The Durango Affair - Brenda Jackson [54]
Her nights belonged to Durango. After dinner she would read to him from the baby book, keep him abreast of all the changes that were taking place within her body, and then they went to bed. Each night Durango did his own investigation, getting firsthand knowledge by going deep inside her body. And each time he entered her, after bringing her to a feverish pitch, she was fully aware that the private moments they shared would remain a part of her, even after they had parted ways. But then she realized that something had happened that she hadn’t counted on.
She had fallen in love with Durango.
As she stood looking out the window, a part of her wondered at what point it had happened. Had it been just last night, when they had showered together and he had made love to her in such a beautiful way that had brought tears to her eyes? Or had it been last week, when he had taken her on a hike up the mountain, and they had stopped at the hunting cabin that he and McKinnon had built and had enjoyed the packed lunch he’d made for them. Or later, before coming back down the mountain, when they had enjoyed each other, making love outside near a beautiful stream under a beautiful Montana sky. She would always relish the tender, loving moments they shared and knew that deep down she would miss Durango.
She turned when she heard the phone ring, and quickly crossed the room, thinking it was Durango, but the caller ID indicated it was her brother, Rico, instead.
“Hello.”
“I know, Savannah.”
Savannah lifted a brow having an idea of what he knew. Evidently her mother had let something slip. “You know what?” she asked innocently.
“That you’re pregnant.”
Savannah smiled wryly. That was Rico for you. Straight to the point. “I had planned to tell you when I thought the time was right.”
There was silence for a moment and then he asked, “Are you okay with it?”
Savannah chuckled. “I’m more than okay with it. I’m ecstatic. Of course, I wasn’t at first because I was nervous and scared more than anything. Then I decided since I never planned to marry anyway, at least I’d have a baby. I always wanted one.”
“But you did get married.”
“Only for the baby.”
“Which is something you swore you’d never do.”
She sighed deeply. Leave it to Rico to remind her of that. “This is different. Durango and I went into this marriage with our eyes open. We want what’s best for our child and we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.”
“Even if it means sentencing yourselves to a loveless marriage?”
“Yes, but in our case it will only be temporary. We’ve agreed to a divorce when the child is six months old.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked simply.
“No reason, I guess. When are you coming home?”
She shrugged. “Not sure. I had thought of coming to Philly to check on things, but all my bills are paid up, so there’s no rush. Besides, I like it out here.”
“And your husband?”
“What about him?”
“How’s he treating you?”
In all the right ways that a man should treat a woman. That very thought came to the tip of Savannah’s tongue and she hesitated, thinking of just how true it was. Maybe it was because they knew that things between them were only temporary, but whatever the reason, she enjoyed every second, every moment she spent with Durango.
But then it would be easy for her to do so anyway, because she’d fallen in love with him, and could now admit that she had done so the first time she had seen him at Jessica and Chase’s wedding.
“Savannah?”
“Durango is treating me well, so don’t worry yourself by thinking anything different. He’s a good man.”
“He got you pregnant.”
She heard the anger in Rico’s voice. “And he wasn’t in that bed alone, remember that,” she replied tersely. “Nor did he have my hands tied behind my back. Remember that, too,” she added. “I’m a big girl, Rico.”
He chuckled. “And you’ll be getting even bigger in the coming months.”
She smiled, glad the tension between them had passed. “Yes, and multiple births run