by Leah Braemel
What has changed? “Me. I grew up. Thanks to the help of some really good friends.” Like Paige. And CJ, who had become more than his mentor, he’d become a good friend too.
“You did a good job raising me, Momma.” For all her faults. But that made her human, because God knew he had enough faults of his own.
His mother clasped her hands together and heaved a relieved sigh he could feel even over the distance between them. “Thank you. It’s not easy being a parent. It’s not like a child comes with a manual. And when I had Ben I was little more than a child myself. Far too immature to take on such a responsibility. But you—you were my second chance. You were my angel baby.”
He let his gaze drift past his mother to where Paige now stood, no doubt wondering why he hadn’t yet joined the party. How much she’d heard, he wasn’t sure, but as if she knew what he was asking, she nodded so he returned his attention to his mother. Yeah, it was time to put the past behind him. To make things right again.
“You were what, seventeen when you found out you were pregnant with Ben, Momma?”
She nodded. “I turned eighteen right before I had him.”
“You must have been scared. Overwhelmed at such responsibility.”
“Yes. Oh yes.”
“I know how you must have felt. Because I’m twenty-nine. And I’m scared spitless I’ll screw up our baby’s life.”
Her head shot up as she stared at him. “What?”
He held out his hand.
Radiating love like a spotlight shone on her, Paige walked over, took it. Her eyes glistening, she splayed his hand over her still-flat belly. “I’m pregnant, Cissy. You’re going to be a grandmother.”
His mother pressed both hands to her mouth, her eyes wide, tears streaking down her cheeks, getting lost in her tangle of fingers. “Oh my God. Oh my God.”
Jake opened his free arm. “Come here, Gramma. Come say hello to your new grandbaby.”
Cissy fell into his arms, laughing and crying, asking the due date—October, whether they wanted a boy or a girl—it didn’t matter, how Paige was feeling—just fine, and getting the front of Jake’s shirt wet with tears.
It was a start. They’d still have rough patches no doubt, and in the middle of the night, or maybe when he felt his baby’s first kick, or watched his son or daughter take his first steps, say his first words, or maybe just watching them sleep without a care in the world, the darkness and doubts would creep back in. But as long as he had Paige with him, his family around him, he’d be fine. They’d be fine.
* * *
Surrounded by strangers and feeling like one himself, Gabe grabbed a bottle of Sam Adams from the cooler on the patio and wandered through the house and out into the parking lot. He nodded as he passed the two bus drivers, who had filled their plates and sat chatting and eating on the edge of one of the walls around the garden.
He paused when he saw the tight knot of Jake, Paige and Cissy, all hugging. A wide grin on Jake’s face. So they’d made up, though what had caused Jake’s one eighty change of direction when it came to his mother, Gabe could only wonder. Then Cissy hugged Paige then stroked her belly.
Ah. That explained both Jake’s turn-around and the wedding in Vegas.
He couldn’t help the spurt of jealousy at Jake’s success. Both in finding love and in his career.
As the trio broke up, he ducked behind the bus. While Jake was ready to forgive his mother, Gabe wasn’t so willing. Cissy Grady had made his life hell at times, this year had been no different. She’d taken every opportunity to remind him he didn’t belong, that he was a bastard. But when it came down to it, he really should thank her. Her attitude had doubled his resolve to prove her wrong. To become a man worthy of respect.
* * * * *
See how The Grady Legacy begins in Slow Ride Home—available now!
Book one of The Grady Legacy
Losing his father was hard enough, but now Ben Grady must face the fact that he and his brother may not be sole owners of their beloved ranch. To protect his family’s legacy, he’s forced to rely on the legal prowess of the woman who stars in his erotic fantasies: Allie O’Keefe. Ben’s never forgotten the illicit encounter they shared fifteen years ago—or forgiven himself for letting her go.
Allie thought she’d moved beyond the scandal that cost her Ben in the past. But working so closely with the seductive rancher arouses the wild child within the cautious woman she’s become. Though she tries to keep business and pleasure separate, Allie soon gives in to temptation, and discovers Ben’s sensual skills surpass even her X-rated memories...
Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers and much more!
Visit CarinaPress.com
We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/CarinaPress
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/CarinaPress
About the Author
Leah is the only woman in a houseful of males that includes her college-sweetheart husband, two sons, a Shih Tzu named Seamus and Turtle the cat. She loves escaping the ever-multiplying dust bunnies by opening up her laptop to write about sexy heroes and the women who challenge them. Reviewers have awarded Leah’s books numerous Top Pick and Recommended Reads designations as well as nominated them as Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance and Best Ménage à Trois or More. Leah has also been nominated as Favorite Author and Best Erotic Romance Author.
Where no great story goes untold.
The variety you want to read, the stories authors have always wanted to write.
With new releases every week, your next great read is just a download away!
Keep in touch with Carina Press:
Read our blog: www.CarinaPress.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CarinaPress
Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarinaPress
ISBN-13: 9781426898389
NO ACCOUNTING FOR COWBOYS
Copyright © 2014 by Leah Braemel
Edited by Angela James
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.
www.CarinaPress.com