“She got up really early,” he whispered. “I tried not to wake you, but I guess we fell back asleep.”
“How early, and why didn’t I hear her?”
Matt shifted, holding on to Ellie as he sat up a little more. “I was up working and it was around five.”
Good grief. Here she’d slept like the dead and hadn’t even noticed. That was the second time in as many days.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked softly.
Rachel nodded. “I can’t believe I slept that long.”
“You clearly needed it.”
Ellie started squirming and Rachel stepped forward. “Let me take her.”
Before she could reach her, Rachel’s cell vibrated in her hand. She glanced down and frowned at the second message from Billy’s mother.
“Everything okay?”
“Billy’s family wants to come visit since I’m not getting back to Dallas fast enough,” she sighed and sank down onto the couch next to Matt, taking Ellie from his chest. “I haven’t told them I’m staying here permanently. They want to take Ellie so I can finish my degree. They’ve made it clear they can give her a good life.”
Rachel kissed her baby on her head and nestled close. “I appreciate the sentiment, but there’s no way in hell that’s happening. Do they honestly think I’ll give her up?”
“Have they seen her much since Billy’s death?”
Rachel shrugged. “Some. They’ve just been hovering, and honestly, they’re one of the main reasons I want to move. I can’t handle being under their microscope. The calls, the texts—it’s all day long.”
Matt moved the pillows from between them and leaned in closer. His rumpled hair and the baby food on the shoulder of his T-shirt made him look like the opposite of the Most Eligible Bachelor in Texas. Yet he’d never looked hotter or more desirable. And she knew she was treading some very dangerous water here. Not only had she opened her heart to him, she’d let him in with her daughter, and that was an image Rachel would never be able to erase.
“Ellie is their only link to Billy,” Matt said, resting his hand on her knee. “They just don’t want to lose everything. Maybe you guys could come to some sort of visitation schedule that works for everyone.”
“Mark and his wife asked me for full custody. Can you believe that?”
Matt shook his head. “Clearly that’s a no, so sit down and talk with them. Tell them you’ll be living here and see about letting them come to see Ellie. This doesn’t have to be ugly, and it shouldn’t be a fight. If you need, I have an excellent attorney I keep on retainer.”
Rachel shook her head. “No. You’re right. We can work through this. I’ll call her in a bit.”
When Ellie perked up and glanced around the room all bright eyed, Matt laughed. “At least she wakes up pleasant.”
“She’s usually a happy baby. I’d better call down and order some breakfast.”
“I actually need to head over to the farmhouse and get a few things done,” he told her as he came to his feet. “How about you meet me for lunch in town at the Royal Diner around one?”
Rachel smiled. “I’d love to. Are you sure you don’t want me to order you something?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I want you to stay as long as you like. In fact, why don’t you stay with me while I’m in town? I want you in my bed, Rachel.”
As much as she’d love to stay in his bed each night, she couldn’t for so many reasons. Though that heated look he pinned her with had her questioning those reasons.
“If word got out that I was sleeping here with you, how well do you think that would go over at the auction?”
He stood straight up and cocked his head, smiling wide. Her toes curled and her belly tingled. “The auction where you’ll bid on me and then take me home to have your wicked way with me?”
Rachel rolled her eyes and extended her leg to kick him slightly on his thigh. “Get out of here and take that ego with you.”
But that’s exactly what she wanted and he damn well knew it.
Holding on to her baby, Rachel eased to the corner of the sofa Matt had just vacated. She couldn’t contain the smile and she wasn’t even going to try. Maybe she would bid on him, but she had limited funds and probably wouldn’t be able to compete with the other women of Royal and the surrounding area.
But what if she did bid and win? Then, when the auction was over, she’d tell him how she truly felt. If she had learned anything from Billy’s death it was that tomorrow wasn’t promised. Rachel never thought she’d feel such a strong pull toward another man, but everything she had inside her for Matt was completely different than her feelings for Billy.
And maybe she’d just have to let him in on her little secret.
* * *
Gus and Alexis had taken Ellie to the park for a picnic and to play. Rachel figured it was because there was a bit of tension swirling between the two Slades over the auction, but Rachel had her own issues to worry about.
She pulled up early to meet Matt at the diner. With a deep breath, she pulled out her phone and dialed her mother-in-law. Matt was right...the sooner she discussed this situation, the better off everyone would be. It wasn’t fair to deprive Ellie of her grandparents. They obviously loved her, and that was at least the mutual ground they’d need to build from.
The phone rang twice before Alma Kincaid answered. “Hello?”
“Alma? Um, it’s me. Is this a good time?”
“Rachel,” the woman practically squealed. “Of course, of course. How are you? How’s our sweet Ellie-bug?”
Rachel gripped her cell and watched as a family of four went into the restaurant. “We’re all doing great. I’m sorry I missed your calls. These past couple weeks have been busy. I’m working on a charity auction and I start back to class on Monday. My last semester before I earn my degree.”
“That’s wonderful,” Alma praised. “You sound so swamped, though. Ellie is more than welcome to stay with me until your load lightens.”
“That’s one of the reasons I called to talk to you.” Please, please let this go smoothly. “I know you guys miss Ellie and I’d like to see if we can come to some sort of agreement on a visitation schedule. My plan is to move to Royal...for good.”
“For good?” Alma repeated. “Well, um, okay. I wasn’t expecting that. But, I understand staying in Dallas might bring back some painful memories. Billy’s death changed us all.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
“I’m just so thrilled you’re going to let us see her,” Alma went on. “I was so worried after he died that you’d shut us out. I tried to talk him out of going to that divorce lawyer and told him to work on your marriage. I mean, you were pregnant, and that certainly was not the time to end things.”
Stunned, Rachel stared at the American flag flapping in the wind across the street at the courthouse. “Divorce lawyer?”
“I couldn’t believe it myself,” she added, oblivious to the bomb she’d just dropped. “But I love Ellie and I love you like my own, Rachel. I would love to come up with a visitation schedule. Whatever works best for you and Ellie. I’m willing to drive to Royal as often as I can.”
Suddenly shaking, Rachel couldn’t think. Billy had been ready to divorce her? She knew they’d been arguing, that they’d started growing apart, but that word had never been thrown around.
“Alma, I need to call you back. Will you be home this evening?”
“Of course, dear. It’s so good to hear from you. Give Ellie-bug a kiss from Gran.”
Rachel disconnected the call and rubbed her forehead. Pulling in one deep breath after another, she willed her breathing to slow.
The tap on her window had Rachel jerking in her seat. Matt stood outside her car with a smile on his face and opened her door.
When she slid out and looked up at him, his smile van
ished. “What happened? Is it Ellie? Are you feeling bad again?”
She was feeling bad, almost nauseous, in fact. “I just got off the phone with Alma.”
Matt’s brows drew in. “Did she not agree to your idea? I can call my lawyer now—”
“No. We didn’t even get to discuss the schedule. She was just glad I was letting Ellie be part of their life since Billy—uh—had already gone to a divorce attorney.”
Matt eased back, his eyes showing no sign of shock. In fact, Rachel only saw one emotion, and that was acknowledgment.
“You knew?” she whispered hoarsely.
He slid a hand over the back of his neck and started to reach for her. “Listen—”
She slid from between him and the car to avoid his touch. “No. How dare you know and not tell me!”
Matt glanced around when she shouted, then took a step closer. “You don’t want to do this here.”
“I don’t want to do it at all,” she growled through gritted teeth. “You betrayed me.”
Matt gripped her shoulders and came within a breath of her. Although she wanted nothing more than to shove him away, she didn’t. Causing a scene wouldn’t repair what had been done, wouldn’t piece back together her shattered heart. She’d trusted him. Damn it, she’d fallen in love with him.
For the second time, she’d laid her heart on the line only to have it crushed and her trust betrayed.
“When did you want me to tell you?” he asked, lowering his voice. “I just found out the day he died. We were on the boat and he mentioned it, then I tried to talk to him. The accident happened so fast, then you were distraught from the loss. At what point should I have caused you more pain, Rachel?”
She closed her eyes, trying to force the truth away. Learning her most trusted friend had kept something so pivotal from her only exacerbated the pain he referred to.
When she focused back on him, Rachel’s heart lurched. The way he held her, the way he looked at her all seemed so genuine and full of concern. But everything had been a lie.
“You knew this information and then you dodged me for a year,” she accused. “I understand not telling me immediately, but did you ever think of reaching out to me after that? Is that why you really stayed away, because you wanted to keep your friend’s secret? Did everyone know he didn’t want me? Didn’t want our baby?”
Damn, this hurt. The idea that she and Ellie were going to be tossed aside crushed her in ways she hadn’t thought possible. And the fact that Matt knew and remained silent...well, she had no label to put on that crippling emotion.
“I never wanted you hurt,” he ground out.
Rachel looked into his eyes, searching for answers she might never have. “Would you have ever told me?”
Matt’s lips thinned as he remained silent. That told her all she needed to know.
“Let me go,” she murmured. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“Rachel.” His grip remained as he pulled her against his chest. “Let’s go somewhere and talk. You have to know I never meant to hurt you.”
“Yet you did.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Don’t push me out. Let me explain.”
“What else have you lied about?” she asked, her voice cracking, and she damned her emotions for not staying at bay until she was alone. “Did you actually want to be with me, or was this just because Billy—”
“None of this is because of Billy,” he demanded. “I’ve wanted you for years, Rachel. You can’t tell me you didn’t feel it when I kissed you, touched you. Made love to you.”
Rachel started to protest, but Matt’s mouth covered hers. Their past kisses had been frenzied, intense, but this one could only be described as passionate and caring. He took his time as he framed her face with his hands. Despite everything, Rachel started to melt into him because she couldn’t disconnect her heart from her hormones.
“Perfect.”
They jerked apart at the unfamiliar voice. A young woman stood next to them with her phone, taking a photo.
“Mr. Galloway, can you comment on your relationship here?” the woman asked, whipping out a small notepad and pen. “Are you officially not the Most Eligible Bachelor in Texas anymore? And what about the charity auction? Rumor has it you’re the star of the show.”
Rachel backed away as Matt took a step toward the journalist.
“Delete that image now,” he demanded. “And there will be no comment.”
The lady’s eyes widened as she slid her paper and pen back into her oversized purse, then she turned and ran. Matt cursed as he raked a hand through his hair. No doubt the woman was on her way to post the steamy picture on any and every social media site she could.
Dread racked through her. What had she been thinking? She couldn’t kiss Matt on the sidewalk in broad daylight. He was the main attraction for the auction. Who else had seen the kiss?
None of this was going to work. She and Matt were nearing the end, and that reporter just solidified the fact. Rachel had a baby to look after; she had a career to get started and a new life to create. She needed to provide stability and a solid future for her and Ellie.
Matt’s lie, even by omission, and now the fact she’d be all over social media in seconds...damn it, the forces pulling them apart were getting stronger.
Her mind scrambled in so many different directions. She couldn’t stay here. That much she was certain of.
Rachel turned toward her car and opened the door.
“Wait,” Matt commanded. “Don’t go.”
She threw a look over her shoulder. “We’re done, Matt. And now I have to go do damage control to save you in this auction.”
She settled behind the wheel and started to close the door.
“You can’t run from us, Rachel,” he called out.
One last time, she glanced up to him. “There is no us.”
Seventeen
“The press conference is scheduled for tomorrow evening.”
Rachel heard Gus’s words, but she didn’t look up. Since the debacle two days ago with Matt, social media had exploded. Between the media speculation about Texas’s most famous bachelor being taken off the market and the biggest draw for the auction in question, Rachel figured the only way to combat this cluster was to hold a press conference. That way she could field questions and make a statement, focusing on the bachelors for the auction, including Matt, and putting to rest any claims that he was off the market.
He certainly wasn’t hers—no matter how much she wished he was.
Rachel put another block on top of Ellie’s and Ellie promptly kicked them down.
“Listen, darlin’, I know you think your man betrayed your trust, but sometimes men do stupid things in the name of love.”
Rachel jerked her attention toward where Gus had taken a seat in the leather recliner. “Alexis told you?”
“She gave the important details.” He took off his Stetson and propped it on his bent knee. “Don’t be upset with her. She’s worried about you and so am I. You’re like family to us now.”
Rachel couldn’t suppress her smile. “You guys feel the same to me.”
“As much as I wanted my granddaughter to bid on Matt, I have a feeling he’s off the table.”
Rachel shook her head and handed Ellie another block. “He’s still on,” she corrected. “Whatever we had, it’s over.”
“Because he didn’t tell you your husband was going to leave you?” Gus blew out a sigh and eased forward in his chair. “If Matt cared about you even a little bit, he wouldn’t want you hurt more than necessary.”
Rachel didn’t want to argue about this; she didn’t want the voice of reason to enter in. Because as far as she was concerned, she had every right to be angry at Matt for keeping the truth from her. Especially after learning that he had no intention of ever telling he
r. Had his loyalties to her late husband been that strong? Had everyone known Billy was leaving but her?
“I’m sure your mind is racing,” Gus went on. “But if you don’t listen to anything I say, listen to this. Love doesn’t always come around twice in a lifetime. Trust me on that. Very few are lucky enough to get another chance. If you feel anything for Matt, you need to tell him.”
Rachel came to her feet and leaned down to pick Ellie up. “Gus, I’ve come to love you like my own grandfather, but right now I can’t handle this. Matt isn’t mine, and I’ll be sure to emphasize that tomorrow at the press conference. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Ellie needs a nap.”
Rachel didn’t want to sound rude, but she just needed to not talk about Matt or her feelings or anything to do with why she should forgive him. Billy had destroyed her by the hints of infidelity and then rejecting the pregnancy. Now she was going through betrayal all over again with Matt. She never expected him, of all people, to lie to her.
Rachel carried Ellie upstairs and took her time getting her to sleep. She rocked her, sang to her, held her after her breathing had slowed and she was out. Rachel just wanted to hold on to the one person in her life she treasured more than any other.
Finally, Rachel laid Ellie into her crib and went over to the desk in the corner. She pulled up the screen on her laptop, ready to start looking for a home. It was time she pushed forward and made a life for herself and her daughter. Everything that happened before this moment didn’t matter. She would finish her degree, find a house and make good on her promise to allow visitation with Billy’s family.
But the second her computer came to life, she remembered she’d been working on a large spread with a photo of each bachelor. Her eyes instantly went to Matt. There was no competition as far as she was concerned. The image she’d used of him in the waterfall made him stand out and beg for attention...just like she’d intended.
Only her plan had backfired, and she had to stare at the photo knowing full well that only seconds after it was taken, her life had irrevocably changed. There would be no going back to friends, no matter how much she would miss him. Because, damn it, her heart hadn’t gotten the memo that things were over. She still cared for him, still loved him. But how could she ever trust him again?
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