Because of You

“Are you a friend of hers?” She looked suspicious, her voice letting me know she was hedging for some information. I couldn’t blame her. In fact, I was glad she was cautious.

“I’m actually her stepbrother,” I admitted although I hated saying that. I didn’t think of myself as that at all.

“Oh,” she said surprised. “Catherine didn’t mention any brothers.”

No, she probably wouldn’t with my track record.

It was clear this woman wasn’t from town, not for long at least. If she had been, she’d have known all the town gossip about me and my reputation.

But knowing she hadn’t said anything about me did cause a twinge of pain to settle right in the center of my chest.

“I’ve been gone for a while and just came back, wanting to surprise her. My father said she was working here now.”

“She’s due any minute, actually.” She looked over my shoulder and smiled. “She’s actually pulling in right now.” My heart started beating harder as I turned around and faced the front windows. I didn’t see her right away, but then, across the street, I saw her climb out of a small tan-colored car.

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. God, it seemed like far longer than a year had passed since I’d seen her. Her hair was in a ponytail, brushing the center of her back. She’d let it grow out this past year.

I loved it.

She started making her way toward the front of the car. I expected her to cross the street and head toward the cake shop, but instead she went to the back-passenger side door, opened it, and bent over. For second I could only watch her, stare at the fact she seemed curvier, womanlier. God, she looked incredible.

And then she straightened, shut the door, and turned to face the cake shop. Everything around me froze. She held an infant car seat. She was looking down at the baby inside, a smile on her face as she adjusted the blanket. And then she headed into the daycare, disappearing from view, leaving me feeling shocked.

“She’s got a baby?” I said to myself.

“Oh yes, a beautiful little girl. I think she’s only a few months old.”

I turned and faced the woman still behind the counter.

“I didn’t know.” God, how had I not known?

Because I pushed her away.

I found myself leaving the bakery, walking across the street, and pulling the door open to the daycare. I didn’t know what I was thinking in that moment, but as I stood there with the sound of babies and kids shouting and crying, of toys and music going off, the only thing that kept running through my mind on repeat was one thing.

I knew that was my child.

Chapter Eight

Catherine

I sat across from Sutton, the car seat beside me, his focus on the baby. Our baby.

He’d been staring at Maddie since we came into the little coffee shop beside the daycare. Thankfully Rose, the owner of the bakery I worked at, had no problem with me not clocking in just yet, not when my expression probably showed nervousness, and how shit would probably hit the fan.

He cleared his throat and turned his attention on me. God, he looked good, the same guy I’d fallen in love with, the one I’d given my virginity to.

The father of my child.

“She’s mine.” He didn’t phrase it like a question.

“She’s yours.” I reached down and got her out of the car seat, cradling my little three-month-old daughter. I’d envisioned this moment since I first found out I was pregnant. And I wished I could have told him all of this before now.

“I kept you away,” he said with pain in his voice. “It’s my fault I’m just now finding out.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I tried coming by over and over again, but each time I was told you weren’t accepting visitors.” I felt tears start to fill my eyes remembering those times.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, his focus on Maddie in my arms. “What’s her name?”

“Maddie Isabella.” The expression he gave me was one of raw emotion. But I’d known when he heard our little girl’s name it would strike him in the heart.

“You gave her my mother’s name?”

I nodded, feelings and sensations slamming into me. “Do you want to hold her?”

He looked up at me with wide eyes. “I’m afraid I’ll drop her.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I shook my head and stood, walking over to him. “You won’t. Just support her head.” I placed our baby in his arms and felt my heart become full at the sight.

“I assume our folks know about this?” He hadn’t taken his focus off the baby.

“They know.” Sitting back down across from him, I felt like crying, but pulled it together. Last thing either one of us needed was for me to break down.