The Paternity Pact (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches 3)

“Because of what happened between you and Paisley?” She frowned. “Don’t you think it’s unreasonable to assume because your marriage didn’t work out that all future relationships won’t, either?”

“When Paisley married me, she thought she was getting a man capable of love and heartfelt passion,” he began, knowing the only way Harley would understand the depth of his flaws was to share why his marriage had failed. “But I didn’t bring the sort of connection and intimacy to our relationship that she needed.” And when Grant had informed her that he didn’t require those things in turn, she’d left him. “I don’t need the sort of connection she sought.”

“Did it ever occur to you that you married Paisley for the wrong reasons?” Harley’s earnest expression tugged on emotions that were different and stronger than what his ex-wife had inspired.

Doubts crowded in. What if in this particular instance he’d been wrong to rely on facts rather than feelings? His chest ached, the sensation uncomfortable and disturbing. Logic had never let him down before. If he’d listened to his heart instead of his head, he’d have let his family pressure him into giving up on being a doctor and succeeding brilliantly at something that helped actual people he knew rather than providing aid to strangers he’d never know.

“Our marriage made perfect sense,” Grant said, speaking as much to himself as to Harley.

“Not so perfect,” she pointed out, “or you’d still be married.”

Grant found himself glaring at her while wishing away Harley’s knack for twisting his words and making him doubt his decisions. “Which is why I’m not going to make the same mistake again.”

She cocked her head and considered him. “You know, it’s too bad you didn’t give me half a chance back then.”

“Why is that?”

“Maybe the reason you weren’t in love with Paisley was because...” A mischievous glint lit her eyes. “You’d already met your dream girl.”

Grant saw past her flirtatious expression and self-deprecating tone to her desperate need to win him over and knew that encouraging her now would only lead to problems down the road.

“I like things as they stand right now with you and Daniel,” he told her, his decisive tone causing her expression to lose its alluring sparkle.

“And nothing I could say or do will change your mind.” She shook her head, forestalling his reply. “Never mind. I already know the answer.” She pulled her hand free and dodged his gaze. “I’ll be back in a couple hours. If anything happens, feel free to give me a call.”

“We’ll be fine,” he assured her as he did every time she left Daniel with him.

As she departed his office, a grim shadow settled over Grant’s mood. Today’s conversation had forced him out of the rosy haze he’d been floating in over the last few days. He found their current coexistence more than acceptable and thought because neither one had commented on what was transpiring between them, she felt the same way. But he could tell from Harley’s reaction today that the status quo wasn’t sustainable.

Clearly, because he was Daniel’s father, he would forever be a part of Harley’s life, as well. It was problematic that she wanted him to consider taking their relationship beyond being lovers and Daniel’s co-parents and have them dive headfirst into a complicated tangle of romantic emotions. All the unrealistic expectations that would follow, involving them becoming a true couple and staying together forever, would only lead to disappointment for all of them.

He needed her to understand that while they were clearly having fun in the moment, he had no intention of marrying again. Yet, the tricky part would be to find a balance between rejecting her fondest wishes and easing her into his way of thinking without hurting her irrevocably.

Her dedication to Zest demonstrated that she would eventually return to Thailand. If he angered her, she could leave tomorrow and who knew how long before he saw her or his son again. The thought of losing either one of them made his gut churn. Grant quickly tamped down his anxiety.

He would have to figure out a way to convince her to stay in Royal without promising what he couldn’t deliver. Daniel needed the stability of both his parents in his life and for both of them to get along. Because only that would make things better for all concerned.

Nine

Not long after her dinner with Regan and Zeke, Harley realized she’d better break the news to the rest of her family before the rumor mill got ahold of the story. To that end, she asked Beth to organize a dinner party for the family. Her sister had recently become engaged to Camden Guthrie and was living with him at his Circle K ranch.

Her brother Miles and his fiancée, Chloe, as well as Aunt Piper had arrived a little early and as the clock ticked toward seven o’clock, Harley wondered, with everything going on with Wingate Enterprises, if her brothers would be too busy to come. However, to her delight, both Sebastian and Sutton arrived and as Cam ushered the twins into the living room, Harley realized it was the first time all her siblings had been in the same room since she’d returned from Royal.

“Where’s Mom?” Harley asked. Since her brothers were living at the Wingate estate with Ava, she’d assumed they’d all come together.

“She’ll be along,” Sebastian promised, his evasive answer intensifying Harley’s anxiety. “But probably not for dinner.”

As much as she’d dreaded her mother’s reaction to finding out Grant was Daniel’s father, now that Ava might not be here for the announcement, Harley felt even worse. She’d hoped to confront her mother’s displeasure as soon as possible. Now, she’d just have more time to worry.

When Harley had asked Beth to host the dinner party, she’d explained that the time had come to reveal the identity of Daniel’s father. She had wanted to share the news with her whole family at the same time, but since Ava hadn’t put in an appearance, Harley decided to go forward. Not wanting to draw the moment out longer than absolutely necessary, as soon as they were all seated and the first course had been served, Harley cleared her throat.

“The reason I’ve gathered you all here tonight,” she intoned with a half smile, hoping to lighten the mood before she dropped her bomb.

“Let me guess, you need money.” Leave it to Sutton to ramp up the awkwardness by pointing out their dire financial situation.

Although her brothers were identical twins, with towering six-foot-two-inch frames and athletic builds, stylishly cut short dark blond hair and the family’s signature green eyes, their personalities made them easy to tell apart. Growing up, Harley had nicknamed her oldest brother Serious Sebastian, and he certainly hadn’t lightened up since he’d taken over as CEO of Wingate Enterprises.

Sutton had a more carefree manner, always the first one to suggest a prank or tell a funny story. But Harley could tell the company problems had taken their toll on him, as well. As CFO of Wingate Enterprises, Sutton had been the one who proposed that they not just reduce their charitable contributions but cut them off entirely when the business started having problems.