The study hadn’t changed much since his grandfather’s time. The walls were a dark hunter-green. There were floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on two of the walls and a bank of windows displaying the wide lawn at the front of the house. A mahogany wetbar took up one corner of the room and a fifty-inch plasma television was hidden behind a copy of one of his mother’s favorite Manet paintings. There were two sofas, facing each other, waiting for someone to sit down and have a conversation, along with two oversize club chairs in maroon leather. And for winter, there was a stone fireplace with a hearth big enough for a child to stand up straight in.
It was his sanctuary. No one came in here, except Esperanza, and that was only to clean. Completely caught up in the columns of figures and the suggestions on further diversifying, he didn’t even notice when the study door opened quietly.
He heard it shut, though, and said without looking up, “I’m not hungry, Esperanza. But I could use more coffee if you’ve got some.”
“Sorry,” Gina said, “fresh out.”
Surprised, Adam lifted his gaze and saw her look quickly around the one room in the house she’d never been. She was wearing worn blue jeans, a long-sleeved red T-shirt and boots that looked as old as the ranch itself. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of her neck and she wasn’t wearing a speck of makeup. Yet her golden eyes seemed alive with fire and emotion and he knew he’d never seen a more beautiful woman.
He felt the now all-too-familiar rush of a near electrical charge jolt through him as he watched her. Instantly his groin went hard as granite and an ache settled deep inside him. They’d been married for months and still he hadn’t become immune to her presence.
Irritated by that thought, he deliberately lowered his gaze to the stacks of papers in front of him. “Didn’t know it was you, Gina. I’m kind of busy right now. Is there something you need?”
“No,” she said softly, walking across the thick red Oriental carpet toward the massive oak desk that had once been his father’s. “You’ve already given me everything I need.”
“What?” Her solemn tone, more than the words, caught his attention. He lifted his gaze to her again and for the first time, noticed the sad smile curving her mouth and the gleam of unshed tears making her eyes shine brilliantly. “What’re you talking about?” he asked, standing to face her. “Is something wrong?”
She shook her head, brushed away a single tear that escaped her eye to roll down her cheek and pulled a folded piece of paper from her back pocket. “No, Adam. Nothing’s wrong. In fact, everything’s just right.”
“Then…?”
In answer, she handed him the piece of paper and watched him as he unfolded it carefully. The first thing Adam saw was one word, in chunky black lettering.
Deed.
His fingers tightened on the paper, making it crackle in the stillness. This could only mean…looking at her finally, he said, “You’re pregnant?”
She gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I am. I did a pregnancy test on my own, then went to the doctor yesterday to confirm.” She took a deep breath and said, “I’m about six weeks along. Everything looks fine.”
Gina. Pregnant with his child. Emotion he didn’t want and refused to acknowledge ran crazily through his mind. His gaze dropped to her flat belly as if he could see through her body to the tiny child already growing within. Child.His child. He waited for the pain to cut at him, but it didn’t happen and he didn’t know what to make of that.
“Congratulations, Adam,” Gina said, shattering his thoughts with her quiet, somehow broken, voice. “You did a great job. Held up your end of our deal. Now, you’ve got the land you wanted, and our bargain’s complete.”
“Yeah.” Congratulations to him. His fingers smoothed over the paper he held and knew he should be feeling a sense of satisfaction. Completion. For five years, he’d dedicated himself to acquiring the last pieces to his ranch. And here it was. The final parcel in his hands and he felt…nothing.
“I’m all packed,” Gina was saying and Adam frowned, narrowed his gaze and looked at her.
“You’re leaving? Already?”
“No point in staying longer, is there?” Her voice got brighter, sharper.
“No.” He glanced at the paper in his hand again. Gina was leaving. The marriage was over. “No point.”
“Look, Adam, there’s one more thing.” She took a deep breath, then blew the air out in a rush. “It’s something you should know before I go. I love you, Adam.”
He swayed a little as those four words punched at him. She loved him and she was leaving. Why wasn’t he saying something? Why the hell couldn’t hethink?
“Always have,” she admitted and wiped away another tear with an impatient gesture. “You don’t have to say anything or do anything, so don’t try, okay? I don’t think either one of us could take it.” She gave him a brief smile, but he saw her bottom lip tremble.
He started around the edge of his desk, not sure what he was going to do or say, only knowing that he had to dosomething. But she stopped him by holding up one hand and backing up a little. “Don’t, okay?” She shook her head. “Don’t touch me and don’t be nice.” She laughed shortly and it sounded like glass breaking. “God, don’t be nice. I uh, wanted you to know, I won’t be staying in Birkfield. I’m leaving. Tomorrow.”
“Leaving? For where? For how long? What? Why?”
“I’m moving to Colorado.” She gave him a smile that didn’t fool either of them. “Going to stay with my brother Nick and his family until I find a place of my own.” She was backing up toward the door, keeping her gaze fixed on him as if worried he’d try to keep her from leaving. “I can’t stay here, Adam. I can’t raise my child so close to a father who doesn’t want it. I can’t be near you knowing that I’ll never have you. I need somewhere fresh, Adam. My baby deserves to be happy. So do I.”
“Gina, you’re throwing this at me too fast. What the hell am I supposed to do about this?”
“Nothing, Adam.” Her hand fisted around the doorknob behind her. “This isn’t aboutyou. So anyway…goodbye.”
She was changing her whole life because of him. He felt like a jerk, but couldn’t quite bring himself to say it. She shouldn’t have to leave. Move away from the home she loved all because of him. “Gina, damn it—”