Page 49 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

“She didn’t send me over here at all. I just wanted to tell you that I think that’s rotten. And I’m going now. I’ve said what I wanted to say.” He turned on his heel, but Marc stopped him.

“I know you mean well. And I intend to get us back together. I might have to do a little groveling.”

“I should hope you would,” Gabe said. “Look, I know I poked my nose in your business.” He took a deep breath. “Just don’t you dare be the damn dad I had.”

“Under the circumstances, I can’t get angry with you for that one. It was a mutual parting that we knew was coming, but I should have thought that one through.” Marc ran a hand through his hair, struck hard by so many conflicting emotions. He didn’t know how to navigate these waters, had never had to before. But in this moment he knew one thing he had to do.

He looked up at Gabe. “I want to tell you something. I’ve been over this with Lara to get her advice. She said to tell you. I wasn’t going to, but Lara said family is the most important thing of all. My mom was supposed to never tell anyone this and she didn’t—at least, not until after I married Lara and Mom found out Lara is pregnant.”

“What in the hell are you talking about?”

“My mom was fifteen when she went to work for your family and lived in the house. She had me when she was sixteen.”

“Yeah, the year my mother was pregnant with me. What—”

“Figure it out, Gabe.” He knew his friend would connect the dots. He gave him time to put it all together. Their same ages, how much they looked alike.

He saw the moment it dawned on Gabe.

“That bastard father of mine,” he spat out. “I’ll be damned. We’re half brothers.”

“As far as I’m concerned, Gabe, you can forget you ever learned the truth. You don’t need to claim me as kin. My dad was John Medina. He was a wonderful dad and the only dad I want to acknowledge. Frankly, I’d just as soon bury this bit of information. We’re grown men and we’re best friends. That’s good enough. But you have a right to know. Lara thought so.”

“I’ll think about it, and if I ever tell my family, I’ll let you know. I may not even tell Meg. If you can live without all the Callahans knowing, I think I may just leave it that way.”

“I’d be happy if you would. I don’t like having to claim any relationship with your father.”

“Yeah, I understand, and I appreciate you telling me. You’re not missing much in the family doings. If you feel you need a big family because Lara doesn’t have anyone, let me know and we’ll get you into the family circle.” He kicked his boot into the dust on the road. “Oh, hell. This is what I get for butting into your affairs. I’m going home.” Gabe started walking back to his truck, then he suddenly stopped and turned around. “Don’t ever be like him, Marc. You’re a better man than that.”

“Well, I wasn’t for a while there, but I’m going to try to change that. Thanks, Gabe. You are a brother.”

As Gabe drove away, Marc called Lara but she didn’t answer again. He was just going to go camp on her doorstep because he wanted to straighten things out. Actually, he better apologize to her and see if she would take him back. He was so in love with her. How could he have been so blind and let her go?

He turned around to head to her house in Dallas. He was tempted to just go get her and take her home with him, but he was certain she would have her own ideas.

He banished the thought that floated at the edges of his mind. What if she wouldn’t even let him back in her life?

Ten

As Lara walked through her living room, she saw a familiar car turn into her drive. Her heartbeat quickened, speeding again when she watched Marc come bounding up the drive, crossing her porch. Wearing jeans, a thick brown sweater, his boots and a black hat, he looked sexy, strong and so appealing. She rushed to open the door, but before she could speak, he swung her up into his arms and kissed her.

She wrapped her arms around him and held him, closing her eyes when his arms went around her. “I’m glad you’re here.”

He set her on her feet. “I have some big-time apologizing to do.”

Perplexed, she stared at him. “Apologizing for what?” she asked, her heart beating even faster as surprise rocked her. “What are you doing here?”

He took her hands in his.

“First of all, I love you with all my heart.”

His words took her breath away. “I’ve dreamed of hearing that from you, but we have—”

He put his finger lightly on her lips. “Listen to me. I love you and I apologize for being so damn bullheaded. You want to go to med school, I can support you. I hope I get to see you sometimes, but you’re my wife and I want to keep right on being your husband.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” she whispered, wondering what had happened in his life to cause such a change. Her heart raced. “You love me and you can accept it if I go to med school?”

“Yes, and if that doesn’t work out, you’ll get some kind of doctorate.” He nodded at her and smiled. “I think that’s fantastic. At least, I think it is if it keeps you in my life. Lara, I have been in hell without you. You brought me back into the world and then I let you slip away. Well, I guess I ran you off. I’m sorry. I’ve been such a fool. Will you forgive me and take me back?”

---