The Texan's Baby Proposal
Page 6
“Ah, Marc, I worry about this and I cannot talk your grandfather out of it. He is determined. He tells me he knows what he is doing. How can he know what he is doing when he interferes in your life and he’s a sick old man in a hospital bed?”
“Leave him alone. He won’t change his mind and I don’t want him worrying.”
Pilar wiped her eyes. “I worry. I worry about Grandpa and Grandma. I worry about you. I know you love them and are good to them. You’re good to me, too.”
He smiled. “I love all of you, Mom. Stop worrying. Let me do the worrying,” he said gently, hugging her lightly and kissing her temple. “You’re worrying for nothing. Lara is going to be perfect for this, and besides, it’s a temporary situation.”
“Once she legally becomes your wife, she may not want to leave.”
“This one will. Lara has been a great secretary. I know she’ll cooperate completely.” He told her how she’d been engaged and how she’d broken the engagement. “She hasn’t told anyone at the office except me, but she’s pregnant with his child.”
His mother frowned at him and her face paled. “No,” she said softly. “Ahh, Marc.”
“It’s all right. The money I’m giving her will take care of her and her baby. She can afford a nanny. I’ll set up a trust so her baby’s education will be paid for. I told her this baby will have my name and that’s fine with me.”
“Marc, this little baby—you won’t be able to dissolve this marriage. You’re going to love that child.”
“This is not a permanent marriage. It’s a marriage of convenience and it will end.”
“It may end and it may not end. You might fall in love.”
“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 cou
ldn’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.”
“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
A week later, on Saturday morning, Lara had butterflies in her stomach. This was her wedding day. A marriage of convenience wedding day. A temporary marriage that was a business deal, actually.
Whatever she called it, this morning she was marrying Marc Medina. She still hadn’t met his grandfather because he hadn’t been well enough to have company, but she had met Marc’s sweet mother, who looked amazingly young. She’d learned Marc had been born when his mother was sixteen.
Wedding traditions had gone out the window and Marc was picking her up. They were going to marry in his grandfather’s hospital room—a very unromantic place and definitely not a beautiful one, but hopefully, it would please his grandfather and Marc was doing what he could for the man.
When the doorbell rang, her racing pulse jumped again. Her groom waited at the door. She still couldn’t believe this was happening. Not in her wildest dreams a year ago would she have been able to guess what she’d be doing on this date. She glanced down at her tailored pale-pink silk dress. It was conservative, with long sleeves and a skirt that fell to midcalf. She wore matching high-heeled pumps.
She opened the door and her breath caught as she smiled at Marc. In a charcoal suit, white shirt and red tie, he looked handsome, successful and self-assured. And so appealing. She tried to ignore that last thought.
He smiled, stepping into her house and closing the door behind him. “You look beautiful,” he said, his gaze sweeping over her again.
“Thank you.”
“I’m ready to go.”
The sun was bright on the cool, brisk September morning. He took her arm and they le
ft to get into his black sports car. She was aware of Marc’s every touch, of a constant buzzing excitement when she was with him, a continual warning to keep that reserve between them she’d always had at the office. He was more relaxed with her now and she was going to have to keep up her guard. There was no love in this marriage and she needed to always remember that.
“I’m a little nervous about meeting your grandparents,” she told him when they parked at the hospital.
“So far this has been a good day for my grandfather, and up until five minutes ago, it was clear to go see him. Hopefully it will still be that way when we get upstairs. I’m sorry you couldn’t meet them before today.”
“Me, too.” She put a trembling hand to her belly. “I have butterflies in my stomach.”
“You shouldn’t,” he said quietly. “My grandfather will be happy today. Mom will be Mom, looking at you to see if you’re suitable to marry her son.”
Lara smiled and he took her arm as they walked down the hospital corridor.
Marc had had a dinner party the night before for the small group of relatives and friends who could attend. Most of them were at the hospital now, gathered in the waiting room on his grandfather’s floor.
When they reached the lounge, Lara moved around the room with Marc, greeting Gabe Callahan, who would be best man, and Gabe’s new wife, Meg. Lara’s single attendant was her friend Patsy Wilson, who’d be stepping into Lara’s vacated job.
Lara smiled politely as she greeted Marc’s mother, who hugged her lightly.
“You look beautiful.” She took Lara’s hand. “I pray you and Marc find happiness.”
“Thank you. My life will be easier because of your son.”