Want Me (Coopers Creek Book 3)

by Bronwen Evans

  “Okay.”

  “I’m in Denver. I’ll get the soonest flight I can, but that might be hard with the holiday traveling.”

  “Denver? Why?”

  Anna said, “I’ll talk to you about it when I get there.”

  “All right.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Okay. Be careful.” He sounded tired now.

  “Get some rest.”

  “Okay. Nighty night.”

  Anna’s lips trembled. “Nighty night.”

  She pressed the end button and pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. How many times had he said that to her? It seemed like such an odd thing for a businessman of Chase’s stature to say.

  Of course, a lot of things about Chase didn’t fit in with the business world. It was one of the reasons she loved him so much. Whatever happened, she wanted him in their child’s life. Somehow, someway, she would make him see that this baby was his, and make him want to be a part of their lives. She wasn’t sure what part that would be as they had to be able to move past their obvious trust issues. She would fly to Denver and ask him for his forgiveness for not telling him about Greg. She will promise to never withhold anything from him again as long as he promises to talk through issues and not simply jump to conclusions.

  More guilt was heaped onto the already huge load that rested on her shoulders as she thought about Chase being put in such danger twice in a matter of days. Greg’s bullet could have killed him! All because of her silence. She’d never keep secrets from him again. She told her parents about Chase and then went to call the airport and pack.

  Chapter 17

  It was almost 5 a.m. on Thanksgiving when Anna arrived at the hospital and found Chase’s room. Stepping inside, she saw that he was alone and asleep. Looking at him in the low lighting, she saw the bandages peeking out from the collar of his hospital gown. It made the fact that he’d been shot real for her and tears stung the back of her eyes.

  He looked a little pale and there were dark smudges under his eyes. Even so, he was still incredibly handsome. Not wanting to wake him, she sat down quietly in a chair—or tried to. The damn thing creaked loudly as she put her weight on it.

  Chase roused and asked, “What now? The vampires just took blood. Do you want a damn kidney or something, too?”

  Anna giggled, taken off-guard by his grouchy questions.

  His dark eyes focused on her and he gave her a goofy smile. “Hi. You’re finally here.”

  Anna went over to the bed and kissed his forehead. “How are you feeling?”

  “They got me on the good shit, so I feel okay. How about you? Are you okay? What about the baby?”

  Pulling her chair over closer to the bed, Anna said, “I’m all right, and so is the baby.”

  “Glad to hear it. Thank you for coming, I’m not sure I deserve it,” he said.

  Anna bit back a sad smile. “Chase, I’m just so grateful you’re alive. I’m so sorry that I didn’t tell you about Greg. It was stupid, inconsiderate, and cowardly of me. And it almost cost you your life—twice.”

  Chase asked, “Why didn’t you? Didn’t you trust me? I would’ve helped you.”

  Anna wrapped her arms around her aching stomach. “It wasn’t that I didn’t trust you, Chase. Deep down I know you’re the type of guy who would not blame me for my baggage. It was my problem. I was so afraid that you’d end our relationship if I told you about Greg. I mean, you weren’t looking for anything serious to begin with, let alone being with a woman who has an unbalanced ex. I wouldn’t have blamed you for walking away. But as I grew to love you, I knew you’d understand, but every time I was about to tell you about Greg, something came up, and I selfishly put it out of my mind. I had never been so happy, and I didn’t want anything to taint us. I’m so, so sorry.”

  Chase reached out his right hand to her. When she took it, he said, “Anna, do you remember telling me that you were discovering the real me and that you liked him?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, the real me is loyal to a fault, and I was already so crazy about you that I wouldn’t have left you. I wouldn’t desert you like that,” he said. “I don’t run out on the people I love when things get tough. Brenda is a good example of that.”

  “A lot of people wouldn’t have stuck by her the way you have. But you ran out on me and it broke my heart.”

  Chase smiled. “I’m so sorry. I know I don’t deserve another chance, but once I’d calmed down I came after you to say I’m sorry, but no one had told me you’d gone to Coopers Creek, and I had the pleasure of meeting Greg instead.”

  “If he’d killed you…I’m sorry.”

  “What a pair we are. But you’re here and I hope that’s a good sign. Will you take a chance on crazy, impulsive Chase?”

  Squeezing his hand, Anna said, “You’re the best kind of crazy there is, Chase. I know that my credibility is nil right now and that you don’t believe me, but this baby is yours. I love you, and I would never cheat on you. I promised to be faithful and I was. Since meeting you, I’ve never looked at another man.”

  Chase stroked his thumb over her knuckles. “I know that you didn’t cheat, Anna. I behaved like a fool. A fool that will grovel for the rest of his life to make it up to you.”

  Anna frowned in confusion. “You do? How?”

  “At the age of eighteen, being told I was sterile…you have no idea. For a young man who thought he was a sex machine that the girls flocked to, it knocked my masculinity and confidence. I couldn’t do what men are expected to do—father a child. What woman would want me?”

  “There are many ways to be a father.”

  “I know that now, but at eighteen it felt like my world had ended. I began collecting women as if I had to prove how masculine I was to hide my sorry secret. I never considered that my condition at the age of eighteen could change. But I had myself tested, and it turns out that I have some swimmers after all. Not a lot, but the ones I do have are strong. One of those little suckers swam upstream and breached the dam. He and that egg did some mattress dancing of their own,” Chase said, grinning. “It’s almost as if it was meant to be. It was as if they knew I’d found the love of my life, and the one thing that would make it all perfect was a family of our own.”

  Anna laughed even as tears welled in her eyes. “You have such an elegant way of putting things.”

  He laughed and quickly grabbed his injured shoulder. “Ow. Shit.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s worth it to see you smile.” He sobered. “I’m sorry that I doubted you, but since I was told that I couldn’t father children, you cheating was the only thing that made sense. I guess the hurt that came flooding in when I heard the word pregnant, made it impossible for me to think clearly. Once I’d calmed down I knew deep down inside that you would not have hurt me like that. It’s just I was too scared to reach for such happiness in case it was taken away from me again. I don’t think I could have born that.”

  “You didn’t even give me a chance to explain. You immediately jumped to the worst conclusion. I am wondering how strong a relationship we have when we both didn’t trust each other enough?”

  His smile died and he nodded his head. “You’re right. But I’m hoping we’ve learned from our mistakes and that this will make our relationship stronger. Relationships take work, and I know I want to continue the journey with you. We have both learned that we need to talk to each other. You still do want a relationship with me?” and she could see him holding his breath.

  She looked down and patted her stomach. “It’s not just us, we will have a child in a little over seven months.” She looked over at him as he lay on the hospital bed and a small tear welled in her eye. “I want to try, for our sake, and our child’s. Can we make a pact?”

  “Anything.”

  “We never go to bed each night without telling each other what is in our hearts and minds. No more secrets or being too scared to share.”

  �
�I can do that.” He looked up at the ceiling and his voice choked as he said, “I still can’t believe it. A child. I’m going to be a daddy with the woman I love with all my heart.”

  Anna kissed his hand. “Well, you are going to be a daddy.” Gathering her courage, she asked, “Chase, I know this is happening fast, but we have some decisions to make.”

  “Like if we get married and where we all live.” He pursed his lips. “I’ve been thinking about that.”

  Anna swallowed hard—married. Were they ready? “And?”

  “Whenever I saw happy families, and for a man who can’t have children I saw them everywhere, I would fantasize about having kids. I always imagined I’d be married to the woman I loved and raising them in Cooper’s Creek, not in a city.

  She shifted in her chair. “Marriage is big step. Are we ready?” She wondered if he wanted to marry her because of the child she carried. “I’d never keep you from your child. You don’t have to marry me.”

  He looked her directly in the eye. “Being shot has taught me life is short, and it’s also taught me that I love you. I can’t promise that we won’t have arguments, but I will promise to trust you. I want you and need you in my life, and it’s not just because you are carrying my child. I’d want you as my wife regardless. I was going to ask you to marry me eventually. One of the reasons for going home for Thanksgiving was so you could meet my mum, and I’d meet your parents. My mum has a family heirloom engagement ring, and I was going to ask her for it so I could propose—not sure when, but crazy Greg and my atrocious, freak-out behavior destroyed my plan of a special weekend away.”

  She looked at him and tried to see his heart. And she could. It was in his beautiful, dark, soulful eyes. They were filled with love, hope, fear, and honesty. He’d laid his soul bare and trusted her with his heart. She loved him so much she wanted to jump on the bed and hug him tightly but that was not good idea.

  “I love you.” As she watched his eyes well up, she said, “It would make me so very happy to marry you ad share my life with you.”

  He reached for he hand and squeezed it hard. “When I’m out of here I’ll get down on one knee and do it properly. And I’ll have to ask your dad.”

  “They will be pleased for us.”

  “Especially if I tell them I’m bringing their daughter and grandchild back to Coopers Creek to live. There’s so much pollution and crime, and I don’t want that sort of life for our baby,” he said. “I know that you have a successful job here and probably don’t want to leave L.A.”

  “I don’t care about my job. I mean, I like it, but it’s not nearly as important to me as raising our baby in a safe and happy environment. I love Cooper’s Creek, and we’d be close to my family, too. But what about Horizon?”

  Chase smiled. “Oh, I’d still come back and forth when I needed to, but B-man is more than capable of running it. He knows his stuff, and I planned on officially making him second-in-command anyway. My marketing interests are changing. Last week, we had a third hospital in Colorado express interest in selling to us. I can do most of the marketing for them from Denver.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Anna said.

  “Well, nothing is official about it yet, so I didn’t mention it.”

  Anna sighed. “But are you going to really be happy in Cooper’s Creek? I mean, you’re used to the warm weather, and you’d have to wear more clothes.”

  Chase grinned. “I thought about all of that, and I have some ideas.”

  “I’ll just bet you do.” She traced the love line on Chase’s palm. “So, it seems like we want the same things. I love you.”

  * * *

  The hope in Anna’s eyes made Chase’s rise, too. “I love you, Anna. I want to be with you so much and raise our baby together.”

  Anna leaned forward and kissed him. Chase savored the light, sweet contact with her soft lips. “I’m so sorry you got hurt because of me. It’s my fault and I’ll never forgive myself.”

  Chase arched an eyebrow. “Your fault? Did you cut the brake lines on your car? Did you shoot me?”

  Anna laid her hand on his good shoulder. “No, but—”

  “But nothing. Okay, sure, I’d have liked to have known about Greg, but that doesn’t mean that he still wouldn’t have done those things,” Chase said. “You’re not responsible for the actions of others, honey.”

  “I know, but still.”

  Chase said, “Don’t let guilt eat at you over something that wasn’t your doing. I wasn’t mad at you because he did those things. I was mad because you didn’t confide in me.”

  “I promise you’ll know everything in future.”

  “Now, come here.” He pulled her as close as he could and their lips met in a kiss of forgiveness and unspoken love.

  When it ended, Anna rested her forehead against his. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, honey.”

  “You’re so brave to have fought Greg like that,” Anna said.

  “I was damned if he was gonna keep me from you and our baby.”

  She gave him a sheepish smile. “I hate to spring this on you, but Mom and Dad really want to meet you.”

  Chase’s eyes widened. “Now? Great idea. I can ask him for permission to marry you.”

  “He’s grateful to you for stopping Greg, but a tad angry that you hurt his little girl.”

  “I guess I’ll be pretty good at groveling by the time I leave this hospital,” Chase said.

  “Once they get to know you, they’re love you like I do. Besides, if you make me happy that’s all they’ll care about.”

  “Do they know about the baby?”

  “No. I didn’t tell anyone yet.”

  “I only told Brooke, but she’s sworn to secrecy,” Chase said.

  Anna nodded. “I wanted to wait until I was a little further along.”

  “Yeah,” Chase agreed. “I think that’s a good idea. Just in case.”

  “But we’re going to think positive. After all, we didn’t think that you could make babies, yet you did,” Anna said.

  Chase grinned. “I sure did.”

  “Can they come in?”

  Chase rubbed the back of his neck a little. “Yeah, I never thought I’d be so nervous.”

  Anna arranged his blanket and then left the room. She returned in a few moments with her parents. Chase saw that Anna had inherited her father’s green eyes and her mother’s red hair.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Chase McIntyre, my boyfriend. Chase this is my father, Evan, and my mother, Sarah,” Anna said.

  Chase tried to slow his rapid heartbeat as he held out a hand to Evan. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Ma’am.”

  Evan shook it. “Likewise. Sarah and I wanted to meet the man who saved our little girl’s life and captured that bastard. Thank you.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Sarah said.

  “No thanks needed,” Chase said. “I love Anna very much, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

  “But if you ever hurt her again…” her father looked at him sternly.

  Chase squeezed Anna’s hand. “I won’t, sir. In fact I’d like your permission to ask her to marry me.”

  Sarah’s face broke into a pleased smile while Evan pretended to think on it for a moment before looking at his daughter. “If Anna’s happy, then I’m happy. Welcome to the family, son.” Evan held out his hand and Chase automatically reached for it with his injured arm and only just bit back a curse.

  “Sorry, we’ll shake when you’re healed.” Evan nodded towards Chase’s shoulder. “I took a couple of bullets when I was still in the service. Hurts like hell.”

  “Yes, sir, but it’s worth it to know that Greg’s behind bars and can’t hurt anyone again. I’m gonna testify against him and make sure he stays in there,” Chase said.

  “You’d have made a good soldier, except for the long hair.” Evan’s eyes sparkled with humor.

  Chase laughed. “That’s why I never joined up. I’ll never cut my hair, so don
’t get any ideas about that.”

  Evan and Sarah smiled at that.

  “Well, we’ll let you get some rest, but we’ll come back later on,” Sarah said.

  “Okay. It’s great to meet the both of you and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better,” Chase said.

  “Same here,” Evan said as he and Sarah left the room.

  Anna came over to the bed. “That went well.”

  “I’m glad. They’re really nice.”

  “Yeah.”

  Chase looked out the window and then back at Anna. “I can’t believe that I’m stuck in here for Thanksgiving. I’ll bet their pumpkin pie sucks.”

  Anna laughed. “Leave it to you to be worried about food.”

  Chase smiled and patted his lap. “Sit down here.”

  “No. I’ll hurt you.”

  “No, you won’t. Come on.”

  With a reluctant expression, Anna gingerly sat on his lap.

  Taking her hand, Chase said, “As long as we’re together we can have Thanksgiving anywhere.”

  “Yes, we can. I’m so thankful that a man like you wanted a woman like me. It still amazes me that you do.”

  Chase said, “You gotta stop selling yourself short. You just don’t know how awesome you are. I’m thankful that such a wonderful woman wants a man like me, especially after I acted like a douche bag.”

  * * *

  “Let’s put this behind us. We have so much to look forward to.” Anna took his hand and put it over her stomach. “We’re getting what we’ve both always wanted. A family.”

  Caressing her belly, Chase said, “We sure have a lot to be thankful for.”

  Anna tried to resist when he went to pull her down for another kiss, but he was insistent. Careful of his shoulder, she pressed her lips to his and felt the familiar tug of desire and love. She thought that it was a miracle that two such different people had found happiness together. Their baby was another miracle and tears gathered in Anna’s eyes as joy filled her.

  Finally, her nightmarish past was behind her, and she could look forward to a life filled with love and laughter beside a man in whose arms she felt cherished, wanted, and most of all, loved.