Royal Holiday Baby by Leanne Banks Page B

ride—”
    â€œNo, that’s okay,” Tina said. “I ride, but it’s been a while….”
    â€œShe’s not riding,” Zach said from the other end of the barn.
    Her heart jumping in her chest, Tina whipped her head around to stare at him. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, a hat, a pair of boots and a frown.
    â€œI wasn’t planning on riding,” Tina said defensively. “I was just exploring.”
    â€œJust don’t get into trouble,” he said.
    Tina frowned. “What kind of trouble? I’m just walking around your ranch. I can’t stay cooped up in the house forever.”
    â€œI guess not,” he said as he moved toward her. “Hildie told me you went for a walk.”
    â€œWhy doesn’t that surprise me?” Tina murmured.
    â€œAnd a good morning to you,” Eve said. “Samson’s making progress.”
    Zach nodded. “Good to know,” he said. “I hope he hasn’t been too much of a pain in the butt.”
    â€œNo more than his owner,” Eve said.
    Zach shot her a withering glance. “Anyone ever tell you that you look like your aunt?”
    â€œBite me,” Eve said and turned her back to him.
    â€œHow’s the job going?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s going,” she said. “I don’t love it. I don’t hate it.”
    â€œJust haven’t found what you’re looking for,” he said.
    â€œIt pays well,” she said over her shoulder. “That’s good enough for me. And, hey, don’t be so hard on your visitor. She’s polite, which is more than you can say about yourself.” She stomped out of the barn.
    Feeling Zach’s gaze on her, Tina wondered about the relationship between Zach and Eve. Antagonistic, yet vaguely caring.
    â€œDon’t even think about riding a horse,” he said.
    â€œI didn’t,” she said. “In more than a fictional sense,” she added, seeing a flash of alarm on his face. “When I walked into the barn, I remembered how much I enjoyed riding. How much I missed it, but now isn’t the time to—”
    â€œExactly,” he said in a crisp tone. “Now is not the time to start this particular hobby again. It’s too dangerous for you and the baby.”
    She saw a darkness deepen in his eyes and wondered where that originated. She thought about what Hildie had said to her. She thought about how much she didn’t know about him.
    Lifting her chin, she narrowed her eyes at him. “Part of the reason I came here was because you and I should get to know each other because you’re the father of my child. We need to start that process. I’m not going to be here forever.”
    â€œYou’re not,” he said, lifting a dark brow. “Is there somewhere you’d rather be?” he asked.
    The south of France, a small town in Italy, a Greek island. Somewhere she could rest, somewhere she wouldn’t have toanswer to her brother, somewhere she could plan her and her baby’s future. Somewhere she could disappear for a while. At the moment, Zach’s ranch was perfect. That would change as soon as the paparazzi showed up.
    â€œI haven’t had time to make plans,” she said. “I need to figure out what’s best for my child and for me.”
    â€œIs it not best for your child to have access to his or her father?” he challenged.
    â€œIn most circumstances, that would be best,” she conceded. “But the longer I stay here, the more I realize I don’t know that much about you.”
    He lifted his lips in a dangerous grin. “Are you afraid I’m a bad influence?”
    Her heart fluttered at the bad boy expression on his face, but she refused to give in to his charm. “As you Americans would say, the jury is out. I need to know more. You haven’t been around much.” She couldn’t resist a wicked urge to goad. “Do I frighten