Wanted--Texas Daddy Read online

  Hadn’t he pampered her silly last night?

  Made love to her with exquisite tenderness?

  Helped her feel every bit as important to him as he was to her?

  So why, then, Sage thought on a new burst of frustration, as she ran a brush through her freshly blown-dry hair, did she feel on the verge of losing it all over again?

  Ducking his searching gaze, she padded back into the dressing area of the luxury suite, in search of the flats that went with the dress. She plucked them from the suitcase, and dropped them onto the floor. “I’m just excited for you,” she fibbed.

  Nick watched as she toed them into position, then attempted unsuccessfully to slip her swollen feet into them.

  Nick knelt before her, like a prince courting his Cinderella. “Need some help, sweetheart?”

  Unfortunately, he could not fit her feet into the soft ballet flats, either.

  Not sure what she was supposed to do, with them just minutes away from departure, she contemplated her options. The sneakers she’d traveled in were too beat up. The only other thing she had were flip-flops.

  Nick followed her gaze. “They’ll be okay.” He helped her slip her feet into them.

  Aware it was supposed to be a brutally hot June day, with the temperature soaring to 104 degrees, but the mall itself might feel cool, she grabbed a lightweight sky blue cardigan and her bag.

  Together, they headed out.

  “I’m supposed to be there from open to close today, but MR is going to have a driver ready to take you back here, whenever you’re ready,” Nick said.

  “Sounds good,” she replied.

  What wasn’t good was the look on MR’s face when she saw Sage walk into the luxury store, in flip-flops. As usual, the venture capitalist recovered quickly. Her disdain slipped into a warm, welcoming smile as she motioned for one of the sophisticated saleswomen. “You know what would go great with that dress? A summery white denim jacket and some black-and-peacock-blue boots.”

  “Absolutely,” the clerk said. “I’ll get right on it.”

  Her lower back aching, the way it had for months now, Sage let herself be led off. Behind her, she heard Nick tell MR, “I’ve got a few things I’d like to discuss.”

  “We’ll talk in the back office,” MR chirped happily.

  The two disappeared, and Sage focused on being the “wife” Nick needed her to be.

  * * *

  NICK HELD HIS temper while MR shut the door behind them. Turning, she gave him a droll look. “Why so serious?”

  Nick folded his arms in front of him. Curious as to how long she’d play innocent. “I spoke to the manager at The Mansion last night.”

  MR’s expression remained guileless. “And...?”

  He’d known for months that his business partner was not the person she purported to be. But for her to stoop as low as she had was still unfathomable. At least for someone like him who had grown up in a rural community where neighbor looked out for neighbor.

  “Cut the bull, MR,” he retorted, his patience exhausted. “I know what you did.”

  MR walked over to the mirror she’d installed and checked out the black lace-over-silk dress and knee-high lace-up boots she wore. Adjusting the turquoise-and-leather pendant she wore, she turned back to face him, her countenance calm. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Nick was just as sure she did. “Here’s the bottom line. I’m done being jerked around like a marionette on a string.”

  MR paused, an exaggerated expression of sympathy on her perfectly made-up face. Carefully, she began, “I understand you’re anxious about today.”

  Anxious, hell! “My wife and child are not going to be collateral damage in your ambitious schemes.”

  An unpleasant pause, filled with unexpressed guilt.

  MR lifted a discerning brow, her countenance turning ugly. “Careful, Nick, this is a situation that could play out in more than one way.” She arrowed a thumb at her sternum. “I’m the one with all the advantages.”

  Before he could continue, the sales rep knocked and opened the door slightly. At MR’s approving nod, she walked in, a flushed Sage at her side. With a sweeping gesture toward Nick’s wife, the clerk asked, “What do you think? Hat or no hat?”

  MR’s gaze narrowed critically, all business once again. “None for Sage. The custom, definitely, for Nick.”

  He couldn’t help but note how beautiful and alluring Sage looked in the fancy boots and jacket. He also noted she had her right hand behind her, discretely rubbing the small of her back. A small bead of perspiration dotted her brow. He crossed to her side in instant concern, and wrapped a supportive arm around her waist. “Are you too hot in that?”

  “I’m fine.” She flashed a dazzling smile, her brow growing ever damper, as she rested against him. “I wouldn’t mind sitting down for a moment, though.”

  Everett appeared in the doorway. “Several hundred people are already lined up outside the door and the camera crew is here to film the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening. The mayor just arrived, too.”

  MR handed Nick the hat they all wanted him to wear. “Nick?” Her shrill voice rang with impatience.

  “Sage and I will be right there,” he promised, already getting his wife a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge.

  MR flashed her disapproval. “Five minutes,” she warned.

  “No problem.”

  Once he and Sage were alone, Nick took another long look at her. She seemed a little unsteady. And very tired, beneath the aura of flushed excitement. Protectiveness rose within him. “Are you sure you’re up to this?” he asked her gently.

  “Positive.” She hesitated, her lip taking on a perplexed curve. “When I walked in, were you and MR arguing about something?” When he didn’t answer right away, she added anxiously, “It sounded...unpleasant.”

  It likely would have been, had he gotten to the bottom line. But he figured that could wait. What was important now was Sage and their baby, making sure they both were okay.

  “Nothing you need to worry about,” he soothed. He would take care of this.

  For all of them.

  * * *

  SAGE WASN’T SURPRISED Nick brushed her off. He had a way of shutting down emotionally whenever their interactions headed into overly intimate territory.

  Still, it stung.

  Luckily, they had no chance to pursue the conversation, given Everett’s repeat appearance in the doorway.

  “Showtime!” the assistant said.

  Gallantly, Nick offered Sage a hand up.

  Obediently, Everett reminded him, “The hat.”

  With a grimace, Nick settled it on his head.

  One hand on Sage’s back, he escorted her out to the front. On the other side of the glass, a big white ribbon had been stretched across the space.

  He dropped his hold on her as the mayor and other local dignitaries greeted him and offered their congratulations. The camera crew filmed while Nick and MR jointly held the large pair of scissors and cut the ribbon. Everyone clapped. There were several hoots and hollers and loud whistles. The doors were pushed all the way open and the crowd, buzzing with excitement, surged inside.

  It was, Sage noted, both gratifying to see such enthusiasm—even if the mercantile wasn’t what Nick had originally envisioned—and a little overwhelming, too. Plus, maybe it was the unusually high heels of the boots she wore, but her lower back was now aching like the jab of a hot poker.

  Warning herself that this event wouldn’t last all that long, she forced herself to smile through the near rhythmic discomfort.

  Nick appeared at her side. “Mayor, I’d like you to meet my wife, Sage Lockhart Monroe.”

  The handsome politician nodded, extending his hand. “I know
your family well.”

  “Very nice to see you here,” Sage returned politely.

  Then froze, as a river of something wet and warm trickled down her leg and splattered on the floor.

  She looked down in horror and shock, as everyone around her automatically stepped back.

  For a moment, she thought she had done the unthinkable and wet herself.

  Then she knew.

  Oh, heavens.

  Oh, no.

  Not now.

  Not here.

  My God...

  “Sage?” Nick said, as the water saturated her underwear and dripped down her thighs.

  She panicked as she felt her knees buckle beneath her.

  A collective gasp filled the air. Nick rushed in and caught her as she fell backward. “It’s okay. I got you... Talk to me, Sage. Can you tell me what’s happening?”

  “I need...to lie down...” she whimpered, and he eased her gently onto the floor. As pain wrapped her middle in a breath-robbing vice, she felt another even more disturbing sensation. She gripped her husband’s forearm tightly. That couldn’t be...could it? Oh, no. “Nick...” My God! “Nick...!”

  He grabbed a folded sweater from a nearby display and eased it under her head. “It’s all right, sweetheart, I promise. I’m right here with you, and I’m not going anywhere. Someone’s already calling 911...”

  Too late for that, she thought miserably, as the panic and fear inside her twisted and rose. Tears blurred her eyes. “I feel the baby’s head.”

  * * *

  OUT OF THE corner of his eyes, Nick saw MR and Everett and their bevy of salesclerks taking charge and waving the crowds back.

  Unfortunately, all the commotion caused even more people to gather outside the storefront.

  For once glad the venture capitalist had such a take-charge personality, Nick turned back to his wife.

  Drawing on everything he had learned about childbirth, he soothed, “You can’t, sweetheart. It’s way too soon for that.”

  Her eyes were glazed with panic and pain. “I do, I swear! It...” She moaned, a deep, feral cry for help, and gripped his arms, hard. “The baby is coming!”

  Now? Here?

  Sage held on even tighter. Wildly, she pleaded with him, “You’ve got to help me make sure...” She let out another panicked, keening cry. “You’ve got to look...”

  Nick was vaguely aware they were moving racks of shirts around them, to try to block the view.

  He got down on his knees, eased Sage’s hem up, reached beneath her dress and removed her drenched panties. Easing her thighs apart, he inhaled a bolstering breath and checked.

  Sure enough, she was right, it was definitely their baby’s head.

  Little One was crowning.

  There was no time to wait for the EMTs.

  “Get me something to put underneath her,” he shouted, as Sage sobbed and panted.

  Several brand-new extra-large men’s shirts of fine soft cotton were ripped off hangers and thrust at him.

  “Nick,” Sage sobbed. “I’ve...got...to...push...”

  He had no choice but to cede all control. “Then go for it, sweetheart,” he said, hastily making a bed beneath her.

  She grunted, shoved.

  The head came out, into his waiting palm.

  “Again,” he directed, gently but firmly supporting the emerging infant.

  She pushed.

  The rest of their baby’s body slid out into his waiting hands. Perfect as could be, and covered in a waxy white substance. The cord was still connected to Sage.

  Sage lifted her head and shoulders off the floor, trying to see. “Nick...?” she asked anxiously.

  “It’s a boy,” he declared.

  And Little One hadn’t made a sound, Nick noted in alarm. Didn’t seem to be breathing, at all.

  Sending up a silent prayer, Nick used the tip of his little finger to wipe the baby’s nose and mouth of mucous, then held their infant upright.

  Startled into awareness, their son let out a lusty, high-pitched cry.

  Sage began to sob, openly now, and Nick felt a surge of love and gratitude as the paramedics rushed in.

  * * *

  THE HOURS THAT followed were a blur. Sage had only hazy memories of the ambulance ride to the hospital and their time in the ER before being whisked up to the maternity wing.

  But she would never forget the moment when she had seen Nick help their son take his first breath. Or the way he had looked as he settled their child in her arms. As if all his dreams had come true, too. Or the incredible miracle of cradling her baby son in her arms for the very first time. And the feeling of the contentment that flowed through her when the three of them were finally settled in one of the hospital’s private maternity suites was beyond compare.

  Nick sat in the chair next to the bed as she nursed. He watched, mesmerized, as little Shane fed.

  Sage could tell he had something on his mind.

  She did, too, so she decided to go first before any more time elapsed. “I’m sorry I disrupted the grand opening.”

  He shook off her apology. “I’m sorry I let them set the grand opening so close to your due date.”

  Sage shrugged. “With a 49 percent share, you didn’t really have a lot of choice. And Father’s Day weekend was a great time to enter the retail market.” She expected the weekend sales would be through the roof. Not a bad way to start a business.

  Nick, however, did not appear to be thinking about his hard-won success.

  Brow furrowing, he let his gaze drift lazily over her. “Did you suspect you might be in labor this morning? Is that why you were so weepy?”

  So he had seen her surreptitious tears, she thought, her body warming everywhere his gaze had landed. “My hormones were definitely raging,” she admitted self-consciously, appreciating his tender concern, “but I wasn’t having contractions. Not like I did when we had the whole Braxton Hicks debacle. Just the kind of lower back pain I’ve had the entire pregnancy. And I didn’t connect that with labor.” She grimaced, remembering. “Until my water broke, anyway.”

  Nick exhaled, his relief as strong as her own. “Thank heaven EMS got there quickly.”

  She grinned. “Thank heaven you knew exactly how to proceed until they did arrive.”

  He chuckled fondly, his attention moving from her to their son, and back again. “It’s not like I had to do much,” he admitted with an ornery grin. “When our son was ready to make his entry into the world, he came right on out.”

  They smiled and held hands. Then Sage handed their son over to Nick, to hold and burp. He had never looked so strong or handsome, or felt so very much an integral, needed part of her life. And Shane’s... “We are so very lucky,” she told him softly, meaning it with all her heart and soul.

  One big hand gently cupping Shane’s head and neck, the other supporting his diapered bottom, Nick tenderly cradled Shane against his broad chest. “We are,” he admitted happily.

  He kissed them both, then drew back, sober now, and looked her in the eye. “Which is why I want to make some changes in my business dealings. And most important, stop all the traveling right now.”

  Heaven knew, there was nothing Sage would like better than to have her husband around full-time, instead of just on weekends. But...

  “Will the partners allow that?” she asked.

  Nick’s jaw jutted out. “It’s not really their decision to make,” he said curtly.

  Wasn’t it?

  Sage wondered.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Is now a good time?” MR asked, from the doorway of the hospital room, five hours later.

  For celebrating it sure was, Sage thought, cuddling her newborn son in her arms. She just wasn’t sure
she wanted to do so with MR, who continued to annoy her on nearly every level. But with Nick’s business partner standing there with a huge basket of baby things in her arms, and a congratulatory smile on her face, there wasn’t much she could do but say, “Yes. Of course.” With her free hand, Sage motioned her in.

  “I won’t stay long.” MR set the luxurious gift on a chair and perched on the window ledge.

  The exec had changed out of the Western wear she’d worn earlier in the day, and was now in the usual sleek business suit and heels. Her hair and makeup looked freshly done, too. In contrast to Sage, who still felt like a sweaty, disheveled mess, after giving birth.

  MR continued scanning the room thoughtfully. “Where’s Nick?”

  “He went back to the hotel to get cleaned up and retrieve our hospital bag.” So she could shower and change into something more comfortable than her hospital gown. Maybe do her hair and makeup, too.

  She knew it was silly, but she wanted to look good for Nick—and Shane.

  MR beamed. “Good. Then you and I will have a moment alone.”

  Feminine instinct told her this could not be good. Wary of the sweetly sleeping babe in her arms, Sage tried not to tense. “Something wrong?”

  “Actually, for once in this process, everything is incredibly right! Shane’s dramatic entry into the world has caused a huge media splash. We’ve been fielding calls right and left with news crews wanting to do stories on his birth. The sooner, the better, if we want to take advantage of this publicity gold mine. But Nick, as usual, is refusing to cooperate.”

  Good for my husband, Sage thought fiercely.

  Family first. Always.

  Deciding it best to be honest, she admitted calmly, “I don’t think it’s a good idea, either.” Sage shifted little Shane higher in her arms. His little rosebud lips worked soundlessly for several seconds, before he let out a soft sigh, stuck his thumb in his mouth, just the way he had in her womb, and promptly fell back asleep. “Shane went through an incredible trauma, being born in the middle of a mall store.”

  “A luxury Western-wear emporium,” MR corrected. She gave the infant a dismissive glance. “And he’s fine!”