Page 17 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

“Will you share this with your future bride?”

“No. I’m not sharing this with anyone. Not even Gabe. I don’t want to hurt you. And I don’t want to hurt Gabe and his brothers—although I think they’re immune to being hurt by their dad any longer.”

His mother reached out for his hand. “Your Lara. You and she are in the same situation I faced. You will claim another man’s child as your own. How could this happen to you? Grandpa should not have made such demands on you.”

“He’s doing what he thinks is best for me and for Grandma. He’s sick and he’s old and I don’t think he’s thinking clearly on this—wanting me to marry this month.”

“I know, I know,” she said, while tears spilled down her cheeks.

He put his arm around her and hugged her. “Stop worrying. Dad was my dad. So I have some Callahan blood—I can live with that. I didn’t have Dirkson in my life. I had a wonderful dad and John Medina is my real father as far as I’m concerned. And he was a great dad and deeply loved. End of story. This is now our shared secret and that’s that. When I tell someone—if I ever do—I’ll let you know. A part of me feels Gabe should know, but it might not ever happen. It really won’t matter. We’re already best friends. Otherwise, there’s no one now who needs to know.”

“I know you’ll do what you think is best. Marc, that paper I signed—if I ever let the truth be known, I have to pay Dirkson back the money he gave me.”

“Mom, I can pay back every penny and never miss it. I know it wasn’t a gigantic sum because you started your tamale business with nothing except a cart. Oh, damn. That’s why you worked so hard. You were trying to earn enough to take care of yourself and me. You had a tiny little hut. I’ve seen the pictures. Oh, Mom, I’m proud of you. You did so well. Don’t worry one minute about paying Dirkson Callahan back. I’ll take care of him, if necessary.” Then the realization sank in and he nearly spat out the words. “Damn, I’m a Callahan.”

His mother shook her head. “By blood only. Remember that. You’re a wonderful son and, like your real father and your grandfather, you’re a fine man. They raised you. Think of it like a blood transfusion.”

He laughed and shook his head. “I don’t think I can quite see it that way.”

“I knew the day would come when I would have to tell you.”

“You’ve told me and that’s that. Now stop worrying about it. It’s still a secret and I love you and Dad as much as I did when I came through the door an hour ago. I’ll always think of John Medina as my dad. I barely know Dirkson Callahan.”

She smiled at him and patted his cheek. “You’re a precious boy.”

He grinned. “I love you, Mom. Now, we better get back to the wedding discussion. It’s coming up soon. I want to bring Lara by to meet you.”

“Let’s all have dinner at the restaurant. I’ll get Grandma there, and we’ll take a plate to your grandfather.”

“You know he can’t eat tamales and chili. Or he isn’t supposed to. I’ll take Lara by to meet him, too. I think you’re going to like her.”

“If you do, I will,” she said, smiling at him.

“I have to get going now. I want to go by the hospital and tell Grandpa, if I can get in to see him and he’s awake. Otherwise, I’ll go in the morning on the way to work.”

She followed him to the door and he turned to hug her. “I love you. You’re the best mom in the whole world.”

She laughed as she hugged him in return. “And you are the best son,” she said. “I love you so much.”

He smiled at her and left, but as he drove, he couldn’t stop thinking about his mother’s secret. Dirkson Callahan was his biological father. He felt like Gabe should know. But what would it hurt if he never knew? He and Gabe would be the same friends either way. And there was no reason to share the news with Lara. She was temporary in his life and it wasn’t his child she was carrying. For now, the secret was going no farther than his mother’s kitchen.

He was thankful his mother had never told him until now. That he had grown up thinking the father he loved was truly his dad. And he was, as far as Marc was concerned. Blood was the only tie he had to Dirkson Callahan. He’d be happy to have Gabe for a half brother, but he already had him for best friend, so that was good enough.

He thought about Dirkson giving all his attention and efforts to business. Marc had a workaholic blood father on one side and a workaholic mother on the other. He could understand why his mother put work first when he was young. She was only sixteen when he was born. Along with his dad, she was trying to make a living. Growing up, he’d wanted her to be homeroom mother or to come to more of his ball games, but she’d been so busy.

Sometimes he had felt neglected, but looking back now, he realized that he had seen his mother’s devotion to her work through the eyes of a child. He never thought about how young she was. Fortunately, John Medina came into their lives. Though he’d never made the income that Grandpa or Mom did, he’d shared the load and made his mother happy.

His mother still worked long hours each day when she didn’t need to work at all. She was a micromanager, too. He’d always promised himself he’d never get that way or marry someone who was.

He was marrying Lara. She was as driven as his mother, but now he was grateful she had him to help her so she wouldn’t have to worry constantly about money or care for her baby alone.

He thought back to the evening he’d spent with her. He’d had a good time discovering her sense of humor and quick wit. If they continued the same kind of relationship they had at the office, he was confident he made an excellent choice for his temporary wife.

Had he?

Or had he brought a heap of trouble on himself by getting tied up with a woman he found attractive?

Four

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