Claimed By The Rancher

Nolan was more eager than ever to get to his date. He’d booked reservations at the classiest restaurant about an hour away and if things went as planned, he’d have no trouble taking her back to her place after. Because no woman ever went to his home. Ever. That was his sanctuary, a space he’d built on the back of Pebblebrook for privacy. That house held a special place in his heart and the reason why was standing right in front of him carrying another man’s baby.

After glancing at his purchases spread out on the counter, Nolan pulled out his credit card. Once he had the items paid for, he slid the painting beneath his arm and grabbed the two vases. “Thanks, Pepper.”

She folded her hands on the counter and nodded. “You’re welcome. Be sure to tell your friends where to get gifts for their ladies.”

“I definitely will.” He swallowed hard, deciding to go ahead and tell her what was weighing on his mind. “I’m sorry. I know I said that a long time ago, but...”

Her lids lowered for a second. Then she blew out a breath and met his gaze again. “It’s over, Nolan. I’m focusing on my baby, this new life I’m rebuilding. I can’t look back.”

Rebuilding. How many times had she done that since he’d left her? Pepper had always been such a vibrant woman, always happy and smiling. The loss of their child had dimmed her spark, and the way he broke things off had doused what little flicker of light had remained. He’d often wondered over the years if she’d ever found joy again...or who she’d found it with.

More potential heartbreak was definitely something he couldn’t and didn’t want to deal with. The risk was too great to even entertain such thoughts.

They’d both done exactly what they’d set out to do. He was damn happy being a doctor and a rancher. And his bachelor status would remain intact. He was getting ready to help Colt gear up to open Pebblebrook as a dude ranch, so any spare time he had was taken.

“I wish you the best,” he stated, the blasted guilt settling heavy in his chest. “See you around.”

“Yeah, see you,” she said softly.

With one final nod, Nolan headed out the door. He couldn’t get out of Painted Pansies fast enough. Sleep deprivation could cause a man to start thinking about things, decisions he’d made and everything he’d given up to seek success.

But Nolan didn’t have regrets on the path he’d taken. He did regret hurting Pepper, though, so much it cut him to the core. At one time he would’ve done anything for her, but in the end, they’d wanted different things and he couldn’t be what she wanted.

Nothing had changed since then, either. He’d opted not to have a family after they lost their child. He wouldn’t say he shut down exactly, but he’d certainly reevaluated what he desired in life and he knew for certain he wished never to go through that kind of anguish again.

Nolan carefully set the arrangements on the back floorboard of his SUV. This quaint shop Pepper had was perfect for her. For as long as he’d known her, she’d had a flare for art and creativity. She’d been a dreamer, one of the things he’d loved most about her.

Without looking back to see inside the wide storefront window, Nolan forced himself to move forward. Wasn’t that what he’d always done? Pushed onward, no matter what was going on internally. That was what made him one of the best doctors around. He could compartmentalize his feelings and turn them off when needed.

The jumbled emotions he had after seeing Pepper were absolutely not something he was ready to face...no matter how attractive she still was. So he’d shut those feelings down, just like he had the last time he saw her.

Two (#ufecb0958-231e-578d-81df-4e457eeed325)

The aftermath of this date was quite the opposite of what Nolan had initially planned. But cutting the evening short had been his idea...and he was still second-guessing his decision.

He’d taken his date home and dropped her off with a lackluster kiss good-night. In hindsight, he could’ve put more enthusiasm into the kiss and should’ve been whisking her off her feet and to the nearest bed. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been in the right frame of mind for a sexual romp or even dessert. He’d feigned not feeling well, when the reality was, he’d spent his entire night envisioning another woman.

Damn it. Pepper had barely stepped back into town and now he was totally off his game. Well, technically, she’d told him she’d been back a month, but he’d only seen her this morning. Bottom line...he’d not had any heads-up on her return. Clearly he’d been too busy working to familiarize himself with the latest gossip running amok in Stone River.

But deep down, he knew nothing could’ve mentally prepared him for how he’d feel when he saw Pepper after ten long years. Hell, he wasn’t sure he could even put a name to it.

Nolan found himself heading toward Painted Pansies before he recognized what he was doing. Why was he even on this road? This was quite a bit out of the way of his home on Pebblebrook Ranch.

Thankfully, he was off tomorrow, because he knew he’d be up all night trying to figure out why in tarnation he was getting so—

What the hell?

Nolan saw the flames in the distance, but as he got closer, he realized they were shooting out the top-floor window of Pepper’s building. They were small and only in the front, but nonetheless, fear gripped him like nothing he’d ever known.

In his line of work, Nolan was used to making life-and-death decisions under pressure. But this felt different, like a vise around his chest. With adrenaline pumping, he quickly dialed 911. Then he pulled off the road, rattled off the address, and raced from his SUV toward the back of Painted Pansies.

As he rounded the corner, he saw Pepper attempting to crawl out the window and onto the roof of the back porch.

“Pepper!” he shouted. “The fire department is on the way. Climb onto the roof and I’ll help you from there.”

She threw a look over her shoulder, and Nolan’s heart clenched. Pepper’s face was filled with pure terror and she held one hand protectively over her abdomen. He couldn’t think about that right now; he couldn’t focus on the fact she’d lost one baby already and was most likely petrified as she tried to get out of this situation without causing harm to her unborn child.

All that mattered right now was getting her away from this fire. Nolan heard the approaching sirens and relief trickled through him.

“Come on,” he urged. “You’re almost to the roof.”

Cautiously, she let go of the window ledge and crawled on her hands and knees over the roof until she reached the edge. She stared down at him as if she was afraid to jump.

“I’ll catch you,” he told her as he extended his arms. When she hesitated, he felt that adrenaline surge. “Pepper, come on.”

“I can’t fall,” she cried.

“You won’t,” he assured her, knowing he’d never let her get hurt. “I promise.”

And now was not the time to analyze the fact he’d hurt her immensely once before.

Sirens grew louder, but Nolan didn’t take his eyes off her. She eased closer to the edge and gave him another look, and he nodded, silently pleading for her to trust him.

It seemed like slow motion, but Nolan knew the time it took her to let go and fall into his arms was only a mere couple of seconds. He cradled her against his chest and ran back to his SUV. His pulse continued to pound fast, but not from carrying her. Pepper didn’t weigh much; she’d always been petite. His work as a part-time rancher demanded he be physically fit, so even pregnant, she wasn’t putting a strain on his muscles.

“I can walk,” she told him breathlessly, but her arms encircled his neck as he crossed the street.

“And I can carry you. Did you get hurt? Inhale too much smoke?”

Pepper shook her head. “No. I was getting ready for bed when I smelled smoke and came out of the bathroom to see the front curtains in flames.”

A chill coursed through his veins. What if she’d been asleep? What if she hadn’t gotten out in time? What would she have done had he not been driving by? Would anyone have been around to help?

She trembled against him, and he instantly recognized the shock. The fire truck pulled up and in an instant the firefighters were working on the flames, which still seemed to be only in the front of the second story. An ambulance arrived right after, and Nolan swiftly carried her over.

“I’m Dr. Nolan Elliott.” He addressed the two EMTs who came around to open the back of the ambulance. “I don’t believe she was inside long, but I want her to have oxygen and be taken in immediately. I’ll follow and get her admitted.”

“I don’t need to be admitted,” she argued, but Nolan ignored her protest. She wasn’t in charge here.

“She’s pregnant,” Nolan went on as he stepped up into the back, still holding her in his arms. He lowered her down onto the cot. “How far along?”

Her dark eyes met his and he had to ignore everything that had happened between them up until now. She was a patient. He had to compartmentalize.

“Pepper?”

“Seventeen weeks. Nolan, I don’t think—”

“Oxygen,” he said as one of the medics climbed in on the other side. “I’ll meet you at the ER entrance.”