A Montana Cowboy. Rebecca Winters

was still fresh in Trace’s mind. His teeth snapped together. “That’s right.” Ned and Cassie’s parents lived on the Bannock property owned by Ralph and Tyson Bannock, the two brothers who raised their families side by side.

      “Then you’d know all about the shooting.”

      “My father filled me in. Did you go to the funeral?”

      “Hell, no. Logan Dorney was a no-account. Ned’s dad fired him when he found out he’d been doing Ned’s sister on the sly. I’m surprised your dad hired them.”

      Sickness started to rise in Trace’s throat. “That’s my father’s business surely.”

      “The Doc didn’t know Logan the way Ned did.”

      Trace let the remark pass. “Any idea who shot him?”

      “Some hunter.”

      Yup. “How is Ned these days? I haven’t seen him in years.”

      “He had some family problems for a while. His sister was nothing but trouble for him. But he’s doing much better now and will be home before long. We’re going to go into business together soon.”

      “Is that right? What kind?”

      “A stud farm for feral horses.”

      That was the business Connor had been building with Liz. “Where?”

      “My dad’s ranch.”

      The conversation robbed Trace of any interest in his beer. It was still sitting there untouched. He put some money on the counter and got to his feet.

      “Hey—you haven’t drunk your beer.”

      “I discovered I’m not thirsty. It’s all yours. So long.”

      In a different frame of mind than before, Trace drove back to the ranch. After he reached the house, he tore up the note in the kitchen and wrote another one. She’d see it first thing in the morning.

      Cassie—

      I’ve gone to Billings and will be in and out of the house at odd hours for the rest of the week. Dad and I agree your food is out of this world, but please don’t do any more cooking for me since I don’t have a schedule you can count on.

      T.

      * * *

      WHEN FRIDAY THE twenty-second came around, Cassie kept her afternoon appointment with her OB. Dr. Raynard did an ultrasound and handed her the picture of the sonogram. “Your little girl has a healthy heart and measures the right size. So far everything looks fine.”

      Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I can’t believe that’s my baby. Oh, I wish Logan were here.”

      “Of course you do.”

      “You’re sure she’s all right?”

      “Yes, but to make certain she stays that way, I’m going to insist you stop your horseback riding altogether.”

      “Since my last appointment I’ve stopped riding Masala, but Buttercup is gentle. I love riding so much.”

      “At twenty weeks, you’re too far along to take any chances. That isn’t a great deal to give up. Go on walks instead.”

      “Okay. I haven’t felt the baby move yet. How come?”

      “It’s been moving for a long time, but too small for you to notice. I imagine you’ll feel it within the next couple of weeks.”

      “I hope so.”

      “And I hope you mind me. I know you’re an expert rider, but a horse can do the unexpected. Do you hear what I’m saying? This is for your own good. If your husband were alive, he wouldn’t want you to ride now.”

      “Probably not.”

      He smiled. “I’ll see you in a month. That’ll make it Friday, July 22. Remember to go easy on salt and caffeine, and put your legs up for a few minutes every day.”

      “I will. Thanks so much.”

      Cassie left the White Lodge Clinic where Dr. Raynard practiced and did a little shopping. She couldn’t hide her pregnancy any longer. She needed to buy another couple of pairs of maternity pants and a few more tops she could layer. Now that she knew she was having a daughter, she would pick up a few things for the baby at the same time.

      When Logan was killed, Cassie hadn’t known she was pregnant. Later she became ill and went to see the doctor because she’d thought she’d come down with the flu. The news that she was pregnant had sent her into shock again, but a wonderful kind. A part of Logan was growing inside her.

      To know she had their baby to live for pulled her out of the dark depression she’d been in. The doctor gave her medicine to help with the morning sickness. Since that stage had passed, she’d never felt better.

      Later tonight she would drive over to Zane’s ranch and show Avery the new things she’d bought for the baby while they talked. Avery was the closest thing she had to a sister. Her cousin was the only one who knew she was pregnant, but Cassie wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret from now on.

      When she returned to the ranch, there was still no sign of Trace. No doubt he was spending a lot of time with his father in town. She hurried inside to change into her new clothes that gave her more room to breathe. After grabbing a sandwich, she went out to the barn to take the horses for a late afternoon walk, mindful of her doctor’s advice.

      “Come on, Buttercup. You first.”

      If her horse thought it strange Cassie didn’t mount her, Cassie would never know. She walked her as far as the stream, then left her to graze in the paddock. It was Masala’s turn next. He was used to trailing behind her. When they returned to the paddock, Masala joined Buttercup. To Cassie’s amusement, her horse moved her head against his neck.

      “I think you two like each other!” she exclaimed. “Liz said it could happen, but I can’t believe it!”

      “So I wasn’t wrong,” spoke a deep male voice right behind her. She spun around in surprise and discovered Trace’s blue eyes eyeing her as if he could see right through her. A rush of warmth enveloped her.

      “I didn’t know you were home,” she said, out of breath for no good reason. She’d begun to think he was never coming back. It surprised her how much pleasure she felt at seeing him.

      “I got here a little while ago.”

      “You’ve been making yourself scarce.”

      “I’m back for the weekend. When I looked out the kitchen window and saw that you weren’t riding Buttercup, I wondered if my first suspicions about you were correct. Now I know.”

      Her heart fluttered like the wings of a darning needle she could see flitting around. “First suspicions about what?”

      “That you’re pregnant. When you told me Masala wasn’t your horse, I wondered if pregnancy was the reason you wouldn’t ride him. You’ve hidden your pregnancy so well, no one would suspect.”

      “You did, though,” she remarked.

      “Well, that’s because we went riding on Tuesday and I was close enough to you to notice. Does my dad know?”

      She averted her eyes. “No one does except my doctor and Avery. But your dad is a doctor who has delivered a lot of foals. He has probably guessed. I’m quite sure it’s the reason he’s let me stay on here without saying anything. He’s such an understanding man. You can’t hide much from him.”

      His eyes smiled. “Nope.” He cocked his head. “I don’t mean to pry, but why have you kept it a secret?”

      “Because I’m trying to make my way on my own. My parents never forgave me for marrying Logan. Once they find out I’m having his baby—and they will—they’ll write my child off completely,