Page 39 of My Cowboy Temptation

Everly casts a glance to my dad and back to me. “Actually, not quite.”

“Wait. Why not? You don’t have another psychopath stalking you again, do you?” I’m reminded of my run-in with Childs on the way here and the trouble he mentioned. “Is that why you have security cameras? I was nearly run down by Childs, who says they saw me on the cameras.”

“It’s just a precaution, Callie,” my dad says.

“This is about the Palmers, isn’t it? They know you guys are behind Cody Palmer’s arrest, and they’re coming for you.” I say it calmly even though my heart is speeding up.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Cal. As far as we can tell, Zeke Palmer is none the wiser about our involvement. Like I said, this is just a precaution.”

I look to Brody to see if there’s any truth in my dad’s words, not because my dad’s a liar necessarily, but he’s prone to downplaying or exaggerating as the case may be to try and shield me from certain truths. Brody is being careful not to meet my gaze, which tells me everything I need to know.

“If he does know, what do you think he’ll do? What will you do?” I ask, my voice strained in the quiet of the room.

“Nothing that you need to be worried about. Brody and the rest of the men are keeping an eye out, and they’ll report anything that might raise some concern. Now, let’s enjoy our meal and the gift of your arrival,” my dad says with finality.

“Actually, Cal, didn’t you mention you had some news you wanted to share with your dad and me?” Everly asks, putting down her fork as she waits expectantly for me.

“News? More than your moving back?” my dad asks.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I was prepared to share my news with Everly and my dad, something I’ve been working myself up for these past couple of weeks. Telling Brody is something I need at least a couple more weeks to prepare for. I grab my water and take another long calming drink.

“I think I know what it is,” Everly says, nodding encouragingly at me. “I’m guessing some handsome Brit turned your head, isn’t that right? Or maybe someone in Kalispell? Maybe you met him through the gallery?”

Everly is so not helping.

I take another breath. Get it over with, Callie. Just do it. They’re all bound to find out anyway.

“I suppose I did meet someone.” In a way. “But that’s not the news. Please, before I tell you, I want you to know that this is good news. It’s something I want and something I’ve chosen to do. I don’t regret anything, least of all this. In fact, this might be the best thing to ever happen to me.”

I can see the confusion on everyone’s faces. At least Dad’s and Everly’s. I haven’t dared look over to Brody. Not right now, or I’ll never get this out.

“Well, come on, honey. You’re killing us with the suspense.”

I force a big smile, hoping it helps convince them what I’m going to tell them is a good thing. “Okay. I-I’m pregnant. I’m having a baby.”

It’s dead silent for a long agonizing moment. Then suddenly, the room bursts with energy as Everly jumps from her chair and heads over to me. “Oh my God, Cal, I can’t believe it! You’re pregnant?”

“Isn’t that something,” my dad says, and I look at him and see a wide smile on his face, a smile that definitely reaches his eyes as he stares at me, maybe even a little misty-eyed. He laughs, and they’re both up, lifting me from my chair as they hug me.

Everly steps back. “Let me see, let me see! How far along are you? Are you showing yet?”

I hold my hands around my belly and the bump that, as all eyes stare down, is now impossible to miss.

Another lifetime ago, I would have been proud to announce to everyone, including Brody, that this baby is his. Made from our love. But that confession isn’t wanted and would probably ruin everything that he’s set up for himself here.

So I have only one choice here. I have to lie.

“I’m about twelve weeks along,” I say, being careful to take a month away from my development. Saying only twelve weeks along will put me and, more importantly, the conception of this little one far from Montana.

Then, despite my intentions not to, I look over and meet Brody’s gaze.

Stunned doesn’t even begin to cover the look on his face as he stares at me and then down to my baby bump. Stunned and maybe even something more I can’t decipher.

Fear? Anger? What is that?

Whatever. He’s washed his hands of me.

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