Page 26 of The Rough Ride

She lifted her chin, raised her voice. “I didn’tknow, Nick. I found out after they amputated my lower leg in Germany. I decided to keep her because I might never get the chance to have a child again, and I kept hoping she was yours because the other guy took precautions.”

What?

“Shecan’tbe mine, Liz.” He resisted the urge to slam his fist on the table and leaned back in his chair. “By process of elimination, we know I’m not Ella’s father. I’m not capable. So, the other dude must be. Did you tell him?”

Her face hardened. “Yes. He told me to get rid of it.”

Nick grunted, but it sounded more like a growl in his chest. If she ever spilled the guy’s name, he’d kick the shit out of him.To hell with the assault charge.

“Then, I made a decision. My body—my commitment. I wanted her, no matter what it cost me. I hated hiding her from you, and I kept waiting for the right time to say something. For all I knew, you’d come home and marry someoneelse. I’d given you that freedom of choice in Paris.” She nailed him with a stare.

The sadness in her eyes destroyed him. “I can’t believe you did this by yourself, without Ella’s father there to help out.”

Liz stood and poured more wine. “My mom’s incredible. She’s been on active duty as a grandmother ever since Ella was born. She helps every day.”

His eyes narrowed. “You could’ve told me. You’re the most important person in my life. I would’ve been there for you, helped out.”

“Really? How? You were deployed—would be for eight more months. And according to you, you had nothing to do with Ella’s beginning.” She unplugged the crockpot.

His neck was getting hot. “Are you trying to light a fire under my temper, Liz?”

“No. Ella was my decision. But I would appreciate you taking that test again, just to be sure you’re still shooting blanks.” She pouredwaytoo much dish soap and ran hot water in the sink.

“There’s really no need, but I’ll think about it.” He rolled his shoulders and grabbed the extra silverware from the table.

Liz wheeled around and pointed a finger at him. “You do that. All the way to the doctor’s office.”

“Don’t you use that first-lieutenant voice with me, Liz.” He didn’t have to listen to this condescending crap.

“I’ll use whatever tone of voice I want—Nick.” She scraped a plate into the garbage can.

Yup.She was spoiling for a fight. He hadn’t seen this side of his little commandant since Paris. Any other night of his life, he’d rub his hands together, crack his knuckles, and act on it for what it was, a mating call. An occasional favorite that often skipped the fight and went straight to themaking uppart. He’d always enjoyed this particular dance of theirs becausehegot to be the alpha.

“All I was saying earlier before you started pointing at me was that I would’ve appreciated knowing about Ella sooner. I could’ve helped.”

Liz smacked a dish towel on the counter. “Really? Would you have pushed all eight-and-a-half-pounds of her out of my body? Would you have nursed her? No, of course not, you would’ve bought some diapers. What does it matter now?”

Damn, she was wound-up good. He brushed the hurtful words aside to mull over later.

“I thought we were friends, first and foremost. Friends help each other, babe.”

She barked a laugh. “I won’t blame you if you walk away, Nick. You’ve had no say in this parenting endeavor.”

Oh man, it was way too early for decisions like that.

Liz continued. “I don’t have friends anymore, anyway. My mother’s friends are all a generation older than me, and Ella, well—she’s not much of a conversationalist yet. There are the fake friends I have at work on my computer. I talk to them all day long. But you’re the only true friend I’ve had, and we see each other here and there. It’s okay if you walk away, Nick. I get it. Kids aren’t your thing.”

That’s it. Enough was enough.

Nick strode across the kitchen, spun her around, backed her into the cabinets, and pinned her hands to the counter. Not hard. She could pull free if she wanted. Her face was only inches away. Defiant eyes glared up at him.

“Don’t youdarekiss me,” she spat.

“I wouldn’tthinkof it.” He adjusted his hips so she knew he was on to her, and her lips parted on a gasp. It’d take every good angel this side of the clouds and a ton of self-control tokeep from kissing that full lower lip, but he had a few points of his own to make.

She pulled a hand free and shoved against his chest. “You’re so calm. I just gave you the shock of your life, and you won’t fight with me.”

“No, death is a shock. A new life is an adjustment. I’m trying to bring a little perspective into the situation. Nobody died. Ella seems like a healthy little girl. She fulfills your dream of becoming a mother and global warming hasn’t washed my beach cottage away. There are a few things to be grateful for.”

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