Page 2 of The Christmas Cowboy

Knowing her family was religious, this didn’t surprise Liam. “Do you want to keep the baby?”

“I thought about giving it up for adoption. For about thirty seconds.” She shook her head. “I can’t do that either. It’s my baby, my responsibility. And I…I already love it.” She turned to him, her eyes pleading for help. “But Liam, I can’t tell my father. You know him. He’ll totally freak.”

Liam winced. Mr. Fletcher was a good man. But he was strict, old-fashioned, and the last person who would accept an unmarried, pregnant daughter no matter her age. Yeah, Val was a grown woman in her early twenties but that wouldn’t matter to her father. Liam hoped he wouldn’t kick her out, but even if he didn’t, he wouldn’t make life easy for her. And hell, he might just disown her or even kick her off the ranch. Riley would stick by her, and her mother would try, but her father very well might not.

She was crying again, so he put his arm around her and held her. She put her head on his chest and soaked his shirt with her tears. When she finally calmed down, he gave her another tissue and watched as she tried to compose herself.

“I’m sorry I cried all over you.” She dabbed at her eyes. “I’m sure you think I’m an idiot.”

“I think you trusted the wrong person.” He knew all about that, having done it himself.

“Yeah.” She drew in a breath and moved away from him. “I’ll have to figure out a way to tell my father. Hopefully, he won’t beat me.”

Oh, shit. “Has he hit you before?” He couldn’t imagine Mr. Fletcher in that role but maybe he was wrong.

“No. But I’ve never done anything that would make him this angry. I wish I knew what to do.”

Liam didn’t ask about Val’s mother. He knew that whatever she felt she’d do what her husband told her to do. “I’ve got an idea.”

“Really? What?” She looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Marry me.”

Chapter Two

Val stared atLiam, wondering if she’d heard him right. “Did you just ask me to marry you?”

“Yes. It’s the perfect answer for both of us.”

Oh, my God. I’m dreaming. Or having a nightmare. Liam asked me to marry him. I’ve loved him for years.

“Have you lost your mind? You don’t love me, and I’m pregnant with another man’s child.”

He took her hand and held it. “I’ve known you all your life. I care about you. And you need help.”

“Butmarriage?” The word came out as a squeak. “What about you? Why would you do this?”

“You know about Caroline, right?”

Of course. Who didn’t? “The bitch who jilted you.”

“That’s the one. My mother has been pushing for me to get married. She had all sorts of reasons, but I finally figured out she’s afraid I’ll never marry because my fiancée ran out on me. Which was one reason I brought Cici here. But you know how that turned out.” He waved a hand in the general direction of the house. “So marrying you would help me out too.”

“You want to marry me to get your mom off your back.” How flattering. Not.

“Clint—her longtime boyfriend—wants to marry her. But she won’t do it until I’m settled and she feels like I won’t need her to help me run the ranch.”

“I’m sure there are a ton of women who’d love to marry you.”

“Maybe, but I don’t want them. I want you.”

Too bad he didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Yes, it was crazy but she was considering it. “Would it be a real marriage?” She wasn’t sure she could be married to Liam and not ever have sex with him. Actually, she was certain she couldn’t.

“You mean real as in—”

When he broke off she said, “Sex. Would we have sex? And how long would we be married?”

“That depends on you. I think we should stay married at least until after the baby is born. We can talk more about it later.”

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