Home > Montana Cowboy Daddy (Wyatt Brothers of Montana #3)(6)

Montana Cowboy Daddy (Wyatt Brothers of Montana #3)(6)
Author: Jane Porter

Again Erika blinked back the sting of hot salty tears. She was tired, no, make that exhausted, and the idea of being with people, kind people, even just for a bit, was certainly appealing. “If you’re sure no one would mind”—she broke off, made a face—“other than Billy.”

“No one minds, and I bet Billy doesn’t, either. He’s just… surprised. And let’s face it; the news that he could be a daddy to that baby boy is huge. It’s news that could change his life forever.”

*

An hour later, Erika was fast asleep in a big, winged chair in the Wyatt living room, while Ivy, Sophie, and Sam took turns carrying the baby around. Erika had protested that she wasn’t tired, but when she sat down to give Beck a bottle, she fell asleep, and Beck didn’t. Sam eased the baby out of Erika’s arms, Ivy covered her with a blanket, and they all let her be to catch up on some much-needed sleep.

Granddad peeked in at one point and then left, remarking to Billy that, “she reminds me a little of Goldilocks.”

Billy had no reply to that, not at all comfortable with how protective his family was being of Erika and the baby. There was a very good chance that the baby wasn’t his and it worried him that they were all getting a little too attached.

While dinner cooked, Summer pulled Billy aside, speaking to him in the den. “So what are you going to do?” she asked her son, sinking into her recliner.

Billy chose not to sit, and he shrugged, fighting back his irritation. “Take a paternity test, figure it out.”

“I think it’s smart to get a paternity test, but I can tell you right now, that is your baby. That, or one of your brothers.”

Billy’s head swiveled, his narrowed gaze meeting his mom’s. “You’re reaching, Mom.”

Her lips pursed, her gaze sharp. “That’s a Wyatt baby, Bill. I’ve had four of them, and that’s what you all looked like. Round bald heads, peaches and cream skin, big blue eyes, happy smiles. You came out looking like cherubs. Not sure why, because once you grew up, you weren’t angelic creatures.”

“Thanks, Mom.” He paced the room, his shoulders hunching as he approached the window, his gaze going to the view of the barn and stables beyond. “If it’s mine, it will change everything.”

“Babies generally do.” His mom leaned back in her chair, hands folding on her lap. “That baby needs a home. It’s your responsibility now to give him that home. It might be time to retire—”

“Lots of guys compete with families. Sometimes the families go on the road, sometimes they waited home—”

“You have a baby without a mama. Who’s going to take care of your baby while you travel? Certainly not my job, not your granddad’s job, not any of your brothers’ job—”

“We don’t even know if that baby is mine.”

“Then go to Marietta tomorrow and take a test. I’m sure there’s a lab at the hospital that does paternity tests.”

“Tomorrow’s Sunday.”

“Then go Monday.”

“I need to get on the road Monday.”

“Yes, you do. Right after you take the test.”

Billy closed his eyes and pressed two fingers to his brow, pressing back against the dull thudding pain that had been there all evening. “I know you’re angry, and disappointed—”

“Mistakes happen, Bill. It’s what you do after the mistake, that’s what I’m concerned about.”

He gave her a fierce look. “I know my responsibilities. If Beck is mine, I’m taking him with me. I won’t be leaving him behind or pawning him off on someone else. If he’s my son, I’ll be the one raising him.”

“Good. That’s all I wanted to hear.”

 

 

Chapter Two

 

 

No one even mentioned the snow, not during dinner, or over cake and coffee while Melvin opened the gifts his grandsons had for him. It wasn’t until Erika had risen at the very end of the meal and helped carry dishes into the kitchen that she noticed the strange lavender white light outside. It was night, and dark, but the kitchen window over the sink revealed a pale glow. She leaned closer to the window and stared out, taking a moment to realize it was snow. Thick, white snow covering everything.

Tommy joined her at the sink, scraping the remnants of cake off the dessert plates before tackling the plates she’d carried in. “It’s been coming down steadily all evening,” he said.

“I had no idea,” she answered.

He submerged all the plates in the hot soapy water filling the sink. “If you don’t have four-wheel drive, you might be stuck here tonight.”

She frowned. “Surely it’s not that bad.”

“Go have a look.”

Erika exited the mudroom door and stepped out onto the porch, taking in the landscape that now was white. The thick snowflakes were still falling, a steady silent flurry from the sky. She glanced at Sophie and Joe who’d joined her outside on the porch. “It’s beautiful,” she said, her voice low, a hint of wonder in her voice.

“Another California girl,” Joe said, wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

“I still love it,” Sophie said with a smile. “But after a year, I’ve learned all the downsides. Fortunately, we don’t have to drive anywhere tonight, not like Sam and Ivy.”

“Or, Erika,” Joe added, looking to Erika. “It’s going to be tough for you to get down the mountain tonight.”

“That’s what Tommy said,” she answered, chewing her bottom lip. “I don’t suppose there are four-wheel drive Ubers—”

“Come in, and close the door,” Summer called from the house. “It’s cold. No need to heat the outdoors.”

Sophie and Joe exchanged quick smiles even as they headed back in. Erika followed them, feeling somewhat scolded. But returning to the kitchen she found Summer seated at the kitchen table, rocking the baby carrier that had been placed on the table. Beck was awake and gazing up at all the people in the room.

“Had you checked into a motel yet?” Summer asked Erika.

Erika shook her head. “Not yet. I have a reservation in Marietta, but we came straight here. I hadn’t expected to be here so long.”

“Have you paid for the room yet?”

“No, but they’re holding it—”

“That’s fine. We’ll call and get it canceled. You’ll stay here tonight.” Summer gestured to Tommy. “Go bring in their luggage. Get the keys, find out what they need.” She looked at Billy. “Billy, show them to Sam’s room and point out where everything is. Make sure she gets fresh towels and you might need to turn on the little heater that’s in the closet, to make sure Sam’s room warms up.”

“That’s really not necessary,” Erika protested weakly. “I appreciate the offer of hospitality, but the last thing I want to do is—”

“No trouble at all,” Summer interrupted. “It’s dangerous driving and that little baby doesn’t need another accident.”

Erika opened her mouth to protest, but closed it without saying anything, because Mrs. Wyatt had made an excellent point. Beck had survived one deadly crash. The last thing he needed was another tragedy. “Perhaps I could go with Sam and Ivy… aren’t they heading down to town soon?”

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