Page 16 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

“I won’t. I promise I won’t. I’ve worked closely with her for a year now and there’s nothing between us except I respect her and want to help her. She’s a fine person, but we won’t fall in love. She has her life planned out. Don’t worry,” he said, wishing his mother didn’t even have to know the details of the arrangement. She looked shaken and unhappy, even more worried than before.

“Oh, Marc,” she said, grasping his hand and gazing at him intently.

“Please, don’t worry,” he said, surprised by how badly she was taking this because she knew the demands on him that her father had made. “Mom, you know how much you wanted the restaurant to succeed. Well, Lara is like that about becoming a doctor. That’s all she really wants for herself and her baby. She will leave me when the year is up and she won’t change her mind. She’s as driven as you are. Her fiancé wanted her to get an abortion, so she broke the engagement. This baby will give her a family.”

Pilar’s eyes filled with tears that she hastily brushed away. “Marc, I knew this day might come and I finally think it has. You are marrying and it’s different from when you married Kathy. I thought about talking to you then, but you were so in love, so happy. I didn’t want to do anything to worry you. You are older now and are marrying again. You think it won’t last and it probably won’t, but I think it is time for you to know some things that I’ve never told you.”

He smiled. “We have dark family secrets? Tell me. I’m sure there’s nothing disastrous.”

Surprising him, she didn’t smile. She caught his hand and held it. “Your father loved you with all his heart and he was a good father to you.”

“The best. I loved him, too. He was a very good dad. And I have a very good mom and very good grandparents. Now, what’s worrying you?”

“There is something I haven’t ever told you. There is a secret I’ve never shared with you. Now you’re marrying this woman and she’s having a baby. It isn’t your baby, but it is a reminder that you don’t know what your future will be. I think I need to tell you some things.”

Startled, he gazed at her, unable to imagine what dark secret his mother could possibly have hidden from him all these years. They had always been a close family and he was at a loss because this was so unlike his mother.

She wiped her eyes. “I was so young when we moved here. So young, so inexperienced. I worked for Gabe’s family. I never dreamed you would be best friends.”

“We were the same age, went to the same schools growing up and played high school football together. Seemed the natural thing to me.”

“I’m glad. I cleaned house for the Callahans and lived in the maid’s quarters on the top floor of the mansion. I was only fifteen when I started and my second year there Mrs. Callahan was pregnant with Gabe. By that time my father had gotten a job with the rancher and he and my mother lived on the ranch, so I was on my own. I left the Callahans and got a little place in Downly and started selling my tamales. Then I met your father. We were married the first month we met. He was twenty-two and I loved him with all my heart.” To his amazement, his mother covered her eyes with a handkerchief and cried quietly. He knew she was remembering his dad and reached out to squeeze her arm lightly in a sympathetic gesture.

She faced him. “I’m sorry for things I did, but I can’t be sorry that I have you. You know how I love you.”

“Of course I do. And I love you. What’s worrying you, Mom? It can’t be that bad.”

“Marc, understand that I was very young and on my own. Your father came along and loved me and it was true love for both of us. You are going to marry, and while it is a marriage of convenience, it will change your life. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I think you need to know what I’m going to tell you. Very few people know the truth because of the time element.”

“Mom, just tell me what you’re trying to say,” he said, smiling at her.

She grasped his hand tightly and her hands were icy. Worry filled her dark eyes and he couldn’t imagine what could be so terrible that she was this upset.

“Your bride-to-be—there are some parallels to my life.”

“How so?” he asked, staring at her and wondering what she was getting at.

“Marc, I worked for Dirkson Callahan.” She closed her eyes and her voice was soft. “I got pregnant with Dirkson Callahan’s baby,” she whispered.

Stunned, Marc felt as if he had been punched in the gut. He stared at his mother. There was only one reason she was telling him this. Without thinking, he jumped out of his chair and backed up.

“Dad wasn’t my blood father,” Marc said.

She shook her head. “I married him so soon afterwards, everyone thought he was. I didn’t even tell your grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa to this day don’t know the truth. Your dad knew the truth and he truly loved me. We loved each other and he was so good to me. Everyone thought I was pregnant by him. There was never any suspicion or breath of scandal.”

“I’m Dirkson Callahan’s son,” Marc whispered. He shook his head as if realizing where he was and that he was standing. He sat down again. “That’s why you quit working for the Callahans. Gabe and I are the same age—Dirkson got you pregnant the same time his wife was pregnant,” Marc said without realizing he had spoken the words aloud. He didn’t want to think about Dirkson Callahan being his father. “He was a lousy dad for Gabe. For all of his sons. He didn’t speak to or recognize Blake Callahan, his illegitimate firstborn. And he’s my father,” he said, stunned by the revelation. “Gabe and I are half brothers. No wonder we get along.”

She sobbed. “I’m sorry, son. But you need to know. I always knew the day would come when I’d have to tell you the truth.”

“Dirkson Callahan knows he’s my father, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, of course. He gave me money to leave and I agreed to never reveal the truth to anyone, including you. He wouldn’t give me the money unless I did and I signed a paper to that effect. I told your dad before I married him, and he said he would be your real father.”

“He was. John Medina was my true father in every way except biologically. He was a wonderful father and I loved him and respected him.” Marc couldn’t stop the next statement. “I think Gabe should know.”

“If he does, then word will get out and Dirkson will know I finally broke my promise,” she said, looking stricken again and wringing her hands. “He gave me money to start my tamale business on the condition I never tell anyone the truth, including you. He’s a powerful man, Marc.”

“So am I, Mom. Trust me, I don’t want to claim him as my father. I promise you that.”

---