Free The Last American Cowboy by Vanessa Devereaux Page B

ringtone.
    “Hello, this is Blake.”
    I closed my eyes, hoping the words would come out. “Hi, Blake, it’s Fiona.”
    “Hey, city girl. What’s happening in Boston?”
    “Not much. It’s raining today—windy, too.”
    “So how are you and Lily doing?”
    “We’re great. Blake, there’s something really important I need to tell you. I know I should do it in person but…”
    “Hey, this sounds like something I need to sit down to hear.”
    “I think you should. Are you ready?”
    “Sure, I am.”
    “I’m pregnant.” Had I heard him fall to the ground? There was just silence at the other end of the phone now. “Blake, are you still there?”
    “Sure, I am. I hope it’s my baby.”
    “Yep, definitely yours.”
    “You’re right. I do need to sit down.” I heard what sounded like a chair being dragged over the floor. “Guess we shouldn’t have relied on just condoms.”
    “I’m really sorry.”
    “Baby, it’s not your fault. We both took part in making this little one. You know when you’re due?”
    “Yes, I went to see the doctor this morning, and he said some day around February 24.” There was silence again. “Blake.”
    “Yeah, I’m still here. You want me to be there with you…I mean, when you deliver?”
    “That would be great. I’ve opted to have the baby in the same hospital I had Lily.”
    I heard some men’s voices in the background and someone calling Blake’s name.
    “Fiona, I’ve got to go sort out a problem here, but I’m going to call you right back, and we can talk some more, okay?”
    “Sure. I’ll be waiting.”

 
     

     
     
     
     
    Chapter Nineteen
     
    Blake never called me back, and here I was at work, sitting at my desk in tears. I’d be facing having this baby all by myself. I rubbed my belly, wondering if it was a boy or a girl and how I was going to tell Lily she’d be sharing her mommy with another sibling.
    I leaned back in my chair, suddenly regretting giving in to my sexual urges. If I hadn’t slept with the cowboy, none of this would have happened. I’d been so adamant about protecting Lily from any hurt, and because I couldn’t keep my carnal passions under control, I’d affected her life, too.
    I wanted to leave work early. I’d had my first round of morning sickness that day and was starting to feel sick again.
    * * * * *
     
    Later that evening, I looked at Lily, lying on her stomach in front of the TV and scribbling on an art pad my mother had given her. I’d have to tell her soon, and how was she going to react?
    I took a deep breath, thinking now might be a good time to ease into the subject. The doorbell rang just as I was heading in to sit with her. When I opened it, a man in his mid-fifties with a beer gut stood there, holding a cell phone in his hand.
    “Fiona Spencer?” he asked.
    “Yes,” I said.
    “This is for you,” he said, handing me the cell phone.
    I was puzzled until I heard Blake’s voice calling my name through the phone. I lifted it to my ear.
    “Guess you’re wondering what this is all about?”
    “Yeah, I have a guy I’ve never seen before standing on my doorstep, and now you’re talking to me on his cell phone.”
    “I tried to get a flight to Boston after we spoke.” My heart beat double time. So he hadn’t just abandoned me. “But I’ve got so much going on here, and I can’t leave right now. So I’ve spent all afternoon trying to arrange for you to come to me tonight.”
    “Tonight…Blake, I can’t. I mean, I have work. I have to take Lily to my parents and—”
    “It’s all arranged. I spoke with your boss, and don’t worry. Lily’s coming, too. She can spare some time away from school.”
    “But…”
    “But nothing. Go pack some stuff for the both of you, and this man is going to drive you to the airport. My dad, who, I should tell you, is over the moon that his only son has finally knocked up a woman, has arranged for you to fly here in his friend’s private