flushed along the cheekbones with anger. “Please, Cord. Mrs. Ashley is offering me an opportunity I don’t intend to pass up. I need a job. I know I said I’d stick close to the house, today at least, but I won’t be alone, and it’s just a short drive into town.”
He stared at her, suddenly starting to understand the hasty jump at employment. “Tessa, I’m just worried—”
“I know you are. And I appreciate that. But please try to understand that both of us are worrying right now.” She put her hands on her hips. “I don’t think you understand that I’m going to be raising a child alone. Even if Hunt isn’t d-dead—” she hesitated after forcing the word out “—he might not be able to help me with the baby. She’s offering me a chance I just can’t afford to pass up.”
“Tessa!” Cord couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Surely you don’t think I wouldn’t provide for my own blood.”
“I know you would.” Her voice was full of quiet determination. “You want to provide for me right now and I’m no blood relation of yours. But, Cord, I can’t go from one brother to the other just because there’s a child involved. I have to stand on my own two feet.”
He recoiled from the meaning in her words. “God, Tessa, I…”
They looked into each other’s eyes for a long moment. He nodded once, his heart tearing. Somewhere in his subconscious, maybe, just maybe, he had been relishing his role of stand-in man in Tessa’s life. Sure, he owed it to Hunt to take care of his girlfriend, but she was Hunt’s girlfriend. Not his. And she never would be. The tearing went further than his heart and deep into his soul.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I may be trying to hold you too tightly because of Hunt. I may be overly suspicious because I got spooked last night. But I won’t interfere in your personal life again, Tessa.” He swallowed, avoiding her gaze. “You are your own woman in my eyes.”
Before she could reply, he strode out the door, heading for the barn.
So she couldn’t see that there was more than brotherly concern in his eyes.
Chapter Three
Cord waited until he saw Tessa walk across the field to Nan Ashley’s house before emerging from the barn. He went into his study through the back door, watching out the window until Nan’s car pulled out of her driveway and pointed toward town.
Sighing, he picked up the phone and dialed some numbers. Tessa had unfortunately been right. He had been overbearing in his role as protector. He had basically forced her to come to his ranch for his own feelings of security. He had asked her to stay close to the ranch today to ease his own fears.
He bowed his head as the phone rang at the other end. Tessa had made it as clear as the glassy icicles hanging from the eaves that she wanted to fly solo, regardless of whether Hunt ever returned to her. She wanted to find her own way in the world.
He understood that desire. He simply wished her way in the world led to him.
No one answered at the military base. Frowning, he considered his two options: Call again later, or go looking for answers.
Putting on his Stetson and grabbing up his keys, Cord locked the door behind him. Tessa would be with Nan at the beauty parlor for a few hours; knowing she was safe gave him unworried license to leave the ranch.
“THIS IS GOING TO WORK OUT very well for both of us.”
Tessa smiled at the pleased note in Nan’s voice as she steered the vintage sedan into town. “I’m so glad you needed help.”
“I’d say you’re the one who needs help,” Nan pointed out wryly. “Cord looked like he swallowed a rock when you asked me for a job.”
He had looked dismayed. Tessa guiltily shoved the memory aside. “Cord’s got enough to do without watching out for me.”
“Could be he wants to.”
Tessa shook her head at the pert reply. “Cord considers it an obligation on his brother’s behalf.”
“Because of the baby?”
Tessa started to shake her head again but realized the baby likely had a lot to do with his vigilant watch over her last night. “Partly,” she admitted reluctantly, not willing to divulge that Cord had received unwelcome news last night from men he didn’t trust. That was a confidence she wouldn’t share with anyone until Cord could determine whether he had reason to mourn his brother or not.
“You know, Tessa, from where I’m sitting, it seems you’re in a bit of a pickle.”
Tessa sighed.
“When do you plan to tell your mother?”
“I’m not. Not right now.” Her answer was sharp.
“I suppose it’s too much to hope that a grandbaby in the picture might soften Hester up.”
Tessa pressed her lips tightly together and shrugged at the pain-inflicting words. Nan didn’t mean to pry at old, never-healed wounds. “Where I’m concerned, my mother is never going to believe there is any good in me. A grandchild out of wedlock will certainly clad her opinion in iron.”
“Oh, gal.” Nan settled her rain bonnet more firmly onto her hair. “How long are you staying at Cord’s?”
“I don’t know.” The question was startling. “I didn’t mean to stay there last night, but he insisted. He felt it was in my best interest.”
“Oh?” Nan jumped on that information.
Tessa struggled to think of a way out of her accidental admission. “I think he was worried about the ice storm the weathermen were predicting for today.”
“Pooh. TV weathermen are just props. Gives the viewers a break to see someone with a smile on his face. Not that those guys know beans about what they’re forecasting.” Nan waved that away. “Ice storm’s coming tonight. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Farmer’s Almanac, and there are several clues in the woods around my house and Cord’s that make me think it’s tonight, tomorrow night at the latest. And when it comes, it’s going to be a doozy!” She sneaked a glance at Tessa. “You’d best stay at the ranch a few more days.”
Tessa parked in front of Nan’s Beautiful Woman salon. Turning off the ignition, she faced her new employer. “There is nothing going on between Cord and me.”
“Oh, I believe you.” Nan nodded sagely in perfect understanding. “But would it hurt if you gave it a chance, honey?”
Tessa stared at Nan. “What do you mean?”
“Simply that love can grow in the rockiest soil if all the other conditions are right. Cord would make a fine husband and father. You’ll be a fine mother and could be a wife he’d be proud of. After all the years of searching, you could finally have a real family.” The elderly woman put a hand over Tessa’s briefly. Nan’s skin was warm, wrinkled and imparted caring, which felt like heaven to Tessa’s starved heart. “But you’ve got to allow yourself to be open to being loved, Tessa. If you push it away all your life
