Montana Cowboy Daddy (Wyatt Brothers of Montana #3) - Jane Porter Page 0,51
weekend with Mom and Granddad, and give them a chance to know his son better. He’d love to show Erika around Marietta, too. It was a great Western town, filled with lots of historical buildings and some new great restaurants. And then there was Grey’s Saloon, his favorite place for a beer. Maybe Joe and Sophie could watch Beck for an hour or two while Billy took Erika to Grey’s. Did Erika even drink beer? He was fairly confident she didn’t play pool.
And then he stopped himself.
There was no reason to take Erika to Montana, no reason to show her around. They weren’t in a relationship, and she wasn’t going to be an integral part of his life much longer. She was Beck’s aunt, or second cousin, or something along those lines, but he didn’t know how much of a relationship Erika and Beck would have once she returned to California. Billy wasn’t the type to stay in touch with those outside his own family. He never did the chasing, either. If a girl wanted him, they came after him, not vice versa. He wouldn’t hunt Erika down, not even when his travel took him to Southern California. Why invite trouble? And Erika was trouble. She was beautiful, desirable, and not available.
She’d never be available.
She was Beck’s mother’s family and he wasn’t about to hurt family, and he did hurt women. He disappointed them constantly. So no, Erika wouldn’t go with him. Which made him wonder, when would she go?
Which made his gut cramp because Beck would miss her something awful. Beck loved her and was attached to her and his little face lit up every time she entered the room. When he hadn’t seen her for a while he got fussy and restless, clearly needing to be back in her arms.
Billy dreaded the day Beck had to get used to life without her. Beck would grieve. He’d cry. He’d miss her.
But eventually he’d forget. Eventually he’d move on. He didn’t have a choice. That was just how life worked.
*
Erika stretched, enjoying soft sheets and warmth of the bed. She’d had such a good night sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, relaxed, content, wondering what time it was. Sunlight peeked around the blinds in her room. The clock read seven thirty. Erika sat up, panicked.
Beck.
Billy.
Throwing the covers back, she scrambled out of bed, threw on a sweatshirt and raced from her room. Beck’s door was open and his crib empty. She headed toward the living room and heard Billy’s voice. He was talking to someone, probably on the phone. But, arriving in the living room, she discovered he wasn’t on the phone. He was having a very long, one-sided conversation with his son.
Her lips curved, and she smiled, pleased. It was about time Billy started having father-son conversations.
Billy looked up and spotted her. “How did you sleep?”
“So good,” she answered, going to the fireplace to warm herself. This past week the mornings had been really cold, even as the afternoons warmed up. “Have you two been up long?”
“Since five thirty.”
“Oh no. I didn’t hear him crying.”
“He wasn’t fussing too much. Just saying hello. He was ready to get up.”
“He’s an early bird.”
“Granddad always was. I never liked those early morning hours, especially when you had to go to the barn and do chores.” Billy nodded to the kitchen. “Coffee’s made, but you might want to put on a fresh pot. That’s been sitting for a couple hours.”
“As long as it’s hot, I’m good.” She headed to the kitchen, glanced out the window over the sink. Blue, blue sky and a golden sun. It was going to be a gorgeous day. She filled her cup, added a splash of cream and one artificial sugar before returning to the living room.
“Want me to take him?” she asked Billy, indicating Beck.
Billy glanced down at Beck who was starting to look sleepy. “Maybe in a minute. He’s comfortable right now.”
“He does look very relaxed,” she agreed, settling into the corner of the couch near Billy’s chair. “What’s your plan for the day?”
“Besides showering, dressing, and getting in your way?”
She smiled crookedly. “You’re not in my way. I’m probably in your way, keeping you from doing whatever it is you usually do when you’re here.”
“Nope. For one, I’m not here all that often, just a couple of times a month at the most. And when I am, I’m usually doing laundry and washing the truck and trailer and getting ready for my next road trip.”