Layla, huh? Justin crossed the small kitchen to pour another glass of iced tea. He frequently joked that the desert theme of her red-and-yellow kitchen made him extra thirsty. Shes good people. Cute, too.
Hey! Weve talked about this. You are not allowed to date my friends. Your one-hit-wonder approach to relationships would make things awkward for everyone. I was even a bit nervous when Natalie... She trailed off, the memories bittersweet.
The sharp sting of missing her best friend had lessened over time. As Arden progressed through the trimesters, she found herself thinking of Natalie as a kind of guardian angel for her and the unborn baby. After losing so many loved ones in her life, it seemed cosmically fitting that Arden had conceived on Nats birthday.
You wondered if it would hurt your friendship when Natalie and Colin first started dating? Justin asked. To be honest, I thought the age difference would be a problem, that they wouldnt have enough in common for it to be long-lasting. But she made him damn happy.
While Arden was finally healing after the deaths of her sister-in-law and young nephew, Colin had withdrawn further. Not only had he taken a sabbatical from his job as a large-animal vet, but hed also recently announced that he was putting his house up for sale.
She leaned an elbow on the table, propping her chin on her fist. Im really worried about him.
Colin will be okay. But the way Justin avoided her gaze proved he was equally concerned. Hes always okay. Hes the one who holds us together.
Their mother had died the winter Arden was in kindergarten, their father a few years later. Although a maiden aunt had come to live with them, it had been Colin who had essentially raised his younger brother and sister. Hed been so strong. But this most recent shattering lossburying his wife and child? It seemed as if something inside him had broken beyond repair.
Justin dropped down next to Ardens chair, squeezing her shoulder. He will be okay. Maybe selling the house will help him let go, give him a chance to move forward with his life.
Arden placed her hands over her distended abdomen. Do you think this makes it harder, my having a baby? Im sure it reminds him of Danny. Her voice caught on her nephews name. Hed been a wide-eyed, soft-spoken toddler with an unexpectedly raucous belly laugh. His deep laugh had caused double takes in public, usually eliciting chuckles in response.
If youre happy about Peanut, then we are happy for you, Justin said firmly. But if you want to offer Colin some kind of distraction, Im sure hed be eager to track down the jerk who knocked you
Justin!
The jerk responsible for your being in a blessed family way.
He wasnt a jerk. He was... A gift. Even after six months, she vividly recalled Garretts ability to make her temporarily forget everything else in the world, the power of his touch.
Justin recoiled with a grimace. Seeing that look on my little sisters face is disturbing as hell. You sure you wont tell us who he is so we can punch his lights out?
He doesnt live anywhere near here. Thank God. Most of the locals hadnt been brazen enough to ask outright who the father was, but the mystery had caused whispers behind her back. Some of the teachers in the district had begged Layla for information, but Ardenwhod shared only the vaguest detailshad sworn her to secrecy. The first time Arden had encountered Hugh Connor in town after her pregnancy began to show, shed held her breath, wondering if Garrett had ever mentioned their night together to his friend. But Hugh had merely asked for a business card because he planned to recommend her to a business colleague looking for a good photographer.
Meanwhile, Garrett lived in a different region of the state, on a ranch hed told her had been in his family for generations. He had deep roots there. Maybe even a girlfriend by now. Arden didnt plan to repay the kindness hed done her by upending his existence. Theyd used birth control during their night together, and the news that it had failed would most likely be an unwelcome shock.
It had taken her weeks to process the news that she was expecting, but she knew firsthand that life was precious. She chose to see conceiving this baby as a miracle. Her miracle.
* * *
GARRETT FROST HELD his parents in the highest regard. An only child, he worked alongside his father running the Double F Ranch and was impressed with the mans drive and integrity. Garretts mother, the one whod spent many afternoons giving him advice in their kitchen while she baked, had always been wise and articulate. So why, today, had Caroline Frost lost the ability to string together a coherent sentence? Ever since the restaurant hostess had seated Garrett and Caroline at a small booth, shed been spluttering disjointed, half-finished thoughts.
Breathe, Momma. He took the breadbasket out of her hand. As jittery as she was, she was about to send the rolls flying to the floor. He gave her a cajoling smile. You wanna tell me why youre as nervous as a kitten in a dog pound?
Her gray eyes clouded with worry. Youve always hated surprises, she muttered. Not that its your fault if you take this badly! Anyone would.... I dont Lord, Ive messed this up before I even started. But I dont know how to make it better. Easier to hear.
Okay. Now he was nervous. Garrett waved away the approaching waitress. Something was very wrong. He doubted his mom wanted an audience for whatever she needed to explain. Although, if she had something personal and difficult to tell him, why had she suggested going to a restaurant?
They could have easily had a conversation in his parents main house or in the luxurious cabin Garrett had built on the back forty. The most logical explanation for her dragging him this far from home was so they could speak freely without any risk of his father overhearing. Was something wrong with him? Long, arduous days of ranch work could take a toll, and Brandon wasnt getting any younger. But his father was direct to a fault. If there was bad news to be delivered, he would have told Garrett himself, not delegated the job to someone else.
Momma, is everything all right with you? he asked slowly. Is there some irregular test result or something I should know about?
With me? Im fit as a fiddle. But shed gone completely pale.
Oh, God. Then it is Dad?
Caroline did something he hadnt witnessed since the day of his high school graduation. She burst into tears. No. And y-yes. Your fathers quite ill. B-but its not wh-wh-what you think. Taking deep gulping breaths, she clutched the edge of the table in a visible effort to regain her composure. Im so sorry. Brandon isnt your father.
* * *
GARRETT PUNCHED UP the volume on the music in his truck, but it was pointless. Not even the loudest rock and roll could drown out his tumultuous thoughts. He pounded his fist on the steering wheel, rage rising in him like a dark tide. Tangible enough to drown him.
For the first day after his mothers avalanche of revelations, hed been too numb to feel anything. Once emotion rushed in, hed realized he had to get away from the ranch. Away from her. Shed had thirty years to tell the truth but had never said a wordnot to him and not to the man hed always believed was his father. Now shed made Garrett an unwilling accomplice in keeping her adulterous secret. I swear it was only the one time, shed sobbed. A lifetime ago. Confessing my sins to Brandon might ease my conscience, but why wound him like that?
Her single indiscretion had been with a longtime family friend, recently hospitalized Will Harlow. Complications from Wills diabetes had irreparably damaged his kidneys. Though his condition was currently stable, renal failure was inevitable. Without a kidney transplant, his prognosis was grim. Caroline insisted they couldnt tell Brandon now. If Will died with animosity between them, your father would never forgive himself!
How had Brandon remained oblivious to the truth for all these years? He was an intuitive man. Certainly perceptive enough that he would notice the awful tension between his wife and son. So Garrett impulsively announced that he was spending Labor Day weekend with Hugh Connor.
I dont know exactly when Ill be back, Garrett had warned his dad. With calving season behind us and time before we need to make winter preparations, can you spare me?
Brandon had readily agreed that he and their hired hands could cover everything, adding that Garrett didnt seem himself and maybe a week of R & R was just what the doctor ordered. Garretts sole motivation had been escape; he hadnt consciously chosen Cielo Peak as his destination. Had he named the town because he knew it wouldnt sound suspicious, his visiting an old friend?
Or was he lured by the heated memories of a glorious night spent with Arden Cade?
Their encounter had left such an impression it was haunting. She appeared in his dreams at random intervals. Hed developed a fondness for brunettes and had caught himself unintentionally comparing a date to her. Over the summer, while packing for an annual weekend with some cousins, hed discovered Ardens note stuck to the lining of his suitcase. Ill never forget you. Was that sentiment invitation enough to look her up while he was in town?
She was a beautiful woman, and over six months had passed. Even if she still resided in Cielo Peak, there was likely a man in her life. Unless, like Garrett, she was between relationships? Maybe he could casually broach the subject with Hugh.
When Garrett had phoned his friend, it had been to ask for suggestions of a not-too-touristy rental cabin that wouldnt already be booked for the holiday weekend. He hadnt actually planned to stay with Hugh and Darcy, who were practically newlyweds. Learning of his moms infidelity had soured Garretts opinion of wedded bliss, and he doubted hed be great company. But Hugh was stubborn. Besides, Garrett secretly questioned whether too much time alone with his thoughts was healthy. After all, he was having trouble surviving just the drive, battered by emotional debris from Carolines bombshell.
He fiddled with the radio dials again, trading his MP3 playlist for a radio station. A twangy singer with a guitar droned on about his misfortunes. You think you have problems, pal?
Garrett faced not only bitter disillusionment about the woman who raised him and unwilling participation in her long-term deception, but also a monumental medical decision.
Despite Carolines emphatic vows that her fling with Will was an isolated event, that they didnt harbor any romantic feelings for each other, the man had never fallen in love with anyone else. Hed remained a bachelor with no children. Garrett was his best hope for a close match and voluntary organ donation, which would drastically shorten the wait.
I know you need to think about this, his mother had told him. No one wants you to rush a decision. But they both knew Will didnt have forever.
If Garrett agreed, would he feel as if he were betraying his father? If he said no, was it the same as sentencing a man to die?
He was mired in anger and pain and confusion. Little wonder, then, that his mind kept turning to that night hed shared with Arden, the perfect satisfaction hed experienced. Right now, it was difficult to imagine hed ever feel that purely happy again.
Chapter Three
Arden sighed wistfully at the seafood counter. I miss shrimp.
Throw some in. Justin indicated the grocery cart he was pushing for her. How about this? Ill pay if youll cook. Even with the holiday sales price, it was a generous offer. Since ski season hadnt started, he was scraping by on a reduced off-season salary working for a local ambulance service.
After a moment of letting herself be tempted, she shook her head. Nah, Ive read warnings that pregnant women should avoid shellfish. Skipping them completely might be overreacting, but I really want to do this right, you know?
She rarely missed her mom, having been so young when Rebecca Cade died, but she sure could use a woman whod experienced the wonder and worry of impending motherhood. Her only living aunt whod had children was well over sixty, her memories of pregnancy and childbirth hazy and outdated. Arden hesitated to take advice from a woman whod chain-smoked and enjoyed cocktail hour through all three trimesters. Cousin Rick never had seemed quite right in the head.
Arden changed the subject, eyeing her brother curiously. You know, youve been hanging around an awful lot lately. Does this sudden fascination with helping me have anything to do with missing Elisabeth? Though Justins relationships never lasted long, Arden thought shed sensed genuine regret after his most recent breakupand not only because he missed the job as hiking guide and first-aid administrator at the lodge Elisabeths family owned.
What? No. I barely think about her. Youre the one who keeps bringing her up!
I am? Arden wracked her brain, trying to recall the last time shed mentioned Elisabeth Donnelly.
Im giving up my Sunday afternoon because you shouldnt be lifting things, he added virtuously. What would you have done if I hadnt been here to grab the pallet of bottled water?
Um, asked any one of the numerous stock boys for assistance?
He shoved a hand through his dark brown hair. Humor me, okay? I have two siblings I care the world about, and one of them, I dont have a clue how to help.
So he was overcompensating by lending a hand with her menial errands? That she could believe.
Besides, Justin drawled, being such a good brother makes me look all sensitive and whatever to any single ladies we encounter. Major attraction points.
On behalf of women everywhere, she socked him in the shoulder. You go to the freezer section and get us an enormous tub of vanilla ice cream. Ill grab caramel and chocolate syrup.
And some straw
Of course strawberry syrup for you, she added. There was no accounting for taste. Then well need bananas. Meet me in produce, okay? Ill make chef salads for dinner and sundaes for dessert.
He turned to go, then hesitated. Should we invite Colin to join us? Granted, hes not exactly Mr. Fun these days, but...
Ill call him, Arden promised. But you know hell probably decline. Again.
If the situation were reversed, he wouldnt give up on either of us. Maybe it would help if you pick up some of those minimarshmallows for the sundaes. Hes a sucker for those.
Minimarshmallows? she echoed skeptically. Thats our plan?
Justin shrugged. Hey, we all have our weaknesses.
* * *
GARRETT WHEELED THE shopping cart into the produce section, absently navigating as he consulted Darcys grocery list. Hed asked her to let him do the supermarket run as a way to pay the Connors back for room and board. It was more diplomatic than saying he needed a break from the doting couple.