Page 62 of The Christmas Cowboy

“Who is the father?” her mom asked.

She didn’t want to tell them, but the gossip was already out there. “Trent Harvey.”

“Trent Harvey?” her mom repeated. “I didn’t realize you knew him. He doesn’t have the best reputation.”

Val shrugged, not about to confess it was a one-night stand. “I didn’t know that when we met.”

“You’ve always been a good daughter,” her dad said. “I’ve never been ashamed of you before now. But now—damn, Valerie, I can’t even look at you knowing you—”

“That’s enough,” Liam said.

Her father stared at him, shocked. No oneeverinterrupted Jasper Fletcher.

“You’re her father but I’m her husband, and I’d advise you not to say something more that you’ll regret. I know this has been a shock. But the bottom line is we’re married, and we want you to be involved in our lives and the baby’s life. It’s up to you whether you will be or not.”

“Come on, Val.” He took her hand and pulled her up.

“What will you do about the father?” her mom asked. “If Trent wants partial custody? And what if the whole story comes out and the whole town is talking about it?”

“We’ll handle whatever comes.” Liam squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Her mom stood and put her arms around Val. “No matter what happens, we love you.”

Val hugged her back, then glanced at her father, sitting in his chair, a completely unforgiving expression on his face.

“Now we need to go talk to my mother.” Liam put his arm around her and guided her to the back door.

Riley walked to the door with them. He pulled Val into a hug. “He’ll come around.” He let go of Val and shook Liam’s hand. “Take care of her.”

“Don’t worry. I will.”

*

Liam knew Valwas crying. He didn’t know how to comfort her. Val was very close to her family and her father’s disapproval and anger had to be tearing her up. At least her mother seemed to be a little more understanding. Or if not, she clearly wasn’t willing to lose Val over the issue. Her father he wasn’t so sure of.

Jasper Fletcher was a good man and Liam had always thought he was a good father. He’d known him since he was a little kid. But he had a very strict idea of what was acceptable and what wasn’t. He hoped the man would relent, especially since Val was married now.

He put the truck in park as soon as they turned onto his land. His truck was an older model with bench seats. “C’mere,” he said.

Val unbuckled her seat belt and scooted over. Liam wrapped his arms around her and let her cry. Once the storm subsided, she clutched his shirt beneath his open jacket and mumbled something into his chest. He put his hand beneath her chin and turned her face up to his. He kissed her, kissed the tears away, tasting salt and sorrow. “You’re killing me here.”

She drew in a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. We knew it wouldn’t be easy.”

“Thank you for saying you loved me and the baby.”

Hell, she still didn’t believe him. “What’s it going to take for you to believe I love you and the baby?”

“What if—what if I wasn’t pregnant?”

“Would I still love you if you weren’t pregnant?” She nodded forlornly. “Val, my feelings for you have nothing to do with your pregnancy. I love the baby because it’s yours. I want to be a father to it. But even if no baby existed I’d still want to be married to you.” He kissed her again, long and deeply. “I love you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

“Have you ever had sex in the front seat of a pickup?”

She laughed. “No. Am I about to?”

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