As Shealyn slid into a chair, Brea sent Matt a clandestine text that all was well, then turned back to the starlet, who was biting her lip, looking both uncomfortable and uncertain.
Wondering what was on the woman’s mind, Brea poured the glass of tea and set it with a coaster in front of her.
“Thank you,” Shealyn murmured, stare lingering on her hand.
Looking for an engagement ring? Brea frowned as she slid into the opposite chair, tucking one foot under her thigh. “You’re welcome. I wish I could have some. But too much caffeine and sugar isn’t good for the baby.”
Shealyn’s smile faltered into a wince of pain. “Congratulations. You and Cutter must be very excited. I’m happy for you two.”
The actress said the right words, but her talent in front of a camera was failing her miserably in real life. Shealyn looked anything but thrilled.
Suddenly, the puzzle pieces fell into place.
Brea scowled. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”
“Tell me what?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course he didn’t. That stubborn, stubborn man. Ugh! You don’t know why he and I are planning this wedding, do you?”
“I presumed it was because you loved each other and were excited about your coming child.”
It was all Brea could do not to shake her head in frustration and call Cutter screaming. “Would a man madly in love with a woman and looking forward to starting a family with her give his heart to someone else? Scratch that. Some men might. Would Cutter do that?”
“The man I thought I knew? I’ve been trying to reconcile that in my head.”
“He would never do that. Ever since he stood next to my daddy the day I was born, he’s been the big brother I never had. It’s a long story, but when I got pregnant, Cutter blamed himself because I got close to my baby’s father while trying to help him escape a hostage situation.”
Shealyn blinked, looking utterly stunned. “You mean…the baby isn’t Cutter’s?”
“Heavens, no. We’ve never…” Brea shook her head. “Ever. He really is like my brother. Anyway, I worked up the nerve to see a doctor right before Cutter went to California to protect you. When we found out for sure I was pregnant, he proposed so I wouldn’t have to face my daddy—he’s the local preacher—and admit my sin as a fallen woman. I’m sure that sounds silly in this day and age.”
“No. I’m from a small town, too.”
“So you understand why that thought terrified me. Heck, at the time I was more than a little afraid of the man who got me pregnant, too. Pierce is…overwhelming. Cutter kept threatening to kill him, but it was my fault. I knew I needed to be honest, face him and my father—”
“You’re saying Cutter offered to sacrifice his future for you?”
“Exactly.”
“My question sounded rude. I-I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s the truth. And I was such a coward that I agreed to let him.” That was an oversimplified version of events, but the rest was too personal and painful. And Shealyn didn’t need the details in order to forgive Cutter so he could move on. Or hopefully decide she loved him and wanted to spend her future with him.
The blonde reached across the table and took Brea’s hand. “I’m sure he understands.”
“It’s Cutter, so of course he does. But I should tan his hide for not explaining our ‘engagement’ the moment he realized he was in love with you. I’m not surprised he didn’t, though. He wouldn’t have spilled my secret to anyone without a—pardon my French—damn good reason. And he would never have put his own happiness above my fears.” She huffed. “I’m going to have some words with that man.”
Shealyn stared for a very long time, clearly mulling everything over and making some decisions. “Thank you for explaining. It’s none of my business, and I hate to just barge in or ruin your plans—”
“Do you love Cutter?”
“With all my heart.” Shealyn’s face said that, without him, the organ beating in her chest was broken.
Brea smiled big. “Then you just muck up every last plan. I could never make him happy, but I think you can. And no one deserves it more.” If Pierce came back to her, he might be furious that Cutter had started a future with Shealyn, but Brea could still pretend she wasn’t One-Mile’s girl without having Cutter in her life. “He has always had a chip on his shoulder about being the town drunk’s kid. But he’s so much more than that.”
“Except for my grandfather, he’s the best man I’ve ever met. You really don’t mind if I steal him from you?”
Was she kidding? Brea probably wasn’t going to get her own happy ending, but if Cutter could have his with the woman he loved, she’d be thrilled.
“So you can make my best friend ecstatically happy? Goodness, no. My life has gone to heck in a handbasket, but that’s my own doing. Even so, I can’t tie Cutter down. Just…if you’re going to take him back to California, let him visit every so often. My baby will need an uncle.”