Claiming The Rancher's Heir (Gold Valley Vineyards #2) - Maisey Yates Page 0,57

My son’s name is Lucas. And I don’t know him. And I’ve used that pain to drive me. I told myself all the things I would have done differently for him. And I made myself feel confident in this hypothetical version of me. And at the same time, I used the guilt to keep me safe. To convince myself that I never had to love again, because I had already loved and lost it. But I was just using that guilt to protect myself. Because it was easier than maybe being hurt again.

“I never loved Louisa,” he said. “But what she told me was that I might not be good enough, and I let that sit inside me. But I want to be good enough. For you. I want to be everything for you.”

“Creed,” she said. “What you did for me... You brought me on a journey to myself. And it was the thing I needed most, when I needed it most. I spent my life protecting myself, so I understand how compelling that is. I know what it is to live your life feeling like you might not be enough. But we were just trying to be enough for the wrong people. When we’re already more than perfect for each other.”

“Wren,” he said, his voice rough. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said, flinging herself into his arms and kissing him with everything in her heart. “I love you so much.”

“This isn’t just a second chance,” he said, putting his hand on her stomach. “It’s our chance. And I’m so damn grateful.”

“Me, too.”

Wren Maxfield loved Creed Cooper more than anything. He was a cocky, arrogant pain in the butt, and he was hers. And suddenly, even with all the twists and turns in the road to get here, Wren knew she was living her life, the best life.

She knew who she was.

She was Creed’s and he was hers.

And nothing could ever be better than that.

Epilogue

Creed was the proudest father around. Matched only by how proud of a husband he was.

He loved watching his son grow, and he loved watching Wren learn, as she went through the process of getting her degree so she could become an architectural engineer.

The people he was blessed to love astounded him in every way.

He astounded himself, because he never really imagined he would enjoy a one-year-old’s birthday party. But he did. It had been the best day, down to watching his son’s pudgy little fingers smash the cake they’d had made especially for that purpose.

His fascination a few months earlier with their Christmas tree—fake because Wren wanted a very particular spectacle, and Mac would eat fallen pine needles—had been just as cute. Though they’d had to anchor it to a wall so he didn’t pull it down on himself.

But it was the knock on the door after the birthday party that led to the most unexpected thing of all.

Wren was the one who answered it. And she came running to him, where he was sitting on the floor with Mac, only a few moments later.

“Creed. You need to come here.” Wren swooped down and picked up Mac, and then stepped back as Creed made his way to the door.

Standing there, outside, was his oldest son.

“You don’t know me,” the kid said. “But... My mom told me the whole story. Everything, a few months ago. And she said what I did with it was up to me, but... I thought it was time I came to meet you.”

Creed’s heart slowed as Lucas looked past him. The color drained from the kid’s face. “Oh, I hope I didn’t cause any problems.”

“No,” Creed said. “You didn’t. I just... I never wanted to go crashing into your life and cause any problems for you. But there’s always been a place for you in my life. And there always will be.”

“I guess my dad always knew,” Lucas said. “You know. My...”

“He’s your dad,” Creed said. “He’s the one who raised you. But I’d like the chance to be something to you.”

Because that’s what love did. It grew, it expanded, it changed. And it left no room for resentment.

And Creed was damned thankful that he had a woman who understood that. Because Wren accepted Lucas into their lives with as much ease as he could have asked from her.

And sometime down the road he realized it wasn’t love that caused hurt. It was fear.

And his family made a rule not to operate from fear.

But just to grow from love.

And that was what they did. From then, until forever.

They just loved.

And they were happy.

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