were so many unanswered questions between the two of us. He was a dangerous man that could put more than just my future on the line.
"Stop over-thinking everything," Matty muttered. "It's just dinner."
"Is it, though? A week ago, I would have fled the country at the idea of seeing him again. Now I'm going to dinner with him. What if he's just trying to get on my good side?"
She shrugged. "That's a risk you have to take. Like you pointed out, though, he isn't on the birth certificate, and he's got no claim to Harrison. That little boy has only ever known you; Walker is going to be a complete stranger to him unless you change that."
"Am I doing the right thing?" I asked.
"I have no idea for sure, but I really think that you are. Parents are important people. You are being careful and using your best judgment to decide if he's someone you want in your son's life."
"What if he decides that one night isn't enough and he wants custody?"
"You said that he promised or gave you his word, something like that? I don't think he's the type of man to go back on that. I mean, look at him. He drips country charm and old class."
"Yeah, I know. That's exactly what I'm worried about. I fell for that charm once, or did you forget about Harrison?"
Matty laughed. "Alright, maybe don't let his charm get to you that much, but you get what I'm saying, right? He isn't going to screw you over."
"Do you know what I'm the most worried about?"
"What?"
"That tonight is going to go flawlessly, and I won't have a reason not to see him again. What if he turns out to be perfect?"
"Yeah," she laughed. "A rich man who fathered your child and wants to be your baby? Sure, sounds like an awful outcome."
"Matty!" I exclaimed. "You know that isn't what I want! We have adventures to tackle; you, me, and Harrison."
"We could do them a lot faster with a Wheeler bankroll."
"I'm starting to think you should date him," I muttered.
"Ew, gross. Old people. You are all just old people to me. But I really hope tonight goes well."
I pulled her into a tight embrace. "Thank you for everything you've done, and thank you for watching Harrison tonight."
"GO enjoy yourself and find out a little more about Mr. Wheeler. You know I'm going to want all the details the second you get back."
"I promise you'll get every last juicy piece."
***
My hands were shaking when he picked me up. The memory of the last time I was in the passenger seat of his truck raced through my mind. He smelled just as delicious as the night I first met him, driving home the realization that I was very much aroused.
I shook the thoughts away, trying to focus on the road as it unfolded in front of us. It was strange to be with him. There was so much history between the two of us, yet we'd barely spoken two kind words to each other since the first time we'd met.
"So, where are we going for dinner?" I asked.
He grinned. "I thought that I would go the whole nine yards and cook for you. I've actually been cooking all day. Should be done just about the time we get there."
"We are going to your house?" My heart raced. "I don't know how I feel about that."
"Listen, I've got a barn full of men and a house full of help. There won't be any funny business. I'm just trying to get you to understand that I'm not a bad guy, okay?"
"I don't think you are a bad guy," I muttered.
Walker laughed. "That doesn't sound very convincing. Maybe that was the wrong word. You might not think I'm a bad guy, but you don't think I'm good enough to be a part of Harrison's life. Tonight, I'm going to show you just how much that little boy means to me."
"You don't know him; he can't possibly mean that much to you."
"What about the second he was born?" Walker asked. "Or even before that when you were pregnant? You didn't know him then, but I bet you felt the same way that I'm feeling right now."
"Walker, even if tonight goes well, I don't know how I feel about you being a part of his life yet."
"I know, and I'll keep trying to show you that I can be a good thing for him and you both for as long as