who I was and where to find me just solidified the thought that Walker couldn’t be trusted, and the entire Wheeler family was out for my son.
“I think you should leave now; this gallery is for patrons and possible commissions.”
“Please, Stacy. What’s the harm in just hearing me out? After we talk, I will leave, and you can go back to having nothing to do with me. I’ve made a mess of this whole thing, and now I’m losing my son because of it.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
She sighed, her age finally showing through the facade. “Walker told me a few days ago that he’s giving up the ranch and leaving Texas. I can only assume that’s because he thinks you will do the same.”
“I haven’t spoken to him in days.”
“Yes, I know. I believe that might be my fault as well. He was so happy with you, but I was too stubborn to see it. He wasn’t doing what I wanted, and as a mother, that’s hard to see. He’s a grown man, though, and I can see now that he was only doing what was best to protect his child, just as I was doing.”
“Walker is leaving?” I whispered.
She shrugged. “I don’t really know at this point. He won’t speak to his brothers or me since our phone call, but his attorney has mentioned the paperwork being drawn up to hand over the rights to his portion of the ranch.”
“Walker loves Calumet though, why would he ever give that up?”
“Because he found something he loves more, two of them, I believe, and he’s willing to give up everything he’s worked for in order to keep you two.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. Walker was speaking with an attorney about befriending me and gaining my trust. That doesn’t sound like a man in love. That sounds like a man with a plan to take my child away from me.”
“No,” She said. “Walker would never take your son away from you.”
“Then it was you? You’re the one who was going to try and take him from me?”
“I only wanted what was best for the little boy. He’s a Wheeler; he deserves the best life that our family can offer him. But for me to even consider taking legal action was the biggest mistake of my life.”
My head was spinning. How could I believe anything that she was telling me? She was my son’s grandmother, but she was also the head of the Wheeler family, and they were well known not to let go of something once they dug their claws into it. Whatever she felt towards me at that moment was due to her son’s actions, not mine. She’d have been happy to rip Harrison from my arms if it wasn’t for Walker. My heart lurched at the thought of him.
“If you won’t stay or listen to me, stay for Walker. Please don’t leave just because I was a terrible mother at the start of all this. With my oldest son, I would have expected a child out of wedlock but not with Walker.”
“Well, Harrison wasn’t planned, but that doesn’t mean I love him any less. He’s my entire world, and I’ll do anything needed to protect him. Anything.”
She nodded. “I understand. I would do the same thing for my sons and daughter—every single one of them. You are only doing what you think is best. Walker loves you, though. He doesn’t know I’m here. I think he’d be furious if he did. Still, honestly, he’s already leaving the family, so I don’t know what else he could do in retaliation.”
“Walker is really thinking about leaving Calumet?”
“Yes. His brothers have stopped out to talk to him, but he’s never there. I know he’s safe, though. He’s out riding the cattle with his men. I don’t blame him. This has torn him apart.”
“What makes you think that he loves me? We barely know each other. Why should I believe this isn’t just another ploy to sink your teeth into my baby?”
Her eyes flickered a spark of defiance just below the surface. I could tell the conversation was hard for her. She didn’t seem like the type of woman to admit when she was wrong. Hell, she didn’t seem like the type of woman that was ever wrong, period. This time, she’d crossed a line and was now in the doghouse with Walker. Knowing how he felt about me made my heart race. How could I trust her, though? After what I’d