Page 24 of The Christmas Cowboy

“What did he say, Val? Tell me.”

She didn’t look at him when she answered. “He denied he was the father and called me a whore.”

“He did what? The bastard actually said that to you?”

“His exact words were: ‘You want me to take the word of a whore that you’re pregnant? If you’re pregnant it could be anyone’s baby. It sure as hell isn’t mine.’” She’d been so shocked she hadn’t known what to say. Then he’d hung up, telling her not to bother him again.

Liam’s expression was thunderous. “Who is it? Is he from around here?”

“Yes. He lived somewhere else for a while but then he moved back to town. And if you want to know his name so you can go punch him, forget it. Don’t deny that’s what you want to do. You have the same look in your eye that Riley did when he punched you.”

“Nobody gets to talk to you that way. Sure as hell not some dipshit who won’t even take responsibility for his kid.” She hesitated and he added, “I’ll find out eventually. You might as well tell me now.”

True. “If I tell you who he is you have to promise you won’t go find him and beat him up.”

“Why?”

“I’m not on his radar and I don’t want to be.”

“I can’t promise I won’t punch him. But I won’t do it unless he comes to the ranch or I run into him in town. Then all bets are off.”

“You can’t. If you do it’s bound to come out that he’s the father.”

“Crap. You’re right.” He was silent for a moment. “How about I won’t do anything unless he hassles you?”

She figured that was as good as she’d get. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

“I doubt you know him. His name is Trent Harvey.”

*

Shit. “Trent Harvey?From Marietta?” Surely it wasn’t the same Trent Harvey he was thinking of.

“Yes, originally. But recently he’s only been in Marietta off and on.” She stared at Liam. “You do know him, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I know him. Went to high school with him.” Trent had hated Liam’s whole family, but he had a special hate on for Liam.

“You don’t like him.”

“No, and he hates me. Still does, even years later.” The last time Liam saw him, a few years ago now, Trent had picked a fight with him. Liam was slow to anger but when pushed he’d defend himself. Which he had and Trent had ended up knocked flat on his ass. “I thought he might not be as big an asshole as he used to be but hearing the way he’s treated you, he’s worse.”

“Why does he hate you?”

“My dad bought his dad’s land. They had a small farm near us. On the other side, closer to Clint’s ranch.”

“And that made him hate you? Why?”

“His dad had to sell because he lost their money. So Trent resented my family. High school made him hate me even more than the rest of my family.”

“What happened in high school?”

“There was a girl we both liked.” Liam hadn’t known Trent liked her. Even if he had, she hadn’t liked Trent.

“Say no more. I’m sure I can figure that out.”

He shrugged. “Yeah. Then there was rodeo. We competed against each other. I usually won.”

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