Page 136 of Wilde Flame

“I take it things will get busier?”

I nodded. “Calving season has always been my favorite time of year on the ranch.”

“I’m excited to experience it.”

We spent the rest of dinner talking about when we wanted to officially start on the baby’s room. We also decided to definitely tell the family this Sunday the baby’s gender. Lilibeth admitted she’d have a hard time keeping it a secret, so the sooner the better, in her opinion.

“This Sunday it’ll be, then.”

She started to clear the table when I stopped her. “You stay there, I’ll clean up.”

As I was loading the last of the dishes into the dishwasher, the doorbell rang.

I looked at Lilibeth, who shrugged.

“If that’s my mother and father coming to try to find out if it’s a boy or a girl, we’re not telling them until Sunday.”

Lilibeth laughed as she made her way out of the kitchen. “Don’t be so hard on them. They’re excited.”

I dried off my hands and chuckled. I put the leftovers in the refrigerator and then headed into the living room. I expected to see my parents—and instead, I came to an abrupt halt.

Standing in the foyer was Rachel, Lilibeth shutting the door behind her.

What in the hell is she doing here?

Before I could ask or say anything else, Rachel ran her eyes over Lilibeth, then turned to me. “Is this the woman you got pregnant? Is she really living with you?”

Lilibeth drew her head back in surprise. “I have a name.”

Rachel lifted her chin and looked down her nose at Lilibeth, not acknowledging her words. I hated the idea that she was breathing the same air as Lilibeth.

“What are you doing here, Rachel?”

Lilibeth drew in a sharp breath at the confirmation of who was standing in our house.

Rachel flashed me a fake smile. “I’m back.”

Confused, I asked, “You’re back…?”

Rachel forced a smile. “Yes, Caden. I’m back. I’ve come back to River Falls to save you from making a terrible mistake.”

Lilibeth balled her fists at her side. It reminded me of the earlier days, when she and I would spar. I used to love seeing her get mad. Now, that was the last thing I wanted.

“I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but I’m far from making any mistakes. How did you even get onto the ranch?”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Really? I have the code.” She looked around, taking a few steps farther into the room. “Still looks the same. Lacks a woman’s touch. I can fix that, though.”

Lilibeth’s gaze snapped to me. I shook my head, hoping that she knew I was trying to tell her to ignore Rachel.

“Rachel, I’m not sure why you’re here, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

It was Rachel’s turn to look surprised. “Leave? You’re asking me to leave?” Then she laughed. “Did you not hear me, Caden? I’m back in River Falls. I’ve come home.”

“And I’m not sure why you think I care.”

Rachel looked at Lilibeth and said, “I think your baby mama has to leave so the grown-ups in the room can talk.”

Frowning, Lilibeth shot daggers at Rachel. “The name is Lilibeth. Not baby momma.”