Wild Western Nights

by Sara Orwig

  He nodded. “I’ll probably call you from the toy department. I’ll see you after a while.” He left, knowing Maddie was hurting, but he didn’t feel like offering comfort. He was adjusting to her news, still fighting his anger at her for keeping his child from him all this time.

  He drove to Jake’s Dallas condo. Caitlin greeted him, ushering him inside. Her auburn hair was tied behind her head. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, she looked as slender as ever.

  “Congratulations,” he said, smiling at her. “Jake told me the news.”

  Jake sauntered up to put his arm around her waist, and she smiled, looking up at her tall husband.

  “Thanks. We’re both thrilled. Thank you for the present. It will be a keepsake.”

  “You are welcome. I was delighted to learn I am going to be an uncle,” Gabe said, wanting to focus on their news before he went to his own.

  “Come in and sit,” Jake said while Caitlin stepped away.

  “I’ll leave you two to yourselves. I’m writing letters,” she said. “I know, an antiquated pastime in our electronic world.”

  “Caitlin, I’ll talk to Jake, but you might as well join us for a few minutes and hear what I have to say. In some ways it will have an effect on all of us.”

  “Now I’m curious. Let’s go to the front room,” Jake said.

  Gabe followed them past the fountain in the large entryway, into a room with leather furniture and a wall of books. As soon as Jake and Caitlin were seated on the sofa, Gabe moved to the mantel and propped his elbow against it.

  “What’s up?” Jake asked. “You sound as if something has happened.”

  “Something has. I’ve been seeing Maddie. She’s shared some news with me today. It affects me, and both of you. If you remember, she and I broke up six years ago, and she was angry with me for leaving the country because of my job.”

  “I remember. Caitlin, you remember Maddie Halliday, don’t you?”

  Caitlin nodded. “Sure I do. We were never close friends, but we were in school together. Our families knew each other.”

  “Maddie and I dated before she moved away,” Gabe said.

  “I remember that. I had heard you left Texas because of your work and she went back to Tech. I lost touch with her and haven’t seen her since.”

  “What’s going on?” Jake asked, tilting his head. “You don’t look happy, so I don’t think you’re going to announce an engagement.”

  “No. I’m happy, but my news is a shock. What I’m not happy about is that I’ve learned about this years later.”

  “So?” Jake persisted.

  “Ready?” he asked, looking at his brother. “This afternoon Maddie confessed that I have a daughter. She’s five years old.”

  “I’ll be damned,” Jake said, standing and placing his hands on his hips.

  “Congratulations to you,” Caitlin said, standing also. “I think this is something the two of you need to talk about in private. I’ll leave you alone, and Jake can fill me in.”

  “Caitlin, you’re family. I don’t mind if you stay.”

  Shaking her head, she walked to the open door. “No. You need to talk to Jake. That’s a big surprise, Gabe, to learn you have a five-year-old daughter. I’ll see you before you leave,” she added, closing the door behind her.

  “Why didn’t Maddie tell you that summer she was pregnant? Was it because she was so angry with you for leaving Texas? You always said she was getting too serious, but if she had wanted a proposal from you, I’d think she would have told you she was pregnant.”

  “I thought she was getting too serious, but she said when she found out she was pregnant, she knew I’d feel duty bound to propose and it would have been for the wrong reason.”

  She had a point. “No wonder you sounded as if the world had dropped out from under you. What are you going to do?”

  “Fly to Florida later today and meet my daughter. Can we get you to change the time of your meeting with Maddie about buying the ranch?”

  “Sure. I’ve just called Ed to make a firm offer. I think she’ll accept it. We should be able to move quickly, but I can adjust my schedule so you two can go to Florida. You a dad—will wonders never cease. And before I become one. Wow.”

  “She should have told me. But I know she’s right. I would have proposed, even though I hadn’t wanted a commitment.”

  “Yes, I can see you doing that. It’s what I would have done under those circumstances.”

  “She also said that she would have accepted, even though she wasn’t ready for marriage. She wanted an education and a career. She wanted to leave Texas.”

  “That’s probably true, too. Both of you were younger. There’s no way you—me, either, for that matter—were as mature five or six years ago as we are now.”

  “I don’t know how we’ll work this out. I’m going to get to know my daughter. That is one thing I’m certain about.”

  “Why did Maddie tell you about Rebecca now?” Jake asked, his blue eyes full of curiosity.

  “We’ve been getting close. And I told her about working with the two kids who stayed at the ranch. I told her about the kids after the storm. Because of that, she thinks I’ve matured and am more responsible. Maybe her conscience got to her. Jake, I’ve been close to Maddie all my life, but I feel like this is a betrayal. She had no right to keep my daughter from me.”

  “You’re right, but I can see her argument, Gabe. Six years ago, you didn’t want to marry. You wouldn’t have done so unless you felt duty bound. You told me yourself Maddie was getting more serious than you liked and you weren’t ready for commitment. You spent an hour after a rodeo, drinking beer with me and relating how much you wanted to avoid commitment.”

  “I suppose I did, but I still think I had a right to know.”

  “She should have informed you. If I were in your place, I’d be unhappy, too, Thankfully, she’s told you now. At this point, I’m surprised she told you. By the end of next week, she could be back in Florida and no one here would have known one thing about your daughter.”

  “You’re right. I should be thankful she confessed. She’ll have to share Rebecca with me, and I know that will hurt her and her family. It sounds as if they adore the child. She’s called Maddie often. I’d guess there have been calls I haven’t known about.”

  “Florida is a hell of a way from Texas, but you’ve got your own plane, which will make it easier to fly back and forth.”

  “The outlook isn’t good. Also, I want everything arranged and in place concerning Rebecca before I tell Mom and Dad about this.”

  “Oh, hell, yes. This is one time Dad would step in and meddle in your life big-time. I don’t think your income from your investments would stop him in this situation.”

  “No, it wouldn’t.”

  “Don’t worry. They won’t hear one word from me. You can count on Caitlin to keep quiet, too, until you’re ready for everyone to hear the news.”

  “I appreciate that. I had to tell you.”

  “I’m glad, but I’m not sure what I can do to help you.”

  “You can listen. Before I call our attorney, I want to meet Rebecca and give this more thought. I don’t even know what I want at this point, except to have Rebecca in my life and see to it that Maddie shares her with me.”

  “Are you going to propose to Maddie?”

  “I told her I want to marry, if only temporarily, to give Rebecca the Benton name and make her my heir. It’ll be a name-only wedding—a business contract. Maddie is as tied to Florida and her life there as I am to Texas and my life here.”

  “That’s what you’ve said. Are you sure?”

  “Why do you think she’s selling the ranch? She doesn’t want any part of life in West Texas. She can’t wait to return to Miami. From the start of this visit, she has told me she would not be coming back here. Of course, that might have had something to do with the secret she was keeping from me, because that will have to change now. She’ll have to come back. But I can’t see
a real marriage looming. I want to marry her, to give Rebecca my name and make her legally mine. Maddie may fight that. I don’t know.”

  “You’ll work it out. You two have been close forever.”

  “Yeah. I should get back. Now you’re an uncle, Jake.”

  Jake smiled. “Indeed, I am. Little Rebecca will get a bundle of relatives and in seven months, she’ll have a new cousin. Rebecca Benton, the newest Benton. It’s great that you have a daughter, Gabe.”

  Gabe shook his head. “Damn straight, but I’m still in shock.” He headed for the door. In the hall, Caitlin reappeared. Jake placed his arm around her once again.

  “Congratulations,” Caitlin said, smiling at him. “It’s wonderful news.”

  “Thanks,” Gabe said gruffly. He walked to the door with Jake.

  “Take care of yourself and let me know how it goes. I’ll rearrange the appointments I have. We can work that out easily.”

  “Thanks, Jake. I’ll keep in touch on this trip, which will be quick.”

  In minutes, Gabe sped away toward a local mall, where he hoped to find presents. Then he’d go to Florida and meet his daughter. His stomach fluttered at the thought.

  And he still needed to decide how he would deal with Maddie. Memories of the weekend returned. He was stunned, angry right now, but earlier he had been deliriously happy with her. Had he been falling in love with her?

  This weekend, he’d been happier with her than with any other woman he had ever known. In bed she was hot and wild and eager. She was the closest friend he’d ever had, except for Jake, and in some ways, Gabe was far closer to Maddie. Even when she’d been keeping this shocking secret from him, he’d been able to read her distress.

  He’d already considered marrying Maddie, dreamed of it, even. But, at the same time, there were reasons he didn’t want to be in love with her. Without serious compromise, any relationship would have to be a long-distance one.

  Maybe he was already in love with her. Maybe he had loved Maddie for years without acknowledging his feelings. Whatever he was feeling, he wanted to marry Maddie and give Rebecca the Benton name. Would he ever get Maddie to agree?

  Eight

  After watching Gabe drive away from his Dallas condo, Maddie sat on the balcony with her cell phone in hand. She had to make the call and the best time to do it was while Gabe was away. Reluctantly, she dialed her mother to break the news.

  Over an hour later, she’d finished her call with her mother. Maddie sighed deeply, wiping her eyes. It had been an emotional call in a day filled with raw emotions. Her mother had cried. Maddie hated that she’d had to tell her the news over the phone, but she needed to warn her family before Gabe flew her home.

  She, as well as her family, adored Rebecca, who was their world. Everything they did revolved around their little girl. Maddie rubbed her forehead. After she had told Gabe, she had wondered if she had made the mistake of her life in revealing the truth to Gabe. He was hurt and angry. Her mother was hurt and angry. Her grandparents would be also.

  This situation had been a mess from the beginning, but at least she felt now that she had done the right thing. No matter what upheaval this revelation caused in their lives, Rebecca deserved to know her father and Gabe deserved to know his daughter. Gabe would be good to Rebecca. Gabe was already calculating the best way to take care of his daughter. Even going so far as to make plans for a marriage that revolved totally around the benefits for Rebecca.

  Which was all right, Maddie realized. If Gabe had been head over heels in love with her, it would only mean more heartache. Neither of them wanted to compromise when it came to their lifestyles.

  But he wasn’t in love, so it would be easier to take a practical approach to whatever they did. She just hoped Gabe never realized the extent of her love for him.

  She couldn’t keep from crying when she thought about this morning and his anger. She had hurt him badly, far worse than any hurts stirred up that last summer they were together. She had been the one hurt then.

  What a muddle she had made of things.

  Maddie went to wash her face, hoping she could control her emotions by the time Gabe returned. And continue to contain them when she got home.

  Studying herself in the mirror, she gazed at her image, but could only see Gabe’s eyes, earlier today, flashing fire, his hands jammed in his pockets.

  She heard a car and soon Gabe entered the condo. Looking fit and full of vitality, and carrying an armload of packages, he entered the front room. Her heartbeat quickened while regret tugged at her. She hated the rift that had come between them. After the weekend they had just shared, she wanted to walk into his arms and have him hold her tightly.

  He paused to meet her gaze, staring at her in a long, solemn moment before he laid his gifts on the sofa. Anger still smoldered in the depths of his eyes, and she struggled to keep back tears.

  “I bought some things,” he said gruffly. She looked again at the mound of packages.

  “Gabe, that looks like Christmas,” she said.

  “I wanted some presents. I want to see if you approve,” he said, and the tension eased a fraction while she walked closer to look at the array of sacks and boxes.

  “I’m sure they’re great.”

  “Maddie, I know nothing about five-year-old little girls. Come check over this stuff and tell me if it’s appropriate. If you think she won’t like it, I’ll send it back to the store.”

  Maddie had to smile. “Sure.” She picked up a box with a beautiful princess doll in a beaded pink dress.

  “Gabe, this alone will delight her. This doll must have cost a small fortune,” she said, looking at the extravagant dress that had to have been hand sewn. “This is gorgeous, and she’ll be delighted with it. Rebecca takes care of her things. Probably my mother’s influence. She’ll treasure it.” Maddie looked at the array of packages again. “Save some of those for another time.”

  “Okay, the doll goes with us. Put it on the other end of the sofa. The rejects we’ll put on the table.”

  Maddie smiled again. “This is sort of overkill.”

  “No, it isn’t. What about this?” He handed her a large box. She opened it to see a fuzzy, incredibly soft white bear.

  “Gabe, it’s perfect. You have two perfect gifts. Don’t give her so much she can’t take it all in. Giving a little less will make what you give her more meaningful.”

  “You think?” he asked, frowning.

  “Yes, definitely,” she said, feeling amused and hurting at the same time.

  “All right. I got her a little necklace. Let me include that because it’s not a toy.” He rummaged in a sack and pulled out a box. “It’s already wrapped, so I can’t get your approval on this, but I took a picture of it.” He pulled out his phone and showed her.

  Maddie leaned close to look at a gold heart on a chain. “It’s beautiful. She’ll love it.”

  “Oh, one more thing. I can’t go without giving her a book. A book is something important. I didn’t know what she had, but the clerk said this is a newer one and it’s been popular. You read it on the plane and see if it’s right for her. If it is, I have a gift sack and they gave me some paper.”

  “All right. Now this has to be all.” She turned to look at Gabe, who was only inches away, and for the first time since she had broken the news, he did not seem furious with her.

  He glanced down at her and then plunged back into the sack. “Don’t go away.”

  “I thought you were going to stop with these four,” she said.

  He fished around and came up with a box wrapped in silver paper, bound in white ribbon, with a spray of artificial flowers and beads tied into the bow.

  Startled, she looked from the gift to Gabe, who gazed back at her with a somber expression.

  “Maddie, eventually, I’ll get over my anger. I know you made the best decision you could at the time. I wasn’t ready to settle down that summer, something I told you over and over again. I never dreamed a baby would be in
volved.”

  Her eyes stung with tears, and she wanted to reach for him, but she still felt a coolness emanating from him. “I’m glad you can see why I didn’t tell you. Gabe, I worried over that decision for a very long time, all during my pregnancy and for years afterward. I’m sorry to have hurt you, but I am glad you and Rebecca will be able to know each other now.”

  “In the meantime, we’re going to have to work together. This is an offering to make amends.”

  She took the box and sat to open it, taking care with the beautiful wrappings and noting the name of an expensive jewelry store.

  She opened the decorative box to find a plain black box inside. Surprised again, she opened it. A delicate, filigreed gold bracelet was inside. Small diamonds sparkled in the light.

  “Gabe,” she said, looking up at him. “The bracelet is beautiful. This isn’t just ‘making amends.’”

  “Yes, it is, Maddie. You had my baby. I wasn’t there to give you anything then. I want you to have this.”

  A knot hurt her throat. She wanted to throw her arms around him and feel Gabe’s strong arms holding her. She wanted their world the way it had been this past weekend. And she didn’t think it would ever be that way again. Instead, she ran her fingers lightly over the delicate gold. “This is so beautiful. I don’t know what to say, except thank you.”

  “As long as you like it.”

  “Of course, I like it.” She looked up at him. “I wish I could make things right between us.”

  “We have a lot to work out,” he agreed. Once again she was ensnared in his steady gaze, and the tension between them increased.

  “I called Mom. She’ll tell my grandparents that you know about Rebecca. She knows we’re coming to Florida.”

  “I suppose she didn’t take it well.”

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “I’m sorry for that, but she was part of the decision that led us to where we are today.”

  Maddie nodded. She had a lump in her throat again. She looked at the boxes and her bracelet, struggling to regain her composure. “The gifts are wonderful. You didn’t need to do all this. Rebecca is so easy to please.”