Don't Promise (Don't 3)

“Yeah, that.”

“If you look in the trunk of the rental car parked in you

r driveway you’ll see five CYA awards.”

“No shit.”

I laughed. “Apparently, the votes were cast days before my news story broke, so it had no effect on the results.”

“Damn. I’m sorry I missed it.”

I was too, but I knew it was something I had to do alone. I had to prove to myself that I was strong enough to face my demons and my enemies. Every time I walked on stage last night I carried myself a little taller. A little stronger. I had fight in me I had to find without Luke.

“It’s ok.” I smiled at him. “I’m glad I woke up in Texas this morning.”

He cleared his throat and pushed off the bed, depositing me in a heap.

“Where are you going?” I searched for an explanation.

He stepped into his pajama pants. “I’ve got the perfect place to put those awards.”

I scrambled to follow him, trying to pick my scattered clothes off the floor as I ran after him. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re moving into the ranch.”

I stared at him. “What?”

36

Luke

It made sense. It made a hell of lot more sense than trying to start a family in two different states. And what if she was pregnant because of today? My baby wasn’t going to be a thousand miles away from me. No.

“I’m getting those CYAs and putting them in the office. I have shelf space.”

“Luke, slow down.” Alexa shuffled behind me.

I popped the lever on the trunk. She hadn’t bothered to lock the car. I saw her collection of hardware. It was fucking impressive. I reached for one of the awards. It sparkled in the sun.

“Alexa Wilde, Country Year Award Artist of the Year,” I read aloud. “These are pretty sweet.”

She shook her head. “Go back to the other part. The part about me moving to the ranch.”

Her hair was wild and her neck was pink from my unshaven scruff. My mark was all over that girl. If I didn’t live on a hundred acres in the middle of nowhere I’d be more worried someone would see she was wrapped in a sheet, holding her PJs in one hand.

“Right. That’s exactly what I said.”

I collected the trophies in my arms.

“You want me to move here? Now in the middle of this scandal?”

I slammed the trunk and walked back inside. “Are you going to have my baby?”

“Yes.” She smiled.

“Then, you are living under my roof. With me. That’s the end of it.”

Her hands flew to her hips and I laughed when the sheet fell. She tried to catch it a few seconds too late. I didn’t know what she thought she was going to protest, but I appreciated she thought it was worth a try.