by Cat Schield
“I guess I’d rather go early.” The sooner she collected all her things, the sooner she could put all her mistakes behind her.
Maggie’s new nanny was set to start the day after tomorrow, and Hadley doubted Dr. Davison would release her before that, so she didn’t have to worry about seeing Liam ever again. The thought sent a stabbing pain through her.
“How about seven?”
“That would be perfect,” Hadley said and then switched to the less emotionally charged topic of their upcoming girls’ night out.
After a few more minutes, Hadley hung up. It took about ten seconds to go back to thinking about Liam. How was Maggie doing? Had her test results come back yet? Liam must be frantic waiting to hear something.
She brought up the messaging app on her phone, but stopped as she realized what she was doing. Contacting Liam would undo what little peace she’d found during the afternoon. It might be agonizing to cut ties with Liam and Maggie, but in the long run it would be better for all of them.
Yet no matter how many times she reminded herself of that fact as the evening dragged on, she wasn’t able to put the baby or Liam out of her mind. Finally, she broke down and sent Liam a text around ten thirty, then shut off her phone and went to bed. But sleep eluded her. Despite having reached out to Liam, she couldn’t put concern aside.
Around six, Hadley awoke. Feeling sluggish, her thoughts a jittery mess, she dragged herself out of bed and climbed into the shower. The closer it got to Kori’s arrival, the more out of sorts Hadley became. Despite how unlikely it was that she’d run into Liam, she couldn’t stop the anxiety that crept up her spine and sent a rush of goose bumps down her arm. By the time Hadley eased into Kori’s passenger seat, she was a ball of nerves.
“You okay?” Kori asked, steering the car away from Hadley’s apartment building.
“Fine. I didn’t sleep very well. I couldn’t stop thinking about Maggie and wondering how she’s doing.”
“You should call or text Liam and find out. I don’t think he would have a problem with you letting him know you’re worried.”
“I did last night. He never got back to me.” Hadley sounded as deflated as she felt. What had she expected? That Liam would fall all over himself telling her how much he missed her and that he regretted letting her go?
“Oh,” Kori said, obviously stumped for an answer. “Well, then to hell with him.”
That made Hadley smile. “Yeah,” she agreed with fake bravado. “To hell with him.”
But she didn’t really mean it. She didn’t even know if Liam had received her text. His focus was 100 percent fixed on Maggie, as was right. He’d answer in due time.
Twenty minutes later, Kori dropped her off at Wade Ranch. Hadley was relieved that her car was the only one in the driveway. She wouldn’t have to run into Liam and make awkward conversation.
As soon as Hadley opened the front door she was assailed by the mouthwatering scent of cinnamon and sugar. She followed her nose to the kitchen and found Candace putting caramel rolls into a plastic container. Forgetting her intention had been to pack her suitcase with the few belongings she’d brought to the ranch house and get out as soon as possible, Hadley succumbed to the lure of Candace’s incomparable pastries and sat down on one of the stools next to the island, fixing the housekeeper with a hopeful gaze.
“Those smell incredible.”
“I thought I’d take them over to Liam at the hospital and give him a break so he could come home and clean up.”
“That’s really nice of you.”
“But now that you’re here, maybe you could take them to him instead.” Candace caught Hadley’s grimace and frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know that Liam is going to want to see me.” At Candace’s puzzled expression, Hadley explained, “We broke off our engagement and I left him all alone at the hospital yesterday.” After freaking out on him, she finished silently.
“I don’t understand. Did you have a fight?”
“Not exactly. It’s more that we rushed into things. I mean, we’ve only known each other a short time, and who gets engaged after three weeks?”
“But you two were so much in love. And it is an engagement, after all. You’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other while you plan your wedding.”
Hadley couldn’t bring herself to explain to Candace that Liam didn’t love her and only proposed so he could improve his chances of gaining custody of Maggie. “It was all just too fast,” she murmured.
“But what about Maggie? I’m sure that Liam would appreciate your support with her being in the hospital.”
Nothing Hadley could say would be good enough to rationalize abandoning a sick baby, so she merely hung her head and stared at the veins of silver glinting in the granite countertop. “I’ll take the caramel rolls to Liam,” she said at last. “And maybe some coffee as well. He’s sure to be exhausted.”
Candace nodded in approval. “He’ll like that.”
While Candace sealed up the rolls, Hadley poured coffee into a thermos, wondering how she’d let herself get talked into returning to the hospital. Then she sighed. It hadn’t taken much prompting from Candace. In fact, Hadley was happy for an excuse to visit.
“If you’re afraid because things between you have happened too fast,” Candace began, turning away to carry the empty caramel roll pan to the sink, “I think you should know that I’ve never seen Liam as happy as he is with you.”
“He makes me happy, as well.” Had she let a past hurt blind her to everything that was true and loving about Liam?
“Whatever stands between you two can’t possibly be insurmountable if you choose to work together to beat it.”
What if fear of being hurt again had led to her overreacting to Liam’s desire to seek custody of Maggie? Was it possible that she’d misjudged him? Attributed motives to him that didn’t exist, all because she couldn’t trust her own judgment?
“You’re probably right.”
“Then maybe you two should consider being open with each other about what it is you want and how you can achieve it.”
Hadley offered Candace a wry smile. “It sounds so easy when you say it.”
“Being in love isn’t always easy, but in my experience, it’s totally worth the ride.”
“And Liam is totally worth taking that ride with,” Hadley agreed. “Perhaps it’s time I stopped being afraid of telling him that.”
“Perhaps it is.”
* * *
Liam hovered over Maggie’s bassinet as the nurse took her temperature. “Her appetite was better this morning,” he said.
The nurse hadn’t missed his anxious tone and gave him a reassuring smile. “Her temperature is down a couple degrees. Looks like the antibiotics are doing what they’re supposed to.”
While it wasn’t a clean bill of health, at least Maggie’s situation was trending in the right direction. “That’s great news.” He wished he could share the update with Hadley, but she’d made it clear yesterday that she needed distance. It cut deep that he’d driven her away.
“She’s sleeping now,” the nurse said. “Why don’t you take the opportunity to get something to eat? From what I hear, you skipped dinner last night.”
“I wasn’t hungry.”
“Well, you’re not going to do your little girl any good if you get run-down and can’t take care of her once she’s ready to go home.” The nurse gave him a stern look.
“Sure, you’re right.” But he couldn’t bring himself to leave Maggie alone. “I’ll go down to the cafeteria in a little while.”
Once the nurse left, Liam brushed a hand through his hair, suddenly aware he was practically asleep on his feet. He hadn’t been able to do more than snatch a couple naps during the night and could really use a cup of coffee. It occurred
to him that he wasn’t going to be able to keep this pace up for long, but he would never be able to forgive himself if Maggie got worse while he was gone.
A soft female voice spoke from the doorway. “How’s she doing?”
Blinking back exhaustion, Liam glanced up and spied Hadley hovering in the hallway. From her apprehensive expression, she obviously expected him to throw her out.
“A little better.”
“That’s great. I hope it’s okay that I came by.”
“Sure.” After yesterday, he could barely believe she’d come back. “Of course.”
“I wasn’t sure...” She looked around the room as if in search of somewhere to hide. “You didn’t answer my text last night.”
He rubbed his face to clear some of the blurriness from his mind. “You sent a text? I didn’t get it.”
“Oh.” She held up a rectangular container and a silver thermos. “I brought you coffee and some of Candace’s caramel rolls. She was going to come herself, but I had to pick up my car and was heading back this way...” She trailed off as if unnerved by his silence. “I can just leave them and go. Or I can stay with Maggie while you go home and shower or sleep. You don’t look like you got any last night.”
She didn’t look all that refreshed, either. Of course she’d worried. He imagined her tossing and turning in her bed, plagued by concern for Maggie. It was in her nature to care even when it wasn’t in her best interest to do so.
“I’m so sorry,” he told her, his voice a dry rasp. “I should never have let you leave yesterday. We should have talked.”
“No.” She shook her head and took two steps toward him. “I should apologize. The way I acted yesterday was unforgivable. I should never have been thinking of myself when Maggie was so sick.”
Liam caught her upper arms and pulled her close. He barely noticed the container of rolls bump against his stomach as he bent his head and kissed her firmly on the lips, letting his emotions overwhelm him. The aching tightness in his chest released as she gave a little moan before yielding her lips to his demand.
He let go of her arms and stroked his palms up her shoulders and beneath her hair, cupping her head so he could feast on her mouth. Time stood still. The hospital room fell away as he showed her the emotions he’d been keeping hidden. His fear, his need, his joy. Everything she made him feel. He gave it all to her.
“Liam.” She breathed his name in wonder as he nuzzled his face into her neck.
“I love you.” The words came so easily to him now. Gone were his defenses, stripped away by an endless, lonely night and his elation that she’d returned. He wasn’t going to let her question his devotion ever again. “No, I adore you. And will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes for you to believe you are the only woman for me.”
A smile of happiness transformed her. He gazed down into her overly bright eyes and couldn’t believe how close he’d come to losing her.
“I love you, too,” she replied, lifting on tiptoe to kiss him lightly on the lips.
“I rushed you because I was afraid your career would take you away, and I couldn’t bear to lose you.” Suddenly it was easy to share his fears with her, and from the way she regarded him, she understood what he’d been going through. “This time we’ll take it slow,” he promised. “I’m determined that you won’t feel rushed into making up your mind about spending the rest of your life with me.”
She gave a light laugh. “I don’t need any time. I love you and I want to marry you. Together we are going to be a family. No matter what happens with Kyle, Maggie will always be like a daughter to us and a big sister to our future children.”
“In that case.” He fished the ring out of his pocket and dropped to one knee. “Hadley Stratton, love of my life, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She shifted the thermos beneath her arm and held out her left hand. “Liam Wade, loving you is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. I can’t wait for us to get married and live happily ever after.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger and got to his feet. Bending down, he kissed her reverently on the lips. One kiss turned into half a dozen and both of them were out of breath and smiling foolishly when they drew apart.
“Kissing you is always delightful,” she said, handing him the coffee. “And we really must do much more of that later, but right now my mouth has been watering over these caramel rolls for the last hour.”
“You’re choosing food over kissing me?”
“These are Candace’s caramel rolls,” she reminded him, popping the top on the container and letting the sugary, cinnamon smell fill the room.
“I get your point.” He nodded, his appetite returning in a flash. “Let’s eat.”
* * *
The morning of her wedding dawned clear and mild. The winds that had buffeted the Texas landscape for the last week had calmed, and the weather forecasters were promising nothing but pleasant temperatures for several days to come.
Today at eleven o’clock she was marrying Liam in an intimate ceremony at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. Naturally Kori was her matron of honor while Liam’s best man would be Mac McCallum. Because the wedding was happening so fast, Hadley had opted for a white tulle skirt and sleeveless white lace top that showed a glimpse of her midriff. Since she was marrying a man she’d reconnected with less than a month earlier, Hadley decided to kick conventional to the curb and wear something trendy rather than a traditional gown.
Kori had lent her the white silk flower and crystal headpiece she’d worn at her wedding. Her something borrowed. She wore a pair of pearl-and-diamond earrings once owned by Liam’s grandmother. Her something old. For her something blue and new, Hadley purchased a pair of bright blue cowboy boots.
The shock on her mother’s face validated Hadley’s choice, but it was the possessive gleam in Liam’s eyes as she walked down the aisle at the start of the ceremony that assured her she’d been absolutely right to break the mold and let her true self shine.
“You look gorgeous,” he told her as she took the hand he held out to her.
She stepped beside him and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “I’m glad you think so. I thought of you when I bought everything.”
He led her toward the white arch where the minister waited. A harp played in the corner, the tune something familiar to weddings, but Hadley was conscious only of the tall man at her side and the sense of peace that filled her as the minister began to speak.
Swearing to love, honor and be true to Liam until the day she died was the easiest promise she’d ever had to make. And from the sparkle in his eyes as he slid the wedding ring onto her finger, he appeared just as willing to pledge himself completely to her.
At last the minister introduced them as husband and wife, and they led their guests into the banquet room that had been set up for the reception. Draped with white lights and tulle, the room had a romantic atmosphere that stopped Hadley’s breath.
Flowers of every color filled the centerpieces on the tables. Because of the limited time for the preparations, Hadley had told the florist to pull together whatever he had. She’d carried a bouquet of orange roses and pink lilies, and Liam wore a hot-pink rose on his lapel.
“I had no idea it was going to be this gorgeous,” she murmured.
“The only gorgeous thing in the room is you.”
Hadley lifted onto her toes and kissed him. “And that’s why I love you. You always know what makes me smile.”
And so ended their last intimate moment as newlyweds for the next three hours as social demands kept them occupied with their guests. At long last they collected Maggie from her circle of admirers and headed back to Wade Ranch. Together they put her to bed and stood beside the crib watching her sleep.
“I meant to give this to you earlier but didn’t
get the chance.” Liam extended a small flat box to her.
“What is it?”
“Open it and see.”
Hadley raised the lid and peered down at the engraved heart-shaped pendant in white gold. She read the inscription, “Follow your heart. Mine always leads to the barn.” She laughed. “I used to have a T-shirt with that on it.”
“I remember.” Liam lifted the necklace from the bed of black velvet and slipped it over her head. “You were wearing it the first time I saw you.”
“That was more than ten years ago.” Hadley was stunned. “How could you possibly remember that?”
“You’d be surprised what I remember about you.”
She threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled him down for a kiss. “It’s a lovely gift, but it no longer pertains.”
“I thought you’d gotten past your guilt about your friend.”
“I have.” She smiled up at him. “But my heart no longer leads me to the barn. It leads me to you.”
He bent down and swept her off her feet. “And that, Mrs. Wade, is the way it should be.”
* * * * *
Don’t miss a single installment of
TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB:
LIES AND LULLABIES
Baby secrets and a scheming sheikh rock Royal, Texas
COURTING THE COWBOY BOSS
by USA TODAY bestselling author Janice Maynard
LONE STAR HOLIDAY PROPOSAL
by USA TODAY bestselling author Yvonne Lindsay
NANNY MAKES THREE
by Cat Schield
THE DOCTOR’S BABY DARE
by USA TODAY bestselling author Michelle Celmer
THE SEAL’S SECRET HEIRS
by Kat Cantrell
A SURPRISE FOR THE SHEIKH
by Sarah M. Anderson
IN PURSUIT OF HIS WIFE
by Kristi Gold
A BRIDE FOR THE BOSS
by USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen Child
***
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Keep reading for an excerpt from TWIN HEIRS TO HIS THRONE by Olivia Gates.
