by Elsie Davis
“I’m sure you’re right. I still can’t believe you’re having a baby.” It was a wonderful blessing neither she nor Dylan expected. Becky couldn’t be any happier for her best friend.
“Me, either. The doctor didn’t think it was possible. Shows how much they know.” She grinned.
“Don’t say that while Byron’s in surgery. I want his doctor to know everything.”
“You know what I mean.”
She did, but fear kept her from viewing the comment lightly.
Kayla grinned. “You need to relax.”
“I know. The voice of reason isn’t very loud in my head at the moment.”
“This pregnancy comes with one drawback—Dylan is adamant about me checking in with him throughout the day to make sure I’m okay and not overdoing it. To the point of overkill.”
“He’s a great guy, so enjoy it. Soon your attention will be claimed by a demanding and not very understanding infant. This is your time to be pampered.”
The door opened, ending the conversation, and the surgeon came into the room.
“He did great,” the surgeon announced, and Becky let out a sigh of relief. “Everything is back to normal. A couple of weeks of rest and he’ll be good as new.”
“Thank you so much, doctor. When can I see him?”
“They’re just doing some last-minute checks on his vitals, and then they’ll bring him here to monitor him until he’s completely awake.”
“I can’t thank you enough. This is wonderful news.” Becky was so happy she wanted to hug the doctor, but she wasn’t sure of the protocol, so she just stood there awkwardly, smiling at him.
“If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask,” he said, clearly wrapping it up. “We’ll keep him overnight for monitoring, but that’s all routine. By morning, he’ll be ready to go.” The doctor made a few notes on his clipboard and turned to leave.
“Great. Thank you again.”
The door closed behind him, and she turned to Kayla, grateful when her friend pulled her into a hug. The rush of emotion was overwhelming.
“I told you he’d be fine. Now relax, you don’t want him to see you freaking out when he gets here.” Kayla laughed.
Becky took a few deep breaths and said a prayer of thanks. Minutes later, the door opened, and a male nurse maneuvered Byron’s bed through the door. He looked peacefully asleep.
“Is he okay?” she asked.
“He’s doing fine. Just give him a few more minutes,” the nurse reassured her.
She watched as the man changed out the cables that hooked Byron up to the room monitors. Becky’s eyes never left the screen once the beeps and lines started registering all sorts of information.
“Thank you for taking such good care of him.”
“No problem. He’s been a little charmer, according to the other nurses.” The man smiled as he tucked the blanket up around Byron more tightly.
Byron’s eye’s fluttered open. “Mommy,” he squeaked out.
“Yes, baby. Mommy’s right here.” She held his hand. “And Aunt Kayla’s here, too.”
Kayla stepped up to the bed. “Hey, kiddo. Heard you were a real trooper, and now you’re good as new.” She ruffled the top of his head.
Byron smiled. “Hi, Auntie Kayla. I didn’t know you were coming to see me.” His voice was getting stronger.
“Of course, I came. You’re my favorite little man.”
Byron drifted back to sleep.
“It’s okay. He’ll keep doing that for a while. The anesthesia is wearing off and the pain meds will kick in,” the nurse explained. “I’ll be back in to keep checking on him and we have a nurse watching the monitors in case we’re needed.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” The nurse left, the door swinging shut behind him.
Becky sat on the edge of the bed, watching her son sleep. My little angel.
The door opened again, and someone entered. Becky twisted around, surprised to find Steve standing there, a stuffed teddy bear tucked under one arm and a large envelope in his hand.
“Hey there. How’s he doing?” Steve entered the room and crossed to the bed, placing his hand on her shoulder, offering comfort.
Becky was torn, her reaction to his presence both good and bad. Her heart skipped a beat, but then she remembered they weren’t together and there was nothing between them. And now wasn’t the time to focus on her feelings. “He’s doing great. He just got out of surgery, and he’s sleeping.”
“Wonderful news. Good to see you again, Kayla. I was glad to hear you’d be with Becky throughout this, knowing she’d need all the extra support she could get.”
“It’s nice to see you, too.” Kayla shot him a smile and then looked back at her.
Becky tried to wrap her head around the fact Steve had shown up today. “Wh…what are you doing here? And how did you get past the nurse’s station?”
“Well, about that…” He grinned. “I sort of told them I was your fiancé, and since they recognized me as a candidate for the D.A.’s office and our relationship is public knowledge, they sort of bent the rules for me.”
“Sort of? They must have missed the breakup part of the media hype. You always were a sweet talker and could get just about anything you wanted.” She shook her head, knowing she was one of those women he could sweet talk. Her heart ached for him each and every day, but it was over. And it was time her heart started agreeing with her brain. All of Steve Parker’s reasons for wanting to marry her no longer existed.
“Why don’t I head downstairs to the cafeteria and grab something to eat?” Kayla picked up her purse and headed for the door.
“You can stay.” Becky frowned, sending her friend a silent message.
“No, I’m good. I really need food.” And just like that, she was gone, leaving her and Steve alone. She couldn’t have been any more obvious.
Becky turned to Steve. “It’s sweet of you to come, but why are you here?” she asked.
“I promised Byron I would, and to offer you support. I would have been here earlier, but traffic was backed up on the interstate because of an accident. I got here as soon as I could.”
“But that promise was before…you know…the breakup.”
“A promise is a promise in my books.” Steve smiled. “But since we’re alone and he’s asleep”—he nodded toward Byron—“I need to tell you something. I’ve got some great news for you.” Steve had an air of excitement about him that echoed his words, his upbeat meter overflowing, looking handsome as ever. Her heart did a somersault just being in the same room with him.
“What is it?”
“It’s about Jack.”
Becky went into alert mode, not liking the subject matter one bit. “What about him?”
Steve set the bear on the bed for Byron and handed her the manila envelope he’d been carrying. “See for yourself.”
She pulled out the pages and glanced at them. Legal docs of some sort. Becky read the first couple of lines. “I don’t understand. How—” She got off the bed and moved toward the window, motioning for him to follow her across the room. Becky wanted to be out of earshot in case Byron woke up again.
“Jack’s release of parental rights. He’s all yours. And the how doesn’t matter.” Steve grinned as if he’d just given her the greatest gift ever. Which it was.
“It does matter. I love this, and it’s the best news ever, but this means you went to Jack. You promised you’d stay out of it. What happened to a promise is a promise?” She shook her head as she began to consider the repercussions of his news.
“I didn’t tell him anything you said to me. But the law is the law, and he needed to take responsibility for his actions, one way or the other. I confronted him with information I’d already guessed before you confirmed things, and he buckled under the pressure, admitting everything.
So, you see, the information came from him. And it was my job to handle the details.”
It was hard to believe Jack would just walk away completely, but now, her fear of him coming back into their lives was over. Jack was powerless. “What about your parents? Do they know? What stops them from trying to claim grandparent rights?”
“Also covered. Jack made me promise confidentiality going forward, but I was clear the grandparents weren’t part of the agreement. They deserved the truth. I talked to them yesterday but warned them to stay away from you and Byron unless you direct otherwise. You are in complete control. I wanted you in on any decisions made that would affect his future.”
He didn’t understand. Couldn’t understand what it was like to have the threat of someone taking your child away hanging over your head.
“And how’d they take that? They can squash someone like me.” She shook her head, her agitation growing as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what Steve had done.
“Someone like you? You’re strong, beautiful, confident, and one heck of a mama bear when it comes to her cub. They don’t stand a chance. Besides, I have their promise. In fact, it’s rather funny.”
She didn’t see an ounce of humor in the situation. “How so?”
“We both know the very idea would have been upsetting to them, but then the idea of being told they couldn’t have something made them want it more. I’m sure they will be more than accommodating to you and your family going forward. After all, you hold the keys to what they seem to think will be their only grandson.” He laughed.
This was something she would have never foreseen. Steve must be one heck of an attorney to not only elicit a promise from his parents, but then completely turn the tables. “Okay, sounds reasonable.” She let out a deep breath. “It’s a lot to take in, and I need to think about what this could mean, with or without them in Byron’s life. I’ve lived for so long without anyone knowing, it’s hard to suddenly have that change.”
“I understand. There’s one other thing. I wouldn’t have been doing my duty if I didn’t get this at the same time.” He handed her a check.
Her eyes widened as she noticed the amount…and it was written out to her. Signed by Jack. “Is this—”
“Child support. For the five years he was responsible for Byron before giving up his rights.”
“That’s a lot of money.” She couldn’t help the rush of excitement that sizzled through every pore of her body. This money could change everything. It would allow her the chance to do more for Byron, her mother, and her sister. It was a godsend.
“He doesn’t have a job, but I proposed a number I felt fair, and he was willing to accept my terms with the confidentiality clause.”
Becky had never been after money, with the exception of Byron’s surgery, but this…this was incredible. The real problem, however, was Steve.
He was doing his job. This was all about the law and nothing to do with her. She’d fallen in love with a man who saw life through dollar signs. Because there was no doubt in her mind that’s what had happened, because the ache she felt in the region of her heart could only be one thing. It was a good thing he didn’t know the truth.
“Thank you. It’ll come in handy.” She stepped closer to give him a hug, his arms coming around her automatically. It felt good to be back in his arms, and for a brief second, she wished she could stay there.
Someone came through the door and coughed. She turned to find her mother watching them with interest.
“Mom, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Of course I would. He’s my grandson. How is he?” She nodded toward the bed, crossing the room to stand by the bedside.
“He’s doing great. Sleeping but the doctor said he’ll go in and out a few times before he stays awake for any extended period.”
“Wonderful. It’s nice to see you here, Steve.” Her mother winked at him.
“Thanks. I should probably get going. I need to stop by the courthouse this afternoon and file this.” He held up the envelope. “Tell Byron I stopped in to check on him and that I’ll be back later.”
“Okay, and Steve, thanks.” Becky smiled. His generosity only ramped up the guilt she felt for not trusting him. She had to tell him the truth, but not now. Today was about Byron and not her mistakes.
“Anytime.” He dropped a kiss on Byron’s head.
“I wasn’t trying to run you off,” her mother said, her gaze going back and forth between them.
“You’re not. Have a nice day, ladies.” And then he was gone.
The sight of Steve kissing Byron’s forehead and the compassion in his eyes left her raw with emotion. Steve was caring and loving, and more like a father than Jack had ever been. He was a man she would be proud for her son to be just like.
“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but that sure didn’t look like a broken-up couple to me when I came through the door. Want to talk about it?”
“No. Yes. There’s something you should know, something I should have told you a long time ago. Jack Parker is Byron’s father.” It was easier just to say it and get it over with. She waited for the disappointment on her mother’s face, but it didn’t come.
“Honey, I was pretty sure it was him all along.”
“But you never said anything.” Becky gazed up at her in confusion.
“Didn’t have to. I’m your mother. Besides, the little JP in hearts written all over your notebooks was a giveaway. Especially when not long after that, they were blacked out with a marker and then you turned up pregnant. Honey, mistakes are made even when we have the best of intentions not to. My love for you has never been conditional. I figured if you wanted to tell me, you would.” Her mother’s soft smile was full of understanding.
“I couldn’t. His identity will remain confidential, but I want you to know why I couldn’t. I’m tired of running and hiding the truth. He blackmailed me into silence.” Becky’s vision blurred, her eyes glazing over with tears. It was over. The whole ordeal was over if Steve was to be believed.
“What? Oh, honey, you should have come to me. What a despicable thing to do.” Her mother stiffened, her brow drawn tight in anger. It was easy to see where Becky got her protectiveness of Byron.
“I couldn’t. He threatened to have his parents take Byron. And he was using you. Your job. He threatened to have you fired for theft and run out of town. He can’t do that now, though, can he?” She smiled, realizing it was true.
Not to mention the paper she held in her hand, courtesy of Steve. She didn’t like him taking matters into his own hands without her permission, but she also understood it was his job to uphold the law. It was hard to stay mad at the man.
“No, they can’t do a thing to me. There must be something we can do to stop the jerk. He shouldn’t be able to get away with this.”
“Steve just did.” She held up the papers. “Parental release forms. Jack gave up all rights to Byron and can’t touch him now. And get this, back child support for the five years he was responsible.” She handed the check to her mother.
Her shocked expression mirrored Becky’s own when she’d seen it. Fifty thousand dollars was a lot of money.
“That’s wonderful. And so is Steve. I’ve seen the two of you together. He cares about you. I think you should give him another chance.”
“He’s not asking for one.” Becky wanted him to, but she also knew how important the election and his career were to him.
“Don’t make another mistake and let the man get away,” her mother insisted.
“He’s a friend. I know you won’t like what I’m about to tell you, but the engagement was an arranged deal. He paid for Byron’s surgery, and in return, Steve got the poll ratings from having a family and appearing settled. Not to mention, he got a very sizable wedding present out of this. We both got what we needed, and that’s all it
ever was. Although, at the time, I didn’t realize he was helping the Cattleman’s Association.”
“I hate that you felt the need to lie about it. Although at times I wondered at the haste. But I also saw the way he looks at you and Byron when he thinks no one is watching. Make no mistake, he cares. A lot. Some men need a little help to figure out what’s important in life.”
“He’s a Parker, and we live in two different worlds. His life is in the city, and mine is in Riverbend.” Becky crossed the room to stand by Byron, picking up his hand, needing the connection.
“Him being a Parker should have nothing to do with it. He’s not Jack Parker, and that’s what matters. Those two brothers are as different as night and day. But it is nice to hear you call Riverbend your home. I’ve always known you wanted to leave and that when Byron came along, it smashed all your dreams.”
“Sometimes dreams change for the better.” Becky thought of the empty store on Main Street and sighed. She’d pictured it a hundred times before, all laid out perfectly as her own coffee shop. Someday maybe. Although the check for fifty grand she’d received would go a long way to making it a reality.
The nurse walked in, and all discussion ended. “I’m here to check his vitals.”
“Becky, why don’t you take a break and get something to eat or go outside for some fresh air? I’ll stay with Byron.”
“Thanks, Mom. That sounds like a plan. And by the way, what I told you has to remain a secret between us.”
“That’s fine, dear. Just think about what I said, though.”
Becky hurried out of the room, eager to find Kayla. She didn’t have a clue what to do about anything, part of which included the Parker parentals. They were, after all, Byron’s grandparents.
Chapter Twenty-One
Steve was sorry not to catch Byron when he was awake, but the trip to the courthouse and the call he’d scheduled on his way to Houston wouldn’t wait. He’d go back after, but duty called. Becky had said everything went well, the sense of relief overwhelming. In a short amount of time, the kid had crept into his heart. My nephew. It had a nice ring to it.