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bullfrog’s mating call.
    â€œMy God, was that him? ”
    She glanced at Chase, a smile tugging at her mouth in spite of herself. “Are you suggesting it was me?”
    Amusement flickered in his eyes. “He sounds like a trucker with a belly full of beer.”
    â€œHe does, at that.” The moment of shared delight took her breath away. She’d had no idea what she’d been missing. As tears welled up in her eyes again, she averted her gaze and rubbed Bartholomew’s back until he relaxed into sleep. “Are you willing to give me the information I need?” she asked without looking at Chase.
    There was no reply.
    â€œI’m sure you’re upset, but the medical background is really important. Just tell me if you know of any diseases I should watch out for.”
    Still no answer.
    She glanced sideways and found him staring straight ahead, his arms draped over the steering wheel. She could read nothing from his expression. “There’s a notebook in the outside pocket of the smaller of my two suitcases,” she said. “If you’d be willing to get it and write down the information, you could take me back to the airport and I’ll book a flight home. I can see that I shouldn’t stay here any longer than necessary.”
    â€œIs there someone else?” he asked at last, without changing position.
    â€œSomeone...you mean another man in my life?” Her heartbeat quickened at the personal nature of the question, and the implication of his asking it. As furious as he must be, she was astonished that he’d want to know. “No. I haven’t dated since I found out I was pregnant. Starting a relationship seemed an unnecessary complication.”
    He glanced over at her. “Did you mean it about wanting to see saguaros, or was that just another lie?”
    â€œDammit, I do not habitually lie,” she said, hurt by the unexpected accusation. “I swear, if I didn’t have a sleeping baby in my arms, I’d—”
    â€œIf you didn’t have a sleeping baby in your arms, you wouldn’t be here, would you?”
    â€œNo, I wouldn’t,” she admitted.
    â€œMy giving up trucking and investing in this ranch wouldn’t have made any difference to you.”
    â€œWhy would I start a relationship with a man in Arizona? I have a career based in Manhattan.” She wondered why the explanation sounded restrictive today, when she usually took great comfort in the foothold she’d gained. “Besides, we have nothing in common, Chase. We established that ten months ago.”
    His glance flicked to Bartholomew.
    â€œOkay, one thing.”
    He met her gaze with bold assessment in his eyes. “Oh, I think we have two things in common, Amanda. Even you can’t deny that. We spent several hours proving it to ourselves.”
    She blushed. “Sex is not enough to base a relationship on. You know that as well as I do.”
    â€œI always figured it was a damn good start. But I wouldn’t want to meddle with your prejudices.”
    Her heart thudded erratically as she tried to maintain her poise. Despite the joyful outcome of having Bartholomew, she’d been a fool to give in to her impulses that night in the storm and she mustn’t let good judgment desert her again. She just needed her information and she’d be on her way back to her ordered life. “Don’t worry about the notebook,” she said. “Just tell me what you can. I have a good memory.”
    â€œI don’t.”
    Her chest squeezed. “What do you mean?”
    â€œI can’t just spew this stuff out. I’ll need some time to think, maybe check with a few people. So, did you want to see the saguaros or not?”
    She could see where this was leading. “It’s not important. I think it would be better if we ended our association as quickly as possible. A letter would be fine. Now that you know what I need,