by Holly Jaymes
She sat back. “Well, of course, it will be fine. But, where’s the father? Why are you leaving then?”
I didn’t want to go into it here, but I knew I needed to give her something.
“It’s a long story, but he’s not going to be involved.”
She leaned forward. “Why does he have the option to not be involved? Your father didn’t have that option when I got pregnant.”
“Dad knew he was the father, and he wanted to marry you.”
“What’s wrong with this man?” She stopped and thought for a moment. “He doesn’t believe he’s the father?”
“He thinks he can’t father children.”
She let out a bark of a laugh. “If he can ejaculate, he can have babies.”
“Mother!” I hissed. “The point is, if he doesn’t want the baby or me, then I don’t want to make him. I don’t need all that hassle. Not right now.”
“Does your brother know?”
“No. Just you and dad. Oh, and Victoria.”
“You told Victoria before me?” My mother’s expression was offended.
“I made her go get the pregnancy tests. It’s not like I could do it.”
She relaxed at that. “Her mother hasn’t said anything. I suppose she’s either keeping it a secret or Victoria hasn’t told her.”
That was the least of my concerns.
“Well, you can tell me all your plans, and I will give you my opinion on them during the flight to New York. I can’t go to London with you, but let’s face it, you’ll be sick of your old mom by then anyway.”
I laughed and reached out to take her hand. “Thank you, mom.”
I was halfway through my water when we were told the plane was ready.
“Let’s go, honey,” my mom said, finishing off her wine.
I stood, and like I was in some sort of rom-com, I looked into the terminal, hoping to see Wyatt running after me, begging me to come back with him. Wanting to have this baby with me. But of course, only business professionals were in the lobby. So, I turned and followed my mother to the mid-size private jet waiting for us to board.
Chapter 24: Going For Broke
Wyatt
After I got off the phone with my doctor, it only took a few minutes before I knew I had to go to Lily. The only problem was that I was on the last beer of a six-pack. I couldn’t drive like that. I considered asking Josh to come get me and drive me out to Pine Rest to her cabin, but making a drunken plea didn’t seem wise. So, I’d sleep it off and go see her tomorrow.
The next day, I rose foggy, but with water and pain reliever, I was ready to meet the day. I dressed in my uniform. No matter what, I had to go to work. And if I was lucky, it was true that women like a man in uniform. I knew I’d need all the help I could get to change her mind about me after the way I’d treated her.
When I arrived at her cabin in Pine Rest, her car wasn’t there, and I had a sinking feeling I was too late. I sat for a moment in my SUV, wondering what I should do. I could call her or text, but what if she told me to take a hike? I had a better chance of making my case face-to-face. No, my best option was to find out where she was. To do that, I needed to talk to her father.
I drove to the Sheriff’s station, psyching myself up for facing the man who’d see my actions as a betrayal and maybe even a violation of my work duty. I walked in, making a b-line to Sheriff Maddox’s office. I gave a short knock.
“Come in.”
I took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly as I prepared to meet the man who likely wanted to kill me.
I pushed the door open and stepped in.
He looked up, and his eyes went dark as night. I was well and truly fucked.
He stood and walked to me. I held my ground but prepared for anything. The truth was, if he hit me or fired me, it still would be less than I deserved.
“You have some fucking nerve.” He grabbed my shirt and shoved me back against the door, slamming it shut.
I held my hands out in surrender. “I know, sir.”
He pushed again and then released me. “I trusted you, Dalton, and what did you do? Jesus, not only did you knock her up, but you denied it. You’re a fucking fraud.”
I closed my eyes, hating that he was right. I opened them ready to take any insult or any assault he’d hurl at me.
“And now you saunter in here like nothing happened? Not giving a shit that my daughter has to raise a child on her own. If you think this town won’t learn about how you really are, you have another thing coming.”
“I know I was wrong, sir—”
“Wrong? You’re a disgrace as a human being.”
I swallowed. “I messed up. I want to make it right. I need to see her.”
He laughed derisively as he leaned his hip on the edge of his desk. “If you think I’m going to tell you where she is, you’re not just an asshole, you’re an idiot.”
I knew I had other options for finding her, although I wasn’t sure Victoria would tell me where Lily had gone either.
“I don’t get you, Dalton. You don’t use a condom and then act like you can’t be a father? Are you stunted at eighteen or something?”
“I thought I couldn’t, Sir. An injury.” I didn’t want to tell my boss about my dick problems.
“And now all of a sudden, you have a change of heart?”
“Yes. Please, Sir. Tell me where she is so I can fix this.”
He shook his head as he straightened and walked back behind his desk, sitting in the chair. “You know, the reason I don’t fire your ass right now is that I’m looking forward to making your life miserable working here. Starting by putting you on desk duty. How does that sound, Deputy Dalton?”
It sounded like shit. I took my holstered weapon off and set it on his desk along with my badge. “I quit.” I turned to leave the room.
“You’re still not seeing her,” he said as I walked out.
I headed straight out of the station and for my vehicle. I grabbed my phone and called Josh. “Do you know where Lily has gone?”
“Ah, no, but I can try to find out. Why?”
“I need to find her.” I climbed into my SUV. “I really fucked things up, Josh.”
“Yes, but you can fix it. Let me call Allie. She might know.”
“Thanks, man.” I pulled out of the parking lot and was heading out of town. She had to be leaving the area, and the fastest way to do that was an airport either in San Bernardino or Orange County. I was heading out of town when I realized I was in my Sheriff’s vehicle. I wondered how long before I was going to be pulled over and arrested for stealing it. Fuck it. I wasn’t going to waste time going back home to switch cars.
My phone rang. I pushed the button on the steering wheel to answer through Blue-Tooth.
“Hello fuckhead,” Victoria’s voice came over the line.
I grimaced but was ready for whatever she was going to do.
“I’m going to tell you where she is, but I wanted to do it myself, so I could first tell you what an A-one asshole you are.”
“I know.”
“Shut up, Wyatt. Lily is one of the sweetest people I know outside of my sister. And you …you’re a total dickhead.”
The inside of the car reverberated with her tirade, which I listened to knowing it was well short of what I deserved.
“If you hurt her again, I will personally castrate you.”
“I understand. Can you tell me where she is now?”
“She’s in San Bernardino. She’s flying private with her mom, so you’ll have to get to the FBO by noon.”
I looked at my watch. It was just after eleven, so it was going to be close.
“Thank you, Victoria.”
“Treat her right, Wyatt. I’m serious about chopping your dick off.”
I winced. “I will.” I poked the off button before she could threaten my dick more. Then I switched on my lights and siren and put the pedal to the metal as I drove like the wind toward San Bernardino.
It was
the longest drive I’d ever driven. Finally, I arrived at the airport, following the signs to the private plane terminal. I skidded to a halt in front, adding illegal parking to my list of infractions.
I rushed inside, making a b-line toward the back exit where the plans would be.
“Can I help you?” a woman who looked like she worked for the terminal stepped in front of me.
“I’m looking for Lily Maddox. She’s on a flight here.”
The woman looked at me, and I was sure I was going to end up arrested when I broke whatever security rules were in place when I rushed past her and out the back.
“Is she in trouble?”
I remembered I was in my uniform. “I just need to find her.”
Then because I couldn’t wait, I hurried past her, hoping I could find her before I was hauled off to jail.
Outside there were a couple of planes, but one was parked close, and the door was open. Reaching the top of the stairs was Lily.
Thank fuck. I ran full speed to the plane, stopping abruptly when one of the pilots stepped in front of me.
“I need to talk to Lily Maddox.” I tried to look like I was working and hoped to hell he didn’t ask to see my badge.
“I’m sorry but—”
“I’m sorry too,” I said as I pushed him aside and took the steps two-by-two. I had to duck my head slightly as I entered the main cabin. Good Christ, there she was.
She was sitting in one of the luxurious-looking seats, her legs curled under her as she looked out the window.
“What is the meaning of this?” another woman who’d been sitting on a couch asked.
Lily’s head turned toward me, and her eyes widened. “Wyatt.”
“You need to get off this plane, Sir. Or I’ll call security,” the pilot said from behind me.
“How long before they get here?” I asked.
“Minutes.”
“Then I have minutes to talk to you, Lily.” I moved toward her.
“Stop right there,” the woman, who had to be her mother, said.
“I’ll call security,” the pilot said.
“Let him say what he needs to say,” Lily said.
I’d gone over and over in my head what to say, but now that she was here, looking tired and sad, I was at a loss for words.
“I’m sorry.” That was a good start, I suppose, but not good enough. “I love you.” Better. I closed my eyes, working to calm my heart, make my brain start working.
“I think that’s too little too late. You need to go,” her mother stood, blocking my way. I wasn’t about to push her aside, but neither was I going to stop trying. The security people would have to drag my ass off this plane.
I looked around her. “I fucked up.” Shit, I shouldn’t have used the f-word. “I know that. I know that you’ll probably leave no matter what, but you need to know that I love you and the baby.”
“You don’t think it’s yours,” Lily said, and I realized that’s where her hurt really came from. It wasn’t just that I didn’t believe her. It was that I’d acted as if she’d been with someone else.
I sucked in a breath as I forced my brain to find the right words. “For so long, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to be a father. After the last surgery…I gave up. I didn’t know, Lily. I didn’t know that things were working down there, but now I do.” I was struck by a thought. “Oh shit, you’re a twin, aren’t you?” I looked to her stomach and then to her face. “There could be two in there. I didn’t think I’d ever have one, and maybe there are actually two.”
Her lips twitched up slightly at my crazed comment. She quickly squelched it. “You went to your doctor?”
I shook my head. “No. I talked to him, but I know the baby is mine because I know you. I forgot for a minute because I know Trask has been trying to win you back—”
She stood up. “There is no back, Wyatt! I was never his. Never with him.”
Fuck, I was messing this up.
“You said what you had to say. Now you can go,” her mother said, again getting in front of me.
I looked down at her for a moment and then to Lily.
“Tell me what you need to give me a chance? I’m desperate here, Lily. I’ve quit my job. I’m about to be hauled off by security and probably jailed for stealing a sheriff’s vehicle and impersonating a deputy.”
Her head jerked back, and her brows furrowed. “I told my dad not to do anything.”
“I quit. I’ll come with you. Whatever it takes to make this up to you, I’ll do it, just, please, give me a chance. I was a fool. I was hurt—”
“Hurt?”
I looked down. “Jealous. Trask was messaging you, and then he was here in person telling you he wanted you…and why wouldn’t you want him back? He’s a part of your world.” I motioned to the plane.
“You’re right,” her mother said. “I tried to be with a lawman, and it didn’t work. Our worlds are too different.”
“I’m not a lawman anymore, although unemployed might not be any better. I can cook, and I’m handy. You once said you’d like to have someone like that around.” God, I was grasping at straws.
Lily stood. “You can sit down, mom.”
Her mother gave me the evil eye but returned to her seat.
Lily came to stand in front of me. “You think I’m a woman that would keep a child from its father.”
“No. That was just me being stupid.” God, I wanted to touch her. “The truth is, Lily, since the cabin, I’ve wanted to find a way to make you stay, but didn’t think I’d be enough. And then I heard about the baby from Josh, and since you didn’t tell me, I didn’t know what to think. I know I handled it all wrong—”
She pressed her fingers over my lips. “You should have heard it from me. I’m sorry that happened. I didn’t think you wanted a child.”
“I do want a child. I’ve always wanted kids. I was told it wasn’t in the cards for me.” I looked her straight in her lovely violet eyes, hoping my child had those same beautiful hues. “I know that I hurt you, and it’s probably unforgivable. If that’s the case, I’ll learn to live with it. But I will be a part of our child’s life. I want to be there for all of it. So, if I have to go to New York or London or Timbuktu, I will.”
She let out a long sigh. “Oh Wyatt.” She shook her head, and I steeled myself for her rejection.
“You make it really hard not to love you.”
What? I swallowed. “Please tell me that’s good.”
A nanosecond later, her arms were around me, her lush body pressed against mine, her sweet scent all around me.
“I love you too, Wyatt.” She leaned back to look up at me. “But if you ever doubt me again—”
“It will never happen. Ever. I promise, Lily. Jesus, I love you so much.” Unable to stop myself, I kissed her.
“Ms. LeCoeur, we need to go now,” I heard someone say from behind me. “Security is on it’s way if this gentleman doesn’t disembark now.”
“Thank you. Mr…Wyatt, you really must go now.”
I pulled away. “Let me come with you. I don’t want to be away from you, Lily. Not ever.”
She shook her head and all the hope that had bloomed now wilted. She turned to her mother. “I’m staying here, mom. With Wyatt.”
Thank fuck. I tilted my head up in a silent prayer of thanks.
“Lily, I know this seems so romantic, but relationships require a lot more than love. Your father and I proved that.”
“I know, mom. But Wyatt and I have more than love.”
“A child isn’t a guarantee, honey.”
“It’s not the baby.” Lily looked at me, and the love in her eyes took my breath away. “Wyatt gave up his job and home to be here. To be with the baby and me.” She turned her head to her mom. “You and dad couldn’t do that. Your careers and goals were bigger than your love.”
“What about your career?” her mother asked. I wanted to tell her to shut up, but I had to know too.
“What I want to
do, I can do from anywhere. Even in Eden Lake. The baby’s family is there too, including a cousin on the way.” She smiled at me. Then she leaned over and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.
“Lily.” I thought my heart would come out of my chest. The emotion welled until I felt tears in my eyes.
“Let’s go home, Wyatt.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I led her out of the plane, passing a couple of security folks. They stopped short, but Lily sent them on their way.
As we walked back to my illegally parked SUV, I kept having to look at her, not quite believing I’d succeeded.
I opened the door for her to help her in.
“Sir. Her bags.” A man who worked for the terminal rushed out with her suitcases. I shoved them in the back and then made my way to the driver’s side and climbed in.
“Are you really going to be arrested for taking this car?” she asked, her eyes alight with humor.
“It’s possible. I’m hoping the fact that you’re with me will give me a reduced sentence.”
She grinned.
“Since I’ve broken the law already, we might as well go for broke, right?”
“Okay.”
“Put on your seatbelt, baby.” I turned on the lights and siren again, but I drove the speed limit because I had my family in the car.
Chapter 25: Arrested
Lily
My mother was right. Love wasn’t enough. But it was a start. The fact that both Wyatt and I were willing to make sacrifices my parents weren’t told me we would have a better chance than they would.
I laughed as Wyatt turned on the lights and siren on the way back. “Did you show up to the airport lights blazing?”
“I did. I think I averaged a hundred miles per hour too.”
“Why are we going the speed limit then?” I wanted to know what it was like to speed along the road.
He reached over and took my hand. “Speeding is dangerous. I have to protect my family.”
There was so much emotion in his eyes, and I realized at that moment just what all this meant to him. He’d been resigned to never have children, so it must have been a heady realization that he could procreate. I squeezed his hand, loving that he was accepting me, accepting our baby as his.