The Housekeeper's Daughter by Laurie Paige Page A

mount,” he told River. “Rides like a gentleman.”
    River nodded. “I’ll take him now. I think Maya has news for you.”
    Maya frowned at River, not sure what he meant. He smiled slightly, then dropped to the ground on the other side of the rail and took the horse’s reins. Drake vaulted over the fence and stood close to her, waiting, his gaze roaming over her in familiar ways.
    â€œJohnny can come out to the ranch on weekends. You’ll have to go over and pick him up.”
    â€œRide with me.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œRide over with me. You know what the kid looks like. He’ll probably feel more at ease with you present.”
    â€œI’m not supposed to leave the boys.”
    A sardonic smile touched the corners of his mouth.
    â€œYour teacher friend will be with them for an hour. That’s plenty of time.”
    For what, part of her wanted to ask.
    Although his eyes hinted at passion carefully controlled, she really didn’t think he was thinking of seduction. Who would, with her present condition? She looked like a blimp. And felt worse. She sighed.
    â€œBack hurting?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œThen let’s go.”
    She hesitated. “Let me tell Andy where I’m going. And Mom. She tends to worry about me.”
    â€œDon’t we all?” Drake remarked softly behind her.
    After casting him a quelling glance, she hurried to the kitchen, told her mother of her plans and asked her to tell Andy if he came looking for her. A few minutes later she was sitting in the pickup that Drake had bought and restored years ago. She wondered why he hadn’t traded it for a flashy sports car.
    â€œYou’ve been home almost a week, a week tomorrow,” she said without thinking.
    â€œAre you wondering when I’ll leave?”
    â€œYes.”
    He snorted at her stiff reply. “I have a couple of months leave, more if I need it,” he said cryptically.
    She wondered why he would need more. “You’ve never stayed more than a week or two in the past.”
    â€œI’ve never had a pregnant woman to deal with before,” he said as if this explained everything.
    â€œYou don’t have one now.”
    â€œOh, yes, I do.”
    His sudden laughter, soft and sexy, grated over her nerves, and she felt near tears. “Don’t.”
    â€œYou’re right. I’m sorry.”
    She didn’t understand any of the nuances between them, the flashes of insight, the longing, the desire. They arrived at the Hopechest Ranch without further conversation. Johnny was waiting on the porch at the office. She greeted him and went inside to sign him out.
    Back at the pickup, she realized why she shouldn’t have come. Drake shooed her over to the middle so Johnny could get in. He made sure she was buckled in, then spoke to the teenager. Maya introduced them.
    â€œThanks for having me over,” Johnny said, eagerness in his dark eyes. “Sure beats doing chores around here.”
    â€œWe’ll have chores, too,” Drake said. “I promised River we’d muck out all the stables this weekend. He’s short of help since a couple of his best hands eloped.” He chuckled. “It’s a hazard of modern times, having to hire both male and female wranglers.”
    Maya made herself as small as possible on the ride back to the Colton spread, but that didn’t stop her from being intensely aware of each lurch of the truck that caused her shoulder or thigh to brush his. His frequent glances told her he felt the heat, too.
    She practically pushed Johnny out of the vehicle and into the house when they arrived. After introducing him to her mother, who set him down to a glass of milk and warm cinnamon rolls before he began his studies, Maya took her student to Andy and the boys.
    Her nerves settled down as she went over the familiar territory of lesson plans and practice drills. By noon, she felt in control