Page 44 of The Rancher's Secret Son

Brushing her hair, she let it fall around her face. She fastened both the necklace from Nick and the bracelet, looking at the charm of the man and the woman holding a child’s hands. She shook her head. That would not be her with Cody and Nick. She suspected when she went home this time, other than Christmas, she would see little of Nick except to work out arrangements for Cody, something she dreaded more each day.

When she walked into the family room and Nick’s gaze flashed over her, she saw the approval in his eyes. “You look great.”

She turned to her son first. “Cody, you look very nice,” she said, her gaze going over his blue sweater and navy slacks. The gold Junior Sheriff badge was pinned to his sweater.

“And so do you, Dad,” she said, taking in his navy sport jacket over a long-sleeved pale blue shirt and navy slacks. He would be the best-looking Milan in the room.

Promptly at six the doorbell rang, and in minutes Nick’s parents entered. They had another gift in their hands and she was certain it was for Cody.

He dutifully shook hands with Peter again and let Evelyn hug him. “Cody, we brought you a present,” she said, as her husband held out the box.

“Thank you,” he answered politely, glancing at Claire and she nodded.

“Open your present, Cody.”

He tore off the paper and opened the box to pull out a stuffed hippo. Grinning, Cody clutched the hippo in his arms. “Thank you, Grandmother,” he said and turned to Judge Milan. “Thank you, Granddad.”

“You’re very welcome,” Peter said, smiling broadly. Judge Milan sat on a chair and leaned forward toward Cody. “Cody, we’re so happy to have you call us Granddad and Grandmother. That’s very, very nice.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You have raised the sweetest little boy who is so well-mannered,” Evelyn said. She dabbed at her eyes, which surprised Claire. “I love him already and thank you for any time you share him with us. He’s a wonderful child.”

“Thank you. And thank you for the hippo for him. He’ll love it.”

The doorbell rang and in minutes Jake and Madison Calhoun entered. Nick crossed the room, taking Cody with him. “Claire, this is my sister Madison and her husband, Jake Calhoun. Meet Claire and my son, Cody,” Nick said.

“We’ve met at an art gallery in Houston and it’s nice to see you again, Claire,” Madison said. “And you, too, Cody. What do you have in your arms?”

“My hippo. My grandmother and my granddad gave it to me.”

“Referring to Mom and Dad,” Nick said.

“I figured that much,” Madison said, laughing. “Mom is beside herself with joy about Cody,” she said. “I can see why. Nick, your son looks exactly like you.”

“I think so,” Nick said smiling. “Here come Wyatt and Destiny.”

Wyatt greeted Claire with a big smile. “I hope you had a good time at the ranch.”

“Cody has never had so much fun.”

In short order she met Wyatt’s wife, Destiny, a beautiful woman in a dramatic black dress with red trim. Then Nick’s younger brother, Tony crouched down to talk to Cody. He took his nephew’s hand after a moment and they walked away with Tony talking to him.

“He’s a Pied Piper with kids and animals,” Nick said. “Maybe he gets on their level, I don’t know. He’s single and he doesn’t know beans about kids, but they love him.”

She smiled, watching Cody with Tony as Cody laughed.

In a short time she began to feel she knew Nick’s family better. She realized he had good relationships with his siblings and they saw each other fairly often. She also saw he was very close to his dad, who could be charming. Nick, in his way, was as close to his family as she was to hers. He had never had to take care of any of his, or be responsible for them, so he saw that differently.

Everyone was interested in Cody, who seemed to be having a good time with all the adult attention.

With Douglas serving, they ate in Nick’s spacious dining room. During dinner, Jake clinked his glass for quiet and everyone became silent as Madison spoke. “I want to take this time to make one announcement that I hope does not in any way detract from the joy of meeting Claire and Cody—Jake and I are expecting. I’m due next July.”

Everyone clapped and cheered as she sat down and then dinner continued. Again, Claire couldn’t keep from comparing how the Milan family was enthused over the expected baby and how there had not been a word from any of them during her pregnancy. Basically, it had been her fault for not telling Nick about the baby, but if they had known, at that time there would not have been applause and cheers. She glanced at Nick and was surprised to see him looking at her. She wondered if he shared her thoughts.

The party was fun because Nick’s siblings enjoyed each other. Once during the evening she looked over to see Cody sitting in Judge Milan’s lap as the judge showed Cody a trick. The impact wasn’t lost on her. Changes were already taking place in her life, she realized. But at the same time she was pleased that his grandparents liked her son and glad he liked them, as well.

When Nick’s parents left at nine, Evelyn hugged Claire. “Thank you for telling us we can come visit Cody in Houston.”

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