She lifted her hand again, this time to stop him from saying more. “Don’t. If we’re going to make this work between us for Parker’s sake, we can’t go backward. We can only look forward and figure out how to parent together. Some wounds can never heal and that’s okay. My feelings don’t matter anymore. Only his.”
He had so many more things he wanted to say—so many more wrongs he wanted to right. But she’d made it clear hiswords meant nothing, and he’d respect that. Besides, he needed to stay focused on what mattered.
Keeping Celine alive and being the father Parker deserved.
“So you think I can do this?” he asked, returning to the topic at hand. “That I can go from a bull-riding cowboy to a business owner?”
“I think you can do anything your stubborn ass puts your mind to,” she said, smirking. “It might be a rough ride for a while, but one that will be worth taking.”
“Rough ride, huh? I like that. Rough Ride Security. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect.” Shifting on the bed, she maneuvered the baby and slipped the strap of her tank top back in place. “Okay, Dad. He’s all yours. Diapers and wipes are on the dresser.”
Raising, he scooped up Parker and held him close as he made his way across the room. Rough Ride Security. It had a nice ring to it, one Duke would appreciate. But in this moment, nothing sounded better to him than Dad.
Sunlight streamedin through the window of the guestroom and woke Celine from a restless sleep. She’d managed a few hours of rest—more than she’d hoped for. Having Lane across the hall brought a sense of peace she hadn’t expected.
Even if a part of her yearned to be across that hall by his side.
How many nights had she spent in this house, in his room? How many hours had she lost talking and losing her innocence to her first love. Heck, her only love.
Sighing, she stretched her arms above her head and scooted up to a seated position. A quick glance at the portable crib showed Parker was still fast asleep but that wouldn’t last forlong. She craved a quick shower before dressing for the day, but unease knitted her gut. She didn’t want to leave Parker alone, even if she’d be in the attached bathroom.
The buzz of her phone stalled her decision. She spotted Tia’s name on the screen before answering quickly so the noise wouldn’t wake the baby.
“Hey, Tia. What’s up?”
“Just checking to see how you’re doing after what happened to your car. I didn’t hear from you after you left.”
She slumped back against the line of soft pillows lining the headboard. “Well, things went from bad to worse.” She gave a brief rundown of what happened the previous night, speaking in hushed tones to ensure Parker slept as long as possible.
“And you’re at Lane’s place now?” Tia asked.
“Yeah. It didn’t seem smart to stay at the house anymore.”
“Makes sense. Take the next few days off. Lay low until all of this blows over,” Tia said.
Wincing, Celine mentally went over her options. “How about one day?”
“That’s it?” Tia squeaked. “I mean, I hope that’s all it takes to get things sorted, but it might take a while.”
“And I can’t afford more than one day off. Maybe Lane can come with me. Stand guard while I wait on tables.”
“You two seem awfully cozy. You’re at his place and now he’s going to be your bodyguard?”
Celine could practically see Tia wiggling her eyebrows from over the phone line. “It’s not like that. He’s starting a security business and I’m his first client.” She hoped he wouldn’t be angry she shared his news, but it was better than having the town thinking the two of them had gotten back together the second he stepped foot in Hillmore.
“Convenient.” Tia’s sing-song voice spoke volumes.
“Trust me, getting romantically involved with Lane would be the worst thing I could do,” she said rolling her eyes. Her heart sped up as the truth about Parker sat on the tip of her tongue. She’d been so careful not to say anything since his conception.
But she’d already put the truth out there. First with Lane, and then with Kevin. Word would spread like wildfire. Her best friend hearing who Parker’s father was from her would be much better than her stumbling upon the rumor mill.
“There’s something else I need to tell you,” she spat out before she could change her mind.
“Bigger than a man being after you and shacking up with your high school boyfriend?”
“If you think Lane being Parker’s father is bigger than all that, then yes.”
