What If I'm Pregnant...? (3 page)

For a moment Gina's petulance fell away and her eyes sparkled as she leaned forward. “Oh, how many?”

“Four, two males and two females,” he replied.

“And Bugsy is okay?”

“Came through like the champ she is.” He paused a beat. “She misses you.”

“Don't even go there,” Gina replied and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms in a gesture of defensiveness.

“Gina, I was just stating a fact. I wasn't trying to manipulate your emotions,” he replied.

He suddenly realized he was going to have to be a lot more subtle than he'd thought. Perhaps what he needed was the aid of somebody else in this…and that somebody else was sitting at his left. Gina might not listen to him, but he had a feeling she would listen to the lovely Colette.

He turned and looked at her, wondering if he could charm her to his side of this issue. She was obviously uncomfortable and would have preferred not being here. Her fingers toyed with the cloth napkin in her lap and she appeared to find a nearby potted plant utterly fascinating.

“Miss Carson, I understand you own a store that sells baby things,” he said.

She smiled and he couldn't help but notice that she
had pretty cupid lips, lips that appeared just perfect for kissing. “Yes, the Little Bit Baby Boutique. I officially opened the doors two years ago.”

Their conversation halted as the waitress appeared with their food. She served them, chatting about the weather and how busy the restaurant had been since the coming of spring, then departed.

“I would assume owning your own business requires a lot of time and energy,” Tanner said as he cut into his thick T-bone steak.

“It does,” Colette agreed. “Which is why I was so pleased to hire Gina. She's been a real godsend and is a wonderful salesclerk.” She smiled in obvious affection at Gina, who smiled back with the shine of hero worship in her eyes.

“Gina's very bright,” Tanner replied. Far too bright to work for minimum wage as a clerk in a baby store, he thought.

His biggest fear was that not only would Gina not live up to her intellectual potential, but that a smooth-talking city slicker would take advantage of her, break her heart and leave her not only working in a store for babies, but shopping there, as well. Then she would never fulfill the future Tanner had envisioned for her. All his hard work on her behalf would be for naught.

“Gina tells me you run a big ranch in Kansas, so you must know about long hours and expended energy,” Colette said.

Tanner nodded. “Yes, it definitely requires hard work and long hours…especially this time of year.”

“Then I'm sure you're eager to get back,” Gina quipped.

Tanner laughed at her lack of subtlety. “You know me, Gina. Family has always been more important than anything else in the world.” Again he turned to Colette. “You have family, Miss Carson?”

“Please, call me Colette,” she replied. “And my family consists of just my mother and me.”

“She lives here in town?”

“Yes, but unfortunately we aren't very close.” She turned her attention to Gina. “The salad is wonderful, isn't it.”

Tanner frowned and cut off another bite of his steak. She wasn't close to her mother. As far as Tanner was concerned, that was just another reason to get Gina away from her influence.

Tanner knew the importance of family. Colette Carson had no idea how lucky she was to have a mother. But Tanner knew all about being without a mother and a father and the importance of hanging on to the family left behind. And his family was Gina.

“So, what kind of a ranch do you have, Mr. Rothman?” Colette asked.

He grinned. “Make it Tanner, and we raise cattle. I've got a large herd of Charolais and a large herd of Hereford cows.”

“Oh, is one for milk and one for meat?” she asked.

Both Tanner and Gina laughed. “They're both meat cows,” Gina replied.

“Don't be embarrassed,” Tanner said to Colette, whose cheeks had turned a charming pink. “I wouldn't know a bunting from a bonnet when it comes to babies.”

She laughed, the sound musical and sweet. “I'm afraid I don't know much about cows.”

“Tanner also breeds horses,” Gina explained. “Two Hearts has been responsible for several championship quarter horses.”

“Two Hearts…that's the name of your ranch?” Colette asked.

“Yeah. Gina named the place,” Tanner explained, remembering the day the ranch had been named. It had been two days after their parents' funerals as they had stood on the front porch and gazed out across the expanse of pasture and fields that surrounded the ranch house.

“Tanner didn't like it,” Gina replied. “He thought it sounded too feminine.” She gazed at Tanner and smiled. “But he said if Two Hearts is what I wanted, then that's what it would be.”

“I always did spoil you,” Tanner exclaimed.

They finished the meal talking about less personal things—the beautiful spring weather, the latest movies they'd seen and the most recent political scandal.

Tanner found his gaze drawn again and again to
Colette, slightly irritated by the fact that he found her so attractive.

When she smiled a dimple danced in one of her cheeks, and when she grew thoughtful she pursed her lips in what appeared to be a direct invitation to explore their creamy texture.

She seemed to be as bright as she was pretty and their conversation was lively and surprisingly stimulating. But he wasn't here to enjoy the company of Gina's roommate and boss. He reminded himself of this as the meal came to an end and they each ordered a cup of coffee.

Tanner wrapped his hands around the thick mug of coffee and decided it was time to renew his campaign to get Gina back on the ranch where she belonged.

“Gina. I'm worried about you,” he said, deciding that authoritative demands wouldn't work. He needed to appeal to her on another level.

“There's nothing to worry about,” she protested. “I'm doing just fine.”

“You don't understand the dangers of city life,” he continued. “You've been sheltered all your life. You aren't ready for this, Gina.” He reached across the table and took one of her hands in his. “You know I wouldn't be here if I wasn't worried sick about you.”

Gina pulled her hand away, a pained expression on her pretty features. She looked at Colette, as if seeking some sort of support.

“She seems to be handling her new independence quite well,” Colette said. “I was on my own at her age and I've managed to do pretty well for myself.”

Tanner forced a smile, hoping it hid his irritation. “But Gina isn't you. Besides, I couldn't help but notice that your apartment isn't in the best area of town and there is no security to speak of.”

Although Tanner hoped he'd managed to hide his own irritation, he saw the spark of the same emotion that lit Colette's eyes. “This area is in the process of rejuvenation. It was a good business decision on my part to put my shop here and live in the same area.”

“That's fine for you, but it isn't fine for Gina,” he replied. “She simply isn't ready for this jump into city life and being on her own. She's too young, and ill equipped to handle life on her own.”

“If you're so concerned about Gina's life here, why don't you stick around for a few days, watch her working, see how well she's handling things?” Colette suggested.

Gina looked horrified at the very idea. Tanner frowned. Hanging out for a few days in Kansas City was not in his plans, but then he hadn't expected Gina to have such a strong support system in her roommate.

“That's a great idea,” he replied, hoping neither of the women saw the intense frustration building inside him. This wasn't working out as he'd planned and Tanner didn't like being thwarted.

“Tanner, I know how busy the spring season is at the ranch,” Gina exclaimed, horror still radiating from her eyes. “I'm sure you can't spare any time to just hang out here with me and Colette.”

“On the contrary, Gina, I've always told you where my priorities lie, and family has always been my number one priority,” he replied. He paused a moment and took a sip of his coffee, then continued. “Besides, I've got good men working for me back at the ranch. They'll keep things running smoothly while I'm gone. I've already checked into the hotel down the street, and maybe spending a couple of days hanging out will reassure me.”

He forced a smile. He had no intention of being reassured. He did not intend to leave Kansas City without Gina in tow. Legally he had no leverage. She was of age and could refuse to return to the ranch where she belonged.

But Tanner knew there was more than one way to skin a cat, and he knew the best way to get Gina back where she belonged was to gain Colette's support.

He gazed at the lovely blonde, a rush of adrenaline sweeping through him as he realized that was one cat he wouldn't mind skinning at all.

“I
can't believe you did that,” Gina exclaimed the moment the two women were once again alone in the apartment.

“Did what?” Colette asked as she kicked off her shoes and flopped down on the sofa.

“Suggested that Tanner stick around for a few days.” She paced back and forth in front of Colette, her slender body stiff with tension. “That just gives him more opportunity to manipulate me into doing what he wants, not what I want.” Gina sat in the chair opposite the sofa.

“Gina, I think he's just worried about you, and after a day or two of seeing you here, I'm sure he'll realize you're doing just fine.”

Gina leaned forward. “You don't know him, Co
lette. He's relentless. Don't be fooled by his charm, don't be fooled by him. He's so cursedly stubborn, he doesn't even have a girlfriend.”

Colette held up her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “Gina, this is between you and your brother. He doesn't have to try to charm me. It's you he wants to take back to the family ranch.”

“He wants me to go to school and get a job teaching in the local grade school and eventually marry Walt Tibberman.”

“Who is Walt Tibberman?” Colette asked curiously.

Gina stopped her pacing and sat in the chair opposite Colette. “Walt works on the ranch for Tanner. He's a nice guy and a hard worker and I know he has a thing for me, but I don't feel any sparks with him. There's no magic between us.”

Colette bit her tongue. She didn't believe in that kind of magic. As far as she was concerned, love was a nice illusion used to sell greeting cards and flowers, a nice word to justify lust and passion. As far as Colette was concerned, love was for needy, clingy women who were afraid to live their lives alone.

She stood and smiled at her young roommate. “Gina, if this is what you want, to stay and build a life here, then stand strong against your brother. And with that bit of advice, I'm going to bed.”

A few minutes later as Colette changed out of her clothes and into the short cotton nightshirt she always
wore to bed, she couldn't help but think about Tanner Rothman.

She had not only found him ruggedly handsome to look at, but utterly charming, as well. His obvious concern for his sister, his desire to make certain she was okay, only added to his attractiveness.

A slight wistfulness filled her as she slid beneath the sheet and into bed. She wished there had been somebody who had been concerned about her when she'd been eighteen years old and had struck out on her own.

Gina might see her big brother as a pain in her backside, but she had no idea how lucky she was to have somebody who cared about her and her well-being.

Colette shoved these thoughts aside. She rarely thought about what she'd never had, instead focused her thoughts and energy on attaining what she wanted. She'd learned at a very early age that she could depend on nobody but herself.

She placed a hand on her tummy, wondering if even now, at this very moment, a little soul was inside her. How she hoped, how she prayed that the artificial insemination had been successful. This child of hers would have all the love, all the care, all the dreams that nobody had ever taken the time to give to Colette.

She frowned sleepily. Funny, she wondered where Tanner and Gina's parents were in all this. Neither of them had mentioned what their parents wanted. In
fact, in the weeks that Gina and Colette had worked together, lived together, she hadn't mentioned any mother or father.

It wasn't her business, she told herself firmly. Just as Gina's life wasn't her business. And no matter how handsome, no matter how charming Tanner Rothman was, within days he'd be back at his ranch living his own life and she would continue hers…hopefully anticipating the birth of the child who would fill her world with love.

With this pleasant thought in mind, Colette fell asleep.

It was just after eight the next morning when she left the apartment to walk the three blocks to her shop. It was a gorgeous spring day. The sun was already up, shining down warmth on her shoulders, and the scent of sweet flowers rode the air from a nearby truck stand that sold fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Although the shop didn't officially open until nine-thirty, Colette liked to get there early in the mornings. She always stopped into the local café for fresh bagels, then went on to The Little Bit Baby Boutique and made a pot of coffee.

She enjoyed the quiet time before customers began to arrive, and often the bagel breakfast was all that sustained her through the day. Usually the store was too busy for her to take any kind of a lunch break.

As usual, the café was busy with clerks and office workers whose businesses were located in the down-
town area. Colette went directly to the counter, where “to go” orders were placed.

“Hi, Johnny,” she said, greeting the heavyset older man behind the counter.

“Hey, doll.” He grinned at her. “The usual?”

She nodded, then remembered that it was possible Tanner would spend part of his day at the shop. “Why don't you double it.”

Johnny raised a grizzled gray eyebrow as he placed the fresh bagels into a paper sack. “What did you do? Skip dinner last night?”

She laughed. “You know me, Johnny, I rarely miss a meal.”

“Here you go, doll. Take it easy.”

She took the bag of bagels he handed her, then paid him his amount due. “Stay out of trouble, Johnny,” she said.

“That's one thing an ex-con always tries to do,” he replied with a teasing grin.

She smiled and whirled around to leave and ran smack dab into Tanner Rothman's broad chest. He grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her and grinned down at her. “Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning,” she replied, and quickly stepped back from him, far too aware of the clean, masculine scent of him and the hard muscle of the chest she'd just made contact with.

“Headed to the store?” he asked.

She nodded. “I always stop here for Johnny's
freshly baked bagels before going in. I bought extra this morning if you'd like to have one.”

“Sounds good. I was wondering what time you all normally got to the store.”

“I usually get there by eight-thirty or so. Gina doesn't come in until noon,” she explained.

They left the café and started walking down the sidewalk toward the baby boutique. She tried not to notice how utterly devastating he looked in his tight, worn blue jeans and a short-sleeved dark blue T-shirt that exposed powerful forearms and deepened the hue of his eyes.

However, it was difficult not to be aware of Tanner's potent sexuality and handsomeness when they passed several women on the street and they openly stared at him with admiring eyes.

“The guy who runs the café is an ex-con?” he asked.

Instantly Colette knew he was thinking all kinds of horrors about a dangerous criminal in the neighborhood and his innocent little sister. “Thirty years ago Johnny robbed a couple of houses. He got caught, served eighteen months and apparently came out of prison a changed man. Besides running his café, he's now a member of the chamber of commerce and is involved in several community groups working to prevent crime.”

She stopped at the door to her shop and withdrew a set of keys from her purse. She unlocked the door
then turned to face him with a teasing smile. “You can't use ex-con Johnny as a reason for Gina to go home.”

One corner of his mouth turned upward in a sexy smile that caused heat to flood through Colette. “Am I that transparent?” he asked.

“In this particular instance you were,” she replied and turned to open the door, needing something else to focus on besides the inviting heat his smile had evoked in her.

“Welcome to the Little Bit Baby Boutique,” she said as she flipped on the overhead lights, then relocked the door as he stepped in behind her. “If you want to come on back to the office, I'll make us some coffee.”

As they walked toward the back of the store, Colette was aware of his gaze darting here and there, taking in the displays, the furniture and various items they passed.

Colette was proud of the layout of the store. She'd spent long hours and utilized all her marketing training in order to create a store that would be comfortable to shop in and displays that would encourage spending.

“What's all this?” he asked as they passed a large area at the back of the store that was empty except for several sawhorses and some tools.

“I'm having a little kiddy area built back here. It's going to have little benches and tables with books and
puzzles. Lots of my customers come in with children, and I thought it would be great to have a place for those children to play while their parents shopped.”

“Very thoughtful,” he said.

She grinned. “Business thoughtful. Parents tend to spend more time shopping if they don't have children whining or hanging on them. And the more time people spend shopping, the more they are apt to spend.”

She gestured him into the business office. She'd always believed the office at the back of the store was large, but the moment Tanner followed her in, she felt as if the interior had significantly shrunk.

“Please, have a seat.” She motioned him to the chair in front of her desk, then went to the corner where there was a sink and a counter with the coffeepot on top.

It took her only moments to prepare the coffeepot and turn it on. She sat down at her desk, fighting a sudden, irrational nervousness as the scent of the fresh brew filled the air.

It had been easy to spend time with Tanner the night before with Gina there. But at the moment she felt ill at ease, and was far too aware of him not as Gina's brother, but as a very sexy, single man. A man who, according to Gina, didn't have a girlfriend because he was so stubborn.

He didn't speak until they each had a cup of coffee before them and she had opened the bag and offered
him a bagel. “I assume from your store that you like babies,” he said.

“I love babies,” she replied easily. “But that's not why I decided to sell baby items.” He crooked a dark eyebrow in obvious interest, and she continued. “I knew I wanted to open my own retail business and it took me several months to finally decide on the baby business.”

“So why babies?”

“I studied the markets, did exhaustive research and realized we are on the verge of another baby boom. That, coupled with the fact that no matter what the economy is like, people are always going to have babies.”

“That's very interesting,” he said. “So, your decision was based on intellect rather than emotion.”

Something in his tone hinted of disapproval and Colette raised her chin defensively. “It's been my experience that the best decisions you can make are ones made with your mind, not with your heart. But surely you know that. When you chose what kind of cows to raise, I'm sure you made that decision with your head, not your heart.”

He grinned, that lazy, sexy grin that instantly put her on edge. “It's difficult to get too emotional over a cow.”

Colette tore off a piece of bagel and ate it, then took a sip of her coffee, desperately trying to think of something to talk about. She certainly didn't want
to discuss the situation with Gina with him. She didn't want to get involved in a tug-of-war between a brother and sister.

“Gina tells me you are from a very small town in Kansas,” she finally said.

He nodded. “Foxrun, Kansas. It's more like a little neighborhood than a town. Everyone knows everyone else, and most of the time everyone knows everyone else's business.”

She smiled. “Sounds like fun.”

“I can't imagine living anywhere else.”

“Do your parents live there, as well?”

His blue eyes grew deeper in color and Colette thought she saw a whisper of pain in their depths. He looked down at the coffee mug in his hands. “My parents have been gone for a long time. They died in a car accident when I was twenty-one years old and Gina was ten. I was left with a ranch on the verge of financial ruin and a ten-year-old grief-stricken child.”

Suddenly Colette understood his overprotectiveness where Gina was concerned. He'd not only been big brother to her, he'd also been mother and father. Admiration for him filled her.

No wonder he was having problems letting go of her. Colette knew there were parents who had trouble letting go of their children, although her mother certainly had not been that kind of parent.

“It must have been very difficult for you,” she said
softly. “Twenty-one is terribly young to take on so much responsibility and work.”

“In the case of both the ranch and Gina, it was definitely a labor of love.”

The warmth in his eyes and the soft expression on his face stirred a strange longing in Colette. Confused by the odd emotion, she stood and walked over to the coffeemaker to refill her cup.

When she turned back around she caught his gaze sweeping over her, taking in the sum total of her from head to toe. She suddenly wondered if her skirt was too short or too tight. She fought against the blush that tried to take possession of her cheeks and returned to her seat behind the desk.

“So, tell me about Colette Carson,” he said, then took another sip of his coffee.

She shrugged. “There really isn't much to tell. I was born and raised right here in Kansas City and have been here all my life.”

“Is there a boyfriend in the picture? An attractive woman like you probably dates every night.” His eyes flashed with what she thought might be a flirtatious light.

She laughed, oddly pleased that he thought she was attractive. “I can't remember the last date I had.” He was probably wondering how many nights a week his sister spent alone in the apartment. “Most evenings I'm either looking at catalogs, trying to figure out what might be the next hot item, or going over the
books to see exactly how the shop is doing. Gina tells me you don't do much dating, either.”