Page 24 of Promise Me a Forever Texas Love

He nodded. “You’re right. Being a daddy wasn’t something I ever wanted . . . until I met Camden. I thought I could just see him once, just to satisfy my curiosity about what a kid we made together looked like.”

Talk about an arrow right through the heart. Cadee struggled to keep from rubbing her chest as he continued.

“Once I met him, I could step out of the picture, knowing that he’s got the best mama a kid could ever ask for.” His eyes softened. “And I know you’re a good mama, Cadee. You sure mothered the hell out of me when we were growing up. But kids don’t just need mamas. They need daddies too. And if anyone should understand that, I do. I won’t be as good a parent as you are. Hell, I proved that the first time I met Camden. But I figure I’m better than no daddy at all. So no, Cadee, I’m not having Billy take the stipulation out. You want the money, then you’ll let me see . . . our son.”

She hated the tears that sprang to her eyes. Hated even worse that her heart felt like it was being tugged in two different directions. Which was so wrong. No part of her heart still belonged to Huck. Not one tiny speck.

“My son,” she corrected. “Camden is my son. And I am a damn good mother. A mother who is not going to let you suddenly barge into Cam’s life. Do you have any idea how hard it would be on him to have some stranger show up and claim to be his daddy?”

His gaze was unwavering. In it, she read accusation, even though he didn’t put it into words. “Which is why I think we should wait to tell him until he gets to know me, and we form a relationship.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

He hesitated before he spoke. Or more like dropped a huge bomb. “We become friends again.” When she just stood there staring, he continued. “What, Cadee? You don’t think we can be friends?”

“No.”

He physically cringed like she’d just slapped him again, but he quickly recovered. “Well, I disagree. I think all we need is a little time together to get back what we had.”

The last thing she wanted was to spend time with Huck and get back the feelings she had for him. Feelings she still struggled with.

“Sorry, but I don’t have time to rekindle our friendship. Being a mother and helping run the ranch takes up every second of my time.”

“Then I’ll come out to the ranch.”

She snorted. “Oh, that’s a great idea. Especially when my brothers hate your guts for impregnating their sister. They won’t let you step foot on the ranch without bloodshed.”

“I think they will when they find out the money you’re getting is contingent on me getting to spend time with Camden.” He must have read the defeat in her eyes. “So it’s true. The ranch is in trouble. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out why you would contest Mama’s will. Especially when you never were money hungry. You only went along with my moneymaking schemes because you were my friend. But now I get it. You’re saving the ranch for your family . . . and Camden.”

It seemed pointless to deny it. And as much as she wanted to keep on fighting, she knew the battle was lost. The determined look on Huck’s face said he wasn’t going to change his mind. As much as she was scared about Huck eventually leaving and hurting her son, she was even more scared about Camden losing the only home he’d ever known. The only home she and her brothers had ever known.

And then there was her mama. After losing her beloved husband, she couldn’t also lose the ranch they’d worked so hard to build together.

“Fine. I’ll sign the contract tomorrow.” She grabbed his shirt in her fist and rose up on her toes, so she was at least a little closer to staring into his pretty hazel eyes. “But know this, Huck Hennessy, if you hurt my son there will be nowhere you can hide.”

His gaze lowered to her mouth, and for a second, she forgot to breathe. “Understood.”

She released his shirt and turned to leave, but he stopped her.

“Can I come tomorrow?”

Tomorrow? That was much too soon. She needed time to prepare her family. And herself.

“Sorry, but it’s a busy day. Camden and I are helping Callum and Cooper move the herd.”

“I’ll help too. It will be a good excuse for me showing up.” He hesitated. “I’ll just be an old friend helping out.”

She wanted to refuse him but then realized he was right. It would be a good excuse for him showing up at the ranch. Besides, with as much as he hated riding, he wouldn’t last long in the saddle, and his visit would be short and sweet.

“Then I guess I’ll see you at six o’clock on Saturday.”

He blinked. “Six o’clock? In the morning?”

“That’s when we usually start trailering the horses.” She wanted to laugh at the look of horror he tried to cover with a weak smile.

“Great. Six it is.”

The back door opened and Poppy stuck her head out. “Huckleberry! You better get your ass in here! Jaxon took over for you at the door and is about to get into it with some arrogant cowboys who look like they’re jonesing for a fight.”