The Cowboy's Secret Son

She’d find a way to make it work. She had to, for Robbie’s sake.

When they reached the ranch, Abby sat in the car, drawing a deep breath. The rambling single-story ranch house with its wraparound porch looked the same, as did the mountains in the background. She felt the same trepidation as she did the last time she’d seen it.

But she couldn’t sit in the car for the rest of her life, so she let out the breath she was holding and woke her son.

“Robbie? We’re here, sweetie. Wake up.”

The little boy struggled awake. “Where are we, Mommy?”

“We’re at Nick’s ranch.”

Instantly alert, Robbie strained in his car seat to look out the window. “Can you see horses and dogs?”

“Well, I hear some dogs—” She stopped when Nick suddenly jerked her door open.

He loomed over her, his hands on the roof of her small car. “Aren’t you going to get out?” Without awaiting her reply, he leaned in and asked Robbie, “Ready, champ?”

“Yeah!” He clicked open his car seat and exited the car.

As Nick started to move away, Abby reached out and touched his hand.

“Nick, what are we going to—to say to your mother?” She didn’t have to explain; Nick knew what she meant.

“We won’t have to say anything,” Nick whispered fiercely. “She remembers what I looked like at this age. That’s why I didn’t have to question you about his age. I knew I was his daddy as soon as I saw him.”

“But your mom might say something—”

“Don’t you think it’s about time someone did?”

Abby’s heart seemed to stop. “I don’t want Robbie upset!”

Nick left her standing by the car door. “It’s too late to worry about that.” Then he walked off with Robbie’s hand in his.

She scrambled to follow him. Regardless of what Nick said, she didn’t want Robbie to learn the truth without her there to help him understand.

Despite Robbie’s wails about seeing the cows, Nick insisted they go into the house first.

Abby knew Julie was in Cheyenne, and she’d guess Brad was out of college by now. If he’d come back home, there’d be at least four of Nick’s siblings here to contend with.

She followed Nick and Robbie into the shadowy coolness of the house straight to the large kitchen where the family spent most of its time. Kate Logan was standing at the cabinet preparing something. “Who is it?” she called over her shoulder, obviously having heard them come in.

“It’s me, Mom,” Nick said.

She spun around, eager to greet her oldest son. But she came to a complete halt when she saw Abby with him. Her smile disappeared. “I didn’t know you were bringing Abby to visit, Nick.”

“I brought Abby and her son to visit.”

Kate noticed the little boy for the first time. Her eyes widened in shock and she immediately looked at Nick. “Is he—”

Abby held her breath, waiting for her to blurt out the secret she’d kept all these years.

But all Nick said was, “This is Robbie, Abby’s little boy.”

After looking at Abby for a moment without speaking, Kate knelt down to Robbie. “Hello, Robbie. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m glad you’ve come for a—a visit.”

“Thank you,” Robbie replied, displaying all the manners Abby had ever taught him. “Nick says he has horses and dogs.”

“Yes, he does. In fact, one of the dogs had puppies a couple of weeks ago. Would you like to see them?’

“Real puppies? Not play puppies?”

“Real puppies. I’ll get Nick’s brother to take you.”

She stood and said, “Nick, call Brad.”

Nick went to find his brother.

“Mommy, do you want to see the puppies, too?” Robbie asked. She should have known he’d be a bit nervous about a stranger taking him.

She smiled to let him know it was okay. “You go with Nick’s brother. I’ll come out later, sweetheart. I’m tired. I didn’t get a nap in the car like you.”

He leaned against her leg, his hand taking hers. In a whisper, he said, “But I don’t know Brad.”

Abby knelt and hugged her son. “I know, but I do. He’s a lot like Nick. He’ll never hurt you, either.”

The young man in question walked into the kitchen, a smile lighting up his handsome face.

“Hi, Abby. It’s good to see you.”

“You, too, Brad. This is my son, Robbie.”

“Hey, Robbie. I hear you want to see the puppies. I might even be persuaded to let you hold one. How about that?”

“Really?” Robbie asked with enthusiasm, immediately taking Brad’s hand.

“You two go ahead and I’ll have lunch ready when you get back,” Kate said.

After they left the house, Abby said, “So much for him not wanting to go without me.”

“Only because you told him Brad was someone you knew. I appreciate that, Abby,” Kate said, surprising Abby.

She only nodded, waiting for what would come next. She knew it wouldn’t take Kate long to get to the point.

True to form, she asked, “So, you had Nick’s child?”

“Yes.”

“Now what, Nick?” Kate asked her son.

“I told her she’d had Robbie for the first five years of his life so now I get him for the next five.”

Kate looked aghast at her son’s words. “No wonder Abby came with you!” She shook her head. “What about Patricia? Have you given thought to how she’ll react to this news?”

Abby looked from one to the other. “Who is Patricia?”

Nick took an indignant stance. “She doesn’t have anything to do with you!”

“Son,” was Kate’s only word. But it seemed to have an affect on Nick. He turned away and began pacing the room.

The realization dawned on Abby and she felt as if her heart lurched. She looked at Kate. “Don’t tell me she’s his wife.”

CHAPTER TWO

“SHE’S not my wife!” Nick exclaimed, spinning around.

“Then who is she?” Abby asked.

“She’s my fiancée.”

Not that big a difference, Abby thought. Holding her emotions in check, she asked, “Have you told her about Robbie?”

“No, not yet. But she won’t mind,” he snapped.

Abby had her doubts about this Patricia. And it gave her an opportunity to negotiate with Nick.

“Look, Nick, I agree you need to get to know Robbie. But I’ve come back to Sydney Creek. I intend to stay here…as soon as I find a job. Let me find a place in town to live and you can spend the weekends with Robbie.”

“No!” Nick ground out. “He stays here! I—”

He broke off his tirade when they heard the arrival of Brad and Robbie. The little boy ran into the kitchen to his mother, babbling about the puppies he’d held and which one was his favorite.

“I liked the littlest one best, Mommy. He was so cute.”

“You want to have that puppy as your own?” Nick asked.

Robbie’s eyes got big. “Can I? Mommy, can we take the puppy home with us?”

“Tell him!” Nick ordered.

Abby sank down to her son’s level. “Um, sweetie, we’re going to be staying here for a little while. As long as we’re here—”

“Tell him the truth!”

“What’s he want you to tell me, Mommy?”

Abby closed her eyes. She’d dreamed of this moment so many times, played it out in her mind. But telling Robbie who his father was never went smoothly. She’d always anticipated having more time to get the script right. Apparently she was wrong.

Help came from an unlikely source. It was Kate who protested. “You’re being too hard on her, Nick.”

Nick didn’t answer his mother. He merely stood over Abby, never taking his eyes off her, waiting.

Abby knelt down before her son. “Honey, do you remember asking about your daddy?”

“Yes, but it’s okay, Mommy. Don’t cry again.”

Abby tried to hold back the tears she could feel in the back of her eyes. How much she loved this boy! “No, I won’t cry. But—but I—Your daddy—”

Suddenly Nick knelt down beside her. “I’m your daddy, son. I didn’t know about you or I would’ve come for you sooner.”

Robbie’s brown eyes took on a confused look. “Are you sure? ‘Cause Mommy said I didn’t have a daddy.”

Abby took his hands in hers and spoke up, though her throat was tight and her eyes welled with tears. “He’s right, Robbie. Do you know where I got your name?”

He shook his head.

“Your grandfather died just before I went away. When I found out I was expecting you, I wanted you to have something to remember about him, so I named you after him. His name was Robert, too.” Tears were streaming down Abby’s face now, but she didn’t care.

“He never saw me when I was a baby?” Robbie asked.

Abby felt a hand on her shoulders. Kate had come forward to stand beside her. “No, darling, he didn’t,” Kate said, clearly emotional, “but he would if he were here. He was my husband, and Nick’s daddy.”

Robbie turned to look at Nick. “You had a daddy?”

“Yeah, I did. He was a real good dad. And you have a grandma.”

“I do?” Robbie asked, not making the connection.

“I’m your grandma, sweetheart,” Kate said.

“Wow. There’s lots of us, Mommy. This is going to be fun!”

He never ceased to amaze Abby. She’d fretted so about telling him, but Robbie wasn’t upset. He marveled at the idea of having a huge family.

But “fun”? She hardly thought being in Sydney Creek with Nick and the other Logans would qualify as fun. But she couldn’t tell her son that. She looked down at the floor, trying to figure out what to say.

“Isn’t it good, Mommy?”

Of course it was, she told herself. For Robbie. She looked up and forced a smile. “Yes, of course, sweetie.”

“So we’re going to stay here and I can have my puppy?”

“You’ll have to ask your grandma. It’s her house,” Abby said, hugging her son.

“But, Mommy, you’re going to stay, too, aren’t you? You’re my mommy!”

Before Abby could think of an answer, Kate spoke up. “Absolutely, your mommy will stay. She’s part of the family!”

Nick raised his voice in protest. “Mom, what are you—”

Hands on her hips, Kate held her ground. “It is my house, isn’t it, Nick? I say she stays.”

Nick stared at her a moment, then he spun on his heels and walked out of the kitchen.

Abby was speechless. And confused. Kate had come to her defense? As for Nick, he clearly wanted nothing to do with her. Regardless of his mother’s insistence, how could Abby stay? “Kate, maybe it’s best if—”

“No. This is all my fault. I won’t allow him to separate you from your child!”

“What do you mean it’s all your fault?”

Before Kate could respond, Brad put his hands up. “I don’t think I want to hear this.” He started for the hallway. “I’ll go find Nick.”

Abby didn’t know what to say. Stunned, she could only stand there, watching Kate wipe the tears from her eyes.

After a moment, Kate began to explain. “I thought Nick could do better. You probably realized that. Then when his father died, I didn’t want him to go away. I—I needed him. So he missed out on Robbie’s life. And…and now there’s Patricia!” Kate said, bursting into more sobs.

Abby looked down at her son. “Robbie, go watch something on television for a few minutes.”

“Okay, Mommy, but is Nick really my daddy?”

“Yes, sweetheart, he really is.”

“Okay. I’ll go think of a name for my puppy!”

“Now, Kate,” Abby said, leading Nick’s mom to a seat at the kitchen table. “My getting pregnant wasn’t your fault. And no matter whose fault it was, I would never give Robbie back. I love him so much.”

“Of course you do, Abby. And he’s absolutely perfect. But—but I could’ve managed without Nick. I should’ve managed without Nick. Then the two of you would’ve been together.”

“You’d just lost your husband and you had five other children depending on you. You couldn’t have done it all on your own. Look, Nick and I have already had this argument. He made the decision for both of us. I let him do that, but he didn’t have that right. And I didn’t believe in his love. So we all share the blame. But it’s water under the bridge.”

“Oh, Abby, you’re being very generous.”

Abby ducked her head. “No, not really. I’ll admit I blamed you a little, too. But in the end, it was Nick who sent me away. It took me a while to stop being angry.”

Kate stiffened. “I realize he shouldn’t have—”

“No, we need to just let it go. Our time is gone. Now it’s Nick and Patricia’s time. I can accept that as long as he doesn’t take Robbie away from me.”

“I won’t let him do that, Abby, I promise.”

“I want you to tell me if my staying here causes problems between you and Nick. I’ll start looking for a place at once.”

“No. I know Nick is upset, but he can’t be that mean. I won’t let him force you to leave your little boy here while you go away. Robbie would hate him if he did that.”

“Maybe not if he gets that puppy!” Abby said with a small smile through her tears.

“Yeah. He’s just like his daddy, isn’t he?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I kept him from you, Kate, but I didn’t—I didn’t know how to come back.”

“Well, that’s certainly one thing Nick accomplished,” Kate said with a shaky laugh. “A grandson! And you named him after Robert. That was so wonderful of you.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“Oh, yes.” Kate patted a chair next to her for Abby to sit. “Now we’ve got to find a place for you to settle in. Let’s see. Julie is in Cheyenne, so you can have her room. We’ll put Robbie in Charlie’s room. He’s at college in Laramie. It’s right next to Nick’s room, so that should please him.”

“Perfect, Kate. Thank you for making me feel welcome.”

“You’re the mother of my grandson. Of course you’re welcome.”

Much as she was still surprised by Kate’s transformation, there was still the big question looming over them. “Now we have to talk about Patricia.”

“Oh.”

Abby stared at Kate. “Is she that bad?”

“Well, she’s very pretty…in a prim way.”

“What do you mean?”

“She expects everything to go her way.”

Abby stared at Kate. “With Nick? She gets her way with Nick?”

“No. She’s playing him very carefully. But everything else is done her way or not done at all. She volunteered to cook for Nick once. He agreed, thinking she’d come out and fix dinner for all of us. But she fixed dinner just for her and Nick. And she didn’t even fix enough for him. He works hard all day. You know how hungry he gets. He was polite to her, but after she left, he fixed himself a sandwich!”

“And where did you and the kids go to eat?”

“To the café. Julie and Brad weren’t here. The other three didn’t care. They thought it was great. When we got home, I found she hadn’t had time to wash the dishes. She left them for me!”

“She didn’t!” Abby protested.

“Yes, she did. When I got home, Nick was trying to clean up and eat his sandwich at the same time. I took over. But that’s when I realized I’d made a big mistake. She’s totally wrong for him!”

“Does she like children?” That would be the woman’s saving grace, that she would be good to Robbie.

Kate slowly shook her head. “I know she’s a teacher, but she doesn’t seem to—The kids don’t like her.”

“Maybe she’s better one-on-one?”

Kate slowly shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not.”

Abby sank back into her seat. She’d vaulted one hurdle—Nick’s mother—but the more formidable one loomed ahead.

What was she going to do about Patricia?

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 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.