The Cowboy's Baby(29)
But that wasn’t it – not entirely.
There was a kind of longing in Esme’s eyes – a need for something more. And though Daniel knew that she had attested that she didn’t want her own children, he has to wonder if things might be different if she had the right man to support her – and the stability needed to care for a baby.
He could see her as a mother. A very good mother, in fact.
“It’s a boy.”
Her statement caught him off guard as she looked over to him, her expression sure. When he realized exactly what she’d said, Daniel’s heart leapt. It was ridiculous, he knew. How could she possibly know? There was no way medically- Amos had just told them so. “Don’t look at me like that. I know you think I’m silly, but I’m telling you, it’s a boy. I’ve got a gut feeling on this.” She looked from him to an amused Amos and back again. “And considering it’s my gut carrying the baby, there’s a pretty good chance I might be right, isn’t there?”
“Fifty fifty.” Amos assured her with a grin before withdrawing syringe filled with a murky looking liquid.
When Esme made a face, the man’s expression turned apologetic. “Sorry Esme, it’s for the baby more than for you. Hormone booster to encourage healthy growth.”
The young woman scowled, rolling up the sleeve of the shirt she wore as she stuck it out without complaint. “For the Bean, then.”
She seemed to be willing to do just about anything that was asked of her for the sake of the baby – even if it involved her own discomfort. Then again, for Daniel’s wish to procreate, she was endeavoring upon what many women considered to be, simultaneously, the greatest comfort and the most astounding miracle.
He watched with rapt attention as she took the injection with grace, and endured the rest of Amos’ poking and prodding without the slightest complaint. To his surprise, he found himself bristling slightly, when Amos endeavored upon the physical exam. This, of course, required him to, in essence, run his hands over various parts of Esme’s body as discreetly as he could; and when Amos reached between her legs, Daniel physically bit his tongue.
He was a doctor.
This was an examination; it didn’t matter if Amos was now privy to things Daniel himself had only dreamt of. The man meant no harm.
At least…Daniel hoped he didn’t.
If anything, he knew how easy it was to be bewitched by Esme’s unwitting charm.
***
Chapter Six: Pretend
Esme found her heart inexplicably light as she followed Daniel over the hill separating the main house from the stables. Dr. Snell had proclaimed the baby perfectly healthy and even though she was barely four months into her pregnancy, she found herself somewhat relieved.
Daniel was radiant.
Watching his face as the Doctor had shown them the child’s tiny head and limbs had been…utterly remarkable. The softness there – the selfless love for a child he’d never even met…she was convinced his sentiment had rubbed off on her. She’d found herself staring at the minute figure on the screen in wonder at what a human body could create.
Though she knew it was far too early, she’d felt the life inside her flutter, and considered, not for the first time, the gravity of her duty. She was carrying Daniel’s child. Even if it hadn’t been put there by conventional means, her belly would still swell and she would watch Daniel’s adoration for his son or daughter.
That, in and of itself, was enough to humble her – enough to make her feel a tad bit jealous of the baby in her womb. The little bean would have Daniel’s unconditional love – a father that wanted nothing more than to bestow his affection upon his prodigy and would never falter.
She herself had never sought such a thing from a man. She’d always relied on confidence in herself to get her through tough times – it was the one thing she could always depend on. Now, for the first time in her life, she had a glimpse of what a man’s devotion might look like.
She’d admit that she had never even considered that a man could have the things that Daniel had - could accomplish the things that he had – and remain un-jaded by the life that now surrounded him. It was literally breathtaking – the man could be well dressed and wear the same beat up boots every day. He seemed far more comfortable in his outdoor element than he might be during any huge merger – and she had, in fact, seen him at home far more than she’d seen him leave for work on any given day. It was obvious that he played a huge role in the running of the ranch, and that his animals were very important to him.
Which brought them back to her current task. Despite the fact that Apple throwing her had frightened her more, perhaps, than she might want to admit, Doctor Snell had informed her that it would only be safe for her to ride for the next two months or so – meaning that it was do or die.