What If I'm Pregnant...? (10 page)

“Not for an hour or so,” Tanner replied. “But I don't expect you to wait. If we can just unload them on the sidewalk out front, then I'll move them inside when the store opens.”

Bobby nodded and together the two men got out of the truck. It took only minutes to unload the bed of the truck, then Bobby took off to head back to the greenhouse.

Tanner knew Colette would get to the store early today. She would be eager to set up the cookies and pastries for her customers.

He hoped the day would be successful for her, that the store would be packed with customers from the moment it opened until it closed that evening.

He'd only been standing there about ten minutes when he saw her coming down the sidewalk, her arms laden with bakery boxes. He hurried toward her, his heart opening as he saw the shine of the sun on her curly hair, the length of her shapely legs beneath the spring-green dress she wore.

“What are you doing here so early?” she asked as he took the boxes from her arms.

“It's a big day. I didn't want to miss a minute of it,” he replied with a smile.

The beautiful smile she returned to him warmed
him from his head to his toes. But it was on her lips for only a moment, then fell away as they reached the store.

“What's all this?” she asked, looking at the trees and rosebushes.

“It's your park,” Tanner replied.

She stared at the items for a long moment, then looked up at him, her brown eyes luminous. “You shouldn't have done that,” she exclaimed, and unlocked the door to the shop.

He was surprised by the anger that laced her voice. “If you don't like the kind I selected, I can exchange them for something else,” Tanner exclaimed as he hurried after her.

“That's not the point,” she replied. She took the pastry boxes from him and set them on the counter. “You don't have to do things for me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

This was not exactly the reaction he'd been expecting, and irritation welled up inside him. “I realize you're capable of taking care of yourself. I just wanted to do something nice for you, and a gracious thank-you would have sufficed.”

Her cheeks grew pink and she looked away from him. “I apologize,” she said softly. “And I should be ashamed of myself.”

“Yes, you should,” he agreed, his irritation with her dissipating instantly. “And now I've got two rosebushes and two dogwood trees that need a home.
Should I bring them inside or call the nursery and tell them to pick them back up?”

She smiled impishly, causing her dimple to dance provocatively. “Why don't you bring the trees and bushes inside and call the nursery to pick me up.”

He laughed. “Not on your life. I'm not about to take over the job of selling diapers and booties to pregnant women.”

As he went back outside to carry in the greenery, Colette set up a card table just inside the door and started a large coffeepot and set out the pastries.

By the time Tanner had all the potted plants inside, she had finished with her arrangement of the goodies for the day. She walked back to the kiddy area and directed him where to place the plants, then together they walked back to the front of the store and poured themselves a cup of coffee.

Colette looked at her wristwatch and paced around the store, straightening displays and refolding blankets. Tanner recognized her restlessness as nerves and knew today was far more important to her than he'd initially realized.

“Come sit down, Colette,” he instructed. He grabbed her hand and pointed her to the chair behind the counter. “It's going to be a great day for you, and all the pacing and nervous energy expended isn't going to do anything but make you tired before you even open the doors.”

She sat and smiled at him. “I don't know why I'm
so nervous. Today is probably going to be just like any other day of business.”

“Only better,” he replied.

“From your lips to God's ears.”

At that moment Gina appeared. She pushed open the door of the shop, greeted both Tanner and Colette, then grabbed one of the bootie-shaped cookies from the table. “Hmm, these are great,” she exclaimed after taking a bite.

“Glad you like them, because if we don't have any customers today that's what we'll be eating for supper for the next couple of weeks,” Colette replied.

However, Colette's worries were for nothing. Within minutes of opening the doors for the day, the place began to fill with people.

Not only were Colette and Gina kept busy, but Tanner found himself working, as well, greeting people, checking occasionally on the children who were enjoying the kiddy area and waiting on customers while the two women helped others.

The morning flew by and it wasn't until after two that afternoon that they enjoyed their first lull. “Why don't I run down to Johnny's Café and grab some hamburgers?” Tanner suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” Gina said.

“I'm not really very hungry,” Colette replied. She sat down on the chair and heaved a sigh of exhaustion.

Tanner eyed her critically. “You have to eat,” he said. “Did you eat supper last night?”

She frowned thoughtfully. “No,” she admitted.

“And what about breakfast this morning?”

Her frown deepened. “No, I had so many things on my mind.”

“Then I'm getting you a hamburger, and if you won't eat it, I'll personally force-feed you,” he warned.

“And he will, too,” Gina assured Colette. “He's a regular mother hen when it comes to eating three squares a day and getting a good night's sleep.”

“That's right, and after I feed you there's nothing I'd like better than to tuck you in.”

Tanner heard Colette's gasp and Gina's hoot of laughter as he left the shop and headed for Johnny's. Over and over again Colette had said and given indications that she was capable of taking care of herself, that she wanted nothing more than her independence.

But Tanner had never met a woman who needed to be taken care of more than Colette. She not only needed somebody to take care of her physically, but she needed somebody to support her emotionally, somebody to share in her successes and failures.

As he'd held her the night before and she'd cried about her mother, he'd wanted to be that caring, supportive person for her. He'd wanted to hold her tight enough that hurt could never find her heart again.

It worried him just a little, the protectiveness she evoked in him. That, coupled with the desire he felt for her, was a heady combination of emotions that made him distinctly uncomfortable.

As he'd worked in the boutique, helping expectant mothers and fathers, he'd found himself wondering what it would be like to be expecting a child. He'd looked at the booties and little T-shirts, the soft pastel-colored blankets and frilly dresses, and a deep yearning had sprung up inside him.

Suddenly he was struck with an overwhelming homesickness for Two Hearts. Things were much less complicated at the ranch, and it was past time that he resume his life there.

As he entered Johnny's Café, he reached a decision. If he couldn't convince Gina to return home with him, then on Sunday he would go back by himself.

That gave him two days to get through to Gina…and two days to get Colette out of his head and his heart.

“G
o home,” Gina urged Colette at just after six o'clock that evening. “I can stay the last hour and close up by myself.”

Colette hesitated. The idea of leaving and going home and putting her feet up sounded positively wonderful. The day had far exceeded her expectations. It had been the busiest day she'd had since first opening the store.

“Go,” Gina commanded. “You look exhausted and I can handle things until close.”

“Are you sure?” Colette asked. The crowd had dissipated, and no customers were in the store at the current time.

“Positive,” Gina assured her.

“All right,” Colette said, capitulating. “I have to admit, I'm more than a little bit exhausted.”

“You probably stayed awake all night worrying about today,” Gina said.

“I was awake most of the night. I'll fix something for dinner and have it waiting for you when you get home.”

Gina nodded. “Sounds good, I'm starting to get hungry.” Colette grabbed her purse, gave Gina last-minute instructions on what to do with the leftover pastries, then left the shop.

She had been awake most of the night before, only it hadn't been just worry about today that had kept her awake. Thoughts of Tanner had continually played in her mind.

She'd sensed his restlessness and knew it was only a matter of time before he returned to Two Hearts. And it bothered her how much she was going to miss him.

That moment the day before when she'd realized she'd fallen in love with him had utterly stunned her, and she'd hugged the warmth of that love to her breast all night long.

However, it was a love she intended to do nothing about. Her life was planned and there was no room for a man in it—not even a man who made her knees weaken and her pulse pound. She would have her baby and her business…and that's all she needed to be happy.

She leaned tiredly against the wall of the elevator
as it carried her up to her eighth-floor apartment, trying to dismiss thoughts of Tanner from her mind.

However, trying to stop thinking about Tanner was like trying to stop breathing. He filled her head, filled her heart…filled her very soul.

She'd allowed him to get closer than she'd ever allowed anyone else in her life, and now she regretted it, for she knew when he left she would mourn what might have been.

It was impossible for her to know exactly what Tanner felt for her. She knew he desired her, but she wasn't sure his feelings went any deeper than a healthy lust.

But even if they did, even if he fell down on one knee and offered to whisk her off her feet and carry her to his ranch to live forever and always, she wouldn't go.

She'd seen the negative side of love up close and personal, and it was not pretty. She would never give herself an opportunity to become like her mother—needy, clinging and weak. She would never become a woman who built her entire life, her entire world, around a man.

The minute she opened her apartment door she kicked off her shoes and flopped down on the sofa, exhaustion sweeping through her.

She thought of the pregnancy test in her bathroom cabinet. It had been almost four weeks since she'd
had the procedure to make her pregnant. It was possible it would show up on a test now.

But at the moment she didn't have the energy to take the test. Besides, it would probably be more accurate if she waited another couple of days.

Her monthly cycle had been due a week ago, but she knew better than to depend on that as an indication of pregnancy. Her periods had always been irregular.

She closed her eyes, deciding she would rest just a few minutes before getting up and checking out what she was going to cook for supper.

She awakened suddenly, surprised by how easily she'd fallen asleep. The apartment had darkened and she realized she must have been asleep for some time.

Sitting up, she checked her wristwatch, shocked to see that it was just after eight. Gina should be home at any moment. The shop closed at seven-thirty, and normally the young woman would have already been home, but tonight she would have to wrap up the leftover pastries and wash out the industrial-size coffeemaker.

Colette went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door and stared at the contents. She didn't feel like cooking supper. She shut the fridge door and walked back into the living room and ordered a pizza.

With a delivery time of half an hour, she hurried into her bathroom and jumped into the shower, then dressed in her nightshirt and a robe.

Checking her watch again, she wondered where Gina was? It shouldn't have taken her that long to close up. She picked up the phone and dialed the number to the store.

She let it ring five times, then hung up. Apparently Gina had already left and would probably be walking through the door at any minute.

As she waited for Gina and the pizza, she tried to keep thoughts of Tanner at bay, but her mind refused to cooperate with her desire not to think of him.

What would it be like to live at Two Hearts and be loved for the rest of her life by Tanner? What would it be like to have his children, share his life? Each time he'd talked about Foxrun to her, the picture he'd painted of his life there had filled her with a wistful yearning.

Why…why did these thoughts torment her so?

He'd been a tremendous help at the shop all day, pitching in when the crowd got big, supervising the play area and giving a male opinion for the women shoppers who wanted one.

It had been around three when he'd left, telling her and Gina that he needed to make some phone calls and take care of some business at the ranch.

Thoughts of Tanner disappeared as the doorbell rang. She opened the door to a familiar, smiling young man holding a large pizza box. “Evening, Ms. Carson,” he said.

“Hi, Ralph.” Ralph had often delivered pizza to
Colette. His father owned the pizza place where Colette placed her orders.

“I guess it's a no-cooking night,” he said as they exchanged pizza for cash.

“You've got that right. I decided to treat myself to one of your father's creative masterpieces.”

Ralph laughed. “Well, this masterpiece is just the way you like it…with lots of extra pepperoni.”

“Thanks, Ralph, and tell your dad I said hi.” He nodded and with a wave headed back to the elevator as Colette closed and relocked her apartment door.

The scent of rich, tangy sauce and spicy pepperoni filled the air as Colette placed the pizza in the center of the table. Now all she had to do was wait for Gina to get home.

The minutes ticked by. Colette set the table, made a pitcher of iced tea and still no Gina. Maybe Danny stopped by the store and they decided to grab a bite to eat, she told herself.

Gina was an independent adult. It was ridiculous for Colette to worry because she wasn't home yet. But as the minutes continued to tick by, she couldn't help the worry that fluttered through her.

By nine her concern was impossible to ignore. Gina was a conscientious young lady and always called when she made plans and was going to be home late.

As two single women living alone, Colette had always stressed how important it was that they each have an idea of what the other was doing or who they
might be with. Besides, she'd mentioned to Gina that she'd have something ready to eat when she got home, and the young woman hadn't mentioned any other plans.

So, where was she? Why hadn't she called? By the time ten o'clock rolled around, Colette knew she had to do something.

She sat down next to the phone and clicked her fingernails on the plastic receiver. If nothing was wrong, then Gina would probably be angry that Colette had called in the cavalry. But there was no way Colette could ignore her unease and just sit around and wait for Gina to return.

Drawing a deep breath, she picked up the phone, punched in the numbers for information and asked for the number to Tanner's hotel.

 

Tanner had just showered and crawled into bed when the phone rang. It took him a moment to answer as he fumbled on the nightstand for the phone. “Hello?”

“Tanner?”

He rolled over and turned on the bedside lamp. “Colette.”

“I'm sorry to bother you,” she said.

It was obvious from her tone of voice that she was not pleased to be calling him. “You aren't bothering me,” he assured her, then waited expectantly.

“Tanner, it's probably nothing, but I'm a little bit worried about Gina.”

Instantly adrenaline flooded through him and he sat up. “What do you mean? Worried about what?”

There was a long pause. “She isn't home yet.”

“Home yet? You mean home from the shop?” He looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand. “Was she keeping the shop open late tonight?”

“No, and I've called there several times and there's no answer.”

“Did she have a date with Danny after work?”

“She didn't mention anything about a date. Right before I left the shop, I told her I'd have something to eat ready for her when she got home, and she didn't mention anything about not coming directly home.”

Fear, rich and sickening, slammed through him. “I'll be right over,” he said, and without giving her an opportunity to say anything more he hung up.

He grabbed his jeans and ripped them on, then did the same with his shirt. As he pulled on socks and his boots, frantic worry rocked through him.

If Gina had closed up the shop at the normal time, that meant she'd been missing for over two and a half hours. Where could she be?

Before going to Colette's apartment building, he raced the three blocks from his hotel to the shop. As he ran, his heart pounded frantically, his mind filling with horrifying possibilities.

When he reached the shop he found the interior
dark and the front door locked. Nothing looked amiss, and a quick look around the entire perimeter of the building yielded no clues.

He hurried on to Colette's apartment, cursing the vivid imagination that presented all kinds of terrible visions in his head.

Had somebody snatched her off the street as she'd walked home? Was she right now in the hands of a madman? Or had she simply gone off somewhere and neglected to tell Colette? In either case she was in a world of trouble.

He didn't have to bother knocking on Colette's door. The moment he stepped off the elevator, she opened the door to admit him into the apartment.

“Any word from her?” he asked.

She shook her head, looking unusually small and fragile in a pale pink robe, her face etched with light lines of tension. “Maybe we should call the police?” she suggested, toying nervously with the belt of her robe.

Tanner raked a hand through his hair and expelled a sigh. “They'd laugh us into next week. At this point all we could tell them is that she's twenty-one years old and is a few hours late for supper. They won't do anything until she's been missing at least twenty-four hours.”

Colette sank down on the edge of the sofa, her forehead still wrinkled with furrows of worry. “So what should we do?”

Tanner moved to the bank of windows and paced back and forth. “Do you remember Danny's last name?”

“Burlington.”

He stifled a groan. There were probably a million Burlingtons listed in the Kansas City phone directory.

“We know he lives nearby, so I could probably figure out which Burlington it is,” she said as if she'd read his thoughts.

“You have a phone book?” he asked, for the first time feeling a wave of hope.

She nodded and went into the kitchen. Tanner followed right behind her. Surely Gina was with Danny. With the thoughtlessness of youth she hadn't realized anyone would worry.

Colette pulled a phone book from a cabinet and opened it on the kitchen table, seeking the pages that would have the numbers for all the Burlingtons in the city.

Tanner moved to stand next to her, vaguely aware of the sweet, clean scent of her and the warmth of her curves against him as he pressed closer to view the numbers.

She ran a well-manicured pink fingernail down the page, scanning the numbers in what appeared to be surprising speed.

“Here's a possibility,” she said. Tanner moved from her side to the phone and punched in the number as she read it off to him.

It was the wrong Burlington.

They called four numbers. Three of them didn't know a Danny and nobody answered at the fourth place. Tanner was just hanging up the receiver when they heard the front door open and close.

Gina walked into the kitchen and there was a moment of stunned silence. Her bottom lip was slightly swollen, her hair was in disarray, her panty hose were in shreds and her knees were bloodied.

“Don't panic,” she exclaimed hurriedly. “It looks much worse than it is.”

Despite her words, it was sheer panic that shot through Tanner. In three quick strides he was before her, and he grabbed her by the shoulders to assure himself that she was really all right.

For a moment he couldn't speak. No question seemed as important as hugging her to his chest, assuring himself that she was really okay. It was only after a long, fierce bear hug that he stepped back. “What happened?”

She broke free from him and set her purse on the table. “A little weasel tried to snatch my purse.”

“How did your knees get so skinned up?” Colette asked.

“When he grabbed for it, he didn't realize it was looped over my head and I fell.” She smiled faintly. “I think I scared him more than he scared me. I was screaming like a banshee and I managed to hit him with a couple of shots of my pepper spray. I went
right down to the police station to make a report. That's where I've been all this time. I tried to call but the line was busy, then decided I'd just explain when I got home.”

Fear grappled with rage inside Tanner as he stared at his baby sister. “Pack your bags,” he said curtly. “You are not staying in a place where you get mugged and have to carry pepper spray.”