Page 47 of A Baby for the Texas Cowboy
“A case of wine isn’t heavy,” she denied. “I am in terrific shape. My job is very physical. Catalina’s not sitting at home fanning herself and streaming Netflix waiting for the big event.”
But no, she hadn’t Googled anything about babies. Or pregnancy. She’d been avoiding the idea all together with the exception of the prenatal vitamins.
“I’m not interfering with how you do your job. Treat me with the same respect.”
“Respect?” he echoed in disbelief. “What the hell do you think I’ve been doing?”
“The truck was because of the baby,” she said. “And the fancy mattress was for you because you think you’re going to be spending your occasional few nights home in my bed between challenging bucking bulls and riding buckle bunnies at different cities for weeks away at a time.”
Anders jerked his head like she’d struck him.
Okay, she was being mean, but she had to be. She was going to cave. She could feel it—Anders’ concern for her health was because of the baby. Everything he was doing was for the baby. And his family was starting to make moves to include her in their lives because of the baby.
“You don’t want me. Nothing you are doing is about me. It’s all because of the baby,” she whispered.
Tell me that’s not true.
The thought scared her half to death.
“Let’s just both stop talking now,” he said grimly; his eyes glinted hard and angry. “I’ll stack the different varietals as you wheel them in,” he said, his voice tight. “I’d be helping August and Catalina with this anyway since Catalina has her assistant winemaker and crew busy in the winery today and Axel has most of the ranch hands working on the northern fence lines and checking water holes. So this, at least, is about them and not the baby.” His voice was a sarcastic whip.
He handed her the dolly and turned his back.
Tinsley hesitated. She burned to apologize. Anders hadn’t deserved her ugly tongue—all of her insecurities dragged from her past and vomited all over him. He’d been doing what he thought noble, no doubt, as the right thing. But she didn’t want to be his right thing.
A burden he’d stoically endure.
She should be happy, she thought miserably, staring at the stiff, long line of his strong back. Mission accomplished. She’d pushed him hard and far away. Instead she felt a little sick.
“Go.”
Tinsley opened the door and hurried back to the truck like she was being chased, which she wasn’t. Not anymore.
Chapter Thirteen
Four hours later—mostof those in the saddle because he’d needed to get away from people—especially Tinsley with her harsh accusations about his character and intentions—Anders and his oldest brother Axel rode back toward the main stable.
“You going to be able to look at some stock for me while you’re in New Mexico?” Axel asked.
“Yeah. Fine. Text me the details.”
“I did last week when we talked about it.”
“Cool. Whatever.”
Axel didn’t verbally respond, just a fractional tightening of his lips, but Anders heard his silent question.
Anders stared at his oldest brother. He’d always admired Axel. He’d hero-worshipped him since he could remember, but he was just too damn perfect. Too everything a man should be. He’d never have lapsed on birth control, and if he did, the girl wouldn’t turn him down. Ever. She wouldn’t accuse him of faking anything, and it definitely wouldn’t occur to her that Axel would cheat on her. He was as honest as a man could get.
So, what did that say about him?
Or was it only Tinsley who felt him so lacking?
And was that on him or her?
He couldn’t even tell Axel about any of it. Too humiliating. He’d made a child with a woman who didn’t want him and didn’t respect him. There wasn’t much lower a woman could shove a man down.
“You want to talk,” Axel stated mildly as they rode into the main stable. He dismounted and uncinched the saddle, in one graceful movement, hefted it up and braced it against one of his broad shoulders.
