“I like kids, and want at least three.”
At least?She actually coughed. From tennis and horses, to kids. What on earth? He wasn’t kidding about moving on.
“You?” He smiled at her reaction this time, unmoved as if he expected it.
“I love children, Lance. Of course I want some.”
“So after we get married. How long should we wait?”
Now his voice seemed to have changed. It didn’t seem as taciturn and she was wondering if he really sounded interested. “Well, if it was up to me, I would like a baby as quick as possible. I’m turning twenty seven.” Seeing Zane made her heart hurt. She really did want one.
He nodded. “I’ll agree to that.”
Again, a thrill went through her. She just couldn’t fathom having a child with this man. Gosh though, it would be the most beautiful baby, she was sure of it. A deep longing welled up inside her over that thought. She knew she’d be a great mother. She’d smother their baby with such affection the likes of which she never had the privilege to know. She cleared her throat and had to adjust her emotions before speaking again. “Do we live separately?”
“For now. I’m building a house.”
“You are?”
A smile reached his eyes and he shook his head slowly.
She blushed again.Why are you so stupid around him?she thought to herself.
“Family is very important to me. Tessa and Elaina are like my sisters. Their children are close to my heart. I would do anything for family.”
“I know that already Lance,” she admitted hesitantly.
“Do you?”
“I’ve seen you with them.”
“You’re quite observant then, Tammy. I don’t let many people see me like that.”
Only with you. She felt her cheeks heating up again. “Where did you learn to ranch—I mean horses?”
He glanced at his watch again. “This will have to be the condensed version.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Okay then. My brothers and I learned from our father. He was adamant his sons learn the business through hard work and by that, I mean backbreaking. First there were cattle on a ranch in Texas, but that business wasn’t breaking even. When he married my mother, he inherited a small spread in Sulphur Springs that was breeding thoroughbreds just for local races. He did his research and turned the business around, bought more land. He put the Lansdowne on the map. He’s a very strict businessman and highly intelligent, but he was also just as demanding with us getting an education and not living off of our inheritance. He expanded the ranch to horses, less with cattle, and made good money. Then, my mother died and it took the drive out of him. He’s still in our lives but lives in Texas. He has a small spread, about a thousand acres. He seems happier there, and it keeps him busy.”
Small? She supposed the fifteen thousand acres they owned in Montana was a reference. “I’m sorry about your mother,” she said sincerely. He only shrugged and continued talking.
“He’s been to visit a few times, but it’s hard for him. My mother was an amazing woman.”
Well to throw such well-adjusted handsome sons, she would have to be. “You were very lucky to have her.”
He nodded. “We all were. Now, I would ask you what you do in your spare time, Tam, but I know for a fact, you don’t have any.”
She shook her head. “I don’t, but I like what I do.”
“Past boyfriends?” He shifted the subject suddenly surprising her again.
She flushed. She wished she wasn’t the only uncomfortable person in the room all the time. Lance still seemed totally at ease with himself and these questions.
“Intimate couples share these details. We don’t want to be unprepared.”
Intimate? Oh how she wished. She sighed heavily. She knew what he was getting at. If her mother brought up Richard and her it would take Lance by surprise. “I was engaged, unhappily, and not by choice, to Richard.”
