A Colorado Family

by Patricia Thayer

  Brooke sat down across from her. “You’re welcome.”

  “I thought I got rid of this stomach bug.” She took the washcloth from her face and looked at her friend. “I guess not.”

  Brooke nodded. “I know that so-called stomach bug. I can say that you’ll get over it, eventually. It might take a few months, but it’s so worth it when you’re handed that precious baby.”

  Erin’s heart suddenly stopped, then began to race. “How can I be pregnant?”

  Brooke gave her a smile. “Really, you never had your way with a certain handsome cowboy named Austin? If not, you’re not as smart as I thought.”

  “No, not that.” She blushed. “It’s just that I could never get pregnant and I tried, that’s why...” She gasped. “Oh my God, I was taking the hormone shots then.” She went on to explain to Brooke about her IVF procedure and her plans for a baby.

  Brooke frowned. “Wow! That’s a lot to carry on your own.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. If I failed at getting pregnant, I didn’t want everyone’s pity.”

  Brooke hugged her friend. “Well, I’m here for you now. First, we need to take a pregnancy test just to make sure. Then you’re going to go and tell Austin.”

  She sucked in another needed breath. “Oh, no, Austin. He has a baby.”

  “Really, you think he’s not going to love this baby every bit as much as Lilly?”

  “No, not that, but he’s going to be shocked because I basically told him I couldn’t get pregnant. Maybe he’ll think I tricked him so I could have the baby I wanted so desperately.”

  “Look, Erin. I don’t know Austin that well, but from what I’ve seen, whenever he looks at you, I know he cares. He sent flowers and said he wasn’t giving up. And he signed the card ‘love, Austin.’”

  “Okay, I shouldn’t worry. I don’t know for sure if I’m even pregnant.” The words thrilled her as her hand covered her stomach.

  “Only one way to find out. And since you planned to get pregnant, I bet you have a test around.” Brooke turned and began opening the doors to the bathroom cabinet. “Found it.” She held up the box. “And as soon as we take it you’ll know for sure.” She grinned. “I wish I could be there when you tell Austin that he’s going to be a daddy. Again.”

  * * *

  AT FIVE MINUTES before six the next evening, Austin checked the chicken casserole heating in the oven. Shelby had left instructions to keep it from drying out, and he was following them to the letter.

  He glanced at the white-cloth-covered table. The plates and napkins were laid out just right. Even a small vase of flowers adorned the center. Lilly was asleep, for now at least, so he could have some private time. All he needed was the guest of honor. Erin.

  He released a long breath and wiped his suddenly sweaty palms on his new jeans. He glanced down. Thanks to his surgeon, his cast was a thing of the past. He was wearing a protective support sock over his calf. Not bad, because he could finally wear cowboy boots. And he had on his best pair, coffee-colored full quill ostrich.

  Not that they’d impress Erin, but they gave him a little boost. Maybe the extra confidence he needed to convince her that they should be together.

  Headlights flashed by the window as the van pulled up. She was here. Suddenly he got nervous again. He pulled open the door just as Erin was about to knock.

  She gasped. “Oh, you startled me.”

  “I’m sorry. I guess I was a little anxious.” His gaze traveled over her soft hair, to her pretty face and gorgeous green eyes. Then he took in her rich blue sweater under her peacoat, a pair of jeans and boots. She was a jolt to his system.

  He realized he had left her standing there in the cold. “Sorry—please come inside.”

  She walked across the threshold, and he caught a whiff of her scent and his body stirred instantly. Whoa, boy. You don’t want to scare her off.

  After taking off her coat, she looked around. “Where’s Lilly?”

  “She’s asleep for now. She’s been fussy all day, so I have a feeling she’ll wake up soon.”

  “She could be cutting a tooth.”

  Austin stood there shaking his head. “A tooth?”

  Erin smiled at him. “She could be.”

  “Should I go check on her to see if she’s okay?”

  “I think your daughter knows how to get your attention.”

  He nodded, but didn’t move. “God, you’re beautiful, Erin. I could stand here and look at you all night. I’ve missed you.”

  He started to reach for her when Lilly’s cry caught their attention. “I can’t wait until my daughter is a teenager. I’m going to pay her back in spades.”

  “Do you want me to go and get her?”

  Austin didn’t hesitate. He’d use any means to get Erin back in his life. “Go for it. And I’ll set dinner out.”

  She rewarded him with a smile and hurried down the hall. Damn, he’d missed her so much. He went into the kitchen to finish with the food.

  Erin’s heart pounded with excitement as she went into the nursery and walked to the crib. Lilly was crying, and then suddenly she stopped when she saw Erin. Then came a smile.

  That did her heart good. “Hello, baby girl.” She scooped the precious child in her arms and held her close, savoring the feel of her. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  After pressing several kisses against Lilly’s head, she realized she felt a little warm. She took her out to the kitchen to see Austin taking out their meal.

  Erin handed the baby to him, went to the sink and washed her hands. Then after she dried them, she ran a finger along the bottom gum line and felt a bump. “I think she’s cutting a tooth.”

  Austin paused, looking concerned. “Poor kid.”

  Erin went to the cabinet, took out some infant pain reliever and something for the inflammation. Once she spread gel along her gums, Lilly stopped fussing.

  “Okay, let’s eat,” Austin announced. “I slaved over this meal.”

  He moved the baby swing closer to the dining table and put Lilly in it. Once she was entertained, they could eat. He helped Erin take her seat.

  In the chair across from him, she wasn’t sure if she could eat, or maybe just tell him why she came tonight.

  Austin reached for her hand and squeezed it. She was quickly reminded of his strength, and also of the gentleness of his touch and how those fingers traveled over her body, bringing her pleasure.

  She jerked at the sound of her name. “Sorry. What did you say?”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you’re here, Erin.” Giving her hand one last squeeze, he released it. “Now, please, enjoy the dinner.”

  The meal was pleasant, but it was still strained between them. How would Austin react to her news?

  Austin started up the conversation. “Brooke told me about you losing Hattie. I’m sorry, Erin. I know she meant a lot to you.”

  Her throat tightened up and she could only nod.

  “You have to think she’s in a better place, and I bet you were with her so she wouldn’t be alone.”

  She blinked at the emotions. “I have to think she’s much happier now. She’s with her husband.”

  The silence was broken as his cell phone on the counter began to ring. He glanced at the ID and Erin could see the name Jay appear on the screen. He sent it to voice mail.

  “You should talk to him. It might be important.”

  He shook his head. “Not as important as being with you.”

  Her doubt overrode his sweet words. “Isn’t he setting up your rodeo appearances?”

  “He can wait.”

  She couldn’t stand it. “Please, I don’t mind if you answer.”

  He scooted his chair back. “All right. Excuse me.” He grabbed the phone and walked into the o
ther room, but the small house didn’t give much privacy. “What do you want, Jay?”

  As Austin talked, Erin glanced down at his injured leg and discovered he wasn’t wearing his cast any longer. Although she saw the slight limp as he paced back and forth. Would he be going on the circuit soon?

  All her past fears started to return as she remembered how Jared would pack up and leave her. Again and again. Tears filled her eyes. Even telling herself that her husband’s deployments weren’t the same, the deep ache in her chest didn’t know the difference.

  Lilly began to fuss, and Erin got up and went to her. “Oh, sweetheart.” She lifted the baby from the swing, went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle. “Are you hungry?”

  Erin heated the formula, then sat down to feed Lilly when Austin returned. “I’m sorry. This isn’t how I wanted things to go tonight.”

  “It’s okay.” It wasn’t how she wanted things to go, either, but this was who Austin Brannigan was, a rodeo star. Suddenly she wasn’t in the mood to talk. She glanced at the clock. “Look, Austin, I have an early shift.” That was a lie. She had the night off. “I’ll finish feeding Lilly, and I should take off.”

  He stood there staring at her. Then he finally said, “So this is how it goes. When you get scared you’re just going to run off again?”

  “I’m not scared,” she argued. “You and I just have different ideas about the future.”

  “That’s not true, but you don’t have the guts to stay and find out what my plans are.” He took Lilly from her. “Fine. Go ahead and leave.”

  He walked out of the room, leaving her more alone than she’d ever felt in her life.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Austin sat in the rocking chair in the nursery, feeding Lilly the rest of her bottle, waiting to hear the front door close. If he wasn’t holding his daughter, he’d probably be running after Erin, trying to get her to stay. But he had his child to think about.

  He watched Lilly’s eyes drift shut and he removed the empty bottle, then lifted her to his shoulder and began to pat her back. Once she burped, he put her down in her crib and covered her.

  He rested his arms on the rails. “I tried, Lilly. I wanted so badly for you to have Erin for your mommy. Someone to love you as I know Erin does. Problem is she doesn’t want to take a chance on a beat-up rodeo cowboy.” He kissed her forehead. “Night, sweetheart. Daddy loves you.”

  Lilly released a shuddering breath, and then she made a sucking noise before she settled down. How could his heart be so full, yet so empty?

  He turned and stopped when he saw Erin in the doorway. He was thrilled she hadn’t left, but he was also angry as he motioned her out into the hall.

  “Why are you still here?” His words came out too harsh, but he couldn’t take them back.

  Her back straightened. “I need to tell you something before I go.”

  Great—he didn’t need for her to explain fifty different ways why they couldn’t work. He walked her across the hall to the workout room that he’d turned into his office. There was a long table with the building plans spread out on top. He was going to show her their future together, but now...

  He faced her and folded his arms across his chest. “Okay, say what you need to say.”

  She started to speak, but got distracted and went to the table. “Looks like you’re doing some construction.”

  “Yes, I am. And we want to get our permits so we can break ground before the first snow.” He didn’t want to talk about a life she didn’t want to be a part of. “Erin, what do you need to tell me?”

  She jumped and refocused her attention back on him. “Oh, right. I thought you should know...” She hesitated again.

  “Dammit, Erin. Whatever it is, just tell me and get it over with.”

  “Stop trying to intimidate me.”

  “Then quit stalling.”

  “All right. I’m pregnant,” she blurted out.

  Suddenly, he felt as if he’d gotten thrown off a bull and had the wind knocked out of him. “You went ahead with the IVF?” He didn’t wait for her answer and crossed the room. She was going to have a baby. Not his, but the baby she’d always wanted. He pushed aside his own feelings and tried to be happy for her, and concerned. He went to her. “Are you okay? Should you sit down?”

  “I’m fine, really. Just some morning sickness. And I’m still in shock.”

  He led her to a desk chair, sat her down, then knelt in front of her. “I know how much you wanted this baby.” He was dying inside. She didn’t need him. “I guess your wish came true.”

  “Part of it,” she admitted.

  He couldn’t let her go without giving it one last shot. “This doesn’t change my feelings for you. I want you to be a part of my and Lilly’s life. I’ll love your baby just as much as if it were my child.”

  She blinked. “What about the rodeo?”

  He stood and pulled her up, too. “That’s what I was going to tell you tonight. I’m not going back on the road. Well, I am for a few months, but only to advertise my school for bull riders.”

  Those gorgeous emerald eyes widened in surprise. “What? Where?”

  He turned her to the building plans. “Right here on the Circle R.” He pointed at the architect’s plans. “There are ten acres of sweet grazing land along the west end of the property. Both Cullen and Trent gave me their blessing to lay claim to it. I need to build a couple of corrals and outbuildings.” He went on to tell her about the cabins, and Dan Lynch coming in as his stock manager.

  “Wow! When did you decide to do all this?”

  “The moment you left me, I knew I had to plan a future, and I want it with you.”

  Trembling fingers went to her mouth, and she was holding back tears. “Oh, Austin.”

  “I love you, Erin. I don’t want to go back on the road. I want to stay right here. I discovered I want a home, too. And I’m going to build us a bigger one for our family.” He touched her stomach. “And our babies.”

  “I love you, too, Austin.”

  That was all he needed to hear. He pulled her close and his mouth covered hers. Heat suddenly exploded in him as her body instinctively leaned into him, and her arms circled his neck and deepened the kiss.

  He tore his mouth away. “I want you so much, Erin.”

  She moved enticingly against him.

  “I want you, too.”

  He groaned, trying to resist. “Hold that thought, woman.” He kissed the end of her nose. Then he went to a desk drawer, took out the small box and returned to her. He drew a deep breath, then went down on one knee.

  She gasped.

  “Erin Carlton, you are the most precious woman in the world to me. I think I fell in love with you that first day you marched into my room. I need you in Lilly’s life and mine. Will you spend the rest of your life with me, raise our children together and build a permanent home here on the ranch? I’ll even put it in writing, draw up a new contract. Just know this one will be ironclad, and forever.” He opened the box to reveal a square-cut diamond surrounded by tiny emeralds. “The emeralds reminded me of your eyes. Please say yes.”

  “Yes! Yes! I’ll marry you.”

  Erin held out a shaky hand, and he slipped the ring on her finger, then leaned down and kissed her.

  Suddenly she tore her mouth from his and backed away. “Austin, I need to explain about something.” She took hold of his hand and pressed it against her stomach. “This child I’m carrying is yours.”

  He was touched by her words. “That means a lot to me, Erin, and I’ll love this baby as if it were mine.”

  “No, listen to me, Austin. You and I made this baby.”

  He stared at her, not understanding.

  “Come on, cowboy. You can figure it out. I didn’t go through with the IVF. You
and I made this baby the old-fashioned way. Out of love.”

  A thrill shot through him. “I got you pregnant?”

  She grinned. “Darn right you did.”

  He let out a whoop. “We’re going to have a baby.” He stood and swung Erin up in his arms, then put her down and kissed her. It was not enough. “I think this calls for a celebration.” He lifted her into his arms and started off to his bedroom. He wanted to show her how much he loved and cherished her. “Tonight is just the beginning, our beginning to our family. Welcome home.”

  Epilogue

  The end of February, Erin drove up to the construction site, parked and climbed out of the SUV. The build was progressing quickly. The corral and bucking chutes were nearly finished and ready for the first bull riding class in early summer. When Austin was determined to get something done, he didn’t mess around.

  She rubbed her slightly rounded belly under her coat, then reached in the back and released Lilly from the safety seat.

  “Dada,” she said, pointing toward the man talking to the contractor.

  “Yes, that’s Daddy. Come on, sweetie. We need to tell him our big surprise.” Erin was thrilled at the news she’d gotten at her doctor’s visit. She only hoped Austin would feel the same.

  She carried the eight-month-old through the busy construction site. Thanks to a mild winter, the new buildings were nearly completed, along with a small barn with six stalls. Austin had insisted they have horses on their property, too, so the family could ride together. He’d finally purchased two horses he wanted, the stallion named Wildfire and the small filly for her, Peanut. She didn’t mind at all as long as she was with her cowboy.

  Erin had officially become Mrs. Austin Brannigan on the Saturday before Christmas with all the family around them at the Q & L Lodge. Brooke was her matron of honor, and Cullen was Austin’s best man. They stood in front of the minister, Austin holding Lilly in his arms as they became a family.

  Shelby had prepared a delicious wedding supper and a beautifully decorated wedding cake. It was a perfect day. The best Christmas she ever had was her upcoming adoption of Lilly. The holidays with the Brannigans were the best ever.