Actually Abby had been longing to go back to Sydney Creek, where she called home. But the thought of having to face Nick always kept her in Cheyenne.
Now that she was returning, her first priority was finding a job. Not an easy task in Sydney Creek, where only a few businesses thrived. For Abby, though, employment was essential; not only did she have Robbie, but she also helped support her mother, who had moved to Florida.
When her dad had died only a year after Abby finished college, her mother had moved to Cheyenne to live with her and Robbie. Susan Stafford had taken care of Robbie for his first two years, but when a friend of hers was moving to the Florida sunshine, Abby had to let her go.
Robbie went into day care, a clean, pleasant center only a few blocks from her job. He’d thrived there, made friends, some of whom went up to preschool with him.
Would she be able to find a pre-K in Sydney Creek? For that matter, would Nick allow Robbie to live with her in town? Or did he expect the boy to live with him at the ranch? Would he want her there, too?
Amidst the barrage of questions that assailed her, one stood out.
Did he still have feelings for her?
Abby had been shocked by how much she’d responded just to the sight of him. Seeing him at her doorstep yesterday brought back each and every memory of their time together—especially their graduation night. After years of denial and restraint, they were finally able to make love, to share the passion they’d held in check.
It had been five years ago, but seeing Nick made it feel like yesterday. She’d wanted to touch him so badly. But his attention had been all on Robbie. Not that she could blame him. After all, Robbie was the center of her world, too. She knew she was prejudiced, but he truly was such a good boy. He behaved himself, and he tried to take care of her whenever she got down and cried. That hadn’t happened often, but when it did, he would come pat her shoulder and ask her what was wrong.
Never in this world would she let her son down. Nor would she abandon him, no matter what Nick promised.
She’d find a way to make it work. She had to, for Robbie’s sake.
When they reached the ranch, Abby sat in the car, drawing a deep breath. The rambling single-story ranch house with its wraparound porch looked the same, as did the mountains in the background. She felt the same trepidation as she did the last time she’d seen it.
But she couldn’t sit in the car for the rest of her life, so she let out the breath she was holding and woke her son.
“Robbie? We’re here, sweetie. Wake up.”
The little boy struggled awake. “Where are we, Mommy?”
“We’re at Nick’s ranch.”
Instantly alert, Robbie strained in his car seat to look out the window. “Can you see horses and dogs?”
“Well, I hear some dogs—” She stopped when Nick suddenly jerked her door open.
He loomed over her, his hands on the roof of her small car. “Aren’t you going to get out?” Without awaiting her reply, he leaned in and asked Robbie, “Ready, champ?”
“Yeah!” He clicked open his car seat and exited the car.
As Nick started to move away, Abby reached out and touched his hand.
“Nick, what are we going to—to say to your mother?” She didn’t have to explain; Nick knew what she meant.
“We won’t have to say anything,” Nick whispered fiercely. “She remembers what I looked like at this age. That’s why I didn’t have to question you about his age. I knew I was his daddy as soon as I saw him.”
“But your mom might say something—”
“Don’t you think it’s about time someone did?”
Abby’s heart seemed to stop. “I don’t want Robbie upset!”
Nick left her standing by the car door. “It’s too late to worry about that.” Then he walked off with Robbie’s hand in his.
She scrambled to follow him. Regardless of what Nick said, she didn’t want Robbie to learn the truth without her there to help him understand.
Despite Robbie’s wails about seeing the cows, Nick insisted they go into the house first.
Abby knew Julie was in Cheyenne, and she’d guess Brad was out of college by now. If he’d come back home, there’d be at least four of Nick’s siblings here to contend with.
She followed Nick and Robbie into the shadowy coolness of the house straight to the large kitchen where the family spent most of its time. Kate Logan was standing at the cabinet preparing something. “Who is it?” she called over her shoulder, obviously having heard them come in.
“It’s me, Mom,” Nick said.
She spun around, eager to greet her oldest son. But she came to a complete halt when she saw Abby with him. Her smile disappeared. “I didn’t know you were bringing Abby to visit, Nick.”
“I brought Abby and her son to visit.”
Kate noticed the little boy for the first time. Her eyes widened in shock and she immediately looked at Nick. “Is he—”
Abby held her breath, waiting for her to blurt out the secret she’d kept all these years.
But all Nick said was, “This is Robbie, Abby’s little boy.”
After looking at Abby for a moment without speaking, Kate knelt down to Robbie. “Hello, Robbie. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m glad you’ve come for a—a visit.”
“Thank you,” Robbie replied, displaying all the manners Abby had ever taught him. “Nick says he has horses and dogs.”
“Yes, he does. In fact, one of the dogs had puppies a couple of weeks ago. Would you like to see them?’
“Real puppies? Not play puppies?”
“Real puppies. I’ll get Nick’s brother to take you.”
She stood and said, “Nick, call Brad.”
Nick went to find his brother.
“Mommy, do you want to see the puppies, too?” Robbie asked. She should have known he’d be a bit nervous about a stranger taking him.
She smiled to let him know it was okay. “You go with Nick’s brother. I’ll come out later, sweetheart. I’m tired. I didn’t get a nap in the car like you.”
He leaned against her leg, his hand taking hers. In a whisper, he said, “But I don’t know Brad.”
Abby knelt and hugged her son. “I know, but I do. He’s a lot like Nick. He’ll never hurt you, either.”
The young man in question walked into the kitchen, a smile lighting up his handsome face.
“Hi, Abby. It’s good to see you.”
“You, too, Brad. This is my son, Robbie.”
“Hey, Robbie. I hear you want to see the puppies. I might even be persuaded to let you hold one. How about that?”
“Really?” Robbie asked with enthusiasm, immediately taking Brad’s hand.
“You two go ahead and I’ll have lunch ready when you get back,” Kate said.
After they left the house, Abby said, “So much for him not wanting to go without me.”
“Only because you told him Brad was someone you knew. I appreciate that, Abby,” Kate said, surprising Abby.
She only nodded, waiting