The Cowboy's Promise

by Teresa Southwick

  “And I made you afraid you might never be one.” Angela sighed. “That’s why you moved heaven and earth to get pregnant.”

  “Yes.” Erica smiled, knowing her mother understood. “But I’m not sure Daddy will get it. Please, don’t say anything to him.”

  “There’s something you need to understand, sweetie.”

  “What?”

  “Your father and I want so very much to be grandparents. You know we have for a very long time.”

  “Yes. You guys aren’t subtle.” Erica was glad when her mother smiled at that.

  “It doesn’t matter how this baby came to be, he or she will be loved to the moon and back. Fair warning, though, if you let us be grandparents, I can’t promise we won’t spoil our grandbaby.”

  “Oh, Mama—” Erica put a hand over her mouth and nodded. “Yes, please. I would like that very much.”

  They cried and hugged and laughed. It was cleansing and so very freeing to get all of the hurt out in the open.

  “You know—” Her mother brushed a tear from her cheek. “You’re going to find out all the joys and challenges of raising a child. And it is joyous.”

  “I’m glad you’ll have my back.”

  “I absolutely will. In that spirit, here’s a piece of motherly advice, just something to tuck away. You may not always understand or approve of your child’s choices, but that doesn’t mean you won’t support and love them unconditionally. Always.”

  “Like you do me?”

  “Yes. And your brother, too.” Her mother nodded. “The hardest part is letting go. Standing back without being able to make things better when your children get hurt. In good times and bad, you’ll be there for them. No matter what.”

  “I’ll remember that from now on, Mama.”

  “And one more thing. You took care of me when you were just a little girl and managed to help me out of that downward spiral. Even then your maternal instincts were working overtime. Never doubt that you’re going to be a fantastic mother.”

  Tears blurred Erica’s eyes and she sniffled. “That means so much to me coming from you. Thank you.”

  It was a relief to finally unburden herself. Her mother would somehow make her father understand there was nothing to worry about from the baby’s father. She remembered Morgan had asked if she was in love with the guy. Maybe he was a little jealous?

  Wishful thinking. All she knew was that if Morgan hadn’t been there for her from the moment they met, she would have been so completely lost. Counting on him had come fast and easy. But she still couldn’t decide whether that was a good thing.

  * * *

  Morgan parked his truck outside of Erica’s house and waited for his mother. His dad had dropped her off because her car was in the shop and Morgan had volunteered to pick her up when his father got sucked into a spirited game of Go Fish with Robby. Morgan told himself it was about helping out his parents and that was true. But there was another reason. Getting even a glimpse of Erica wouldn’t bother him a bit. His mom texted that she’d be a few minutes, so he got out of the truck and leaned against the front of it.

  The house lights were on making it almost as bright as day out here. And he focused all his attention on the front door. That’s why he didn’t see Gabe Abernathy approaching and wasn’t braced for the usual confrontation.

  “Morgan Dalton. Just the man I wanted to see.”

  “Oh?” He straightened away from the truck.

  “What do you want with my sister? Why are you going out of your way for her? She’s having a baby soon. Most guys would be running away as if her hair was on fire. You must have an angle. What is it?”

  “You think I’m after something just because my family doesn’t go back generations like yours? Because we bought the land instead of inheriting it? That doesn’t make us bad people.”

  “You should see someone about that chip on your shoulder. I never said you were bad people.”

  “You didn’t have to say it.” But Morgan wondered if the guy had a point about him being overly critical.

  Gabe shook his head. “My sister has enough to deal with. She doesn’t need some guy taking advantage of her.”

  “You’re dead wrong and way out of line. Erica is my friend. That’s it.” Friend fell far short of what he felt for her, but Morgan didn’t understand it completely himself. He wasn’t going to try to put it into words to appease her overprotective brother.

  “I don’t believe that’s all there is to it.”

  “Not my problem to convince you otherwise.” Morgan shrugged and slid his hands into the pockets of his sheepskin jacket.

  Gabe looked more concerned than hostile. “I just don’t understand. What do you want with my sister?”

  Her. I just want her.

  The truth was that he really couldn’t blame Gabe for asking. If he had a pregnant sister and some guy who wasn’t the father was hanging around her, he would want to know why. On the other hand, what would Gabe say if Morgan confessed that he had feelings for Erica that were more than friendly? He was having trouble wrapping his own head around that.

  Just then the front door opened and he saw Amanda and her best friend Brittany. But Morgan only had eyes for Erica, who was walking out with them, looking radiant and happy. His heart seemed to skid sideways in his chest in the most unsettling and extraordinary kind of way.

  “Hi, Gabe,” Amanda said. “How are you? What are you doing here?”

  He smiled and the protective expression disappeared. “I was hoping to catch you. I was wondering if your internet search has turned up anything new on my great-grandfather’s daughter.”

  She shook her head. “I’d have called right away if it had. Without more information, something to go on, I’m stuck. Wish I had better news.”

  “I’m going to see Gramps again tomorrow,” Erica said. “Maybe this time he’ll say something to me.”

  “Would you like me to go with you?” Gabe asked.

  Morgan didn’t miss the look the other man slid in his direction. As if he’d expected Morgan to offer and beat him to it. The fact was he’d been about to. She told him seeing her grandfather unresponsive wasn’t easy, and he wanted to be there for her. He had no idea why, but helping Erica seemed to be hardwired into him.

  “Thanks, Gabe,” she said. “I’d really appreciate that.”

  “Of course.”

  “Mel will be out momentarily. Are you ready to go?” Brittany asked Amanda. “We came together.”

  “I am. But since Morgan is here I can hitch a ride back with him and Deborah,” Amanda answered. “Come to think of it, why are you here? I thought Neal was going to pick her up.”

  “I volunteered because he and Robby were playing a game, and I wasn’t doing anything important.”

  “Hmm,” Erica said wryly, “Could one surmise that you think an adult spending time with a child is important?”

  “Yes.” Morgan suspected she was trying to make a point, but he wasn’t going there. “That and my dad has a cold. Best if he stays in where it’s warm.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll ride back with you, Morgan.” Amanda hugged her friends one last time. “I’ll get Deborah.”

  “And I’ll go inside with you to get Mel,” Gabe said.

  “And I’ll say good night.” Brittany waggled her fingers at everyone and walked to her car.

  Suddenly it was just Morgan and Erica. He resisted the urge to say “alone at last.”

  “So, how was the shower?”

  “I was completely surprised,” she admitted. “My mom was actually in on it. She even took me shopping and bought some adorable little clothes for the baby. And she gave me my christening outfit. I was just blown away.”

  “I’m glad it went well.” And he got to see her, although he could have skipped the confrontation with her brother.

  S
he must have heard something in his voice because her eyebrows drew together. “What were you and Gabe discussing a few minutes ago? When I walked outside?”

  “Just small talk.”

  “Really? Because I’d swear you were looking at him as if he was a cattle thief and horse rustler all rolled into one.”

  “I didn’t know I was,” he hedged.

  “Come on, Morgan. This is me. I’ve gotten to know you pretty well. My brother said something to make you angry. I’m betting it was about me.”

  So much for bluffing. She was way too smart and observant for that. “He asked me what I wanted from you.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “That we’re friends.”

  “Hmm.” She frowned. “From the look on his face, I’m guessing he didn’t buy that.”

  “Not even a little bit.”

  She sighed. “Just give it time. He’ll come around.”

  “I won’t hold my breath.”

  “I didn’t think my mother would come around either,” she said.

  “Even though you preached hope and giving people a chance?”

  “Even though.” Her expression was sheepish. “The thing is, I didn’t really believe what I was saying. And I was wrong. Today all the little infant things made me freak out about raising this baby by myself. My mother gave me a great pep talk and I ended up telling her about going to the sperm bank.”

  “Really?” That surprised him.

  She nodded. “She understood why I did it. If she can do that, my brother will eventually understand that you’re a good man. You’ll see.”

  He was skeptical. Her brother had already made up his mind that Morgan was using Erica for some underhanded reason. Truthfully Morgan couldn’t wrap his own mind around what was going on with him. Why he would do anything for her and couldn’t seem to help himself. If he had this under control, he wouldn’t have kissed her. That touch of his mouth to hers had opened the dam and he wasn’t sure how to stop wanting her.

  Chapter Twelve

  It had been a hard day. Erica had gone to see her great-grandfather again and he still didn’t know her at all. Feelings of helplessness and disappointment gave way to recurring guilt for having lived far away and not making an effort to see him while he was still responsive. The family dinner that followed with Gabe, Mel and her folks had been a little sad, but the food was fantastic.

  Maybe sensing that the Abernathys needed comfort, Malone had outdone himself with a roast and all the trimmings. As they ate, they told stories of Gramps during healthier, happier times that made them laugh. And if all that wasn’t enough for big-time comfort, there was cheesecake for dessert.

  Now she was sitting beside Gabe at the kitchen table while Malone finished putting away leftovers and washing pots and pans. Mel had excused herself because she had work to do. The folks were watching TV in another room. She and her brother stayed put for some reason. Maybe he felt the need to bond. She sure did.

  “Thanks for going with me today.” Erica wrapped her hands around the mug of tea Malone had insisted on giving her. “It’s hard to see him, but I’m glad I wasn’t alone. Having you there made the whole thing so much easier.”

  He took a sip of his coffee, then smiled. “What kind of a big brother would I be if I didn’t support my little sister?”

  “Well, it’s much appreciated.” She reached over and touched his forearm for a moment. “And speaking of the whole big brother thing, you can stand down with Morgan Dalton. He’s not a threat to me.”

  “Do you know that for sure?” Her brother’s eyes narrowed. “Have you asked yourself why he’s around? Always there for you?”

  “Maybe because he’s a nice person. What other reason could there be?”

  “He wants something.”

  “What could he possibly want?” She laughed. “I don’t have much money and even if I did, his family is pretty wealthy.”

  “The rumor is that his father won it gambling.”

  The rumor was true. “So what does it matter where the money came from? It’s not ill-gotten gain. And doesn’t change the fact that Morgan is a wealthy man.”

  “What about the baby?”

  “Oh please. My life is a soap opera but not to the point where he’d kidnap my child and sell it to a desperate couple who couldn’t have one of their own.” She laughed again, and it was a welcome relief from the sad day. “Look, he’s a really good guy. Trust me. You’ll see.”

  “I don’t know.” There was doubt in his voice.

  “Seriously, Gabe, it’s not about the baby. And—”

  “What?” he asked when she stopped.

  Erica looked at him. “He’s not sure he wants children. So what could he possibly want from me except to be my friend?”

  Gabe studied her and a gleam stole into his eyes. “Are you in love with him?”

  “Of course not,” she said. The response was automatic, but the question made her think.

  She liked everything about Morgan, from his sense of humor to his loyalty and friendship. It didn’t hurt either that he was awfully good-looking. And she couldn’t deny that every time she saw him, her heart just swelled with something wonderful that she refused to name. When she wasn’t with him, she longed to be. At the Harvest Festival, when he kissed her, it was the most magical kiss ever.

  But was she in love? She sure hoped not. When the baby was born, his promise would be fulfilled. She would be immersed in raising her baby, and he would still be an eligible bachelor. Their relationship would be nothing but a memory, and that made her sad.

  Malone finished drying the big pot he’d used for the mashed potatoes and set it on the stove. “More coffee, Gabe?”

  “Yes. Thanks, Malone.”

  “Sure thing.” The cook brought over the pot and refilled the mug. “How about you, Erica? More tea?”

  “No. Thanks.” She smiled at him before he nodded and walked back to scour the roasting pan. She was glad he’d interrupted the conversation because she had no answers for her brother. “Gramps sure didn’t say much,” she commented, deliberately turning the conversation away from herself.

  “I really hoped he would.” Gabe shook his head. “You did your best, chattering away about all kinds of things. I was hoping that the two of us there together might jar him out of wherever he is. But he was the same.”

  “It’s hard to picture Gramps as a young man,” Erica said. “And to have the responsibility of a baby when he was hardly more than a boy himself.”

  “Yeah.”

  “It must have been agonizing for him to give up his baby girl.”

  Gabe nodded. “He didn’t have any family support. In fact just the opposite. Grandpa Alex hardly remembers his grandparents except that they were not the warm and fuzzy type.”

  “That must have been awful for Gramps. I know you and Mama and Daddy aren’t doing the dance of joy about my baby, but no one is pressuring me to give him or her up for adoption.”

  “We would never do that,” he protested.

  “Well, I wouldn’t—I couldn’t give up my child even if there was pressure to. I love this baby so much already. I can’t imagine not being there for the first smile, first steps, first word. The thought of it makes me so angry that Gramps was forced to give up his baby girl.” Her brother was suddenly staring at her as if she had fire coming out of her eyes. “What?”

  “I’m such an idiot.”

  “Well, I’ve always suspected as much,” she teased. “But what makes you so sure?”

  “It just hit me.” There was wonder in his expression. “I’m going to be an uncle.”

  “Really?” she said wryly. “Imagine that. It’s what happens when your sister has a baby. You just now figured that out?”

  “Of course I knew. I just—” He shrugged. “I just didn’t think about it that
way. Too busy resenting you for living so far away. Blowing through on holidays.”

  “I truly regret that.”

  “You had your reasons, I guess. And it really doesn’t matter now. You’re having a baby. Bringing a new life into the world.” He looked at her pregnant belly and a warmth stole into his eyes. “I’m going to be an uncle.”

  “You are.”

  “I’m going to be the best uncle you’ve ever seen,” Gabe said grinning.

  “I know you will because you’ve always been the best big brother a girl could ask for.” She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. “I’ve missed you. Been so busy proving my independence that I didn’t realize how much I missed you until I got home. I love you.”

  “I love you back. And I’m going to love this baby so much. In case you aren’t aware, you should prepare for the reality that our parents are going to spoil this kid rotten.”

  “I’m not so sure. Mama maybe. She’s come around. But Daddy—” She shook her head, wishing things could be different.

  “Give him time. A boy will be hard enough for him to resist. But a girl? Forget about it.” Gabe grinned. “If you have a daughter, she’ll wrap him around her little finger.”

  “You think?”

  “I know so. If you have a girl who looks like you, she’ll be the prettiest little girl in the world.”

  “Oh, Gabe—” Her eyes got misty at his compliment.

  “What did you say?” Malone shut off the faucet and came over, still holding a saucepan. There was an odd expression on his rugged face.

  Gabe gave him a puzzled look. “I said, if Erica has a daughter who looks like her, the baby will be the prettiest little girl in the world.”

  Erica had forgotten he was there. She’d known this man since she was a kid and had never seen him quite so intense. “Why, Malone? What is it?”

  “It just reminded me of something your Gramps said a while back...” There was a strange and thoughtful expression in his eyes, as if he was trying to remember something.