Page 63 of My Cowboy Temptation

I blink back tears as my dad and the doctor continue to talk. Brody steps closer so he’s next to me, resting his hand over mine. There’s so much to say to him but not until we have some privacy.

“Are you in pain?” he asks softly.

“Some. But it’s getting better,” I lie, not wanting him to know how much it still hurts. His fingers caress the top of my hand, and I’m filled with hope that maybe things are going to be okay between us. He wouldn’t caress my hand if he didn’t care, right?

Finally the doctor leaves, and my dad comes around to the other side of me.

“You really scared the life out of me,” my dad says, his voice low and gruff. “I don’t know what I would have done if anything happened to you.”

“I’m okay. You guys got there in time.” There’s so much I want to say, to them both, and I start with him. “Dad. I’m sorry about not telling you about me and Brody before.”

He holds his hand up, stopping me. “There’s going to be plenty of time for us to talk about this, but right now I just want you to take care of yourself and the baby and get some rest. Then I would like you to come and stay at the ranch with me and Everly.”

Would like? That’s a big step for my dad. Usually he’s all about orders, not requests. “Thanks, Dad. But the doctor said I’m fine, and the baby’s fine, so there’s no reason for me to come back. I have my own place now.”

He nods. “I expected you to say as much. But the invitation is there. From both Everly and me. She’d be here right now, but I told her you were resting, and you’d talk to her in the morning.”

I nod, grateful to him as I smile. “Thanks, Daddy. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Cal.” He smiles and rests his hand on my left shoulder above the burns and squeezes gently as he leans down and kisses the top of my head. He straightens and meets Brody’s gaze. “Brody. There’s still a lot I want to say to you. But for now…take care of her.”

“With my life.”

My dad nods, not appearing surprised, and with a last glance my way, he leaves us alone.

“That went over better than I expected,” I say.

“It’s early. I’ll reserve judgment. But I suppose I should be grateful that I still have my job. At least as far as I know.”

“My dad loves you. He’s hurt and angry, but he’ll see that no one has managed that ranch as well as you.”

He doesn’t say anything but draws a chair over and sits down next to me. He has his hands folded in front of him as he leans forward, almost as if he’s in prayer. “Cal. When I heard you scream earlier tonight, it was like someone ripped my heart out and…” His voice breaks, and he takes a moment to recover. “I really have never been so scared before. The thought of losing you terrifies me. Without you on this earth, there’s no reason for me to exist. You’re my life now.”

I lean forward until I can reach him and place my hand over him, careful not to disturb the wires monitoring our baby’s heart. “I’m safe. Because of you.”

I know this only because while McCall asked me questions about what happened from the moment Childs appeared at my door, I asked him how he tracked me down to that old farmhouse. He hadn’t tried to take any credit, putting it solely on Brody and his persistence.

“I mean it. I’d give my life for you, Cal. I love you, love you above all. I always have.”

I stare into his rugged face, the creases around his eyes from squinting against the sun, the dark espresso brown of his eyes as he stares back at me with such tenderness, and my heart is so full of love for this man. And in that instant, I believe what he’s saying is true.

“Why did you ever let me believe I was second to my dad and the ranch?” I ask not because I’m accusing him of anything, but because I really want to know.

“I didn’t think I was enough for you. I thought your dreams were bigger than me, that you deserved better than what I could offer.”

“Stop,” I say, shutting him down right away. “Like you, my dreams are tied to you. Without you in my life, my dreams would never be fulfilled.”

He nods. “I think I’m beginning to understand that now. And why you didn’t tell me about the baby,”

I look down at our hands, feeling guilt still. “I’m so sorry about that. The only reason I didn’t tell you is because I thought you would be unhappy, burdened. But I came to see in the past few days that I was never more wrong. And I really was going to tell you. That night, after the ultrasound. In fact, even if you hadn’t come around, I would have told you about the baby. Maybe not that day or even this week, but I would have told you before the baby came. It’s only right. Because you are going to be the most incredible dad to this baby. You have so much love to give, Brody.”

He laughs and blinks back suspicious moisture from his eyes. “Thanks, Cal. That means a lot.” He leans up, so he’s part on the bed now as he tucks a strand of hair from my face. “I can’t even begin to tell you just how happy I am about this baby. It’s going to be loved and adored and quite possibly even more spoiled than you were.”

“Let’s not get crazy now,” I say and laugh. “This baby is going to need to hear no a time or two, and I’m going to need you to be the heavy. Especially if this baby looks anything like you. I’ll be putty in his or her hands.”

“You don’t know then? You didn’t find out?”

“I didn’t want to learn something so wonderful without you there. I rescheduled.”

---