Stupefied, I didn’t acknowledge his handshake until he clapped me on the back. And through it all, only one thought remained. “How? I haven’t seen her in seven months.”
Rhett shrugged. “Pregnancy is not my forte, just the fucking.” He grinned, walking away.
“Rhett?”
“Yeah?”
“Saint sent you here today?” He nodded. “What did he ask you to do?”
Hands in his jeans pockets, his shoulders hugging his ears, he sighed. “Nothing. He just asked whether I was a man who’d sacrifice his love for a father who’d never known love.” Not surprised by Saint’s frankness, I had no idea what to say. “I would, Uncle. Only for you.” He was gone before I could react.
I stared at the blank spot he’d vacated, wishing I could’ve been the father he deserved even though I’d mentored him like a son. Laughter drifting from an open window reminded me I had to question Mikaela. I returned indoors to find her in the lounge chatting with one of the women. As soon as she saw me, the woman excused herself.
I wasted no time. “Is there something you need to tell me?” I approached Mikaela.
She hesitated, catching on quickly, it seemed. “You know?” she murmured.
“I came to visit you today and followed you to the hospital. Dane told me.”
Fear I never wanted to witness in her eyes again floated to the surface. “Please don’t take him away from me.”
I paled. Did she actually think I would? My thoughts went back to when I told her I didn’t want more children, that I was too old for kids. Still, I didn’t think she’d assume I’d take her baby. Then again, I didn’t blame her after what she’d been through.
“I’m not going to, love,” I soothed. Her shoulders visibly relaxed while my heart finally overshot my brain’s denial. Living another day without her at my side was sheer torture. I didn’t care who the father was and surrendered to my love, something I should’ve done months ago. “Come back home with me.”
“I can’t,” she replied without thought.
For a moment, I thought I hadn’t heard right. “Can’t?”
She nodded. “This is my life now. I have the shelter, and the ladies here need me.”
Suddenly obnoxious that she might be hiding something from me, I stepped closer. “Who’s the father, Ella?”
She frowned, wrapping her hands around her stomach. “You.”
The confirmation left me baffled. “Ella?” I took another step, keeping my expression calm not to scare her.
I figured this baby was more important to her than anything. But that didn’t stop the worry nipping at my tendons—fear another man had taken advantage of her. She was stronger now, yet her vulnerability over the children she’d lost could be easily manipulated. Or worse, this was a phantom pregnancy she’d created to keep her happy after I sent her away. That was a lot more concerning. What if my sending her away made her regress?
I willed calm into my next words. “How am I the father? I haven’t been with you in over—”
“You don’t believe me?” she accused, her face scrunching in anger.
“How far along are you?” I tried a different approach.
She looked down at her stomach, giving it a gentle rub. “Juliette says he’ll be a Christmas baby.”
“Juliette?” Okay, I didn’t see that coming. She’d mentioned visiting Mikaela. Why hadn’t she said anything about the pregnancy, though? Then Mikaela’s words hit me. “Christmas? That’s in a month.”
She looked up, smiling. “Yes.”
“You’re not show...” I trailed off, my mind returning to the night she miscarried and Juliette’s explanation about cryptic pregnancies. Was this another? Juliette was getting a piece of my mind when I returned. Now, I focused my attention on Mikaela. “Please come back home with me.”
“No,” she repeated.
“Think about the baby, love.” Selfishly, I begged, my plan to bring her back home weakening by the second.
“You sent me away, remember,” her tone vehement, she shook her head. “You never wanted me. Why would you want my baby.” Stunned, words defeated me. “I’ll take care of him like I took care of me.”
