The Cowboy's Secret Son - Judy Christenberry Mills & Boon Cherish

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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.

      Lying back on his bed, his hands behind his head, he contemplated the future. After a while, he gave up and shut off his light.

      Who knew what the future would bring?

      Robbie got up at seven the next morning, his regular time, despite the fact that it was Saturday. As she’d promised, Abby was waiting for him in the kitchen. She’d gotten up earlier to help Kate make breakfast.

      Nick had ignored both of them, but Brad had commented on how well they worked together.

      When Robbie entered the kitchen, Kate hugged him and asked if he was hungry.

      He looked at the display of food on the table. “Pancakes! My favorite!”

      Abby looked at her son. “I laid out some clothes for you, Robbie. Why didn’t you get dressed?”

      “But I don’t have to go to school now,” Robbie explained.

      Abby, however, didn’t cut him any slack. “Go get dressed. Then you can have breakfast.”

      Robbie looked at Nick, as if he thought he would overrule Abby. Nick simply said, “Do you need some help?”

      “No, I can do it, ‘cept tying my shoes.”

      “I’ll do that for you when you’re dressed,” Nick promised him.

      After Robbie left the room, Abby whispered, “Thank you.”

      “For what?” Nick asked.

      “For not overruling me. He knows to get dressed, but I guess he wanted to test me.”

      “I’m in favor of rules. I won’t interfere unless I think you’re telling him the wrong thing.”

      She nodded and continued working on the breakfast.

      Five minutes later, Robbie returned to the kitchen, dressed in the clothes Abby had chosen for him.

      “My, don’t you look nice,” Kate praised him.

      “Thank you…Grandma.” He eyed her as if wondering if she would accept her new role.

      “You’re welcome, grandson.”

      He looked at his mother. “Is that me?”

      She smiled. “Yes, it is, sweetie.”

      Robbie went to Nick. “Daddy, will you tie my shoes now?”

      “Sure. Come here.” Nick lifted Robbie to his lap and tied his shoes. “Now, how about a man’s breakfast?”

      “Mommy, can I have a man’s breakfast?”

      “How about a little man’s breakfast?” Abby offered.

      With a grin, Robbie nodded.

      They all sat around the table a little longer than usual. With Robbie there, Nick seemed to relax more and even smile now and then. She enjoyed the time and even began to feel welcome.

      Until the back door opened and a tall, thin, tawny-eyed blonde came in.

      Abby didn’t need Nick’s exclamation to know this was the infamous Patricia.

      “Patricia! I didn’t expect you,” Nick said, rising to greet her.

      In spite of the audience, or perhaps because of it, she said, “Hi, lover,” and put a liplock on him that Abby found embarrassing. A look at the others showed the same reaction.

      Nick took her arms from around his neck and broke off the passionate kiss. “Patricia, the family is here.”

      “Hi,” she said, with a smile that didn’t include any of them.

      Kate

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