The Cowboy's Secret Son

“Not tell him?”

He still didn’t agree with Grace and part of him wanted to scream at her, but he found himself hiding those feelings from his mother. “She’s afraid he’s too young.”

“I don’t understand. Why bring him here then?”

He lost the fight and let his eyes drift toward Grace and Evan again. “She wants to make sure Evan has somewhere to go if anything ever happens to her. And she doesn’t want him going to her family.”

“She’s broken away from them?”

“More like they tossed her out on her butt.”

“That’s sad.”

He watched Grace and tried to put himself in her teenage shoes. Imagined how frightened she’d been that day, standing on her parents’ porch, knowing she was totally on her own with nothing. “It’s more than sad. She’s been through a lot.”

“And yet you’re mad at her.”

“Yes.”

“Understandable, on both sides.”

He glanced at his mother then, and she met his gaze.

“Her family was a real piece of work,” she said. “I hate that she was hurt in the process, but I’m glad she’s free of them.”

“She said it felt like they’d brainwashed her.”

“Of that I have no doubt.”

“They made her afraid to tell me.” Of course, his actions hadn’t helped matters any, but he couldn’t tell his mother how big of an ass he’d been in the days after he’d gotten a bit too tipsy at Blake Chester’s party and taken Grace to bed.

“Then you’ll just have to convince her there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Things worth having are rarely easy.”

A few more silent moments passed as he tried to figure out how to approach Grace, Evan, the entire situation.

“How did you know?” he asked his mother.

“Because he looks just like you at that age.”

Nathan eyed Evan, tried to see himself in the boy. And there it was—the shape of the chin, the dark blond hair so unlike Grace’s bright blond waves, the way he talked to anyone who would listen. If he and his mom could see it, how long before his dad and brothers came to the same conclusion? How long before Grace’s secret was out, even if he stayed quiet?

He just hoped she wouldn’t blame him and take Evan away before he even got a chance to know him. He couldn’t let that happen no matter what Grace wanted or what she’d been through.

He wouldn’t.

Chapter Four

“Don’t look now, but I think Mr. Hunky Cowboy is checking you out,” Laney said as she slid back into her spot next to Grace, two slices of apple pie in hand.

Grace’s skin warmed at the thought that Nathan was watching her, but then common sense took over. If he was staring at her, it likely wasn’t with romantic interest. He was probably stewing in his anger or trying to figure out a way to change her mind about telling Evan about his father’s identity.

“You do remember you’re on my side, right?”

“I’m not talking about Nathan.”

Grace glanced at Laney as her friend placed a slice of pie in front of her. And then she noticed a man at the next table looking her way. When their gazes met, he smiled at her from below his straw cowboy hat. She managed a quick but noncommittal smile back before averting her gaze.

Laney cut off a piece of her pie. “While Evan’s having fun this week, who says you can’t, too?” Laney waggled her eyebrows.

Grace shook her head. “Me, that’s who.”

“Might be a good way to make Nathan jealous.”

“I’m not here for that, either. Plus, I don’t want to do anything else he can hold against me.”

Laney shrugged. “Whatever. You don’t have to be pure as the driven snow to be a good mother.” Having said her piece, as she always managed to do, Laney took her first bite of Merline’s signature apple pie. Grace hadn’t tasted her own yet, but it wasn’t necessary to remember the taste. Like so many things from those months when she was tutoring Nathan, slices of scrumptious apple pie stood out in her memory as if days and not years had passed.

“Oh, this is good,” Laney said.

Before she slipped up and admitted a part of her actually did like the idea of Nathan being jealous, Grace took a bite of her pie and made appreciative noises.

Laney made a slight nod toward the man at the other table. “You have to admit he’s nice-looking.”

“He is, but the last things I need in my life right now are more complications.”

“Party pooper.”

Grace stared at Laney. “I should have brought Emily instead.”

Laney wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I can’t help it. I’m an incurable matchmaker. How many times did I try to set you up in college?”

“I’m sorry, but you’re still out of luck with me. I’m firmly single and like it that way.”

Most of the time. Except when she looked into Nathan’s eyes and her heart performed some fancy Fred Astaire dance steps in her chest.

Laney pouted. “But I think all the other women here are married. Hot cowboys with no one to pair them with, that’s a crime.”

Grace laughed. “Sorry to spoil your fun.”

“Hey, the week isn’t over yet.”

When Grace finished her pie, she gathered Laney’s and her trash and headed for the large garbage can at the edge of the picnic area. After tossing the trash inside, she turned to find the unnamed cowboy standing behind her. “Oh, excuse me.”

He touched the brim of his hat. “No problem.” He lifted his empty plate. “Good dinner, wasn’t it?”