Page 58 of My Cowboy Temptation

She said that I chose the ranch and her dad over her. That was far from the truth, but it was what she needed to believe so she could go out and live the life she deserved. The last thing I wanted was to tie her to me or this place when she deserved to get out there and live her dream.

I didn’t expect in a million years that she would get pregnant. That changed everything. She should have seen that.

I think back to her explanation at the doctor’s office.

I wanted you in my life—in the baby’s life—because you wanted to be. Not because you felt you had to be.

How could Cal ever think having a baby with her would be a burden? I would welcome Cal and any babies she wants to make. Or adopt, or whatever.

Having Cal permanently in my life, making a family together, is like my wildest fantasy come true.

I slam the post down into its final position and wipe the sweat from my brow. Okay. So from Cal’s perspective, thinking she wasn’t as important to me as she obviously is, her having to tell me she’s having a baby would be like saddling me with some responsibility that I might not want, but that I would step up and accept because that’s what I would do whether it was Callie or anyone else for that matter.

I guess I could see how having me back in her life out of a sense of duty would be painful. I wouldn’t want anyone to be in my life out of a sense of duty, either.

But Cal is missing one important piece of information.

She and this baby would never be a burden. I would have given my right leg to have her in my life if I thought for a minute she’d be happy spending the rest of her life with me.

But maybe it didn’t have to come to that.

Callie is here of her own volition. No, she’s here and determined that this is where she wants to be, where she wants to build a life and a career.

I’d sold her short. Far too short.

I could have had everything had I just believed for a minute I was everything she wanted.

I grab a towel and wipe my hands off on it.

Cal not telling me I was the father of this baby was wrong, and it hurt. But my not telling her how I felt was wrong too and undoubtedly hurt her. We need to find a way back to each other without the lies.

I know I told her I loved her, but I feel like I need to tell her again so she understands there’s nothing she can tell me that I wouldn’t forgive.

Even this.

Because as I set my anger aside, I can see there’s a hell of a lot to be happy about. More than I ever could have hoped for.

The woman I love is having a baby. My baby.

Instantly, I’m imagining the little thing, wondering whose eyes it will have, whose surly disposition. Then I remember. The ultrasound.

Damn. I was so angry, rightfully so, but at the same time I missed a chance to see our baby for the first time. See if it’s going to be a girl or a boy.

Pulling out my cell phone, I look at the last message Cal sent, a message she never clarified. I read it again, no less confused.

Biting the bullet, I dial her number, wanting to hear her voice, hear whatever it is she’s trying to say. It goes to voicemail immediately. I’m not one for leaving voicemails, so instead I send her a brief text.

Call me. We should talk.

An hour later, I still haven’t heard from her, and she’s still not taking my call.

I’m the one who is supposed to be angry here, not her. Something doesn’t sit right with me. Which is why I’m on the way to her place to see her in person, even if I have to break down the door of her apartment to do so.

Burke is parked out front, and I head over to him. “She go anywhere today?”

“Nope. Just came straight here about ten minutes after you left.”

Ten minutes? That wouldn’t have been long enough for an ultrasound, would it?

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