Lone Star Baby Scandal (Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail 7)

“So you’re saying they have a heart?”

She was quiet while she listened to the answer.

“Oh, Mom. Call me when it’s over. Please.”

Another silence. A sniff. Was Sophie crying?

“Okay. Mom, I’ll keep my cell with me. Call as soon as you know?”

Silence.

“I will. Mom, I’m coming home. It should be in about two weeks, sooner if I can make it happen.”

Quiet.

“I know. I know.” There was a pause. “Okay, Mom. I’ll talk with you soon. Bye.”

“Sophie?” Clay called to her as he walked through their door. “Is everything all right?”

“As I told you, Dad is sick. But they may have found him a heart. He is really weak, but the heart is in transport, so...” The tears filled her eyes. “He has a chance.”

Clay walked to where she was sitting, still holding her cell phone. “That’s great.” He reached out and covered her hands with hers. “Did I tell you my dad died of a heart attack?”

“No. You’ve never mentioned him.”

Clay pulled up a chair. “I was twelve. I knew he was sick but at the time I never fully understood what it meant. Back then transplants weren’t as common as they are today.” He shrugged. “Anyway, he was out branding steers and just clutched his chest and fell over.”

“Oh, Clay, I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks. Did I hear you were planning on going home?”

“Yes, I need to return home to Indiana. I’ll write out my resignation tomorrow. I need to be packed and on my way as soon as I can arrange it.”

“You’re leaving permanently?”

“Yes.”

“Sophie, why don’t you take some time off, return to your parents’ home and see how things pan out? Take as long as you need. Just don’t leave with the intention of never coming back.”

She was quiet for a long time. Clay had to wonder if it was strictly because of her dad’s illness or if the baby had something to do with it. She was going to have a baby. He hadn’t committed to anything but supporting her monetarily. He could do that from anywhere. Did she think he was trying to pay her off? Did she think he wouldn’t be there for both her and the baby? Was she using any of it as an excuse to leave her job, to make a clean break with Everest? Or was it Clay Everett she needed to get away from?

“I don’t know at this point when I might be able to come back. If...if something happens to Dad, Mom will need me there. Yes, my older sister, Susan, is there, but frankly she isn’t all that dependable. She means well but... I just don’t know, Clay.”

He needed to get a grip on this.

“So, you’re saying you plan to give birth to our baby in Indiana? Will I be notified when the event occurs?” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

“Of course. You’ll get plenty of notice if I can reach you. If that’s what you want.”

“If that’s what I want? Sophie... Have dinner with me tonight,” he said. “Give us a chance to talk this out. You told me about the baby less than twenty-four hours ago. It hasn’t been long enough to really soak in let alone realize what I need to do.”

She smiled. “Clay, you don’t need to do anything. You’ve been through so much in the past several years. And now you’re dealing with some creep spreading rumors about Everest and it’s causing you greater stress and worry. I don’t want to cause you any more.”

“Sophie...”

“I’ve got to go home. I want to call Mom again and get the latest news on Dad. I’ll see you tomorrow. We can talk in the office about anything you feel is necessary.”

With that she picked up her small overnight case and her purse and headed to the door of the office. “I enjoyed this weekend. Thanks for taking me along. Sorry I had to go and spoil it.”