Too Texan to Tame

by Janice Maynard

  Perhaps he was overreacting. He wasn’t a sentimental man. Just because a tiny sprite of a girl carried his genes didn’t make him a father. Not really. He knew better than anyone that parenting was more than a onetime sperm donation. Buck Blackwood had taught him that.

  Vaughn shifted his attention to Brie. She’d been watching the brief exchange between father and daughter with pained, cautious interest. If he was reading her correctly, she was torn. Brie wanted him to care about his daughter, but at the same time, she didn’t want to make room for him in the child’s life.

  “Thank you for bringing her,” he said. He wanted to do more, to say more, but he was still in shock. This news wouldn’t be absorbed in a day or even a week. He had a baby—a toddler now. Somehow he had to figure this out. Could he bear to spend the rest of his life knowing that somewhere in Texas another man was sleeping with Brie and parenting Vaughn’s baby?

  He stood up abruptly, startling Danika. The child looked up at him towering over her, and her bottom lip trembled. “Mama,” she said tearfully.

  Brie scooped her daughter and stood, as well. “We should go,” she said.

  He stared at the two females. Now that the initial shock had worn off, he was able to focus on the woman, not the baby. “I do appreciate you coming. Thank you for being honest with me. And...” Would it be weird to say that motherhood suited her? Because it did. She looked good. Really good. Stunning, in fact. Her crimson top flattered her pale, creamy skin. Despite the many hours she had spent outside as a ranch hand at Blackwood Hollow, her complexion was flawless. “I’m glad to see you doing so well,” he finished, feeling awkward.

  Brie gave him a small smile, almost reluctantly, as pink tinged her cheeks. “You, too, Vaughn. I’ve read several articles about your company. You’ve accomplished a lot for your age. Your father must have been really proud of you.”

  He shook his head slowly. “Nope. Not even close. You remember him, surely. I don’t think he cared about anyone but himself.”

  “That’s pretty harsh.”

  “But accurate.”

  Brie stroked her daughter’s hair. Something about that slow, tender motion mesmerized Vaughn. For a split second, he flashed back to being in bed with Brie, sated and happy, while she stroked his chest with that same, gentle touch.

  The memory took his breath. His body hardened in an instant. Lust and passion roared in his veins, as if some ancient lock had been broken, some wild, destructive spirit set free.

  He trembled with wanting her. But he couldn’t seduce Brie for the hell of it, even if she was willing. There was another person in the mix now. Small but significant.

  “I’d like to visit her at your house,” he said. “Do you object?”

  After a long, fraught moment, Brie shook her head. “No. That’s fine. If you’re free tomorrow night, you could have dinner with us and help with bedtime.”

  His libido revved again. Everyone knew what mommies and daddies did when the kids were finally in bed. “What time?”

  “Five thirtyish?”

  His eyes widened. He hadn’t dined that early in years. But then again, an early dinner and the baby’s early bedtime meant plenty of extra opportunity for Vaughn to hash things out with Brie.

  He pulled a business card from his wallet. “Text me your address. I’ll be there,” he said.

  After Brie gathered Danika’s toys and snacks and said a stilted goodbye, Vaughn watched the small car disappear down the driveway. He exhaled. Had he been holding his breath? Trying to keep himself in check? The past half hour had winded him emotionally.

  Suddenly, he needed to talk to someone. Though he preferred keeping his own counsel as a rule, his world had been knocked awry. Sophie would be the perfect confidante as long as she didn’t have another social event right now.

  Vaughn drove to his sister’s house in Pine Valley on autopilot. It was a relief to see the driveway empty, indicating that there was no shower or bridal tea or any other nonsense going on.

  Nigel Townshend opened the door. The Englishman stepped back and ushered Vaughn into the foyer. “Hello, Vaughn.” He glanced at his watch. “Sophie is resting, but it’s time for her to be up. Let me go get her.”

  “Is she ill?” Vaughn felt mildly alarmed. His sister was always bubbly and energetic.

  “No, just tired.” Nigel grimaced. “The wedding preparations have been nonstop. And to be honest, damned stressful at times. She hasn’t been sleeping.”

  “Ah. Makes sense.” Vaughn shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the door. “I realize we don’t know each other well. Or at all, really. But I want you to know how glad I am that she found you. My sister deserves the best life has to offer. If you ever hurt her, I’ll neuter you.”

  Nigel grinned. “Duly noted.” He waved a hand. “Make yourself at home. She’ll be down in a minute.”

  Vaughn wandered into the elegant living room and paced. Sophie had redecorated since last year. Though the decor was sophisticated, the furniture looked comfortable. Unfortunately, Vaughn was too wired to sit.

  When Sophie appeared, Nigel wasn’t with her. The other man was sharp. He must have recognized Vaughn’s unspoken urgency.

  Sophie yawned and shoveled her hair from her face. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m not usually this lazy. The party lasted pretty late. I’m paying for the indulgence.”

  He kissed her cheek and led her to the sofa, but when Sophie sat, Vaughn couldn’t. He resumed pacing the length of the room twice and then stopped to stare at her. “I have news,” he said. “Brace yourself.”

  Sophie’s eyes widened. “Okay. What is it?”

  Somehow, his throat closed up. It was almost impossible to force the words from his lips. “I have a daughter. Brie told me today. I’m a father.”

  His sister’s smile was sweet. Compassionate. “Then my guess was right. When I first saw Brie in town with her little girl, I wondered if the baby was yours. Why did she wait so long to tell you?”

  “It’s complicated.” He jingled the keys in his pocket, his body rigid with nervous energy. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t have room in my schedule for a kid. I’m a workaholic. You know that. The whole reason Brie and I broke up was because she wanted a normal family. A simple, uncomplicated life. That’s not something I can give.” He pretended to study a picture on the wall. Would his sister judge him for his shortcomings? Was he a disappointment to her?

  Sophie stood and hugged him from behind, resting her cheek on his back. “Don’t be afraid to change.”

  He stiffened. Sophie had read the letter from his father, too. “I’m not afraid,” he said automatically. “Maybe I just don’t want to change.”

  “You have this persona you show the world, Vaughn, but I know better. My brother is sweet and honorable and has a huge heart.”

  He turned around and grinned. “You take that back. Where would I be if word got out that the head of Blackwood Energy Corporation had a heart? My reputation would be shot.”

  “Very funny.” She paused and cocked her head. “So where does Brielle fit into all this?”

  “She’s my child’s mother—nothing more. At this point she has to agree to my spending time with Danika, but that’s it.”

  “And you really believe that?”

  “Brie and I were over a long time ago. I know exactly what she thinks of me, and it isn’t good.”

  “I’m more concerned about what you think of her.”

  Sophie’s probing irritated him, but he had opened himself up to this personal intrusion by coming to his sister for advice. “Brie is a lovely, capable, independent woman. She doesn’t want or expect anything from me. The fact that she’s the mother of my child complicates things, but I can handle it.”

  “Have you thought about the fact that your daughter, your flesh and blood, has been disinherited?”

 
; “Of course I have...from the moment I found out about the baby. I know I said I wasn’t interested in being part of the suit with you and Kellan to challenge the will, but things have changed now. I’m going to confront Miranda and demand that Danika receive her fair share—my share.”

  “I’m afraid you’ve missed your opportunity,” Sophie said. “Miranda flew back to New York this morning. The Twitter feed for Secret Lives of NYC Ex-Wives was all over it.”

  Vaughn snorted. “Please tell me you’re not an actual fan of that stupid show.”

  “It’s not stupid. Don’t be so narrow-minded.”

  “If it’s actually any good, then I can’t believe Miranda is involved.”

  “Maybe she thinks it’s good press for her company and her charity. Besides, it’s harmless fun.”

  “Nothing about Miranda Dupree is harmless.”

  Sophie shook her head slowly. “That’s your biggest weakness, Vaughn Blackwood. You get locked on an idea and you don’t want to let go, even when you’re wrong.”

  Five

  As soon as Vaughn left, Sophie grabbed her keys and purse and headed out the door.

  Nigel called after her. “Where are you going?”

  She waved at her gorgeous English hunk of a fiancé. “Running an errand. Won’t be long.”

  Guilt gnawed at her, but she kept driving. If she had asked Nigel’s opinion, or even Vaughn’s, they both would have said the same thing. Don’t rock the boat. It’s not your business. Stay out of it, Sophie.

  Pooh. Men never understood the really important things in life until you beat them over the head with them. Sophie was an aunt! She wasn’t going to sit on this news for a single minute longer.

  It wasn’t like she and Brielle were strangers. They weren’t what you would call bosom buddies, but Royal was a small place—especially when someone was working on your father’s ranch. When Vaughn and Brie had been dating, Sophie had interacted with her brother’s girlfriend on a fairly regular basis.

  The breakup and Brie’s subsequent move had put an end to that budding female friendship. But today was a new day.

  Sophie parked in front of the neat blue-and-white cottage Brie had been renting since her return to Royal. It was small but charming. When Sophie rang the doorbell, Brie answered almost immediately, the baby on her hip.

  “Sophie.” Brie’s eyes widened. “What a surprise.”

  Sophie couldn’t help herself. She reached out and touched the child’s pale blond hair. “Vaughn told me,” she muttered.

  “He did? I wasn’t even sure he had decided to claim her.”

  “How could he not? Look at those eyes. I’ve seen you and the baby around town and guessed she might be a Blackwood, but I was never close enough to see the eyes. That moss-green color is not common, you know.”

  “I do know. Would you like to come in?”

  “Yes, please. She’s gorgeous, Brie.”

  “Thank you. Sorry for the mess. I just fed her a grilled cheese, and I haven’t had time to clean up the kitchen.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m family. Will she let me hold her?”

  “You can try.”

  Sophie summoned her most winsome smile. “Hi, baby girl. I’m your aunt Sophie. Would you like to play with my necklace?” The chunky silver and cobalt beads were just the right size to fascinate a tiny child.

  Danika held out her arms, and Sophie scooped her close, her heart melting. “You’re so lucky, Brie. She’s an angel.”

  Brie laughed and began loading the dishwasher. “Most of the time.” She paused. “Does Vaughn know you’re here?”

  “Oh no. I’m sure he wouldn’t approve. My dear brother likes to keep all the parts of his life in neat little boxes.”

  “Ouch.” Brie looked chagrined.

  “Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. But you must know how he is.”

  “I threw him a curve today. A huge one. I’m sure he’s struggling with the information.”

  “You could say that.”

  Brie paled. “Is he super upset?”

  “No. I’d call him flummoxed. I don’t think he knows how to react.”

  “To be clear, I didn’t ask him for anything. I just thought he should know. One day Nika may want to find out who he is.”

  “You’re assuming Vaughn won’t be around as an active part of her life.”

  “I am, yes. He’s made no secret of the fact that he doesn’t want to be a father.”

  “But now he is one. Things change. People change.”

  Brie folded her arms across her waist and leaned against the counter. “I’m not sure they do. Vaughn is a stubborn Texas male and set in his ways.”

  “Give him a chance, Brielle. He may surprise you.”

  “Maybe.”

  “You don’t want him to change?”

  “It’s not that. I don’t want my daughter to become a pawn in the Blackwood family dynamics. No offense, but you rich people have some serious issues.”

  Sophie laughed. “Fair enough.” She snuggled Nika, giving her a theatrically loud kiss on the cheek, making the child giggle. “I have a favor to ask, Brie. It’s very important.”

  Brie’s eyes rounded. “Oh?”

  “I’ve wanted all along to have a flower girl in my wedding. But everybody told me kids are too unpredictable. That they would be an extra layer of complication I didn’t need.”

  “I won’t argue with that. I’ve seen several weddings where tiny ring bearers and flower girls dissolved into tantrums.”

  “I don’t care. I want my niece to walk down the aisle in front of me.”

  Brie winced. “Oh gosh, Sophie. I don’t think that’s a good idea at all. The wedding is almost here, and Vaughn would have a coronary. No matter what he decides about being part of Danika’s life, I’m darned sure he doesn’t want to parade her in front of everyone he knows at the wedding.”

  “We don’t have to announce that she’s my niece. You and I are friends. Maybe I just asked you because you have a sweet little girl exactly the right age.”

  “I’m beginning to see that Vaughn’s stubborn streak is genetic.”

  “Please say yes. I’ll take care of her dress and everything. Size two?”

  “Are you sure, Sophie? I would feel terrible if my baby ruined your wedding.”

  “Can’t happen. The only thing that could ruin my day is if Nigel changed his mind. And that’s not in the cards.” She smiled smugly. “He adores me.”

  Brie grinned, though it looked a little forced. “Lucky you.”

  * * *

  By the time Sophie departed and Brie got Danika in bed and to sleep, Brie was exhausted. The highly emotional day had left her with a host of conflicted feelings. While she was glad Vaughn wasn’t averse to knowing his daughter, this new relationship would put Brie in dangerous territory.

  It was one thing for a single woman to have a crazy fling with a gorgeous millionaire. But Brie was a mother now. She had responsibilities. Even if her libido went crazy when Vaughn was nearby, she had to keep her priorities straight.

  Still, all the lectures in the world couldn’t erase her excitement and anticipation about the following evening. She slept restlessly and barely made it to work on time the next morning. Fortunately, her schedule was tight. Her furry patients and their owners were demanding.

  Though she loved what she did, the day felt like it was about a million hours long. By the time she made it home, she had only forty-five minutes to get ready. She had put a roast in the slow cooker that morning along with carrots and potatoes. It was a simple meal for a man accustomed only to the best, but Danika liked it, and that was all that mattered.

  Since the babysitter was still on the clock, Brie was able to grab a quick shower and change into jeans and a soft, navy V-neck cotton sweater. She added small pearl stud earrings tha
t had been a twenty-first-birthday present from her parents along with a dainty silver chain that supported a third pearl only slightly larger than the others.

  It was a far more casual outfit than the one she had worn to take Danika to meet her father. Adding the jewelry dressed it up enough to be presentable for an evening at home...with the man who had gotten her pregnant.

  Unbidden, her mind went back to all those long, lonely months before Nika was born. Brie had yearned for Vaughn so badly she thought her heart would break. The only way she had disciplined herself was to repeat over and over that the Vaughn she wanted him to be was not the real one. And the man he was would never be willing to change—certainly not just to please her.

  She needed a lover in her life who was devoted to her and willing to do anything to make the relationship work. Vaughn was virile and incredibly masculine and phenomenally talented in bed, but he didn’t need anyone.

  That was ultimately why Brie had walked away. Long before she knew she was going to have a child, she recognized that sooner or later, Vaughn Blackwood would break her heart.

  Though Brie had been the one to leave, the breakup was no less painful. After she left Royal, she had planned to start dating immediately...to quickly wipe the memories of Vaughn from her head and her heart.

  The plan was flawed from the beginning. She found out she was pregnant, and suddenly, Vaughn was a part of her in a way she could never erase. When the baby was born, the invisible intimacy grew more intense.

  All those nights Brie nursed Nika at her breast, her mind was free to wander. In her fantasies, Vaughn was there in the bed beside her, his gaze warm and loving as he stroked his daughter’s downy head...as he gently kissed Brie’s cheek and told her how much he loved her.

  Those daydreams, those fictional vignettes, kept Brie going. It probably wasn’t healthy. But it was all she had.

  With one last glance at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she cataloged every bit of stress and excitement duking it out in her stomach. Why did Vaughn want to spend time with Danika? He’d made it very clear over the months he and Brie had dated that he was a free agent.