The Texan's Tiny Dilemma by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-11-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

From the sound of the weeping Teresa knew it was Mrs. Patterson. She sprinted in the dark toward the house next door, until her foot turned on something hard and unseen and found herself falling. The babies were all she could think of and she curled her body into a ball to protect them as she hit the ground. She rolled several times until her head struck some rocks Mrs. Patterson had used to separate her flower bed from the rest of the yard.

“Teresa, is that you?”

Teresa tried to answer her neighbor’s call, but found it difficult to get the words out. She tried to get up but quickly fell again when her ankle couldn’t support her weight. She found her voice. “Mrs. Patterson?” she called, whether to comfort her friend or get help for herself she didn’t know.

Suddenly Mrs. Patterson was beside her. “Teresa, I didn’t mean to frighten you! Are you all right?”

“I fell. I think I hurt my ankle.”

“Oh, dear, I’ll try to help you up.”

“I can use the bat as leverage. I heard you scream. What’s wrong?”

“My house is ruined!”

“What? Did someone break in?”

“Yes! I think it must’ve been the Westside Burglar. He destroyed anything he didn’t take. It’s awful!”

“Have you called 9-1-1?” Teresa asked, grimacing at the pain in her ankle now that she was standing. And she must be sweating heavily as there was moisture on her forehead.

“I’ll go call at once. But I can’t leave you—Teresa, you’re bleeding!”

“I am?”

“Yes, on your forehead. I’ll get a cloth. Just a minute!”

As the woman ran into the house, Teresa insisted, “Call 9-1-1 first!”

As she sat there, Teresa raised a hand to her forehead and felt the sticky liquid and the cut she’d sustained. All around her, the night grew darker and the trees swayed, until she thought she’d topple once more. Then Mrs. Patterson returned.

“They’re sending someone at once.”

“Good.”

“Now you lay your head in my lap so I can clean up the blood. How did you hurt your head?”

Teresa did as Mrs. Patterson asked, finding it easier not to hold her head up. “I fell and rolled to protect the babies. I hit my head on those rocks.” She waved her hand in the direction of the flower bed.

“I’m so sorry! I think I should call for an ambulance. This cut looks deep and it keeps bleeding.”

It was late when Jim finally left the accounting firm where he was a partner. He’d worked all day and night on a proposal for a big client. Though he was doing well financially, if he pulled off this deal, he’d be able to buy just about anything he wanted.

Except Teresa.

Somehow, he’d believed she’d come around, give in to the pressure of being a single mom and make a family with him. Without his having to do anything.

Jim realized he was a coward when it came to emotions. He didn’t like facing that fact. But there it was. He didn’t know if he loved Teresa or not. And he was afraid to find out.

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