Montana Cowboy Daddy (Wyatt Brothers of Montana #3) - Jane Porter Page 0,70

happy to have a break. I need it. Ever since February, I’ve been tied up in knots, feeling torn, feeling guilty, and I’m over it. I just want to feel good for a bit, I just want to feel okay.”

“You were almost done, Erika. You were so close.”

“Not close enough. And I’m not walking away forever, just pushing away from the desk for now.”

“It feels like you’re quitting. Quitting is never okay.”

“Says he that wants to get back on a bucking bull and break what’s left of his body.”

He ignored the jab. “I feel like I let you down. I’d promised you’d be able to work—”

“And you did give me time to work. I was the one who didn’t want to be alone in the bedroom. I wanted to be with you and Beck.”

Billy looked at her a long moment, his disappointment evident. “You weren’t missing anything, sweetheart. Beck and I would have been here when you’re done.”

“But that’s not true. Once you’re strong enough, you’ll be back on the rodeo circuit, back to Mr. VIP, everybody’s favorite cowboy.”

“I’m no one’s favorite cowboy.”

Her eyes smarted. She struggled to smile. “Not so,” she said huskily. “You’re mine.”

He looked at her a long time before kissing her forehead, and walking out the door without a word.

*

Dinner was almost normal that night. Beck had just started on his first food—baby cereal, and they’d taken turns trying to feed him, laughing at the enthusiasm he applied to the bites. Beck loved food, just like his dad, Erika teased.

Billy had wrinkled his nose. “Not that food,” he answered. “Steak, potatoes.”

“Eggs,” she chimed in.

“Eggs,” he agreed.

After dinner, Billy had cleaned Beck up and had gone to put him to bed. Erika was doing the last of the dishes. It had been a nice evening, surprisingly fun. Things had been so serious between them for the past few weeks it was good to hear Billy laugh, to see his smiles. He had the best smile.

Erika turned off the faucet, listening to the pinging noise coming from the living room. It was Billy’s phone. He was getting texts, one after the other. She stood at the sink trying to ignore it, but at the same time, unable to focus on anything else. Who would be blowing up his phone on a Saturday evening? He didn’t normally get a lot of texts, at least not that she’d heard, and it crossed her mind it could be one of his brothers, and then she worried that maybe something serious had happened. Maybe something to his mom, or grandfather?

Drying her hands, she crossed to the living room and the side table next to his chair and glanced down at Billy’s phone. It was face up, revealing new messages. She could only see part of them but the texts were from two different women, Carrie, and a Michelle. It was the one from Carrie that kept pinging, the latest text reading, “OMG! So bleeping excited to see you for the Fourth!!!” And then while she stood there, another new one arrived. “I wasn’t sure you’d be riding after your accident but happy I’m going to see you.” Followed by a bunch of emojis Erika didn’t want to see.

Erika put the phone back down and returned to the kitchen. She reached for the skillet, intending to wash it next, but once her hands were submerged in hot water, she couldn’t do anything.

He was going to be competing again. He was planning on returning to the circuit by the Fourth. Meaning, the Fourth of July?

Her hands shook as she scrubbed the skillet and then rinsed it and set it on the counter. She was trying to stay calm but her temper flared. She didn’t know what upset her more. Saturday night texts from a Carrie and Michelle, or discovering that Billy planned to be competing again soon. The Fourth of July was less than two months away. And that was crazy. He couldn’t even use his left arm completely. How could he ride, rope, or worse, risk more injury? It was beyond stupid. It was insane. And she was livid.

She’d known he would, but in her mind it had been in the fall, or maybe even next year. Not in a mere matter of weeks. How could he possibly think he could go back out there when he wasn’t 100 percent? And why did Carrie know this and not her?

Why was he even texting with Carrie right now? And Michelle? And God knew who