“No, I didn’t.”
An odd note penetrated Frankie’s voice. One Mel hadn’t heard before.
“Do you regret not telling him?”
“Constantly.” Frankie nodded at her girls. “Every time I look at them.”
“Then why not call him?”
“It’s complicated.”
Mel snorted. “Tell me.”
“You-know-who is completely untrustworthy. Nothing like Aaron. Now there’s someone with a great job. A daughter he loves. Roots to the community. Responsible, reliable, a family man. Look how he puts up with Nancy.”
“I hear she’s not that bad. Dolores likes her, and Kaylee adores her.”
“Dolores likes everyone, and Kaylee’s her granddaughter. But we were talking about Aaron, not Nancy. He’s a great guy. He’ll be good to you and the baby. Take care of you both.”
Mel noticed Frankie hadn’t mentioned love. Was her sister’s heart that hardened? Granted, Spence had hurt her. In Mel’s opinion, that didn’t justify her not telling him about the girls. But the decision was her sister’s to make, not Mel’s. And she was expecting the same treatment from Frankie and the rest of her family—being allowed to choose her own path without criticism or interference. She’d settle for no less.
“I can give you the name and number of my attorney if you want,” Frankie said.
“Since when do you have an attorney?”
“He’s mostly on standby. But he has given me some pretty good advice if you-know-who ever contacts me.”
“Did he advise you to tell you-know-who about you-know-what?”
“He might have mentioned it. But, again, we’re talking about you. Not me. Aaron can and should pay you child support.”
“He’s already offered.”
“That’s good.”
Frankie tapped her girls’ shoulders and motioned to the arena, telling them to watch. Mel noticed that Samantha had mounted her horse and was waiting by the gate for her turn.
“Duty and responsibility are very high on Aaron’s list.”
“I’m actually surprised he hasn’t proposed,” Frankie said. “He just strikes me as an old-fashioned kind of guy.”
Mel pictured Aaron’s expression when he talked about his late wife at dinner. How she wanted her future husband to look at her the same way.
“I wouldn’t accept.”
“How far along are you, anyway?”
“About seven weeks.”
“A lot can change between now and the big day.”
Mel supposed her sister was right. Much had changed already.
“You could do a lot worse than Aaron.”
Again, Mel snorted. “You make it sound like I won third prize in a contest.”
“I’m just saying, you might want to think hard about latching on to him. If you don’t, some other woman will. He’s too good-looking. And then there’s that uniform.” Frankie nudged Mel and gave her a wink. “That’s what did it for you, right?”
They managed to drop the subject, for which Mel was infinitely glad, when Samantha took her run at the barrels. Her performance was practically flawless and at the speed of light. Her time put her in first place, a position she held through the remainder of the event. Mel and Frankie clapped and whooped loudly when her name was announced at the end, and she was presented with her prize.
While the entire family gathered at the horse trailer, Mel considered the similarities between her situation and Samantha’s mother with a fresh eye.
Had she been unfair to her father? He wasn’t so different from Aaron. Grieving the loss of a late wife and reluctant to introduce a new romantic interest to his family for fear of their negative reaction.
Watching him unsaddle the horse and issue instructions to Samantha, just like he’d done when Mel and her sisters were younger, a small dam broke inside her. The next moment, she went to him, determined to make amends. To her delight, he greeted her with an affectionate smile.
“There’s my pretty Melody.”
“And there’s my handsome dad.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
Chuckling, he rubbed the spot. “What’s that for?”
“Just cuz.”
She half expected him to mention their minor tiff. Instead, he gave her a big squeeze. “I love you, hon.”
Suddenly, Mel wanted to tell him about the baby. This was big. Life changing. Her father was too important not to include him. Maybe this wasn’t the best time or place, but she decided to follow her heart.
“Hey.” She took his arm. “Come walk with me.”
“What’s up?”
“I have something to share with you. If you have a second.”
“For you, always.”
“You have to promise to keep this a secret,” she said when they were far enough away not to be overheard. “Except for Dolores. She knows already.”
“Knows what?”
Mel stopped to look her father in the face and take his hand in hers. “I’m pregnant. And I’m very happy about it, so please don’t worry.”
“That’s like asking the sun not to shine.” He hung his head, more in confusion than disappointment. Like everyone else, he’d had no idea she was involved with anyone. “Who’s the father?”
“Promise me you won’t talk to him.”
“Is he going to do right by you?”
“If you mean, is he going to pay child support and help raise our child, then yes.”
“But not marry you.”
“I don’t want to get married, Dad. My choice.”
“Then why did you...you... Dammit, Mel, why’d you sleep with him?”
“We were careful.”
“Apparently not careful enough. And you still didn’t say who he is.”
“Please, Dad.” She fought back a sudden surge of emotion. “I really need your support now. Not to make things harder on me.”
He inhaled deeply. “Fine, fine. I won’t shove my fist into his face. Promise,” he added when she glowered at him.
“It’s Aaron,” she admitted softly.
“Aaron!”
“Shh. Not so loud.” Mel glanced around, worried they’d been heard.
“And here I was just starting to like him.”
“No reason you shouldn’t. He’s a great guy. And I think he’ll be a good dad.”
“Can’t be all that great if he won’t—”
“Dad!” Mel rolled her eyes.
“I’m looking out for you.”
“And I don’t want that to ever change. But you have to let me, let Aaron and me, decide what’s best for us.”
“Your sister Frankie didn’t marry Spence.”
“This is different,” Mel insisted. “She never told Spence she was pregnant. Aaron knows and will be an involved father.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“I get that.” She gave his generous waist a squeeze. “I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
During their walk back to rejoin the family, she reminded him to keep quiet until Aaron had a chance to tell Nancy and Kaylee. Mustang Valley was a small enough community that word traveled. And while he wasn’t happy about her single state, she had no doubt whatsoever he’d be just as wonderful of a grandfather to her child as he was to her sister Frankie’s daughters.
Once the horse was finally loaded and the equipment stowed, the family collectively agreed to meet back at Mel’s dad’s house for pizza and a dip in the pool. If the girls got tired, they could always sleep in the spare room.
Mel strolled along with them to the parking lot where they went their separate ways. Rounding the row of parked vehicles, she spotted her truck—and the tall, lanky figure in boots and jeans leaning on the hood.
“I was hoping to find you,” Aaron said when she near
ed, his sexy grin in full force. “Got a minute?”
“Be strong,” she murmured, only to have her feet disobey her instructions and hurry toward him.
* * *
AARON AND MEL wandered leisurely across the quickly emptying parking area. On impulse, he took her hand and when she didn’t object, linked their fingers.
By now, the sun had long set. Parking-lot lights cast inky shadows that moved and shifted every few feet.
“Where’s Kaylee and Nancy?” she asked.
“Driving home. We came separately in case I was called away.”
“Do you do that a lot? Take separate vehicles?”
“Not really. Today was a special circumstance.” He didn’t mention the arrangement had worked out in his favor. Otherwise, he and Mel wouldn’t be together now.
“By the way.” She sent him a sidelong glance. “Where are we going?”
She’d accepted his request to accompany him without question. But apparently her trust had limits for he was sensing some hesitancy. He tried to put her at ease with a smile.
“I made, oh, let’s call it, dinner plans.”
“What kind of plans?” Suspicion crept into her voice.
“Come on. Take a chance.” Aaron led her to his SUV, opened the rear compartment and removed a small, personal-size ice chest. Flipping open the top, he produced two cold cans of soda and two foil-wrapped sandwiches.
Letting her choose a soda—she picked orange—he handed her a sandwich.
Mel lifted a corner of the foil and raised her brows. “Peanut butter and jelly?”
“The best the snack bar had to offer.”
“I see.”
He wasn’t deterred by her disdain. “It’s late. You must be hungry. Especially since you skipped lunch.”
“What makes you think that?”
“I know more about you than you realize. For instance, you get busy and forget to eat.”
“I happened to have had an apple and protein bar for lunch today.”
“That’s all? Next time, add a big glass of milk. Starving isn’t good for the baby.” He perched on the SUV’s rear compartment and then patted the spot beside him. “Sit. Take a load off.”
She ducked her head and plunked down beside him, carefully arranging herself so only their knees touched.
“I’m supposed to be having pizza at Dad’s.”
“Consider this an appetizer.”
“Only because you’re right. I am hungry.” She ripped open the foil and bit into the sandwich.
If he’d known he could bribe her with peanut butter and jelly, he’d have done it sooner.
Swallowing, she asked, “Make any progress on the horse thefts today?”
“I learned there’s a new ranch hand at Dos Estrellas. He was hired on about the same time as the first horse theft.”
Mel’s interest was visibly piqued. “You think he’s responsible?”
“Not really.”
“How can you say that for certain?”
“I can’t.” Aaron polished off his sandwich with a swig of soda. “Except I doubt someone brand-new to the valley could pull off a series of sophisticated horse thefts that clearly require familiarity with the area. Especially a kid barely out of high school.”
“He could be working with someone local. You said so yourself.”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
“Or he’s savvier than you’re giving him credit for.”
Aaron laughed. “You missed your calling, Mel. You’d make a good detective. But you’re right. I shouldn’t discount the kid just because he’s young and not the sharpest tack in the box.”
“I wish there was something more I could do. I’d hate for another foal to lose his mama.”
“Your little guy improving?”
“I thought he might have turned a corner, but then he barely ate today.” She sighed. “He’s literally going to die of loneliness if I can’t come up with a miracle.”
“Being orphaned is never easy on youngsters.”
“I’m sorry.” Mel’s face fell. “That was thoughtless of me.”
“Kaylee was just a few weeks old when Robin died. She doesn’t remember her mother.”
“She knows she doesn’t have one. How can she not? All her friends do. The loss is there and may grow greater as she gets older.”
“Nancy’s wonderful with her. She really tries hard to fill the void.”
“Anyone can see she adores Kaylee. I have a great respect for her.”
“Look, about her confronting you earlier.”
Mel blinked in surprise. “She told you?”
“A friend of hers saw us the other night at Vito’s. Nancy’s still sore.”
“Is that why you haven’t suggested getting together again?”
“Partly,” he admitted.
Mel resumed eating her sandwich. “I figured it was something like that.”
“Nancy can be a little pushy.”
“She was actually very civil.”
“But she got her point across, I bet.”
“It’s a valid point. She wants to protect Kaylee. And to protect Robin’s memory.”
“You aren’t a threat to either, Mel.”
She sought his gaze and held it for a long moment. “Aren’t I?”
She was right. He’d been fooling himself all along, thinking he had a handle on his emotions. The proof he’d lost control was right here, staring him in the face and waiting for an answer.
“I shouldn’t have left Kaylee with you. I apologize.”
Mel turned away, perhaps to hide her disappointment in him. She’d bared her heart, gone out on a limb, and he hadn’t had the decency to acknowledge her, much less open up in return. What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he admit he cared for her?
“I’m glad you did,” she said. “Kaylee’s a beautiful little girl. You’re a lucky man.”
“I am.” He raised his hand to Mel’s cheek, attempting to show her by his actions what he couldn’t muster the courage to say. “In more ways than one.”
She tilted her head away from his hand.
“Mel. I...” Dammit. Could he screw up any worse?
“I thought at Vito’s, when we kissed, you might have feelings for me.” She faltered. “Only then, you were distant. I understand now that might only be because of Nancy. But you should’ve said something.”
“You’re right.” He balled up the foil from his sandwich and flung it into the ice chest. “I won’t lie, coming to terms with having a baby, figuring out where we stand, it’s not easy. For any of us. I’m doing my best.”
“You have plenty of reason to be reluctant. That’s not what frustrates me. You run hot and cold, Aaron. What am I supposed to think?”
Aaron took his time responding. “It’s not that I’ve sworn off meeting someone special again or having more children. I just wasn’t expecting it this soon.”
“It’s the same for me,” Mel said softly. “I want children. Figured on having several. Someday. With a man who loves me.”
The stab, intentional or not, hurt. Aaron wanted to be that man, but first, he had to break the ties holding him to his past. Guilt kept preventing him.
“Have you told anyone about the baby besides Dolores?” he asked.
“Frankie.”
“Was she happy for you?”
“Not really. Sort of.” Mel made a face. “She was kind of funny. But she’ll be supportive. She’s a single mother, too.”
Single mother. Mel was telling him in no uncertain terms she planned on raising their child alone.
“Also my dad,” she added.
That took him aback. “How’d he handle it?”
“He’ll be fine. And he promised not to shove his fist in your face.”
�
�Oh, boy.”
“I’m joking. He likes you. But he is worried about me.”
“I would expect nothing else.”
Aaron should be relieved, except he wasn’t. Did Mel’s family believe he wouldn’t step up and take responsibility? Did she? He’d let her down. Multiple times. Who could blame her for not having faith in him? Add to that what Nancy had said to her today, and Mel’s worst fears had probably been confirmed.
What he needed to do was reassure her. Words weren’t his strong suit, as the last few minutes had demonstrated. There must be another way.
The answer was obvious and one Aaron should have thought of before. He started to speak, only to shut his mouth. This wasn’t the time or place. Later, after he’d put some effort into preparing, he’d show Mel just how willing he was to step up.
“Samantha won today,” Mel said. “Did you see?”
“Not her run. But I heard her name announced.”
“There’s a rodeo next weekend in Show Low. She’s going.”
“You, too?”
Mel shook her head. “Dad, Dolores and Ronnie will. I can’t afford another day off.”
“You need your rest,” he reminded her.
“Did you see how hard we worked today? Helping Samantha compete is no vacation.”
“How’s her horse? Any improvement?” Aaron cleaned up their trash and the soda cans.
“It’s a slow recovery. The tear was bad. She hopes he’ll be well enough by the National Finals in December. I don’t see that happening.”
“She did win on your sister’s horse.”
“This competition was good practice for her and that horse. But Nationals is on a whole different level. Show Low will be make or break for her.”
“Spoken like a big sister.” Aaron worried he might have prodded a sore spot.
Evidently not, for Mel said, “She’s not a bad kid. Just a bit mixed up. Like the rest of us, I suppose. Dolores thinks Samantha used the lottery money as an excuse to get to know us. I didn’t agree with her at first. Now, I think she’s right.”
“It does make sense.” Aaron rested a hand on Mel’s thigh, half waiting for her to smack it away.
Instead, she inched closer. He tried not to jump to any conclusions. Not easy. He very much liked the conclusions he was forming.
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