and worked his hands beneath the infant’s slight weight. When he cradled her in his palms, Jessie’s head lolled to one side. Cal couldn’t figure out how to hold her so she didn’t hang limp. Unlike foals who stood after birth, Jessie appeared weak as a sparrow.
The baby squalled, her tongue quivering in her open mouth. Cal stood in amazement as Sara lifted the child with hands that were sure, yet gentle. Sara cooed and a rush of yearning zipped through Cal, catching him by surprise.
He took a step back. “I’d better be going, unless you think I should stay until after the pediatrician—”
“No, that’s not necessary. I’m sure everything’s fine.”
The infant’s cries stopped. She blinked and stared at Sara. Quiet filled the room, except for the comforting sound of Sara’s voice as she murmured words of love to her daughter.
Cal’s mouth went dry. Why did watching Sara with her baby bother him? He’d seen hundreds of foals with the mares after birth, but this made him feel…something he couldn’t describe. “Is there someone I can call for you before I head out?”
Sara stroked the blond fuzz on Jessie’s head. “No.”
“Your husband, folks, sister, brother?”
She shrugged. “No.”
Cal muttered an oath. “Boyfriend?”
Sara met Cal’s direct gaze. “No.”
“Doesn’t Jessie’s father have a right to know?”
The sparkle left Sara’s eyes as they narrowed on Cal. “Her father lost his rights when he told me to get an abortion.”
Outraged, Cal’s hands fisted at his sides. He knew well the pain associated with rejection and hated the thought that Jessie would grow up knowing she hadn’t been wanted by her father. “Maybe if you told him about Jessie now, he’d change his mind.”
Sara’s eyes darkened in warning. “Gary made his decision when he walked out. He won’t get a chance to hurt her.”
Cal eyed the woman who had turned into a snarling mama bear, determined to protect her cub. He still believed Sara should tell the baby’s father, regardless of what the man had done. If Jessie was Cal’s child, he’d want to know.
But then he wouldn’t have told Sara to get an abortion. And he would never have walked out on her.
Cal chewed on the fact that Sara didn’t have anyone to help her. He didn’t like that at all and assumed the protectiveness he felt was because he’d delivered the baby.
Sara sent him a thoughtful look. “I hate to ask you for a favor, but there’s no one else.”
“What do you need?”
“Put my car key under the front seat, then lock the doors.”
Cal frowned. “Why?”
Sara kissed the top of Jessie’s head and looked everywhere, but at him. “The bank gave me until today to bring my payments up to date. I haven’t been able to work, so I need to let them take the car. I’ll call and tell them where it is. If you’ll just lock the keys inside, I’d appreciate it.”
He tugged his wallet from his back pocket, intending the loan of money to be his last goodwill gesture before hitting the road. “How much do you need?”
Sara’s narrowed gaze met his. “I don’t want your charity.”
Confounded stubborn woman. “It’s not charity. Think of it as a loan. You can pay me back when you’re able.”
“You brought Jessica into this world, Cal, and I’ll always be grateful for that. But I can’t take your money.” She shifted the baby against her shoulder.
Cal glared out the window. Frustration and anger made him want to shake Sara. How the devil did she expect to get by without a car or anyone to take care of her? The idea of Sara being alone didn’t sit well with him. She was so full of pride he doubted she’d accept his help. Not that he wanted to give it. He’d already done more than enough and needed to leave. “How will you get Jessie home?”
“I don’t know. I’ll take a taxi, or maybe the bus.”
For the first time in his life, Cal wished he was as unfeeling as his parents. Then he’d have no qualms about turning his back on Sara and her child. But he hadn’t done it earlier, and he didn’t see how he could do it now. Why that fact irritated him, he wasn’t sure, but it did.
Though he hated to admit it, Sara had crawled under his skin. The realization made him want to run. He didn’t want to get any more involved than he already had, but damned if he could stand by while she struggled through this alone.
“I’ll drop it off on my way home. What bank?”
“Lone Star Bank out on I-20 West.” She ran her hand in circles on the baby’s back and stared at Cal with eyes that shimmered with tears. “Thanks, for everything.”
He couldn’t stand seeing Sara cry, so he headed for the door. If he didn’t get out of there, he’d pull her in his arms, and he couldn’t afford to do that. Not that he knew squat about giving comfort. He’d probably mess that up like he had everything else in his life. Everything except delivering Jessie.
Cal heard Sara’s muffled sobs as his hand closed over the handle. He paused, refusing to look at her, knowing the sight of her tears would be his undoing. “I’ll take you and Jessie home when you’re released.”
Cursing himself for staying in the first place, he slipped through the door and closed it behind him, effectively cutting off her rejection of his offer. He pulled the key to her car from his pocket. She’d made it clear she didn’t want his help. Not that he wanted to give it, but she had no one else.
Cal glanced at his watch, remembering he should have met James hours earlier. He’d go change, then head to the Bull Pen. After the day he’d had, Cal needed a couple of drinks. Besides, it wasn’t like he had anyone waiting at home.
Around midnight Cal accepted a long-neck bottle from the waitress as James tossed her a smile along with a ten-dollar bill. They both stared at the hypnotic sway of her jean-clad hips as she strolled her way across the room. But somewhere between their table and the bar, Cal’s vision blurred and he saw a pair of green eyes that refused to give him peace. Realizing the direction of his thoughts, he muttered an oath.
James slapped Cal on the back. “You gonna make it?”
“Yeah,” Cal said, finally acknowledging he’d get no rest until he knew how Sara was doing…and Jessie.
“These are just my thoughts, so you can take ’em or leave ’em.” James tipped his bottle up to take a healthy draw. “But if you’re going to pine away after Tiffany, then you—”
“Pine away?” Out on the dance floor, a woman laughed, reminding Cal of Sara. He’d call the hospital as soon as he got home to check on her. Then he’d put her out of his mind.
James eyed Cal. “Your mind is somewhere else. Have you talked
