Chapter Fifteen

Teddy rocked back and almost lost his balance as her words hit him. “I don’t believe you.”

She shrugged. “Jake reviewed the contracts today and signed off on them. She’ll be home at the end of the week. Her last performance is some big charity event on the thirtieth.” Sue Ellen waved a finger in his face. “I’m going to call Cole tomorrow, so I would strongly suggest you talk to him first and make sure he’s on board.”

Absently, he nodded.

Susan walking away from her career, her life, and everything, so I can have the kids? He reached for the railing of the deck as his head spun. He was going to get the kids and she was coming home? It was too much to take in. Two hours ago, his entire future looked bleak, no kids, and no Susan. Now, he could have both.

But at what price?

He didn’t want her if she had to give up so much to be with him. No, that wasn’t what he meant, of course he wanted her, but not like this. Not because she was being forced by Peterson. That son-of-a-bitch. When he got his hands on him...

Raking his fingers through his hair, he closed his eyes. What the hell was he going to do? She had to be in quite a mess with this. She was probably going to be sued and her name dragged through the mud. He couldn’t even fathom it.

Walking away from commitments without some huge medical reason or something out of her control was the worst thing she could do. The scandal would rock her career, and she might never recover from it. Another thought struck him. He was assuming she did this planning on being with him. What if she wasn’t? What if she did this for him out of gratitude? Susan was pretty emotional once the stalker was caught, and full of apology for giving him a hard time when he first went to New York. What if she was doing this out of some type of twisted payback? She never mentioned being part of his life with the kids.

There was no way he could let this happen. He wasn’t about to let her sell her soul to the devil to fix his situation. He loved her too much to hurt her that way.

****

“It’s already done.” Cord set the phone back in the cradle. “Jake told me as much as he was willing to without breaking her confidence, but he confirmed the contract between Susan and Brad is a done deal.”

Teddy glared at his brother from across the desk. “And you let her do this?”

Cord leaned back. “It’s not my business. I don’t meddle in her career—if I meddled in everyone’s life do you think I’d have let Diane go off and...”

Teddy waved his hand. “This isn’t a matter of someone moving away or getting married—this is her entire career—her whole life, Cord. I would think you’d be more upset about it.”

Cord leaned forward. “The adoption has been approved. I would think that would be your focus right now.”

“How can I be elated that something I wanted so badly has to be at that price?”

“You don’t have to think about it. What you need to focus on right now is telling those kids they are going to be with you forever. How soon before that house is done?”

Teddy raked his hand through his hair. “I don’t know, another month, maybe. I’ll move them into our place temporarily. It’s not like it isn’t big enough.”

“That’s fine. It’s not like I’m going to be filling those bedrooms any time soon.”

The bitterness in his tone made Teddy look closer at him. For the first time in a long time he noticed his usual steady, strong brother seemed a bit off kilter. With this adoption final, with his family now in place, was it bothering Cord as the oldest that he was the last of the family not settled down?

Teddy stood. He couldn’t think about all that right now. He had a lot to do, especially if he was going to be in New York next week for Susan’s last concert.

****

The phone hadn’t stopped ringing. Susan ignored it once more as she hid out in her apartment. The past few days had been insane. She’d had to go back to working with the bodyguards Cord had hired for her when the stalker was still in the picture. The thought of her last bodyguard crept into her mind constantly, but she fought to keep focused on getting through the last few days. The only interview she’d agreed to give would take place right before the concert tomorrow night. After the concert she was done and could catch a plane back home.

Her fans might think she was crazy, but in her heart, she knew the ones who loved her for all the right reasons, her music, her talent, her heart, they would stick with her if or when she came back to the stage. In her heart, she knew that the ones who truly loved her would understand. It wasn’t as if she was shutting down her entire career, just big chunks of it. Her music producer was already discussing her next album and assured it could be cut anywhere she could find the proper recording studio. It had been a long time since she’d done a country CD, and she found it exciting to go back to her roots.

From Teddy, however, there hadn’t been a sound. Part of her was hurt and disappointed, but she hoped the reason he hadn’t called was because he had no idea what she’d done. But she longed to talk to him, see him, touch him. Every time she scrolled to his contact in her phone, something held her back. He had a lot to do right now. Sara had told her he was moving the kids in this weekend to the Weston family home. Having to suddenly be responsible for three little ones was a huge task; she couldn’t really blame him for not thinking of her right now.

Still, a little voice inside longed for just a text, something to let her know she was on his mind. The doubts threatened to overwhelm her at times. Was what they shared really just a fling? Teddy’s reputation as a love-’em-and-leave-’em guy hadn’t been earned by chance. Had she simply been a challenge, someone he’d never been with, and now that he’d had her, it was over? Was part of her attraction the fact that she was living in New York and wouldn’t be any type of emotional threat to him?

It wasn’t like she made the deal with Brad hoping that she and Teddy would be together. Had she? No. This was as much a positive move for her as it was for the kids and Teddy. This had been the right decision all around—even if he didn’t want a relationship.

The small box in front of her was full, so she flipped the top closed and sealed it with the packing tape. A quick swipe with the black marker indicated what the contents were, and she stacked it with the others she was taking with her.

Running her hands down her jean-clad thighs, she looked around. Everything was ready to go. The furniture she wanted moved back to Texas was marked, and the movers were to bring everything out next week.

Glancing at the clock, she realized that tomorrow night at this time it would all be over. She’d have sung her last song in New York, taken her last bows, and, hopefully, would be on a plane flying home.

For the first time in a long, long time she wasn’t excited about the concert; rather, she wanted it behind her so she could start the next $Chapter ****

“Mrs. Flo?”

Teddy grinned and met Flo’s eyes as the housekeeper turned from the stove to look at the little girl.

“Yes, honey?”

“You make the best pancakes in the world.”

Flo laughed and moved to Maria’s side. She laid her hand on top of the dark curls. “Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll make them every day if you want.” Her old gaze lifted to Teddy’s and she smiled.

He glanced at Rosa and Ramon, not quite believing they were all really sitting here together. For the first time, he was having breakfast with his kids. He was their father. The papers were signed, and no one could take them from him now. He choked up, not for the first time, as he watched Ramon dig into his pancakes, syrup dripping down his new pajama shirt.

He winked at the little boy as their eyes met. Without a doubt, the day would come when the boy would tell him what he was thinking in words, not just in a shared look.

“Mr. Teddy?”

Teddy turned to look into the soft brown eyes of his eldest daughter. He loved that—his daughter. It was an awesome title. “Just call me Teddy.” He hoped in time they’d call him something else, but for now, Teddy worked just fine.

“Will we still go to school with our friends?”

He nodded. “Sure will. The school bus will come to the end of our driveway every morning, pick you up, and bring you back every afternoon.”

Her eyes grew wide. “I love riding on the bus. We took one to a field trip at the museum once.”

He reached out and touched her cheek. “Now you’ll get to ride one every day.”

Maria reached over and wiped her younger brother’s mouth. Teddy watched her mother him and made a vow that he was going to do everything he could to make sure she had a childhood and no longer felt the weight of needing to take care of her siblings.

“After breakfast, we’ll take a ride down to the new house. I want to show you where your rooms will be.”

They laughed, a joyful sound of complete contentment, and dug into their breakfast with renewed vigor.

Teddy met Flo’s gaze from across the room and shook his head. The older woman had tears streaming down her face. When she turned her back to the others, he crossed the room and put his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him for a second before pushing away, wiping at her eyes with a tissue from her pocket.

“I never thought this would happen,” she whispered.

He nodded. “I know.” His voice choked. He glanced back at the kids, but they were busy eating and laughing with one another.

Flo caught his attention, staring him in the eye. “Have you called her yet?”

Teddy stiffened. “No. I don’t know what to say on the phone.”

“How about ‘Thank you’?”

He shook his head. “I have a lot more to say than that, and I want to do it in person.” He wasn’t divulging anything else. He moved back to the table and began to pick up the empty plates. “You guys ready to go see our new house? Get dressed and meet me right out the back door.”

The kids scrambled from the table and up the backstairs.

Teddy grabbed the keys to his new extended-cab truck off the hook by the door. “We’ll be back for dinner. I think we’ll go see the house, visit with Buck, Sara, and the kids for a bit, and then do some shopping.”

“Teddy.”

Flo’s warning voice stopped him.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I know you want to give those babies everything money can buy, but all they really need is your love. Buying doodads and gadgets and fancy things ain’t gonna make that little boy talk any faster.”

“I know. I do, but they need some things, and I want to pick up something for tomorrow.”

She furrowed her brow and he winked.

****

In the darkened theater, Teddy popped a piece of gum into his dry mouth. Why was he here? His confidence had left him far behind as he listened to the announcer. This was ridiculous. Maybe Susan hadn’t decided to leave her career behind because of him. If that was the case, wouldn’t she have called him? E-mailed? Texted? Something? Even when he found out she knew he had the kids, there’d been no word from her. Maybe she wanted to be with Brad. That thought had crossed his mind, too. The two of them had been pretty hot and heavy at one time. Maybe Brad had made her an offer she couldn’t turn down, and the chance to be with him again had been the icing on the cake.

Clapping automatically with everyone else, his pulse raced as he watched the curtains come up and heard the band launch into Susan’s signature song. Around him, the crowd whistled and screamed as she descended from the ceiling, singing low and sultry.

His seat was close enough to the stage that he had a perfect view of her legs in the short dress she wore. Her thighs flashed with her dance moves, and he was a puddle of want before the first song ended. Oh, how well he knew how soft those legs were, how powerful the muscles in her body could be as she wrapped herself around him.

He bit down hard on his lip as she marched across the stage to sing almost directly in front of him. He didn’t dare move; didn’t want her to know he was there until he was ready. Fortunately, she swept back the other way just as quickly.

For an hour and a half straight, Susan sang and danced and teased the audience. She changed her outfit for every other number, and he was dizzy wondering how she managed the quick turnaround. He was in awe at the intricate dance moves of some of her numbers. She must have been working her butt off in the past two weeks since she’d been home.

Breathless, she stopped in front of the microphone, smiling and waving as the audience cheered. “Thank you. Thank you so very much. You have no idea what this means to me.” She paused and looked away.

Teddy watched her struggle as she fought for composure.

Back straightened, she smiled into the audience once more. “As you know, I’m going to be stepping back a few paces and going back to my roots for a bit.”

The boos and hisses that greeted her announcement had her laughing, but he could see in her eyes it wasn’t a good type of laugh.

“Okay. I know you don’t like it. But if you watched my interview tonight with Gail Robbins, you’ll know why I’m doing this. So tonight, let’s not focus on that, let’s spend time with one another and enjoy the moment. I want to completely satisfy your every need,” she said, lowering her voice to a teasing tone. She laughed at the off-color comment someone shouted. “Here’s the deal. I’m doing this event for charity tonight, so for every hundred-dollar donation you make, I will sing whatever song you want. For a larger donation, you can join me on stage and I’ll sing right to you.”

Shouts went up from the crowd and she shook her head. “Come on, now, we have to do this in some kind of organized fashion. The ushers are coming around to help out. Let them know your donation and what you want, and we’ll make it happen.”

Teddy’s eyebrows shot up. This couldn’t have played into his plan any better if he’d conceived it himself.

Catching the usher’s eye, he called him over and named the amount of his donation.

The usher’s eyes grew round. “Are you serious, sir?”

“Buddy, I’ve never been more serious in my life. I want you to ask her to sing this song.” He scribbled down the duet they’d sung together back home at the LoneStar for years. “Get me backstage so I can come out and sing my part.”

“You’re going to sing? I mean, that’s not really what she wants.”

Teddy took his checkbook out. “I’m writing this check right now, and I’m doubling what I told you a minute ago.”

“Hey, for that kind of money, whatever you say.” The usher took the check and the piece of paper from him. “Come with me.”

Teddy glanced at the stage, but Susan was singing and her focus was on an elderly couple across the room. Quickly, he scooted out the side door and followed the other man through the back hall to the private area. A few words with the familiar bodyguards and he was in the wings, back far enough that she couldn’t spot him. He only prayed this worked.

As the usher crossed the stage and handed her a slip of paper, he saw her frown. She covered the microphone as the other man said something. Susan glanced behind her, but Teddy was careful to stay out of view. The usher must have told her how much the donation was because he watched shock spread across her face before she finally nodded.

Within seconds, he heard the band begin the first strains of “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” Susan started to sing the first part of the duet. As the lyrics approached the next section, where the second singer would come in, he could see the confusion on her face.

As the notes began, he lifted the microphone to his mouth and, from backstage, began to sing. Her mouth parted in shock as her eyes searched for him.

He walked out and her mouth lifted in a smile. Though her hands shook, when the words were hers to sing, her voice was as strong and steady as ever. For his part, he tried hard to focus on her and not the thousands of people he knew were in the audience.

Reaching her side, he sang directly to her as she listened, and then when her part came again, he reached for her hand. Her fingers trembled against him, and he squeezed them in reassurance that he was really there.

Their gazes clung to each other, their hands embraced as they sang. When the song came to a resounding end and she’d let the last note go, he leaned forward and kissed her.

The crowd went wild with cheers and screams and wolf whistles.

When he lifted his head, Susan laughed and turned to the audience. “Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to introduce you to an old friend from back home, Teddy Weston.”

She gazed at him, her blue eyes sparkling, full of happiness…and love.

In that moment, Teddy had no doubt at all that she was coming home to him. All his confidence returned as he slid his arm around her waist and stood next to her.

“I sang with Teddy and his band, the Scoundrels, back home for years,” she continued. “They still let me join them once in a while, and I hope that in the next few years I may get to join them again from time to time. If they’ll have me.”

Teddy lifted the microphone to his mouth. “We’ll have you any way we can get you.”

Her eyes widened. “A girl can’t get an offer better than that one, now, can she, folks?”

Teddy figured he wasn’t going to get a better cue than that. He hitched his pant leg and dropped to one knee in front of her. “Actually, I do have an offer that might be slightly better.”

She stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.

He reached out for her hand. “I love you, SusieQ. I know it’s asking a lot, but I figured you’re coming home anyway…so how about marrying me?”

Susan’s hand trembled and her mind raced. First the shock of Teddy appearing out of nowhere, singing with her on stage, and now this. Had he lost his mind?

Obviously, he was doing this to thank her. Did he think she needed him to marry her because of what she’d done? She swallowed, hard.

“Uh, darlin’? You’re making me look really bad right now.” He tipped his head and brown eyes bore into hers.

Susan blinked. He was right, this wasn’t the time or place to work through all that. Right now, the man she loved was on his knee asking her to marry him in front of all her fans.

“Yes,” she whispered, but made sure it was in the microphone so everyone could hear her.

She hadn’t even noticed the diamond until he slipped a beautiful ring on her left hand.

Once more the crowd exploded with cheers and applause as Teddy rose to his feet and pulled her back into his arms for a long kiss.

The rest of the concert passed in a blur. Her promise to sing every song that came with a donation took until halfway into the night, but hard as it was after Teddy’s surprise, she stayed true to her word. He stayed on stage with her for some of them, but then he slipped away. When she was done and the last curtain call was finished, he was back and whisked her to a waiting car. Her body ached, and she slipped her heels off as she settled into the seat next to him.

This all had to be a dream. Lifting her hand, she caught a glimpse of the ring in the street lights as they drove through the city. She couldn’t believe that Teddy was here, and that he’d proposed. Had he lost his mind?

Teddy grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. “Do you like it?”

He looked like he wasn’t sure she would, and she tipped her head at the uncertainty in his eyes.

“Of course I like it. I love it.” She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him.

His fingers found the neckline of her evening gown and fingered her cleavage, stroking the sides of her breasts. Susan’s breath caught and hung as he slid his hand in the silky material and lifted her into his palm. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered against her neck.

She laughed. “Did you miss me, or those?”

He lifted his head. Even in the dim light she could see the seriousness in his gaze.

“I missed us.”

Lowering his mouth to capture her lips once more, Susan kissed him back even as doubts began to creep in. Teddy wasn’t the marrying kind. This entire night was nothing but a fantasy. In the morning, they’d talk it over and get their heads on straight. She raised her arms to link around his neck. But tonight, nothing else mattered except they were together again.

By the time they finally reached the privacy of her apartment, it was all she could do not to tear the clothes from his body.

Teddy seemed to have the same lack of control as he unzipped her gown and let the bodice fall to her waist before they even reached the living room.

“So beautiful. So sexy,” he muttered. Her gown slid the rest of the way off as he lifted her into his arms and strode down the hall to her bedroom.

“So are you.” She laid her head back on his chest and thrilled to his eagerness.

He set her on her feet next to the bed without turning on a light. The moonlight coming through her still open drapes provided more than enough light for her to see the unrestrained desire in his eyes.

Reaching for his belt, she flicked it open and drew down his zipper. Without hesitation, she reached into his pants and lifted his pulsing erection into her hand.

Teddy shuddered and dropped his mouth to her shoulder. She arched her neck as he suckled on her skin and stroked him.

His hand cupped her breast and her already hardened nipple drew tight as his finger plucked a response. “I’m going to devour you with my mouth from one end to the other and back again until you scream my name ’til you’re hoarse.”

His words sent images coursing through her mind as the blood rushed to her head, making her knees weak. Between her legs she grew moist and throbbed for all he promised.

Impatiently she struggled to get his jeans off his hips. “Take these off.”

Teddy grinned against her lips. “Bossy lady.” But he obeyed, and within a flash had his pants and shirt off. With his eyes locked on hers, he slid her panties down, falling to his knees with them and kissing every inch of her exposed skin. His rough hands slid up her legs, holding her steady as her hands crept into his hair. Teddy’s hot breath between her thighs was almost all she needed to explode. His finger stroked where she ached, and he kissed her bared belly as he fondled her. Gently, he encouraged her to sit on the edge of the bed and spread her thighs to kneel between them. Her legs hooked over his shoulder, he spread her open wider and buried his mouth in her center.

Susan cried out and grabbed for the comforter as he rocked her with his tongue and toyed with her with his large calloused fingers. Within seconds, she was coiled tight as a spring and could barely breathe. Her head thrashed back and forth as she came apart. Before she could catch her breath, Teddy stood up. In one smooth stroke, he drove himself inside her.

Susan wrapped her legs up and around his waist, matching his rhythm. Once again, the waves rose and crashed. When his pace increased, she reached for him and joined him in her own release as he climaxed.

Lying next to him minutes later, the thick comforter covering their naked bodies, she listened to his rapid heartbeat under her ear. His hands, never still, caressed the curve of her hip and slid lower to squeeze her rear end. She closed her eyes and slid her hand across his chest to toy with his nipple.

By the change of his breathing, she knew Teddy had fallen asleep. His hand still held her hip possessively, but it was a loose grasp. She easily slipped from his arms and the bed.

Pushing her hair back, she glanced at the clock. They’d only been back to her apartment for an hour and she was wide awake. Slipping into her silk robe, she settled in the oversized chair across the room and stared at the unfamiliar ring on her hand.

The diamond glistened, and she rubbed her thumb over it. It wasn’t as if she’d never worn rings before, but never one that meant what this one did.

She glanced at Teddy as he slept. Even with her body still humming from his attentions, she knew she couldn’t marry him. Surely, Teddy had only asked out of a sense of gratitude or obligation, and that was not the way she wanted him. She hadn’t worked the deal with Brad so he’d get the kids in the hope that he’d come running with a proposal.

Sure, the sex would be great for a while and would make him think it was what he wanted, but he was Teddy Weston, renowned playboy. Sooner or later he’d grow bored. While she knew he’d never cheat on her, he would slowly come to resent being tied to her. She couldn’t handle that.

It was much better to enjoy what they had, discreetly, of course, now that he had kids. They could get together from time to time, until the passion burned out. Her stomach rolled at the thought.

With one last look at the ring on her finger, she twisted it off and set it on the vanity next to her chair. Closing her eyes, she rested her head back against the chair and listened to the comforting sounds of Teddy nearby.

“Why did you take this off?”

Teddy stood naked next to her, the ring in his hand and a scowl on his face. Susan blinked several times trying to figure out what was going on; then it all came rushing back.

She stretched the kink from her neck, sat up and pulled her robe closed where it gaped open. “Why don’t you get dressed, so we can talk.”

“You don’t want to marry me?”

She bit her lip. If she said she did, he’d feel even more of an obligation. If she said she didn’t, he’d be hurt.

“We both know you’re only marrying me to thank me.”

“That’s what you think? You seriously believe I would marry someone out of gratitude?” He snorted.

Susan stood but stepped away from him. “Teddy, you don’t want to marry me. You don’t want to marry anyone, remember?”

“I’ve changed. Life isn’t the same now as it was a few months ago. Back then, I’d have to agree with you. I didn’t want to be committed to anyone.”

The hurt in his voice was evident. She wanted to stop talking, put the ring back on, and make everything okay, but she had to be the strong one this time.

“Come on, Teddy. You don’t just change overnight into this guy who wants a wife.”

“I changed into a guy who wants kids. The kids are home right now with our family, waiting to welcome you home. Or is that it, you don’t want the kids?”

She hissed in her breath as his words hit her like a slap in the face. “Of course I want them! I’m half in love with them already.”

He held her gaze, his voice lowering. “Then that must mean it’s me you don’t want. I’m good enough to screw, but you want to be able to walk away when I can’t get you off anymore, is that it?”

Susan’s jaw dropped. “Don’t be crass.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to upset your sensibilities, Madame Broadway.” Teddy stepped away from her, then spun back around. “God, I’m an idiot. It really didn’t have anything to do with me, did it? Your working with Peterson is what you really want. He’s what you want, isn’t he? All that giving it up for me was a good excuse for you to walk away from your career and work with Peterson.” He picked up his jeans from the floor and shoved them on before walking out of the room.

Susan followed close on his heels. “Are you insane? Do you really think that what we had just now isn’t enough to satisfy me? That I would go from you to Brad, just like that?”

Teddy crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. “Women have been known to do crazy things. Maybe he’s more your type. We both know I’m not.”

“I love you!”

“Yeah? Well, let’s see. We make love until we both can’t breathe or see straight, and then I fall asleep and wake up with my fiancée taking off her ring and saying it was a mistake. So you can see where I’m a bit confused when you say you love me.”

“I’m trying to let you out of this, don’t you see that?” she tried to explain. “You don’t have to marry me, Teddy. I did the right thing by making that deal with Brad. In fact, it was probably the best decision I’ve made in a long time. I’m looking forward to doing something positive with my life right now. Something that matters. So yeah, in a way what I did was for me, but it was also for you, a win-win. I get to go back home to Texas and do something with my life that might actually mean something, and you get to be a dad to those amazing kids. But we don’t have to get married. We can be together without being married.”

He crossed the room and yanked her into his arms, crushing her into his embrace.

“No, that’s not enough for me. I want you with me in that house. I want you with me as we raise those kids. I want to make love to you every night, and every morning, and grow old with you as my wife. I love you too much to not be married to you. Don’t you get that?”

She shook her head. “But you didn’t call me. Not even when you got the kids. You didn’t take me to the airport or...” She broke off on a sob, realizing how childish she sounded.

He kissed her cheeks, her mouth, her chin and finally her lips. “I couldn’t call you. I would have begged you to come home. And there was no way I was going to stand and wave as you flew away from me. I couldn’t bear it.”

Her lip quivered. “I wanted to come home the minute I landed back here.”

Teddy brushed her hair back from her face and scrubbed at the tears with his thumbs. “It was just like years ago. I loved you so much and watched you move to New York. I figured it was the same way now, I had to let you go if that was what you wanted.”

“You couldn’t wait for me to leave for New York back then. You hated me.”

He shook his head. “I was mad, but if you had stayed in Texas, I know without a doubt we would have worked it out and ended up together. But it wasn’t right. You had to go chase your dreams. Even as young as I was, I knew you had to go. Being mad at you was my way of coping with losing you. It was also the only way you were going to leave. I had no right to stop your dreams with foolish talk of love.”

“Are you saying you pushed me away on purpose?”

He shrugged. “How do I know? I can’t analyze it. But looking back, yeah, I think in my own way I pushed you away so you wouldn’t stay in Texas.”

He led her to the couch and lifted her hand to kiss her fingers. “I know I’m rushing, and you’re right, we don’t have to get married right away, but I’m telling you, I will go crazy with you working with Peterson day in and day out. At least put the ring on and let’s have a long engagement.”

She grinned at how insecure he was about the other man. “Oh, no, cowboy, it’s way too late for a long engagement.”

He reeled his head back hard and his eyes went cold.

She laughed. “I want a fast wedding so I can move in with you and the kids.”

She pressed him sideways on the couch until she could straddle him. Her robe flapped open and she wiggled against his denim fly. “You’re stuck with me now. I’m not leaving. I’m going to marry you and be the only woman in your bed, forever. You can just get your head around that idea right now.”

He groaned and rolled his eyes. “I don’t know if I can do that, I mean every night, the pressure you’ll put on me.”

“You could start by not putting these pants on so fast all the time.”

He raised his hips off the couch and she shimmied the denim off, laughing as she struggled.

Susan shifted above him until she was able to ease herself over his already hard erection.

“You know, we may have to build our own pool house, now that we have kids under foot,” he grunted.

“And locks on all the doors.” Susan rose and lowered herself, loving the way his face revealed his pleasure as she squeezed him with her inner muscles.

Teddy reached for her breasts and squeezed them gently. She rocked back and forth before he grasped her hips and took control of the rhythm.

Susan cried out as he bucked up and drove into her harder.

“I’m coming back to the band, too,” she panted. “I forgot to tell you that.”

Teddy growled and held her tighter. “You do pick the most interesting times to spring information on me.”

She grinned, rose, and lowered herself hard. “I’m the only duet you’ll ever have again, cowboy.”

Epilogue Susan finished braiding Rosa’s long hair and set her back from her. “There, all done. Have a look.” The little girl scampered across the large princess bedroom to the mirror over her vanity. Susan smiled as she watched her touch the French braid and stare at herself in the glass.

“I look pretty,” she whispered.

Susan crossed the room to step behind her new daughter. “You are pretty. In fact, you’re beautiful. You and Maria are my beautiful girls.”

“What’s all this I hear about beautiful girls?”

Susan glanced at the doorway, where Teddy leaned against the doorjamb. In just over a month, they’d managed to get married and move into their new home with their kids. While she still couldn’t believe things could be this perfect, all they’d shared so far was love, laughter, and more happiness than she’d ever dreamed of.

Susan’s gaze fell to the little boy hugging Teddy’s leg. Almost everything was perfect. While Ramon squealed with delight at his new pony and hugged them both all the time, he’d yet to speak.

“You heard beautiful girls and you came running, is that it?” Susan smiled and crossed the room, lifting her head for the kiss she knew he’d give her. They never let an opportunity to touch one another go by.

Teddy gave her the expected brush of his lips in a kiss that said, “If these kids weren’t watching…” Her insides trembled at the look in his eyes, and she winked her promise for later.

“Did you see that song I left in your office?”

He had a weird look in his eyes, almost uncertainty. Before the house was completely done, he’d turned a small sitting room area downstairs into an office for her, but it really had become more of their own private music room. Her favorite times were when he joined her with his guitar and they hammered out new ideas for songs.

“I saw it.” She couldn’t help but hedge, knowing it would drive him crazy if she didn’t say what she thought.

“Oh, I was just wondering.” He shrugged.

She laughed and grabbed his face. “I thought it was amazing. Are you going to sing it this weekend?” While Teddy had given up most of his gigs at the LoneStar, she’d convinced him that he needed to get back to the band now that they were all settled in.

He shifted from her touch, and she frowned.

“Actually, um, I was thinking if you liked it, you could record it for your new CD.”

Her breath caught and her hands fell to her side. “Are you serious?” she whispered.

Once more, he shrugged as if it didn’t matter to him. She knew otherwise.

“Yeah, I mean, you said you were looking for just the right songs, so if it’s not what you had in mind...”

“I love that song. It’s amazing…I’m speechless.”

His wary smile grew to a brilliant one. “Well, that is a first, now, isn’t it?”

He ducked out of the room as she swatted at him with her hand.

She followed him down the hall. “Wait, are you serious? Are you going to let me record a song of yours and put it on my CD? You know that people will buy it, don’t you?” They’d reached their own bedroom and, noting the kids hadn’t followed, she quietly closed the door.

Teddy pulled off his T-shirt and bent to unhook his belt. She watched hungrily but knew he was just getting ready to take a shower before they all headed down the road for Sunday dinner with the whole family.

“I thought maybe it was time to dabble in song writing.”

Clad only in his underwear, he crossed the room to the master bathroom, and she heard him start the water for the shower.

Susan closed her eyes, wishing she could join him. “Are you sure about this?” she called.

He stepped back out the bathroom door and her mouth dropped open, her heart skipping like it always did at the sight of him without clothes.

He grinned. “As sure as I am that you want me so bad right now you’re debating if you should jump my bones or go help Ramon get ready.”

She picked his T-shirt off the floor and flung it toward the bathroom door. “You wait, cowboy. Payback is no fun.”

His laughter followed her all the way back to the kids.

Ramon was still in his sisters’ room. She reached her hand to him. “Let’s get your hair combed and clothes changed so we can go to dinner at the big house.”

Sunday dinner had never been so exciting as it was these days with Sara and Buck’s family, theirs, and now Beth’s pregnancy. It was fun to sit around with everyone and talk about everything from the past to the latest news in town.

In Ramon’s cowboy-style bedroom, decorated the way he had pointed out in pictures, she reached into the closet and sifted through the new shirts. Jeans would be fine, but a little polo shirt would look nice. She pulled out a red one.

“No, I want to wear the blue one.”

“Oka—” She froze and then spun around. Had she imagined that? Stay calm. The doctors had said to not act like it was a big deal if he spoke, but to act as if it was natural. “You don’t want this red one?” she said, trying not to stutter over her own words.

To her disappointment he shook his head.

“What one did you want?” she pressed gently.

He pointed toward the closet. “That one.”

She couldn’t help it. Tears filled her eyes. She raced across the room laughing and scooping him up. “Teddy!” she cried out, racing down the hall toward their bedroom.

Teddy flew from the bathroom, dripping wet, his eyes wide with fear. “What happened? What’s wrong?”

Susan laughed as tears streamed down her face. “Ramon told me he wanted to wear the blue shirt. He told me what he wanted!”

Teddy’s eyes grew wide.

She nodded again as if to convince him. Pulling back she said to Ramon. “Why don’t you want to wear the red shirt, honey?”

He glanced at her and then Teddy and grinned. “I don’t like red. I like blue.”

Teddy laughed and raised his hand. “There you have it, SusieQ, the man knows what he likes. Blue shirt it is, pal. We’ll never buy a red one again.”

Susan met his gaze over their son’s head. She didn’t miss the crowds, the bright lights, any of it. This was real life, and this was exactly where she wanted to be.

Read on for a sneak peak of the next Double B book, coming soon!

“We have to get married.” Abigail Prestone’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the muscular back in front of her.

The pitchfork froze in midair, and she pressed her hand to her stomach to quell the nausea as her breakfast threatened to reappear. Even this early in the morning, it was more than apparent by his sweat-stained shirt that Cole Pritchard had been hard at work for hours. The barn smelled of hay and animals and her nose twitched. She only hoped she could get out of here before she broke out in hives and started sneezing like crazy.

She’d never been to the Pritchard ranch before, and certainly wouldn’t have come to the barn if she had. It was so large! It made her feel even more vulnerable than she already did.

Cole stabbed the tool into a pile of hay, and turned to face her. “That’s quite a good-morning.” One eyebrow rose as he yanked off first one brown leather work glove and then the other. With one shoulder propped against the barn wall and his arms folded across his chest, he pinned her with a steady stare.

Abigail’s stomach dipped and swirled as if she was on a rollercoaster. When Cole looked at her with those piercing blue eyes, she couldn’t think straight—and that was how she ended up in this predicament.

Lifting her chin, she prayed for a steady voice. “There have been consequences to our actions from an evening we would both prefer to forget.” She cringed. Had she really said that? She sounded like an uptight bitch. Actually, that might be good. Better than letting him even suspect what she really wanted to do—burst into tears and fling herself into his arms.

No, it was much better to keep her defenses up rather than give any indication of her weakness where he was concerned. Something she should have thought of six weeks ago.

His gaze dropped to her middle and she clenched her small purse tighter in front of her. A thin chill hung in the air between them. Finally, he let his breath out and dragged his worn cowboy hat from his head. His thick, deep red hair was matted and memories of running her fingers through its coarse waves caused her cheeks to burn.

After swiping his brow with his arm, he replaced his hat. “You were the only one who wanted to forget it happened.”

Her breath hitched and she flushed with the vivid memories that flashed through her mind. “There was no reason for us to have any further contact,” she insisted.

“Until now?”

She bit down hard on her bottom lip and nodded. “We need to get married.”

He snorted. “Is that a proposal…or an order?”

“Does it matter? There’s no choice.”

His eyes widened and he shook his head shortly as if in disbelief before pushing away from the wall. “Don’t you think we should talk a bit about this before racing to the altar?”

His words were like a punch in the stomach. Her chest was so heavy she could barely draw a breath. “There’s nothing to talk about. There’s going to be a baby, so there’s going to have to be a wedding before anyone suspects one happened before the other.”

For a long moment, his gaze locked on hers. What was he thinking? Was he shocked? How come he didn’t seem more concerned? She was about to fall apart, again, and he looked as calm as if she’d said she had her hair done. Narrowing her eyes, she glared at him as if he was an unruly teenager in her library. He finally shifted his feet and looked away.

“We wouldn’t be the first couple in this town to put the cart before the horse.”

Her mouth dropped open. Did he really think she was going to walk around town carrying his child without his name? “This baby is not going to be born illegitimately!”

He shifted his feet as if uncomfortable with the term. “Calm down, Abbie. It’s not like it’s the 1800s. You’re acting like they’re going to run you out of town for having sex.”

“It doesn’t matter what year it is! I can’t—I won’t be an unwed mother.” Her voice was a shriek in the morning air as panic threatened to overwhelm her.

Cole rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “Marriage is a huge commitment, a forever deal; what if we make a mistake?”

“We already have,” she choked out. Somewhere between a cough and a sneeze, her voice cracked. Her eyes began to itch making her even more miserable than she already was He knew damn well they had no choice. How could they stand in church on Sunday morning when what they did would soon be evident to the whole congregation? Not to mention, the fact they both held positions where they helped mold young people to do the right thing—what kind of example would they set! The gossips would have a field day wondering how prim and proper librarian Abigail Prestone had gotten herself into such a predicament. She could already hear the whispers, not to mention the laughter. If it was only herself to think about, she might consider moving out of town, but she had her parents to consider. She couldn’t do that to them.

“All I’m saying is we should take some time to think this through clearly. It’s obvious you’re very emotional right now.” His voice sounded more convincing than the hesitation she saw in his eyes.

She clenched her fists in frustration and took a breath. How could he be so calm about all this? Was he really this dense or was he determined to make her life an even bigger hell than it already was? Was this payback for the fact that she’d refused to see him again after what happened? “Think it through? Now you want to stop and think? The time for that was six weeks ago!” She shook her head. A stray hair tickled her cheek and she impatiently brushed it back even as her hands trembled.

He reached out his hand, but she stepped back. If he touched her she was going to lose it right here in the barn.

“Abbie, I’m only suggesting we take a few weeks to make sure we’re not compounding one mistake with another.”

She’d been telling herself the same thing ever since she found out, but hearing him call what happened a mistake stung—he didn’t need to spell it out that he regretted having been with her.

She narrowed her eyes and glared. “Stop calling me that! Its Abigail and you know it.” No one had ever called her Abbie…until that night. Cole had whispered the nickname tenderly as if it was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard, which directly led to this moment. This man was her weakness, just like chocolate, and both were apparently bad for her waistline.

Cole rubbed the back of his neck once more. How many times had she watched him do that during Sunday mass and wished she could massage away whatever stress settled there? Now all she wanted to settle was her hands around his throat and choke the stuffing out of him. How could she have been so weak and stupid? How could he have been so irresistible?

“I will not allow this child to pay for your sins,” she said firmly.

His blue eyes narrowed. “My sins? You were there too, if you’ll recall.”

“You started it,” she insisted and could have groaned at her childish answer.

He glared back. “I don’t recall hearing the word ‘no’ cross your lips.” A smug smile tilted his lips. “In fact, you kissed me right back and then wound your hand around my…”

“Stop.” She slammed her hands over her ears and closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories he seemed determined to make her see. After a few seconds and many deep breaths, she opened her eyes to find him grinning.

She lowered her hands; her cheeks burned with humiliation.

Cole’s eyes danced with mirth. “I was going to say, wrapped your hands around my neck.”

Abigail narrowed her eyes. “Is this a joke to you?”

“I’m trying to lighten things up a bit. We’re adults; we can work something out without either of us panicking.”

What planet was he on? Work something out? What on earth was he talking about? If he were any other man, she’d suspect that he was going to try to convince her to end the pregnancy. At least she knew him well enough to know that wouldn’t be a topic of conversation. Was he thinking she should give the baby up for adoption? She’d still be pregnant; they weren’t kids who couldn’t raise a child. She stared at the cowboy in front of her—well, she wasn’t a child, anyway.

Cole studied her as if she was a bug under a microscope. Was he sizing her up, finding her lacking? She shifted uncomfortably. Probably thinking she looked a lot better in moonlight.

“Did you plan this?”

“Plan this?” she repeated, aghast. What on earth was he talking about now? Plan what?

He shoved his hands on his hips and continued to stare. “Did you figure this was your chance to land a husband?”

Oh no, he did not just say that. Fury blinded her and all the stress and pressure of the past few days exploded inside. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes grew wide. “How dare you!” she sputtered.

Cole’s eyes widened.

“If you honestly think I would have planned this, don’t you think maybe I’d have picked someone who didn’t live out here in this godforsaken place with a bunch of smelly animals! You’re a cowboy, for crying out loud. A cowboy!” She marched across the barn to point a finger in his chest. “If anyone planned this, it was you! Everyone in town knows you wanted to marry Beth, but she went back to Tyler and now they’re married and having a baby of their own. Did you honestly think for even one minute Beth would choose you over Tyler Weston? Seriously?” She forced her gaze to slide up and down as if sizing him up and finding him lacking. Hah. Let him see how it felt. Her nose twitched as her allergies kicked up.

Cole’s face turned the same shade of red as his hair.

Abigail stepped back. Icy fear twisted around her heart. Had she pushed him too far? Suddenly, it occurred to her that they were all alone. His ranch was miles from town. She fought back her rising panic. She was being ridiculous. This was Cole. He wasn’t going to hurt her; at least not physically.

Would he?

For a split second, she considered telling him the real truth; that she’d been in love with him since the seventh grade. What would he do if she fell to her knees and told him she would live in a tent in the middle of the desert with him if he loved her?

Never in her life had she pictured herself bidding on a date at a bachelor auction, but when she saw Cole standing onstage, something took over her good sense. Convincing herself that it was for a good cause, she’d kept bidding until she beat out all the other hopeful single women for a date with the eligible bachelor. When he first kissed her, it was all those girlish dreams had come true and she’d melted faster than ice in July. She knew herself well enough to know that if it had been any other man who kissed her, whispered to her in the moonlight, nothing would have come to it. It was only this man who had that kind of power over her. The fact that she’d eagerly gone along with him, even encouraged him, was beyond embarrassing.

Cole continued to stare as if trying to get his own temper under control. He lifted his chin and glared. “If you don’t think you want a cowboy for a husband, then I suggest you climb back on your broom and fly back to town. It’s no skin off my back if you—”

Abigail raised one eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. Tipping her head, she pinned him with a stare. “And have the whole town know Cole Pritchard has a child that he won’t honor with his name? You could seriously stand in front of your Sunday school class and preach morals and ethics, with me sitting in the same church, carrying your child?” She shook her head. “And what about your father? What do you think Doc is going to say when he comes home from his cruise and finds out that I’m carrying his grandchild and not married to his son? I’m thinking that wouldn’t go over too well, would it?”

Cole’s head snapped back as if she’d struck him. His eyes widened and then his features contorted with anger. He took another step toward her and she backed up again, but this time there was a rough wall behind her and she couldn’t go any further.

Abigail lifted her chin, doing everything she could to not let him see her fear.

After what seemed an eternity, but was probably only a few seconds, he gave one nod. “Fine. You win.”

She started to sag with relief, but he wagged his finger in her face, making her blink.

“But I have a few demands of my own, Miss High-and-Mighty, before we go running off to talk with Father Murphy.”

His body was only inches away. The smell of male sweat should have disgusted her; instead, it made her think of sinking to the ground and having him cover her with his body. Even the thought of the red welts she’d have from the hay didn’t stop her from longing for him.

“What demands?” The words came out far breathier than she wanted.

“I don’t want anyone to think this is anything other than a whirlwind romance. I won’t add to this mess by having folks know that we had to get married. This damn town is too gossipy as it is.”

“But they know we’ve never dated,” she protested. Was he crazy? He’d hardly ever spoken to her unless it pertained to church business. Did he really think everyone would think they had suddenly fallen madly in love? It made no difference in her mind why folks thought they got married as long as they were married before any sign of this baby came about.

“We’ll say we’ve been seeing one another quietly,” he insisted.

She doubted anyone was going to believe that, but she nodded her agreement.

“Here’s the other part of this deal. Don’t be thinking this marriage is going to be in name only. I want a real marriage, and a house full of kids. So make sure you’re ready to hold up that end of the bargain before you say I do.”

Abigail drew her bottom lip into her mouth. Here was the subject she’d been dreading. Obviously, someone as virile as Cole was going to want a real marriage, especially seeing as how they’d already been physical. But wedding ring or not, she was not going to be used just for sex. If he didn’t love her as a husband should, and she wasn’t so foolish as to believe he ever would, she didn’t plan on sharing his bed.

“I don’t think so. I see no point in sharing the same bed when we both know this marriage isn’t based on love and mutual respect.”

Cole looked at her with a mixture of disbelief and amazement. “You’re joking right?”

She shook her head. “You can’t seriously expect that we would have a normal marriage. We don’t even know each other.”

He lifted one eyebrow. “You can’t expect that I’m going to be married for the rest of my life and not have sex.”

“I’m not going to—to…I mean…I can’t. You can’t expect that it would be okay to be together like that.”

She lifted her hands to try and appeal to him and brushed his shirt. His chest was damp, but solid and warm. For a split second, she almost flattened her palms over it. The need to touch him again was overwhelming—and completely the opposite of what she was trying to convey.

Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice her inner struggle as he pushed his hat back further on his head and glared at her with angry impatience.

“Given the fact that we’ve already done the deed, I don’t know what you’re fussing about.” His gaze drifted down her body. “It’s not as if you didn’t enjoy it.”

Abigail’s anger flared at his arrogance and the flutter in her stomach at his confidence made her even madder. She shoved him away from her. “You arrogant, conceited beast! Just because I lost my head one night in a weak moment to which you took advantage of my naiveté, does not give you free rein to my body.”

He was back in front of her before she’d closed her mouth on her last word. Large hands gripped her upper arms in a punishing hold. He hauled her off her feet and up against his chest as the air whooshed completely from her lungs on a gasp. Crazily, she was suddenly very excited at his strength and the feel of his arms of steel holding her helpless.

Was she nuts? Was she this weak where Cole was concerned that even mad at him she still wanted his kiss? Her nipples pebbled where they pressed into him and she prayed he couldn’t tell. She’d be mortified.

He lifted her up higher and she squeaked in alarm. Her purse fell to the barn floor as she fumbled to grasp his shoulders for support as she dangled helplessly in his grip.

“Listen, you little witch, get one thing clear right now. I was the one who tried to put the brakes on things, but you kept insisting we keep going. And yes, I am fully aware that I could have stopped us at some point. But frankly, I was a bit out of my head at that moment too. And as we both know, I’m not a Weston, so it only stands to reason that I wouldn’t be enough of a gentleman to stop when it reached the point of no return.”

“Put me down! Right now, Cole, I mean it. Put me down.” She wiggled, but her body came into direct contact with his and she froze. Desire flooded her and she longed to wrap her arms around his neck and have him kiss her.

“Right now, listening to the crap spilling from your mouth, I have no clue how we ended up in this situation, but I know one thing: I’ll be damned if I’ll let you go on believing this is all my fault. It takes two to tango, sweetheart.”

His breath smelled faintly of coffee and she wondered if he tasted of it as well.

She loved coffee.

His blue eyes flared and narrowed. “If you think I’m going to spend the rest of my life with a shrew who refuses to take responsibility for her part in this, you better think again.”

“You just said it isn’t the 1800s. You can’t force me to sleep with you even if we’re married.” Even as she said the words, she knew she was dead wrong. If he turned on the charm, hell, even if he didn’t, she’d probably lie right down and invite him to do whatever he wanted. She hated her weakness where this man was concerned, hated herself and therefore him for it.

She struggled fiercely against his hold.

As if he’d reached some conclusion, he lifted an eyebrow. “I think the bug that’s up your butt, ice princess, is that for one night you forgot you were above the rest of us and you acted like a red-blooded woman.”

His words shocked her into stillness. Was that really what he thought? That she was a snob? She felt the burn of tears fill her eyes. “Y-you’re obnoxious!” Not the most eloquent choice of words, but it was all she could think of.

“You seemed to like me well enough six weeks ago, really liked me, too, if I recall correct.”

He lowered her along the length of his body until she felt the floor of the barn beneath her feet again. Humiliation burned and she stumbled to put some space between them.

Reaching down, she picked up her purse and brushed the bits of hay and who knew what else off it. She patted down her pulled-back hair and refused to meet his gaze. “This is completely unacceptable. I’m not sleeping with you again.”

“Okay. No problem.” He gave a brief nod as if to dismiss her and turned back to his pitchfork. “Have a good day.”

She bit her lip. “I’m glad you can see things my way. Seriously, Cole, just because two people...”

“Don’t get the wrong idea.” He didn’t turn around as he cut her off. “I’m not marrying you on your terms, but I won’t let that baby be raised without me. So I guess the only other alternative is to sue you for full custody.”

She gasped.

Cole turned back to glare at her. “I hope you have a lot of money, Abigail, because I will drag this out so long that I will destroy you. I will sell my soul to the devil to win my child.”

He was crazy; the judge had no reason to give him custody over her. But panic still tore at her. Her hand slid protectively across her middle. She might only have acknowledged this pregnancy a few days ago, and it might have been unexpected, but she loved her baby and would fight to the death for him or her.

His gaze caught her gesture, but his face remained hard and set. “Enjoy the pregnancy because once that baby is born, I will do whatever it takes to raise him or her on this ranch.”

“No judge is going to give you custody unless you have a good reason against me.” Other than her one night with Cole, she was above reproach. There wasn’t a court in the world who could find a skeleton in her closet to hold against her.

Cole smiled in an evil way. “Judge Waters is my father’s old fishing buddy and my godfather. I think if spun just right—you know, how I begged the baby’s mama to marry me, but she was so opposed to sharing my bed that she’d rather give up custody—I think he’d agree that you are an unreasonable and maybe even unstable mother. Then I’d get a few of my buddies—the Westons you think so highly of—and I’m pretty sure I know how it will all turn out. Oh, you’d get visitation rights. Perhaps every other weekend and alternate Wednesday afternoons or something like that would work.”

She reached out to rest a hand on the wall as her head began to spin dizzily. He wouldn’t do that, would he? He was bluffing. Cole wouldn’t tear a baby from its mother’s arms, would he? Did she dare call his bluff?

What if it wasn’t a bluff?

The End.

A word about the author...

Roni Adams has been in love with writing almost as long as she's been in love with Texas. Although born and raised in Upstate NY she has a passion for the Lone Star State and knew when she penned her first romance it would take place on a ranch in Texas.

The Cowboy Duet is the fourth book in her Double B series and her fifth full-length novel with The Wild Rose Press. Roni gives credit to her Texas writing pals from the San Antonio area for helping her make her books as authentic as they can be; that and a few "research" trips each year.

When she's not writing she loves baking and cooking during the long cold New York winters. In the summer, she can be found with her husband and their three sons at their summer camp on Lake Ontario, soaring across the water on their ski boat.