Читать книгу The Cowboy's Secret Son - Judy Christenberry - Страница 6

“SHE’S not my wife!” Nick exclaimed, spinning around.

“Then who is she?” Abby asked.

“She’s my fiancée.”

Not that big a difference, Abby thought. Holding her emotions in check, she asked, “Have you told her about Robbie?”

“No, not yet. But she won’t mind,” he snapped.

Abby had her doubts about this Patricia. And it gave her an opportunity to negotiate with Nick.

“Look, Nick, I agree you need to get to know Robbie. But I’ve come back to Sydney Creek. I intend to stay here…as soon as I find a job. Let me find a place in town to live and you can spend the weekends with Robbie.”

“No!” Nick ground out. “He stays here! I—”

He broke off his tirade when they heard the arrival of Brad and Robbie. The little boy ran into the kitchen to his mother, babbling about the puppies he’d held and which one was his favorite.

“I liked the littlest one best, Mommy. He was so cute.”

“You want to have that puppy as your own?” Nick asked.

Robbie’s eyes got big. “Can I? Mommy, can we take the puppy home with us?”

“Tell him!” Nick ordered.

Abby sank down to her son’s level. “Um, sweetie, we’re going to be staying here for a little while. As long as we’re here—”

“Tell him the truth!”

“What’s he want you to tell me, Mommy?”

Abby closed her eyes. She’d dreamed of this moment so many times, played it out in her mind. But telling Robbie who his father was never went smoothly. She’d always anticipated having more time to get the script right. Apparently she was wrong.

Help came from an unlikely source. It was Kate who protested. “You’re being too hard on her, Nick.”

Nick didn’t answer his mother. He merely stood over Abby, never taking his eyes off her, waiting.

Abby knelt down before her son. “Honey, do you remember asking about your daddy?”

“Yes, but it’s okay, Mommy. Don’t cry again.”

Abby tried to hold back the tears she could feel in the back of her eyes. How much she loved this boy! “No, I won’t cry. But—but I—Your daddy—”

Suddenly Nick knelt down beside her. “I’m your daddy, son. I didn’t know about you or I would’ve come for you sooner.”

Robbie’s brown eyes took on a confused look. “Are you sure? ‘Cause Mommy said I didn’t have a daddy.”

Abby took his hands in hers and spoke up, though her throat was tight and her eyes welled with tears. “He’s right, Robbie. Do you know where I got your name?”

He shook his head.

“Your grandfather died just before I went away. When I found out I was expecting you, I wanted you to have something to remember about him, so I named you after him. His name was Robert, too.” Tears were streaming down Abby’s face now, but she didn’t care.

“He never saw me when I was a baby?” Robbie asked.

Abby felt a hand on her shoulders. Kate had come forward to stand beside her. “No, darling, he didn’t,” Kate said, clearly emotional, “but he would if he were here. He was my husband, and Nick’s daddy.”

Robbie turned to look at Nick. “You had a daddy?”

“Yeah, I did. He was a real good dad. And you have a grandma.”

“I do?” Robbie asked, not making the connection.

“I’m your grandma, sweetheart,” Kate said.

“Wow. There’s lots of us, Mommy. This is going to be fun!”

He never ceased to amaze Abby. She’d fretted so about telling him, but Robbie wasn’t upset. He marveled at the idea of having a huge family.

But “fun”? She hardly thought being in Sydney Creek with Nick and the other Logans would qualify as fun. But she couldn’t tell her son that. She looked down at the floor, trying to figure out what to say.

“Isn’t it good, Mommy?”

Of course it was, she told herself. For Robbie. She looked up and forced a smile. “Yes, of course, sweetie.”

“So we’re going to stay here and I can have my puppy?”

“You’ll have to ask your grandma. It’s her house,” Abby said, hugging her son.

“But, Mommy, you’re going to stay, too, aren’t you? You’re my mommy!”

Before Abby could think of an answer, Kate spoke up. “Absolutely, your mommy will stay. She’s part of the family!”

Nick raised his voice in protest. “Mom, what are you—”

Hands on her hips, Kate held her ground. “It is my house, isn’t it, Nick? I say she stays.”

Nick stared at her a moment, then he spun on his heels and walked out of the kitchen.

Abby was speechless. And confused. Kate had come to her defense? As for Nick, he clearly wanted nothing to do with her. Regardless of his mother’s insistence, how could Abby stay? “Kate, maybe it’s best if—”

“No. This is all my fault. I won’t allow him to separate you from your child!”

“What do you mean it’s all your fault?”

Before Kate could respond, Brad put his hands up. “I don’t think I want to hear this.” He started for the hallway. “I’ll go find Nick.”

Abby didn’t know what to say. Stunned, she could only stand there, watching Kate wipe the tears from her eyes.

After a moment, Kate began to explain. “I thought Nick could do better. You probably realized that. Then when his father died, I didn’t want him to go away. I—I needed him. So he missed out on Robbie’s life. And…and now there’s Patricia!” Kate said, bursting into more sobs.

Abby looked down at her son. “Robbie, go watch something on television for a few minutes.”

“Okay, Mommy, but is Nick really my daddy?”

“Yes, sweetheart, he really is.”

“Okay. I’ll go think of a name for my puppy!”

“Now, Kate,” Abby said, leading Nick’s mom to a seat at the kitchen table. “My getting pregnant wasn’t your fault. And no matter whose fault it was, I would never give Robbie back. I love him so much.”

“Of course you do, Abby. And he’s absolutely perfect. But—but I could’ve managed without Nick. I should’ve managed without Nick. Then the two of you would’ve been together.”

“You’d just lost your husband and you had five other children depending on you. You couldn’t have done it all on your own. Look, Nick and I have already had this argument. He made the decision for both of us. I let him do that, but he didn’t have that right. And I didn’t believe in his love. So we all share the blame. But it’s water under the bridge.”

“Oh, Abby, you’re being very generous.”

Abby ducked her head. “No, not really. I’ll admit I blamed you a little, too. But in the end, it was Nick who sent me away. It took me a while to stop being angry.”

Kate stiffened. “I realize he shouldn’t have—”

“No, we need to just let it go. Our time is gone. Now it’s Nick and Patricia’s time. I can accept that as long as he doesn’t take Robbie away from me.”

“I won’t let him do that, Abby, I promise.”

“I want you to tell me if my staying here causes problems between you and Nick. I’ll start looking for a place at once.”

“No. I know Nick is upset, but he can’t be that mean. I won’t let him force you to leave your little boy here while you go away. Robbie would hate him if he did that.”

“Maybe not if he gets that puppy!” Abby said with a small smile through her tears.

“Yeah. He’s just like his daddy, isn’t he?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I kept him from you, Kate, but I didn’t—I didn’t know how to come back.”

“Well, that’s certainly one thing Nick accomplished,” Kate said with a shaky laugh. “A grandson! And you named him after Robert. That was so wonderful of you.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“Oh, yes.” Kate patted a chair next to her for Abby to sit. “Now we’ve got to find a place for you to settle in. Let’s see. Julie is in Cheyenne, so you can have her room. We’ll put Robbie in Charlie’s room. He’s at college in Laramie. It’s right next to Nick’s room, so that should please him.”

“Perfect, Kate. Thank you for making me feel welcome.”

“You’re the mother of my grandson. Of course you’re welcome.”

Much as she was still surprised by Kate’s transformation, there was still the big question looming over them. “Now we have to talk about Patricia.”

“Oh.”

Abby stared at Kate. “Is she that bad?”

“Well, she’s very pretty…in a prim way.”

“What do you mean?”

“She expects everything to go her way.”

Abby stared at Kate. “With Nick? She gets her way with Nick?”

“No. She’s playing him very carefully. But everything else is done her way or not done at all. She volunteered to cook for Nick once. He agreed, thinking she’d come out and fix dinner for all of us. But she fixed dinner just for her and Nick. And she didn’t even fix enough for him. He works hard all day. You know how hungry he gets. He was polite to her, but after she left, he fixed himself a sandwich!”

“And where did you and the kids go to eat?”

“To the café. Julie and Brad weren’t here. The other three didn’t care. They thought it was great. When we got home, I found she hadn’t had time to wash the dishes. She left them for me!”

“She didn’t!” Abby protested.

“Yes, she did. When I got home, Nick was trying to clean up and eat his sandwich at the same time. I took over. But that’s when I realized I’d made a big mistake. She’s totally wrong for him!”

“Does she like children?” That would be the woman’s saving grace, that she would be good to Robbie.

Kate slowly shook her head. “I know she’s a teacher, but she doesn’t seem to—The kids don’t like her.”

“Maybe she’s better one-on-one?”

Kate slowly shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not.”

Abby sank back into her seat. She’d vaulted one hurdle—Nick’s mother—but the more formidable one loomed ahead.

What was she going to do about Patricia?

The topic of Patricia didn’t come up again for the rest of the day. Abby was too busy to worry about her. After dinner, she helped Kate clean the kitchen. Then she gave Robbie his bath before dressing him in his pajamas.

Though she hesitated, she encouraged him to go tell everyone good-night. Kate hugged him and gave him a kiss. Then Robbie looked at his mother. She nodded in Nick’s direction and Robbie walked over to Nick to tell him good-night.

“Don’t I get a hug like your grandma did?” Nick asked.

“Okay,” Robbie said.

After Nick hugged him, Robbie moved on to Brad and his two younger brothers who had been introduced to Robbie when they’d returned home from school. Then he turned toward Abby, his hand outstretched for her.

“I’ll carry you to bed, Robbie,” Nick said, scooping him up before he could protest.

“Okay,” Robbie said, but his gaze centered on his mother. “Mommy, are you coming?”

“Yes, sweetie, I’m coming.”

Nick glared at her, but she ignored him. Her son wanted her to come, and that was all that mattered.

She followed them into Charlie’s room, the one that now would be Robbie’s room.

Nick put Robbie down on the bed.

Abby reached for the covers and pulled them back. “Here you go, sweetie. You’re going to like this room. It’s right next door to your daddy’s.”

“Where is your room, Mommy?” Robbie asked.

“I’m right down the hall. Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you wake up in the morning.”

The boy settled into the bed. “Will you go see my puppy in the morning?”

“Yes, I will. Did you decide on a name?”

Robbie looked at the man looming over his bed before he looked back at his mother. “I—I want to call him Baby. ’Cause he’s the littlest one.”

Abby looked at Nick. To her relief, he said, “That’s a good name, Robbie.”

The boy smiled, as Abby leaned down to tuck the covers around him just the way he liked.

“Now it’s time to say your prayers,” she told him.

He folded his hands together for their nightly ritual. As Abby said the prayer, he repeated the words. Then he added his own requests at the end. “Thank you for my puppy, and please bless Mommy and—and Daddy.”

With a smile, Abby bent over and kissed him good-night again.

Nick didn’t move. He stood by the bed, an odd, contemplative look on his face. He was about to say something when the phone rang. He looked toward the kitchen where the closest phone was located.

“Nick, Patricia is on the line,” his mother called.

Without saying anything, Nick turned and left the room.

“Is he mad at me?” Robbie whispered to his mom.

“No, he’s not. He just had to go take that telephone call. Everything’s fine. Don’t you worry.”

He nodded. “Mommy, are we really going to live here?”

“I’m not sure. But we’ll be together, you and me, just like always.”

“Okay,” he said and closed his eyes. “G’night, Mommy.”

She smoothed his silky hair. “Good night, baby.”

But instead of leaving him, Abby sat beside his bed, not eager to go back to the kitchen. Kate had been more than welcoming, but Nick seemed to be angry all the time.

His brothers were friendly enough, especially toward Robbie. Brad had introduced him to Matt, who at thirteen was thrilled to no longer be the baby. Then to Jason, who at sixteen had his mind on more important things than a new nephew.

Abby smiled, remembering Nick at sixteen. That was when he’d first kissed her.

Life had certainly changed a lot in the next seven years. By then she was alone in the city, without Nick. And she was pregnant.

She looked down at the boy now breathing more deeply as he’d drifted off to sleep, and kissed him lightly on the forehead. She wouldn’t change anything.

She tiptoed out of Robbie’s room.

The crowd in the kitchen had thinned down to only Kate and Nick. He was still on the phone and Kate was baking a cake.

Abby stepped to Kate’s side and whispered, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. You’ve already made my day easier.”

“I’m glad.” Abby smiled at her, till Nick’s loud, angry shout startled her.

He yelled “No!” into the phone and slammed it down.

Abby stared at him, but she knew better than to say anything. She didn’t look away but she remained silent.

Kate did the talking. “Is something wrong, son?”

Reining in his temper, Nick looked first at her and then Abby. “No, nothing’s wrong.” And he stalked out of the kitchen.

When she was sure he was out of earshot, Abby asked, “What do you think just happened?”

“I think Patricia just discovered the true Nick. She’s been nudging him along, but he wouldn’t budge tonight.”

Because of her? Abby wondered. And Robbie?

“Kate, don’t you think it would be better if Robbie and I lived somewhere else?”

“No. I want to get to know my grandchild, not just have him visit every once in a while. If it brings Nick to his senses, all the better. If it doesn’t, I suspect she’ll force him to build them another house.”

Abby shrugged “If he does that, I guess he really loves her.”

“I’m not so sure,” Kate said, staring into space.

Abby’s heart beat faster. She hadn’t admitted to herself how much she wished Nick would want her again. She hadn’t admitted how much she still cared for him. The reality was that he was engaged to another woman.

A woman who would be her son’s stepmother.

Nick slammed the door to his bedroom behind him. He guessed he shouldn’t have expected Patricia to take his news well. Any fiancée would have trouble learning about a son she hadn’t known existed.

But now that Robbie was in the picture, things had changed.

And what about Abby? She was free…and the mother of his child.

He cautioned himself from going down that road. He was supposed to be angry with her for keeping such a precious secret from him. But maybe he understood her reasons.

He’d always understood Abby.

It was different with Patricia. They weren’t soul mates. He knew she liked his money and status in the community. And there was no great passion between them, not like with Abby. He hadn’t made a push for her to commit emotionally. Physically, either. He’d tried to tell himself that would change once they were married.

Now he had to find a way to deal with Patricia and his son. And Abby. Clearly she wasn’t going anywhere. He knew she’d never abandon her child. As long as he kept hold of Robbie, which he intended to do, no matter what, he’d have Abby living here.

He’d have to make sure no one else came sniffing around her.

He frowned. Where had that thought come from?

Still, he couldn’t help wondering if she’d had boyfriends in Cheyenne. She was as pretty as ever, and as sweet. It would seem unlikely that she hadn’t had men wanting to be with her. Unless Robbie had kept them away. For the first time, he saw Robbie as more than just his son. He’d also been a watchdog for his mother.

Lying back on his bed, his hands behind his head, he contemplated the future. After a while, he gave up and shut off his light.

Who knew what the future would bring?

Robbie got up at seven the next morning, his regular time, despite the fact that it was Saturday. As she’d promised, Abby was waiting for him in the kitchen. She’d gotten up earlier to help Kate make breakfast.

Nick had ignored both of them, but Brad had commented on how well they worked together.

When Robbie entered the kitchen, Kate hugged him and asked if he was hungry.

He looked at the display of food on the table. “Pancakes! My favorite!”

Abby looked at her son. “I laid out some clothes for you, Robbie. Why didn’t you get dressed?”

“But I don’t have to go to school now,” Robbie explained.

Abby, however, didn’t cut him any slack. “Go get dressed. Then you can have breakfast.”

Robbie looked at Nick, as if he thought he would overrule Abby. Nick simply said, “Do you need some help?”

“No, I can do it, ‘cept tying my shoes.”

“I’ll do that for you when you’re dressed,” Nick promised him.

After Robbie left the room, Abby whispered, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Nick asked.

“For not overruling me. He knows to get dressed, but I guess he wanted to test me.”

“I’m in favor of rules. I won’t interfere unless I think you’re telling him the wrong thing.”

She nodded and continued working on the breakfast.

Five minutes later, Robbie returned to the kitchen, dressed in the clothes Abby had chosen for him.

“My, don’t you look nice,” Kate praised him.

“Thank you…Grandma.” He eyed her as if wondering if she would accept her new role.

“You’re welcome, grandson.”

He looked at his mother. “Is that me?”

She smiled. “Yes, it is, sweetie.”

Robbie went to Nick. “Daddy, will you tie my shoes now?”

“Sure. Come here.” Nick lifted Robbie to his lap and tied his shoes. “Now, how about a man’s breakfast?”

“Mommy, can I have a man’s breakfast?”

“How about a little man’s breakfast?” Abby offered.

With a grin, Robbie nodded.

They all sat around the table a little longer than usual. With Robbie there, Nick seemed to relax more and even smile now and then. She enjoyed the time and even began to feel welcome.

Until the back door opened and a tall, thin, tawny-eyed blonde came in.

Abby didn’t need Nick’s exclamation to know this was the infamous Patricia.

“Patricia! I didn’t expect you,” Nick said, rising to greet her.

In spite of the audience, or perhaps because of it, she said, “Hi, lover,” and put a liplock on him that Abby found embarrassing. A look at the others showed the same reaction.

Nick took her arms from around his neck and broke off the passionate kiss. “Patricia, the family is here.”

“Hi,” she said, with a smile that didn’t include any of them.

Kate stood up, scraping her chair. “Sit down, Patricia, and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”

She tossed her long mane of silky hair. “Here? Oh, no, Nick and I like to be private.”

“Pour her some coffee, Mom. She’ll join us.” Nick’s voice was firm and he pulled out a chair for his fiancée.

“Nick,” Patricia said, pleading in her voice, “we need to talk.”

“Later. Let me introduce you to my son. Robbie, this is my fiancée, Patricia Atwell.”

Without even an acknowledgment, she asked Nick, “What’s his last name?”

Nick turned to Abby.

“His name is Stafford,” Abby replied.

“You didn’t list me as the father?” Nick demanded.

“Yes, I did, but it seemed easier for him to have my name.”

“In that case I’ll start adoption proceedings at once,” Nick returned, no doubt in his voice.

“But, Nick, we haven’t even talked about this,” Patricia whined. “You already have to pay child support. Are you sure you want to adopt him?”

“He’s my child, Patricia. I’m responsible for him.” Nick sent a smile to Robbie, ignoring his fiancée.

“I still think we should talk about this, Nick,” Patricia said, her voice gentle, but to Abby her eyes looked hard.

“No,” was Nick’s only response.

Once again Kate tried to defuse the volatile situation. “Uh, Patricia, have you had breakfast? I’m sorry, I should’ve asked when you first came in. I can—”

“Oh, no, thank you, Mrs. Logan. I had my usual breakfast earlier.”

“Do you want to see my puppy?” Robbie suddenly asked. “Mommy is going to come see it. Uncle Brad said I could bring it into the house in a week.”

Patricia looked aghast, her manicured hand going to her chest. “In the house? Oh, I would never allow animals in my house. They make too much of a mess.”

“But Grandma said—”

“It’s okay, buddy,” Nick said softly. “You can bring your puppy to the house when it’s big enough.”

Patricia was clearly not satisfied. “Nick, you don’t want to set a precedent. You should explain to him now that I won’t—”

“This is my mother’s house, Patricia, and that won’t change.”

“Oh. I see,” she said and smiled, as if she’d won a contest.

Next to her at the table, Brad jumped up from his chair. “Uh, I have to get to the barn and see about a sick horse.”

Abby could understand his desire to run. She shared it. “May Robbie and I walk with you, Brad? I promised him I’d go see the puppies.”

Jason and Matt decided to go with them, too. Soon the kitchen was empty of everyone but Nick, Patricia and Kate.

“Why don’t we go to your office while your mother does the dishes, Nick?” Patricia suggested.

Nick squared his jaw, a sure sign to Kate that her son was digging in his heels. “I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t we help Mom clean the kitchen?”