Page 25 of Call it Fate

I lifted my eyebrows. “Ya think?” I asked sarcastically, then felt bad for my attitude. “I guess I feel better in some ways. All these years, I’ve wondered if he’d gotten it and ignored it. That would have been unforgivable for me.” I’d never intended to keep the pregnancy a secret from Zach, but he disappeared, and his family wouldn’t cooperate. I resigned myself to being a single mom, and despite the difficulties, Iain was the best thing that ever happened to me. “We’re happy, you know? Now what’s going to happen?”

We both jumped as we heard footsteps pound down the stairs and the front door open and slam shut. Megan hurried to the dining room window and nudged the blinds aside to peek out. “Well, for now, you have more time to think about it.”

I breathed a sigh of relief knowing Zach wouldn’t barge in here. Megan poured us each a cup of coffee, sweetening them both the way we liked and adding a good dose of cream to mine. She brought them to the table and pushed one mug toward me. Grateful for the warmth of both the drink and her friendship, I expressed my biggest fear.

“What if he tries to take Iain away from me?”

She reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “Then, we find a lawyer and give him a fight he can’t win. You’ve been Iain’s rock since before he was born. There’s not a judge in this state who would take Iain away from you.”

I loved her and her confidence.

“I guess you’ll have to at least let him see his own son.” Her face brightened as she sat up and clapped her hands. “Maybe he’ll fall back in love with you, and you can all be a happy family.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, Meg. You know that’s not how it works, at least, not in real life. He’s a big-city boy, and I’m a small-town girl who can’t leave.” I’d been through enough tragedies by my ripe, old age of twenty-seven to know fairy tales are exactly that—tales, not real life.

“I don’t know, Em. I’ve got a feeling.”

My frown turned into a teasing grin. “You and my mom. One of these days, the two of you are going to get a tent and travel across the country telling fortunes.”

She stood up, grinning back at me. “You never know.” She glanced at her watch. “Hey, I’ve got to get back to the shop before Tabby gives everything away to her friends.” Megan’s assistant was sweet, a little too sweet, and her friends took advantage of her for sure.

She tugged on my ponytail. “Hey. Everything will be fine. We’ll make sure it is, same as we’ve always done when things get rough, like when you helped me last month.”

I snickered. “I don’t think canceling barhopping to stay home so you didn’t miss the season finale of your favorite TV show is quite the same,” I teased, loving that she had my back.

She laughed and hugged me. I clung just a little longer than usual, trying to absorb her positivity. “Give him the same chance to explain that you want him to give you. It sounds like there’s more to this than meets the eye.” She gave me an extra squeeze. “But, you know I’m here for you, my friend, ready to fight dirty if I need to. I’ve also got a bottle of top-shelf tequila and all the chocolate you could want.”

“Thank you. You might get it ready.”

She blew me a kiss and waved as she headed outside. “Good luck!”

But it was going to take more than luck to make this work.

CHAPTER13

Emalee

“Do you think we should call Marcus? It might be good to know your rights, as well as his,” Mama suggested.

As I cleaned up from breakfast, I told my mom how Zach had figured things out after Iain had interrupted us earlier. The news startled her for sure, but her immediate concern was for me. She pulled me into her arms and held me like I was still her little girl. She whispered words of encouragement, reminding me how strong I was, how I’d already overcome so much to be where I was now, and this would be no different.

“You’re probably right.” I sighed, not excited about involving a lawyer, but I’d do whatever I needed to protect my son.

“Well, if that boy comes in here thinking he’s going to stir up trouble, he’s got another thing comin’,” Mama grumbled. “I still wish you’d let me stay and give him a piece of my mind.”

I crossed the small room and wrapped my arms around her. “I love you, Mama, and I appreciate all the support you’ve ever given me, but I don’t need to throw gasoline on the flames. I need to keep the peace between us, for Iain’s sake.”

Mama’s lips formed a thin line, and her eyes still held concern, but she inclined her head. I understood her protectiveness and doubts, but until Zach caused me further issues, I wasn’t looking for a fight.

“I called Chase,” I informed her. “He said it would be fine for you and Iain to come tonight. In fact, he sounded excited to have the company.” I hadn’t told my cousin why I needed Iain out of the way, but in his ever-instinctive way, he recognized I was only asking because it was important and had quickly agreed.

Chase owned Silver Creek Farm, an enormous small tree and shrubbery nursery about thirty minutes away. He also had several greenhouses which supplied me and several florists in the general area with fresh flowers, a Christmas tree farm higher in the mountains, and most important to Iain, he had horses and other barn animals.

Chase was wonderful with my son, and he’d been a backbone for me when I found out I was pregnant, as well as the best male role model I could give to Iain.

I’d once called Chase sweet, and he scowled at me, grumbling that men weren’t “sweet.” But he was one of the nicest guys I knew, always willing to help anyone, was kind to animals and strangers, and was incredibly handsome to boot. How he remained single was a mystery more than one woman had taken up trying to resolve.

He had a twin sister, Cameron, and a younger sister, Bristol, who was close to my age. I’d once lived with Bristol when we were both in school in Charlotte, where I’d met Zach, but now, she was living her dream and working on her dad’s racing team as an engineer.

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