Judy Christenberry - The Cowboy's Secret Son

“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.