Page 94 of Hero's Heart

“I’ve always hated how sad that made her. Even though she never would’ve been able to carry the baby to term anyway, because of her illness.”

Zac’s expression softened with sympathy. “That’s something you’ll have to grieve, Callum. It’s healthy to mourn the child you and Amelia never had. Maybe you never got the chance tobefore, because you were so quickly thrown into dealing with her cancer. Maybe that grieving is something you’ve never known you needed.”

“Yeah.” Callum felt his throat tighten, tears pricking at the backs of his eyes. He blinked them away, drawing in a deep, steadying breath.

Zac was right. Callum needed to grieve the baby he and Amelia had lost, needed to make peace with that pain before he could fully embrace the joy and terror of impending fatherhood with Sloane.

“I want this. I want Sloane and I want this baby, but…” He shook his head. “I really messed up. The way I reacted when she told me about the baby… I was a complete ass. Insinuated I didn’t think the baby was mine. I was shocked and caught off guard by the news, sure, but that’s no excuse. I handled it all wrong.”

Zac leaned back, sympathy softening his features. “Listen, whatever you said, I guarantee it wasn’t as bad as the time I got drunk and ran Annie out of town. It’s been over thirty years, and I still regret it.” He met Callum’s gaze steadily. “The point is, the women we love? They’re a hell of a lot smarter and more gracious than we deserve. They forgive us, even when we’re at our worst. Thank God for that, right?”

The women we love.

Really, it wasn’t much more complicated than that, was it? Callum loved Sloane. It didn’t matter about their difference in age, or how they’d gotten together, or that their relationship wasn’t progressing in the normal order.

A wry chuckle escaped Callum’s lips. “Amen to that.” He sobered, worry creasing his brow. “But I don’t know how to make this right, Zac. Sloane’s been through so much with her family. Manipulation, gaslighting, emotional abuse. I want to bethere for her, but I also know she’s trying to be independent for the first time in her life. She needs to make her own choices.”

Zac nodded thoughtfully. “So, what can you do to show her you’re all in, without stepping on her toes? There’s got to be a way to support her while still respecting her autonomy.”

Callum’s mind raced. Now that he was putting actual thought into this, the possibilities tumbled over each other. “I’ll start with the Gettys. I can sic Lincoln on them. They’ve been illegally controlling Sloane for years, and it’s time she knew for certain that they don’t have a hold over her anymore.”

His eyes narrowed, and a slow grin crept over his face. “Hell, maybe we can even hit them with a lawsuit for what they’ve put her through.”

Zac’s eyebrows lifted, impressed. “Now that’s a plan. Show her you’re in her corner, fighting for her, without trying to make her decisions for her.”

“I need to get the house ready for a baby.” He stood up, the idea feeling more right than anything had since she’d told him the news of her pregnancy. “Even if Sloane won’t take me back, I’ll still be watching the kid.”

Zac smiled knowingly. “It’s hitting you now, isn’t it? You’re going to be a dad.”

A mix of fear and awe swirled in Callum’s gut. “I don’t want my child growing up split between two houses. I want us to be a family, under one roof.”

“Then you fight for that,” Zac said firmly. “Not just for the baby, but for Sloane. Show her that she’s the one you want, with or without a baby in the picture.”

Callum clapped Zac on the shoulder. “Thanks for the talk, man. I needed it more than I realized.”

Zac grinned. “Anytime. Now, go get your girl.”

As Callum strode out of the gym, a plan began to take shape in his mind. He would start with the house, transforming it intoa welcoming haven for Sloane and their baby. Then, he’d enlist Lincoln’s help to obliterate any lingering hold the Gettys had over Sloane.

But most importantly, he would prove to Sloane, with every word and action, that she was worth fighting for. He had been given a second chance at happiness, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to waste it.

Chapter 33

Sloane placed a plate of burgers and fries on the table, thanking the customers with a smile. As she turned back toward the bar, Joy caught her eye.

“Callum’s here again,” Joy said, nodding in the direction of the door.

Sloane felt a grin spread across her face, but she didn’t turn around. She wasn’t surprised. Every night this week that she’d worked a shift, he’d come by the Eagle’s Nest, even if just for a few minutes.

Joy sighed dramatically. “Do you think he’s going to take over your tables for you again? I didn’t think it would be true, but our big, strong sheriff carrying plates out was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Sloane’s cheeks warmed at the memory. A few days ago, a bout of evening morning sickness had hit her hard midshift. Seeing her green tinge, Callum had gently sat her down, propped her feet up, and then proceeded to wait on her tables for a good thirty minutes—taking orders, running food, refilling drinks. He’d refused to let her get up until she felt completely steady again.

“I’m feeling fine tonight. I don’t need him to cover for me,” Sloane assured Joy. More than fine, if she was being honest with herself.

She grabbed a pitcher to make a round of iced tea refills. Callum had done so much for her this past week. Him checking on her so frequently meant the world.

But even more than that, he’d been so open, so public, about her pregnancy. About their baby.

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