A Cowboy for Christmas

by Sara Richardson

  “One straight-up ginger ale.” Everly set down a glass in front of her and took her place on the other side of the table. She glanced over to where Darla had been staring. “He’s dancing with Rhett’s date.”

  Darla sipped her ginger ale. “Yeah. I’m guessing there’s something between Rhett and Sierra after all.” And being the good man that he was, Ty had decided to help out his brother.

  “Have you decided how you’re going to tell him about the baby yet?” Everly asked in her gentle way.

  “No. I have no idea.” There would be no easy way to spring that on him. It was likely the last thing he expected to hear from her. “I guess I’ll meet him at a restaurant or something.” If they were in public, her emotions wouldn’t get away from her. She could simply tell him she was having the baby, and he could be as involved or uninvolved as he wanted. “I don’t expect anything from him. Nothing has to change.” She and Ty had always gotten along well. They’d been great friends, which would be good for the baby. Darla nestled her hand onto her lower stomach. It was crazy, but she swore she could feel the little peanut in there, growing and getting ready to change her whole life.

  Everly quietly sipped her drink. She had something on her mind, Darla could tell, but her friend was always careful with her words. “What if he wants to be more than co-parents? What if he wants a real relationship?”

  A heaviness cloaked her heart. That was something she couldn’t give him. There was too much fear, too much insecurity. “He’ll find it with someone else.” Somehow she managed to hold off the tears. “Eventually.” And she would have to be okay with that. With seeing him fall in love with another woman. Tonight she didn’t have to be okay with it though. Tonight it could hurt a little. Weariness wrapped itself tightly around her temples, warning of a headache. Suddenly it seemed like a good night to wallow. She let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Ugh. I’m not feeling well. It’s my stomach again. Can you take me home?”

  Based on Everly’s sympathetic smile, she knew exactly why Darla wanted to leave. “Of course.”

  They abandoned their ginger ales and walked out into the cold night, and it sure felt like she was walking away from something she desperately wanted. Staying mostly silent the whole way to her house, Darla thanked Everly with a hug when they pulled in the driveway and got out of the car. She trudged up her front walk and let herself in, feeling those sorrowful emotions rise. She used to wonder if she would ever get over missing the life she once thought she’d have, and then one day she realized she wouldn’t. That sorrow would always be there, but she’d learned to soothe it with other things. Her job and her friends and, of course, chocolate. There was always chocolate.

  Sighing, she slumped down to the couch and turned on another one of those romantic happy Christmas movies where everything always worked out in the end. Before she’d even made it to the first kiss-in-the-snow scene, there was a knock at her door. Being that it was almost ten o’clock, this knock was likely an urgent matter, so she dragged herself off the couch and peeked out the window.

  The sight of Ty standing on her front stoop set her eyes ablaze with tears.

  She hurried to the door and pulled it open. “Hey,” she murmured, tugging her sweater in tighter around her shoulders. “What’re you doing here so late?”

  He took a minute to simply look at her, his eyes and mouth soft and tender. “I just wanted to come by and tell you nothing happened. On the date.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Of course he did. He was thoughtful like that. Thoughtful and kind and sexy. And she could not invite him in. Darla held on to the door. “Something could’ve happened, you know. If you’d wanted it to. We’re not really together. You don’t owe me anything.” He wouldn’t owe her anything even when it came to the baby. Lord, it was hard to keep this secret from him. But she wasn’t ready to tell him. She couldn’t face his family tomorrow and break up with him if they all knew she was pregnant. It was best to wait until they could deal with it alone.

  “I know we’re not together.” Ty’s jaw tensed. “But I didn’t want anything to happen with Sierra.” His stare made it clear why. Because he wanted her. Only her, but she couldn’t go there with him. They couldn’t have this conversation again.

  “Well, we’re breaking up tomorrow, so then you’ll be free anyway.” No matter what, she couldn’t let her fears hold him back.

  “I won’t be free,” Ty said. The glow of her porch light haloed his head. “Not really. I get that we need to stop lying to my parents, so I’m fine with the breakup. But you need to know it won’t change how I feel about you. You also need to know I’m not going anywhere. I understand you’ve lost a lot, but you won’t lose me, Darla.” Before she could respond, he walked away, down the sidewalk and got into his truck. Darla wrapped her arm around her middle, cradling their baby in there. She wanted so badly to let herself believe him.

  * * *

  Darla walked the length of the bar at the Chocolate Therapist, straightening the food that she’d had Everly cater for her lunch with the Forresters. She’d set out her fancy Christmas dishes and had decorated the bar with fresh red and white poinsettias. The food was perfect—French dip sandwiches and sweet potato fries and a huge spread of veggies with a fiery ranch dip. But the sight of it made her want to double over and throw up. Again. She’d already thrown up twice that morning. Once while she was brushing her teeth and again on the drive over to the bar. It seemed nerves didn’t exactly help morning sickness.

  Originally, she’d planned to call Ty this morning so they could put together a solid breakup script, but after he stopped by last night, she doubted he’d want to help write the words that would end their fake relationship. It was up to her, and she had no idea how to go about breaking all of their hearts.

  It’s not you, it’s me. The old adage rang truer than Ty would ever know. More than anything else, she wanted his parents and brother to know the responsibility for this failed relationship rested solely on her shoulders. Her issues weren’t his fault.

  Outside the storefront windows, Ty’s truck rolled past her bar and parked along the street. She quickly unlocked the door and watched Ty help his mom climb out of the truck. It didn’t matter what day it was, Maureen always seemed to dress so festively. Today she wore a navy blue sweatshirt covered with silver snowflakes layered over a matching turtleneck. She was so motherly and nurturing—the perfect grandma for the baby. Darla rested her hand on her tummy, something that had become a habit even though she couldn’t feel much yet. So many people were going to love this baby—a whole family, a whole community. She would make sure of that. Even if Robert and Maureen would be upset with her and Ty for breaking up, she didn’t doubt that they would revel in their roles as grandparents.

  Ty led the way inside the doors, where he greeted her with a lingering kiss.

  Warmth wrapped around her, enveloping her into the safety of its glow, but she broke out of his hold to welcome his parents before she changed her mind about going through with the reason for this lunch. “So glad you could come.”

  “Me too.” Maureen gave her a hug. “I feel like we’ve hardly seen you at all these last couple of days.”

  That was because it had been too hard to face them. Before she’d met his family, she hadn’t planned on liking them so much, but the more time she spent with them, the more their quirkiness and warmth drew her in. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s been crazy with the fund-raisers and all.” And the pregnancy. The magnitude of her secret chipped away at her composure. Her stomach churned, making her throat burn. Uugggh. She could not throw up again.

  “Thanks for lending me your fiancé last night,” Rhett said, also leaning in for a quick brotherly hug. “He was surprisingly helpful as my wingman.”

  Yes, she’d noticed that, but she didn’t say anything. Ty couldn’t find out she’d been spying on him.

  “Rhett here has a thing for Miss Sierra DeYoung.” Ty pronounced the name with flair, earning a punch in the shoulder from his brother.<
br />
  “Who’s Sierra DeYoung?” their mother demanded. “And why haven’t we met her?”

  “I just met her,” Rhett replied, all huffy. “We haven’t achieved meet-the-parents status yet.”

  “Well I’d say Miss DeYoung has a thing for you too, based on how far she went to prove a point last night,” Ty said.

  “Oh.” Their father grinned. He had the same grin as both Ty and Rhett, Darla noticed. She wondered if the baby would take after them too. She hoped so.

  “That’s the girl who paid six thousand for your brother.” Robert whistled low. “Six grand. You could buy a brand-new steer and then some with that kind of money.”

  “Or you could take a trip to Hawaii,” Maureen chimed in. “A whole family trip! Hey, maybe we should do that next Christmas.” She turned to Darla, excitement evident in her eyes. “Wouldn’t that be fun? Robert and me, you and Ty, and Rhett and Sierra?”

  “Whoa.” Rhett raised his hands like a shield. “I don’t even know if we’re going out next week, let alone next year.”

  Unable to face the hopefulness in Maureen’s eyes, Darla stared at the floor. After the breakup, she wouldn’t be going on any family trips with them.

  “Well if it’s not Sierra, then we’ll bring whoever you’re dating at the time,” his mother insisted, taking off her coat and handing it to Robert. He walked over and hung it on a coatrack at the end of the bar.

  “Is that beef I smell?” Ty’s father eyed the spread of food, offering Darla the perfect distraction from talk of the big family Hawaii trip.

  “Yes. Everly made us French dip sandwiches.” She started to remove the plastic coverings from the platters Everly had arranged, but Ty swooped in and took over.

  “Everyone can grab a plate,” Darla said, carefully avoiding his long, steady gazes. She had to power through this lunch and do what had to be done. Then maybe she wouldn’t feel so conflicted.

  “I can’t eat much.” Rhett took a sandwich and a few veggies.

  “He’s taking Sierra to the restaurant up at the ski resort tonight.” Ty helped himself to double the amount of food.

  “What time?” Maureen asked, carefully selecting her veggies from the tray. “Maybe we’ll go up there for dessert. We’d love to meet her!”

  Rhett shot his brother a pained grimace.

  “Yeah, probably let them get to know each other better before you and Dad ambush the poor woman.” Ty gave both of his parents an affectionate smile. “Better make sure she’s interested first.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Robert grumbled, already biting into his sandwich.

  “We’re not going to scare her away.” Maureen took her plate and sat by her husband. “We’re not scary, are we, Darla?”

  “No.” Oh lord. She was getting choked up. Man, those pregnancy hormones were powerful. “You’re not scary at all,” she managed. Before the tears slipped out, Darla grabbed a napkin.

  “Are you okay, honey?” Maureen set down her fork and studied her. Darla made the mistake of looking the woman directly in the eyes. Something unspoken passed between them, and it was as if his mom could see what she’d tried so hard to hide.

  “Um. Actually…” She darted her gaze away. Whoa. Heat rose to her cheeks. “Sorry.” She pressed a hand into her abdomen and leaned in to the bar to inhale a deep breath.

  Ty rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not feeling well.” It wasn’t like she could hide that from them all. “Sorry.” She tried to stand strong. “It’s my stomach.”

  “Your stomach?” Ty steadied his arm around her waist. “Again? Have you been to the doctor?”

  “What do you mean, ‘again’?” Maureen asked. She was still staring intensely at Darla, but Darla couldn’t let her see. She couldn’t—

  “She’s been sick on and off for the last few weeks,” Ty told his family.

  Darla wanted to shush him, but another wave of nausea crashed over her. “Um…”

  “Oh, dear heavens.” Maureen’s stare turned into a gape and then an open-mouthed grin. “Oh!” She clasped her hands tightly together. “You’re pregnant! Aren’t you? I wondered. You just have this lovely glow, and I thought to myself, I wonder if she’s going to have a baby. And you are!”

  “Come on, Mom.” Concern tinged Ty’s expression. “That’s crazy. Of course she’s not pregnant.” He turned his attention back to Darla. “Sorry. She wishes you were pregnant. But we’re not even married yet,” he called over to his parents. “So why don’t you slow it down. We don’t need that kind of pressure—”

  “Actually.” Darla tugged on his shoulder so he would look at her. It was too much. The secret. Keeping it from them on top of everything else. There had already been too many lies. She couldn’t handle more. Besides that, Maureen knew.

  Darla cast a wide-eyed gaze up at Ty to indicate her current level of panic. “I am. We are. Having a baby.”

  The room erupted around them—Maureen and Robert both hopped out of their seats.

  “Wow. That’s awesome.” Ty’s brother rushed over and gave them both hugs. “Congrats, guys. I can’t wait to be an uncle.”

  Darla tried to smile and celebrate with them, but Ty’s silence distracted her. He simply stood there and stared at her. “You’re not serious.” He seemed to be searching for evidence that it was all a joke.

  This was not the way he was supposed to find out. In front of everyone else. “I literally just found out. Took a test.” She didn’t mention that it was at an urgent care center because she’d fainted. He likely wouldn’t appreciate her keeping that detail from him.

  “Wait a minute.” Rhett steered his gaze back and forth between them. “Ty didn’t even know?”

  She continued to look at Ty. Only at Ty. He had to be shocked right now. “I was trying to figure out how to tell you. Without…complicating things.”

  “Complicating things?” Robert joined them by the bar. “Are you kidding? This is the best news I’ve ever heard! I’m gonna be a granddad!”

  Maureen rifled through her purse, tossing out receipts and Kleenex until she found her phone. “I need to get a picture!” She shooed Rhett to the side. “Put your hands on her tummy,” she instructed Ty.

  Poor Ty. He hadn’t even blinked.

  Maureen held the camera up to her face. “Get closer. For the love of Pete, son, put your arm around your fiancée!”

  He did what he was told, but his movements seemed robotic.

  The flash went off at least half a dozen times, leaving Darla mostly blind.

  “Oh, this is wonderful! Just wonderful!” Maureen somehow managed to wrap her arms around them both. “Wait until your grandma hears about this! She’s going to be thrilled! Her first great-grandchild.”

  No one else seemed to notice that Ty hadn’t said a word. He simply kept looking at Darla with bewilderment on his face. She had to get him out of there so she could explain everything and they could come up with a new plan.

  Chapter Twenty

  If the room would stop spinning for one damn minute, maybe Ty could think straight. It didn’t help that his mom had trapped him and Darla in a death-grip hug.

  “When are you due? Have you been to the doctor?” His mom peppered Darla with questions, not even giving her a chance to answer. “Have you seen the baby on the ultrasound yet?”

  Baby. There went the spinning again. A baby? They’d gone from being on the verge of a breakup to having a baby?

  “I’m so sorry.” Darla politely shuffled away from his mom and grabbed his hand. “Ty and I should take a minute. I know this is all a bit of a surprise.”

  “It’s a wonderful surprise!” His mom started to cry. “Oh, I have to call everyone back home and tell them right away.”

  “Sounds good! We’ll only be a few minutes.” Darla prodded him down the hall and all but shoved him into the back room.

  The quiet brought him some sense of clarity. He looked at the woman standing across from him. “Is this pa
rt of the act?” He had to know now. Right now. Because if it wasn’t…

  “No.” Tears glowed in Darla’s eyes, making them even more compelling. “It’s not part of the act at all. It’s not even part of the plan. Remember in November when we—”

  “I remember.” He remembered every second of being with her. Every detail down to how it felt when he ran his fingers along the bend of her hip.

  Tears slipped down her cheeks as she wrung her hands out in front of her waist. “This doesn’t have to change anything though. We’ll still be friends. We can be co-parents and—”

  “What’re you talking about?” A laugh slipped out even though emotion burned in his eyes too. “This changes everything.” He gathered her hands in his. “This is amazing. A baby. We’re having a baby?”

  Darla nodded slowly, her expression suddenly guarded. He wanted to take her in his arms and spin her around, sweep her feet off the floor. He wanted to kiss her senseless and then he wanted to fall on his knees and kiss that beautiful rounded part of her stomach. But the wary distance in her eyes held him off. He recognized it. This wasn’t the first time he’d seen it. She didn’t want him to touch her right now and she definitely didn’t want him to love her.

  “Are you okay?” Ty asked. She’d obviously been dealing with a lot…more than he’d known.

  “I’m…good.” She hesitated. “I mean, physically it’s hard. I’m nauseous all the time and overly emotional, but I’m happy. I didn’t think I’d have children, so it feels like a gift. The best most beautiful most important gift I’ve ever been given.”

  Relief flooded through him. “I feel the same way.” He held his arms out to her and she walked into them, resting her head on his chest right above his heart. “We could get married. For real. We could give the baby a family…”

  Darla noticeably stiffened.

  Bracing himself, he let her go.

  “We don’t have to get married to give the baby a family.” She walked away from him and sat on the couch.