Dare to Stay (Dare Nation 4)

He nodded. “Sure thing.” Knowing this was difficult for Willow to deal with, he wanted to handle things on her terms.

As they gathered their things together, he couldn’t help the disappointment he felt at having their day cut short. Still, he’d had her in his arms and he’d been inside her body. He couldn’t exactly complain.

“Braden?” He’d been lost in thought, and he shook his head, then met her gaze. “Yeah. Sorry. What’s up?”

She treated him to a soft smile he wanted to kiss. “Thank you for today.”

“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it a lot, and we can definitely do it again soon.”

A flash of hope flickered in her eyes. “I hope so.”

He winked at her. “Count on it.”

Chapter Eleven

Willow sat beside Aurora with Braden across from them as they explained the fact that she had family she didn’t know about who wanted to meet her.

The young girl, who’d come home from work, showered, and changed into a pair of maternity pajamas, turned to Willow in shock. “I don’t understand. I have a brother from New York who’s here in Florida?”

Willow reached for her trembling hand. “You have an entire family, although Lincoln is the one who flew here to meet you. It’s exciting news!”

“I have family?” she asked again. “How? My mother left me, said she didn’t know who my father was, and Grandma didn’t know, either.”

Willow shot Braden an imploring glance. She needed help explaining the complicated story.

He leaned forward, hands on his thighs. “Your mother had an affair with a married man, and he didn’t want his wife to know about it. When she got pregnant, he … paid her to take care of you, which she obviously didn’t do. He died recently and his son found the monthly checks cashed from his account.” Braden cleared his throat and hesitated with the rest.

Willow knew it wasn’t easy for him to break the hardest news, so she took over. “They hired a private investigator and found your mom,” Willow said gently. “She’s been living off the money, but she admitted to leaving you with her mother.” And not taking Aurora in after the older woman passed away. There was no reason to state the obvious and hurt the young woman more.

Aurora sniffed, her eyes filled with tears. “My mom. She’s alive and fine? And living off money meant to help her with me?”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. But as soon as Lincoln and his siblings found out they had a half sister, he flew here to meet you and”—Willow drew a deep breath—“bring you back with him. They want to get to know you and take care of you.”

She dipped her head, her tears flowing now, her hands on her belly. No doubt Aurora’s story had highs and lows, Willow thought. A mother who’d abandoned her and basically stolen money that should have gone for her care, but in the end, Aurora was gaining a family. And wasn’t that every foster child’s dream? Even when they grew up, deep down, everyone had a need to be loved and wanted.

“Are you okay?” Willow asked.

Looking up, Aurora nodded. “When can I meet him? And I don’t want to go alone.”

“Don’t worry. You won’t,” Willow said, looking to Braden.

“There’s a game Sunday and we took off today. What if–”

“Can you call him now?” Aurora asked, cutting him off, her enthusiasm obviously growing.

“Umm…” Braden appeared unsure.

“Of course,” Willow said, certain Braden’s hesitancy was out of concern, but given Aurora’s reaction, the sooner the better. Willow didn’t want her to have to spend the night obsessing and worrying when they could arrange for her to meet her brother now.

“Sure.” Braden rose to his feet. “Evie left me the number. Let me step outside to make the call and I’ll be right back.”

Willow had no doubt Braden walked out so he could also let Lincoln know his sister was eight months pregnant so his shock wouldn’t show when he walked in tonight.

“Oh my God,” Aurora said as soon as he left the apartment. “I need to pull myself together. I need to change into clothes! And put on some makeup so I don’t scare him to death.” She rose and dashed for the bedroom, leaving Willow to stare after her with a grin on her face.

Braden walked back in, his expression also a happy one. “He’ll be here in thirty minutes. Where’s Aurora?” he asked, looking around.

“Getting ready to meet her brother. Did you tell him she’s pregnant?” Willow asked more quietly.

He nodded. “He took it in stride. And just a warning, he sounds like a man used to getting his way. He’s a lot like Ian in that way. In fact, I think Lincoln is already making plans in his head to bring Aurora back with him as soon as possible,” he warned her. Braden clasped her hands in his. “Are you going to be okay with that?”