Page 4 of Tempted at Thoroughbred Lake

Theprobablygave her a mountain of hope. “You’re under the impression that when we’re together, we’ll only be able to think of the bad stuff that went on,” she spelled out for him.

He nodded, but she thought Brennan might be searching her eyes to see if she believed there was any chance that wouldn’t happen.

Ruby would have assured him with all the assurance that she could muster up that she believed they could get past the bad stuff. Heat, especially a scalding hot one, could erase memories along with common sense. She didn’t get a chance to voice any of that, though, because both their phones dinged with texts.

“It’s from Vivian,” she muttered, silently cursing the interruption. Ruby did even more silent cursing when she read the message from her daughter that popped up on the screen.

I have exciting news. Can’t wait to tell you when you get home.

“Mine’s from Seth,” Brennan relayed to her. “He says he has something to tell me.”

Ruby got a bad feeling. Really bad. Bracing herself for the worst, she muttered a quick goodbye to Brennan and got ready to face whatever music her daughter was about to dole out.

CHAPTER TWO

BRENNANHURRIEDUPthe porch steps of Ruby’s house and wasn’t surprised to see the door open. Like him, Ruby had hurried to get home after receiving that text from Vivian. Brennan had been heading home, too, to find out what Seth meant by somethingexciting, but then Seth had sent a second message saying he was at Ruby’s with Vivian.

That upped Brennan’s urgency. Hell. He hoped his son wasn’t repeating history and had knocked up Vivian. Brennan darn sure wouldn’t consider that news exciting. More like a “what the hell” and how was this going to affect Seth’s and Vivian’s plans for college? Seth would know that. Well, he’d know it if he wasn’t seeing the future through rose-colored glasses.

Having a kid was an amazing thing, but it was also plenty of work. Brennan knew that firsthand. Knew, too, how much more work and harder it was when you were just eighteen. He didn’t want that for his son. He wanted Seth to go to college, live a little and then settle down with those “amazing” offspring.

With the worry that “amazing” was going to come a whole lot sooner than it should, Brennan tapped on Ruby’s door to let her know he was there, and then he winced when he saw the panties on the floor.

Great.

In addition to what would be news he wouldn’t want to hear, Ruby had perhaps walked in on his son and her daughter doing what kids their age did. But the timing sucked.

“Ruby?” Brennan called out when she didn’t respond.

“Back here,” Seth answered for her.

It was hard to tell his son’s tone from just two words, but Brennan thought he heard some giddiness. Cursing that, Brennan followed the sound of the response, making his way around the “ant farm” layout of the house, and he finally spotted Ruby in the hall, standing outside a room. She wasn’t speaking. Hadn’t fainted, thank heaven. But she had her hand pressed to her chest, and her mouth was frozen open.

“Ruby?” Brennan repeated.

She whirled toward him, and he saw the whole “deer caught in the headlights” look. So, yeah, this was bad. Since Brennan wasn’t a fan of delaying any form of bad, he just went with the obvious question.

“Is Vivian pregnant?”

Ruby didn’t have time to respond, because Vivian beat her to it. Vivian laughed. Seth joined in on the laughter as if that were the dumbest question in the history of dumb questions.

The relief hit Brennan so hard that he made a strangled sound of relief, and hell, he wanted to start laughing, too. He might have done just that if he’d managed to gather enough breath. And if he hadn’t seen what was on Vivian’s left hand.

An engagement ring, yes.

But there was more. Another ring, a plain gold band beneath it. Seth was wearing an identical band on his left hand as well.

Brennan’s first thought was that this was a joke to get him laughing as much as the kids were. If so, he didn’t consider it very funny.

“We eloped,” Seth gushed.

There was no doubting the giddiness now in his voice. It didn’t last long, though. Probably because his son was noting Brennan’s expression. It sure as heck wasn’t one of approval.

“They eloped,” Ruby said, not because she thought Brennan might not have heard. Oh, no. She knew he’d heard it all right. This was the repetition a person might make when they were in shock.

“We want you to be happy for us,” Vivian interjected when she no doubt realized this was not going to be cause for parental celebration and giddiness.

“We figured you’d be surprised,” Seth added, “but once you get used to the idea, you’ll see this is for the best.”

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