Loving Laney

by Evans, Harmony

  She turned and nodded. “That’s what we were discussing when you came in.”

  He took a deep breath. That’s what he’d been afraid of.

  Steven and Gwendolyn Broward were powerful influencers in the Granger community and he’d heard that nothing worthwhile happened in town without their complete buy-in.

  Steven had even emailed him some articles about a new influx of wannabe ranchers that could threaten their stronghold. However, even as an outsider looking in, based on his past dealings with them, he was confident that the Browards would prevail. He also had no doubt that the wealthy couple had the same strong influence on their family.

  Suddenly, his heart clenched in his chest and he steeled himself to ask the most difficult question of all.

  “You’re keeping it, right?”

  Her eyes widened in shock. “Of course I am,” she cried out, aghast. “How could you even have the gall to ask me that? This baby is mine.”

  Austin breathed an inward sigh of relief. “I didn’t mean to offend you, but you know I had to ask because this baby is my responsibility, too.”

  A scowl marred her pretty face and he hated to see it. Would he ever be able to make her smile again?

  “I don’t want anything from you, Austin.”

  “That’s not what I mean and you know it. As the child’s father, I have legal rights, not to mention a moral obligation.”

  Not to mention that I’m still attracted to you.

  Still, having been played for a fool before, he had to be cautious. Due to the Broward family wealth, he was confident that Laney was not after his money, and right now, that’s all he had to give her.

  His heart was off-limits.

  He moved toward Laney, wanting to embrace her, unsure if she would accept him. He wasn’t about to go chasing after a woman who wasn’t interested in him. That is, unless that woman was carrying his child.

  “Moral obligation aside,” Laney insisted, her voice tight. “It’s not like I can’t afford a baby. We’ll be fine.”

  “That may be so,” he said, moving closer. “But I still want to help.”

  Suddenly she whirled away, out of his reach, taking his gentle feelings with it.

  “Stay away from me, Austin,” she warned, her brown eyes flashing dangerously. “Stay away from me. And my baby.”

  So that’s the way she’s going to play this.

  Austin clenched his jaw so tight that his head started to ache. He didn’t understand why Laney was so offended by him, by his willingness to be a part of the child’s life. He didn’t want things to be this way, but he had no choice.

  “Fine. First thing tomorrow, I’m going to get in touch with my lawyers,” he informed her in a smooth voice. “There are legal papers that must be drawn up immediately.”

  Laney dropped her hands to the side and by her glare he could see that his words bothered her.

  “And we’ll need to look into DNA testing to prove I’m the father,” he added quickly.

  Laney put her hands on her hips. The look on her face could have quelled a tornado. “I haven’t been with anyone since that night,” she insisted. “You’re either trying to insinuate that I sleep around or you don’t believe me. Which is it?”

  “Neither,” he assured her, hiding a smile. Although he was sorry he’d upset her, he was pleased to hear that no other man had touched her.

  “I’m just trying to make sure that I follow the proper processes for joint custody,” he replied blithely. “And of course, I will incorporate the child into my will. It’s the right thing to do financially.”

  Austin’s family owned an expansive ranch outside of Dallas. Although his father was a high-powered executive in the oil industry, Austin had no desire to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Instead, he developed an interest in horses as a child. He began breeding thoroughbreds in his twenties, while dabbling in the stock market at the same time. Luckily, he’d been successful in both ventures.

  With his wealth and Laney’s combined, their child would never have to worry about money.

  Laney narrowed her eyes at him. “What kind of father could you possibly be, Austin? Traveling all the time from one city to one country to the next? How could you be here for the child?”

  Austin wondered the same thing, but she didn’t have to know. Letting her know that at this moment he felt completely unprepared and unqualified to be a father would only make things worse for him.

  He swallowed down the doubt that threatened to flood his senses. “You just stay healthy and let me worry about the logistics,” he said sternly.

  Laney shook her head. “I won’t let you do this, Austin,” she vowed. “It will never work.”

  “What is it that won’t work?” he demanded.

  She didn’t answer. Instead, she walked away and stood near the fireplace. What had happened to the warm and loving woman he’d kissed on New Year’s Eve? Now she seemed cold and unfeeling.

  He strode over to her and put his hands on her shoulders, gently forcing her to look at him.

  “Why are you being so stubborn?”

  She shrugged away from his grasp. “And why are you trying to infringe on my life?” she replied hotly.

  “It’s not like I’m asking to marry you,” he shot back.

  Her face crumpled a bit and his heart twinged in his chest, knowing that somehow his comment hurt her, but having no idea why it would.

  She walked away silently and he opened his mouth to apologize, but he knew it wouldn’t do any good.

  Laney stood in front of the bay window, her back ramrod-straight. Through the large panes, he could see waves of prairie grass where many of the Browards’ prized heritage cattle grazed, blissfully unaware of anything but filling their bellies.

  “I wouldn’t marry you anyway, Austin,” she said quietly, not facing him. “You and I are far too different. Other than our love of land and horses, we have nothing in common.”

  Though he knew he deserved it, her words still tore at his heart. If he had a touch less pride, he might have suggested a marriage of convenience, but there was no way he would ever marry a woman he didn’t love.

  It was clear that Laney wanted nothing more to do with him. Even though she’d admitted that she hadn’t shared her bed with anyone else since that night, that didn’t mean she wanted to share it with him again.

  Austin joined Laney at the window, keeping a respectable distance, even though he wanted to reach out and draw her to him.

  He turned his face toward hers, wondering how he would be able to hide his desire for her, both physically and emotionally.

  “That’s not true anymore, Laney. We have our baby.”

  She thinned her lips and refused to look at him. “I can’t talk about all this now. Can you just go? Just leave!”

  Austin deftly squeezed into a space between Laney and the window. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him.

  “Let me make this clear,” he said quickly, before she even thought of getting away. “That night? I didn’t want it to end. I tried to get in touch with you, but you wouldn’t return my calls.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, and he put his finger against her lips. Whatever she had to say didn’t matter anymore.

  “Let me finish. If you think you’re going to play the same game with my child, you better think again. I’m not the man you think I am and I won’t be played for a fool.”

  Without another word, Austin stalked out of the room and down the hallway, knowing that Laney wouldn’t bother to run after him.

  When he reached the Great Room, none of the Browards were there. In fact, the entire place seemed to be deserted and he wasn’t in the mood to go looking for someone to thank them for their hospitality.

  He stalked to his truck, got in and slamme
d the door. His tires squealed as he peeled away. He waited until he was off the Broward property before he stopped and picked up his cell phone.

  “Fifty,” he muttered.

  The call picked up in seconds.

  “Austin. Long time no hear from.”

  The voice on the other end had that cheerful, Midwestern twang that always set his nerves on edge, especially when he was pissed off.

  “Hey, Morty. How’s things?”

  “They’re predicting another huge windstorm in Chicago. My hair can’t take it.”

  Austin rolled his eyes. The man was as bald as a cue ball, but with no luck.

  “You don’t have any hair, Mort.”

  “Yeah. The damn wind blew it all away!”

  Austin laughed, in spite of his sour mood.

  “What can I do for you, my friend?” Morty asked pleasantly.

  “I need a place to stay,” Austin responded, idly watching a beat-up truck hauling a trailer full of sheep down the opposite side of the road.

  “Where are you off to now? Rome? Istanbul? Antarctica? I got a line on an igloo that actually floats on a glacier.”

  Morty Greer was an old-school travel agent, a licensed real estate broker and a gambling addict. His poison: horse racing.

  Austin had met him after his prized thoroughbred, The Perfect Shot, had won Morty a ton of money. They’d even had their picture taken together. Austin began to let Morty handle all of his travel arrangements and eventually the two men became friends.

  Over time, Morty’s travel agency took a serious hit care of name-your-own-price websites and smartphone ticketing.

  Then Morty’s money started dwindling away, or rather, he’d gambled it away. Austin felt sorry for his friend, so he made him a deal: get treatment for gambling and Austin would find something that would keep him busy and employed.

  The arrangement had worked out for both of them.

  Morty had been clean for over a year, and Austin had a personal concierge.

  “I’m not keen on freezing my ass off, Mort.”

  “Smart man!”

  Austin chuckled and continued, “Remember that little town in Montana called Granger? I’ve got a few clients here.”

  “Yeah, I remember. You usually do an in-and-out through Bozeman. What time do you need to arrive?”

  Austin could hear Morty typing on his keyboard.

  “Actually, I’m already here. And this time, I’m staying.”

  The tapping stopped. “How long?”

  But before Austin could say anything, Morty started typing and talking.

  “Let me see if I can find you a nice hotel. There’s one right in town called The Granger Inn.” Morty paused, and then swore. “But it’s booked solid for the next few months.”

  “I think I’m going to be here awhile, Mort. Are there any rental properties available? You know my standards.”

  Morty grunted. “Yeah, I do. They’re about as high as the Sears Tower and just as expensive. But with a few clicks of the mouse... Got it. There’s a few homes that are for rent and currently unoccupied. How long of a lease do you need?”

  Austin thought a moment. He really had no idea.

  How long would it take to complete the DNA testing, get the custody papers completed and signed and convince Laney that she was wrong about him?

  The baby was due in September.

  His baby.

  And he wasn’t going to allow Laney or anyone else to keep him away from his child.

  “Six months. I’ll let you know if I need it for longer. I’d like to look at some this evening, if possible.”

  “You got it. I’ll make some calls and email you a list of properties as soon as I’ve vetted them.”

  “Thanks, Morty.”

  “What are you doing in Montana anyway? Trying to catch a cowgirl?”

  “Nope, just trying to take down a bull.”

  Morty snorted. “Aren’t we all?”

  Austin laughed as he tossed his phone on the seat and started down the road.

  A beautiful, headstrong woman like Laney could never be caught. She was too busy running. And at this point, it looked like she had the upper hand and had gained some considerable distance.

  Despite breeding thoroughbred racehorses, Austin wasn’t a gambling man with his heart. Still he was willing to bet that Laney’s early advantage wouldn’t last.

  Chapter 3

  Laney pressed her palm against the window and watched Austin’s black truck peel away, so fast that if the ground wasn’t wet from all the rain, it would have kicked up a dust storm.

  She’d never seen Austin angry. The only emotion she’d ever seen in him was desire. Now he probably hated her for driving him away. Again.

  Gingerly, she dropped onto the comfy window seat and leaned against the pillows.

  How she’d missed him!

  She closed her eyes, relishing in the familiar, sweet tug in her abdomen that occurred whenever she thought about how good he’d made her feel that night.

  There had been no indication on his part that their “relationship” would last any longer than a few hours. There were no promises made. No secrets told. Nothing but raw, unadulterated sex.

  Austin had called her a few times. That much was true. But she’d figured he was only making an obligatory gesture, so she wouldn’t think he was a tool, and she a mere toy.

  Then why had she been thinking about him for the past four months?

  Because you’re carrying his child.

  She ran her hands over her belly, trying to feel the life that was growing inside her.

  That was all it was. The baby was their only connection. There was nothing else, and yet something about Austin wanting to be so involved with her life, and so quickly, got her back up. Made her slightly uncomfortable. She wasn’t having it. No way. She didn’t need anyone to take care of her—or her baby.

  She could do this on her own.

  Hopefully, he’d gotten the message.

  Her head felt like it was spinning as she tried to take in all that had transpired.

  She knew Austin had legal rights and a moral obligation, but there had to be more than that. Why would someone like Austin want to be tied down with a baby? The man was too busy to have a relationship, let alone to raise a child. He just didn’t realize it yet.

  Laney shivered. All that talk about legal contracts, a DNA test, joint custody and, God forbid, a will. Yes, she had one, but just thinking about her eventual demise gave her the creeps.

  Was Austin merely so shocked by the prospect of being a father that he was moved to instant action, or were his words simply a threat?

  Laney drew her knees up to her chest. Or were they, like his phone calls, merely obligatory? A means to save his reputation and perhaps his business relationship with the Browards?

  Since Laney didn’t really know Austin, she couldn’t say whether or not he would follow through on anything.

  But she did know that money was a motivator. He loved to make it and he loved to spend it, and he loved to be around people who could help him make even more. Namely, the Browards.

  Austin never had said why he was in Granger in the first place. Maybe he’s going to try to buy up some of the town like that awful Samara Lionne, Laney thought.

  The A-list actress even had the nerve to throw her own gala to welcome her to town. Pretty soon, she’d probably carve her own star onto Main Street.

  Laney shook her head. Although the event was still a few weeks away, she shuddered to think about what she would wear, and the reaction she would get from everyone when she walked in alone—and pregnant.

  She closed her eyes and all she saw was Austin’s gorgeous face. Getting rid of him was the right thing to do. />
  After all, Austin was from Texas. And as far as she was concerned, Montana was a world away from the Lone Star State.

  Like Samara, Austin was an outsider and couldn’t be trusted.

  * * *

  When she felt she was up to it, Laney snuck into the powder room and splashed cold water on her face. She looked in the mirror as she patted her cheeks with a towel.

  The truth was out, but she felt no relief. Only fear. Her family still didn’t know who the father of her baby was, and she didn’t know how she was going to tell them it was Austin.

  She ambled down the long hallway to the other wing. The Great Room was empty, but there was a wonderful odor in the air: her mother’s signature peanut-butter cookies.

  The Browards had their own chef six days a week. The only time Gwendolyn turned on the stove was on Sundays and during a crisis.

  Laney hesitated just outside the kitchen door.

  She had always been independent. It was her mother who had encouraged her love for horses, to start riding for fun and then for sport. Gwen had always been there to pick her up when she fell and to cheer her on.

  How disappointed she must be in me now!

  She walked into the kitchen, avoiding everyone’s eyes but those of her mother.

  “How many batches are you making this time?” she asked timidly.

  Gwen pushed herself away from the counter. “Only two,” she responded, her lips breaking into a smile. “One batch for you and one for the baby.”

  Tears sprang to Laney’s eyes at her mother’s kindness and understanding.

  “That’s if Wes and I don’t eat them all first,” Jameson said glibly.

  But Laney barely heard him. Her eyes were still focused on Gwen.

  “Mom...I’m so sorry!”

  The tears fell freely now as she collapsed into her mother’s open arms.

  “Shh... This child is not a mistake. He or she is a blessing.”

  Wes looked down at the worn pine table, uncomfortable at the scene before him. Up until now, his sister had never done anything even remotely stupid. He didn’t know what to say to her. All he knew was that his family didn’t need any more scandal their lives.