Home > Montana Cowboy Daddy (Wyatt Brothers of Montana #3)(4)

Montana Cowboy Daddy (Wyatt Brothers of Montana #3)(4)
Author: Jane Porter

He swallowed, glanced at the top of moon face’s bald head and asked, “When was he born?”

“November thirtieth.” The woman’s gaze met his. “He would have been conceived during last year’s Tucson rodeo.”

“She could have been already pregnant or gotten pregnant right after.”

“There was no one else in her life at the time. Just you.”

“How do you know?”

Erika froze, his question catching her off guard. Interesting. So she wasn’t as sure of herself as she thought. “April and I were not ever in a relationship. We just hooked up now and then.”

“That hooking up now and then still created your little bundle of joy.” Erika smiled, but it was a tight smile, and it didn’t reach her eyes. Her voice hardened, each word short, sharp. “And he needs his dad. He has no one else.”

“What about you?”

“I’ve temporarily been appointed a guardian, and I’d like to remain in his life, play the doting aunt, or whatever one would call me, but I’m not his mom, nor am I prepared to be, not when I’m single, a full-time grad student, unable to financially provide.”

“I’m sorry. What is your name again?”

“Erika.”

“Listen, Erika, I don’t think he’s mine, but, if he was, I would, of course, financially provide for him, but I live on the road. I live out of a trailer. My life is spent in parking lots of fairgrounds across the country—”

“Then you might need to make some changes to your life. Your son needs you.”

“I just found out five minutes ago I might have a kid, and now you’re telling me to drop everything?”

“I had to when they called and said April was gone, and the baby isn’t even mine. Beck is yours—”

“I think you assume too much.”

“Then let’s just get the test done, and we’ll have the answer you need.”

She nodded at the baby beginning to squirm against his chest. “And the answer he needs, too.”

“Erika, it’s my granddad’s birthday today and I’m only home for a few days. We can’t do this here and now. Not in front of my family. It’s not fair to them—”

“What about Beck?”

“He has no idea what we’re discussing.”

“So you’re not going to introduce him to your family?”

“No. Not until we know, and there’s no way to know definitely now. Tomorrow I’m back on the road, heading to Idaho and then Oregon and I’ll find a place to take a paternity test this week. I’m sure there’s somewhere I could hit on the way, but until we have paternity squared away, I’m not going to turn myself inside out, or put my family through unnecessary drama, not without proof that that baby is mine.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I don’t believe April.” He returned the baby to her, carefully, but firmly. “I can promise you I wasn’t the only one she was seeing. April told me about some of the others.”

Her jaw dropped. She adjusted Beck in her arms. “Why would she do that?”

He shrugged. “Make me jealous.”

“Did it work?”

“I feel like we’re going down the wrong path with this conversation, so I’m going to walk you to your car, see you off, and we can talk more tomorrow.”

“Once you’re on the road.”

“Yes.”

“You’re running away.”

“No, not running away. But I can promise you one thing, we’re not going to continue this here, now—” Billy broke off as the kitchen door opened and laughter filled the kitchen as his brothers trooped in. He shot Erika a hard look, his expression fierce. “Not a word, not to any of them.”

*

One minute it was just Billy and her, and the next, the kitchen was full of Wyatt men—one cowboy after another, the vintage kitchen alive with deep, masculine voices, broad shoulders, and intense testosterone. The brothers, clearly they were all brothers except for the grandfather, had a remarkable family resemblance, with thick hair ranging from dark gold to a sun-kissed brown. Their eyes were all light, and they each had the same features, strong jaws, straight noses, high cheekbones. Looking at the older man, she could see they’d inherited their rugged good looks from him, as he was the same, only more weathered with silver hair and piercing blue eyes.

The boisterous Wyatts drew up short when they spotted her. She knew the moment each noticed the baby, as their expressions changed, one by one, from open to surprised to guarded. She felt much the same facing them and her heart raced, making her feel anxious all over.

“Don’t mind me,” she said brightly, trying to hide her nerves, and just how much Billy had rattled her. “I’m on my way out.”

One of the brothers looked to Billy, but Billy said nothing.

She lifted her purse, which also served as a diaper bag, and headed for the door, stepping between the cluster of men. As she lifted her cheerful yellow, flower-strewn coat, the older man spoke, his voice deep, almost gruff. “No need to rush away. Nice to have visitors up here.”

“She’s got to get back to town,” Billy said flatly, again giving her that same don’t-try-me look. “The baby needs to eat and nap.” His gaze locked with hers, the blue in his eyes almost icy. “It’s what you’d said, right?”

She stared into his eyes, anxiety fading, anger growing. Who did he think he was? She held his gaze another moment, letting him know she wasn’t intimidated, or impressed. He didn’t care about his son or April. He didn’t seem to care for anyone but himself.

“Not exactly,” she answered, not bothering to smile or soften her tone. “But I will go, as you’ve asked, and since you’ve promised to call me in the morning, I look forward to speaking to you then.”

Erika then looked to the others, nodding stiffly at the circle of men, hating the lump filling her throat. “Goodbye,” she said, before glancing at the senior Wyatt, the one Billy said was celebrating his birthday today. “Happy birthday, Mr. Wyatt. I hope it’s a happy one.” Then she opened the door, stepped out, and closed it firmly behind her.

It had grown cold and windy while she’d been in the house, steely clouds blanketing the sky, hiding the sun. Jaw tight, Erika buckled Beck into his car seat, hating the hot emotions rushing through her, making her feel too many things. She was angry and appalled. She’d known Billy was a playboy, a man who had a woman in every town at every rodeo, but she’d expected him to be a little more interested in his son.

How could April have fallen for him? What had she seen in him? Other than a handsome face and lean, muscular body?

The mudroom door opened and Billy appeared on the back porch. Erika shot him a look of pure disdain as she walked around the car to the driver’s side.

“Hold up,” he said.

She arched an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“Could you please wait?” he replied, closing the distance between them.

She tugged her coat closer. “Why?”

“My grandfather would like you to join us for dinner.”

She stood even straighter. “Why?”

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