Page 13 of A Baby for the Texas Cowboy
Tinsley’s stomach lurched. The life in there freaked her out. Felt like an intruder. She had no desire to touch it.
She was the worst mother ever.
Worse than her own mother maybe.
“You feel okay?” Catalina asked.
“I’m fine. Excited.”
Catalina’s unnerving pale green eyes searched her face, her expression kind, almost motherly, although she was only five years or so older than Tinsley’s twenty-seven. Catalina dropped the keys into Tinsley’s palm. “Keys to the castle.”
Curiosity stirred despite her nerves, reluctance, embarrassing exhaustion and conflicting emotions that churned wildly through her head.
“I hope you stay and love the job. Verflucht needs you.”
Tinsley wrinkled her nose. “Thank you, but you barely know me.”
No one did. And she liked it that way.
“August has been so struck by your sales instincts and abilities. He admires your work ethic and professionalism and your natural openness that helps to put people at ease and suck them in so they have a good time.” Catalina said it like she was reading a recommendation letter, and Tinsley couldn’t help the rush of pleasure.
“He implemented all your marketing ideas for the distillery. We can’t wait to see what you do with Verflucht. We are excited to have you on board.”
“I’m all in,” Tinsley said.
She wasn’t. Oh, she wanted the job, but the thought of staying in one place for two years where people could really get to know you, form expectations, still unnerved her.
And then there was Anders.
How would he feel about seeing her around town, distended belly reminding him of their birth control eff-up? That might put a crimp in his dating life.He’ll be gone most of the time, she comforted herself. He’d hardly bring his buckle bunny of the week into the tasting room.
“Okay then. Let’s do this,” she said as if by entering the tasting room, she could escape thoughts of Anders. Still, as she stuck the key in the lock, anticipation tingled along her spine. She turned the key and pushed open the door.
“Aren’t you coming in?” Tinsley paused on the raised threshold.
“I thought you might like to explore on your own,” Cat said. “I packed a picnic lunch if you want to spend some time here just feeling the space out. There’s a two-bedroom apartment upstairs. We have furniture for it on the ranch so we were thinking you could ride out later, pick the furniture—some ranch hands can load it up, bring it out, and set it up for you. Then I thought I could take you on a tour around the vineyards and winery. If you’re up for it, you could stay for dinner, and we can talk about the job and taste the wine—spitting, of course—which is what everyone does during work hours.”
“That sounds good,” Tinsley said.
Relief washed over Catalina’s features. “Great. Because we want your marketing magic.”
Tinsley felt the first stirrings of excitement squash the dread that had been building since she’d taken the first pregnancy test a couple of weeks ago.
“Okay then. I will need directions to the ranch for later.”
Catalina looked away down the road and then back at Tinsley. Tinsley could have sworn something like guilt crossed her face. “Sure. That’s taken care of.”
“Huh?”
Cat handed her the basket. “Have a snack. Take some time to make some notes, check out the apartment and then give me a call. Have fun.” Catalina’s voice rang with enthusiasm, and for the first time, Tinsley was beginning to think that running a tasting room and designing a marketing plan for a new brand of wine wasn’t going to feel like a trap.
Feeling lighter, a smile playing over her lips, Tinsley pushed the heavy door all the way open and stepped over the threshold.
*
Anders pulled intoa parking spot across the street from Verflucht. He frowned when he saw the motorcycle. Tinsley’s balance and center of gravity was going to change pretty quickly. Also the motorcycle wouldn’t be practical commuting from the ranch to work. He’d get her something safe and practical, and she could ride the bike for fun after the baby. Even that didn’t sit well since bikes were dangerous, but he could hardly judge, considering how he made much of his living.
August’s warning to go in low key niggled at his conscience, but he shoved the advice away. August hadn’t been low key once in his life. And Kane’s advice to give her space? Hypocritical. He’d admitted as much since he’d practically kidnapped his baby momma and their toddler when he’d discovered his daughter’s existence.
