Page 8 of The Christmas Cowboy

“Repeat that,” Connor said when he told him.

“You heard me. I’m marrying Val Fletcher. Friday. I’m not sure where yet. We were going to go to the courthouse here but if we do that the gossip will start instantly. We’d rather keep it quiet at least until after the honeymoon. We don’t plan to tell the parents until it’s a done deal and we’re back from the honeymoon. Her father for obvious reasons and Mom because she’d feel like she should tell Val’s parents. I want you to be there.”

Connor rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. “I know I’m not asleep. What the hell is going on? You’ve never been interested in Val that way. Not that you ever let on, anyway. Besides, you said you wouldn’t date anyone from around here.”

Liam shrugged. “Changed my mind. Besides, I’m not dating her. I’m marrying her.”

“You’re crazy.”

That seemed to be the theme with everyone he told.

“Does this have anything to do with Mom?”

It did, but oddly enough, not as much as he’d thought it would at first. He was more interested in helping out Val, not that he was telling anyone else she was pregnant.You’re not totally altruistic, his honest side said.You want her. You just never thought you could have her.He’d had plenty of reasons for thinking that. She was too young, she was Riley’s sister, she probably thought of him almost as a brother. His feelings for her, on the other hand, weren’t the least bit brotherly.

“No. We want to get married.”

“She’s pregnant, isn’t she?”

“She doesn’t have to be pregnant for us to want to get married.”

“Are you trying to tell me you and Val are in love?”

He was trying not to tell him anything. And it wasn’t working. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“It wouldn’t be if you’d ever shown any interest in her.”

“She was too young. But she’s grown now.”

“I still think it’s suspicious. Mom’s gonna flip. Not to mention, Logan.”

“Logan’s got his own marriage to think about. Besides, he’s on his honeymoon. And Mom will be happy. But never mind that. I’m going to talk to Melody and Les about taking care of things for the weekend,” he said, naming his new ranch manager and his newest full-time hand. “I have to trust them sometime and I figure it might as well be now. We want to have a honeymoon, even though it will only be a couple of days. Will you check in on things? Obviously, Mom will be around, but I’d still feel better if she could call on you if she needed you.”

“I can arrange to have the weekend off.”

“Thanks. I owe you.”

“I realize Logan’s still on his honeymoon, but don’t you think you should tell Mom?”

“No. Not until we get back. You, Riley, and Letty are the only people who’ll be there. The only ones who’ll know.” Val had told him she was going to ask Letty to stand up with her. She didn’t want to tell her parents until afterward, either.

“Look, Liam, I know it’s none of my business, but—”

“Leave it, Connor.”

Connor frowned. “Contrary to popular belief I can keep my mouth shut if it’s important. You can trust me, Liam. Val is pregnant, isn’t she?”

“Damn it, Connor. Yes, but we’re not telling anyone until she’s further along. Are you happy now?” He hoped Val wouldn’t kill him for telling Connor, but Liam knew his brother. Connor wasn’t going to drop it until he got an answer he believed. So Connor could know Val was pregnant. He just didn’t need to know that Liam wasn’t the father.

“Wow. Okay, then. The question is, are you happy?”

“Yes. And this is the last time we’re talking about this.”

“Whatever you say, bro.”

“Now, about this weekend. I’m telling Mom I’ve got horse business out of town.” She’d believe that. It happened occasionally.

Connor nodded. “Good idea. Anything you need me to do besides be available this weekend?”

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