AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If that’s what you want. I’ll carry the baby and you can have it.”
He felt like something sharp was stabbing his chest. “What about you, though?” he asked.
“I’ll still leave, don’t worry.”
He furrowed his brow. “You don’t need to. I know you may not want me, but we can do this together,” Rafe insisted.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”
He understood that he’d hurt her. He hoped they could work it out, but she kept speaking. “I can’t stay here and watch you and not want you.”
The pain receded and lightness filled him. “You still want me?”
“Of course, I do. I love you,” she said, then sucked in a sharp breath as though surprised by her own words.
It took him a beat to process them and what they meant and then he moved close and pulled her into his arms.
“Fuck, Freckles, way to spring it on a guy.”
She stiffened and tried to back away again, but he held her tight. “No, don’t. I love you too.”
Laura brought her eyes to meet his and stared for a long minute. “You do?” she croaked.
He nodded.
“But…you left?” she said, the question clear in her voice.
He took a deep breath and nodded once more. “I did, and I’m sorry. I was wrong. I’d really like the chance to do better. I want to be here for you and this baby, however you will let me.”
She continued to stare at him and then shook her head like she was trying to clear the fog. “Am I dreaming or hallucinating? I know pregnancy dreams can be like scary realistic, but this seems a bit much,” she said skepticism lacing her voice.
“It’s not a dream.”
She frowned. “But you don’t want kids or a wife or…or anything.”
Sunny gave her a soft smile. “Isn’t a man entitled to change his mind?”
Laura frowned. “Maybe about some things sure. But these are big things and it’s only been a few days since you said—”
“I told you, I was wrong,” he insisted.
“Enjoy that phrase, young lady,” his mother said as she entered the room. “I doubt you’ll hear it often.”
Laura’s head swung around to look at her, then back to him. “Who’s that?”
“My mother.”
Laura gaped at him. “You brought your mother here?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re hoping you will give us a chance to be a part of your child’s life.”
Tears welled in Laura’s eyes. “I don’t understand,” she whispered.
The door to the cabin burst open and Harper stomped in. “It means you get it all, dummy! The man, the baby, the job, and the family!”
