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

“Are you kidding? Sean and I love having you and Daniel around.”

Jaymes had moved in with Sean Cavanaugh the year before after nearly two years of dating. The couple were devoted to each other, but seemed happy with the slow progress of their relationship.

“It’s wonderful how great Sean is with Daniel.”

“And vice versa,” Jaymes put in. “Makes you realize that your boy needs a man in his life.”

“It does,” Harley agreed, guilt stabbing at her. “I know now that I was wrong to think I was all the parent he needed.”

This statement encapsulated her motivation for returning to Royal, instead of a big city like Dallas, when her funding dried up for Zest. She hadn’t realized the impact not having a father was having on Daniel until the mother of one of his friends shared that he had been telling wild stories about his father and all the incredible things the man was doing that kept him away. Harley’s heart had broken as she’d learned how her son’s imagination was working overtime to compensate for the absence of such a vital person. It was then that she’d decided to do whatever it took to fix her blunder.

“You’re a great mom,” Jaymes hastened to say. “I’m just glad you realize that he should get to know his father, as well.”

Ever since learning she was pregnant, she’d grappled with telling Grant that he had a son. At first, she’d been freshly wounded by his rejection once he found out she was eighteen. She’d proved her immaturity by running away from her father’s debilitating illness and her mother’s harshness. Months later, alone in a foreign country where she didn’t speak the language and weak from morning sickness, she’d decided maybe Grant had been right to chastise her for being rash and selfish. Unfortunately for her, by the time she’d dredged up the courage to tell him about Daniel, Grant had been engaged to Paisley and the last thing she wanted to do was ruin his life.

“I know I should’ve done it before this, but nothing about coming back here has been easy.” On the endless international flight, she’d been paralyzed with anxiety over the best way to tell not just Grant that Daniel was his son but also confess the truth to her family. “And because I’ve kept Daniel from him all this time, explaining why I’ve waited so long is that much harder.” Her stomach knotted. “What if Grant rejects him?” Like he did me?

Jaymes tightened her grip. “He won’t. He’s dedicated his career to building families. Why wouldn’t he be thrilled to be a dad?”

Harley refrained from voicing the dozen or so answers that popped into her head.

“I’m just afraid that he’s going to be angry that I waited too long to tell him.” A lump lodged itself in Harley’s throat while the anxious fluttering in her chest disrupted her breath. “What if he spurns Daniel because I kept the truth hidden all this time?”

“He won’t.”

As much as Harley trusted her friend’s opinion, she couldn’t shake her fears. Five years ago, Grant hadn’t shown her any mercy after discovering that she’d deceived him about her age and his dismissal had been icy and ruthless. It had been one thing that Grant hadn’t wanted her, but what if he didn’t want his son, either? Recalling the conversation she’d had with Daniel after learning about the stories he’d made up, Harley’s heart ached anew for her sweet son. He deserved a father who loved him and gave him a reason to be proud.

“I hope you’re right.”

Two

With the fundraiser in full swing, Grant decided it was time to slip out and head home. Putting in an appearance had been a mistake. Too many people had remarked on his attendance. Although few had asked his reason for showing up at this particular event, their curiosity hammered at him. It reminded him of those dreams people had where they found themselves naked in a public place with no idea how they’d gotten there and nowhere to run and hide.

Well, Grant knew exactly how he’d arrived at the party. The thought of seeing Harley Wingate again after five long years had been a lure he couldn’t resist. That he’d seen her and continued to linger demonstrated that maybe he was hoping for something more. He grunted in dissatisfaction as the pull of unfinished business between them kept him from leaving.

Maybe if he apologized, she’d stop haunting him. As angry as he’d been with her in the moment, in the days that followed, he’d cooled off and decided he’d been more harsh than necessary. Yet, he’d stopped himself from reaching out, deciding that his attraction to her hadn’t been burned out by her trickery or his irritation with it. And then one day she was gone and he’d missed the chance to take back his blunt words.

“Grant?” At the same time a low female voice spoke his name, he felt the lightest of pressure on his left sleeve. His pulse quickened to a frantic pace before he turned toward the source.

Harley Wingate stood beside him, her mesmerizing green eyes locking with his as she studied him. Her lips curved into an enigmatic smile as her hand fell away. Although he’d braced himself to run into her tonight, his brain short-circuited at the shock of her sudden nearness. His gaze swept over her. She bore his scrutiny with patience, displaying abundant poise while his nerves hissed and crackled.

“Hello, Harley.”

“Wow. You do recognize me.” The breathy chuckle she released betrayed that she wasn’t as calm as she appeared. “I wasn’t sure you would.”

Was she crazy? Did she not understand how memorable their weekend together had been? For months after she’d left town, he’d replayed their time together and regretted that he’d had to push her away.

“You know perfectly well that I recognize you.” The cacophony in his chest resettled into more languid rhythms as the initial surprise of their reunion faded.

“Do I?” She cocked her head. “It has been five years.”

Five long years.

As the silence stretched between them, Grant noticed her smile growing strained and realized that she’d merely been utilizing a conversational ploy to cope with her nervousness and to jumpstart their verbal interaction. Rose had often accused him of lacking the skill to understand the emotional complexities other people were experiencing. He knew that his patients felt anxious and frustrated about their inability to grow their family without assistance and were afraid of the emotional and financial toll the fertility process might take on them. Those signals were easy to read. However, what Harley was broadcasting left him mired in confusion.

“You haven’t changed that much,” he murmured.

“At least you’ve noticed I’ve changed,” she replied, her smile taking on a wry cast. “I’m not that silly girl of eighteen you once knew.”