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

He cocked his head and regarded her solemnly. “What are you saying?”

“All I needed was for you to hit me with a sentimental plea about how Daniel deserves to know you’re his dad and how committed you are to being a father.”

“So why have you been putting off telling him who I am?”

“When it comes right down to it, I’m selfish and a bit insecure.” Noting Grant’s surprise at her admission, she shrugged. “For the last four years, I’ve been the most important person in Daniel’s life. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to share him with anyone. Even when I know that he needs his father in his life. As for the money you offered, I can’t accept.”

“Why not?”

Harley glanced toward Daniel. “Neither my son nor I are for sale.”

“I’m sorry.” He reached out and took her hand in his.

The argument with Grant had chilled her, but with the hot August afternoon sun beating down, combined with the warmth of his skin against hers, Harley noticed a distinct uptick in her temperature. It took all her willpower to pull her hand free.

She smiled to cover her reluctance. “When it comes to Daniel, I only want what’s best for him. That’s why I told you he’s your son. If I didn’t want you in his life, I could’ve kept quiet.”

“You’re right.” The regret on his face was a stark contrast to his earlier antagonism. “I could’ve handled that better.”

With his apology, Harley understood that anxiety had caused him to overplay his hand. Her situation would be a lot less complicated if he’d declined to exercise his paternal rights, but she also realized that part of her was elated at the idea that Grant wanted a relationship with Daniel. After their conversation a few days earlier, she’d hoped he’d want a relationship with her, as well. He’d been clear it wouldn’t be a romantic one, but sex and friendship were a tempting combination.

“But my offer to fund Zest still stands.”

Harley considered this for a moment before offering him a small smile. “Thank you. I may take you up on that in the future, but right now, I have some leads I’m hoping will pan out.” Her chest ached as she drew breath and called to Daniel. He raced over and she wrapped his wet body in a towel. Sitting him on the lounge beside her, facing Grant, Harley rallied her courage. “Daniel, Dr. Everett and I have something to tell you.”

Pool water spiked the long black lashes framing her son’s green eyes as he fixed his gaze on her. “What?”

“You remember how we went to his office so he could collect some cells from your cheek? Well, that was so he could run a test to prove that he’s your father.”

Daniel shifted his attention to the somber man across from him. “You’re my dad?”

“I am,” Grant intoned, leaning forward.

“Cool.” Daniel jumped to his feet. “Can I have a snack? I’m starving.”

Harley smothered a grin at Grant’s surprise over his son’s easy acceptance of his new role in the boy’s life. Welcome to parenthood, she thought, where there’s a surprise around every corner.

Seven

Snuggled on the couch in Grant’s family room, Harley pondered how many hours she’d spent here over the last week, watching kids shows and movies with Daniel tucked between her and Grant. In addition to such quiet activities, the trio had gone horseback riding, visited a local petting zoo, eaten a dozen meals together and logged tons of hours escaping the August heat wave in Grant’s pool.

Initially, she’d assumed that only Grant and Daniel would participate in these father-son bonding activities, but Daniel had insisted she join them and Grant hadn’t appeared to mind. Being included in their outings gave her precious time with her son and allowed her to watch the connection strengthen between Grant and Daniel. Realizing that Daniel’s capacity to love knew no limits, she’d stopped fussing about sharing her son with Grant and let herself enjoy the sense of belonging their little “family” brought her.

“I should probably get going,” Harley said when the movie ended, reluctance shading every syllable.

Although he’d napped several times in the bedroom Grant had designed for him, this was the first time Daniel was spending the night and Harley didn’t want to interfere with Grant establishing a bedtime routine.

“Don’t leave, Mommy,” Daniel demanded, throwing himself into her lap and wrapping his arms tight around her neck in an uncharacteristic display of neediness. “Sleep here.”

“I need to sleep in my own bed, just like you do.” Harley hugged him, but kept her voice firm. “Remember, you said you wanted to spend the night with your dad, and then go fishing with him in the morning.”

Daniel’s expression brightened as he sat back and looked up at Grant. “Can Mommy come fishing?”

“Mommy doesn’t like fishing,” Harley said, making a big show of wrinkling her nose so that Daniel laughed. “I’ll see you after lunch and you can tell me how many fish you caught then. Now, off to bed.”

She eased her son into a standing position and her heart ached as his gaze clung to her. They’d already discussed that Grant would be the one to walk him through the bedtime ritual, but Daniel wasn’t completely ready to give up his reliance on his mother.

“Will you stay until I fall asleep?”