by Jen Talty
“I can’t believe this,” Scott whispered, leaning over and kissing her forehead. “Did you have any idea?”
She shook her head, still stunned. Mentally, she started counting back the weeks, and it wasn’t a month. It wasn’t even two months.
It had been three months.
Fuck.
Her heart rate soared. It became difficult to fill her lungs.
“Are you okay?” Scott asked.
“It’s just so unexpected.” She swallowed her fears. It couldn’t be. No way. Life couldn’t be that cruel.
The doctor turned the machine. “See that?” He tapped the screen. “That’s your baby, and that right there is the heartbeat. Nice and strong.” He flipped a switch. “And now you can hear it.”
The thump-thump of a little heart pounding filled the air like music being piped into a small room at full blast.
“Wow. That’s amazing.” Scott squeezed her hand.
Tears burned her eyes.
“Based on my calculations, I’d say you’re about twelve weeks,” the doctor said as he cleaned up her belly.
Scott released her hand and took a step back. He glared at her with narrowed eyes.
“I’ll get you a printout before you’re released, and I’ll have one of our obstetricians stop in to talk to you shortly. Congratulations.” He patted her leg before turning, leaving the room, and disappearing down the hallway.
“Twelve weeks,” Scott said with a harsh tone. “That can’t be possible, can it?”
She opened her mouth to lie, but no words tumbled out.
“This can’t be my baby.” Scott stomped to the end of the bed. “It’s his, isn’t it?”
She gasped. “Who?”
“That JB Whiskey guy. It has to be his and don’t lie to me. You left your phone out once, and I read the texts you were sending him, begging him to at least answer you back. Telling him how sorry you were and that you had every intention of telling him about me.”
Her stomach twisted and turned. “If you knew about JB, why’d you marry me? Why’d you go along with all of this in the first place?” she asked.
Scott tossed his hands wide. “I don’t know. Fear of losing you. I guess I thought if we got married right away, you’d forget about him, but now he’s inside you, and if you have that kid, he’d be between us forever.”
“You’re asking me not to have this baby?” Of course he was and could she blame him? No. How could she expect him to love and care for another man’s child? She couldn’t. It wouldn’t be fair.
Scott nodded. “If you want to stay my wife, yes. I won’t raise another man’s kid. Besides, I said I’d give you time with your career, so take it. And we can take the time to work on our marriage. On us. See if this relationship is actually salvageable.”
She swallowed. Hard.
Having a kid would severely put a damper on her career and her overall life plan. It would essentially put everything on hold for two years. One year to have the baby and another to go through training to get herself back to where she was in this moment.
That would make her twenty-four when she got back on the circuit. Not horribly old, but for what she wanted, it would be pushing it.
But not impossible.
She pressed her hand over her stomach. “I’m having this baby.”
“Then I’m filing for divorce. Today.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and disappeared.
She reached for her bag and dug out her phone. Finding the number, she called JB.
“Hello?” a female voice answered.
“Um. I’m looking for JB Whiskey.”
“Who?”
She pulled the cell from her ear and glanced at the screen. It was the right number.
“Is this JB Whiskey’s cell?”
“No. I’m sorry,” the woman said.
“Can I ask how long you’ve had this number?”
“Sure. I got it about two and a half months ago.”
About the last time she tried contacting him. “Thanks. I’m sorry I bothered you. Have a great day.” Cheyenne tapped the red button and ended the call. If he went to the trouble to change his number, he wouldn’t want anything to do with her, and she sure as hell wouldn’t trap him with a baby.
She hugged herself. “Looks like it’s just you and me against the world, kid.”
Chapter 1
Five years later…
JB crumpled the paper with the list of events and riders, tossing it in the trash can. Of all the rodeos his family could send him to in the great state of Idaho, they had to choose the one where Cheyenne Hawkins was competing.
Not that his brothers or sister kept track of his ex-lover and her whereabouts since she’d gotten married five years ago. Didn’t matter that he’d found out that wedded bliss hadn’t lasted long and her dick of a husband left her and their kid shortly after, but they weren’t his problem.
He’d moved on with his life, focusing on Whiskey Ranch and taking care of what really mattered.
His family.
Those that were flesh and blood.
“Hey, I didn’t get a chance to look at that.” Paget Sour adjusted her Stetson as she did her best to keep up with JB’s pace toward the corral.
Normally, he’d come to these things with one of his siblings. But since they were all married, and two of them were expecting their first kid, and one of them had a stepchild to take care of, JB had to drag someone else. Paget had been working on the ranch since she’d been sixteen. She’d started out as a ranch hand and moved her way up the ranks through the horse riding school. She currently worked side by side with Annette, the current manager of the school, the breeders, and the trainers, and she happened to be JD’s wife. Paget made for a great assistant to Annette. She knew horses and would become a great trainer someday.
She was a decent stand-in to help transport two new horses.
But she wasn’t family.
“We’re not here to be spectators,” he said.
“We’re not going to watch at all? I thought we were going to check out the talent.”
JB lifted his Stetson and ran his hand across his longer than usual hair. He used to hate it when he could feel it touch the back of his neck, but ever since he found he’d be attending this particular rodeo, his mood had soured to the point he’d spent a few nights making love to his whiskey namesake.
And a few mornings praying to the porcelain God.
On the day of his barber appointment, he’d been so hungover, he couldn’t even get out of bed.
“No. We’re not,” he said.
“Seriously?” Paget twisted her long braid. “I just sat in a truck with you for two hours, and I don’t get to watch Cheyenne Hawkins? I heard she’s on track to beat the world record for bronc riding. I used to love to watch her train. She was brilliant. And also sweet. She treated me with such kindness, compared to some of the other riders that came to train. And I’ve been following her career for the last two years. Her comeback has been amazing. Goes to show that a woman can do anything after having a kid when she puts her mind to it.”
JB swallowed the bile that smacked the back of his throat like a tidal wave. He’d tried to stop reading anything about the circuit, especially the women competitors the second Cheyenne came back on the scene, but it proved impossible, and he found himself secretly checking on her progress.
What fascinated him the most was that her son never appeared in pictures, and she barely ever spoke about him in interviews. When asked, she always said that her private life was just that and she preferred not to discuss it or bring her son into the limelight.
He had to respect that.
Only he kind of wanted to catch a glimpse of the little guy.
JB had always had a thing for kids. His brother’s stepson, soon to be official adopted son, had stolen JB’s heart, and he would do anything for the rug rat. If JB had any regrets, it would be that he’d never have a family of his own.
Ever.
&n
bsp; He glanced at his watch. Cheyenne should be competing in about fifteen minutes. “Fine. She should be up soon. Go check it out. I’ll meet you in the barn in about forty-five. But don’t stay any longer than that. Okay?”
“Deal.” Paget took off running.
JB laughed. She was a sweet girl. He’d thought about asking her out himself a few times, but something about her personality told him she was the kind of girl that couldn’t handle a fling, and that’s all he had to offer anyone.
The closer he got to the corral, the faster his heart beat. Memories of Cheyenne filled his brain. Watching her ride had been mesmerizing. She handled a bucking horse like a master. Her roping skills were top-notch.
But it had been the nights she’d spent in his arms that haunted his soul.
He bypassed the entrance to the stands, flashing his identification, and made his way to the barn area, reminding himself that seeing her again would serve him no good. He hadn’t realized that being this close to her would cause him so much grief or rattle his mind with so many questions about what might have been.
He just had to get in and out without seeing her; it was that simple.
A little boy wearing jeans, cute little cowboy boots, and a Stetson that kept falling over his face came flying by.
“Slow down, young man,” a woman called as she chased after him.
“Mommy is about to ride. I don’t wanna miss it.”
Could that be Cheyenne’s son? It had to be.
JB stuffed his hands in his pockets and inched toward the other end of the barn where it opened up to where most family members and trainers were able to spectate in private, without having to deal with the crowds.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer came over the loudspeaker. “Our next competitor will be Cheyenne Hawkins. Earlier today she came within a point of beating the world record. Besides wanting to win today, she’s hoping to make history.”
Goosebumps dotted JB’s skin. He picked up the pace. She’d trained so hard for this moment. It was what she’d been born to do, and he’d be damned if he’d be so petty and childish as to sit in a corner and not at least enjoy her glory. Her riding was sheer beauty.
Even he could appreciate that.
He took the stairs two at a time, grateful only a few people sat on the metal benches.
The little boy had perched himself on the young woman’s lap. He’d tipped his cowboy hat back and pushed his little shades up on his nose.
Too stinking cute.
JB found a spot next to the boy and the lady.
“There’s Mommy,” the woman said, pointing.
Glancing toward the chute, he watched Cheyenne climb the fence in preparation to mount the bucking horse. She adjusted her gloves and focused on the animal. She’d pulled her long rich chocolate hair into a braid that cascaded down her back. Her attention remained only on the beast. She’d always had fierce determination right before a ride. He admired that.
JB took off his hat, setting it on the bench, and leaned forward, studying the position of the horse in the chute. It was a pretty animal and seemed relatively at ease while two men kept it calm as Cheyenne mounted.
“Go, Mommy. You got this,” the young boy said, pumping his fist in the air. His little legs wiggled back and forth.
“Do you want to grow up and be a cowboy like your mom?” JB asked, still keeping his gaze locked on Cheyenne and her horse. He didn’t want to miss a second of this ride. If he blinked, it could be over.
He also wanted to study her technique and see if she’d made any adjustments. It wasn’t just how long you can stay on the bucking beast, but all the other requirements that the judges needed to see her perform to give her the points. She’d had what it took five years ago, but she’d been out of the circuit for a few years, and he had no idea who she’d been training with lately.
The little boy sat up taller. “I am a cowboy. I’m learning to rope and everything. My mommy says I’m a natural.”
JB chuckled. “I bet you are.”
“Do you ride?” the boy asked.
“I’m sure the gentleman doesn’t want to be bothered with a ton of questions,” the woman said.
“I’m enjoying the conversation. Really,” JB said. “I don’t compete anymore. I run a ranch that trains riders, though.”
“That’s way cool. My mommy says my daddy runs a ranch.”
JB snapped his gaze toward the little boy just as the announcer came over the loudspeaker. “Who’s your dad?”
The little boy slumped his shoulders. “Mommy says she’s going to try to reach him this week after the competition.”
“You don’t know him?” JB’s heart dropped to his stomach before bouncing to the back of his throat.
The little boy shook his head. “I have his name, though.”
“What’s that?”
“Jim, but everyone calls me Jimmy.”
No fucking way. It couldn’t be. “How old are you?” JB asked.
“I’m four and four months old.” He held up his bubbly little fingers giving them a little wiggle.
Motherfucker. Jimmy was his son. He had to be. How could she do that to him? To their kid. His kid.
The bell rang.
Barely able to fill his lungs, JB turned his head. Cheyenne and the bucking bronco left the chute. She had near perfect form. Her spurs connected with the horse at just the right moment. Mentally, he counted the seconds as the horse twisted and kicked his hind legs. Cheyenne’s body hurled to the left, and then to the right. She kept her head down and her arm high in the air. The key was to anticipate the horse’s next bucking direction, which was nearly impossible, but a rider could get a feel for the movement, and so far, Cheyenne seemed to be one with the beast.
“Go, Mommy! You got this.” Jimmy jumped from woman’s lap and did a little dance as he cheered his mother on.
“Your mom is doing…oh, well, she did great.” JB stood, leaning against the railing as Cheyenne tumbled off the bucking bronco, landing on her tush. She rolled to her side and quickly jumped to her feet. She bowed to the fans and then turned to where her son stood and froze, obviously noticing JB.
Jimmy jumped up and down like a wild animal.
Cheyenne finally gave him the wave he deserved before racing off.
“How do you think she did?” Jimmy asked as he took off his shades, showing off his deep-chocolate eyes.
It was like looking in a mirror.
It took JB’s breath away.
He cleared his throat. “If she didn’t break the world record, she was pretty darn close.”
“Let’s go, Jimmy. Your mom is going to want to see you right away.” The young woman took him by the hand. “Sorry. He’s very inquisitive, and he’s not shy.”
“Not a problem.” JB took his Stetson from the bench and put it back on his head. He let the young lady and Jimmy head into the barn before him, but he followed about ten paces behind.
No way would he let Cheyenne off the hook. He wouldn’t make a scene, especially in front of their son, but he was going to make sure she knew he wanted to get to know his kid, and it started today.
Cheyenne stepped from the corral and bent over, grabbing her knees, and did her best to suck in a deep breath, but she couldn’t fill her lungs.
Ever since she landed in Idaho, she’d been building up the courage to go to Whiskey Ranch and have a heart-to-heart with JB. Living with this lie had been killing her in more ways than one, but what it was doing to her son broke her heart.
He needed his father.
She inhaled sharply and shook out her hands. She needed to go see her son. If JB was still there, she’d deal with it. Maybe he hadn’t put two and two together.
Right. He was a smart man.
She let out a long breath.
“Great job,” someone yelled.
“That was awesome. Bound to be close to the record,” someone else commented.
She smiled and waved as she made what seemed like the longes
t walk of her life. Her heart pounded so fast she couldn’t count the beats if she tried. She’d been thinking about this day ever since Jimmy had been born. She’d practiced her speech a million times in her head, but right now, she couldn’t recall a single word of it.
“Mommy!” Jimmy came racing toward her with his arms open wide. His hat flew off his head, showing his wild dark hair, the exact color of his father’s. “You were awesome.”
“Only because you were watching.” She knelt down and scooped him up. One day soon, he’d be too big for her to lift and twirl him around. But for now, she’d relish in his cuteness. “I think I did real good.”
“Better than good,” a familiar deep voice said. “I’m impressed.”
She set her son on the ground. “Thanks.” Locking gazes with JB, she squeezed Jimmy’s hand as JB handed Jimmy his hat. “It’s good to see you, JB.” She stared into his smoldering dark eyes, remembering the way his lips felt pressed against her skin late at night. Her body heated at the thought. She resented the instant reaction she had to the mere sight of him.
“You know him?” Jimmy asked. “He was watching with me.”
“I saw that,” Cheyenne said. “I actually trained with JB a long time ago. He’s one of the best in the country, if not world.”
“Wow. That’s awesome.” Jimmy did his little excitement dance, bouncing up and down, swaying left and right. It always managed to melt her heart. “Can I get some popcorn and a soda? Please? You said if I listened to Miss Katie and was good, and I was.”
“No soda, but juice and popcorn, absolutely. Miss Katie will take you so I can talk to JB.” Cheyenne leaned over and kissed her son’s forehead.
“Will you be here when I get back?” Jimmy asked as he stared up at JB with admiration in his eyes. “Maybe we can watch the awards together?”
“Absolutely. I’d like that.” JB lifted Jimmy’s hat and ruffled his head. “Behave yourself.”
