the surrogate center and we also have our own private doctor on for emergencies. You wouldn’t have to work…everything would be provided for you….and…” He hesitated, clearly fighting some inner battle with himself as he decided how to continue. Esme waited on his words with bated breath. “It would help my peace of mind. I’m…I’m not certain if Alyssa is coming back. Ever. If it’s at all feasible for you…I’d like to be close to my child.”

For a moment, Esme just stared at him, a storm of emotions churning inside her. Alyssa had walked out on the man permanently? They’d only just decided to have a child together? What kind of woman walked out on her own child? While it was evident to her that Daniel had the resources to handle himself and a baby, what he didn’t have was a mother’s touch; and all thanks to his half-cocked partner, whose sanity the young woman was very much beginning to doubt.

How was she supposed to say no to this request?

While it would be difficult for her not to work – she’d always supported herself - perhaps the time off would give her the opportunity she needed to fine tune some recipes she’d been working on. She was sure that wherever she stayed on the ranch would have a decent kitchen. She’d just have to find something to do with all her spare time. Maybe she could even save the bit of her stipend she might have used otherwise – she fully intended on returning at least fifty percent of it to Daniel to add to the already hefty trust fund he must be building for his child. She wouldn’t feel right taking so much money for her own personal use.

Daniel wanted her on the ranch. He wanted to be close to his developing child and he wanted the peace of mind that came from quick access to medical care. Could she really be so cruel as to deny him? The man was obviously hurting from the loss of his partner. She had no intention of adding to the quagmire of complications he currently faced.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a tentative smile. “Well…if it will help your peace of mind…how can I say no?”

Immediately, it was as if a visible weight had been lifted from the man’s shoulders. He straightened, a warm smile lighting his devastatingly handsome features as his eyes shown with relief. “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”

Oh, she’d mind. How couldn’t she, when it meant she’d be living on the same estate with a man whose baby she carried? While she hadn’t been impregnated in the traditional sense, there was still something rather…intimate about carrying someone else’s child. Esme had tried to ignore any such feelings she might have, telling herself that she was her own person, in an entirely different household, far away from the drama and prestige of Daniel Hartsford.

But all of that was about to change

She was about to be in the thick of everything, including her innate attraction to the man – which had only been enhanced by the hormones raging through her body.

“I wouldn’t mind.” Her reply was saccharine sweet. “There are a few stipulations though.”