A Cowboy's Secret Baby

by Savannah McCarthy

  It was the first shred of normalcy he had experienced in God-knows how long.

  He handed off the batter to Liz and started chopping a fresh apple on the counter. Bindi searched the fridge for syrup. The sizzling smell of pancakes filled the bright summer morning. A radio was turned on. Country music starting drifting through the kitchen. Wyatt’s hand found Liz’s and the two of them started dancing. He gazed into her eyes and tried to silently communicate that it was all going to be alright. Bindi tugged at his pants and made it a point that she wanted the next dance. Liz laughed and grabbed the little girl’s hand and together they skipped in a circle while breakfast cooked away behind them.

  They gobbled up the meal in the living room, gazing out over the sweet prairie. By the time their plates were empty, Wyatt was as determined as ever. This was what he was fighting for, he realized, and it was more than worth it.

  This upcoming time apart was going to be hard, but now he had a clear picture of what waited for him on the other side. Liz, Bindi, breakfast, Gold River Ranch. It was all within his reach. He just had to deal with one last piece of business.

  After breakfast, Bindi jumped around, spouting off any and everything she wanted to do during the rest of the day. Liz assured her that they’d try their best and told the excited little girl to go wash up in the bathroom.

  “She’s wearing the same clothes from yesterday,” Liz tsk tsked. “What a horrible mother I am.”

  Wyatt leaned over the couch and slunk down onto her. “You’re an amazing mother. The best, if I do say so myself.” He kissed her cheek and then gave her some space. “We’ll go shopping before we head out for the day. There are plenty of children’s clothing stores here.”

  He watched Liz gaze off into the distance. The sea of wild grass outside rippled softly in the wind. The sky was blue, the sun was bright. Wyatt felt happy.

  “What about your retirement?” Liz eventually asked, breaking the content stalemate.

  Wyatt bit his lip. He hadn’t had much time to think about that yet. “I guess I’ll just go on like I’m playing this season. I think it’s best for our little ‘story’ if Alec thinks I’m running back to the limelight.”

  “But have you thought any more about it. If all goes according to plan, are you going to be playing next season?”

  Wyatt sighed and took Liz’s hand. “I don’t know. You’ve made me feel so much better. Three days ago, I was seriously thinking of calling it quits, maybe playing one more season and then stopping forever, but since we came across each other at your pond, I’ve been feeling like I can take on the whole world. I’m in this weird spot of knowing you’re the reason why I’m even feeling good enough to consider playing again, and not wanting to play again for the exact same reason. It’s very confusing.” Wyatt chuckled. “The one thing I know for sure is that I want things to work out between us this time, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

  “I don’t want you to stop playing hockey because of me,” Liz whispered. Wyatt brushed her hand reassuringly.

  “Whatever decision I make, it’ll be mine. It’s about time I take my life back, I’ve been out of control for far too long.” He kissed the back of Liz’s hand just as his phone buzzed alive.

  He reluctantly pulled away and opened it up. An email from his head of security greeted his eyes. Inside was only a link and a single sentence. Wyatt clinked on the link and was led to a social media account that only had one posting on it.

  Time to finish some unfinished business.

  Wyatt looked up at the avatar above the message and sneered. It was a picture of Alec Garland. He closed the link and read his head of security’s accompanying sentence.

  It’s time to go.

  Wyatt took one last look around the cozy cabin and swore to himself that he would start a home here someday.

  He stood up from the couch and looked down at Liz. She was practically glowing in the morning light.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, standing up beside him.

  Wyatt nodded. “It will be.” He kissed Liz on the lips and Bindi came hopping back into the living room. He bent down to her level and gestured for a hug. He didn’t have to ask twice. Bindi bounded into his arms and gave him a warm hug that filled him with strength and determination. He was going to be back, he had to be, he needed this.

  He stood up and held the hands of the two most important people in his world. He let himself calm down before giving Liz the look.

  “It’s time,” he said.

  She just nodded.

  And with that, they put their plan into action.

  Chapter 17

  Elizabeth

  It had been over a week since that wonderful pancake breakfast at Sweet Prairie Manner.

  It was the only goodbye Bindi and Liz got. They couldn’t see Wyatt off to the airport without arousing suspicion, so they just hugged and said see you on the other side.

  Liz had even made a point of storming out of the cabin like she was angry, just in case someone was watching.

  That first unsure night apart was a far cry from the peaceful slumber she had found at the cabin in Gold River. She tossed and turned under her sheets, trying to listen for Bindi’s reassuring breaths, but her little girl was too far away to ease her mother’s anxiety. At their Watford residence, Bindi and Liz had their own separate rooms, and though Liz had tried to cajole her daughter into sleeping in her bed—just like old times—Bindi was growing far too independent for that. The little girl relished her little slice of privacy; Liz didn’t push too hard.

  Things had gotten easier since then. That magical human trait to be able to adapt to any of life’s surprises settled in and before long, the hot summer days were blending into each other again.

  Liz had tried her best to avoid the tabloids and gossip rags that had followed her and Wyatt’s ‘falling out’. Early on, she had made the mistake of checking up to see if their plan was working—it didn’t take long for her to confirm that it was. Mean articles, sprinkled with disgusting comments, were being shared all over the internet. In the eyes of the general public, Wyatt was the innocent golden boy who had survived a great tragedy, while Liz was an evil witch who wouldn’t accept his love. It broke her heart to be cast as the ‘bad guy’, but she knew it was for the best. Her and Bindi were safest if no one wanted anything to do with them.

  Still, Liz had quit social media by the middle of the week for her own mental health and was now doing everything in her power to distract herself from the fall out. That included lots of activities with Bindi. The special security forces that watched over them were so good at staying out of their way that Liz often forgot she was even being watched. She was at least thankful for that. Bindi had no idea what was going on; the little girl was as happy as a clam, though she clearly missed Wyatt.

  “Will he be there?” she asked Liz as they pulled up to her parents’ place on the other side of Watford.

  Liz could only shake her head. “I’ve told you, honey. Wyatt’s away on business. He sends his love though.”

  “Tell him I send my love too!” Bindi insisted.

  “I promise.” Liz knocked on the front door and they were almost immediately greeted by her mother.

  “Grandma!” shouted Bindi, leaping forward into her grandmother’s legs.

  “My sweet little pumpkin!” Liz’s mom, Alice, returned the greeting. When the two of them got done with their embrace, Liz gave her mom a much gentler hug. They all went inside and were greeted again by a booming hello from Liz’s dad, James, who was out in the back, chopping wood. Bindi ran outside to see him while Liz and Alice went to the kitchen to unpack the groceries Liz had brought over.

  “How have you been, sweetpea?” Alice asked Liz. They had talked on and off for the past week—mostly over the phone—clearly avoiding the elephant in the room. Liz didn’t want to lie to her mother, but she was also getting lonely. She craved her mother’s love so much that when her and Bindi were invited over
for dinner, she couldn’t say no.

  “You know,” Liz shrugged. It was no secret that Alice read all the gossip magazines, she’d be knee-deep in the scandalous news. Liz appreciated that she was showing some restraint.

  Alice rubbed her daughter’s back gently and gave an impressed chuckle at the groceries. “Well, a good feast should get you back into high-spirits. Who needs a man when you have pot roast!”

  Liz could only laugh at that. “I still think it’s weird you wanted to do pot roast. It’s a wintertime meal!”

  “I just wanted to do something special. I’m sure you’ve had a hard week and I know how much you love pot roast.”

  Liz sighed and leaned on her mother’s shoulder. Alice was right, it had been a hard week, but not for the reasons she probably suspected. “Thanks, mom” Liz said, and Alice kissed her on the forehead.

  “I wish you and Bindi would come over more often. It gets so quiet around here. We miss the mess you make!”

  “I bet you won’t be saying that after tonight!” Liz laughed. “There’s going to be a whole lot of dishes to clean.”

  “I’ll take care of them. You need to rest. Why don’t you go out back with Dad and I’ll get started here?”

  Liz smiled and shook her head. “I will go say hi to Dad, but don’t think you’re going to get away with slaving over a hot stove all by yourself. I’m going to help, whether you like it or not!” She pointed a stern, playful finger at her mother and they both giggled. Liz heard Bindi screech with joy out back and went to her.

  “Hey!” her father bellowed when he saw his daughter walk outside. The warm afternoon sun washed over Liz as she waved back. James had Bindi wrapped up in a tickle embrace, but he let her loose at the sight of her mother’s approach. “Looking good!” he boomed.

  Liz rolled her eyes and went to hug her father. He was sweaty from his wood chopping but she didn’t mind. She had missed the unconditional love that filled up her old home more than she cared to admit.

  “How are you doing?” he asked, with a tinge of concern in his voice. “You’re mother told me what happened...”

  Liz cut him off. “I’m fine, Dad. Bindi and I have been having the time of our lives.”

  “Better get your time in with her now, before the school year starts. God, I remember when you started first grade... and now you’re a teacher!” The goofy, hard-nosed man wiped at his cheeks and looked past Liz to Bindi. “She’s a great girl, you know. You’re doing an amazing job raising her.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Liz was trying to play it cool, but her eyes were starting to water from the sudden upswell of emotions. She wiped her cheeks and turned away from her Dad. Together, they watched Bindi chase a butterfly around the backyard.

  “Working up and appetite, huh?” Liz finally said, gesturing towards James’ axe and wood stump.

  Her dad rubbed his belly. “I heard we’re having pot roast.”

  Liz laughed and shook her head. “You don’t think it’s too hot for pot roast?”

  James wrapped his arm around Liz’s shoulder and rocked her back and forth. “All I know is that it was always your favourite, and so that makes it the perfect meal.”

  Bindi skipped by, giggling in the sunshine. James gently grabbed her arm, and with one fell swoop scooped her up into his arms. Bindi yelled playfully. “Ahh, the giant’s got me!” With his other arm, James pulled Liz close. “I’ve got the two of you now and I’m never letting you go!”

  Liz closed her eyes and drank in the love. Her heart hurt at the thought of not being able to provide this level of affection for her own daughter. She was doing the best she could on her own, but she knew two parents could do better than one—at least, as long as they loved and respected each other.

  She sighed and thought about Wyatt. This is all for the best, she told herself. Once this is over, Bindi and I can have the perfect life. We just have to make it through to the end.

  Liz played around in the back a little more with Bindi and her father, before heading inside to help her mom with dinner. The two-woman talked on and off as they prepared the meal. Liz could tell her mom was trying very hard not to pry; she appreciated the effort and tried her best to steer the conversation towards Bindi. Her mom loved talking about Bindi, and making comparisons between her daughter and granddaughter was one of her favourite things to do.

  “Oh, you two are more alike than you think!” Alice said as they set up the table. Liz knew it was true, but she didn’t want to think about what that meant either.

  Together, the four of them had a wonderful little dinner. They reminisced about old times and talked about Bindi’s future. It was a big deal that their granddaughter was about to start 1st grade and they couldn’t get enough of Bindi’s stories about Gold River Ranch and all the new friends she had made at the daycare center.

  They all ate well and then they sat around talking until Bindi started to peter out. “We should probably get going,” Liz said, holding up her daughter’s heavy head with her palm. With that, Alice packed up a few containers worth of leftovers and walked her two precious little girls to the front door.

  “Thank you so much for coming over,” she said, kissing them each on the forehead after big long hugs. “We love having you.”

  “We love coming over,” Liz assured her, hugging her dad goodbye. “Thank you for having us.” She looked down at Bindi. “What do we say, Bindi?”

  “Thank you for having us. Love you,” yawned the little girl. James picked her up and gave her a big bear hug and Alice joined in. Crickets chirped outside and a steamy breeze met them on the other side of the door.

  “Bye!” Alice waved from the doorway.

  “Bye Bye!” Bindi waved back.

  “See ya! Thanks again for dinner!” Liz added.

  “Have a safe drive!” both of her parents said at the same time. “Let me know when you guys are home!” added her mother.

  “Will do.”

  And with that, they were off. The warmth of the little visit stayed with of Liz for the whole drive home. A small smile was stuck on her lips as she pulled into her driveway and unbuckled Bindi. She needed to see her parents more, she realized. True love was so precious, whether it was from a significant other or your own parents. Liz decided that she was going to make more of an effort to include her mom and dad in her life. Being independent was one thing, but it didn’t mean she had to be distant.

  She helped Bindi wash up and change into her PJs, then she put the little girl to bed and went to the living room to decompress. She sunk into the couch and looked for a good book to get lost in.

  Before she could get to reading though, she remembered her mom had asked her to text when she had arrived at home safely. Liz opened her phone and composed a message.

  Thank you so much for dinner, Mom. Bindi and I had an amazing time. We need to do it more often. Thanks for everything. I love you.

  She hit send and closed her eyes, reveling in the warmth of her parents’ love.

  She was quickly shocked back to attention when her phone began buzzing.

  She checked the screen and was shocked by the name on the caller ID.

  It was Wyatt.

  She hesitated to answer, not because she didn’t want to speak to him, but because she was feeling so full of love that she was immediately tempted to tell him everything. She wanted to get her secret off her chest and find out once and for all if she could provide the same kind of home for Bindi that her parents had provided for her.

  She hovered her thumb over the ‘accept-call’ icon, before a response text from her mother popped up over Wyatt’s name.

  It was our pleasure, sweetie. We always love seeing you. Sometimes, you’re too independent for your own good. Let us take care of you! Love you.

  Liz smiled at the message. Her nerves eased. She clicked aside her mother’s text and answered Wyatt’s call.

  Chapter 18

  Wyatt

  “Hey.”

  Her voice filled his chest
with warmth and made him take a deep breath.

  “Hey,” he answered back. “How are you doing?”

  Liz hesitated for a moment on the other end of the line. Wyatt heard her sigh and sink down into whatever piece of furniture she was sitting on. He wanted to be next to her so badly.

  “Honestly, not bad,” Liz said, and Wyatt believed her. “Bindi and I just got back from a nice little dinner with my parents. I’d forgotten how nice it was to be around them.”

  “You’re parents are amazing people,” Wyatt replied. “I could never understand why you didn’t want to spend more time with them.”

  Liz giggled and Wyatt’s heart fluttered. “Just stupid reasons, you know?” she laughed. “I could be so stubborn back in the day.”

  “Tell me about it,” Wyatt chuckled.

  “Careful there, mister,” Liz warned him playfully.

  Wyatt sunk down into his own chair and looked out of his window. Downtown Toronto sparkled outside like an urban fairyland.

  “I miss you already,” he admitted, catching his lonely reflection in the glass.

  “I miss you too,” Liz sighed.

  “How are the feds treating you?” Wyatt asked, referring to the security detail he had kept back in Watford to look after Liz and Bindi.

  “They’ve mostly left me alone—I can barely even tell they’re there half the time—though I get updates in email form every once in a while. It’s weirdly re-assuring, in a dystopian kind of way.”

  “Yeah, I’ve got some of them hanging around me here too, just in case. I’d rather just be alone with you and Bindi, but I guess that’s the goal we’re trying to get to, right?”

  “Yeah,” Liz answered. A calm silence filled the conversation. “Have you heard anything about Alec?” she finally asked.

  Wyatt rubbed his temples. “Not really. He still hasn’t checked in with his probation officer, which means he’s officially on the run. That’s sort of good news—if you want to put a positive spin on it—because it means when he’s caught, he’ll immediately go to jail.”