The Cowboy Seal's Jingle Bell Baby. Laura Marie Altom
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and gum in their pants that would be seriously bad news.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do.” He inched close enough to cup his hand over their baby. Even through layers of quilts, she felt a connection to him—to their son. Her every muscle tensed to resist the havoc his simple touch had created. “But here’s the deal. I’m actually a really great guy, and if you’d give me a chance, I’d—”
“Tiff?” Gigi knocked, then opened the door. “Rowdy. I didn’t expect to find you in my daughter’s boudoir.”
“Sorry, ma’am. Your daughter and I needed to talk—in private.”
“About the wedding? Let’s have a holiday theme. It’ll be extra special, don’t you think?”
“Sure,” he said as if more determined than ever to see this crazy thing through.
“In that case...” She treated them to a huge wink. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. I need to start planning.”
“Thank you.” Rowdy smiled.
She smiled back and was gone.
Tiffany, however, was not smiling. If anything, her mood had turned even darker than it had been before.
“Now that I have your mother’s blessing,” he said, “will you at least meet my family before condemning me to the land of evil shoplifters?”
“Joke all you want.” For an instant, she laughed. “But I’m serious. At any time you choose, you can walk away. I don’t have that luxury. I also don’t have the money to pay for our baby’s birth, let alone diapers and college.”
“Are you planning to have the baby at Regional Hospital here in town?”
“Yes.” It was small but had a great reputation.
“If we’re married, my health insurance will cover you.”
“What then? I don’t mean to sound bitchy, but what about everything else our baby boy is going to need—including time to care for him and love him and teach him to be a man? Let’s say you are in the navy, and we marry. What happens if I hate Virginia? Or you?”
“A distinct possibility,” he teased, patting her belly.
“This seems like a game to you—a challenge to win your son—but if you’d for one second be serious and think about the ramifications involved, I think you’d agree adoption is best for us both.”
“Never. I was raised to accept my responsibilities. I was man enough to help create this baby, and I’ll be man enough to raise him.”
“But why? You’ve admitted how much your career means. Having a wife and child will only get in your way. Don’t you get it? This adoption gives you an honorable out. Our baby will no longer be merely a responsibility but a blessing. The Parkers are wonderful, deserving people who will be better parents than you and I ever could.”
“Look, you admitted you’ve had a rough year. Well, you’re not the only one. What I’m about to share with you, even my parents and brother don’t know...”
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