"Exactly." His hand covered hers and he took it in his, kissing it tenderly. "The worst of it was when I got that adoption form in the mail today. I called Mary to see if you were there and she filled me in on the whole thing." His expression was a fifty-fifty mixture of pain and anger. "How could you think I would turn away my own child? What kind of monster do you think I am?"
"Oh, Russ," she forced the words through constricted vocal cords. "I knew you would take the responsibility, even if you didn't want the baby. That's why I had so much trouble telling you." She stared down at the seat. "I got so depressed when you never called, and I started imagining all sorts of things. Then I started worrying about how I was going to take care of the baby and how much it would miss because I didn't have the money to..." She swallowed a lump in her throat. "So I got to thinking about adoption. I knew I'd have to talk to you about it sooner or later, but I didn't want to hold the financial burden of an unplanned pregnancy over your head like a club. Nor did I want you to feel obligated to marry me to save my honor. I couldn't give the baby up, either. That's why I never finished the form. I decided to talk to you this weekend, but I guess Mary found the form and took it upon herself to mail it to you." She glanced up and met his intent gaze. "I'm sorry. That's a terrible way to find out."
"Don't blame Mary. I'm glad she cared enough to interfere. No telling how long we'd have continued this crazy sidestepping dance - even if you had shown up this weekend. I thought you decided you couldn't live with the loneliness on the ranch because I was gone so much. I thought maybe that was what you were trying to tell me that day at the hay field." He gripped her hand and pulled her close. "I didn't want to lose you, but I didn't want you to be unhappy like mother either. I actually considered selling the ranch." His hand stroked her hair. "If you'd only said something - told me how you felt. Cindy, our baby wouldn't be a burden to me even if my financial status was shaky - and it isn't. I want this baby. I want you. I love you. Don't you know that?"
A tear slipped down her cheek. "Not until now."
He wiped the tear away with a thumb and opened the glove compartment. Pulling out a tissue he handed it to her. "Here, get yourself together and we'll go in and get a marriage license."