Page 44 of A Cowboy Home for Christmas
The contraction subdues. “They’re too close. The baby is coming and you and me aren’t even okay.”
“Shhh, don’t worry about us.” I push her damp hair off her forehead.
“You hate me.” The tears run down her cheeks. “I’m a bad person and if I’m a bad person, I’ll be a bad mother. My son will grow up to be a criminal who hates his mother.”
“You’re not a bad person.” I can’t hold back my tears. I miss my friend, and she’s in front of me, needing me to forgive her. “You sometimes make bad decisions, but you’re a good person.”
“I made the worst decision.” She loudly sniffs.
“It was the worst decision.”
“I can’t have this baby.” She slouches back in the chair.
I grip her face. “You’re having this baby. Whether you’re ready or not. And sooner than later. You’re going to be a great mama. Your son is a Beckett and I promise you, the Beckett boys make their mama’s proud.”
She scoffs. “Like Gunnar?”
“There are so many good things about Gunnar. He was a good man. A very good man. He provided for his family, he was kind to people. He made mistakes. That’s all. And he tried to fix them the best he knew how.”
“You’re right.” Alison grips my hands. “He was planning to fix things with you. We all were.” Her gaze slides over my shoulder to Barker. “When I found out I was pregnant, the three of us were going to make right by you.”
“The three of you?” I straighten and look at Barker. “You knew she was pregnant before Gunnar died?”
Chapter Eleven
BARKER
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Do women go fuckingnuts when a baby is about to be born? Or is it me? No, it’s them. It’s all them. They hate each other. They love each other. They want to strangle each other. Then hug each other. There are way too many emotions flying around this kitchen. I can’t keep track.
The killer look Lauren sends me indicates she hates me at this moment. She’ll hate my answer more.
“Gunnar?” she presses.
“Yes, I knew.”
