Home on the Ranch: Tennessee Bull Rider
Autor:in
April Arrington
Gelesen
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Kapitel
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Chapter 1
Nate Tenley never stayed in one place for long. Keeping his butt on a bull for eight seconds was tough enough. Keeping it glued to a chair in Elk Valley Café while another man hit on Amber Eason was a damn deal harder.
“I don’t mean to disturb you, sweetheart.” The prick—clean-cut and presentable in a suit and tie—leaned farther across the counter, looking toward the kitchen entrance. “Just thought I’d tell you how much I enjoyed this pumpkin pie you made.” He smiled. “It’s perfect for the October chill that’s blowing in. A great mix of spicy and sweet.”
Nate looked up as one of the low-hanging kitchen doors swung open. From his vantage point at the opposite end of the wraparound bar, he could only see a small portion of Amber’s profile on the threshold, but he knew exactly what the jerk was admiring. The same beautiful parts of her that kept him awake and aching at night.
That thick, blond hair spilled over her slim back in the same way it had cascaded across his bare chest when she’d leaned over him a year ago. The curve of her breasts, fuller than he recalled, looked as soft and comforting beneath her T-shirt as they had felt against his cheek their one night together. Her jean-clad legs were as long and slender as he remembered. He could still feel them winding gently around his back, embracing his hips, urging him on.
“Thank you, Will.”
And her voice... That beautiful voice. Soft, sweet and understanding. Her pleading whispers had been like smooth velvet against his skin. Only it’d been his name on her lips. Not some other man’s.
Wincing, Nate glanced down, his attention straying to her feet. She shifted from one foot to the other, her sneakers squeaking against the faded linoleum floor.
He smiled. First thing she’d do after getting home from work would be to kick those things off. She always did love to go barefoot. Had ever since she was a kid. The first time he’d met her she’d been five to his eleven, standing by a mountain river, balanced barefoot on a jagged rock, betting she could catch as many fish as he and her brother.
Landon. Nate stiffened. His best friend and Amber’s older brother. The very reason he should take his eyes off her, squash his lustful thoughts and keep his ass rooted right where it was. The same reason he should’ve kept his hands off her fifteen months ago. And the reason he should’ve kept driving down the winding mountain road five minutes ago, past the dimly lit café and straight to his brother’s ranch.
He was looking forward to seeing his brother again. Hadn’t seen him in a year. But the moment Amber’s café had emerged at the top of the hill, Nate had lifted his foot off the pedal and pulled his truck into a parking space. He’d apologized to a waitress who was exiting and had asked to be permitted inside despite the closed sign she’d placed on the door. She’d relented and after entering, he’d been disappointed to find the man seated at the bar instead of Amber. The only sign of her presence had been the sounds emerging from behind the closed doors of the kitchen.
As much as Nate wanted to speak to her, he’d preferred to do so in private and he’d tried his damnedest to turn around and leave. But he also knew why he hadn’t.
Simple fact was, the warm interior, sweet scent in the air and forgiving kindness in Amber’s smile had always felt more like home than any place he’d ever been. They’d been close once and he wanted a chance to earn that back again.
So he’d returned the stranger’s curt nod of greeting, then walked to the opposite end of the bar, rounded the corner and sat, waiting for Amber to emerge.
“It’s getting cold out there.” The guy at the bar flicked his cuff back, tapped his platinum wristwatch and looked at Amber. “And late.” His smile widened as he gestured toward the glass dome on the counter with a thick pumpkin pie inside. “Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll cut you a slice? You could put your feet up and let someone serve you for a change. Take a break before you go home.”
“Thanks. That’s nice of you, but the rush just cleared out and I still have some cleaning to do.” Amber walked to the opposite end of the bar, her slender back to Nate, and reached for the man’s empty plate. “Maybe some other time.”
Will stilled her hand with his. “How about tomorrow? Same time? I always enjoy ending the day with your company.”
She slid her hand away—thank God—and started stacking dirty dishes. “Tomorrow’s my day off but I’m working the evening shift again Wednesday so maybe I’ll see you then.”
Gritting his teeth, Nate slumped back in his chair. A pain shot through his side at the slight jolt. He clutched his left ribs, then stared ruefully down at his callused hand. Unlike Will’s, his fingers were peppered with cuts and bruises. Arena dirt was caked under his nails, giving them a dark undertone.
It’d been two days since he’d dragged his beaten body, cracked rib and all, out of an angry bull’s way, and after being sidelined for four weeks by a doctor, he’d left the circuit and driven twelve hours nonstop back to Tennessee. At thirty, his body didn’t heal as quickly as it had in the past, and he needed time to recover. Rest, a soft bed and Amber—as always—had been foremost on his mind as he’d headed for Elk Valley.
Hell, he’d had some bad ideas before but this one? His clothes were rumpled, his muscles weak and he probably stank to high heaven. The last place his filthy hands belonged was on a woman as clean and pure as Amber. If he wasn’t so starved for a glimpse of her, he would’ve waited until he was more presentable to visit.
A burst of cold air swept into the café on Will’s exit, then the door thudded shut. Nate watched Will slide into the sleek gray sedan parked beside his dust-covered truck and drive off, the soft glow of the red taillights disappearing over the swell of the mountain road.
Whoever he was, Will wasn’t a tourist. Not if he was here every night sweet-talking Amber. Guy was probably local and obviously well-off.
The clink of silverware and dishes stopped, silence descending over the now-empty café. Nate looked up, his eyes locking with Amber’s.
She stood frozen behind the bar, facing him now. Staring.
Instead of her usual smile of welcome, she wore a blank expression. As though she didn’t recognize him. Or, rather, didn’t want to recognize him.
He couldn’t blame her.
Releasing his injured side, Nate shoved to his feet, then dragged a hand through his shaggy hair. The twisting movements increased the pressure on his ribs and he wished like hell he’d had the willpower to keep driving. That he’d used good sense for once and at least taken a shower before dragging himself into her place of business.
“Hey.” The gruff scrape of his voice sounded harsh in the empty café. Mouth dry, he swallowed hard and tried again. “Sorry. Guess I forgot you closed early on Mondays.”
He clamped his mouth shut. That wasn’t what he’d planned to say. Not by a long shot.
For months he’d carefully crafted an apology from the pit of guilt he fell into every night. Words he’d continued to search for into the early hours of each morning when all he could see was the angry pain in Amber’s eyes. The look she’d given him last year when, after the intoxicating effects of tequila and Amber’s kiss had weakened, he’d explained why things had to end there. That his loyalty to her brother was too important. That he’d messed up—again—and his friendship with Landon wouldn’t survive if Landon discovered he was having an affair with his sister.
All good reasons for not letting their one night turn into something more. Reasons that had felt honorable at the time but had eroded into weak, selfish excuses over the past months.
Her guarded gaze traveled over him, then lingered on his left side. The rosy curves of her lips barely moved as she asked quietly, “Are you hurt?”
God, yes. But he’d done it to himself...and her. “Oh, you know me. I’m always all right.” He tried for a carefree smile, the one that always helped dig him out of whatever hole he’d fallen into, but reaching for it hurt almost as much as his fractured rib. “How’ve you been?”
She continued staring and her knuckles turned white around the mug in her hand. “Busy.”
He nodded, glancing at the dirty plates and cups lining the bar and straining for something coherent to say. The miles were catching up with him, making his tongue thick and his brain slow. “Business still good?”
“October’s always a great month. Lots of tourists.” She blinked, spun away and resumed stacking the dishes that lined the counter, the clinking of glasses echoing sharply around the room. “Landon didn’t mention you were back in town.”
Legs shaking, Nate leaned against the bar for a moment, then picked up two dirty cups nearest him. “I just drove in. Haven’t spoken to him yet.”
“My best guess is that you haven’t spoken to him in months. Otherwise, he would’ve recounted at least a dozen of your new rodeo tales.” Amber walked toward him, arms full of plates littered with dirty silverware. “Because that’s where you’ve been, right? Rodeoing?”
He wouldn’t lie to her. Never had. She’d always known him too well—the real him. Which was why he’d been so shocked that night when she’d said she loved him. Because he knew to the marrow of his bones that she’d meant it. That somewhere along the way, despite his wild streak and constant screwups, her childhood crush had developed into something stronger.
He forced himself to answer. “Yeah.”
Her soft mouth tightened and she nodded slowly. “And you got hurt. So you came home.”
“That wasn’t the only reason.”
“But it was the main one.”
He looked down at the glasses in his hands, the cold condensation from one seeping into the pads of his fingers, sending a chill through him. “Yeah.”
Amber was silent for a moment, then said, “I understand why you haven’t called me. But to not call Landon...that doesn’t make sense.”
It did. To him, at least.
“He’s missed you,” she added.
He glanced up at her, his mouth moving before he could stop it. “Have you?”
Her blue eyes hardened. “You don’t get that, Nate. You don’t get to blow in here, flash a smile and ask me about my feelings.” She shook her head. “You knew what mine were and you made yours clear at your brother’s wedding.”
Nate’s shoulders sagged. Yep. He’d made an ass of himself then, too.
His twin brother, Mac, had gotten married a year ago, last October. Nate had left the circuit and come home for the wedding, feeling more out of place than ever. Everyone had been there, including Amber and Landon, and almost every pair of eyes had bored into him just as they had every day since he was seventeen, weighing and judging. Memories were long in Elk Valley, and forgiveness short.
Three months away on the circuit had done nothing to ease his guilt over his and Amber’s one night together—as well as his other painful past actions—and he’d had trouble facing Landon that day. He’d felt like every word out of his mouth was a lie, and his best friend deserved better.
Amber deserved better. Something better than whispers behind her back and constant judgmental glances. She deserved an upstanding, dependable man she could show off.
When she’d approached him, eyes shadowed but expression hopeful, asking him how long he planned to stay, he’d been honest with her. He’d told her he planned to leave right after the wedding. That he had no intention now or in the future of settling in Elk Valley. The secluded mountain town was too small. Too stifling. He’d never fit in and had no desire to try.
She’d grown strangely quiet. Hating himself for breaking her heart, he’d wished her well and then taken off, hoping his absence would help mend it.
In a way, it seemed to have worked. She no longer looked at him with adoring eyes or a wistful smile. A fact that hurt far more than he wanted to admit. Even to himself.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “That was out of line. I shouldn’t have asked.” Shouldn’t have stopped. Shouldn’t have come in. “Here.” Wincing, he tucked one of the glasses under his arm, rounded the bar, then reached for the dirty dishes she held. “I’ll get those.”
“I don’t need help, Nate.”
“I know you don’t.” The backs of his fingers brushed her warm skin as he tugged at the plates. “For what it’s worth, I missed Landon, too.” He hesitated, saying quietly, “And you. I’ve missed talking to you. I’d really like the opportunity to apologize to you properly. There are things I’d like to say that I should’ve said a long time ago. I was hoping we could talk and that maybe, in time, you might consider letting me try to earn your trust back.”
Her lips parted on a swift breath and she looked away, focusing on the clock on the wall. A shiny strand of hair slipped over her shoulder, and the long curl drew to a rest on the upper swell of her breast.
The tips of his fingers tingled, wanting to reach out and rub the soft strand. Lift it and press it against his lips. Breathe in her sweet scent. But friends didn’t do that kind of thing. Certainly not a friend who’d made the kind of promise he had years ago.
He forced himself to turn away and walk into the kitchen, his steps heavy and sluggish. Sweat beaded on his hot forehead and his hands shook as he lowered the dishes, the plates rattling against the sink as he reached for the glasses under his arm.
“Why don’t you sit before you fall, Nate?” Amber arrived at his side, her voice soft as she took the cups from him. A small smile appeared. “The way you look, I could probably handle a bull in an arena better than you right now.”
That kind light was back in her eyes, not as strong or as personal, but it was there all the same. It warmed him on the inside, easing the strong ache in his chest. And for a moment it felt like it had before. When they were younger and closer. When she’d always been the first one—sometimes the only one—to see the good in him.
He smiled back. “You think so?”
“I know so.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth, her cheeks flushing. “Try to sit still for a few minutes at least and I’ll fix you something to eat before you drive home.”
“I don’t want to put you to any trouble,” he said.
“It’s no trouble. Pancakes okay?”
His smile grew. “With pecans?”
Lips quirking, she moved away and grabbed a griddle, saying over her shoulder, “I’ll see what I can do.”
Fifteen minutes later she brought him pecan pancakes, crisp bacon and a hot cup of coffee. The warm syrup melted on his tongue, and his gut growled with appreciation as he devoured every bite.
“Thank you,” he whispered, sinking back into his chair.
“You’re welcome.” She took the dirty dishes to the kitchen, then returned later with her coat and purse, her eyes darting toward the clock again. “We do need to talk, Nate. I have something to tell you, too. But now’s not a good time. My ride will be here soon.”
He stood slowly and glanced outside at the dark, empty road. It had never looked lonely to him before, but it did now. And the thought of leaving Amber again so soon, however briefly, was unwelcome. “When would be a good time?”
She stilled, her expression closing. “How long are you staying?”
“At least four weeks.”
“Then you’ll return to the circuit?”
He nodded. “The finals in Vegas start the first week of November.”
She pulled on her coat. “Are you staying at Elk Valley Ranch?”
“Yeah.” His smile returned. His brother and his sister-in-law, Dani, had turned their family’s guest ranch around and, by all accounts, it was thriving. So were they. Dani would be close to seven months pregnant now. “Guess you know Mac and Dani are expecting. Mac said business is booming so I’m sure he could use the help. He said the lodge is packed but he’s saved a room for me.”
Amber looked out the window and bit her lip, her face reddening. “Then I’ll call you there.”
“Tomorrow?” He shifted uncomfortably at the hopeful note in his voice. The same one he’d heard in Will’s earlier.
“Yes.” She headed toward the door, flicking the lights off as she went. “You need to leave, Nate.”
His stomach dropped at the abrupt change in her tone. He glanced toward the parking lot. A large SUV was now parked beside his truck. The back passenger door was open and a man was bent, reaching inside, only his jean-clad legs and boots visible.
An odd burning sensation sizzled through Nate. “Is that your ride?”
Amber opened the door and gestured impatiently. “Yes.”
Probably another Will. Nate stiffened, the throb in his side intensifying and a fresh wave of regret surging within him. He had no right to poke his nose in Amber’s business.
Body aching, he trudged across the café, then eased past her, walking toward his truck. Keys jangled behind him as she locked the door, and his steps slowed at the deep sound of a familiar voice.
“I know, sweetheart. Your mama’s coming.”
Nate froze. “Landon?”
The SUV’s door creaked as it opened a bit more, the man straightening and turning to face him. It was Landon all right, frowning and holding a small pacifier in his big hand.
A disgruntled cry emerged from the backseat of the vehicle and Nate glanced toward it, finding three babies strapped in car seats, forming a perfect row. Two of them wore blue knit caps and the third a pink one. Their tiny feet and hands thrust here and there and the pink-capped baby whimpered, stretching grasping fingers toward Landon.
Your mama’s coming.
I have something to tell you, too.
Nate jerked toward Amber, scrambling to estimate the babies’ ages and counting the months since he’d made love to Amber. Confirmation was right there in her flushed face and panicked eyes, making his limbs tremble.
Nate locked his knees and rooted his boots to the ground, knowing if the shock of discovering he was a father didn’t kill him, Landon would.
“Where the hell have you been?”
Amber clenched her fists, the sharp edge of the keys she held digging into her palms at the bite of Landon’s tone. She stared helplessly as Landon and Nate faced each other, their towering heights, muscular builds and blond hair similar enough from a distance that strangers had mistaken them for brothers rather than just best friends on more than one occasion.
Something she’d grown to resent over the years.
Nate’s broad shoulders stiffened. He turned his head, his shocked green eyes boring into hers.
Please don’t say anything. She took an unsteady step toward him, shaking her head. For once in your life, let someone else take the lead.
“I’ve called your ass a dozen times and haven’t heard a word.” Landon glanced at Amber, his eyes sparkling, then burst out laughing. “Figures his wandering tail would pop back in when we’d least expect it.” He strode over and bear-hugged Nate, his broad palms slapping his friend’s back good-naturedly. “It’s damn good to see you, brother.”
Nate winced, then returned the hug briefly, his expression surprised and smile weak.
“Landon.” Amber walked over and tugged his arm. “Give him some room. He just drove in.”
Landon stepped back and looked Nate over, his laughter fading. “I can see that. How long you been on the road, man?”
Nate stared at the ground and dragged a hand over the back of his neck. “Several hours. Drove in from Texas.”
“Fresh off the circuit?” Landon asked.
Nate nodded, remaining silent. A frustrated squeal erupted from the SUV. He glanced over Landon’s shoulder at the backseat, and his cheeks lost what little color they had left.
Amber’s lungs constricted. That was Savannah. Her cries had a slightly higher pitch than her brothers’ when she hit full diva mode. “Is she fussy tonight?”
“A bit, yeah.” Landon leaned back inside the SUV and returned Savannah’s pacifier to her mouth. “They’ve all been cranky. Bobbie Jean said she went ahead and gave ’em their bath to try to calm ’em down. Said they missed you more than usual today.”
Amber moved past him and peeked inside. Despite the anxious churn of her stomach, she managed a smile. There they were. Her three tiny pieces of heaven.
“Hey, sweeties,” she whispered, stretching across the seat and dropping a soft kiss on each of their smooth foreheads below their knit caps. “Did y’all give Ms. Bobbie Jean a hard time today?”
Goodness, she hoped not. Bobbie Jean wasn’t just her best friend, she was a lifesaver and the only affordable childcare she could swing nowadays.
Savannah stared up at her with wide eyes, her rosebud mouth working hard around her pacifier. Dylan, seated by her side, scowled, then kicked his small feet restlessly. Mason, on the far end, grinned, his tiny tooth gleaming.
“You did, didn’t you?” Amber tapped Mason’s dimpled chin. “I can tell from that smug smile of yours.”
It had the same mischievous tilt as the one Nate had sported over the years.
Amber ducked her head and fidgeted with the babies’ clothing. Of all times for Nate to appear out of thin air and actually stick around for more than five minutes, it had to be when Landon showed up with her babies.
She cringed, a stabbing pain shooting through her. Nate’s babies.
Good Lord, this was just her luck. Nate hadn’t been home in over a year and, at best, she thought he’d only return for a few days around Christmas like he sometimes did. That was supposed to be when she’d tell him.
After two previous failed attempts at breaking the news to him, she’d taken the time to plan the third thoroughly. She was going to ask Bobbie Jean to watch the babies, then go see Nate—without Landon—and inform him he had triplets.
Amber stifled a groan, knowing exactly how much of a shock that would be and trying not to imagine how much more of a shock it was for Nate to find out this way. She’d hoped to give him time to adjust. Time to absorb the reality of it all before she turned her attention to finding a way to break the truth to Landon.
That was the part she dreaded most of all.
“...follow us to Amber’s?”
She straightened, her head bumping the roof of the vehicle as she faced Landon. “What?”
Nate, still shell-shocked, stood motionless beside his truck.
Landon smiled. “I told Nate he should follow us to your place. Take a look around.” He turned back to Nate, his voice filled with pride. “You should see it, man. Amber’s renovating Mean McBride’s cabin. It still needs a ton of work, but she’s already got it looking great.”
“That’s not a good idea.” She gestured toward the babies. “It’s late and I need to get them settled.”
“I know,” Landon said. “You’ll need an extra hand.”
“I can handle things,” she said, shutting the door gently. “I don’t need—”
“Amber, we’ve had this conversation.” Landon’s features firmed. “You only have two hands and there are three of them. What kind of uncle would I be if I didn’t help out with my niece and nephews?”
The slight trace of hurt in his tone melted her heart. Six years older than she was, Landon had watched over her for all of her twenty-four years, especially after their father had skipped out on them when she was seven. He’d taken care of their mother until the day she’d passed away twelve years ago. And he was here now, picking Amber up from work as he did every night after collecting the babies from Bobbie Jean’s, ready to drive them all home and make sure they were settled safely inside before returning to his ranch fifteen miles deeper into the Smoky Mountains.
He’d loved and protected all four of them from the day they were born. But sometimes his overprotective hold tightened so much she couldn’t breathe. Which made her feel all the more guilty for perceiving his help in that way.
“You’re a great uncle,” Amber said. She lifted to her toes and kissed his cheek. “I don’t mean to give you a hard time.”
He caught her elbow, whispering in her ear, “Then let me help you. And let Nate follow us.” His tone deepened. “That way I can follow him the last stretch from your place to Mac’s. Way he looks, I don’t trust him to get there without falling asleep at the wheel.”
She glanced at Nate.
Despite his haggard appearance, his striking features, kissable mouth and brawny frame were as magnetic as ever. Nate’s rough edges had always given off a raw allure. One that drew her eyes, teased every nerve in her body and left a smoldering heat in her belly long after she left his presence. Something most women in tiny Elk Valley had experienced, whispered about and a few had succumbed to only to join the ranks of the brokenhearted soon after.
Including her.
Amber flinched, her cheeks burning. Heck if she’d do that again. She’d learned her lesson, and humiliation wasn’t all that much fun. But the wounded expression in his eyes and heavy sag of his wide chest tugged at something deep inside her, making it impossible to refuse Landon’s request.
“All right,” she said, holding out her hand. “But I’m driving.”
That would force her to keep at least some sense of focus and composure. Lord knew she needed both in this surreal situation.
Landon smiled, handed the keys over, then called out to Nate, “Follow us in, yeah? I’ll show you around the cabin and make you some coffee to carry you the last leg to Mac’s.”
Amber strode quickly to the driver’s side, climbed in and cranked the engine, not risking another glance at Nate. The deep tone of Nate’s and Landon’s muffled voices sounded briefly, then Landon joined her in the SUV. She backed out of the parking space and left the lot, stopping at a red light at the end of the empty block.
“He looks bad, Amber.” Landon’s blue eyes narrowed on the side-view mirror. “Real bad.”
“I know,” she said quietly. Reaching up, she adjusted the rearview mirror and watched as Nate’s truck drew to a slow stop behind them, the headlights casting a garish flood of light through the SUV. “He’s hurt.”
Had to be. In more ways than Landon could imagine.
Her attention lowered to the three knit caps highlighted in the backseat. I’m a coward, angels. A foolish one.
The last thing she’d ever wanted was for Nate to find out like this. She should’ve tried telling him again. Long before now. Only, that was easier said than done when your dang pride overruled your common sense on a regular basis.
“He lives too hard.” Worry tightened Landon’s voice. “Stays on the road too much. Last time I spoke to him was at Mac’s wedding and he missed Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. Seems like forever since he’s been home. I barely recognized him.” He sighed. “How bad do you think he’s injured? Too bad to compete again?”
Her temple pounded and an ache formed behind her eyes. “I don’t think so. He says he’s going to the finals in a few weeks.”
God, she hated keeping such a big secret from Landon. But the only alternative was the humiliating truth that would shatter every illusion Landon had about Nate. The ones that prevented Landon from even suspecting him. The same ones she’d had herself before Nate proved to be exactly what everyone had said he was.
Landon had already lost both parents and spent the majority of his time working his butt off taking care of a sister, niece and two nephews. The last thing he needed was to lose a best friend who, for all intents and purposes, he regarded as a brother. Someone he’d admired for most of his life. Especially when he might lose him on account of her lack of judgment.
“He looked shocked as hell when he saw the babies,” Landon said. “He wasn’t here when you...well...” He reached over one of the rear-facing car seats and smoothed his fingers over Dylan’s tiny hand. “I haven’t had a chance to tell him since he’s been off the grid for so long. He’s going to ask about them. How much do you want me to tell him?”
She shook her head, then accelerated as the light turned green. The truth would emerge soon enough and it’d knock her foolish pride on its butt when it did. “Whatever you’d like.”
He scoffed. “Well, hell. That won’t be much since you still won’t give me a name.”
“Landon—”
“It’s tourist season,” he drawled, expression darkening. “That bastard will probably show up again this year or the next and when he does, I’m gonna kill him.”
“It was my fault as much as it was his,” she said softly. “I was restless. It was a fling. I knew what I was getting into and I...I just got more than I bargained for.”
Boy, had she ever.
“That’s not the point.” Landon’s tone grew harsh. “Tourist or not, his ass should’ve stayed put and faced up to his responsibilities. What kind of a man walks away from his kids?”
Oh, Lord. Landon would have a fit when she finally managed to find the courage to tell him the truth. It would hurt him so much. And his short temper and high standards would lead him to hurt Nate in more ways than one.
No matter how badly Nate had disappointed her, he didn’t deserve that.
“I didn’t tell him, Landon.”
“Doesn’t matter. He should’ve asked. Any man that sleeps with a woman should show her enough damned courtesy to at least follow up with a phone call.”
“Look, I know you’re worried but—”
“And why you think it’s okay to just let it all go is beyond me. I don’t know why you’re so intent upon letting this guy off the hook. You may have barely known him but he owes you, and you both owe it to those children to—”
“Landon, please.” Amber hit the brakes and brought them to an abrupt halt at the next red light. She turned slightly in her seat, her voice cracking. “I know you’re disappointed in me. That you’re worried and just want what’s best for us. But I made the mistake. I’m entitled to one and it was my mistake, no one else’s.” Her throat closed and the tears burning her eyes humiliated her even more. “Can’t it just be mine? I’m perfectly capable of taking care of my own children and myself. Will you please let this go for now? Just this once?”
Landon sat back in his seat, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly before saying, “I could never be disappointed in you.” He shook his head. “Never.” He reached out and squeezed her shoulder, his voice soft. “I overstepped. I’m sorry. We’ll do whatever you want.”
Green light spilled over the dashboard. She blinked, clearing her vision, managed a small smile, then eased her foot down on the pedal. The SUV accelerated, the gentle vibrations within the cab lulling the babies and her temper into a calmer state.
“Don’t worry about me, Landon.” She glanced at the headlights trailing them in the rearview mirror. “I can take care of myself. For now, just...enjoy Nate’s visit.”
Because that was all it was—a visit. Four weeks at the most. If, after learning he was a father, Nate even stayed that long.
