Parker

by Maddie James

  He swiped at his brow. “It’s hot, and that table was heavy.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  Parker ignored him and kept looking at Reba. “I didn’t know she was coming.”

  “That clinches it. I’m hands off. You’re a goner.”

  True. Over the past three weeks, the hurt was getting easier to handle, especially now that there had been some distance since the night they made love. But he hadn’t gotten over it. Not by a long shot.

  Parker looked at Gage. “I don’t understand women.”

  Gage threw back his head and laughed. “That’s your problem. You’re trying to understand them. You need to flip it and worry about controlling them. Once you do that, they are like putty in your hands.”

  Parker wasn’t so sure. “I don’t want to control her.”

  “Then what do you want?”

  Good question. What did he want? “Well, for starters, it would be nice if I could just talk to her.”

  Again, Gage laughed. “Well, let me tell you something, cousin, it’s likely not going to happen unless you make it happen. And if that’s not controlling the situation, I don’t know what is. Go down there and talk to her. Make it happen. If you fail, you fail. But you might not.”

  Parker shook his head. “Why in the hell do I feel like such an adolescent?”

  “Because you care about her. I can see that in your eyes. And you don’t want to screw it up.”

  Eyeing his cousin, Parker said, “You’re smarter about these things than I realized.”

  “Not really,” Gage replied. “I avoid these situations like the plague. This is why I have the kinds of relationships I do. I don’t want the drama, and I keep it out of my sex life. But you? If you want her, you might have to eat the drama for breakfast. It’s up to you.”

  Eat the drama for breakfast. I can do that.

  “But you better hurry up. Looks like some other hound dog is sniffing around your woman.”

  Parker found Reba again in the growing crowd. Mike Attaway strolled toward her and took the casserole dish she was carrying out of her hands. She smiled at Mike, said something, and then followed him to the table. He placed the dish with the others and turned into her, his hand running down her arm, from shoulder to elbow.

  Reba laughed and touched his arm.

  “Son of a bitch.”

  ****

  As she exited her new SUV, Reba glanced about the area, located where the crowd was gathering, and figured that was where she needed to take her dish. She perused her surroundings, taking in the guest lodge, the stable and barns situated behind it, and the lake to the south.

  She was late but still gave herself kudos that she had actually made it. If she’d been much later, she should have brought dessert, rather than a side dish.

  The lake was huge and picturesque. She looked forward to seeing the sunset behind it, and then later, the fireworks over it. It wouldn’t be long before dusk set in. Glad she brought her camera, she reminded herself to get it out of the truck so she could take pictures for her blog.

  But first, it was time to get this mac and cheese dish to the right place.

  Carrying it toward the tables, she picked her way through the crowd, nodding occasionally to people who looked familiar. She noticed Callie a ways off, talking with her stepmother, but Reba kept heading toward her destination.

  She wasn’t looking out of the corner of her eye, or anything, for Parker. Not at all.

  Of course not.

  “Reba? Is that you?”

  Mike Attaway jogged toward her and then took the dish out of her hands. “Oh, thank you, Mike! My arm was getting a little tired.” She smiled and followed him to the table.

  “Not a problem!”

  “I really appreciate it,” she told him. “All that cheese, the dish was getting heavy.”

  “It’s really good to see you, Reba.”

  “You too.”

  “How is that elbow?” He touched her upper arm and let his fingers trail to her elbow.

  Reba stepped back a little, breaking the connection. She didn’t want to give Mike any ideas. “Dr. Cooper says it should be good as new in a couple of weeks. Still a little pain when I twist it this way or that, but overall, much better.”

  Mike grinned and placed his hand at the small of her back. “Have you eaten? You can grab a plate over there. Or…” he paused then, looking into her face, “are you waiting for Parker?”

  Well, yes. And no. She let that back-and-forth dialog play out in her head for a minute.

  “No, Mike. I haven’t talked with him lately.”

  Mike arched a brow. “Really? It was my understanding that you two were an item. I mean, when Parker called the day after that little incident in the parking lot, I was sure you two would be joined at the hip and married within a month.”

  Reba laughed nervously and angled away, touching his arm in an attempt to put distance between them. “Oh, no. Seriously. No.”

  Mike’s smile broadened. “So there is hope for me yet?”

  A shadow fell between them, and Reba looked to her left, where the silhouette of a tall man wearing a cowboy hat blocked the setting sun. She put her hand to her forehead to shield her eyes. “Parker?”

  “Mike, I hate to break it to you, brother, but there is no hope for you.”

  Reba glanced to Mike who stepped back, hands out. “I got it. I have no desire to get into an argument with you, Parker. I’m heading for the cheesecake now.”

  Mike left, and Parker just stood there. The angle of the sun was blinding her. “That was a quick exit. Is he frightened of you?”

  Parker grinned. “He knows I can put him in a wrestling hold pretty damned fast.”

  She arched a brow. “You would do that?”

  “Only if I needed to.”

  “And why might you need to?”

  “Only if he’s trying to make a move on my woman.”

  Reba’s heart tripped and stumbled inside her chest. His woman. Did she dare hope?

  She wished she could really see the look on his face when he’d said that, grasped his arm and said, “Parker, this sun is a killer. Can we talk? Somewhere where I can actually see your face?”

  He stepped away from the sun, and Reba turned her back to it. “Yes.”

  “That’s better.”

  But Parker obviously had other ideas. He took her by the hand to lead her away.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “You’ll see.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Parker led her through the barn to the last stall and opened the door. “Ever ridden in one of these?”

  Reba gave him a glance and then peeked around the door. “What is it?”

  “It’s my dad’s utility vehicle. It’s called a Gator. You know, made by John Deere.”

  Reba stepped in the stall. “No, I’ve never ridden in one. It looks like a cross between a golf cart and a four-wheeler.”

  Parker laughed. “Sort of. You get in on this side.” He steadied her with his hand on her good elbow. “Let’s go for a ride.”

  “Okay.”

  He needed to get Reba away from the crowd, out of reach of any distractions. He might only have one chance, and he had to make it work. This was the best way to win her over—get her alone and make a connection. Somehow.

  Before he settled himself in the driver’s seat, he grabbed a blanket off the wall, checked under his seat for a flashlight, and double-checked his boot for his pistol. He didn’t expect any trouble with the wolves tonight—the fireworks noise would keep them away, most likely—but he wasn’t about to take any chances. Besides, they were only a short ride from the lodge.

  He smiled as he turned the key in the ignition and shoved the gearshift into drive. “Seatbelts,” he said, glancing her way. “Safety first.”

  She nodded. “Yes, sir. And I hope you don’t have to cut me out of this one.”

  “You and me both. Let’s go.”

  He revved the engin
e, and they rolled into the barn center aisle, out the back door, and up the trail, heading toward his favorite lookout.

  Years ago, James McKenna had decided to get into a little logging, and the ridge above the lake had been cleared. Most of it had grown up again, but there was a section they kept clear, just for times like these—when a cowboy needed to get away and look over his land.

  And that’s exactly what he wanted to do tonight, only he wanted Reba with him.

  They didn’t talk for several minutes while they climbed, and by the time he topped the ridge and backed the Gator around to overlook the lake, dusk was fully settling in.

  “Wait here,” he told her. He got out and took the blanket with him, rounded the back of the vehicle, lowered the tailgate, and spread the blanket over the bed. Then, he stepped to the passenger side and took Reba’s hand, helping her out of her seat.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” he told her, “but I’ve reserved us the prime seats in the house for the fireworks show.”

  Reba smiled and held his gaze. He smiled back.

  “I am honored, sir.”

  He led her to the back of the vehicle. “Let me help you up.” He guided her backside toward the tailgate, placed his hands on her waist, and peered into her eyes. “Ready? Jump.”

  She did, and he lifted her onto the gate. Now her eyes were level with his, and he definitely wasn’t ready to take his hands off her. “I’d love to kiss you right now,” he said on a breath, “but I’m not sure you want me to.”

  Reba’s gaze played over his face. “A small, quick one won’t hurt. Will it?”

  His heart swelled, and Parker stepped closer. One hand moved to circle her back, the other cupped her cheek. His thumb grazed over her cheekbone. “Your bruises are gone now.” She was beautiful.

  “Yes. Finally.”

  Reba licked her lips.

  Parker moved in for the kiss, her mouth heavenly pressed against his. “Just one” kiss, “small,” kiss, kiss, “quick one,” he said.

  Reba breathed against his mouth, her eyes closed. “That was three.”

  “Who’s counting?”

  “Not me,” she countered.

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “Reba, we need to talk. I’m hopelessly lost.”

  She nodded against him. “I know. Me too.”

  “And up until now I’ve been too stubborn to admit it.”

  “Ditto.”

  Pulling away, he said, “I’m going to sit next to you, and we’re going to figure this thing out. Okay?”

  “Yes. I want that too.”

  “Good.”

  Parker set the flashlight between them, the beam pointing out. There was enough light so they then could see each other’s faces.

  Reba glanced to her lap. “Parker, there is really something important I need to tell you.”

  “I know.”

  She shook her head. “No, what I need to tell you, you have no idea. First, I want to apologize. I was…” Parker waited. She seemed to be struggling with her words. “I lied. I was wrong. What I said was insensitive and hurtful, and I…”

  “Shh.” He raked a thumb over her lower lip. “We both didn’t handle things well.”

  Her voice rose. “I regret that I didn’t even respond when you told me you were falling in love with me!”

  Parker grinned. “I thought you responded quite nicely.”

  “Really?” She laughed. “Parker, it wasn’t just about the sex. It was more. I felt it, and I know you did too. But it scared me. It wasn’t part of my plan.

  “You see when my husband, Jack, got sick, he made me promise him something. I promised him that I would pursue my dreams. I cared for him for so long, and I put him first every single day to make his last days on earth as pleasant and comfortable as possible. It was all I did for over two years. And he knew it and appreciated it. So, he made me promise that when he was gone, I would spend time just on me. And that is what I set out to do here in Montana.”

  Parker understood. “And you never expected for some cowboy to come along and interrupt your plans.”

  “It never dawned on me.”

  He grinned. “I’m glad I interrupted your plans.”

  One corner of her mouth drew up. “Me too. But Parker, I’m afraid that we’ve done something that is going to totally interrupt all of our plans. Mine and yours.”

  He scooted forward and grasped her hands. “Reba, whatever we need to work through, we will. I know I was upset when Callie told me all of those things about who you are and the death of your husband. It was a lot to handle, on top of everything else going on in my life. I overreacted and freaked out a little. I don’t like the limelight, and here you are a celebrity.”

  “Sort of,” she added. “It’s not a big deal.”

  “It is a big deal. To you and to others. And dammit, it’s not me, so I should have stayed out of it. What I should have done is be happy for you, told you I supported you in whatever you wanted to pursue. But the thing that worried me the most was that you weren’t ready for a relationship—that I wished I had known you were a recent widow—because I would have behaved myself a bit more and respected where you are right now at this point in your life.”

  Reba narrowed her gaze. “Parker, I practically seduced you. I was ready for you and wanted you. I didn’t want you to know about Jack because I was afraid you would do exactly what you said—pull away and give me space—and that was the last thing I wanted or needed. So I deliberately kept that information from you.”

  “You wench.”

  “Yep. I am. And you might think me more of a wench once you hear what I have to say next.”

  For some reason, his heart clutched in his chest. “Reba, you’ve been trying to say something for a while now. What is it?”

  She closed her eyes and bit her lip. “Parker,” she said softly, “I’m pregnant. You and I? We’re going to have a baby.”

  ****

  Reba watched his eyes grow wide and then glance off. He dropped her hands and sat up straight.

  “Pregnant?”

  Her next words rushed forward. “I’m thirty-nine years old, Parker. I am as shocked as you. I was told years ago, when I never got pregnant with Jack, that I couldn’t. I wasn’t worried about birth control because I knew I couldn’t get pregnant. But I was wrong. I had a blood test two days ago.”

  “We’re having a baby?”

  She sighed, unsure of where this was heading. It could be good, or it could be bad.

  Parker jumped down and paced, right then left, in front of her.

  “Say something, please.”

  He looked at her.

  “We’re going to have a baby.”

  “Yep. I’d say block out the month of March on your calendar. We’re going to be busy.”

  She could see the wheels spinning in his head. Then all of a sudden, Parker threw back his head and let loose with one helluva cowboy yell. “Wooohee!” Then he tossed his hat into the air.

  I might cry. He narrowed his gaze at her then and moved toward her. She scooted to the edge of the tailgate and took his hands in hers, drawing him closer, and wrapping her legs around his waist.

  “I love you, Parker McKenna,” she whispered.

  Parker gazed into her eyes and cradled her face in his big hands. “I love you more, Reba Morris. Marry me.”

  Reba blinked. “Marry you?”

  “Yes. Marry me. Tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yes. Tomorrow.”

  “Can we do that?”

  “We sure as hell can.”

  Fireworks went up behind him and Reba watched the fire in his eyes rival the colors in the sky.

  “Yes.”

  He grinned and gently pushed her back onto the blanket. He lay beside her, turning her body to face him. Reba absorbed the power of their attraction, chest to chest, heart to heart.

  Parker placed a hand on her tummy. “We’re having a baby.”

  “Yes, Parker McKenn
a, we are.”

  He trailed a hand down her tummy to her hip and dragged a forefinger along her thigh. “We won’t hurt the baby if we….”

  Reba put a finger to his lip. “No. In fact, I think it’s good for us. Happy mama, happy baby…”

  “Happy daddy.” He lifted her chin and peered deep into her eyes. “Are you happy, Reba Morris?”

  Reba leaned in and touched his lips with hers. “Ecstatically happy, Mr. McKenna.”

  A second round of fireworks lit the sky over their heads.

  Parker leaned in and claimed her lips. Her heart. Her life.

  Epilogue

  Blog Post, July 5th

  Bekah’s Cottage Blog

  Written by Reba McKenna, aka Bekah

  Hi, folks! I have some exciting news to share with you today. I’m going to be taking a little time off from blogging in order to get a jump start on my new life and to prepare for some next steps in my business world!

  Yes, Bekah has been a little naughty, and guess what, she’s landed herself a cowboy! Now, in case you are offended by the naughty part, don’t be. I don’t mean to offend anyone. It’s just that I can’t stop kissing my hunky cowboy husband, and I need some time away from the cottage for a while.

  Yes, you heard that right. I said “hunky cowboy husband.” I got married!

  I know you don’t know anything about my private life because I’ve purposely kept it that way, but once I am back in the blogging saddle—in about a month or so—I’ll be opening up my life a little more to share with you.

  Now, Hottie Hubby Cowboy wants to remain semi-anonymous—meaning he does not want to be the center of attention. You know how guys are sometimes, so I will definitely honor his wishes. But that doesn’t mean I might not sneak a pic of his lovely backside to post once in a while—we just won’t tell him.

  But, there are a couple more reasons why I need some time away from the blog. One, I have landed a new book deal, and you will be hearing more about that later. And two, there is also going to be a cable television show! And yes, more information coming soon. But most importantly, Hottie Hubby Cowboy and I need to join our households and make some plans for the future.