Then yesterday morning hed heard the rumor that she had a little baby boy, a rumor that had been confirmed when hed spoken with her at lunch.
Since that moment, he couldnt get heror more precisely the boyout of his mind. His son. He knew in his gut that the kid was his.
Brandon, honey, your breakfast is waiting, Brandons wife, Sherrilyn, spoke from someplace behind him.
He grunted but didnt turn around. Sherrilyn was a good woman. Shed come into the marriage not only crazy about him, but with the kind of respectability and a trust fund that Brandon had desired. She kept the large house neat and tidy, tried to anticipate his needs before he knew them and was an adequate if boring bedmate.
She loved being the sheriffs wife, and while Brandon was feared and respected by the community, Sherrilyn was loved for her charity work and big heart.
But, when it came to giving Brandon what hed wanted most in life, shed failed miserably, pumping out three girl babies instead of the boy he desperately wanted.
Mommy, Susan wont share, Elena, his youngest, whined from the living room. She was always whining about something. Girls whined. Girls cried, and he had three of the whiniest, weepiest girls in the county.
He narrowed his gaze as he turned away from the window and headed for the kitchen. As soon as the snow stopped, hed get that boy. He didnt much care what he had to do, but eventually that little boy would be living with him, being raised by him. Boys needed their daddies, and if the only way to get that kid was over Janette Blacks dead body, well then that could be arranged, too.
Chapter 3
She placed her lips against Sammys downy hair, drawing in the sweet baby scent of him. He was her heart, this little boy. Before his birth she had loved him, but nothing had prepared her for the depth of her love for him now.
Her heart squeezed as she thought of the threat that felt ominously close, a threat to this baby and their future together. She would do whatever it took to keep him safe and away from the man who was his biological father. She shoved aside thoughts of Sinclair, unwilling to allow the chill that thoughts of him always produced to consume her.
She was conscious of the sounds of Dalton in the next room. It was a good thing hed told her about his family before shed confessed what was really going on.
She should have known it wouldnt be safe to tell him the truth. Bodyguards probably had to work closely with law enforcement officials. For all she knew, Brandon Sinclair could be a drinking buddy of the entire West clan.
When Sammy was sleeping soundly, she gently laid him in the middle of the big bed and tucked the pillows around him to stop him from rolling anywhere. She stood for a long moment staring down at the baby who owned all of her heart.
She would do whatever it took to keep Brandon Sinclair away from Sammy. She would run to the ends
time since shed stepped out of the bus station yesterday evening, some of the tension that had coiled inside her eased.
Ham and cheese okay? he asked.
Perfect. Is there anything I can do to help?
Nah, sit tight. I can handle it. Besides, if you work as a waitress I doubt you get too many people offering to wait on you.
She laughed. Thats the truth. He smelled nice, like minty soap and a touch of sandalwood, and she felt herself relax just a little bit more.
Is your sister older or younger than you?
The question came out of left field but reminded her that she couldnt let her guard down for a minute. Older, she said. Why?
Just curious. He walked over to the table with their lunch plates. What would you like to drink? I can offer you milk, water or a soda.
Milk would be nice.
He rejoined her at the table a moment later with two tall glasses of milk. For the next few minutes they ate in silence. From what you told me earlier it sounds like all of your brothers and your sister are married and having kids. Why arent you married? she asked to break the uncomfortable quiet.
A flash of darkness momentarily chased across his green eyes. I guess after growing up with a houseful of people Ive discovered in my adult years that I enjoy my solitude, he replied. I like living alone and not having to answer to anyone and have no plans to ever get married.
He took a drink of his milk, then continued, What about you? Im assuming things didnt work out with you and the babys father?
She looked down at her sandwich and pulled off part of the crust. No, we tried to make it work. Hes a great guy and everything, but we just werent good together. She looked at Dalton once again and forced a small smile to her lips. But thankfully we have managed to remain good friends.
How she wished this were true. How she wished that Sammys father was a good man who could help her instill the right qualities in their son instead of a monster who would taint the innocence of the little boy.
Dalton leaned back in his chair and studied her. Youre a pretty woman. Im sure you wont have any problems finding some special guy to share your life.