The Rancher's Surprise Baby

“Let’s just say it was better to take the heat for that than deny it.”

“That sounds as if he had something on you.”

Ben shrugged. “Maybe.”

“You know I’m going to bug you until you tell me, so you might as well go ahead.”

“It was a long time ago. Not relevant anymore.”

Mandy shook her finger at him “Oh, no you don’t. You can’t start that story and not finish it.”

Why had he opened his mouth?

Mandy shoved his shoulder in a playful gesture matched by the mischievous grin she wore. The sudden urge to kiss that grin right off her mouth challenged his willpower not to act on that thought.

“Come on. Fess up.”

He used the last of his roll of streamer to completely cover the driver’s side mirror. “I had a thing for Shantele Drayton, but I knew I didn’t have a chance so didn’t want her to know. The only reason Greg knew is I let it slip one night when a bunch of us were out camping. Luckily no one else heard me.”

When Mandy didn’t respond, he glanced toward her and found her staring at where she’d managed to cover the rear tire in pink. He got the impression, though, that she was staring instead at a memory.

“Mandy?”

“I think that about does it.” She took a step back and admired their handiwork.

The mood had changed, and he had no idea why.

“You okay?”

“Yep.”

“Uh-huh.” He didn’t think he’d ever heard anything less convincing. It must have shown on his face, too.

“Fine. I just think Shantele was a self-centered twit. Every time she found out somebody wanted something or liked someone else, she either took it for herself or spilled the beans.”

“You sound as if you’re speaking from experience.”

“It’s possible.”

“And that experience would be...?”

Mandy propped her hands on her hips. “If you must know, Devon and I were shopping for homecoming our freshman year and there was a dress I really wanted. But I had to save up to buy it. The lady who owned the store agreed to set it aside for me for a week until I got my babysitting money. When I went back to get it, not only had Shantele bought it, she was wearing it out of the store as she walked by me. She’d been in the store that first day and overheard Devon and me talking about the dress.”

“But the lady said she’d save it for you.”

“The dress was on sale, but Shantele offered her full price. Money talks. Devon was so mad because she could have bought it for me, but I wouldn’t let her.”

“Did Shantele have something against you?”

“I won the spelling bee in third grade and she came in second.”

“You think she held a grudge that long? Over a spelling bee?”

“She’s probably still walking around now with that grudge. Shantele is used to getting what she wants. But I smile every time I hear the word tantrum. Kind of appropriate that she couldn’t spell it. So I personally think you were better off without her.”

“Sounds as if you’re probably right. I never said teenage boys were smart.”

Mandy laughed at that, then pulled out her phone and aimed it at the truck. “This would be better in the daylight, but I’ve got to at least try to take this for posterity’s sake.”

When she snapped the photo, it felt as if the flash lit up half of Blue Falls. And moments later, Greg’s front porch light came on.

“Oh, crap!” Mandy said as she fumbled her phone, nearly dropping it.

A shot of adrenaline mixed with laughter went through Ben as he grabbed Mandy’s hand and pulled her away from the truck. “Come on.”

Mandy squealed then laughed as she kept pace with him. The sudden appearance of headlights caused her to yelp. He switched their direction and pulled her into a darkened area on the opposite side of Greg’s garage, which sat a short distance from his house, surrounded by cars in need of repair—including Mandy’s.

They were both breathing heavily, but the sound of Greg’s surprised “What the...?” was still clear and caused Mandy to descend into a fit of giggles.

“Shh or you’re going to get us caught.”

When she dropped her forehead against his chest, his breathing screeched to a halt. He resisted the urge to place his hand against her back to bring her closer. Instead, he smiled as he felt the laughter shaking her body.

“I’ll find out who you are!” Greg called out, which only made Mandy shake harder with suppressed laughter.

“Cut it out,” Ben whispered close to her ear, trying to ignore the flowery smell of her. “You’re going to make me lose it, too.”

“Sorry,” she whispered as she looked up.

Her laughter froze when their eyes met. The brightness staring back at him stole what was left of his breath. And from the way she was gazing up at him, he knew he wasn’t alone.

Chapter Four (#u1cfc2515-c8ef-5520-af0f-c630b2529d11)

Come on, lungs, breathe!

Honestly, how could someone forget how to breathe? But as Mandy looked up at Ben’s face, it was as if someone had flipped the switch on her respiratory system to Off.

Damn, he was even more handsome up close. Thank goodness they were in near darkness. If he looked this good hiding in the shadows, this type of proximity in full light might just be her end. His mouth parted, and she felt her traitorous body start to move toward him.

But the sudden sound of footsteps on gravel caused them both to jump. Ben’s arms came around her and pulled her even deeper into the shadows. Greg might very well be about to find them, but all she could think about was the warmth and weight of Ben’s palms against her back, the faint smell of laundry detergent clinging to his shirt even after a long, hot day. The way her breasts were pressed against his chest and how much she liked how that felt and wasn’t in any hurry to end the contact.

It seemed to take forever for Greg to give up with a muttered curse and head back toward his house. That he hadn’t looked in just the right spot to see them was no small miracle. Ben didn’t move until the sound of Greg’s footsteps totally faded. When he did, part of her wanted to whimper.

But he only eased his hold on her, not totally releasing her.

“That was close,” he said.

“It was.” Every part of her wanted him to kiss her. Before that afternoon, she couldn’t even say when she’d last had a passing thought about Ben Hartley. Now she was having thoughts that would make the knitting club that met at A Good Yarn blush. Or maybe they’d remember their own youth and cheer her on. Was she daring enough to steal that kiss herself? She was just beginning to lift onto her toes when Ben set her farther away and stepped out of the nook where they’d hidden.