Harlequin American Romance May 2014 Bundle: One Night in Texas\The Cowboy's Destiny\A Baby for the Doctor\The Bull Rider's Family (5 page)

“It happened before I went to Houston and before Dad and I took Rachel to Paris.”

“And...” Wyatt prompted.

“After our mother was killed, Rachel had a hard time. She was restless and very unhappy. Then she made friends with Angie, who was as calm as a summer’s day. She was a good influence for my sister. Dad threw Rachel a big going-away party and had all her friends over. Angie was there.” He stared down into the coffee cup, not really wanting to share this with his friend. But he had to tell someone. It didn’t take him long to tell about the summer with Angie and what he’d found at the party when he’d gotten home. He took a swallow of coffee to bolster his courage. “I let Angie sleep it off because I knew how her mother was. The next morning things happened that I wish had never happened. She was too young, and I should’ve known better, but I can’t go back and change it.”

“You didn’t see her after that?”

“I saw her in town a few days before we left for Europe. I told her how sorry I was and wished her all the best for the future.”

“It never crossed your mind she could be pregnant?”

“We used protection.”

“Come on, Hardy.”

He ran his hands up his face. “I’m so angry and I want to blame her, but—”

“Did she give a reason for not telling you?”

He set his cup on the desk. “Yeah. I was in Europe at first, but when she heard I was back, she approached my dad and he told her I was engaged. She didn’t want to ruin my life. That’s rich, huh?”

“Sounds like Angie to me. She doesn’t like to hurt people.”

Hardy stood and swiped a hand through his disheveled hair. “Well, she hurt me.”

Wyatt leaned back in his chair. “Did she give a reason for not telling you once you returned to Horseshoe?”

Guilt pounded at him with the force of a baseball bat. “She tried, but I brushed her off every time.”

“Why would you do that?”

He took a ragged breath. “That’s hard to explain, but I didn’t want to get involved with Angie again.”

“Why?”

“I’d rather not talk about it. First, I have to figure out a way to deal with all this anger inside me. And, yeah, a lot of it is at myself.”

“My advice to you is to get over to the hospital and talk to Angie and be there for her and Erin. Put your hurt feelings aside and think about what Angie’s going through now. Do you think you can do that?”

He looked at his friend through narrowed eyes. “You’re taking her side.”

“There are no sides here. You and Angie have to find a balance for Erin.”

“I know that. But what do I do with all this anger?”

“Lay off the booze, for one thing. And take it one day at a time. Once you get to know Erin, she’ll replace all that anger with love.”

“How many times have I seen her at your house playing with Jody?”

“A lot.”

“And I never suspected a thing. Remember that day she and Jody were playing hopscotch on the sidewalk and she fell and skinned her knee? I had just driven up. I picked her up and carried her into the house. She felt like a feather in my arms, a beautiful feather. I picked up my daughter, and I didn’t even know she was mine. That’s what makes me so angry. All the years I’ve missed and she was right under my nose. My child was there, and I never saw her.”

Wyatt came around the desk and patted him on the shoulder. “Sorry, man. That’s rough.”

Hardy drew a deep breath. “I’d better go home, get cleaned up and see how my kid is doing. And I have Dad and Olivia to deal with. I bailed on them last night.”

“Are you going to tell the judge?”

“I might wait before telling him. He’ll want to rush in and cause all kinds of problems. Right now I’m just feeling my way and hoping to see and spend some time with my child.”

“What about Olivia?”

“I don’t know, Wyatt. She’s not going to be happy, but I have a kid and I’m not walking away from her.” He frowned. “Do you have any idea where my truck is?”

“You jumped the curb at the courthouse and it’s parked half on, half off the lawn. The quicker you get it off, the better it will be for the gossip, because come daylight, your story is going to be all over town.”

Hardy headed for the door. “Thanks, Wyatt.”

“I take it the Wiznowskis don’t know you’re Erin’s biological father.”

He turned back. “I assume they think the ex is the father.”

“If you think Bubba is hard to deal with, wait until the news spreads through the rest of the family. You’ll have your hands full defending yourself.”

“I hadn’t thought of that, and I really don’t care about their reaction. I only care about getting to know my daughter.”

“What made Angie tell you now?”

Hardy shrugged. “I kept pressing her about Erin’s father. He needed to be there, and she was very evasive about him. Maybe she got tired of me pressuring her or maybe she just got tired of keeping her secret. I don’t know. She just blurted it out.”

“Good luck, man. I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

As he backed his truck off the lawn, he knew Wyatt was right. His name would be mud all over town. But he wasn’t worried about that. The only worry he had was how to make a connection to a little girl he didn’t even know.

Because he was her father.

Chapter Five

Hardy sped down the county blacktop to the Circle H Ranch. He drove under the wrought iron arch entrance and onto the graveled road that led to the colonial-style two-story house. Brown board fences bordered him on both sides. Live oaks graced the fence all the way to the house. In places their branches intertwined, giving a shady umbrella effect.

He swung into his parking spot in the detached garage. After walking through a breezeway into the kitchen, he found his dad, Mavis and Harvey Weltzen eating breakfast. Mavis had been the housekeeper for years and Harvey was the foreman of the ranch.

His dad looked up from his plate. “Where in the hell have you been?”

Judge Hardison Sr. was a barrel-chested man who exuded confidence and attitude. His booming voice was known to stop criminals in their tracks. Most people feared him because of his strong stance on crime and morality. There was no leeway, according to him.

“I told you, I was involved in an accident and I had to handle things.”

“You should’ve been man enough to phone and let us know what was going on. We worried all night. Olivia’s been calling and calling.” His dad looked him up and down. “You look fine. What kind of accident?”

The criticism stung, and Hardy bit his tongue. “A little girl ran out in front of my truck and I hit her.”

“Oh, my God!” Mavis covered her mouth with her hand in shock. “Is she okay?”

“She’s in the hospital in Temple with a broken leg, some cracked ribs and a bruise on her head, but the doctor said she’s going to be fine.”

“Where did you hit this girl?” his dad asked in his most authoritative voice.

“On Magnolia Street. I was on my way home.”

“Who is she?”

“Angie Wiznowski’s daughter.”

“Did Wyatt take a report?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure he will.”

His dad pointed a finger at him. “Get this swept under the rug as fast as you can.”

Hardy clenched his jaw. “I’m not sweeping anything under the rug. It was an accident. If people can’t understand that, then they have a problem.”

“Boy, you’ve got a lot to learn.”

“I’m the D.A. of this county, and I will make sure that the legal procedure is followed, even when it includes me.”

“If charges are filed, you can kiss that D.A. job goodbye and any chance of running for district judge will be gone. Talk to Angie. She’s a sweet girl. She’ll understand.”

He turned toward the hallway. “I’ve got to go.”

Hardy had spent years trying to live up to everything his father expected of him. But sometimes the pressure got to him.

“Your sister called last night.”

He looked back. “How is she?” Rachel rarely phoned.

“Still trying to find the real Rachel teaching art in New York. I told her if she doesn’t know who she is by now, she needs to stop looking and come home. Eleven years is long enough.”

There were times when Hardy questioned his reasons for returning to Horseshoe. He’d had a good job in Houston at a top-notch law firm, and he should’ve stayed there. Because of his father’s health, Hardy had come home to be there for him. Under doctor’s orders, the judge had retired; his high blood pressure was out of control. The doctor had warned of a heart attack or a stroke. But if Hardy’d learned anything, he’d learned that Hardison Hollister Sr. never needed anyone.

“We’re vaccinating calves today. You have time to help?”

“No, Dad. I told you. I’ll be busy handling the accident and making sure the little girl’s medical bills are paid.”

His dad bobbed his head. “Yeah. Yeah. That’s what you need to do. Put on a good front. Show everyone you’re sorry. Just don’t let this get out of control.”

Hardy sighed. The situation was so far out of control he didn’t know if he could ever gain any ground with Angie or his daughter. The thought of telling his dad the truth briefly floated to his mind. But he quickly regained his senses. His father would storm in like the National Guard, taking over Angie and the child and making sure she knew she was a Hollister. Hardy wasn’t ready for that. Angie wasn’t, either.

“I’ll catch you later.”

On his way to the stairs, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” he shouted to Mavis. Olivia stood on the doorstep. She ran into his arms. Seeing her, Angie’s words came back to him. Blonde. Model type. Perfect body. That explained Olivia to a T. Was she right? Did he only date one type of woman?

But there was more to Olivia than good looks. She was a trial lawyer and worked for a big firm in Austin.

“Are you okay?” She stroked his face. “You said you were in some kind of accident. Your text was really short, and I was worried.”

“I’m fine.” He kissed her hand and told her what had happened.

Her blue eyes widened. “Does your father know?” Her response threw him for a moment, but then Olivia and his father were on the same wavelength—motivated by Hardy’s political career.

“Yes. Uh...we need to talk, but I don’t have time right now. I have to get back to the hospital to make sure the girl is okay.”

She reached up and kissed him. “That would be best. You don’t want this to get out of hand.”

He didn’t respond. At the moment he was feeling a little empty and conflicted. He’d tell Olivia about Erin later. “I’ll call you tonight.”

Without another word he hurried to his room, showered and changed clothes and made his way back to the hospital. He had to know how his daughter was doing.

As he drove toward Temple, it hit him that he hadn’t had any sleep. He had sobered up from a pretty bad drunken stupor. He wasn’t in his twenties anymore, and the all-nighter would catch up with him sooner rather than later. But nothing was keeping him away from the hospital. This morning his daughter would be awake, and he had this urgency just to see her face—her animated face—so he could get a feel of who she really was.

He didn’t allow himself to think of Angie. His anger toward her was still raw, but he had to be honest. She wasn’t the only one to blame. He should’ve checked back with her. He knew that would weigh heavily on him in the days ahead, as would her earlier attempts to talk to him about the pregnancy.

His dad thought he should save his reputation, but Hardy was more concerned about trying to save his self-respect. He’d let Angie down, and he would think about that when his anger got the best of him.

As he neared Temple, his heart beat faster. In a few minutes, he would see his daughter.

And Angie.

What was he supposed to say to her now?

* * *

A
NGIE
WOKE
UP
with a start. She was still in the chair with her head resting on Erin’s bed, one hand on Erin’s stomach. The doctor said Erin would be fine, but she still had to feel her daughter’s heartbeat just to make sure.

Around midnight, Erin had woken up crying and the nurse had injected something into the IV so she could rest. Angie brushed soft brown hair from Erin’s warm forehead; some of it was caked with blood. The bruise was now almost black. That was going to take a while to heal. Her baby would be in some pain for several days, and Angie would do everything she could to ease the trauma Erin was going through.

Angie stood, stretched her aching shoulders and walked around to exercise her stiff legs. Light seeped in through the window. It was a new day, and Angie felt it was also a new beginning. She had no idea what Hardy was going to do now, but she had to be prepared. For herself. And Erin.

She took a shower and changed into capris and a sleeveless top, grateful AnaMarie had thought to bring them. After brushing her hair, she whipped it into a ponytail and went back to her daughter. Erin was still out. Angie paced around the room to keep from sitting and worrying. She dared not leave to go for coffee, but, oh, she needed some.

The door opened, and Hardy stood there with two cups in his hands, the same as last night. Her heart hammered loudly in her ears. They stared at each other for a long moment, neither knowing what to say.

His dark hair was slicked back, and worry mixed with anger slashed across the strong lines of his handsome face.

Finally, he held out one of the cups. “Thought you might need this.”

Her hands closed around the offering without a second thought. “Thank you.”

Hardy looked toward the bed. “Has she been awake?”

“Once, and they gave her something for pain. She should wake up anytime now.”

He walked to the bed and stared at Erin. His sun-browned skin paled. “What day was she born? And where? There’s so many things I don’t know about her. All I know is she’s Jody’s best friend.”

“Could we not get into this now, please?”

His eyes caught hers. “When, then? Another eleven years or so?”

The hurt in his eyes jolted her and a hollow feeling settled in her stomach.

“I’d rather not talk about this in front of her, even though she’s asleep.”

“I want her to know I’m her father.”

Angie swallowed hard. “I’ll tell her, but not until I know she can handle it. She’s only ten years old. Her birthday was yesterday.”

His eyes darkened. “Yesterday? I hit her on her birthday?”

“That’s why all the cars were there. I gave her a big party.”

“Oh, God.” He looked at Erin again. “I’ve run out of ways to say I’m sorry. I’ve run out of ways to be angry and to justify all this. She’s my kid, and you never told me. I’m struggling with that.”

Her heart broke for what he was going through. For what she had caused him. And he was right. There was no other way to say
I’m sorry.
It had all been said. They had to go forward.

“Let’s concentrate on Erin and her well-being. You’re welcome to stay. I’ll have to explain why you’re here. She’ll be surprised, but, please, let’s take it slow. For Erin.”

He kept staring at his child. “She looks nothing like me.”

“Wait till she opens her eyes. They’re dark blue like yours. I’ve worried for two years that you would notice that, but I don’t think you ever saw her. I mean, really saw her. She was Jody’s friend. That was it.”

He glared at her. “And it made you happy that I never recognized my daughter?”

She bit her lip. “Honestly, no. It just made me very aware of the enormous secret I lived with, and I knew one day it would have to be told. For Erin’s sake and yours.”

“It didn’t have to be a secret, Angie. That was your decision alone.”

“Could we not do this now?” she asked again.

Erin stirred. “Mama,” she whimpered.

Angie immediately went to her. “I’m here, baby.”

“My head...hurts.”

Angie stroked back Erin’s hair with one hand and pushed the nurse’s button with the other. “You bumped your head. Remember?”

“No,” Erin replied, and tears rolled from her eyes.

“Shh. It’s okay. The nurse will be here in a minute.”

“A nurse? Where are we?”

“We’re in the hospital. Remember? You were in an accident.”

“I want to go home,” Erin cried.

A nurse came in. “Hi, Erin. You’re awake. Are you in pain?”

Erin looked at Angie.

“Tell her how you feel, baby,” Angie urged.

But Erin closed her eyes and turned her head.

Angie gently caressed her cheek. “Tell the nurse how you feel.”

Erin opened her eyes. “My...my head hurts.”

“How does your leg feel?” the nurse asked.

“I don’t know,” Erin murmured.

The nurse checked the IV and Erin’s pulse, then took her blood pressure and temperature. She turned to Angie. “She’s running a low-grade fever, but nothing to be alarmed about. I’ll put something in the IV to relax her, but I’d like for her to stay awake for a little bit.”

“Okay,” Angie said. “But I don’t want her to be in pain.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of that.” The nurse disappeared out the door.

“What happened, Mama?” Erin asked, her voice shaky.

“You were in an accident. You were running after your beach ball and—”

“Yeah. I had to get it before it went into Mrs. Wimby’s yard because she keeps whatever she finds in her yard.” Erin moved her head and winced. “I don’t remember any more.”

“It’s okay, baby. We’ll talk about it later,” Angie told her. “Try to relax.”

“Why does my head hurt?”

Angie swallowed again, trying to explain without upsetting her daughter. “You banged your head in the accident.”

“Oh.” Erin looked past Angie to Hardy. “What are you doing here, Mr. Hardy? Did I do something wrong?”

To Erin, Hardy represented the law.

Hardy stepped closer to the bed, his skin now a pasty white. “I’m sorry...Erin. I didn’t see you. All of a sudden you were in front of my truck, and I slammed on the brakes. You didn’t do anything wrong. I should have been more alert.”

Erin glanced at Angie, not understanding what Hardy was talking about. “You ran out in front of Mr. Hardy’s truck, and he hit you. That’s why you’re in the hospital. You hurt your head on the pavement and fractured your leg.”

Erin’s expression didn’t change, and Angie wondered if she understood what she was trying to tell her. “Is it Monday?” Erin finally asked.

“No, baby. It’s Sunday.”

“Then tomorrow we’re leaving on our trip?”

Angie chewed on her lip, knowing Erin wasn’t going to take this well. They’d planned for two years to go to Disney World. How did she break her heart, especially when she was in pain? But she had to tell her the truth, which seemed hypocritical since she was keeping the biggest secret of all from her.

Angie stroked her daughter’s hair once more. “No, baby, we won’t be going to Disney World this summer. We have to stay home so you can heal and learn to walk on your leg again.”

“No! I can walk. I can walk. We can go.”

Angie kissed Erin’s cheek. “We’ll go when you’re better, but not tomorrow.”

“That’s not fair. I saved my money and...” Big tears rolled from her eyes again, and she cried openly, much as she had when she was younger.

Angie just held her, not knowing what else to say.

The doctor walked in. “Good morning.”

Erin burrowed against Angie.

“Not a good morning, huh?” The doctor walked to the bed to check Erin’s leg. He pinched her toes to check for blood circulation, and then he checked the bandage on her hip. From there he looked at the bruise on her forehead.