The Forest Ranger's Child. Leigh Bale

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СКАЧАТЬ Who was he?

       “Hi, there.” He spoke softly, his deep voice sending a shiver over her body.

       “You…you saved our lives.” In spite of her ordeal, she remembered every bit of what had happened with perfect clarity. The terror and pain in her head. The bursting hope when this man had tied a lifeline around her and dragged her to shore. The way he’d pulled her to his truck when she was too weak to move. And then tucked a coarse blanket around her before driving like a madman into town. After that, she couldn’t remember anything. At first, she thought it had been a nightmare, that she’d just imagined it all. Now she knew it was real.

       He removed his hands from his pockets and stepped toward her. Her gaze lowered to his belt buckle. She immediately recognized it. Decorated with silver belt plate and gold overlay, it showed a cowboy astride a bucking horse. A national rodeo circuit all-around cowboy belt buckle. Tommy had always wanted one but wasn’t good enough to earn it.

       Her rescuer was a rodeo man, just like Tommy. In an instant, she wanted nothing more to do with Nate.

       She tensed, her throat convulsing as she swallowed. She’d prayed for help and the Lord had performed a miracle for her. And now that miracle stood in front of her. A tall, strong man with a lean, athletic body.

       In one glance, Lily sized him up. His determined, graceful movements, a firm mouth, stubborn chin and piercing brown eyes. She’d seen his kind before. Always in control. Forceful and unyielding.

       The kind of man she wanted to avoid at all costs.

       “How are you feeling?” He stood beside her bed, too close for comfort.

       She stared up at him, trying to form the words to thank him. But her tongue felt like a leaden weight inside her mouth. Her gaze locked with his and her face burned with embarrassment. And then a wave of recognition hit her. As if she knew this man from somewhere but she couldn’t quite place him. A feeling of trust and safety washed over her. Like she’d been reunited with her best friend after a long absence.

       Calm as a summer’s morning.

       What an odd notion! She shook her head, thinking she must have hit her head very hard indeed to be thinking such things. She would never trust another man as long as she lived. The price was too high.

       She blinked and looked away. “I’m fine. Thanks to you. I owe you a lot.”

       Okay, she didn’t want to lay her gratitude on too thick, but she did feel thankful, didn’t she?

       Yes! In spite of everything, she wanted to make things right again. Mom had told her she could do anything with the Lord’s help. And that’s what she planned to do.

       “You don’t owe me anything. I did what anyone would have done.” His voice sounded low and husky.

       Again her gaze lifted to his. Again, a sweet feeling of contentment rested over her. A sentiment she hadn’t felt in a long, long time. She decided to ignore it. “But it wasn’t just anyone. It was you. And I’m appreciative. More than I can say.”

       “It was my pleasure. I’m just glad you’re both okay.” His gaze flickered briefly to her stomach and he smiled.

       The expression crinkled his brown eyes at the corners and deepened a dimple in his right cheek. So familiar. So comfortable. Yet she knew she’d never met this man before today. So why did she feel like she knew him?

       He knew about her baby. And she was too far along to pretend. Anyone could see that she was expecting. But she didn’t want to discuss her disgrace with him. No doubt the news would be all over town by supper. The nurse and orderly had been in her room when the doctor visited her. The technician who had taken her blood. They all knew. In this small community, word spread fast. The prodigal daughter had returned. Pregnant with no husband.

       A tremor of shame swept her and she inhaled an unsteady breath.

       He jerked a thumb toward the door. “The doctor’s contacted your father.”

       She almost groaned out loud. She’d wanted her reunion with Dad to be in private, out at the ranch. Not here in the hospital where so many people might overhear their conversation. Hopefully Dad wouldn’t cause a scene. She had no idea if the doctor had told him about the baby, or if that would be her job. Either way, Dad would have to be told that she wasn’t married.

       “Who are you?” she asked.

       “Nathan Coates. Most people just call me Nate. I’m the forest ranger here in Jasper. I just happened to be out checking for signs of flooding when I found you.”

       “Lucky for me.” She spoke the words half-heartedly, still unable to dredge up much joy over her situation.

       He must have heard the unshed tears in her voice, or seen some forlorn emotion on her face because he reached out and took her hand in his. The warmth of his calloused palm seeped through her skin and sent tingles spiraling up her arm.

       “You sure you’re okay?”

       Genuine concern gleamed in his expressive eyes. For several moments, she couldn’t look away from his handsome face, wishing she dared confide in him. Wishing she had one single friend in this world she could tell her troubles to that wouldn’t hurt or betray her, or try to use her in some way.

       Someone who would never lie to her.

       His firm, lean fingers tightened around hers, no wedding ring on his left hand. Tommy hadn’t worn a ring either, but he’d lied so many times. She’d been such a fool.

       She pulled away from Nate and forced a smile. “I’m just tired. It’s been a difficult day.”

       “That it has. But you’re safe now, and your baby’s gonna be fine.”

       He knew about her father, which meant the doctor or staff had blabbed her identity. So much for her quiet return home. But the friendly way Nate spoke to her brought another whoosh of familiarity. Why did she like this man in spite of her desire not to?

       “Did they say when I can go home?” She glanced at the door, trying to ignore his engaging grin.

       “I overheard the doctor telling the nurse you can leave the day after tomorrow. He wants to make sure your baby is okay first. But I should let him talk to you about that.”

       “Yes.” She definitely didn’t want to discuss her unborn child with this enigmatic man.

       “I know your father well. He’s a good man,” he said.

       “Yes, he is.” And she realized she meant it. Somehow, being away from home so long had given her a lot of insight into what really mattered. Even though she’d thought she hated Dad when she left, she now realized she loved him very much. He’d been a good father in his own gruff way. Never once had he raised a hand to her. But he’d never told her he loved her, either. But he and Mom had taught her all about horses, something they each dearly loved. And he’d taught her about the Lord, although she’d ignored it at the time.

       “Have you been away from home long?” Nate asked.

       Yep, just as predicted. Here came the battery of questions. Next would come the fake СКАЧАТЬ