CHAPTER EIGHT
“I’m fine. Just fainted. Let me up.” Angela leaned on her hands and tried to sit up, the washcloth falling into her lap.
Charley gave her the evil eye, and firmly pushed on her friend’s shoulder. “You can’t. Mr. Hernandez called Jake. He’s on his way.”
She fell back to the floor. “Great. Now I’ll be locked in the house. Even brushing my hair will be restricted and too difficult.”
“Ms. Angela, Mr. Jake isn’t trying to be unreasonable. He’s worried about you and the baby. No one wants anything to happen to either of you.” Mr. Thompson patted her shoulder then picked up the glass of water Mr. Hernandez had brought. “My own sainted wife used to pass out when she was expecting. A couple of times, she went head first out of the tub.” Reaching over, he placed his arm behind her shoulders and helped Angela sit up. Taking the glass of ice water, he held it out to her. “Here, drink this. You’re possibly dehydrated. Being outside on a hot day like this. While it’s undoubtedly nothing, you should find out.”
Tire squeals echoed through the front window as Preston’s blue truck came to a stop outside the café. Jake jumped from the cab and raced for the door. Slamming it against the wall, he rushed into the room. His gaze only for his wife, he fell to the floor next to her.
“Are you okay?” Placing his hand on her belly, he rubbed gently. “Both of you. We need to get you to Dr. Jameson. I’ve already called ahead. They’ll fit us in.” He draped her arm across his shoulder and nodded for Charley to do the same, then they helped Angela stand.
“Hold her standing for a minute. Let her get acclimated,” Mr. Thompson cautioned. When Angela nodded after forty seconds, Jake and Charley started toward the door. Mr. Hernandez held the door open while they escorted Angela though to the waiting truck.
Jake returned and stuck his head inside the café. “Charley, can you get Taylor after school and bring her to the ranch? I don’t want her to worry. I promise to keep you updated.”
Charley bit her lip and nodded. She clenched her hands tight against her stomach, willing it to calm down. Losing Angela wasn’t an option, and losing the baby would devastate them. They’d had enough horrible things to last a lifetime. Sending up a prayer to the heavens, she watched as they drove off.
***
The sun beat down on the corral. The cicadas’ songs buzzed, filling the summer air. Kane had been working around the barn since Angela had visited Jake earlier that morning. First he’d mucked out the stalls and put hay inside, then he’d brushed down the horses. Now, at least, he was in the breeze and under a shade tree. Kane scrubbed out the trough and filled it with water from the hose. Sweat had plastered his tan T-shirt to his shoulders. He tugged a rag out of his rear pocket and wiped off his face then took a long drink from the hose. He’d forgotten how much work it took to care for the horses.
“I’ve figured it out,” a voice called from behind him.
Kane turned.
“I know where I’ve seen you before,” Johnson said as he approached.
His heart thumped. What could he say? He didn’t want to draw attention to his scandal.
“You were that college player who was arrested for fixing the game at Ohio University.” The man stood menacingly close, his nose just inches from Kane’s. “I hate cheats and liars.”
“Sir, I mean no disrespect but you don’t know all the details.” He tried to be courteous to the foreman. He didn’t want to lose his job, nor could he tell all he knew.
“I know enough. I owe Jake the truth. He’s my boss…and my friend. I sense there’s more going on than meets the eyes. I’ll give you a chance. But, I’m warning you…I’ve got my eye on you. None of that monkey business here. No lies and no cheating.” The man’s voice came out like a growl. Bears had nothing on Johnson O’Neill when he was angry. His scowl would scare them away.
He nodded then stuffed the rag back into his pocket before returning to cleaning out the trough. Just two more to do, and he’d be done for the day.
“Why was Johnson in your face?”
He jumped. He hadn’t seen or heard Charley come up behind him. A girl with light-brown hair stood next to her, holding tight with both hands on her arm.
Kane smiled. “He wanted to make sure I was doing a good job.” He shrugged, trying to change the subject. “So, who’s your friend?”
“Kane, this is Taylor. She’s Jake and Angela’s daughter.”
Kane crouched down and held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Taylor gradually put out her hand and shook his. “You, too.” But her hands returned at once to Charley’s arm as if drawn by powerful magnets. He noticed how Taylor stood slightly behind the young woman as if needing protection. He recalled some of his past experiences with shy foals and traumatized students. With her skittish nature and soft voice, something had happened with this young lady, and he vowed to be extra nice to her so as not to make things harder. He had a soft spot for the damaged, underdogs, and injured.
“I’ve got to get Taylor started on her homework and check on Angela. How long are you going to be working?”
Kane glanced at his watch. “Give me another hour. Why? What did you have in mind?”
She tilted her head and raised her left brow. “I packed some sandwiches from the café and thought maybe you’d like to head to the river to cool off.”
His heart skipped a beat. Blurting out a yes right away would make him seem desperate, but he was. Spending time with her sounded like paradise. “Sounds like a plan. Why don’t you come get me when you’re ready? I’ll be in the bunkhouse. None of the regular guys are here right now. Jake’s putting me up in there for the summer as a part of my wages. I’ll have the place to myself.”
“All right. See you in a bit.” Charley and Taylor strolled away.
Kane couldn’t keep his excitement in check. He wanted to holler or dance. Instead, he went back to filling the trough. One down…two to go.