Gabe (Men of Clifton Montana Book 2)

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  She tried to smile. “He loves the baby.”

  Madilyn snorted. “No one has to get married nowadays.”

  “He wanted to be a part—”

  Madilyn burst out laughing. “Please do not say he wanted to make sure he could be a part of the baby’s life, like he couldn’t be if you weren’t married. This town is so small it would be no problem for him to be a part of the baby’s life. He didn’t have to marry you.”

  Emma nibbled on her bottom lip. No one knew how Gabe had practically forced her into marriage. They didn’t understand just how much he wanted to be a part of his child’s life. She smiled at Madilyn. It was time to change the subject. “So, how have you been, Madilyn? I’ve missed you.” She noticed how the light seemed to go out of her friend’s eyes.

  “I’m all right.” Madilyn shrugged and smiled at her.

  “Are you really? I know it’s been a while since…” Emma paused. She knew by the look on Madilyn’s face that she’d said the wrong thing.

  “I’m fine, Emma. Brody’s been gone for a long time and I’ve gotten over him,” Madilyn said not looking at her, but instead looking down at her folded hands.

  Emma frowned. “You can tell anyone else that but don’t try it on me. I know you. I know how bad you took it when he left.”

  Madilyn sighed. “I’ve learned to live without him. That’s all I can say about it, Emma.”

  “I know how hurt you were when he left. You two were such a hot couple. And so in love.” She leaned forward and touched her hand to hers. “You should have gone with him, Madilyn.”

  “I used to think so. A few days after he was gone, remember? I wanted to go after him but then I realized he didn’t care enough to stay, why should I care enough to go?”

  “He had a dream. To become a US Marshal.” Emma shrugged. “You had no one here. You should have gone with him. I’m your friend and I can say this to you. Just because your dad was killed on duty, didn’t mean Brody would be. Now you’re alone. Your dad’s gone, and so is Brody.”

  “I know that, Emma.” Madilyn practically growled the words. “I’ve been dating again, and I’m ready for a new relationship. Brody Morgan is my past and I’m moving on.”

  Emma knew there was no more to say. She wanted to suggest Madilyn try to contact Brody, but she knew her friend had made up her mind. Brody was in the past. She mentally shook her head and wondered how two people so in love could just walk away from one another? It made her think of how easy it would be for Gabe to walk away from her since there wasn’t anything but the baby keeping them together.

  Chapter Twelve

  Emma parked near the back door, and after clumsily climbing out of the driver’s side seat, she waddled through the back door into the kitchen. There she found Gabe seated at the kitchen table with Sam. “Is there something wrong?” she asked.

  “No. I didn’t mean to alarm you, Emma. I was just out this way and stopped in,” Sam said as he stood to greet her. Gabe took her things from her and hung them up.

  She let out a sigh of relief. “I didn’t even notice the cruiser.”

  “I was out front when Sam pulled up.” Gabe shrugged. “He’s parked out there down from the porch.”

  She nodded her understanding, poured herself a cup of coffee, and once she settled herself into a seat at the table, the men took their seats again. Emma smiled as she sipped her coffee. Gotta love cowboys and their good manners. “Anything on Harris?” she asked while the coffee warmed her insides.

  Sam shook his head. “No, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still around.”

  “Did you have a good time at lunch, Emma?” Gabe asked. She was sure he was still annoyed she’d gone to lunch in town without him, or the girls.

  “It was good to see Madilyn again.” She nodded and smiled.

  “You had lunch with Madilyn?” Sam smiled at her.

  “I did. It’s the first time we’ve gotten together since…” Emma’s voice faded away.

  “Since Brody left?” Gabe gazed at her. “Surely not that long.”

  “Yes. We’ve seen each other but never got together. I was there for her when he first left, but then she pulled away from me.” She blew out a breath of frustration. “I even asked her to be my maid of honor at our wedding, but she flat out refused.”

  “She pulled away from everyone. She blamed me for a long while,” Sam said in a quiet voice.

  “I know she did. But she realized you didn’t force him to leave, Sam.”

  “Well, she’s certainly not going to like me when she finds out he’s coming back,” Sam muttered.

  “What? Brody’s coming back? Here? When?” Emma stared at Sam in disbelief.

  Sam sighed. “In a month or two. I’m not sure what’s going on, but he quit the Marshals Service. I talked to him last week and he needs a job.” Sam shrugged. “I need another deputy, so I hired him.”

  “Holy hell, Sam! Madilyn’s going to freak out,” Gabe told him.

  “I know. I’m not looking forward to it,” Sam murmured not looking at either of them.

  Emma stared at Sam. “How long have you known he was coming back?” She watched as Sam ran his hand over his jaw rubbing it as if she’d just slapped him.

  “A while,” he admitted and then shook his head. “What was I supposed to do? He’s a friend. He needs a job and I need a deputy. And he asked me not to say anything.”

  She groaned and then smiled briefly. “I’m not blaming you for anything, Sam. It’s just that I know how it’s going to affect Madilyn when he comes back.”

  “I know and I mentioned that to him. He said he’d figure it out when he got here.” Sam stood. “I need to get going. I want to check with Rick on Harris.” Sam looked down at her. “I’ll get him, Emma, one way or another.”

  Emma reached her hands up and Sam leaned down. She hugged him. “I know you will, Sam.” He gave her a nod, shook Gabe’s hand, and left through the back door.

  She yawned and smiled at Gabe. “I’m so tired. It seems like all I ever want to do is take a nap.”

  Gabe smiled a devilish grin. “Well, come on then, darlin’, let’s take one.” He scooped her out of her chair and carried her up to bed. She didn’t complain.

  * * * *

  It was the third week of April and Emma couldn’t believe her baby still hadn’t come yet. Becca’s wedding was at the end of May. At this rate, she may still be pregnant, or at least as big as cow. She sat at the kitchen table drinking iced tea. The baby kicked, making her groan. “Why won’t you come out of there?”

  Gabe strolled into the kitchen, stopped at the fridge, and grabbed an apple. He took a bite, and then offered it to her. She frowned at him. “Will it make this baby come out?”

  Gabe chuckled and leaned back against the counter. “You know I heard sex can induce labor.”

  She climbed out of her chair, her big belly leading the way. “Oh yeah, well let’s go. Get those pants off.” She headed toward the living room. Gabe grabbed her by the arm stopping her.

  “I can’t, baby, Wyatt’s here and although I’m sure it’ll only take a few minutes, we’re waiting on a client who has two horses he wants us to train. Besides, you said your back hurt.” Gabe hugged her to him.

  “I don’t even need a few minutes, Gabe. If sex will get her out, let’s get to it. I’ll suffer with my back if it will get this baby out.”

  Gabe burst out laughing then kissed her. “Later, darlin’, I promise.” Still chuckling, he walked out the door.

  Emma glared at his back. She grabbed an apple out of the fridge, and decided to visit Beauty if she couldn’t have sex with her husband. When she entered the barn and saw Wyatt leaning against a stall door. He grinned at her and tipped his hat.

  “Don’t you dare say anything about how fat I am,” she said with a scowl.

  Wyatt threw his hands up in mock surrender. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Emma, I think you look beautiful.”

  She blinked back tears. “You’re so sweet, Wyatt.” S
he pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and waddled on past him toward Beauty’s stall.

  The horse stuck her nose over the gate and nuzzled Emma’s shoulder, making her laugh. She fed the apple to the horse, rubbed her velvety nose, and talked to her in a soft voice. She turned to leave when a sudden sharp cramp hit her stopping her in her tracks. Taking a few more steps, another cramp hit her, doubling her over. She took deep breaths until it subsided. She needed to find Gabe. As she headed toward the office, another pain hit her making her scream and grab for the wall. Gabe and Wyatt came running from the direction of the office.

  “Emma!” Gabe dropped to his knees in front of her. “Are you all right?”

  She waited for the pain to pass then glared at her husband. “Do I look all right, Gabe?” She saw him glance at Wyatt, who ran his hand down his face trying to hide a grin. She wasn’t appreciating either of them right now.

  “I hope when you go through this someday, it’s ten times worse,” Gabe yelled at his brother.

  Wyatt shook his head then turned his attention to her. “Do you need to go to the hospital, Emma?”

  She tried straightening up. “I don’t know if…” She ended on a gasp then doubled over again. Wyatt and Gabe went into action. Wyatt walked her to the truck while Gabe ran inside to get her suitcase. She couldn’t get up into the truck so Wyatt picked her up and put her on the seat. She placed her hand against his cheek and smiled at him. “Someday, believe it or not, Wyatt, you’ll make someone a wonderful husband.”

  “What about me? Don’t I make a wonderful husband?” Gabe asked when he returned to the truck.

  Emma glared at him. “Not at this minute, you don’t. This is your fault. You wore a condom that broke. What is wrong with you, Gabe?”

  He looked so confused that Wyatt burst out laughing, making Gabe swing around to face him. “I swear you will get yours,” he growled before jumping in the truck and throwing gravel everywhere as he steered the large vehicle out of the drive. Emma cringed and held on for dear life while doing her breathing exercises. As soon as they got to the hospital, the staff took her to a room, and away from Gabe.

  * * * *

  Gabe waited impatiently while the medical staff got Emma settled. Someone told him a nurse would come for him, but he was worried about his wife. He paced back and forth wringing his hands and only relaxing a little when he saw his brothers, Becca and Olivia running toward him.

  “What’s going on?” Jake asked through heavy breaths.

  “They’re making her comfortable. They’ll come get me when they have her settled,” Gabe told them all. “It better be soon.” He got his wish a few minutes later when a nurse called his name and escorted him back to Emma’s room. When he entered the room, he immediately noticed the monitor hooked up to her to track the baby’s heartbeat. It was so fast. It made him very nervous. He pulled up a chair and sat down near the bed. With Emma lying so quiet with her eyes closed, it reminded him of when she lay in a hospital bed after being shot. He didn’t like it. She suddenly opened her eyes and looked at him. Emma smiled at him and his heart skipped a beat.

  “Looks like little Sophie Ann’s about to make her appearance,” Emma said with tears sparkling in her eyes.

  “Or little Joshua Gabriel.” Gabe grinned. They had decided early on they didn’t want to know the sex of the baby. They wanted it to be a surprise. He held her hand when a contraction hit her. Emma panted until it passed, but he wished he could take on this burden for her.

  Hours seemed to pass. Gabe didn’t know what more to do for her. At one point, he was rubbing his hand across her wrist and she jerked it from him, and smacked him on the head. Thank God, no one else had been in the room. It was embarrassing. He kept his eyes on her and helped her when a contraction hit her, but he had no idea what he could do to help her. All of a sudden, Emma grabbed his arm and gritted her teeth. Suddenly, the bed linens were soaked. In a bit of a panic, he ran from the room to get a nurse.

  When the nurse checked on Emma, she nodded and smiled. “You’re ready, honey.” She called for an attendant and together they wheeled the bed out, and down to the delivery room. It was all happening so fast. Gabe stood behind Emma, helping her sit up when she had to push.

  Emma’s doctor sat on a stool between his wife’s legs barking orders at her. “Come on, Emma. Push.”

  She sat up and pushed then lay back down. Then Emma suddenly glared at Gabe over her shoulder. “Don’t you ever do this to me again,” she yelled at him.

  Gabe felt his ears turning red as everyone laughed. The doctor looked up at him, winked, and grinned at him. “Some women even ask for divorces in here.” She turned her attention back to Emma. “Okay, honey. One more big push and your baby will be here.”

  A moment later, he heard their baby crying and blinked back tears.

  “It’s a girl,” Doctor Anderson announced, holding up the baby for them to see.

  Emma gazed up at him with a frown. “You’re not disappointed, are you?”

  He kissed her, and then laughed feeling his heart swelling with love. “Hell no! Now I have two beautiful females to spoil.”

  The doctor laid the baby across Emma’s chest. “Emma and Gabe, meet your daughter.”

  Gabe kissed his daughter on her tiny forehead, and then pressed a kiss to Emma’s forehead. “She’s beautiful, just like her mama.”

  He watched Emma’s tears roll down her cheeks as she kissed her daughter’s tiny face. “I love you, Sophie Ann Stone.”

  Gabe strode into the waiting room like the proud father he was. His family, Emma’s parents, and Olivia all stood up with anxious looks on their faces. He grinned. “We have a daughter.” He laughed when everyone cheered. “Sophie Ann Stone weighed in at eight pounds, fifteen and a half ounces and she’s twenty three inches long. She’s beautiful.” His brothers slapped him on the back and shook his hand while Becca and Olivia hugged him. Emma’s parents hugged him too. “I have to get back to her now.” He left them to go back to his wife and daughter, the two most important women in his life. The two females he loved more than anything in this world.

  * * * *

  Two days later, Emma sat in the living room holding Sophie when Gabe entered the room wearing a grin and with Madilyn Young following him. Emma smiled up at her friend. “Madilyn, I’m so happy to see you.” She started to get up but Madilyn motioned her to stay put.

  “No, no. Stay there, Em. I’ll sit with you. I just had to see this gorgeous baby.” She sat down and peered into the pink blanket. She lifted her gaze to Emma and smiled. “My God, she is the most beautiful baby.” She glanced to Gabe and gave him a nod.

  “Of course she is. Look at her mama.” Gabe winked at Emma.

  “He’s biased.” She laughed.

  “She gets her good looks from both of you.” Madilyn touched Sophie’s tiny hand.

  “Do you want to hold her?” Emma asked.

  Madilyn gasped. “Could I?”

  She nodded and handed Sophie to her. “Of course you can.”

  Madilyn sat back, cradling the baby, and talked to Sophie in a soft voice. Emma’s eyes filled with tears watching her friend. She barely noticed Gabe leaving the room. When Madilyn raised tear-filled eyes to look at her, she thought her heart would break.

  “I wanted a baby so badly with Brody,” Madilyn said in a hushed voice.

  “I know you did. I remember you talking about it all the time.” She gently touched her friend’s hand.

  Madilyn shook her head slightly. “He did too. We used to talk about having a family all the time.” She smiled sadly. “A boy and a girl perhaps, and of course, we’d have a dog or two…” Her voice faded off.

  Emma didn’t know what to say. This was the most Madilyn had said about Brody in years. She knew Madilyn needed to talk about him. Brody was the love of her life.

  “I still miss him. I miss him every day, Em.” Madilyn glanced down at Sophie. “You’re right. I should have gone with him.”

  “I think s
o too. It’s been years and he’s still alive. You could’ve had those years with him. Instead, here you are all alone. Madilyn, I believe we get one shot at real love in our lifetime, and yours is Brody.”

  “I find it hard to forgive him though. He did it all behind my back. He didn’t ask me what my thoughts were at all. Brody just did what he wanted without any thought to my feelings.” She shook her head. “He should have talked it over with me before he even applied for a job with the Marshals Service.”

  “What’s going on with you and Zach Johnson?” Emma asked and noticed how Madilyn tensed at the mention of the man’s name.

  “We’re dating.”

  “Seriously Madilyn? The one guy that Brody hates and you’re dating him?”

  Madilyn shrugged. “He asked me out. He’s been asking me out for years ever since Brody left.”

  “He’s only doing it because he hates Brody,” Emma told her.

  “That doesn’t make sense, Em. Brody isn’t even here to see me with Zach.”

  Emma shrugged. “I don’t care for Zach and I’d bet my last dollar he’s dating you to spite Brody even though he isn’t here to see it. It makes Zach feel like he has something Brody doesn’t.”

  “That’s crazy, Emma,” Madilyn snapped back in defense of Zach.

  “It’s not. Zach wanted you the entire time you dated Brody and you know it. That’s one reason Brody kicked his ass.”

  Madilyn gasped. “What? What do you mean Brody kicked his ass?”

  Emma mentally groaned. That was something she wished she could take back. She sighed. “They got into a fight one night. Brody was at Dewey’s with Sam, and Zach said something to the effect that if Brody was out without you, maybe he should go see you and let you have a real man.” She shrugged. “Brody hit him. It only took one time and Zach hit the floor like a ton of bricks. Brody stood over him yelling for him to get up, but Zach was out cold. Sam had to physically remove Brody from the bar.”