“You see, Paige and I do go back many years, and I was told that I could not purchase Old Stone unless I was a family man, I made a very bad choice. I managed to find her and with deceitful promises, I convinced her to marry me,” he continued without a breath, “the problem is that her son Joshua is in fact my own flesh and blood, believe it or not, we were in love once a very long time ago. And just like the fool I am now, thinking I can con Gregory Johnson into selling his land to me by marrying the first available woman, I was a fool back then. I left Paige without even a goodbye and although I never knew she was pregnant, I never bothered to contact her for reasons I will only explain to her later,” here and here guests started getting up and leaving, but that did not stop Hunter.
“The problem is that if I marry Paige like this today, it would be a lie, because I don’t want an arranged marriage bound to a business deal, I want the real thing, and…” he started, then turned to Paige, “you deserves the real deal. A marriage to man you love,” he said as he looked into her tear-filled eyes. “I’m so sorry Paige, but I love you too much to continue with this deceit.”
Paige was a mess, her mascara was most certainly streaked down over her cheeks, but what was worse was the feeling of utter relief she felt as she heard Hunter declare his love for her, she turned to him and smiled through the tears.
“And I love you too much to let you go again,” she said quietly trying to hide the trembling in her voice.
She felt Joshua cling to her dress and she looked down at him where he stood with eyes wide, and she bent down to his level, then looked up at Hunter, “Joshua, Hunter is your real daddy,” she said, knowing that this must have come as a shock to him, but instead, Joshua flung his arms around Hunter’s’ one leg and hugged him.
Hunter bowed down next them and slid his hand around the back of her neck pulling her forehead against his, “I would like a second chance to redeem myself, and prove to you that I am worthy to be your husband,” he said as he held unto Joshua and Paige.
“I would like that,” she said softly, and midst this emotional reunion of souls, the few guests that were left rose to their feet and applauded them, whilst Gregory Johnson and his wife stood by the love struck couple.
“Well we have a priest, and you two are in love, so why wait?” he said sternly but with a smile tucking at the corner of his lips.
Hunter stood up and pulled Paige into his arms, “I loved you from the start, Paige,” he said smiling as he framed her face in his hands.
“And I have loved you, since forever,” Paige said and turned her face to kiss the inside of his palm.
“I love you too!” the little voice from below cried out, and they all laughed.
Epilogue
Hunter and Paige married on the same day, and although Gregory Johnson was more than willing to sign over his land, Hunter no longer wanted it. Instead of a businessman with need and greed for greater things, he now had a family and everything he ever wanted.
Three weeks after the wedding, Paige discovered she was pregnant, and this time Hunter was going to be with her every step of the way.
Joshua, as any five-year-old, was over the moon, he had his own room and everything his heart desired, most of all a real father, and knowing that he would soon have a little brother or sister, he couldn’t stop fussing over his mother’s pregnancy.
*****
THE END
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Cowboy’s Baby
Chapter 1
Conner James hunted around the room for his jacket, jeans in one hand and an arm through one sleeve. He was trying his best not to wake the sleeping blonde, who was still tangled between the bedsheets after yet another night of mindless sex while looking for his clothes. He had to get on the road. His father had finally cut off all funds to his bank account, after only a month of being away, leaving him with barely enough money for gas. After nearly turning over the entire room, he found his jacket, put it on, grabbed his keys and sneaked out the door.
Mounting his bike, he sped away with only one destination in mind. He wasn’t really looking forward to going back home, but he didn’t exactly have a choice. At least the trip home will give him some time to collect himself and plaster on the mask of indifference.
***
A few hours later, which was still too short in Conner’s opinion, he saw the familiar blue and white ranch house in the distance. And he ignored the tight fist that dug into his gut, knowing what waited for him once he walks through that front door. He drove up the driveway to the side of the house and parked his bike under the large oak tree that he used to play under when he was a kid. He took off his helmet, ruffled his hair, and rolled his shoulders as he made his way to the front door. He paused and listened; the house was as quiet as a vestry during a funeral. He gripped the door handle and turned it slowly until he heard the first click, then waited. With no sign of life, he slowly opened the door, peeked in and then as quietly as possible, approached the staircase
He thought he would actually be able to at least take a shower before his scolding, but those hopes were dashed when his father’s voice drifted from the library, “Conner, can I speak to you.”
Conner cringed inwardly with his foot on the first step. Here we go, he thought. It wasn’t a request and Conner resaigned himself to his fate. When he walked into the library, he saw his father sitting behind the large cherry wood desk and his mother sitting in her chair by the window. Both of them had their eyes pinned on him and neither looked too thrilled to see him.
His dad opened his mouth to speak, but it was his mom who spoke.
“Where have you been?” she mother asked, her bright blue eyes flashing in anger and disappointment at her youngest son.
“Mary,” his father cautioned, “Remember your blood pressure.”
Mary waved her husband off, “I’m not worried about that right now, I’m worried about what our son is getting up to.”
She was the one with the quick temper, ready to blow her gasket at the slightest provocation. Frank tended to be more reserved and it was a rare sight to see him angry. But when he did lose his temper, there was hell to pay.
Conner sighed, “I went out for a ride, that’s all.”
“A ride?” Mary shrieked, “You were gone for a month, who knows how long you would have stayed away had your father not stopped your funds.”
“Ma, I would have come back. I always come back,” Conner said, flashing a smile at his mother.
That always calmed her down, but not this time. She just glared at him as if he was something the cat dragged in. Clearly, childhood charm wears off eventually when all parents grow immune to excuses and fibbed apologies.
“You’re not going to charm your way out of this Conner Scott. Something has to change about your behavior. You… you just have no direction at all!”
Conner pinched the bridge of his nose, dragged his hand down over his mouth and his throat and then slumped on the two-seater sofa against the far wall. This was going to be a long day; he might as well get comfortable.
His mother stood up and walked to stand beside his dad, “This has to stop, I am tired of wringing my hands with worry because you’re out gallivanting and doing god knows what!” she ground out, waving her hands frustratingly in the air, “Half the time, we have no idea whether you’re dead or alive. Things are simply going to have to change around here.”
Conner raised his eyebrow at that, “What do you mean change? Like what, ground me, cut my funds?”
“No, it’s time you started thinking about finding a wife.”
At the same time, both Connor and his dad whipped their heads up and looked at Mary in complete shock.
“A wife?” Frank asked in shock.
“What the hell Ma? What good would that do
?” Conner snapped.
Mary just tucked her silver-streaked, chin-length hair behind her ear and looked from one to the other, raising a brow. Both men knew that look.
“For one thing, it will keep you home and not out in the world where I have to worry about you,” she said determinedly.
“Ma, I told you that you don’t have to worry. I know what I’m doing and I always come back home.”
Mary narrowed her eyes at him, “It’s not about coming home. Do you honestly think I want you to grow old here?” she rounded the desk and came to stand in front of him, “I want you out of the house, eventually,” she added, “but it’s a constant worry that you’ll end up in some ditch somewhere while we’re completely oblivious to your whereabouts.”
"Jeez Ma, you're seriously overreacting."
Frank finally cleared his throat, “Your mother has a point son, you’re twenty-seven years old, and it’s time you slowed down and started thinking seriously about your future.”
“And a wife is your solution?”
“That’s right,” Mary nodded.
Conner looked between the two like they had lost their minds, “I’m not ready to get married, and even if I were, I’m not seeing anybody right now, so you can kiss that idea goodbye.”
Mary smirked and Conner dreaded what she was about to say.
“Well, then I don’t see a problem at all. I already have someone picked out. In fact, she will be arriving tomorrow.”
“Mary…” Frank started.
“No Frank, it’s time our boy settles down,” she said flatly, “If he is not willing to make the change, I’m more than happy to enforce it.”
“Let’s just calm down,” Frank insisted, but Mary would have none of it. And when her bottom lip started trembling and she mimicked Puss-in-the-Boots, Conner knew he was done for.
"I will not calm down Frank, Caroline Leroy will be arriving tomorrow," she turned to Conner, "And if you are thinking of running away, think again."
She was a mind reader, of that he was convinced. He looked at his father for help, but the old man simply shrugged in defeat.
Conner was livid, never mind the fact that his father cut off his allowance, his mother had gone and arranged a wife for him! It was probably the most absurd thing he'd ever heard of. This sort of thing happens elsewhere, not here in the US. His mother had officially lost her marbles.
Chapter 2
Caroline pushed down on her luggage to get it to close properly, finally managing to zip it up. It was almost time for her to leave, which right now, was probably the hardest thing she ever had to do. She was about to embark on the most ridiculous thing she had ever considered and on top of that, she agreed to leave her daughter behind. She knew it was just temporarily, but she had never been away from her daughter for such an extended period. She walked over to the vanity mirror and looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was a bad mother. Who in their right mind would leave their child behind?
“This is only for a while Caroline,” she told herself and then took a deep breath. It was time to say her farewells. She made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen where her sister, Adalene, and her daughter Lizette were seated at the table. Little Lizette was a spitting image of her, with bright green eyes and light brown hair that flowed freely down her back. When Caroline made her way into the kitchen her daughter quickly jumped down and wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist.
“It’s time for me to go, Mon Chou. Promise me you will be good to your auntie.”
The little girl nodded her head in her mother’s stomach but still would not let go. They had all decided to say their farewells at home since she had thought it to be easier, but it wasn't. Tears filled her eyes and she looked to her little sister for help. Adalene went to pick Lizzette up, but instead, her daughter sniffled, wiped her eyes, and then ran out of the kitchen, up the stairs to her room. Both women flinched when they heard the door slam and Caroline felt as if her entire world was caving in. How could she even have considered this? She should have been honest about the fact that she had a daughter.
Adalene looked at her sister irritably, "I hope you know what you are doing."
Caroline frowned and rubbed her forehead, "So do I, sis. I'm still a little surprised that he contacted me after all these years."
Adalene started to clear the dishes, and Caroline steered clear, she knew her sister didn't approve of her decision, but this was something she had to do, otherwise she'll be the one would always wonder 'what if?'.
"What did he say he wanted, again?" her sister asked seemingly interested.
"I don't know, he just said he needed to see me and that he wanted to talk to me."
"And he couldn't do that over the phone?"
Caroline shrugged, "He thought it would be too impersonal."
"Gullible," Adalene mumbled under her breath, "You should have been more persistent. Now you're running off and leaving your daughter behind, do you think that's fair?"
"Adalene," Caroline said despondently, "You think I didn't try?"
"You didn't try hard enough," she said coolly and then turned to Caroline, "Do you think he knows about Lizzi?"
Caroline worried her lip and shook her head, "I don't think so, if he did I'm sure he would have asked me to bring her along."
Adalene rolled her eyes, "Are you going to tell him?"
Caroline was quiet for a minute, "I don't know, it depends on how things go I guess."
"You should. He has a right to know, and Lizzi needs a papa."
Although Caroline agreed with her sister, she didn't respond. There was just so many things that stood in the way of her happily ever after.
Not to mention the really bad life choices she made all along the way. She should have told Conner that she was pregnant, but at the time things weren't all rosy.
"I have to go," she said and planted a kiss on her sister's cheek, "Revoir soeur, I'll call you when I'm there and let you know how things go."
Adalene muttered something under her breath and tossed the dishtowel on the counter. Caroline forced a smile, grabbed her suitcase and walked out the door with a knot of uncertainty twisting in her stomach, she had no idea what to expect.
***
The trip from France to Texas was smooth, but long with one stop in New York before boarding a connecting flight. The flight took nine hours and although she felt fatigued, she couldn't sleep. Her nerves were shot, and the fact that she had left Lizzi behind, guilt-tripped her to the extent that at one point, she wanted to turn around and go back home.
It had been almost four years since she had seen Conner, the handsome young man with a love for life and travel. She should have known better. American tourists came to Paris for a good time. They never stay, and have no intention of settling down. She knew this the day he charmed her socks off, but she was so taken by him that she foolheartedly leaped into a relationship that was never meant to be. And the last thing she expected was to end up pregnant.
She should have told him when he emailed her, insisted that Lizzi comes along, but she couldn't chance it. The last thing she needed was her daughter growing up knowing that her father wanted nothing to do with her. Her heart lurched as she thought about that last time they were together, and how it ended. They had parted ways with animosity hanging heavily in the air. For a moment she wondered if he would still be mad at her, but then again, his email sounded friendly, almost carefree. Would she even recognize him? She wondered just as the pilot announced their descent. She fastened her seatbelt and lifted her tray back into place. As she glanced out the small oval window, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to live here in the United States.
The airplane touched down and jerked roughly, but even that wasn't anything in comparison to the way her stomach fluttered at the thought of seeing Conner after all these years. She made her way through to baggage claim, trying her utmost to get rid of the nervousness. She even attempted small talk
with an elderly lady. Soon she exited the baggage claim area and was met with a crowd of people waiting for loved ones. A little boy came running past her and flung himself up into his dad's arms and her heart ached. She scanned the crowd looking for the person Conner sent to pick her up. Finally, she spotted a man holding a sign with her name on it. She waved and approached him.
"Caroline Leroy?" the man asked.
She nodded her head in sync with the butterflies zooming around in her stomach, "Yes, that's me."
He extended his hand to take her bag and introduced himself as Samuel. She hesitated at first, she wasn't used to this, and then she handed him her luggage.
"Mrs. James sent me to fetch you, I hope you had an enjoyable trip?"
He sounded friendlier than he looked, she thought and smiled, "Yes thank you, it was just long."
"Nine hours right?" the man said
"Yeah," she said, "So, Mrs. James sent you?" she asked curiously. Surely Conner would have sent for her if he invited her. Worrying her lip, she told herself that he might be busy working.
***
The car that was awaiting her was a black Lincoln and was obviously expensive. She had always known that Conner was from a wealthy family, but this breached the line between wealth and royalty, she thought amusedly. But the fact that she wouldn't have to worry about getting a cab and getting lost in Dallas, was somewhat of a relief. The differences between Paris and Dallas were vast, although Paris is a big city, the infrastructure was different, it was really more like a work of art, sculpted by many artists throughout time. Back home there were no such thing as rush hour traffic, and the hustle and bustle of Dallas were overwhelming in comparison, even though they were still in the vicinity of the airport.
As the car pulled out of the airport and approached the city, Caroline looked out the window and marveled at the size of it all. Skyscrapers reached up into the sky, taunting the clouds as if to make their presence known.
Cowboy's Barmaid: A Small Town Military Romance (Lucky Flats Ranchers Book 2) Page 41