Rachel's Cowboy (2 page)

Vivian and Will exchanged a look. Then Vivian stood and excused herself, saying she wanted to check on Rachel. “Will you join us for dinner, J.D.?” she asked over her shoulder.

She’d left the room before he could turn down her offer.

“Sit down, J.D. I think we need to talk.” Will waited until the young man had done as he’d asked. Then he leaned forward. “I’m going to assume whatever happened between you and Rachel is private, having nothing to do with the ranch.”

J.D. swallowed. “Yes, sir.”

“Is she the reason you said you didn’t think Vivian would want to sell the ranch to you?”

“Yes, sir. If she’s part of the family, Vivian won’t want to have anything to do with me.”

“Did you do something against the law?”

“No, sir.”

“Well then, what kind of offer are you making?”

J.D. stumbled over the figure he had carefully worked out.

“That’s a very nice offer. I’ll go over it with Vivian, but in the end, the decision will be hers, you understand.”

“Yes, sir. I didn’t mean to upset Rachel. But she may feel I have…not done the right thing.”

“Dinner at seven?” Will suggested mildly, as if J.D. hadn’t spoken.

The young man seemed confused and worried. Finally, he said, “Okay. You can call me at the hotel if Vivian changes her mind.”

Will nodded and smiled.

V
IVIAN
, after a brief knock, slipped into Rachel’s room. Rebecca was sitting on the bed with her twin.

“Are you feeling better, Rachel?” Vivian asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for sending Betty up with the painkiller. Did—did Mr. Stanley leave?”

“Yes. But he’ll be back to join us for dinner, of course,” Vivian said, watching Rachel closely.

Her face remained expressionless and all she uttered was “Oh.”

“I haven’t seen J.D. since last year,” Vivian explained. “And he wants to discuss buying the ranch.”

Rachel stared straight ahead, not commenting on what Vivian had said.

Rebecca patted her sister’s arm and asked, “Isn’t the ranch big? How can he—”

“His mother died last year. He inherited a great deal of money from investments his parents had made. His father managed our ranch for twenty-five years. After he died ten years ago, J.D. took over the job. It’s been his home all his life. He was actually born there, you know. And it’s been his dream to own the place.”

“Are you going to sell it to him?” Rebecca asked.

“Probably. He’s a fine young man.”

Rachel flinched, but she didn’t raise her head.

Vivian continued. “However, he did seem concerned about something he felt he’d done that wasn’t quite…appropriate.”

Rachel leaped from the bed, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, and hurried to the far corner of the room, where she stared out the window.

Vivian stepped closer to her. “Sweetheart, did J.D. do something to hurt you? Did he take advantage of you?”

Rachel shook her head, but she didn’t face Vivian.

Rebecca put her arms around her twin. “Tell us what happened, honey. You’ll feel better.”

“I was attracted to him and we—we made love.” She told them the whole sordid story. “It meant nothing to him. I called him a couple of weeks later, and he couldn’t even remember who I was.” She looked at
Vivian. “He did nothing wrong. Just acted like a typical man.”

Rebecca hugged her again. “Must be something about us that we get used by men.”

“Not you, Rebecca,” Rachel assured her, giving her twin a hug. “You and Jeff are perfect together.”

“We are now, but it took a few years.”

Rebecca and Jeff had known each other years ago, had loved each other years ago, before Jeff’s aunt and uncle had taken him back to Texas, leaving Rebecca with a broken heart and an unborn child. Only when she herself was brought to Highland Park, after having been located in Vivian’s search, did she see him again. Though that was almost five years later, it didn’t take them long to realize that they were still in love and together would make a great family for their son, Joey.

Rachel was happy for her sister, but couldn’t stop the twinge that went through her. Would she be so lucky?

She shrugged her shoulders. “I can’t claim youth as the reason I had such poor judgment. But I’ll survive.” She hugged Rebecca again. “At least I have you and Vanessa now.”

Vivian added, “And me and Will, too.”

“Yes, you and Will are remarkably generous people,” Rachel agreed with a smile. “And I shouldn’t have reacted as I did to one of your guests. I’ve been on edge for so long, and I felt safe here.” She gasped and said hurriedly, “Of course I know J.D. wouldn’t— It was just the shock. I’m sorry, Vivian. That’s a terrible way to repay all you’ve done for me.”

“Nonsense!” Vivian protested. “You haven’t cost us
much of anything. You don’t eat enough to keep a bird alive.”

Rachel smiled, but it didn’t have any humor in it.

“In fact,” Rebecca said, catching her sister’s hand, “we’re all worried about you. You mustn’t lose more weight, Rach. You’re too skinny already.”

“Haven’t you heard you can never be too thin or too rich?” Rachel said, a teasing note in her voice.

But Rebecca wasn’t amused.

“Look,” Rachel said, squeezing her sister’s hand, “I appreciate your concern. But right now I have to concentrate on my work.” She smiled. “You know I always come back here between jobs.”

“Of course. We want this to be your home, Rachel,” Vivian insisted.

Rachel leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“You will join us for dinner tonight, won’t you? I don’t want J.D. to think he’s not welcome here, too.”

“I could just—”

Rebecca squeezed her hand.

“Yes, of course, Vivian, if you want me to dine with J.D., I’ll be glad to do so.” Rachel looked at her twin for her nod of approval. She had grown hungry for that familial camaraderie that she’d never had in her life.

“Good. I’ll see you both at dinner.” Vivian slipped from the room, leaving the twins alone.

“I’m sorry, sis,” Rebecca said softly. “I didn’t know you knew J.D.”

“I guess I don’t. I’ll admit at the time I thought I was slumming a little, sleeping with a cowboy. But there
was something about him. Right after that is when I found you and discovered my mother had not only stolen all my money but had also put me deep into debt. That was a major distraction.”

“Yes. I’m glad you took her name off all your accounts.”

“I even feel guilty about that. I shouldn’t have offered her such a temptation.”

“Rach, you were fifteen! You didn’t have a choice then.”

“I know, but…I was careless with my life. I’ll make it back and I’ll be careful with the money I make now. I have to be. Modeling is all I know how to do.”

The sadness in Rachel’s words brought tears to Rebecca’s eyes. “You have a lot of talent, Rachel. You’re going to be all right.”

“Yes, of course,” Rachel agreed, but there was nothing convincing in her tone.

J.D. S
TANLEY PACED
his hotel room, covering the twenty-odd feet in a few steps. He’d put on a suit for dinner with Vivian and her husband. He might be a cowboy, but he knew how to dress while in the city. No boots tonight.

He would’ve been excited about making a deal to buy the only home he’d ever known, if it weren’t for Rachel. He hadn’t expected to see her when the door had opened at Vivian’s house earlier that day.

Seeing her there, framed in the carved oak doorway, was like watching a dream come to life. She’d been starring in his nighttime fantasies for months. He re
membered how beautiful she’d looked when he made love to her, how her eyes had flared when he took possession of her.

Today her eyes flared again—but with a different emotion. Was it shock he saw in those blue orbs? Embarrassment? Regret? Or anger?

Or was it just the reflection of his own feelings? He’d spent the remainder of the day reining in those emotions, finding a measure of control. Now he was ready for her—as much as he could be ready for Rachel.

If she came to dinner tonight—and he doubted she would—he could greet her as a stranger. He was prepared.

As much as he’d loved being with Rachel, making love to her, he had to admit they had nothing in common. By the time he’d left her in his bed early that morning, he’d known he’d made a mistake. He started his day at six each morning, while she seldom rose before nine. He ate big meals to fuel his work. She ate carrot sticks for a treat. He wore jeans; she wore swimsuits in winter and fur coats in July. Since they’d known each other for only three days, he wasn’t sure they had any similarities.

It made him feel that their whole relationship was shallow. So why had she haunted him for six months?

Something happened when their skin touched.

Her slender grace and those teasing blue eyes drew him. She laughed as if he were in on the joke, rather than laughing at him.

He’d gotten up at six the next morning, a little groggy, which made his job dangerous, and she’d packed and left with no note, nothing.

So she’d realized their unsuitability, too.

The first time she’d called, he’d been out with the cattle and she’d talked to Madge. She’d left no message. When she called that evening, the ranch had been enveloped in a brutal storm with raging winds that made reception sporadic at best. He could barely hear her, but he’d managed to ask the most important question. Was she pregnant? He had to know. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t taken precautions, but their passion had surprised him. He’d made a mistake.

Rachel had hung up the phone without a reply.

He’d heard nothing from her until today.

He grabbed his keys and walked out of the hotel room. He’d have to explain to Vivian what happened. Or maybe he could explain to Will. He liked him, and it would be easier to explain his indiscretion to a man.

J.D. wended his way through the tree-lined streets of Highland Park. The homes were stately, the landscaping perfectly manicured. Still, he couldn’t imagine living in such enclosed neighborhoods, unable to ride his horse or to see into the distance. He’d bet Rachel fit right in, though.

He took a deep breath as he killed the engine. He was ready to go in. After all, the woman meant nothing to him. He hadn’t done anything to her that she didn’t want. Shaking his head as if to clear away the memories, he opened his truck door. He didn’t need to be thinking about that night.

Peter opened the door in response to his knock. With a smile, he welcomed J.D. inside.

“Thanks, Peter. Are Vivian and her new husband waiting for me?”

“A’ course they are. All the family is gathered in the family room. You know the way.”

He did. Ten years ago, when his father had died of a heart attack, he’d come to tell Vivian and her husband, Herbert, that his dad was dead. And he’d had the nerve to apply for the job his father had handled—managing the ranch.

It had been Vivian who’d supported him in his request. Normally, she didn’t argue with her husband. But when Herbert had said he’d look for someone with more experience, Vivian had insisted that that hardly seemed fair. She’d suggested J.D. be given the job on a temporary basis so he could prove his worth.

J.D. owed her a lot.

With a deep breath, he strode down the hall to face the “family.”

Rachel was almost sitting on her hands. A childhood habit of biting her nails when she was nervous seemed to be threatening her again.

Suddenly J.D. appeared in the doorway. He hesitated before he stepped into the room. Will stood and offered him his hand. “Come on in, J.D. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m sorry if I’m late,” he immediately said, looking at Vivian.

“Of course you’re not late, dear,” she answered.

She would’ve said the same thing if he’d been an hour late, because she was a very forgiving lady. But he was actually on time. Rachel had found Vivian to be a wonderful hostess, always forgiving the worst social faux pas.

Rachel had never seen J.D. in city clothes. But she had to admit they didn’t lessen his impact. In a taupe shirt and brown suit that matched his hair and eyes, he was a handsome man, with broad shoulders, slim hips and a determined look that said people shouldn’t get in his way.

As she had.

Vanessa stood and gave him a hug. “Welcome back, J.D. It’s been too long.”

“It must’ve been, ’cause you’re all grown up, Vanessa,” he said with a warm smile. “I think you were sixteen the last time I saw you.”

It hadn’t occurred to Rachel that J.D. might be interested in Vanessa. But she was a beauty and had what Rachel no longer had—money. She said a silent prayer that Rebecca hadn’t told Vanessa about her problem with J.D. She didn’t want to have spoiling Vanessa’s romance on her conscience.

J.D. then greeted Rebecca and Rachel, commenting on their similarity in looks.

He was lying, Rachel thought. She knew what her exhaustion and worry had done to her looks. She used to be able to appear in pictures wearing very little makeup. Now she spent more time on makeup and still looked wan.

Rebecca put her arm around Rachel. “It’s so exciting to have my twin here. It’s amazing how much we’re alike.”

J.D. nodded and smiled, but he didn’t bother confirming the lie.

Vivian looked over his shoulder. “Are we ready, Betty?” she asked as the housekeeper appeared in the door.

“Yes, Miz Vivian. Don’t want it to get cold.”

They all walked to the dining room.

“Where’s your son?” J.D. asked Rebecca. “Peter says he’s a fine boy.” He took the seat on Vivian’s right. He was sharing that side of the table with Vanessa, leaving the other side to the twins.

“He prefers to eat with Betty and Peter. He doesn’t get to see them as much since we moved in with Jeff after the wedding,” Rebecca said.

“Unless our company includes Jeff,” Will added. “It’s impossible to keep those two apart.”

Rebecca beamed at Will. “It’s true. He and Jeff loved each other from the start.”

“When did you get married?” J.D. asked.

“Last October, as soon as Jeff got
un
engaged to Chelsea. She immediately got engaged to his partner, and now we’re all one big happy family.”

J.D.’s sideways grin, which tugged on Rachel’s heart, was his only answer, but there was obvious approval in it.

“Jeff would’ve joined us this evening, but he does volunteer work at the legal aid office on Thursday nights,” Vivian said.

“Good man.” J.D. nodded and accepted the bowl of fruit salad Vanessa was offering. “And how about you, Vanessa? Any boyfriends on the horizon?”

She gave him a flirtatious smile. “Only you, J.D.”

“Then I’d say these city boys are a might slow!”

Vanessa giggled and Will and Vivian laughed.

“Oh, did Madge tell you our baby is a boy?” Vivian asked.

“No, she didn’t. In fact, she didn’t even remember to tell me you had remarried and were expecting until I got ready to leave. That was a lot to adjust to all at once. Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” Will said. “I think it was a lot for me and Vivian to adjust to, too, but we’re very happy.”

“I guess so. I haven’t seen Vivian look so young in a number of years.” J.D. smiled at his hostess.

Rachel tried to concentrate on her dinner plate and ignore the fire burning in her stomach. She couldn’t possibly be jealous of Vivian, could she? But the warm smile J.D. had given Vivian was a long way from the brief nod she’d received.

Dinner progressed, with Rachel stirring around on her plate what little food she’d taken, seldom tasting anything. She feared she’d throw up and look like a fool. She was giving J.D. Stanley too much power over her life. What little life she had.

“Vivian says you’re going to the Bahamas to shoot swimsuits. Won’t it be a little chilly this early in the year?” J.D. asked, looking at Rachel directly for the first time.

She glanced up, shocked to realize he was speaking to her. “No. No, the Bahamas are always warm.” She hoped. It might not be warm enough to swim, but she didn’t intend to get wet. She wasn’t going for fun.

As if he cared.

He didn’t speak to her for the rest of the meal.

Afterward, Will, Vivian and J.D. went into the library to continue their business discussion.

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up to realize Rebecca and Vanessa were staring at her. “What?”

“Are you okay?” Vanessa asked. “You hardly ate anything.”

Rachel shrugged. “I have to wear a swimsuit.” It was as good an excuse as any. “Vanessa, are you and J.D. close?”

Vanessa grinned. “Yeah, like brother and sister…who only see each other every five to ten years.”

“He’s very handsome,” Rachel pointed out.

“Yes, he is, and he hardly realizes it, which is one of the best things about him. If you want him, go get him. I’ll be on your side.”

Rachel looked at her twin. “You didn’t tell her?”

Rebecca shook her head. “I didn’t know what you wanted.”

Rachel swallowed. She wasn’t used to such consideration. “I— J.D. and I have a p-past. I don’t think there’s anything left for us. But thanks, anyway.”

“That’s too bad,” Vanessa said, frowning.

“I think I’ll go on to bed. I need to be up early.”

“You’re leaving tomorrow?” Rebecca asked, surprised.

“Yes, but I’ll be back next Thursday, so it won’t be a long trip. I’ll be gone in the morning before you get up,” she told her sisters.

Rebecca spoke up. “Rachel, I’m worried about you.” She looked at Vanessa. “We both are. Why can’t you take some time off?”

“After all, Jeff managed to get back some of the money your mother stole from you,” Vanessa added.

Rachel was touched by their concern, but she knew what she had to do. She leaned over and kissed them goodbye. “Take care while I’m gone, you two.”

J.D.
HAD HIS DREAM
.

After a brief discussion Vivian agreed to sell him the ranch. She argued about the purchase price, thinking
his offer too high rather than too low. He assured her he knew the value of the land. Besides, he pointed out, that wasn’t the way to do business. Herbert would turn over in his grave.

“You’re right—he would, J.D. But Herbert didn’t understand what was important.”

“I know, Vivian,” J.D. agreed. “He wasn’t nearly as smart as you.”

Will laughed. “Well, it’s good to see we’re all in agreement.”

J.D. felt his earlier tension seep away. He was among friends. “About Rachel… I didn’t mean to take advantage of her. She came— I mean, she indicated her interest and we shared a few moments. But I didn’t force her or anything.”

“I never thought that, dear,” Vivian assured him.

“And Rachel didn’t say anything like that,” Will added. “I think it was the surprise of seeing you suddenly in a place where she felt safe.”

“Safe? What is threatening her?” J.D. demanded.

Vivian explained briefly about Rachel’s mother.

“Damn!” J.D. hung his head. When he looked up, he said, “I didn’t like that woman. She expected to be waited on hand and foot, and she did nothing. Madge just about threw her off the ranch.”

“Yes.” Vivian nodded, her strawberry-blond hair shimmering in the light. “That sounds like an accurate description. Rachel had found out about her adoption and Rebecca just after she’d discovered her debt. It was such a betrayal. I think she went into shock. We’ve
tried to reassure her, but she’s independent. And worried about her future.”

J.D. stared at his hosts. “That’s a hard knock.”

“Yes, it is, but we’re trying to help her. And Will is still looking for the one brother we haven’t found. Just recently the girls received a letter from Jim, their oldest brother, but he won’t be home for a few months yet.”

Thinking of Rachel and what she’d been through, J.D. felt inundated by emotions he couldn’t name—except for frustration. That one he could easily identify. Frustration because of how their time together had ended, frustration because there was no way to help her. Finally he changed the subject. “Now that we’ve agreed on the sale, what do we do?”

Vivian looked at Will.

“If you’ve got the money ready, then all we need is to get the papers ready. I think we can plan on closing next Friday. Will you go back to the ranch or stay here all week?”

“As long as it’s all right with you two, I’ll go back to the ranch and work. I’ll return next Thursday so I’ll be here on Friday for the closing, whatever time it is.”

“That will be great,” Will said, standing to shake his hand. Vivian gave him a kiss, and J.D. escaped from the house where Rachel was living.

It was time to get back to his real life.

A
WEEK LATER
, J.D. made the drive again to Dallas, this time to sign the papers that would make him owner of his home. There was excitement in him as he achieved
a major goal. There was also an edginess that he would again have to face Rachel.

Maybe she wouldn’t be back from the Bahamas. It would be a shock to come from warmth and sunshine to Dallas in March. A cold front had moved through this week, bringing rain, sleet and wind.

Before he went to the hotel, he wanted to stop by Vivian’s house and let her know he was here. As he pulled up to the curb, he saw a taxi, but no one appeared to be in it. Then he saw two people who’d apparently exited it.

Rachel, as white as a sheet, must have just fainted. The taxi driver, a small man, was holding her, but seemed to be on the verge of dropping her. J.D. threw his truck into Park and darted up the sidewalk to help.

He took Rachel in his arms and told the driver to ring the bell. When Betty answered the door, she realized at once that Vivian was needed. She opened the door wide for J.D. to carry Rachel in.

“Take her to the morning room. I’ll get Miz Vivian.”

J.D. did as she asked. As he carried Rachel, he realized she was running a high fever. What the hell had they done to her in the Bahamas?

Vivian came down the stairs at a faster rate than she should have. She headed for Rachel as soon as she entered the room. J.D. stopped her. “Vivian, I don’t know what’s wrong, but I do know she’s running a high fever. I think she needs to go to a hospital.”

“Oh my, yes. I’ll get my purse.”

“I don’t think you should go, Viv. It could harm the baby. I’ll take her. Just tell me who to ask for.”

Clearly frustrated, Vivian reluctantly gave J.D. her doctor’s name. “I’ll call him and ask him to meet you there.”

“Good. Do you have a blanket we can wrap her in? It’s not exactly warm out there.”

“Oh, yes. Betty?” Vivian called. The housekeeper was hovering just outside the door. “Bring a blanket for Rachel.”

J.D. wrapped her in the coverlet Betty brought and lifted her into his arms again. “Hell, she hardly weighs anything! A strong wind would carry her away.”

“I know. She’s so fragile,” Vivian said tearfully. “You’ll call as soon as you learn something?”

“Sure, Vivian. I’ll call.”

He returned to his truck, carrying Rachel. He laid her across the bench seat and got in after her. Then he put her head on his thigh and made the short drive to the hospital.

T
HREE HOURS LATER
, Rebecca had finished her classes, skipped her job at Jeff’s office and was at the hospital looking for her sister. She was directed to the second floor, where she found Rachel’s room and hurried in, only to find J.D. Stanley sitting in a chair by her bed.

“J.D.? How is she?”

“She has pneumonia. It appears the weather there was unusually cold and wearing a swimsuit was risky.”

“Has she come to?”

“A couple of times. She’s not really clear about where she is or why.” He shook his head and muttered, “She thinks she’s invincible.”

“But she’ll get better?” Rebecca’s voice was tight with worry.

He nodded. “Vivian’s doctor, Dr. Clayburn, says it will be a long recovery. She’s way too thin and weak.”

“We’ll take care of her,” Rebecca said staunchly.

“What about you and Vivian?”

“What do you mean? We will want to take care of her.”

J.D. hated to tell her what the doctor had said. “I don’t think the doc wants Vivian or you to be around her. The babies might be affected. In addition to pneumonia, Rachel may have a viral infection.” Rebecca wasn’t as far along in her pregnancy as Vivian, but was still susceptible.

Rebecca paled. “Oh, no! I hadn’t thought of that. What are we going to do?”

“I’ve got an idea, but I doubt that you’ll like it,” he said slowly, as if still considering it himself. “I’ll talk to Will about it.”

As if she felt the tension in the room, Rachel stirred.

“Rachel?” Rebecca asked softly.

“Becca? I’m so tired.” She closed her eyes again.

“I know, sis. Just rest.”

Before Rebecca finished speaking, Rachel was asleep again.

“They’re giving her a strong antibiotic in the drip, and he added a sedative to conserve her energy. He’s expecting her to sleep until tomorrow,” J.D. said. “If you can get Vanessa to stay with her for a few hours, I’ll go back to the house and discuss what’s to be done with her.”

Though she nodded, Rebecca seemed in shock. She looked so lost. J.D. reached out and gave her a brief hug. Finding your family didn’t always mean things were easy, he thought.

He didn’t want to leave Rachel, either. She was weak and had no idea what was happening to her. He was glad her sister Vanessa could stay with her for a while. When she arrived, J.D. headed to Vivian’s.