Loving Laney

by Evans, Harmony

  Brooke tossed her curls over her shoulder. “I could give you the same advice, you know.”

  “It’s a different situation with Austin and me.”

  “Because of the baby?”

  Laney nodded. “The baby changes everything.”

  Brooke was silent for a moment. “No. The baby makes everything possible.”

  “What do you mean?” Laney asked.

  Brooke’s hazel eyes darkened. “When I place a blob of clay on my potter’s wheel, it’s difficult to shape it with only one hand.” She paused a moment, as if she were reflecting on something. “Although a baby takes two bodies to create, in a perfect world, it also needs two hands to mold it and two hearts to love it.”

  In a perfect world, Laney thought. She knew there were millions of single mothers in the U.S. and around the world and that raising a child alone was often thankless and scary. However she often wondered that if they could change their situation and raise their children with help from a stable partner, would they? Was it even worth the risk? At this point in her own life, she wasn’t sure.

  “I don’t know if Austin loves me,” Laney finally said.

  Brooke smiled patiently. “But if you are blessed to have the father of your child in your life and he’s willing to take responsibility, does it really matter at this moment if he loves you, too?”

  Laney’s eyes slid shut. She knew in her heart that Brooke had a point. The baby’s feelings and care had to come first, everything else was secondary.

  “No,” she whispered.

  Brooke patted Laney’s hand. “In time, true love will come. Right now, it just happens to be in the shape of your child.”

  Tears rolled over Laney’s cheeks as she looked down and ran one hand over her belly. Brooke was right. The love she sought was right here, nestled within her. She and her baby would be forever tethered, whether Austin was in their lives or not.

  Chapter 11

  “Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” Gwen asked in a wheedling voice. “Everyone will be there.”

  That’s the problem, Laney thought. Everyone will be there. Including Austin, whom she suspected would have the entire female population of Granger hanging on his arm immediately upon arrival.

  Laney laid her hand across her stomach and reached for a book from the stack she’d brought over to the house. She planned on camping out at the ranch for most of the night, and almost had herself convinced that she wasn’t hiding from Austin.

  If only she didn’t miss him so much.

  “I’m sure, Mom. You and Dad go without me, okay? I’ll be fine.”

  She flashed a too-bright smile that Gwen immediately sensed was just for her benefit. Laney may be a world-famous athletic champion, but she was still her little girl and she knew when Laney was upset.

  Gwen picked up one of the books. “Labor Made Easy,” she read aloud, her eyes widening. “And it’s written by a man who is not even a doctor.” She clicked her tongue against her teeth. “What does he know about being pregnant?”

  Laney mumbled, “I think that one’s supposed to be humorous.” She quickly opened up her book, a bestselling primer on child-rearing, and hoped that her mother would take the hint. She hesitated telling her to leave her alone, knowing that someday she might be hearing those same words from her own son or daughter.

  Gwen put her hands on her hips. “Having a baby is no laughing matter,” she said. “It’s painful and it’s hard work.”

  Laney considered her mother, who tended to be too serious sometimes, even though she knew she meant well. “Maybe the author has figured out a way to make it funny, too!”

  “While he’s laughing all the way to the bank, I suppose?”

  “I don’t know, Mama,” she responded with a shrug. “I’m just trying to prepare myself, that’s all.”

  “I know, honey. But your greatest resource for pregnancy information is standing right in front of you,” Gwen said, a note of hurt in her voice.

  Laney set her book facedown on her lap and reached for her. “Of course, I am going to rely on you. I need you, Mama!”

  Gwen sat down next to her daughter and squeezed her hand. “And I’m here for you. No matter what, but—”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Gwen stroked Laney’s hair. “I just wish I would have forced you to buy a dress for the ball. Now, if you change your mind, you have nothing to wear.”

  Laney leaned away from her touch. “I’m not going to change my mind,” she insisted. “I want this to be a nice night out for you and Dad. One with no publicity and no cameras.”

  Gwen chuckled. “Did you forget that the ball is being hosted by Samara? Production trucks from all the major entertainment networks arrived early this morning. It looks like tonight is going to be quite a show.”

  Even more reason for me to stay home.

  Laney cleared her throat. “In that case, until I can get this mix-up sorted out, I should probably lay low anyway.”

  Gwen pursed her lips. “But I thought you said that when you spoke to your coach, he didn’t know anything about the allegations and neither did the committee.”

  “That’s right,” Laney nodded. “It appears that the story only broke locally, which is strange, because from the way it was written it had all the hallmarks of a national story. However, there was no mention of it online either, not even TMZ.com.”

  “Are you saying the story was a fake?”

  “Mama. We both know it wasn’t true, so of course, it was fake.”

  Gwen snorted in disgust. “The question is—who planted it and why?”

  “I don’t know!” she said, unable to keep the frustration out of her voice. The private detective she’d hired had been unable to find out any information, either. The man was completely useless, so she’d fired him that very morning.

  “Well, we both know that Austin wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” When her daughter remained silent, she reiterated the question. “Don’t we, Laney?”

  “I don’t know, Mama.”

  She’d gone over and over things again and again in her mind, and she never was able to quite convince herself that Austin hadn’t played some role in this latest scandal. Or perhaps somebody he knew didn’t want him in Granger, let alone in a relationship with Laney. An old lover, perhaps? Until she knew for sure, she couldn’t continue to risk her heart.

  “Laney, how could you even think such a horrible thing about Austin?” Gwen said in a shocked voice. “Anyone can see how much he cares for you and the baby.”

  “I haven’t heard from Austin in several days. I don’t— I mean, we don’t need him,” Laney corrected, but she knew the minor slip of her tongue wouldn’t fool her mother.

  Gwen stood as Laney folded her arms protectively around her belly. “Maybe you don’t need him. But did you ever stop to think that maybe he needs you?” She cinched the tie on her robe a little tighter. “I’m going upstairs to get dressed.”

  Laney watched Gwen walk out of the Great Room. Then she opened up the book and tried to read, but all she could think about was her mother’s words.

  She slammed the book closed. Austin needing her? That was almost laughable. He was as fiercely independent and ambitious as she was, and yet, Laney knew that he had given up some of his freedom to stay in Granger with her.

  Laney stretched out on the couch and yawned. She had no right to be suspicious of his motives, and yet, as she drifted off to sleep, she couldn’t help but wonder why he was still hanging around in the area.

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later, Laney’s eyes blinked open and she awoke with a start of confusion.

  At some point while she was dozing, she’d had the sense that she was no longer alone in the Great Room, but she hadn’t the strength or nor the will to wa
ke up.

  A dream about Austin had sucked her into the spell of another world. One where they could both live happily without scrutiny or fear. A world she was most happy to stay in—even if it was in her own mind.

  Yet it was his cologne that drew her out of her fantasy, a spicy and sensual musk that always reminded her of the passionate kisses they had shared.

  She sat up, her elbows sinking into the plush fabric of the L-shaped sofa.

  Austin sat at the other end, dressed in a black tuxedo. The broad smile on his face was both charming and mysterious, and it warmed her to the core of her being.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked. She was surprised and pleased to see him, and she had to hold herself back from leaping into his arms. “I thought you had gone back to Dallas?”

  His smile deepened and his eyes held a mischievous glow. “No way. I told you before I wasn’t going to leave you. In fact, I’m here to take you to the Granger Ball.”

  Her heart did a little flip as he stood and bowed before her. “Me? Why?”

  He kissed her hand. “Because you’re the prettiest woman in town!” he answered.

  Her heart beat faster and while she was flattered, she knew he was mistaken. She felt anything but pretty that evening. “I think you’ve got the wrong woman,” she replied, even though she wanted his words to be true.

  She turned her eyes away and gazed down at her outfit. The grey sweatpants, orange fuzzy socks and her favorite thermal T-shirt were not exactly formal wear, but for the moment, they suited her just fine.

  Laney closed her eyes and fell back against the pillow, wishing Austin would just go away, while at the same time wishing he would stay.

  He didn’t answer at first. Instead he gently pulled her up to stand in front of him.

  He touched her chin with his fingertip. “No, that’s where you’re wrong. I’ve got the right woman.”

  Before she could say anything, Austin pulled her close. His muscular chest was warm and hard against her cheek. “But I guess she doesn’t know it yet. But I’m tonight I’m going to show her just what I mean.”

  She shivered in his arms as he planted light kisses on her forehead.

  Laney stepped away from him to escape the heat that was beginning to flow through her body. “Austin, there’s no way I’m going to the ball.”

  “Why not?”

  “I just don’t think it’s wise for you and me to be seen in public. Not until this story blows over.”

  Austin frowned. “I told you I had nothing to do with that. It’s not true and—”

  Laney held up her hand. “I know it’s not true, okay?”

  “You mean, you finally believe me?”

  She nodded. Austin had said he’d never leave her, no matter what, and he hadn’t. She didn’t know if he loved her, but that fact alone said a lot about his character.

  “You stayed right here in Granger, and didn’t go off to Dallas, even though I told you to leave. You didn’t give up on us, even when I did.”

  “And I never will,” Austin said. But when he moved to kiss her, she put her hand on his chest to stop him.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “I don’t want people to think that we’re a couple,” she blurted out. And yet, deep down, she knew that what she wanted most of all was just the opposite.

  Laney watched Austin’s face carefully, but there was no outward sign that he was disturbed or hurt by her comment.

  Instead, he merely grinned at her, which confused her even more.

  “Wait here,” he instructed.

  She didn’t move from where she stood and he was back in moments, hauling three large garment bags over his shoulder. If he hadn’t been so tall, the bags would have been trailing on the floor. That’s when Laney knew that something was up.

  Austin walked down the Great Room steps and carefully draped each garment bag over the back of the sofa.

  “What’s this?” she asked, watching him unzip the first bag.

  “Your golden ticket to the ball,” he replied.

  Laney gasped at the sight of the elaborate silver gown. The second bag held a red off-the-shoulder one, and the third bag contained a black chiffon that was knee-length.

  “Did you buy these?” At his nod, she said, “Thank you. They’re all beautiful, but there’s no way I’m going to fit into any of them.”

  “Don’t be so sure.” Austin folded his arms across his chest. “These are special maternity gowns from the private collection of a New York designer.”

  “Who?”

  “Shh...” said Austin, looking around as if they were on a secret mission. “If I tell you, the spell will be broken!”

  Laney laughed. “What spell?”

  “The one that says if you just try one of these gowns on, you’re going to fall in love.”

  “With the gown? Or with you?”

  Austin shrugged. “Maybe both!”

  They stared at each other for a long moment.

  Laney walked to where Austin stood holding all three gowns in his hands, tempting her to reach out and touch them. They were all so beautiful.

  “I really shouldn’t do this, you know.”

  “I think you really should.” He grinned.

  The next thing she knew Austin had draped the garments over her outstretched arm.

  “I’ll be right back,” she said, a wry smile on her face as she quickly headed a short distance down the hall to the powder room, before she changed her mind.

  Once inside, she locked the door and hung the dresses on a hook.

  The red and black dresses she didn’t really care for, as they seemed too plain for her personality and the occasion. But the silver dress was another matter. It was sleeveless, with an intricately woven pattern of silver beads and a modest scoop neck.

  Laney quickly tore off her clothes and slipped the dress on. Just as she suspected, it was beautiful and showed off her toned arms to perfection.

  But what about her baby bump?

  She bit her lip, turned in profile, and smiled in the mirror, pleasantly surprised at how she looked.

  The material of the dress was form-fitting, but instead of making her look fat, it made her baby bump look sexy.

  Laney took her hair out of the ponytail and fluffed it around her shoulders. All she needed was a little makeup and she’d be ready to go. She wasn’t even going to bother trying on the other dresses.

  Her heart swelled in her chest. She’d already fallen in love with this one, and with the man who’d purchased it.

  She took a deep breath, opened the door and walked back down the hall to the Great Room. As she stood near the stairs, she felt the heat of his dark eyes upon her body.

  Austin took her hand and led her down the stairs, and she felt like a queen.

  “Wow, you look beautiful. Was I right?” Laney assumed he was talking about the dress. There was no reason to tell him her feelings about him—now or maybe ever.

  She nodded. “But I could never accept it.”

  “You can and you will.”

  They both turned around to see Gwen walking toward them.

  “Mother, how long were you standing there?”

  “Long enough to stop you from being a fool.” She took her daughter’s hand. “Laney, you look beautiful in that gown. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t accept it, nor is there any reason for you not to attend the ball.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her,” Austin interjected. “But she won’t listen.”

  Laney folded her arms. “But what about the media?”

  “Darling. I know that, being the baby in the family, you’d like to think that all the attention is going to be focused on you. But the media is not here for you—they’re here
for Samara.”

  Laney blushed. “Mama...”

  Gwen patted her arm. “If I felt there was any chance of you getting caught up in another scandal tonight, I would stay home with you.”

  “So you’ll come, right?” Austin asked.

  Laney bit her lip, trying to think of any other excuse to get out of going to the ball.

  She lifted her dress slightly and revealed her bare feet.

  “I don’t have the proper shoes,” she said in a meek voice, wriggling her toes.

  “Nice try, darling,” Gwen said with a wry grin as she handed Laney her purse. “You can stop by your house on the way to the ball and pick them up.”

  Laney nodded, trying inwardly to quell her nerves, while Austin dug his car keys out of his pocket, a huge grin on his face.

  “Austin, would you mind if I accompanied you both? Steven left early in the limo Samara sent over. He went to pick Wes and Lydia up at the airport, and I’d prefer not to drive alone.”

  “Absolutely, Mrs. Broward. Samara sent a limo to me as well, but I sent the man on his way. I’ll bring the car around.”

  When he’d gone, Laney and her mother made their way to the foyer.

  She slipped into her tennis shoes.

  “Mama, I hope I’m not making a mistake.”

  Gwen pulled her into a hug. “The only way to find out is to attend the ball and see.”

  Chapter 12

  On the drive into town, Laney was lost in her thoughts as she sat in the backseat of Austin’s luxurious Mercedes-Benz sedan. Gwen and Austin chattered amiably up front, as if they were old friends.

  If Austin ever became a permanent part of the Broward family, Laney knew he would fit right in. Deep down, she was afraid that he wasn’t keen on anything that would require him to lay down roots. Business came first, fatherhood would be a distraction and marriage was the ultimate deal killer.

  Sure, he was in Granger now, but there’d been no talk about him staying permanently once the baby was born. He also hadn’t mentioned anything about joint custody lately, but perhaps he was still working on things with his lawyers. She should be starting the process with her own attorney, but somehow, she hadn’t been able to do that yet.