by Carrie Elks
She pressed her lips together. That was old news. It didn’t matter anymore. Shaun was gone. But Carl… he was a whole other problem.
“Court?” Carl’s voice echoed over the speaker. Then she heard a buzz. “It’s open, come on up.”
He lived on the second floor. Rather than take the elevator, she climbed the stairs, then walked down the hall to number 23. Rapping on the door, she squared her shoulders. She wasn’t looking forward to this at all.
He opened the door and stepped back to let her in. His apartment was clean and well-furnished, with a long black leather sofa on one wall and a huge flat screen on the other. She took a look at him. He was wearing dark colored jeans and a black t-shirt, his hair wet as though he’d stepped out of the shower.
“You want a drink?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m not staying long. I just wanted to talk to you after the other day in the square.”
“Yeah, about that. I should have called you. I’m sorry. I just saw him and the red mist descended.”
“You behaved like an idiot,” she told him. “It was horrible and embarrassing. And Logan didn’t deserve that. You’re lucky he didn’t report you.”
Carl looked down at his bare feet. “Yeah, I know.”
“And you upset me.”
His head tipped up. “I never wanted to do that. Never,” he said, his voice urgent. “I want to protect you. He knocked you up, Court. He needs to know the consequences.”
“I think he knows them,” she told him.
“Is he gonna marry you? Take care of you?”
She exhaled softly. “I can take care of myself. But he wants to be a father to the baby, yes. We’re talking about joint custody.”
“The baby deserves a full time father,” Carl told her. “Not some guy who just flies in when he wants to.”
“How do you know so much about Logan?” she asked suspiciously.
Carl looked away from her. “I’ve heard some things. I don’t like the sound of him.”
“He’s a good man. And he’ll be a good father.” She sighed. “So I’d really like you not to hit him again.”
Carl looked at her through narrowed eyes. “Okay,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ll be nice, for your sake. But if he hurts you, I’m gonna hurt him back. Just so you know. You’re family, Court, whether you like it or not. And I owe it to Shaun to take care of you.”
“I told you before, I don’t need your protection. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. No more threats, Carl, and no more punches, okay?” She sighed. “Because if you hurt this baby’s father, you’ll be out of my life.” She glanced at her watch. “And now I need to go. I have a hundred things to do at the farm. Are we good?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, we’re good.”
Courtney nodded, even though he looked anything but good. She didn’t need any more trouble from him. She had enough of it, in the form of the little strawberry growing inside of her, and it’s father. The man who set her on fire even though he shouldn’t.
It was hard enough fighting herself. She didn’t have the energy to fight anybody else.
Chapter Fifteen
Courtney’s lips curled into a smile as she parked in the town square and climbed out of her old truck, turning to look at the giant Christmas tree in the center of the square. It was festooned with red, green, and white sparkling lights. Perched at the top was an oversized star that looked almost precarious. The rest of the square was decorated as well – with bright lanterns hanging from the oak branches, and a Christmas garland hanging from the bandstand roof. Inside was a sleigh and three comical looking reindeer, ready for the weekend before Christmas when Santa was due to visit the children of the town.
A biting wind was blowing from the west, making her pull her padded coat tightly around her. At three months pregnant, she couldn’t do it up anymore, it was too tight at the waist. But she couldn’t bring herself to purchase a new one either.
Not when she wanted to decorate the nursery she was putting together in the spare room of her little cottage.
“Hi. It’s Courtney, right?”
Courtney turned to see a woman standing to her left, her hands curled around a double stroller. Two little boys were sitting inside, wearing matching padded jackets, wooly hats, and gloves.
“Hi.” Courtney winked at the little ones, then looked at their mom.
“I hope you don’t mind me introducing myself, but I saw you walking this way and thought it would be rude not to,” she said warmly. “I’m Maddie.” She leaned forward to shake Courtney’s hand. “I think we’re going to be kind of related, aren’t we?”
“Kind of,” Courtney said shyly. “You’re Gray Hartson’s wife, aren’t you?”
“Fiancée.” Maddie grimaced. “With these two little monkeys I haven’t had time to arrange the wedding. We keep talking about eloping to Vegas.” She brought her gaze up to Courtney’s. “Anyway, how are you doing? And congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Courtney smiled. “I’m doing good. Just slipping into the second trimester, which everybody tells me is a breeze compared to the first.”
“It is,” Maddie agreed happily. “Though the third is worse.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Uh oh, ignore me. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to tell you that. I feel like I’ve broken some kind of code.”
Courtney couldn’t help but laugh at her dismayed expression. “It’s okay. It’s nice to have somebody who knows how it really is. Apart from the animals on my farm, I haven’t come into contact with that many pregnant women.”
“In that case, we should meet up some time. I can give you all the secrets.” Maddie grinned. “And I know the best places to shop for baby stuff, too. If you want any company.”
It was impossible not to be drawn in by her warmth. “I’d love that.”
Maddie leaned forward, rifling through the bag hanging from the stroller. “My phone is in here somewhere,” she muttered, digging her hands deeper. “Give me your number and we’ll arrange to meet.” She looked up, her brow furrowed. “Or maybe I should give you mine. I know my phone’s in here somewhere, but damn if I can find it.” She reeled off her number and Courtney keyed it into her own cell.
“I’ll message you now,” Courtney said, tapping out a quick text. As soon as she sent it, a loud buzz came from deep in the stroller. Maddie sighed, pushing her hand down the back of one of the twins. “Here it is. I remember now. I gave it to Marley to keep him quiet. Good thing he didn’t drop it.” She leaned closer. “Don’t tell anybody I give my sons electronics, okay?” Maddie mock-whispered. “I’ll get thrown out of mother and baby club.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Courtney said grinning.
“I should get these two into the warm,” Maddie said, ruffling the tops of the boys’ hats. “It was so nice to meet you. I’ll message you about that shopping date, okay?”
“Great.”
Courtney watched as Maddie struggled with the stroller, having to turn it sideways to manage her way into the diner. And with that grin still on her face, Courtney walked over to the I Can Make You Beautiful salon, where she had a date with Lainey, a mug of steaming hot chocolate, and a pedicure waiting.
One day in, and this second trimester thing felt like a breeze.
I got the brownies. And the carrot cake. And the red velvet cake. Thank you. I’m about to go into a sugar coma. - C
Logan read Courtney’s message on his phone and smiled.
I wanted to give you a choice. I read that cravings can change over time. If you start wanting to eat charcoal or something, let me know. I have contacts. - L ;)
“Table three are being assholes,” one of the waitresses said, carrying a tray full of food back in to the chef, making Logan lift his gaze from his phone screen. “The steak is apparently too well done, and nobody’s gonna eat until it’s ready.” She sighed. “Sorry.”
The chef caught Logan’s eye. “The steak was perfect. Med
ium rare.” He grabbed an oversized knife and sliced through the meat, picking it up to show Logan. “See?”
Logan nodded. “It’s not you, it’s them. But the customer is always right. Cook another one and send it out.” He looked back at the waitress. “Is it the table in the corner?”
“The one with the eight suits. Yeah.”
“If they give you any more trouble, let someone know.” Logan nodded at her.
There was always one table that got out of hand during the holiday season. Usually because office parties began halfway through the day with drinks, then led to meals out, where people tried to one up each other with assholery. On the plus side, they nearly always gave good tips. He hoped the waitress would find it worth it.
“Thanks.” She gave him a tight smile. “But I can handle them.”
“Okay.” He grinned at her. “In that case, I need to head across town.” With things being so crazy he tried to visit each restaurant at least twice a week during service, as well as working on the renovation of their latest venture. He couldn’t remember the last time he didn’t eat on the go. Each night he’d crawl into bed sometime after two in the morning, his body aching from being up since eight the previous day.
It was manic, but this was the restaurant business. He really didn’t have a choice.
When he climbed into his car, he saw Courtney had replied.
No coal yet, but it’s still early. Thank you for trying to fulfill all my needs though. - C ;)
His skin heated up as he thought about the need he really wanted to fulfill. He shook his head at himself, a half-smile pulling at his lips. The poor woman was pregnant. She’d only just stopped throwing up at the drop of a hat. She didn’t need him lusting after her.
Yet he did. All the damn time.
He flicked the Bluetooth button on his car, and said her name. The next moment he could hear the ring of his phone echoing through the stereo speakers.
“Logan?”
“I’m driving, so I thought I’d call instead of messaging.” And if he got to hear her smooth-as-honey voice? All the better.
“You still working?” she asked softly.
“Yeah. Busiest time of the year.”
“It’s our quietest.” There was a smile in her voice. “Yet at the same time we kind of fulfill the same aim, don’t we?”
“Do we?” That half-smile was still lingering. It always did when he talked to her.
“We feed people. I grow it, you cook it. Same kind of thing.”
Weird how warm that made him feel. “Have you been working today?”
“A little,” she told him. “I had to repair some fences. Literally not metaphorically.” She laughed, and it made his body feel tighter. “But then I slept all afternoon. I don’t know why but I’ve been exhausted these past few days. I thought the second trimester was supposed to be easier.”
He frowned, coming to stop at a four way. “Are you okay? Did you talk to the doctor?”
“I’m fine. And if I called the doctor every time I was tired I’d end up having to remortgage the farm.”
“You know you don’t have to worry about money, right? If you need to call, you call.”
“Thank you. But really, it’s to be expected. My work is physically hard even at this time of year. Add that to the pregnancy, and being tired is par for the course. I’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep.”
A car honked its horn and he realized it was his turn to pull out. He lifted a hand in apology and crossed the intersection. “I should be back home for a couple of days next week. I’ll come and check on you.”
“I thought it was your busiest time?”
Logan blinked. It was, but the need to see her overrode anything else. The business, Paris’s anger, his brothers’ amusement. “It’s just for a couple of days. I have business to take care of there,” he said smoothly. It wasn’t a lie. She was his business, wasn’t she?
Or their baby was at least. And since she was the one carrying their child, then she was his concern, too.
“Maybe I can take you out somewhere,” he suggested. “Make sure you’re eating properly.”
Her laugh was soft. It did things to him. “I’ll never say no to food right now.”
“Okay. I’ll send you some details. Now go to bed and get some sleep.”
“You’re bossy.”
“Get used to it.” He stopped at a red light. Glancing out of the side window, he caught his reflection in the glass. He was grinning from ear to ear.
“Good night, Logan. And thanks again for the sweets. Even if my behind doesn’t thank you.”
An image of her naked ass flashed through his brain. He had to blink to get it away. “Sleep tight, Courtney.”
“I will. Don’t work too hard.”
“I’ll try not to.” The light turned to green as he ended the call, his mouth dry as thoughts of her rushed through his mind.
Don’t work too hard. If he didn’t know better, he’d say she cared.
And it made him feel like a damn teenager inside.
Chapter Sixteen
“Don’t sit down,” Lainey said as Courtney walked into the salon. “I’m taking you into the treatment room. You have parts I need to wax.”
Courtney blinked. Her body was shocked by the sudden warmth of the salon compared to the ice cold air outside. “I don’t need anything waxed. Nobody is going to see it,” she protested as Lainey led her to the room at the back of the salon.
“You’re going on a date tonight. There’s no way I’m letting your lady garden look like the invasion of the yetis.”
“It’s not a date.” Courtney frowned. “We’re just going out for dinner.”
Lainey slid Courtney’s too-small coat from her shoulders. “Oh my god!” she said, looking down at her stomach. “You have a bump.” She scooted down and pressed her hands against Courtney’s abdomen, though her sweater was so thick she could barely feel Lainey’s touch. “Is the baby kicking yet?”
“I won’t feel anything for a few more weeks,” Courtney told her. “But I feel like I’ve exploded. Nothing fits. I swear this isn’t supposed to happen for at least another month.”
Lainey looked up at her with a solemn expression. “It’s twins. For sure.”
“Shut up. You know we checked for that.” Courtney bit down a grin.
“Did you hear what happened to Maddie Hartson? She didn’t know she was having twins until she gave birth. Maybe that’s what’s happening here. Baby two could be hiding.”
Courtney sighed at her friend’s teasing. “Can you shut up and wax me, please?”
Lainey grinned, rubbing her hands together. “I thought you’d never ask. Now go and get changed. The gown and paper pants are all ready for you.” She leaned forward to kiss Courtney’s cheek. “Don’t worry, by the time he picks you up for this date I’ll have you looking like a bombshell.”
“It’s not a date,” Courtney reminded her, as she walked behind the screen. She hated getting changed at this time of year. In the summer, it was as simple as pulling off a dress. But peeling her clothes off in winter felt like a daunting task. Each time she took off a layer there was another underneath.
“Sure it isn’t,” Lainey called out, her voice full of amusement. “But let’s get you hair free just in case.”
Courtney stared at herself in her bedroom mirror, angling her body so she could check out her dress in the too-small glass. She’d bought it from Laura’s Boutique in the town square, having found it on the sale rack. It wasn’t a maternity dress – she wasn’t ready for that yet – but it was made of a soft cream jersey and it skimmed her curved stomach.
She hadn’t bothered doing anything with her hair, opting to let it tumble down over her shoulders. It was thick enough at the best of times, but right now it felt like more of a mane than her crowning glory. The hairs she used to have to pick up off the bathroom floor every time she washed it had been non existent in the past few weeks. According to the website she was
following, that was normal. The body liked to hold onto everything during pregnancy, including her thick brown strands.
Logan had texted earlier to tell her he’d landed and would be over at eight to pick her up. The thought of seeing him again made her body tingle. For all she’d protested to Lainey yesterday that this wasn’t a date, she still felt edgy and excited.
And yeah, her heart was speeding way too fast.
She made a face at herself in the mirror. “Co-parents,” she said out loud. That’s what they would be. He was here to talk details about the baby. Not to spend time with her.
Hearing the crunch of tires on the gravel path, she walked down the stairs and opened the door. Logan was climbing out of the sleek black rental, a dark suit molded to his muscled body. His gaze caught hers and he smiled.
Her heart skipped like a record on repeat.
“Hey.” His voice was soft as he reached the porch. He almost ran up the stairs before he pressed his lips to her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
She felt her skin heat up under his lips. “Thank you.” She lifted an eyebrow. “You look pretty good yourself. Nobody would ever believe you’ve been on a plane for hours.”
“It’s not that long.” He shrugged. “And I’m used to traveling.” He inclined his head at the car. “You ready to go?”
“Let me grab my coat. It’s cold out tonight.”
“I heard there might be some snow.”
“I heard that, too.” She pulled on her coat and stepped outside, the biting cold wrapping around her. “It’s the chickens I feel sorry for. They hate the cold.”
Logan followed her glance. “Is the one that scratched me still in there?”
“Hester?” She grinned. “Oh yeah. She still rules the roost. Literally.”
He wrinkled his nose, amusement curling his lips. “I don’t mind if that one gets cold. I’ll save my sympathy for the rest.”
“She’s a doll, really,” Courtney told him. She pulled the front door closed and tried not to shiver as he slid his arm around her waist, gently guiding her down the stairs. “You should wear that scar with pride. If she scratches you, she likes you.”