Orchard Valley Brides

  Cody nodded and smiled at Ellie. “Don’t worry about Christina Lynn. She’s in her crib and sound asleep. I phoned the ranch, and our housekeeper’s staying with Heather, so everything’s taken care of at my end.”

  “Whatever you do, make sure Luke stays out of here,” Ellie said. “You’d think I was the only woman who ever had labor pains. He was a wreck when Christina Lynn was born. Doc Lindsey had to spend more time with him than with me.”

  “I’ll keep him in line,” Cody said, ducking out of the room.

  Sherry remembered more than one birth where the father required full-time attention. It always touched her to see that men could be so greatly affected by the birth of their children.

  A couple of minutes later, Cody brought a small C.D. player and two plump pillows. Sherry arranged the pillows behind Ellie, then put in a C.D. of soft piano music.

  “That’s nice,” Ellie said, panting.

  Sherry held her hand through a powerful contraction.

  “Talk to me,” Ellie requested before the next one gripped her body.

  Sherry described her introduction to the good people of Pepper. She told her about meeting Mayor Bowie and Doc Lindsey and Billy Bob. Ellie laughed, then as the pain came again, she rolled onto her side and Sherry massaged the tightness from the small of her back, all the while giving encouragement.

  “I’m a transplant myself.” Ellie spoke when she could. “I was a college senior when I came here to visit my grandparents. They’ve lived in Pepper for as long as I can remember. I only intended to stay a few days, but then I met Luke. I swear he was the most pigheaded, most ill-behaved man I’d ever known. I told myself I didn’t want anything to do with him. To be truthful, I had kind of a crush on Cody Bailman back then.”

  “Obviously your opinion of Luke changed.”

  “My sweet Luke. You’ve never seen anyone tougher on the outside and so gentle on the inside. I’ll never forget the afternoon he proposed. I’d decided to drive home to Dallas—good grief, I’d spent two weeks longer than I’d originally intended. Luke didn’t want me to leave, but I really didn’t have any choice. I had a job waiting for me and was signed up for classes in the fall. Grandma sent me off with enough food to last a month.”

  Sherry chuckled and waited for Ellie to breathe her way through the next contraction.

  “I was five miles out of town when I saw this man on a horse galloping after me as if catching me was a matter of life or death. It was Luke.” She shook her head, remembering. “When I pulled over to the side of the road, he jumped off his horse, removed his gloves, then fell to one knee and proposed. I knew then and there I wasn’t ever going to find a man who’d love me as much as Luke Johnson. Suddenly nothing mattered without him, not anymore. I know my parents were disappointed that I didn’t finish college, but I’m happy and that’s what counts.”

  “You don’t mind living so far away from town?”

  “At first, just a little. Now I’m happy about it.”

  “That’s a wonderfully romantic story.”

  Ellie smiled. “Is there a special man in your life?”

  Sherry exhaled slowly. “I’ve never fallen in love. Oh, I had a few crushes. I dated a doctor for a while, but both of us knew it wasn’t going anywhere.” Sherry smiled to herself as she recalled how difficult it’d been for Colby Winston to admit he was in love with Valerie Bloomfield.

  During the next few hours, Cody came up to check on their progress twice and give a report of his own. Luke, he said, had worn a path in the living-room carpet pacing back and forth, but thus far, Cody had been able to restrain him from racing up the stairs. He doubted Luke would have much hair left before the ordeal was over; he’d jerked his hands through it so many times there were grooves in his hairline.

  “He loves me,” Ellie said softly.

  When Sherry walked Cody to the bedroom door, he asked quietly, “Will it be much longer? Luke’s a mess.”

  “Another couple of hours.”

  Cody nodded and his eyes briefly held hers. “I’m glad you’re here.” He turned and headed down the stairs. A surge of emotion overwhelmed her, but she wasn’t sure how to read it. All she knew was that she felt alive, acutely sensitive to sounds and colors, and she had the impression that Cody experienced the same thing.

  “I’m glad you’re here, too,” Ellie said from behind her.

  Sherry moved back to the bed. “Doc would’ve done just as well.”

  “Perhaps, but it helps that you’re a woman.”

  The second stage of labor arrived shortly after midnight, and Ellie arched against the bed at the strength of her contractions, panting in between. Sherry coached her as she had so many others. And then, at last, with a shout of triumph, Ellie delivered a strong, squalling son.

  The baby was barely in his mother’s arms when the door burst open and Luke barged into the room.

  “A son, Luke,” Ellie whispered. “We have a son.”

  Luke knelt beside the bed and stared down at the angry infant in his wife’s arms. The baby was a bright shade of pink, his legs and arms kicking in protest. His eyes were closed and he was yelling for all he was worth. “He looks just like you when you get mad,” Ellie told her husband.

  Luke nodded and Sherry noticed that his eyes were bright with tears as he bent forward and kissed his son’s wrinkled brow. Then he placed his hand over Ellie’s cheek and kissed her, too. “Never again,” he vowed. “Our family’s complete now.”

  Ellie’s eyes drifted shut. “That’s what you said after Christina Lynn was born.”

  “True,” Luke admitted, “but that was because I couldn’t bear to see you suffer. This time it’s for me. I don’t think I could go through this again. And I nearly lost my best friend.”

  “You were a long way from that, partner,” Cody said from the doorway.

  “I don’t care. Two children are plenty. Right, Ellie? I know you said you’d like four, but you agree with me, don’t you?”

  Sherry moved behind the big, rangy cattleman and looked down at Ellie. “You’re exhausted. You need some sleep.” Lifting the baby from her arms, Sherry placed him in a soft blanket, marveling at the tiny, perfectly formed person in her hands.

  “Come on,” Cody urged Luke. “It’s time to celebrate. Let’s break open that bottle of expensive scotch you’ve been saving.”

  “She’s going to do it, you know,” Luke said to no one in particular. “That woman knows I can’t refuse her a thing. Before I even figure out how it happened, we’re going to have four kids running around this house.”

  Sherry finished her duties and found Luke and Cody in the living room each holding a shot of whiskey. “Ellie and Philip are both asleep,” she assured them.

  “Philip,” Luke repeated slowly, and a brightness came into his eyes. “She decided to name him Philip, after all.”

  “A family name?” Cody asked him.

  Luke shrugged. “Actually, it’s mine. I never much cared for it as a kid and dropped it when I started school. I insisted everyone call me by my middle name.”

  “Ellie says your son looks like a Philip,” Sherry put in.

  A wide grin split Luke’s face. “I think she’s right—he does.” He stared down into the amber liquid in his glass. “A son. I’ve got a son.”

  Sherry smiled, then yawned, covering her mouth with one hand. It had been a long day. She’d been up since dawn, not wanting to travel in the worst heat of the day, and now it was well past two in the morning.

  “Come on,” Cody said, setting down his glass, “I’d better drive you back into town.”

  Sherry nodded as another yawn escaped. She was weary through and through.

  “Thank you,” Luke said. He took her limp hand and pumped it several times to show his gratitude. He seemed to have forgiven her for being a stranger.

  “I’ll be in touch tomorrow,” Sherry promised. “Ellie did a beautiful job with this baby.”

  “I know.” Luke looked away as if embarrasse
d by his behavior earlier. “I knew the minute I saw that woman I was going to love her. What I didn’t know was how lucky I was that I convinced her to marry me.”

  “From what Ellie told me, she considers herself the lucky one.” Luke grinned hugely at Sherry’s words.

  “Come on, Sherry, you’re beat,” Cody said. “Good night, Luke.”

  “Night.” Luke walked them to the front door. “Ellie’s mother is on her way and should be here by morning. She’ll be a big help. But thanks again.”

  By the time Sherry was inside Cody’s truck, she was dead on her feet. She dreaded the long, rough drive back to town, but there was no alternative.

  “Sherry.” Her name seemed to come from far away. The bottom of a well, perhaps. It was then that she realized she’d been asleep.

  She’d meant to stay awake, but she was obviously more tired than she’d realized, because she’d slept through that dreadful ten-mile stretch before they hit the main road. Cody must have driven with infinite care.

  To compound her sense of disorientation, she noticed that her head was neatly tucked against his shoulder. She felt warm and comfortable there and wasn’t inclined to move.

  “We’re in town already?” she asked, slowly opening her eyes.

  “No. I couldn’t see taking you all the way into Pepper when you’re so tired.”

  Sherry straightened and looked around. They were parked outside a barn beside an enormous brick house with arched windows on the main floor and four gables on the second. The place was illuminated by several outdoor lights.

  “Where are we?” she asked.

  “My place, the Lucky Horseshoe. I figured you could spend what’s left of the night here. I’ll drive you back into town first thing in the morning.”

  Sherry was too tired to argue, not that she wanted to. She liked and trusted this man, and when he came around to help her from the cab, she found herself almost eager to feel his hands on her waist again.

  Cody swung her down, and if he was feeling any of what Sherry was, he didn’t show it.

  “I hope I didn’t make a pest of myself falling asleep on you that way,” she said.

  He mumbled something she couldn’t quite make out. But apparently she hadn’t bothered him. He led the way into the big country kitchen, turning on lights as he went.

  Without asking, he took two large glasses from a cupboard and filled them with milk from the refrigerator. “You didn’t have any dinner.”

  Sherry had to think about it for a moment. He was right. She hadn’t had anything since the cheeseburger and pie at lunchtime. To her surprise, she wasn’t the least bit hungry.

  “Here,” he said, handing her the glass of milk. “This’ll tide you over till breakfast.”

  “Thanks.”

  He pulled out a chair for her, then twisted the one across from it around and straddled it. They didn’t seem to have a lot to say to each other, yet the room was charged with electricity.

  “So,” he ventured, “you’re planning to stay in Pepper?”

  Sherry nodded. She liked the gruff quality of his voice. She liked his face, too, not that he was male-model handsome. His features were too strong and masculine for that, browned by the sun and creased with experience—some of it hard, she guessed.

  “You’ll like it here. Pepper’s a good town.”

  Everything about Cody Bailman fascinated her. A few strands of thick dark hair fell over his high forehead, giving him a little-boy look. It was so appealing that Sherry had to resist leaning forward and brushing the hair away.

  “The guest bedroom’s upstairs,” Cody said abruptly. He got to his feet, drained the last of his milk in three gulps and set the empty glass in the sink.

  Sherry finished her own and stood, too. She’d almost forgotten how tired she was.

  “This way,” Cody whispered, leading her up the gently curving stairway off the entryway.

  Sherry paused and glanced around at the expensive furnishings, the antiques and works of art. “Your home is lovely.”

  “Thanks.”

  Sherry followed him to the top of the stairs and then to a room at the far end of the hallway. He opened the door and cursed under his breath.

  “Is something wrong?” Sherry asked.

  “The bed isn’t made up. Heather had a friend stay last night and she promised to change the sheets and remake the bed herself. Looks like she forgot. Listen, I’ll sleep in here and you can use my room. Janey, our housekeeper, changed the sheets just today.”

  “That isn’t necessary,” she protested. It would only take a few minutes to assemble the bed.

  “You’re dead on your feet,” Cody returned. “Here.” He reached for her hand and guided her down to the other end of the hallway.

  If she’d possessed the energy, Sherry would’ve continued to protest, but Cody’s evaluation of her state was pretty accurate.

  “Call me if you need anything, and don’t argue, understand?”

  Sherry nodded.

  Whether it was by impulse or design, she didn’t know, but before he turned away, Cody leaned down and casually brushed her lips with his.

  They both seemed taken aback by the quick exchange. Neither spoke for what felt like the longest moment of Sherry’s life. Her pulse was pounding wildly in her throat, and Cody pressed his fingertip to the frantic throbbing. Then, before she could encourage or dissuade him, he bent his head and brought his mouth to hers a second time.

  Her moist lips quivered beneath his. He moved toward her and she toward him, and soon they were wrapped in each other’s arms. The kiss took on an exploring, demanding quality, as if this moment was all they’d be granted and they’d better make the most of it.

  Sherry nearly staggered when he released her. “Good night, Sherry,” he said, then she watched as he strode the length of the hallway. He paused when he reached the opposite end and turned back to look at her. Even from this distance, Sherry could read the dilemma in his eyes. He didn’t want to be attracted to her, hadn’t wanted to kiss her, and now that he had, he wasn’t sure what to do about it.

  Sherry was experiencing many of those same feelings herself. She opened the door and stepped inside his room, angry with herself for not insisting on the guest room. Because everything about these quarters, from the basalt fireplace to the large four-poster bed, seemed to say Cody.

  She pulled back the sheets and undressed. She thought she’d be asleep before her head hit the pillow, but she was wrong. She tossed and turned until dawn, the image of Cody standing at the end of the hallway burned in her brain. Finally she fell into a troubled sleep.

  “Hot damn.”

  Sherry gingerly opened her eyes and saw a pretty girl of about twelve, dressed in jeans and a red plaid shirt, standing just inside the doorway. Dark braids dangled across her shoulders.

  “Hot damn,” the girl repeated, smiling as if it was Christmas morning and she’d found Santa sitting under the tree.

  Sherry levered herself up on one elbow and squinted against the light. “Hello.”

  “Howdy,” the girl said eagerly.

  “What time is it?” Sherry rubbed her eyes. It seemed she’d only been asleep a matter of minutes. If it hadn’t been rude to do so, she would’ve fallen back against the pillows and covered her face with the sheet.

  “Eight-thirty. Where’s Dad?”

  “Uh…you’re Heather?”

  “So he mentioned me, did he?” she asked gleefully. The girl walked into the room and leaped onto the mattress, making it bounce.

  “I think you have the wrong impression of what’s going on here,” Sherry felt obliged to tell her.

  “You’re in my dad’s bed, aren’t you? That tells me everything I need to know. Besides, you’re the first woman I’ve seen him bring home. No, I think I get the picture. How’d you two meet?” She tucked her knees up under her chin and looped her arms around them, preparing herself for a lengthy explanation.

  “Heather!” Cody’s voice boomed from the
end of the hallway.

  “In here!” she shouted back with enough force to make Sherry grimace.

  Cody appeared as if by magic two seconds later, his large frame filling the doorway.

  “Dad,” Heather said with a disappointed sigh, “you’ve been holding out on me.”

  Three

  “So, Dad, when’s the wedding?”

  “Heather!” Cody ground out furiously. He looked like he’d dressed in a hurry. He was in jeans and barefoot, and his Western-style shirt was left open, exposing his hard chest and abdomen and an attractive smattering of dark, curly hair.

  “But, Dad, you’ve comprom—” she faltered “—ruined your friend’s reputation! Aren’t you gonna make an honest woman of her?”

  Sherry laughed. She wondered where the girl had acquired such an old-fashioned expression, although it was clear Cody wasn’t amused by his daughter’s badgering. Heather’s blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “So,” the girl continued, “how long has this been going on?”

  “You will apologize to Miz Waterman,” Cody insisted, his voice hard.

  “Sorry, Miz Waterman,” Heather said. She didn’t sound at all contrite. “I guess you’re new in town?”

  Sherry nodded and thrust out her hand. “Call me Sherry. I’ll be working with Doc Lindsey.”

  “Wow. That’s great.”

  “I was with Ellie Johnson last night,” Sherry said.

  “Ellie had her baby?” Heather’s excited gaze shot to her father.

  “A boy. They named him Philip,” Cody answered.

  Heather slapped her hand against the mattress. “Hot damn! Luke never said anything, but I know he was hoping for a boy. But then, Luke’s so crazy about Ellie he’d have been happy with a litter of kittens.”

  “Quit it with the swearing.” Cody rubbed his forehead. “And something else—we didn’t get back to the house until after two. The guest bed wasn’t made up.” He looked accusingly at his daughter.

  “Oops.” Heather pressed her fingers against her lips. “I said I’d do that, didn’t I? Sorry.”

  Sherry gave a discreet cough. “Uh, I’d better see about getting back to town.” With Doc gone she was responsible for any medical emergency that might arise. Not that she intended to be manipulated into staying. She still planned to take the time owed to her, with or without the sheriff’s approval.