His Secret Son

by Brenda Jackson

  “That’s fine. We’ll be here.”

  “I’m counting on it.” He leaned over and kissed her again, this time a little longer, before easing out of bed. He slid into his jeans and went into the connecting bathroom. When he returned a few moments later, he saw she had drifted off to sleep with Laramie cuddled close.

  As he finished dressing, he couldn’t stop looking at them. Something deep tugged at his heart. He wasn’t sure how to deal with all these emotions. For years, he’d stayed in control of all relationships he was involved in. Usually, none were for the long-term. He’d been determined that no woman would ever rule his heart.

  He liked his freedom. Besides, his work as a SEAL wasn’t conducive to a normal family life. He didn’t know from one month to the next where a mission might take him or for how long he’d be gone. He’d always enjoyed the adventure, the excitement, the quest and, yes, even the danger. Definitely the danger. It was enough to get your blood pumping and your adrenaline flowing.

  But, he thought, studying Bristol while she slept, she got his blood pumping and his adrenaline flowing, as well. And when he thought about what they’d shared last night, he couldn’t help but smile. Then his smile widened and he knew why. He was happy. Truly happy. And the two people responsible for his happiness were sleeping in that bed. In the last forty-eight hours, his life had changed.

  Already, he could admit he wouldn’t want it any other way.

  When he finished dressing, he walked back over to the bed to stare down at them. At her. He wondered if she had any idea what she did to him, what she had done to him three years ago. Resisting her hadn’t been an option.

  Bristol had gotten next to him without much effort and there hadn’t been anything he could do about it.

  Other than to fall in love with her.

  That admission shook him to the core. He hadn’t seen that coming. But now that he knew the truth, he had to accept it.

  He loved her.

  He drew in a deep breath. If he analyzed his behavior over the past three years, he probably would have realized he’d fallen in love with her the moment he and the guys had walked into that café in Paris. He’d seen her staring at him. He was certain he’d lost his heart then and there.

  He’d left everyone at the table to approach her, determined to introduce himself before they could. Now his actions made sense. Love explained everything. Including the importance of those memories to his survival as well as why he’d returned to Paris looking for her as soon as he’d recuperated. When he’d accepted that she had been lost to him forever, he’d moved on. He’d been living a satisfied life but not a truly happy one.

  There had to be a reason their paths had crossed in New York after all this time, a reason they had a child, who would always be a bond between them. And more than anything he also believed, whether she agreed or not, there was a purpose behind her decision to concoct a fake marriage and take his name.

  He wanted Bristol and Laramie to always be a part of his life. He might not have planned for the recent turn of events, but now that he was faced with this little family of his, he had no regrets.

  He was well aware that Bristol harbored reservations about making their marriage real, but he intended to get rid of whatever roadblocks stood in their way.

  She didn’t love him yet, but in the end she would. He was a determined man and when he came to a decision there was no stopping him.

  He turned and walked out of her bedroom.

  * * *

  Bristol was in the middle of preparing breakfast when her phone rang. Was it Coop letting her know he wouldn’t make it back for breakfast? Upon waking up again, Laramie had seemed a little disappointed that Coop had left. She had to admit, she was, too.

  As she put the biscuits in the oven, she thought about how he’d found her in her studio working. He had been a distraction, but a welcome one. They had talked. But the one thing he hadn’t said was whether or not he’d told his parents about Laramie. And about their fake marriage. If so, what did his parents think of all this?

  When she grabbed the phone, she saw from the caller ID that it was Margie. “Yes, Margie?”

  “Are you in a better mood today?”

  Bristol raised a brow. “Was I in a bad mood yesterday?”

  “I thought so. I might have upset you with those things I said about your husband. If I did, I’m sorry.”

  Bristol drew in a deep breath. Margie’s words from yesterday had annoyed her. “There is a lot about my relationship with him that you don’t know.” And one of them was the fact he was not really her husband.

  “Then enlighten me. Let’s do lunch today.”

  Bristol nibbled on her bottom lip. Today was not a good day. She didn’t like having to ask Ms. Charlotte to keep an eye on Laramie at the last minute. There might be a chance Coop would be available to watch him, but she couldn’t depend on that. On top of those conflicts, she and Coop still had more to work through. They needed to decide how to move forward. He wanted to spend the holidays with them and she was fine with that. What she didn’t want was what they’d shared last night muddying the waters.

  She didn’t want him to think that just because she’d allowed him in her bed she’d allow him into her life. That wasn’t the case.

  “Tomorrow will be better, Margie,” she heard herself say.

  “Okay, and tomorrow would it be a good time for you and Steven to talk?”

  Margie’s words got her attention. “Talk about what?”

  Margie chuckled. “Honestly, Bristol, have you forgotten he represents a company who’s a client? A client who made it possible for you to leave that boring job to stay home with your son and paint every day.”

  No, she hadn’t forgotten, mainly because Margie refused to let her. She just didn’t understand why Margie couldn’t see that Bristol and Steven didn’t click. “Fine, as long as this is strictly a business meeting, Margie.”

  “What other kind of meeting would I arrange? You don’t like Steven, I get that now, although for Pete’s sake, I don’t know why. But it’s your choice. Call me later and tell me when would be a good time to get together tomorrow.”

  “All right. I’ll talk to you later.”

  As soon as she clicked off the phone and placed it aside, her doorbell rang. “Daddy’s back, Mommy!”

  The excitement in her son’s voice touched her. At least he wasn’t annoyed like he’d been this morning when he’d discovered his favorite spot in her bed already occupied. Once he’d gone to sleep and woken back up, he’d been team Coop all over again. “Yes, sweetheart, I think your daddy is back.”

  Putting the kitchen towel aside, she left the kitchen and headed toward the door.

  * * *

  “Good morning. I got you this,” Coop said, handing her a huge poinsettia. There was a florist shop by the hotel and when he’d seen it this morning he knew he wanted to get it for her.

  “Thanks. It’s beautiful, Coop.”

  “You’re welcome. I liked it when I saw it. It looks healthy and there are leaves that will be turning red in a few days.”

  She smiled. “Come on in.” She stepped aside. “I just put the biscuits in the oven.”

  “Biscuits? You can make biscuits?”

  “Yes, thanks to Aunt Dolly.”

  He entered, pulling off his Stetson and hanging his jacket on the coatrack. “I knew you could cook but claiming you can make biscuits has elevated you to another level.”

  She smiled. “That’s good to know.”

  He watched as she placed the potted plant on a small table not far from the Christmas tree. It was hard to believe it was a week before Christmas, but in New York it was hard to forget the season. There seemed to be a Santa on every corner and all the light posts were decorated with wreaths.

  “So, w
hat do you think?” she asked, turning to stand beside the plant he’d given her.

  His focus was on her when he said, “I wish I could have seen you pregnant.”

  “Where did that come from?” she asked, smiling.

  “You asked what I thought and those were my thoughts while seeing you standing there, knowing my son is in the kitchen sitting at the table.”

  “Coloring.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, coloring.”

  She didn’t say anything for a minute. “While pregnant, I looked like a blimp.”

  He crossed the floor to stop in front of her. He cupped her chin in his hand. “I bet you looked beautiful.” He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

  Then, as if she needed time to compose herself, she said, “The biscuits are about ready to come out the oven.”

  She hurried to the kitchen.

  * * *

  A couple hours later, Bristol stood in front of her easel. The sound of her son’s laughter could be heard all the way upstairs, letting her know he was enjoying another day of Coop’s company.

  Her thoughts shifted back to breakfast. Laramie had been glad to see his father and had talked a mile a minute. Just like yesterday, after breakfast Coop had volunteered to help clean up the kitchen. Although she’d told him his help wasn’t needed, he’d given it anyway. And she would inwardly admit there had been something comfortable about him helping with kitchen chores.

  Her thoughts shifted to the poinsettia he’d given her. It was big and beautiful and looked like it belonged right in the spot she’d placed it. It had been so thoughtful of him to bring it for her, and it made her feel special, although she wished it didn’t. The only other man who’d given her flowers had been her father. He had arrived at their first meeting with flowers and had given her flowers on her birthday ever since. Even after his death the flowers were delivered. They were always a beautiful bouquet and the card always said, “You are forever loved, Dad.”

  She wiped the tears from her eyes that always sprang up when she thought of her father and the little time they’d had together. But he was still making a positive impact on her life. The same way she believed Coop would make a positive impact on Laramie’s life. He was spending time with their son and that meant a lot. Laramie would miss Coop when he left but he would look forward to his father’s return.

  If he returned...

  She drew in a sharp breath as fear gripped her. She didn’t want to think of the risk Coop took whenever he left on a covert operation, but she couldn’t push it from her mind. Although he’d told her little about his work, he had explained to her in Paris that most of his missions were classified and couldn’t be discussed. She wondered how families of navy SEALs dealt with not knowing from one day to the next the whereabouts of their loved ones and when they would return.

  The sound of her cell phone snapped her out of her reverie. She grabbed it off the table and smiled when she saw the caller was Dionne. “Hi, what’s up?”

  “Just calling to check on you. Are you and my godson okay?”

  Bristol smiled. “We’re fine. Just getting used to having a male presence around.” She thought of how Coop had looked, standing on her doorstep that morning wearing a Stetson, jeans, suede jacket and boots. You could take the man out of Texas but you couldn’t take Texas out of the man.

  “A hot male presence, right?”

  She thought about what had taken place in her bed last night and hot was just one adjective she could use. Other descriptions definitely came to mind but since Dionne had said hot... “Um, you can’t imagine just how hot.”

  “Oui! Tell me!”

  Bristol laughed. “No details for now. I need to prepare Laramie’s lunch.”

  “Okay, but you will tell me later.”

  “Yes, later.”

  “You sound happy, Bristol.”

  Did she? “It’s the holidays. Of course I sound happy.”

  “Usually you’re not cheerful this time of year. Those memories of your aunt...”

  Yes, there would always be memories of her aunt, who’d died over the holidays. “I know. At least I was here when it happened.”

  “Yes, I was there, too. I got to meet her. She was so nice.”

  “She was super.”

  They talked about other things while Dionne brought Bristol up to date on her family and the other friends Bristol had left behind in Paris. “Bristol?”

  “Yes?”

  “Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

  Bristol frowned. “About what?”

  “Your fake marriage. We went to a lot of trouble to make it seem real.”

  Bristol didn’t say anything at first. She and Coop still hadn’t decided how to proceed. “A fake divorce makes sense then, doesn’t it? But then why waste money undoing something that wasn’t real anyway?”

  “Is that what he wants? To undo it?”

  “I don’t know what he wants. It only came up once. We need to talk about it again and make a decision,” she said. “Everyone here thinks I was a widow and then out of the clear blue sky my husband reappears. It placed him in an awkward situation since he had no idea everyone thought we were married until I told him.”

  “Why not make it a real marriage under the pretense of renewing your vows?”

  “Because there is no love between us.”

  Bristol knew what Dionne was going to say before she’d even said it. “There is love, Bristol, at least on your part. You loved him after Paris. Remember, I’m the one who told you he had died. I saw what that did to you and the grief you endured. You loved him too much. That much love doesn’t just go away. There’s no way you don’t still love him.”

  Bristol opened her mouth to say that wasn’t true, that she didn’t still love Coop, but she couldn’t lie to Dionne. “It doesn’t matter. I intend to fall out of love with him.”

  “Why?”

  Bristol drew in a deep breath. “You just said the reason. You saw the way I handled the news of his death and the grief I suffered as a result. I couldn’t risk going through something like that a second time. I can’t and I won’t.”

  Seventeen

  For the second night in a row Coop stood aside while Bristol tucked their son into bed. Today had been a full day of activities. After breakfast he’d stretched out on the floor and helped Laramie put Lego blocks together. Then after lunch he had bundled his son up in his boots and coat and they’d walked to the park.

  Bristol had invited Coop to stay for dinner and now he couldn’t help wondering if she would invite him to stay the night. She really hadn’t invited him last night, but their need for each other had pretty much made the decision for them.

  There was a strong possibility she might send him packing after they had the little talk he intended for them to have. It was time he forced her hand on a few things.

  “Laramie wants to tell you good-night.”

  Bristol’s words broke into Coop’s thoughts and he moved from leaning in the doorway to where his son lay, barely able to keep his eyes open. His son, who had captured his heart the moment he’d heard he existed.

  “Daddy, you stay. Sleep in Mommy’s bed, okay?”

  He couldn’t help but smile. His son was giving him permission even though Bristol hadn’t done so. Instead of agreeing with Laramie, Coop said, “Good night, Laramie.”

  “Stay, Daddy. Sleep in Mommy’s bed. Okay?”

  Evidently Laramie wasn’t going to let him off that easy. Was this the same kid who’d pushed his nose in this morning when he discovered Coop was in Bristol’s bed? The same little fellow who’d crawled over him to claim his spot beside his mother?

  “He will stay, Laramie. Now you need to go to sleep.”

  He glanced over at Bristol. Was that her w
ay of giving him an invitation? But then all she’d assured their son was that he would stay, not necessarily that he would stay in her bed. Did that mean she planned to make him sleep on the sofa?

  He’d tried deciphering her mood today. Although she’d been friendly enough, it had seemed as if she had a lot on her mind. That was fine. He had a lot on his, too. But still, he couldn’t help wondering if she regretted the intimacy they’d shared last night. She hadn’t mentioned it and neither had he.

  “Love you, Mommy.”

  “Love you back, Laramie. See you in the morning.” And just like the night before, Bristol leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. However, unlike last night, before drifting off to sleep Laramie said, “Love you, Daddy.”

  Coop felt a tug at his heart and a tightness in his throat. It boggled his mind how a child could love so easily. “I love you back, Laramie.”

  He and Bristol watched as their son drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  When they left Laramie’s room, Coop told her they needed to talk.

  Did he regret sleeping with her last night? The morning had started off well...at least she’d thought so, when he’d returned and surprised her with that beautiful plant. However, since then he’d seemed quiet. More than once she’d noticed him studying her like she was a puzzle he was trying to put together. Why?

  She looked across the room at him. He was staring at the Christmas tree. What was he thinking? She’d invited him to spend Christmas with her and Laramie. Then what? When would he be leaving New York for his next mission?

  “Ready to talk?”

  She wondered why he was asking her when he was the one who initiated the meeting. “I’m ready if you are.”

  He nodded and sat in the chair across from her. He looked at her for a few moments then he said, “I spoke with my attorney today.”

  “Oh? Why did you feel the need to do that?”

  He leaned back in the chair and the fabric of his jeans emphasized his masculine thighs. She wished she didn’t notice such things, but she did.