Free The Baby Race by Elysa Hendricks Page B

sunshine, the sound of the water drowned out by the
constant roar of the carnival rides and the rumble of voices. Heavy
odors of grease and hot electric motors filled the air, but
couldn't completely mask the scent of moist earth and newly mown
grass.
    His smile faded. "Claire, we need to talk
about this morning."
    Memories caused her flesh to warm. "That's
not a good idea."
    "Maybe not, but we need to clear the air
between us. We have an arrangement. I had no right to take
advantage the way I did. I want you to know it won't happen again."
He'd make sure it didn't. "We'll make sharing a room work. You're
an attractive woman, but...."
    "Race. Claire." Cindy skidded to a stop in
front of them, her face wreathed in a smile. "I just did a
preliminary box office count." The normally unflappable woman
bubbled with excitement, making her appear much younger than her
forty years. "The carnival is a smash. This year we'll make a
sizeable profit. Between the dinner, the carnival and tomorrow's
horse show there'll be enough to get started on the construction of
the visitor center."
    "Thanks, Cindy. You and everyone else have
done a great job. I appreciate all your hard work."
    Though his words were sincere, his lack of
enthusiasm angered Claire. Cindy looked confused.
    She put her hand on his shoulder. "You know
that your father and I are proud of what you've accomplished here."
She spoke softly then she cleared her throat and her voice firmed.
"Well, I've got to get back to work." She turned and left, but the
spring was gone from her step.
    When Claire spoke to Race, anger heated her
reprimand. "Cindy...your whole family worked damned hard to make
this event a success. You could show more gratitude."
    Race leaned his head onto his hands. "I know.
I'll thank them properly later."
    The despondent slump of his shoulders drained
her righteous anger. "Why don't you postpone the visitor center and
use the proceeds toward your payment?"
    "The money earned this weekend doesn't come
near what I need." He named a figure that made Claire's heart skip
a beat.
    "Without Grandmere's marriage bonus, come
next spring I'll lose the ranch." He gave her a rueful smile. "But
thanks to you that's not going to happen. September 1st we'll have
fulfilled the first part of her requirements. For all her faults,
Grandmere always keeps her word. I'll walk out of her house with a
check in my hands.
    "For now let's forget it all and enjoy the
rest of the weekend." He stood and held out his hand. "Bet you've
never been to a horse show."
    "How much you want to bet?" Unable to resist
his boyish grin, Claire put her hand in his and let him pull her
up.
    When she tried to let go and step back, he
tucked her hand under his arm and held her at his side. In the
cooling night air his body radiated an enticing heat. She shivered
and he tucked her in closer.
    *****
    As the summer progressed, a cautious
friendship grew between Claire and Race. To make sharing a room
work, he rose early and retired late, so they were rarely in the
room at the same time. Only when she woke in the middle of the
night to find herself curled against his warmth did she wonder at
the wisdom of what they did.
    He treated her with respect and no longer
avoided the house, but she sensed a reserve in him that worried
her. Like a quiet volcano there were forces at work in Race she
couldn't see.
    Fortunately, no one else saw anything out of
place. The social worker did her first home visit and was
impressed, going as far as to say, if Bobbie Sue's natural father
didn't object, she couldn't see any reason the court would deny
Claire's petition to adopt.
    Because Ricky Banner hadn't contacted her
since the night of the fundraiser, Claire let herself hope he'd
moved on. She thought about sharing her fears with Race, but knew
there was little he could do. It wasn't fair for her to burden him.
He'd done his part. She didn't have the right to ask for his
help.
    From the time she learned to walk and talk
she'd