Page 55 of Bound by Their Christmas Baby

‘Why? Do you?’

Gabe frowned. ‘I was with them a lot longer. They’re almost the only family I remember.’ The words were defensive and immediately a response came to him. He saw, in his mind’s eye, the mother of his son. The woman he would marry. And his gut twisted. He’d been given a family at birth—a father who didn’t want him, a mother who resented him.

He’d been taken in by a family—they hadn’t wanted him either.

And now? A sense of unease tripped through him. Being unwanted was the running theme of his life—and now he was marrying a woman who wanted more than he could give her. He was marrying a woman who deserved more.

‘They were bastards,’ Noah grunted. ‘I hope they got what was coming to them.’

Gabe’s lips compressed. ‘I don’t.’

‘You always were a soft touch.’

At that, Gabe laughed. If only Noah knew what he was about to do. Abby had been cast out of her life, left pregnant and impoverished, abandoned by her father, orphaned by her mother, and he’d strong-armed her at every point. He’d swept aside her objections. He’d insisted on this—and he’d been right. Marriage was the only option. But suddenly the idea of joining himself legally to Abby seemed absurd. She didn’t want him, not as he was, and he didn’t want her. Did he?

They’d slept together a lon

g time ago, and that had been a mistake. She had used him, she had lied to him, she had gone to him specifically to further her father’s business interests. He had no business wanting her—other than physically.

This marriage wasn’t about anything other than practicality, and giving their son what he deserved, just like Abigail had said. Raf wouldn’t grow up wondering about his father, resenting his father, hating his father. He wouldn’t feel for Gabe as Gabe had for Lorenzo. No, Raf would feel loved. He would feel cherished and he would feel wanted.

And he just had to hope he wouldn’t ruin Abby’s life in the process. No matter what she’d done, no matter how he told himself he’d never forgive her, he knew the truth. He didn’t want to hurt her; he didn’t want to ruin her life.

He wasn’t his father, he reminded himself, even when his doubts made his conviction waver. They would marry and Gabe would make sure she had a good life. A great life.

He wouldn’t be the kind of husband she wanted nor deserved, but eventually she’d get over that. Wouldn’t she?

* * *

Christmas morning at the castle was spectacular in all ways but one. Snow had begun to fall overnight and Hughie, who’d gone home to see his family, wasn’t around to clear it, which meant the place seemed even more magical than ever, as though it had risen from the edge of the mountains. A little family of squirrels ran across the field and Abby watched them, an enchanted smile on her face as they scampered up a tree. As for their Christmas tree, the lights glistened in the early morning sunshine as the smell of coffee filled the hall.

Raf slept in a bassinet at Abby’s feet as she lost herself to the pages of Persuasion—her favourite of all the Austens. There was something about Captain Wentworth’s enduring love for Anne Elliot that had always spoken to her.

No doubt, Gabe would accuse her of over-sentimentality, but she had always adored the idea of such permanence. The idea that years spent apart, with one at war and the other marooned by a cold, unemotional family, couldn’t destroy true love.

Abby’s eyes lifted to where Gabe sat, reading a newspaper on his tablet, apparently absorbed. Yes, it was all spectacular, save for the tension that was zapping between them.

Her heart raced and her skin goosed all over. She drew in a deep breath and told herself she’d be fine, that she could do this. Reminding herself that they were celebrating for Raf.

She was the one who’d put this in motion—now wasn’t the time to start having regrets.

Their marriage would work just fine. The longer they were together, the better she’d get at pretending not to feel anything for Gabe.

He’d put presents beneath the tree, though, and her heart skipped a beat. Were they for Raf? Surely they must be. Not for her…

Her eyes strayed to the tree, a frown on her face. Nothing was labelled. ‘Yes, tempesta. It’s for you.’

‘Oh!’ She spun to face him, her cheeks flushed. ‘I didn’t get you anything.’

‘It’s a gift for both of us.’

She frowned. ‘Shall I open it now?’

Something glowed in his eyes. ‘Raf is awake. Why don’t we get that photo you wanted before he drifts off again?’

Abby nodded. ‘All the staff are upstairs. Shall I…’

‘I can take it.’ He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and propped it on a ledge near the door, then stepped back towards Abby. She held Raf in her arms, smiling down at him, leaving Gabe to take the space beside her. Using his watch, he set the timer going. A light on the phone flashed faster and faster.

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