Page 67 of One Lucky Cowboy

Maggie also cried but leaned on her husband for support. Her smile was softer as she rubbed her belly.

Bennett stared at him, wide-eyed and lips parted. Then he frowned and closed his mouth, only to open it again. Clearly, he couldn’t figure out what to say or how to say it.

Jill was the enigma. Her face remained passive. She wasn’t frowning or smiling. Her eyes weren’t saucers of surprise or even slits that would’ve indicated anger. She simply looked at him as if she were seeing him for the first time.

Then, it was as if a balloon popped, and everyone started talking at once.

“How did you find out?” he heard at the same time someone asked, “When did you learn about him?”

Only his mother stood, strode over, and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Tears fell from her cheeks onto his shirt, and she sniffled.

“When can I meet my grandson?” she whispered in his ear.

It was all he needed to hear. Things would be okay.

“I’m heading there now to get him, if that’s alright. He’ll live with me this month while I figure out work closer to Austin so I can support him.”

“Of course, it’s okay,” his mother said, drying her eyes and looking very much like she’d won the damn lottery. She sat beside him, one hand on his knee while the other covered her mouth. “I’m a grandmother. And I’m about to be one twice over.”

Maggie nodded, her smile as wide as her face now.

“Oh my goodness! I’m an aunt, which means Bennett, you’re—”

“An uncle. Holy crap.” But his brother still laughed and slapped his back. “Congratulations, bud. You’re a dad.”

“I know. It’s wild, right?”

Bennett laughed loud and full. “You can say that. I think when any of us thought about who’d be first to make Mom a grandma, you weren’t even in the top three.”

“Agreed,” Jax admitted. His chest unfurled like it had wings instead of anchors weighing it down.

He shot Jill a glance. She hadn’t moved an eyelash since he shared the news. What was she thinking about all this? Did she care at all?

Why do you care if she does? He wanted to be with her more than almost anything. But freaking fate had dropped the one thing in his lap that would change his mind. He needed to concentrate on being a good dad to Ren. The rest would have to wait, even if Jill wouldn’t.

“So, tell us the story. How did this all happen?”

Jax shared the way Ren had reached out to him, including the way Bennett had scared him off at first.

“Benny has that effect on people,” Maggie teased. She rubbed her husband’s shoulders affectionately, though.

“That kid? Man, he’s tall. Looks like you, too. I should’ve figured it out.”

“He’s lean like Matt was and has your smile. Hopefully, your sense of right and wrong, too. You’re all gonna love him.”

Jax went on to share the temporary plan. Ren would come to work the ranch—with Bennett’s approval, of course. Bennett just nodded along like adding a teenager to the family was as natural as warm spring winds.

“And I heard you tell Mom you’re heading over to get him after this?”

“I am. He’s going to live here with me until I can get set up in Austin, but don’t worry. I’ve got food and clothes and everything figured out.”

“You get the kid a toothbrush?” Bennett asked.

Jax nodded. “And deodorant and a razor. I even bought him a ranching kit at Harvey’s just now. He’s all set. I was a teenage kid once, too, you know. And anything I forgot, I’ve got Google and you guys.”

“Damn. I’m proud of you. This is a big deal, and you’re handling it like a champ. Sorry I gave you shit for leaving MBE. I know why you did and it’s honorable.”

“Thanks,” Jax said. He was misty-eyed now, too. “I’m not gonna lie. I did it for me in the beginning, but when I found out about Ren, I asked the manager if I could have something more stable, more permanent. It’s not perfect since I won’t be in town, but it’s close.”

---