Page 49 of In Bed with the Rancher

“You’re sure you don’t want Mom and Dad to know their grandchild?”

“I’m sure. It’s a baby girl, but no, I don’t. Mom and Dad would have nothing in common with the baby’s mother.”

“They would have a baby in common, Wynn.”

He frowned and shook his head. They sipped coffee and sat in silence for a few minutes, Wynn deep in thought. “I’ll think about it, Wade.”

“Good. You won’t regret letting them know their grandchild. I feel certain about that.”

“I never looked at it that way. I didn’t think they’d be happy about the mother.”

“They might not, but I’ll bet they’ll love your baby. They might be a good influence on the mother.”

“Wow. Maybe I will. You sound very positive.”

“I am. It’s your baby and their first grandchild. They will be happy. I know Mom and Dad.”

“Well, maybe I should.” He was silent for a few minutes. “I asked Mom why she married Dad—I’ll still call him dad,” Wynn said finally.

“I’m glad because in every way except blood, he’s been our dad, and to me, he’s our only dad. Why did she marry him?”

“She said she was single, pregnant, didn’t have money to raise a child by herself and didn’t want to. Dad started dating her and in his own quiet way, he loved her and asked her to marry him, so she did, but she’s never told him the truth about getting pregnant. And she said that he was such a good man that it didn’t take her long to fall in love with him, too. She said she realized she had found the best father for her twins.”

Wynn set down his coffee mug and leaned forward. His eyes met Wade’s and there was sincerity shining there. “Wade, that woman you had at the folks’ house—Ava. She must have been important to you. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, I think you’re in love with her.”

“I am.”

The words fell out of his mouth before he could even think, shocking the hell out of him. But he wouldn’t retract them. He couldn’t. Heaven help him, but there was no denying the truth. He was totally, irrevocably in love with Ava Carter.

“Then you need to go get her.”

There, Wade took exception. No way could he just go back to Dallas and claim the woman he loved.

“Hell, I didn’t do it the conventional way, but I went after the woman I wanted,” Wynn said with a grin. “And now I’m getting married. It still amazes me, but I love Olivia. I can’t imagine being a dad—even though technically I am one. But the thought of actually possibly raising a child, being a real dad day in and day out, scares me.”

“Why?” Wade asked, curious what Wynn would fear.

“I don’t know little kids. I wasn’t good to Jack. I thought he was a nuisance.”

“I imagine brothers are different than sons,” Wade remarked, unable to imagine Wynn as a parent with real responsibilities.

Wynn stood. “I guess I’ll get going.” He put his coffee cup on the tray and turned to Wade. “Thanks again for keeping my secret.”

Wade stood. “Sure, Wynn.”

“Well, we got through a cup of coffee together, maybe we can get through lunch together sometime.”

Wade nodded. “I’m willing to try. I’ll see you in town in about a week. Meanwhile, take my advice and try being nicer to the family and see what happens. After all, family is the most important part of life.”

Wynn nodded.

“I’ll call you about lunch next week.”

“Sure.” Wynn went down the porch steps and walked to his car. Wade watched him go and wondered if he would really change.

Could he marry and have kids?

He’d just told Wynn that family was the most important thing—family meant a wife and kids. And love between a man and a woman. He loved Ava. He faced that now, full on. He knew why he’d been living with hurt and loneliness, missing her for the last three weeks. He was in love with her. Deeply in love. Was it enough to marry and have kids? he asked himself again.

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