The Cowboy's Secret Son. Judy Christenberry

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      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 СКАЧАТЬ