Page 76 of The Christmas Cowboy

Val didn’t knowwhat to say. So she waited for her father to speak. Was he really here to apologize? He’d said he’d been a damn fool. That was almost an apology.

“I won’t deny I was disappointed when you told us the truth about the baby. I couldn’t understand why you’d do such a thing. But all this time not seeing you and not being a part of the family stuff got me to thinking. ’Course your mother has been hounding me too.” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen her so determined about something. I think it’s partly the idea of grandkids.”

“Probably. Mom has always liked babies.”

“Liam made it clear that he loved you and that he was stepping up for the baby too. I thought if he could accept the baby as his then it was pretty stupid of me to miss out on everything. So if you’ll forgive me I’d like to put all that behind us.”

She walked over and hugged him. “Of course I forgive you. Did you really think I wouldn’t?”

“I wasn’t sure.”

“I do. Why don’t you take off your coat. You’ll stay, won’t you?”

He took off his coat and Val hung it in the mudroom for him. “So, Liam,” he said.

“It’s always been Liam for me.”

“That’s what your mama said. He loves you. He’s been ready to skin me.”

Val smiled. “He’s protective. But he’ll be happy we’ve made up.”

“He’s a good man, Valerie. He’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one.” She was married to the love of her life, who loved her and her baby. And Liam was going to be her baby’s father in every way except biology.

“I should tell you that Trent isn’t going to be a problem anymore.” She went on to fill him in on everything Trent had said the night before. “So the gossip should die down since he won’t be here to stir it up.”

“I don’t pay any mind to gossip. You shouldn’t either.”

“That’s kind of hard to do. Especially when the gossip is true.”

“Does it bother Liam?”

“To the extent that he knows it upsets me. But I don’t think it matters to him what people say. And I don’t think he cares that he isn’t the biological father. He says the baby is his and he means it. And whenever we talk about it, he tells me whatever happens we’ll face it together.”

“He’s a good man,” Jasper repeated.

“I know. Why don’t you go on in and see everyone? Mom and Riley are still here. They’ll all be glad to see you. You might even score some dessert,” she added, knowing her father’s weakness for sweets.

Since Liam hadn’t returned, she put on her coat and went down to the barn to join him.

*

Murphy greeted herwhen she reached the barn. He’d been just a few months old when she and Liam rescued him. She still couldn’t think of those boys hurting him without wanting to kick their asses. He looked good, even though he was getting older. He was only ten or so and he was definitely a mutt, so hopefully he’d live a long life. She squatted down to pet him. “I bet you didn’t think we’d ever get to live with Liam, huh?”

He licked her cheek then rolled on his back for a belly rub. “Where’s Liam?” she asked him. Murphy got up and ran to Starlight’s stall.

Liam didn’t notice her right away and she heard him talking to her mare.

“Don’t worry, Starlight. We have lots of people who will ride you. And your mom will visit every day. After she has the baby, she’ll be able to ride again. It won’t be that long.”

Val laughed. “Not immediately after I have the baby.”

Liam covered Starlight’s ears. “Shh. I just got her convinced it won’t be too long.”

She walked in and rubbed Starlight’s nose. “You know, it might be a good time to breed her to Blackjack when she goes into heat this time.”

“I didn’t know you’d decided.”

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