“I wanted to be given a choice.”
Nick shook his head. “I couldn’t let you do that, Abby. You’d worked too hard to get your degree and you had a job waiting for you in Cheyenne.”
“So did you.”
“But I had responsibilities. Don’t you understand that I had to do what I did?”
She nodded. “Just like I did.”
“By keeping my son from me for almost five years?” The anger in his voice was barely in check, in deference to the boy just down the hall. But his eyes beaded and the lines at the corners became more pronounced.
Abby didn’t want this to turn into a screaming match. She stepped back from him and drew a deep breath. “I think you should leave, Nick.”
“Like hell I will!” he ground out in a hushed voice. “You’ve had Robbie for the last five years, now I get him for the next five.” He looked around him. “The city is no place to raise a child.”
Abby felt as if he’d reached inside and ripped out her heart. Breathing became difficult and the room started to spin. “No! No, you can’t take him! He’s my child. He doesn’t even know you.”
“And whose fault is that?” Nick’s tone was menacing now.
Abby wouldn’t cede him that point. She continued to shake her head. “I’ve taken care of him every day of his life. You can’t just walk in here and wrench him away from me! You’ve got to give me time to—”
Nick gave her nothing. He leaned toward her, his face mere inches away. “I’m going back to Sydney Creek in the morning and I’m taking my son with me. Whether you come with us is up to you.”
With that, he turned on his boot heels and stomped out her apartment as abruptly as he’d entered, leaving devastation in his wake.
Sitting in a fast food place, Nick hefted a half-pound juicy burger up to his mouth and weighed his options.
He could get a motel room and get a good night’s sleep before the ride home tomorrow. But how could he be sure Abby wouldn’t pack the essentials and slip away with his son in the middle of the night?
If it were him and someone was going to take his child away, he’d run. Still, he was too angry at Abby to consider her feelings.
No, on second thought, he really had no choices. He knew what he had to do.
He wrapped up his burger, grabbed his coffee and headed for his truck. He didn’t stop till he was parked in front of Abby’s apartment building. This was where he’d spend the night—right in front of the only exit. He wasn’t giving Abby any chances to escape with his only child.
He’d never expected to be a part-time dad. Growing up, he’d remembered there’d been kids in school who had to deal with that situation and it tore them up inside. He wouldn’t accept that for his son.
He’d expected to share his life with Abby, and their children. Back in Sydney Creek, they’d grown up as neighbors and the best of friends—until he’d kissed her on a dare when she was sixteen.
After that, they were a couple. Inseparable.
He’d followed her around faithfully and they’d even gone to the same college. He’d loved her more each day. Holding off on making love to Abby was the most difficult thing he’d had to do then, but he’d promised his father he’d be responsible.
And he was—until the night they’d graduated, their diplomas in hand and a great life in front of them.
Two days later his father had died. With him, Nick and Abby’s dreams.
His mother needed help with the Logan ranch and Nick’s five younger siblings. Nick had no choice but to stay. But Abby did. As much as she’d imagined a life beyond Sydney Creek, Nick had to let her go. He remembered the day she left as if it was yesterday, not five years ago. It had tied for the worst day of his life.
Despite her attempt to make him feel guilty, he still felt it had been the right thing to do.
Except he hadn’t known she was pregnant.
Through the window of the truck he stared up at the window of Abby’s apartment. He could only imagine now the fears she must be facing. Was she sleeping? Holding Robbie in her arms? Crying her eyes out?
He had to stop feeling sorry for her. She should’ve told him he was a father. She should’ve come back to the ranch and lived with him. They could’ve raised their child together. That thought stopped him cold. The last five years would’ve been so much better if he’d shared them with Abby.
In his mind’s eye he saw her when she’d opened the door to him earlier, looking as beautiful as he’d remembered. Her light brown hair had grown longer, falling in waves down to her shoulders. Still slender, she had the curves of a woman now. The urge to touch her, to feel her against him, assailed him, taking all his willpower to withstand. He’d had to tuck his hands into the back pockets of his jeans so she wouldn’t notice the shaking. But he had to resist her. He’d come for his son. Truth be told, he wanted Abby, too…but she’d kept his son from him.
It suddenly struck him that she called the boy Robbie. His father’s name had been Robert Logan. His eyes teared up at the thought. Years ago they’d talked about their future children and toyed with names. He hadn’t really thought of naming a boy after his father until after his sudden death. He’d never had a chance to voice that to Abby.
But she’d done it for him.
Okay, so he owed her.
But that didn’t mean she could keep his kid from him.
Nothing could keep his son away.
“Mommy, I’m sleepy!” Robbie complained early the next morning as Abby tried to juggle two suitcases, her car keys, a bag and her son’s tiny hand.
“I know, sweetie, but we’re going, um, to visit a—a friend of Mommy’s.” She hated lying to him. “When we get there, I’ll let you watch TV as much as you want today.” And she could wish her life had gone differently.
She and Nick had had such great plans. Living and working in Cheyenne, marrying. She’d have had someone to lean on, to share troubles with. They could’ve raised Robbie together, taken him to Sydney Creek to visit, taught him to ride, about life on the ranch. Instead it had only been her, raising Robbie as a city kid.
The boy looked up at her, sleep in his eyes and a frown on his face. “But, Mommy, you said I always have to go to school. ‘Cept on Sundays and Saturday. Is it Saturday?”
“No,” she replied distractedly. This was no time for Robbie to chatter. It was already six o’clock and she had to get out before Nick came back. She shuddered to think what would happen if he found them leaving.
But she couldn’t lose her son.
She’d slept maybe an hour last night, too busy to sleep, too scared not to. After packing up their things and arranging her finances, she’d wanted some sleep for the long drive she’d anticipated this morning. There was no “friend” to visit. She planned to put Robbie in the car then put as much distance as possible between them and Nick.
But Robbie proved harder to wake than she’d anticipated. He still lagged behind.
“Did we eat breakfast, Mommy? ’Cause I’m hungry.”
She nearly dragged him, finally walking out the front door of the building now. “I know a great place for breakfast, sweetie. You’ll like it. You can have pancakes.”
“Can I have some, too?” a gravelly voice asked from behind her.
She