by Amy Lillard
“Like your mother and your grandmother?” She wished she had something bad to say about that, but there was nothing. Grandma Esther would love these babies beyond measure. Evelyn too. They would do everything in their power to take care of the twins. But if the babies were with Jake, that meant they weren’t with her. “Why are you trying to take my babies from me?”
He stood, suddenly taking away her advantage. “I’ve tried to get you to marry me. I’ve tried to get you to stay here. I’ve done everything in my power—”
“So that’s what all this has been about. All your late-night sneaking into my room—”
“I tried time and again to get you to marry me. I’ve made no secret that I want you to stay here with the babies.”
“And if I wouldn’t stay here with them, then you wanted them without me.” How could she have been so naive?
“Ahem.” Harley cleared his throat.
Jake’s gaze swung from the attorney back to Bryn. “This is not the place to discuss that.”
Her anger rose, something she wasn’t sure was possible until it actually happened. “This is the perfect place to discuss it. You used me and manipulated me, so I would let my guard down.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why you would think that.”
“Because it’s true!”
“Ahem.” Harley cleared his throat once again.
This time they both looked at him.
“How about we discuss this like rational adults?” Harley suggested.
That wouldn’t work, because there was nothing rational about it.
Bryn collapsed in an ungainly way back into her seat. Jake stared at her for a full heartbeat, then returned to his chair as well.
“I can’t believe how stupid I was.” Tears rose in the back of her throat as she blinked them away. She would not cry. Not now. Not in front of him. Not after the stunt he’d pulled.
Jake turned toward her and clasped her hand in his own. She jerked away. She didn’t want to touch him, didn’t want him touching her. That was what got them into this mess to begin with.
“Just hear me out,” Jake said, his voice returning to a normal level. But even then, Bryn didn’t want to hear what he had to say. Anything else would just be a lie. Or how could she determine if everything he told her up to this point was a lie?
“There’s nothing to hear, Jake. I will not give you custody of these babies. In fact, I’m going back to Georgia, and they’re going with me.”
• • •
Driving back to the ranch with Jake was sheer torture. If there was any other way for her to get back there without him, she would’ve jumped on it in a heartbeat. But she was stuck. Another reason why it was time for her to go home. She had been such a fool. She had thought she’d found something in Jake that she had never found in anyone else. How blind could one person be? She had fallen for his lines and sweet kisses . . .
She shook her head trying to dislodge those thoughts. Dwelling on it was not going to change one thing. She just needed to pull herself up and get herself back on track.
“Bryn, please, listen to me.”
“There’s nothing to listen to, Jake. Those papers said everything. But don’t expect me to sign them.”
“I don’t know why you’re so angry.”
She turned in her seat to face him, barely managing to keep her chin out of her lap. “You don’t know why—” Men were stupid. “If I have to tell you why, then it’s not worth it.”
“Why are women so stubborn? I’m just trying to help you.”
“I don’t need your help. I have a trust fund, plenty of money, and a house that’s paid for. I can take care of these babies just fine.”
“That’s what I’m trying to say, Bryn. Don’t you think they deserve better than fine?” He pulled his truck to a stop outside the ranch house and cut the engine.
“You always talk about family. Do you think your mother will be able to help you take care of these babies? She’s going through cancer treatments. That’s hard on a person, Jake. Where will you be then?”
“I’ll hire a nanny.” He slammed out of the truck.
Bryn hurried to get herself down without his help. The last thing she wanted were his traitorous hands on her. Or maybe it was her body that was traitorous. She could be angry with him, then when he touched her she would melt like chocolate in the sun.
“Then what’s the difference if I hire one?”
“You could still move here, you know. That’s all I wanted.”
“Oh, and marry you? Not a chance. I’m going home soon as I can.” She flung open the door to the house and stepped inside. Jake was hot on her heels.
“You can’t even get behind the wheel of your car.”
She whirled on him then. “Oh, really? Now you’re calling me fat?”
He exhaled through his nose, nearly snorting like a bull. “I think this conversation should wait until later.”
She shook her head. “This conversation is never going to happen again. I’m going back to Georgia. However I have to get there.”
She hated that he was right. She couldn’t fit in her little Volkswagen these days. But that didn’t mean she was stuck in Texas. She would call Dr. Gary tomorrow, get clearance to fly, then she was out of here.
“What is going on out here?” Evelyn came out of her office, skidding to a stop when she looked at the two of them. Bryn supposed they were a sight, both ruddy with anger.
“Would you please tell Bryn that family is important to children?”
“Will you please tell Jake that I am part of these babies’ family?”
Evelyn looked from Jake to Bryn, then back again.
“And would you please tell Bryn that it’s only logical that the babies stay here after they’re born?”
“Would you please tell Jake that he doesn’t have to worry about it because I’m taking them back to Georgia tomorrow?”
She grabbed her cell phone out of her purse and pushed past the two of them, heading toward her room. She would call Dr. Gary now. The first flight out of Texas and she was gone.
• • •
Will you please tell Evelyn what’s going on here?” His mother’s look pinned him to the spot.
Jake exhaled again and felt those tense muscles start to relax, but only a bit. “We had an appointment with the attorney today,” he said. “Bryn isn’t happy that I asked for custody.”
His mother blinked at him. Opened her mouth to speak. Shut it again. And blinked once more. “You asked the mother of your children for custody?”
He frowned and nodded. “It’s only logical. They would have the whole ranch to grow up on. They would have Wes and you and Grandma Esther. Seth and Jessie. Bryn has no one in Georgia to help her. I’ve asked her to marry me—repeatedly—and she refuses. I gave up on that and asked her to move in. She refuses. What else did you want me to do?”
“Well, I didn’t think you would do that,” his mother said.
“Why not? Women ask for custody all the time. I’m not trying to take them from her. I’m trying to protect them and raise them, take care of them. She’s the one being stubborn. All she has to do is marry me and this would be over.”
His mother shook her head. “Maybe you should’ve told her that option before you took her to the attorney’s office and presented her with legal documents to the effect.”
“Maybe,” he muttered. He scrubbed his hands over his face and tried to get a handle on the situation. Last night, everything had been so perfect between them. Despite the devastating news that his mother’s battle had begun again, he had held Bryn in his arms and told her how much he loved her.
Maybe he exaggerated the truth of it. He cared for her. A great deal. And he had hoped his confession of love would’ve brought about a change of heart today for her. She would look at
those papers, know that he cared about her, and she would change her mind about going to Georgia ever. And yet the exact opposite had happened. “Why are women so complicated?” he asked.
“The same reason men are so stubborn.”
• • •
What do you mean no?”
Sharon, the nurse at Dr. Gary’s office, sighed. “Dr. Gary feels that it’s not safe for you to fly.”
“But the books—”
“Sweetie, the books aren’t the one having twins. Now, I suppose you can go ahead and do whatever you feel like doing, but if I were you, I’d just stay put.”
“I can’t do that.” She had to get out of here, and she needed to leave now. “Can I drive?” She wasn’t sure how she was going to manage that but she had to ask.
“There are always risks. How far are you talking about?”
“Far,” Bryn mumbled. “To Georgia.”
“And I trust you will be traveling with someone.”
“No,” she managed to squeeze out.
“Hon, you don’t want to risk that. You can’t drive halfway across the country by yourself.”
“But if someone else was driving . . .”
Sharon sighed again. “If you’re just riding and you stop and rest and stretch your legs often, I don’t think Dr. Gary would have any problems with that.”
Bryn’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank you,” she said. Now all she had to do was convince Rick to come get her.
She thumbed through her contacts for his number, then stopped as she heard footsteps outside her door.
They paused.
Jake.
She could almost hear him breathe. Then the footsteps started up once more.
Bryn exhaled, only realizing then that she had been holding her breath.
Finding Rick’s number, she called him, impatiently waiting for him to answer.
“This better be good, sister.”
“I need you to come get me.” Her voice caught on a sob.
“Bryn? Honey, what’s wrong?”
“I need to come home and I can’t drive and I can’t fly. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I can’t stay here any longer.”
“Of course.”
She collapsed on the bed. “Thank you, thank you.”
“Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“Not now. Maybe when you get here. And when will that be?”
Rick chuckled. “That bad, huh? Well, you’re in luck. I’m in Austin.”
• • •
Jake saw the car pull up and shook his head. Just what he needed. Another cowbride had come calling. It had been a while, and he thought the new had worn off the article and the visitors would stop. Now here was another one.
He waved to Joe Dan and motioned toward the car coming down the drive. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
Joe Dan gave him an “okay” sign, then turned back to the horse he was grooming.
Jake slapped his hat against his thigh, then settled it back on his head. His chaps flapped against the wind as he walked with purposeful strides toward the car.
But he almost stumbled when a man stepped out.
This was different.
But he kept his feet going. He was in a surly mood. He could admit that. Who wouldn’t be in a bad mood after what he had been through?
He had heard Bryn packing last night. Not that he had been listening at the bathroom door that separated her room from his. He just happened to hear her. And he refused to go in and ask her what she was doing. She was damn stubborn, damn stubborn. But he couldn’t save her from herself. He had offered her everything—everything—and she had thrown it back in his face. Well, let her leave. He didn’t care anymore. Just flat-out didn’t care.
He drew closer to the young man who stood in his driveway looking like a misplaced GQ model. His fitted leather jacket surely protected him from that West Texas wind. The weather was getting cooler and cooler. Wouldn’t be long before winter was officially upon them.
As Jake walked he geared up exactly what he was going to say. He would be nice, but firm. Adamant, but not condescending. And he would send him on his way.
“Well, hello there.” The young man eased his sunglasses down on his nose a bit as if trying to get a better look.
Jake pulled off his work gloves and shoved them into his back pocket. “I know why you’re here and although your devotion is admirable, I think you should leave.”
The man flashed a confused frown that turned into a Cheshire smile. “I think you’ve got it wrong.”
Jake propped his hands on his hips and shook his head. “I don’t. And it’s okay. But it’s not. I mean, I’m flattered and all that you saw my picture and drove all the way out here.” From behind him he heard the door open. Let Grandma Esther do what she wanted with this one! “But I’m sorry. I’m not interested.”
That smile remained firmly in place. “That’s good to know. But I came for what’s behind you.”
Jake whirled around. Bryn attempted to pull her suitcase across the uneven yard. He noticed two things immediately. She was struggling, and she wasn’t dressed for the cooler temperatures.
So the man in front of him had to be her best friend she was forever talking about, and he really needed to take her shopping for some new clothes.
Then what was really happening hit him. She was leaving.
He felt like he’d been kicked in the gut by a crazed stallion. Muscles clenched, time stopped, and the air left his lungs in an audible whoosh. He had known from the very beginning that she would be leaving, but he wasn’t prepared to actually see her leaving.
“Are you going to help her, or am I going to have to?”
Damn it to hell!
Jake stomped over to where she tugged on her suitcase.
“Go away,” she snarled. Like that was going to deter him.
He snatched up her case with ease and carried it back into the house.
“Jake Langston, you get back here with that.”
“No, ma’am.” He set her bag back inside. Then he turned and waited. He knew she wasn’t going to let this pass.
And he was right.
She marched over to him, her legs stiff and her jaw clenched. “That is my suitcase,” she said. Her tone was pleasant and that made it all the more dangerous.
“I’m aware.”
“If you want to take it someplace, carry it over to Rick’s car.”
“No way.”
She moved to go around him, presumably to reclaim her bag, but he was too quick, moving before her and effectively blocking her from the door.
She darted toward the other side, but he blocked her again.
“Jake,” she growled.
“You promised to stay, Bryn. Through Christmas and the New Year.”
“I changed my mind.”
“You can’t do that. So just tell your friend that you’re staying here.”
There was a moment, maybe two, when he thought she might completely lose it. Then she stopped, her shoulders fell, and she shook her head. She looked so utterly defeated that he almost told her she could have anything she wanted. But he couldn’t do that. There was too much on the line. More than just the two of them.
“Fine,” she whispered, her words spoken so softly he almost didn’t hear them.
“What?” he asked.
“Fine,” she said, louder this time.
“Fine what?”
“Fine, I’ll stay until after the first of the year.”
Relief flooded him. That was all he could ask. “Thank you.”
Rick came forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Good. I’m glad that’s settled. And I’m glad you changed her mind; I didn’t want to be the one to tell her that I wasn’t taking her back to Georgia.”
• • •
What do you mean you weren’t going to take me back home with you? Why would you come all the way out here just to turn around and leave?”
Once Esther found out that one of Bryn’s friends had stopped by, Rick had immediately been invited to stay for supper. And since it was a four-hour drive back to Austin, he was invited to spend the night.
He readily accepted, seeming to enjoy all the cowboy culture that surrounded him.
Bryn had suffered through supper—Grandma Esther had made her almost-famous creamy chicken enchiladas—with Jake glaring at her, Rick asking a hundred cowboy questions, and Wesley wanting to know more about how to make hair purple.
The only reprieve she had gotten was when Ol’ Buck came to get Jake. One of Evelyn’s prize mares was having trouble and they needed Jake to help deliver the new colt.
Last year Bryn would have jumped at the chance to see a horse give birth. The miracle of life and all that, but she was staring down a due date of her very own. She would experience the miracle of birth soon enough. And of course staying close to the house with Rick gave her plenty of excuses not to see Jake.
“I have eyes. I’ve seen the two of you together and, girl, you two are a match made in heaven.”
“It was made all right, but not in heaven.” In a hotel room in Austin. But that night in his arms had been pretty celestial. And every night since then . . .
“There’s chemistry there, and you shouldn’t deny it.”
“I’m not denying anything.” But chemistry was one thing and being deceived by someone you thought you could trust was another.
“Then why do you want to leave?”
She opened her mouth to respond and ended up closing it again instead.
“Come on, you can tell Papa Rick.”
If she told him, then it might not sound the same. And the last thing she needed was Rick on Jake’s side.
Oh, who was she trying to kid? Rick was already on Jake’s side.
“He wants custody of the twins.”
“Like after they’re born?”
“He can’t very well have custody of them until then.”
“Point taken.”