by Kristi Gold
He leaned over and kissed her neck. “If you really want to turn one—”
“I already have.”
His rough, sexy laugh gave her more than a few pleasant chills. “Yes, ma’am, you sure did. And it was mighty fine.”
Georgie yanked open the glass door and stepped inside the spa-like shower, decorated in brown stone and trimmed in copper mosaic, then attempted to avoid the overhead spray. “I don’t want to get my hair wet,” she said when Austin joined her.
Without regard to her wishes, Austin pulled her beneath the jet, soaking every inch of her.
She gave him a mock frown. “Not fair.”
He kissed her softly, touched her gently, stoking the fire again. “Everything’s fair in love and water wars.”
“Clever,” she said as she reached for the shower gel clearly made for men. “Turn around and I’ll wash your back.”
“If I don’t turn around, what will you wash?”
Cowboy cad. “Hold your horses, Calloway. I’ll get to that.”
“Lookin’ forward to it.”
Austin finally turned around, leaving Georgie with an up close view of his broad back and undeniably tight butt. She lathered her hands, then set out to search the terrain with her palms, taking her time investigating every plane, angle and dip at her disposal. Yet Austin disturbed her exploration when he turned around and grabbed the gel from the built-in soap dish.
“Wait a minute,” she protested. “I’m not done yet.”
He squeezed a few drops into his palm. “Yeah, you are, and I don’t want you turning around.”
“Interesting. I am going to smell like a guy.”
His hands immediately went to her breasts. “You sure as hell don’t look like one, and you don’t feel like one, either.”
No, she felt like a truly desirable woman. A naughty nymph. A needy female when the water play turned into more foreplay. The kisses were hot, the touches deliberate—both his and hers—and in a matter of moments, he had her in the throes of another strong climax. Then, before Georgie realized what was happening, Austin backed her against the tile, dangerously close to throwing caution out the window.
She braced her hands on his face to garner his attention. “Austin, we can’t. We don’t have any birth control.”
He stepped back, went to her side and braced both hands on the wall. “Damn. I know better. Not once have I ever forgotten a condom.”
“Yes, you did.” And he was still ignorant of the outcome of that mistake.
He straightened and gave her a confused look before reality showed in his expression. “The last night we were together. We were damn lucky.”
Oh, but they hadn’t been, although despite the consequences, she wouldn’t take anything for the time she’d spent with their child. Now would be the perfect time to tell him, she decided, until he wrapped her in a huge towel, picked her up and returned to the bedroom to lay her across the tangled sheets. When Georgie opened her mouth to speak, he kissed her again. Passion precluded any admissions and, after Austin had the condom in place, the lovemaking began again.
This time Austin moved atop her, guided himself inside her and moved in a tempered rhythm. Georgie ran her hands over his damp back, held on close and listened to the sound of his labored breaths.
Oh, how she cherished the moments right before he climaxed. Oh, how much she cherished him. And when he tensed with his release, the words clamored out of her mouth. “I love you, Austin.”
He stilled against her for a moment, then rolled onto his back. She waited for a response, and the one she received was extremely unexpected.
“It was always you, Georgie.”
She shifted to her side. “Meaning?”
“The demise of my marriage. Abby never measured up to you. No woman ever has. I’ve known that for a long time, but I didn’t want to admit that you have that much control over me. Call it stupid pride or male ego or however you want to label it. I’m over it now.”
Georgie couldn’t recall a time when she’d felt so optimistic, yet so fearful when she considered the impending declaration. “You’ve always been the only man for me. Actually, you’ve been the only man I’ve made love with.”
He lifted his head and frowned. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
He slid his arm beneath her and brought her against his chest. “I’m honored, Georgie. And dammit, I love you, too.”
She laid a palm over his beating heart, the first hint of tears welling in her eyes. “Seriously?”
“More than my best roping horse. More than my money or all my material wealth. More than I realized until now.”
Georgie began to silently rehearse how she would tell him about Chance and her explanation as to why she had withheld the truth for so long. Feeling as ready as she would ever be, she lifted to her head and whispered, “Austin.”
He didn’t open his eyes, didn’t stir a bit. From the rise and fall of his chest, she determined he’d fallen asleep.
Georgie laid her cheek back on his chest, her emotions a blend of relief and regret that she hadn’t spoken when she’d had the chance. But she would still have the opportunity once he finally awoke. In the meantime, she would join him in a nap and hope that when the revelations finally came, he would find it in his heart to forgive her, and embrace fathering their son.
* * *
An annoying sound jarred Austin out of sleep for the second time in twenty-four hours, only this time it was a buzzer, not a horn. He worked his arm from beneath Georgie, kissed her cheek then went into the bathroom to clean up. He grabbed a T-shirt and jeans from the closet, got dressed quickly and entered the bedroom where Georgie was sitting up against the leather headboard, clutching the sheet to her chin.
“Where are you going?” she asked as he headed toward the door.
The bell rang again, letting him know that the unknown intruder hadn’t left. “I’m going to see who’s at the door and send them on their way.”
“Okay. Hurry back.”
Exactly what he planned to do. He strode through the great room and once he reached the entry, he peered out the peephole. Jenny stood on the porch with a paper sack in hand, looking determined as ever. He doubted she would leave anytime soon, which drove him to yank open the door and scowl. “What’s up?”
She patted her big blond hair and smiled. “Well, sugar, since you and Georgie didn’t come for lunch, lunch is coming to you.”
He felt the need to preserve Georgie’s reputation. “What makes you think I’m not alone?”
She nodded toward the driveway. “Because that’s her truck, sweetie. And don’t worry. I’ll just hand this over and be on my way.”
Austin took the bag and worked up some gratitude. “Thanks. I appreciate the hospitality.”
Jenny centered her gaze on his bare feet before focusing on his face. “And I’m sure Georgie appreciates your hospitality, as well. You two enjoy the rest of your afternoon. If you’re in the mood for a drink, you know where to find me.”
After Jen spun on her heels and stepped off the porch, Austin waited until she’d climbed onto the golf cart and drove away toward the main house. He shut and locked the door, then walked toward the kitchen to drop off the care package before returning to the bedroom. He discovered Georgie seated at the island, dressed in the only robe he owned—a heavy blue flannel that hung off her like a scarecrow.
He set the sack down at the end of the quartz counter and claimed the stool beside her. “Guess you figured out the identity of our guests.”
She tightened the sash at her waist. “I kind of heard Jen’s voice.”
No shock there. “She brought food. Are you hungry?”
She ran a fingertip along the edge of the island. “Not at the moment, but feel free to go ahead.”
He sensed something was bugging her. Maybe he’d said too much in the moment. “Are you okay, Georgie?”
When she lifted her gaze to his, he saw a few tears welling in her eyes. “Actually, I’m not okay. I have something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you long before now.”
A laundry list of possibilities bombarded his brain. One horrible conclusion came home to roost. “Are you sick?”
She shook her head. “No, that’s not it. Not even close.”
“Then what is it?”
“Just promise me you won’t be too angry.”
“I’ll try, but that depends on what you’re about to tell me.”
She fidgeted in the seat, a sure sign of her nervousness. After a deep breath, she said, “Okay. Here goes. I have a five-year-old son.”
Austin didn’t know what to say or how to react. He did recall with absolute clarity what she’d said to him earlier.
...you’ve been the only man I’ve made love with...
The mental impact hit Austin like a grenade, sending him off the stool to pace. Shock gave way to confusion then melted into blinding anger. He turned around to confront her head-on, grasping the last shred of his composure. He had a burning question to ask, although he suspected he already knew the answer. “Who’s his father, Georgie?”
Her tears flowed freely now, and she looked away before returning her attention to him. “You are, Austin.”
* * *
Georgie held her breath and waited, wanting so badly to plead with him to give her a chance to explain. Instead, she remained silent and watchful as he braced his elbows on the table, lowered his eyes and forked both hands through his hair.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me sooner?” he asked without looking up.
“I tried, Austin.”
“Obviously not too damn hard, Georgie.”
She deserved his scorn, but she wouldn’t stop attempting to make him understand. “When I found out I was pregnant, I was pretty much in denial for a couple of months until I finally confirmed it. Then I called your cell phone and some woman answered. I thought I had the wrong number, so I got in touch with Dallas. He told me you’d just married. I was so in shock over the baby, and learning you’d found someone else, I didn’t know what to do.”
He straightened and leveled a stern stare on her. “You should’ve called back. You should’ve told me immediately.”
“I considered that, but when I decided not to give Chance up for adoption, I realized that if I told you, I might ruin your relationship.”
“And you thought it was okay just to leave me in the dark?”
“Believe me, I’ve questioned my actions since the day he was born.”
“You damn sure should have,” he said, barely concealed venom in his tone. “And no matter what excuse you try to hand me, you had no right to keep this a secret.”
“I know.” She paused a moment to gather her thoughts. “He’s an incredible little boy, and so much like you. He loves the horses and he’s so smart. If you’ll get to know him, I’m sure—”
“You need to leave, Georgie.”
So much for that strategy. “I’m not leaving until we discuss this further.”
“I don’t want to discuss anything right now. I’m too damned angry. Just put on your clothes and go home.”
She would grant him this latitude for the time being. “Fine,” she said as she came to her feet. “I’ll go for now, and I’ll wait to hear from you. And if I don’t, have a nice life. Chance and I have done fine without you. We’ll continue to do the same.”
Georgie rushed past him and into the bedroom, holding fast to her sadness until she returned to the safety of her home. After she dressed, she returned to the kitchen, but Austin was nowhere to be found. She didn’t bother to seek him out, or attempt to convince him that his little boy needed him. He would have to come to that conclusion on his own.
She would give Austin more time, pray he came around and learn to accept that he might not. She only hoped that she could grant her son’s wish, and he’d finally have a daddy for Christmas. If not, she would continue to love him enough for the both of them.
Nine
“I’m so sorry I’m late.”
Georgie looked up from the menu at Paris, who was struggling to be seated in the booth of the small San Antonio bistro. “That’s okay. How did the appointment go?”
Paris set her bag aside and tightened the band securing her low ponytail. “That’s why I’m late. The doctor decided to do a last-minute ultrasound.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, aside from the fact that if I reach my due date, the baby will weigh at least eight pounds. No wonder I’m so huge.”
“You look great, especially in that dress. Green is definitely your color.”
“I look like a giant jalapeno pepper.” Paris leaned over and studied her. “You look like you’re exhausted.”
She was, mentally and physically. “I haven’t been sleeping.”
“But you have been crying. A lot.”
Clearly her reddened eyes had given her away. “I didn’t know it was that obvious.”
Paris leaned over and touched her arm. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Georgie didn’t want to burden a very pregnant woman, but she could certainly use a friend. “It’s Austin.”
“You told him.”
“I did, and it didn’t go well.” She hadn’t heard a word from him since.
Leaning back, Paris rested her arm across her rounded belly. “That explains it.”
“Explains what?”
“Austin took off yesterday morning for heaven knows where and he didn’t come back last night. When Dallas sent him a text, he replied that he was okay, and that’s it. And you haven’t heard from him, either?”
“I sent him a text to ask if he was okay,” Georgie said. “He responded ‘no,’ and I decided to leave him alone.”
Paris seemed surprised. “You didn’t try calling him?”
She’d thought about it, several times. “In all the years I’ve known Austin, I’ve learned you don’t back him into a corner. Usually after he thinks things over, he comes around.”
“That’s good,” Paris stated. “I’m sure he’ll be back in touch soon.”
If only Georgie could believe that. “He might not this time. He’s angry and he’s hurt and I have to accept that he could reject the prospect of being a father to Chance.”
“Austin is a good man, Georgie. I can’t imagine him abandoning his own flesh and blood.”
“I hope that’s true, but you didn’t see the look on his face when I told him. He was furious, understandably so.”
“You honestly don’t believe he’ll get over it?”
She thought back through the years and couldn’t recall a time when he’d been so irate. “When we were kids, and he got mad at me for some reason, he wouldn’t leave until we worked it out. He’d make self-deprecating comments about his ignorance and a few bad jokes, and before I knew it, I was laughing and all was forgiven.”
“The Calloway brothers must share the brooding gene,” Paris said. “That’s exactly what Dallas did when he learned, as did I, that I wasn’t officially divorced and he stood to lose control of the ranch to Fort because our marriage wasn’t real. Fortunately, Jenny saved the day on that count.”
Her interest piqued, Georgie rested her elbow on the table and supported her cheek on her palm. “So how did you manage to convince Dallas to come back to you?”
Paris laughed. “It wasn’t me. The family gave him a swift kick in the jeans and booted him to right here, in San Antonio, to beg my forgiveness. The rest, as they say, is history. Now I’m happily married to the love of my life, for the second time, and about to gi
ve birth to a baby apparently the size of a moose.”
Georgie smiled for the first time in two days. “Hopefully the doctor is wrong about the baby’s weight.”
“And hopefully you’re wrong about Austin. I wouldn’t be surprised if he reaches out to you soon.”
Georgie sat back and sighed. “I would love it if that happens before Sunday.”
“Then you could all be a family on Christmas,” Paris said in a wistful tone.
“And I could answer a little boy’s wish. Chance asked Santa if he would bring him a daddy.”
Paris’s expression turned somber. “Oh, Georgie. That must have broken your heart. How much does he know about Austin?”
Georgie shrugged. “Very little. He didn’t ask a whole lot until about a year ago, and I attribute that to being in preschool and noticing everyone else has a father. I’ve only mentioned that his dad lives far away, which I thought he did at the time, and that he travels a lot because he’s a cowboy.”
“Does he know his name?”
“He asked right before he left for Florida, and then he became distracted by something on TV. I’m sure he’ll ask again when he gets home.” Georgie had given Lila specific instructions to direct Chance to her with any queries, and she had no reason to believe her mother wouldn’t comply.
“And you’ll know what to do if and when that happens.” Paris began to scan the menu. “I’m starving. What are you having?”
A strong urge to call her mom and check on her baby boy. “Probably just a Cobb salad. I’m not very hungry.”
Paris closed the menu and set it aside. “I’m going to have the spinach enchilada plate and eat every last bite. And after that, I might even eat dessert. Gotta feed the moose.”
They joined in a laugh before the waiter arrived to take their orders. Once he left, Georgie regarded Paris. “As soon as we’re finished with lunch, I’m going to go shopping. I haven’t bought a thing for Chance, aside from a pony, and I can’t put her under the tree.”
Paris sipped at her glass of water. “Where did you get a pony?”
“The Carter ranch right outside Cotulla. She’s fifteen years old and her name is Butterball, which fits her well. She’ll be a good teaching horse for Chance, although I’m sure he’ll want to graduate to something bigger very soon.”
