Savannah"s breath caught in her throat from that one smile, and when he turned his head to glance out the window, she grabbed that opportunity to study him some more. His eyes were focused on the mountains as if weighing a problem of some kind, and she wondered if perhaps he thought the good weather wouldn"t last. When he turned his head he caught her staring at him and for a brief breath of a moment she felt the sizzle that always seemed to hang in the air between them.
"I"d better be going. There"s a couple of things I need to check on outside before we leave," he said and, as if tearing his gaze from hers, he glanced over at the fireplace. "That thing keeps this room pretty hot, doesn"t it?"
She followed his gaze. It was on the tip of her tongue to say that at the moment she thought it was him, and not the fireplace, that made the room pretty hot. Instead she said, "Yes, it does."
Savannah had to admit, however, that she did enjoy sleeping in a room with a fireplace. She had gotten used to the stark smell of burning wood, the sound of loose pieces crackling as they caught fire, and more than anything, she liked the comforting warmth the fire provided.
"Do you think you"ll be able to eat any food this morning?" Durango asked, interrupting her thoughts.
She frowned, deciding not to chance it. "I"d better not try it. Those saltines and tea will do just fine. Thanks."
Moments after Durango had left the room, Savannah sat on the edge of her bed thinking about all the things she had to do to get ready for tomorrow. Just thinking about everything made her feel exhausted. But she was determined to get through the day and in a way, she was looking forward to her visit to the doctor.
A quiver raced through her stomach at the thought that Durango would be there, too, sharing the experience with her.
Eight.
"S o how"s the baby?" Durango asked the doctor nervously. o how"s the baby?" Durango asked the doctor nervously.
Lying flat on her back on the examination table, Savannah shifted her gaze to Durango, who was standing beside her. She heard the deep concern in his voice and saw how his eyebrows came together in a tense expression.
She then switched her gaze to Dr. Patrina Foreman. Dr. Foreman was a lot younger than Savannah had expected. She was a very attractive woman and she appeared to be about twenty-eight. Within minutes of talking to her, Savannah was convinced that even though she might be young, she was definitely competent. Dr. Foreman had explained that her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother had been midwives, but that she had decided to complete medical school to offer her patients the best of both worlds. She could provide modern medical treatments as well as the type of care and personal attention that midwives were known to give.
Dr. Foreman lifted her gaze from applying the gel on Savannah"s stomach and smiled before saying, "Listen to this for a moment and then tell me what you think."
And then they heard it, the soft thumping sound of their child"s heartbeat, for the first time. Hearing the steady little drumbeat did something to Savannah, touched her in a way she hadn"t expected and made her realize that she really and truly was going to have a baby.
Tears, something else she hadn"t expected, came into her eyes and she glanced up at Durango and knew he was just as moved by the sound as she was. He reached out and firmly touched her shoulder, and at that moment she knew that no matter how they did or didn"t feel about each other, her pregnancy was real and they were listening to valid proof of just how real it was. There was no doubt that hearing the sound was a life-altering experience for both of them.
"You hadn"t heard it before?" Durango asked softly.
"No. This is my first time."
"There"s nothing like parents hearing the fetal heartbeat for the first time," Dr. Foreman said quietly. "There"s always something special and exciting about it. The baby"s heartbeat is strong and sounds healthy to me."
Durango chuckled. "Yes, it does, doesn"t it? This is all rather new to me and I was kind of worried."
"And you have every right to be concerned, but it seems mother and baby are doing just fine," Dr. Foreman replied, removing the instrument from Savannah"s stomach. "Make sure that you continue to take your prenatal vitamins, Savannah."
"And what about all that vomiting she"s been doing?" Durango asked, wanting to know.
Dr. Foreman glanced at him. "Morning sickness is caused by the sudden increase of hormones during pregnancy and is very common early in the pregnancy, but it"s usually gone by the fourth month." She smiled at Savannah and said, "So, hopefully you won"t have to suffer too much longer."
"I prefer she didn"t suffer at all. And what about the baby? Will it be hurt by it?" Durango asked, in a tone that said he really needed Dr. Foreman"s a.s.surance.
"It shouldn"t, but of course it can become a problem if Savannah can"t keep any foods or fluids down or if she begins to lose weight. Otherwise, morning sickness is a positive sign that the pregnancy is progressing."
Dr. Foreman then opened a drawer and pulled out a package and handed it to Savannah. "This might help. It"s the same type of acupressure wristbands that doctors give out on cruise ships to prevent seasickness. A lot of my patients swear that wearing it helps to reduce the morning sickness."
For the next ten to fifteen minutes, Dr. Foreman answered all of Savannah and Durango"s questions. Then she congratulated them when Durango mentioned they were getting married.
"I really like her," Savannah told Durango when they left the doctor"s office. "And I hadn"t expected her to be so young."
Durango smiled as he ushered Savannah out the building to where he had parked his truck. "Yes, Trina is young but I"ve heard that she is one of the best. She was born and raised around these parts and her husband Perry was the sheriff. He was killed a few years ago in the line of duty while trying to arrest an escaped convict."
"Oh, how awful."
Durango nodded. "Yes, it was. Perry was a good person and everyone liked and respected him. He and Trina had been childhood sweethearts."
Durango opened the door to his truck and a.s.sisted Savannah in settling in and buckling her seat belt. "Was it a coincidence or did you deliberately buy this particular SUV?" she asked grinning. It was ironic that his name was Durango and that was also the model of the vehicle that he drove.
He chuckled as he snapped her seat belt in place. "Not a coincidence. I thought I"d milk it for all it"s worth since Dodge decided to name a vehicle after me," he said arrogantly, giving her that smile that made her stomach spin. "Besides, we"re both known to give smooth and unforgettable rides," he added softly while gazing into her eyes.
For a moment Savannah couldn"t speak since she of all people knew about the smoothness, as well as the intensity, of Durango"s ride. The very thought was generating earth-shattering memories of the time he had pleasured her in bed.
She watched as he walked around the front of the truck to get into the driver"s seat. "You"re taking me to the mall now?" she asked, trying to get her heartbeat back on track. If she was having trouble keeping her thoughts off him now, she didn"t want to think how things would be once they were married.
"Yes, I"m taking you to the Gallatin Valley Mall," Durango said, pulling out of the parking lot and returning her attention. "You should be able to find everything you need there. Do you want me to stay and shop with you?"
"No, I"ll be fine," she quickly said, knowing she needed her s.p.a.ce for a while. "If there"s one thing a woman knows how to do on her own it"s shop."
Stealing a glance at him she couldn"t help wondering how he really felt about marrying her and suddenly needed to know that he was still okay with their plans.
"Durango?"
"Yes?"
The truck had come to a stop at a traffic light and she knew his gaze was on her but she refused to look at him. Instead she looked straight ahead. "Are you sure getting married is what you really want to do?" she asked as calmly as she could.
"Yes, I"m sure," he said in a voice so low and husky, Savannah couldn"t help but turn to meet his gaze. Then in a way she wished she hadn"t when she saw the deep, dark intensity in his eyes. He then smiled and that smile touched her, and she couldn"t help but return it.
"If I wasn"t before, Savannah, I am now, especially after listening to our baby"s heartbeat. G.o.d, that was an awesome experience. And according to Trina, it has all the vital organs it will need already. It"s not just a cl.u.s.ter of cells but a real human being. A being that we created and I want to connect to it more so than ever."
Savannah sighed in relief. The last thing she wanted was for him to ever regret marrying her. She was satisfied that he wouldn"t.
Bozeman, one of the most diverse small towns in the Rocky Mountains, was known for its hospitality and was proud of its numerous ski resorts. It was a city that attracted not only tourists, but also families wanting to plant their roots in a place that offered good quality of life.
Durango drove straight to the mall and parked the truck. He even took the time to walk Savannah inside, saying there were a couple of things he needed to purchase for himself. He gave her his cell phone number in case she finished shopping early so she could reach him.
Once they parted ways, Savannah became a woman on a mission as she went from store to store. Within a few hours she had purchased everything she needed and had indulged herself by getting a few things she really hadn"t needed, like a few s.e.xy nightgowns she had purchased from Victoria"s Secret. It wasn"t as if Durango would ever see her in any of them, but still, she couldn"t help herself. She liked buying s.e.xy things.
A few hours later Savannah had made all of her purchases, and contacted Durango on his cell phone. He told her he had just pulled into the parking lot and would meet her at the food court in the center of the mall. He suggested that they grab dinner at a really good restaurant there.
She had been in the food court for only a few minutes when she glanced across the way and saw him. Her pulse quickened. There was no way she could discount the fact that he was a devastatingly handsome man, and she wasn"t the only female who noticed. As he crossed the mall in long, confident strides, several heads turned to watch him, and for a moment Savannah felt both pride and a tinge of jealousy.
She quickly dismissed the latter emotion. He wasn"t hers and she wasn"t his. But still, as he continued to walk toward her, closing the distance separating them, she saw the look in his eyes, deciphered the way he was looking at her with that steady dark gaze of his. It was the same way he had looked at her the night of Chase and Jessica"s wedding.
And as if it was the most natural thing to do, when he reached her he leaned down and kissed her. Surprised, she returned the brief, but thorough kiss while her heart thumped ominously in her chest.
"Did you get a lot accomplished today?" he asked softly against her moist lips.
Not able to speak at first, she nodded. Then she said breathlessly, "Yes, I think I have everything I"m going to need. And I think I found an appropriate dress for tomorrow."
Durango chuckled as he took her hand in his and led her toward the restaurant where they would dine. "I"m sure it"s more than appropriate. I bet it"s perfect and I can"t wait to see you in it."
Later that night while packing, Savannah had to admit that it had been a simply wonderful day. First the visit to the doctor and then her shopping trip to the mall and last, having dinner with Durango at that restaurant. The food had been delicious and Durango"s company had been excellent. Over a candlelight dinner he had told her about his partnership with McKinnon"s horse farm and how well it was doing.
Closing her luggage, Savannah smiled when she recalled the message Jessica had left on Durango"s answering machine, telling them to expect her and Chase at Lake Tahoe tomorrow. A part of Savannah had been both elated and relieved that elopement or not, a stubborn Jessica would not let her get married without her sister being there. Durango also seemed pleased that his cousin was coming, as well.
She looked up when she heard the knock on her bedroom door. "Come in."
Durango entered, dressed in a pair of jogging pants and a T-shirt with a towel wrapped around his neck. "I was about to get into the hot tub and was wondering if you would like to join me."
"But it"s cold outside."
He smiled ruefully. "Yes, but once you get into the tub you"ll forget how cold it is. It"s the best thing to stimulate sore, aching muscles. Try it. I guarantee that you"ll like it."
Savannah thought of all the walking she had done earlier that day at the mall and decided a soak in the hot tub sounded good. But still...
"Is it large enough for the both of us to fit comfortably?" The thought of being crammed into a hot tub with Durango was too much to think about.
"Yes, it can hold five to six people without any problems."
She nodded. Good. He could stay on his side of the tub and she could stay on hers. "All right, then let me change into a swimming suit." She had bought one that day at the mall and had to dig it out from the suitcase.
After Durango left Savannah changed her clothes, thankful that the swimming suit she had purchased was a one-piece and wasn"t overly provocative. The attraction between her and Durango was bad enough without adding fuel to an already hot fire.
"For a moment I thought I was going to have to come back inside to get you."
She chuckled and quickly padded on bare feet across the deck to the hot tub. "Sorry. My mom called right when I was about to come outside."
His eyebrows lifted. "Did you tell her about our plans for tomorrow?"
"Yes," Savannah said as she quickly dispensed with her robe and eased inside the tub, deliberately sinking as far down as she could and letting a sound of "ahh" ease from between her lips. Once she got settled in a comfortable position she added, "I didn"t give her a lot of details and told her we can have a long discussion when she returns from Paris. But she is very astute in reading between the lines, so I"m sure she has an idea why we"re having a quick wedding."
Durango studied her eyes since her face was the only part of her he could see. She had water covering her entire body, from her shoulders to her toes. She was almost completely submerged.
"Did your mom know we"d been involved?" he asked, wishing he had X-ray vision that would enable him to see her body through the water. But he had caught a glimpse of her curves when she had removed her robe. Although she had tried to be quick about it and to not draw any attention to herself, she had failed miserably. Her swimsuit was s.e.xy, and the cut was a snug fit that showed off her shapely thighs and bottom.
"If she does it"s not because I"ve told her anything," Savannah said, cutting into his thoughts. "However, she did mention when we met for lunch last month that she couldn"t help noticing that we were having a hard time keeping our eyes off each other at the wedding." She decided not to add that her mother had also noticed when the two of them had left the reception together.
"Hey, this feels nice," she said, liking how the hot water seemed to penetrate the tired muscles of her body. "And you were right. I don"t feel how cold the temperature is."
"I"m glad. And by the way, you can come from hiding under the water. I promise not to jump your bones if you do," he said slowly, grinning.
She met his gaze and smiled sheepishly. "I didn"t think that you would. I was merely making sure I wouldn"t freeze to death."
"And now that you know that you won"t?"
She took a deep breath and eased more of her body out of the water. When the hot, bubbling, swirling water came to her waist like it did his, she felt a sizzling sensation flow down her spine and settle in the pit of her stomach. He was staring at her. Her bathing suit was decent, but it was fashioned in a style that made anyone aware of the fullness of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
"I like your swimming suit. At least what I"ve seen of it so far," he said. His voice was low, intimate.
"Thanks." She then glanced around. "So what made you decide to put this hot tub in?"
He gave her an intent look, knowing she was trying to change the subject. "It was an easy decision since I was taking advantage of one of the natural hot springs located on my property."
"Oh, you have others?"
He grinned, knowing he had told her that already. "Yes, but don"t expect me to show them to you tonight," he said, leaning back against the wall of the tub and deliberately stretching out one of his legs. He made it seem like an accident, an innocent mistake when his thigh touched her thigh. She gasped and slowly eased back to give him more s.p.a.ce.
"Going someplace?" he asked with a totally innocent look on his face.
"No, I"m just trying to give you more room."
"I don"t need more room."
"Could have fooled me," she muttered under her breath.
"You say something?"
She glanced over at him. "No, just thinking out loud."
Before she could blink he had pushed away from the wall and had glided over to her, putting his face inches from hers. "Now what did you say, Savannah?"
Savannah pulled in a sharp intake of breath. Not only was Durango"s face near hers, but she could feel the heat from his entire body. He was within touching distance. He was making the already hot water that much hotter.
"Did I ever tell you how much I like kissing you, Savannah?" he asked.
A shudder of desire ran through her, first starting at her toes and easing its way to the top of her head. "I don"t recall if you have or not," she said silkily, watching his lips inch even closer.