Page 51 of A Baby for the Texas Cowboy
Tinsley had been an only child. Her parents had been demanding, exacting—not warm or loving or fun. She had a nanny for that—well, many nannies. And tutors and teachers for everything from music to dance to riding and jumping and later dressage, and of course for her school subjects. She hadn’t needed academic help—her classes had all been honors, AP or college prep, but her father and mother had been adamant that she be tutored up. They had wanted her to attend a top-tier university.
And until five years ago when she’d left everyone and everything behind, she hadn’t disappointed. Nor had she objected. And it occurred to her that despite all her so-called success and polish, no one had ever been happy to see her like Catalina and August had this morning. Her parents had never hugged her for a job well done. John’s eyes had never lit up because she walked into a room.
Tinsley slowly hugged Catalina back, not quite sure if she was overstepping. She felt awkward and wasn’t sure what to say. Then she saw one of the men she’d met this morning at the winery rolling in one large olive-colored umbrella. Another deliveryman followed.
Tinsley showed them where to place the heavy-based umbrellas. She liked the splash of color the umbrellas would provide during the day, and they’d mitigate the heat of the sun. Heat lamps would warm cool evenings, which would start soon, according to Catalina. Those were being delivered tomorrow. She and Catalina had been discussing the merits of adding on a covered outdoor space.
“What if we had the boys build on to the existing structure?” Catalina asked, turning her back on the transformation of the outdoor area to look at the three-story former small granary with the original silo restored on top of the apartment.
“The boys.” Tinsley snorted. Anders, August, and, from what she’d heard, Axel, were far from boys. Both August and Anders spoke of Axel with reverence, as if they didn’t quite measure up, which was ridiculous.
Tinsley’s mouth froze before she could utter her next words. She had thought something positive about Anders. That was happening more and more, and she no longer felt the driving need to stop it.
He was the father of her baby.
There. She’d thought about the B word. Progress.
And not a panic attack in sight.
Catalina continued talking about something, ignorant of Tinsley’s epiphany.
Last night she’d paced around, her brain on fire with ideas for the tasting room and branding but her heart heavy with the need to apologize. Maybe she should explain to Anders about her past—her family, John, and why it was so hard for her to trust. But her skin shriveled just thinking about her past.
Anders hadn’t come by her apartment last night. He’d sent her a text instead asking how she felt and if she needed anything. She’d expected him to arrive banging on the door after her “no thank you,” but she’d had the night to herself to research and think and plan.
She’d tried to sleep, but all she’d done was toss and turn and think about Anders. He might be the most irritating, emotionally unattainable male in Texas, but he was scorching hot.
“Stop thinking of Anders.”
“I’m not.”
“I recognize that goofy sex-starved look,” Catalina said. “I was on fire for August before, and pregnancy just amplified the I-need-to-have-sex-now full-body clamor.”
“Let’s not talk about this,” Tinsley said. “Both you and August are my bosses.” And Anders was Catalina’s brother-in-law. Sheesh!
“Boss, schmoss.” Catalina tossed her head a bit like a horse, making her short, curly ponytail bounce at the back of her neck. “We’re going to be sisters-in-law, and our kids are going to be cousins.”
Cousins. For a moment, the word filled her with warmth. Her child wouldn’t grow up so alone like she had.
Wait.
The other word penetrated.
“I am not marrying Anders.”
“That’s what I said repeatedly.” Catalina waved her shiny wedding ring at her.
“You and August had a history. Anders and I had nothing.”
Catalina laughed. “Right. I had high school bio. I know you didn’t gaze at him lustily during my wedding and pop!—a precious egg burst from your ovary and Anders’ just had to give you the come here girl eye and bam! Spontaneous combustion. A baby is conceived in the East Barn.”
“Girls, you are sadly in need of an anatomy class if you think that’s how it works.” A tall, beautiful woman with long, black hair in an intricate braid down her back and wearing surgical scrubs walked around the building, holding a very fragrant, large takeout bag from the local barbecue restaurant The Hut. Cruz Lopez now Wolf lofted a wine-size bottle of sparkling water over her head. “I’ll explain how sex and the female body works over a delicious girls’ night out dinner because we are celebrating!”
“Cruz!” Catalina hugged her sister-in-law, who had the height, slimness and classic-boned, exotic beauty of a supermodel. Catalina, already petite, looked almost childlike, but she was such a force of nature, that impression instantly fled. “You’re off early! For once. August picked up Diego from soccer practice.”
“I know,” Cruz smirked. “I heard you and Tinsley were working here all day and staying late so I thought we could have a re-meet and greet and eat and talk some smack about the Wolf brothers.”
“Second favorite recreational activity.” Catalina sniffed at the bag. “I’m starved.”
