McCullen's Secret Son (The Heroes Of Horseshoe Creek Book 2) (16 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Willow lapsed in and out of consciousness all night. She dreamt she was dying and that Brett saved her. She dreamt that he left her and walked away and was marrying someone else.

Every time she looked up, though, Brett was there. He stayed by her bed holding her hand and reassuring her she was all right. He fell asleep in the chair. He gave her water when she was thirsty and wiped her forehead with a cool cloth and held her when she woke screaming that she was drowning in dirt.

But sometime in the early morning, she stirred and heard him on the phone.

“Yes, Ginger, I know the movie offer is a big deal.” Pause. “I realize it’s a cowboy part, that it would take me to a new level.”

Willow closed her eyes, her heart aching. Brett was already planning to leave her just as he had before. Except this time when he left, he would know he had a son.

She steeled herself to accept his decision. She would no more trap him now than she had five years ago.

And she’d never let him see how much he’d hurt her.

* * *

B
RETT
HAD
NEVER
prayed so much in his damn life.

Even when they’d finally moved Willow from the ER into a room, he’d been terrified she’d stop breathing.

Her screams of terror had wrenched his heart.

The nurse checked her vitals, the doctor appeared to examine her and Brett stepped out to call home. Maddox answered on the first ring.

“How is she?”

“All right. How’s Sam?”

“Asking about her, but Mama Mary and Rose are feeding him funny-face pancakes and he’s gobbling them up.”

Brett had always loved Mama Mary’s funny-face pancakes. Especially the chocolate-chip eyes.

“There’s more. We caught Norman and Gina. They’re being transported back here to face charges.”

“Thank God.” He swallowed hard. “What about me and Willow?”

“I explained everything to the local judge. And this morning I arrested Boyle Gates. Seems Day spilled Gates’s involvement and the way they framed Garcia. Gus is going to be released. I offered him a job here on the ranch, so he and his wife and daughter can have a fresh start.”

“You’ve been busy.”

“I just like to see justice done. And Garcia needs a second chance.”

Maddox was a stand-up guy. “Dad would be proud of you.”

“He’d be proud of you, too, little brother.”

“I don’t know about that. Willow would never have gotten in this mess if I’d stuck around.”

A second passed. “Maybe not. But that was then. What are you going to do
now
?”

Brett glanced back at the hospital room. “I’m going to fix things, if I can.”

He ended the call and went in to see Willow. She was sitting up in bed, but her expression was guarded, her eyes flat.

“How are you feeling?”

“I need to go home and be with Sam.”

“I’ll tell Mama Mary to bring you some clothes and if the doctor releases you, I’ll drive you back to the cabin.”

Willow shook her head. “I can’t go back there, Brett. Not with you.” She hesitated and averted her eyes. “Our time has passed.”

Brett’s lungs squeezed for air. She wasn’t even going to give him a chance?

He couldn’t accept that. “Willow, you’ve been through a terrible ordeal. We all have. I was terrified that I’d lost you. Maybe you blame me for that, for everything.”

She slipped from bed, hugging the hospital gown around her. “Don’t, Brett. I’d appreciate it if you’d ask Mama Mary or Rose to bring me some clothes so I can shower and get Sam. Then we’ll find a place to stay on our own.”

Brett watched with a hollow feeling in his gut as she stepped into the bathroom and shut the door.

He phoned Mama Mary, and she agreed to bring Sam and some clothes. Willow must have gotten soap and shampoo from the nurse. By the time she was finished showering in the bathroom and in a clean hospital gown, Mama Mary was there.

She knocked and peeked in the door with a smile. When Willow saw Sam, her face lit up. She opened her arms and he fell into them.

The two of them hugged like they hadn’t seen each other for years.

Suddenly Brett felt like the outsider. Like an intruder who didn’t belong.

He stepped outside to gather his composure, his emotions in a tailspin. He’d thought he and Willow had gotten close again, that she had feelings for him. But had he hurt her too much for her to forgive him? Didn’t she want him to be part of Sam’s life?

Mama Mary patted his shoulder. “I’m sorry, son. But Willow asked me to drive her to a hotel. I don’t understand what’s going on between you two, but she probably just needs some time.”

Or maybe he’d lost his chance years ago and Willow would never love him again.

* * *

T
HREE
DAYS
LATER
, Willow was still miserable. She and Sam were temporarily staying in a small apartment above the fabric store in town. The lady who commissioned several of her quilts had been generous, and Willow had jumped at the chance to be close to town. Somehow she felt safer knowing the sheriff’s office was down the street.

But she missed Brett, and so did Sam.

She pushed the boxes of pictures that she’d brought with her into the closet.
Out of sight
,
out of mind
.

Except she couldn’t get Brett out of her mind. Which made her furious at herself.

Brett was probably packing to leave for his big movie role. Planning a hot, sexy, wild night with that woman, Ginger.

She
would be only a whisper of a memory to him once he got to Hollywood and the sophisticated women who were probably dying to have a cowboy in their bed swarmed after him.

Sam lined his toy ponies on the floor, then pretended to gallop them around the pasture. How could she not look at her son and see Brett?

Worse, she didn’t know what to say to Sam. How to explain why they weren’t staying at the ranch anymore.

They still hadn’t told Sam that Brett was his father. Brett hadn’t pushed either.

Maybe he wanted it that way. If that was the case, it was best that Sam stay in the dark.

Determined to distract herself, she sorted through the mail. A white envelope written in calligraphy caught her eye. She opened the envelope, surprised to find a wedding invitation to Maddox and Rose’s wedding.

It was to be a simple affair, just family and a few friends, and would take place at Horseshoe Creek.

She tucked the invitation back in the envelope, her heart aching. She wasn’t family, but Sam was. Only he had no idea that he belonged to the McCullens.

Could she deprive him of that?

* * *

B
RETT
HAD
TRIED
to take Mama Mary’s advice and give Willow time. But every day without her and Sam in his life was so painful he could barely breathe.

But today was his brother’s wedding, and of course it made him think of Willow and the wedding they’d never had. The one they should have had.

The one he wanted.

But after all Maddox had done for him, he had to put his brother first today.

Chaos filled the house as Mama Mary ushered everyone around. The caterers, florist, the vendor with the tables and tent they’d ordered for the lawn.

And of course, him and Ray.

She’d insisted they wear long duster jackets and bolo ties, since they were standing up for Maddox.

Brett was his best man.

He felt humbled and honored and so damn glad to be home at Horseshoe Creek that he never wanted to leave.

The realization hit him, and he stepped into his old room and called his agent to tell her he was going to refuse the movie deal. He was done putting on shows.

He would stick around here and help Maddox run the ranch. And one day he would win Willow back.

Determination renewed, he left a message for Ginger, then strode down the steps. Maddox looked nervous but happier than any man had a right to be. He’d invited the ranch hands, Gus Garcia and his family, and Deputy Whitefeather, who seemed standoffish to him and Ray, though he didn’t have time to contemplate the reason.

The weather had warmed today, a breeze stirring the trees, but the sun was shining, the flowers Rose had chosen dotting the landscape with color.

“Come on, brothers. It’s time,” Maddox said.

Brett and Ray followed Maddox and found the guests already seated in white chairs by the creek. Mama Mary and Rose had created an altar of flowers between two trees where Rose stood, looking like an angel.

The smile she gave Maddox sparkled with love.

Maddox was a damn lucky man.

Ray fidgeted with his tie, as if it was choking him, but Brett pasted on his camera-ready smile. As he and Ray took their places, he glanced at the guests and saw Willow and Sam sitting by Mama Mary.

His heart nearly stopped. She looked so beautiful in that pale green dress with her long hair billowing around her shoulders. Gone were the bruises and dirt from the mine, although her eyes still held remnants of the horror.

Was she still having those bad dreams? Who was holding her at night and soothing her when she did?

How about Sam? He looked handsome in that Western shirt and bolo tie. It was almost like Brett’s. But did he have nightmares at night, too?

He was so enamored with watching the two of them that for a moment the ceremony faded to a blur and he imagined that he and Willow were the ones declaring their love.

Ray poked him. “The ring, brother.”

He jolted back to the present and handed Maddox the simple gold band he’d bought for Rose.

Maddox and Rose exchanged vows, then kissed and cheers erupted. He and Ray turned to congratulate them, yet all Brett could do was wish he and Willow were the ones getting married today.

Champagne, whiskey, beer and wine flowed at the reception on the lawn by the creek that the ranch had been named for, and he took a shot of whiskey for courage, then went to talk to Willow before she could run.

He wanted her and Sam, and he didn’t intend to back down without a fight.

He found her standing with Sam by the creek. She was trying to teach him how to skip rocks, but she had it all wrong.

He picked up a smooth stone, squeezed Sam’s shoulder and then showed him the McCullen way. Willow’s gaze met his, sadness and regret flickering in the depths.

But for a brief second, he saw desire spark. Enough desire to warm his heart and give him a second jolt of courage.

Sam squealed when the water rippled at his next attempt, and Brett patted his back. “Good job.”

Sam stooped to collect more stones, and Brett brushed Willow’s arm. “You look beautiful tonight.”

A sweet blush stained her cheeks. “I thought you’d be gone by now,” she finally said.

Brett shrugged. “Maybe I don’t want to go.”

She gestured toward Maddox and Rose who were dancing in the moonlight while the wedding guests watched. “I’m sure Maddox is glad you stayed for the ceremony.”

“That’s not the reason I stayed.”

Sam picked up another stone, raised his hand and sailed it across the creek.

“Good job, Sam.”

Sam grinned. “You still gonna let me ride your horses like you promised?”

Willow laid a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Sam, honey, we’ll get you lessons somewhere. Brett is a busy man. He has to leave soon. He’s going back to the rodeo, and he’s going to star in a movie.”

Brett’s smile faltered. “Where did you get that idea?”

Willow leaned down to speak to Sam for a minute. “If you want a cookie, you can go get one now.”

Sam bounced up and down with a grin and ran toward the table with the cookie tray.

“I heard you on the phone with that woman, Ginger. I’m sure she’s waiting for you with open arms.”

Brett chuckled. Was that a note of jealousy in Willow’s voice? “Ginger is my publicist and agent, Willow. Nothing more.”

She averted her gaze. “Well, I’m sure there will be lots of women in Hollywood.”

“What if I don’t want Hollywood?”

“I know you, Brett, you always had big dreams. You belong in the limelight, not here.”

Brett squared his shoulders. “You don’t want me to be around Sam?”

“That’s not what I said.”

He cleared his throat, changing the subject. He had to get this out in the open. Had to know the truth. “Why didn’t you tell me about him, Willow?”

She closed her eyes for a brief second, her breath unsteady. When she opened them, he saw regret and some other emotion that he couldn’t define.

“Why, Willow? Because you didn’t think I’d be a good father?”

“
What?
No.” Her eyes flared. “You wanted to leave.”

“You didn’t give me a chance to choose the right thing.”

“
The right thing?
What was that, Brett? What was I supposed to do, tell you I was pregnant and trap you into staying?” She waved her hand around the air. “You would have resented me for asking you to give up your dreams and it would have killed any love you had for me.”

He hated to admit it, but she had a point. He had been young and restless. And he might have felt trapped.

But he’d changed. Grown up. Seen what was out there and figured out what was important in his life. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the man you wanted, that you needed back then.”

Sadness tinged her eyes. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about Sam, but I honestly didn’t want to hold you back. Then you would have hated me, Brett, and I couldn’t have stood that.”

“I could never hate you, Willow.” He lifted her hand into his. Hers was trembling. Or maybe it was his.

“I’m sorry for so many things, for not being here for you, for leaving so that you let Leo into your life, and into Sam’s.”

“That’s not your fault,” Willow said. “That was my mistake.”

Brett kissed the palm of her hand. “We both made mistakes, but Sam is not one of them. And I’m not going back to the rodeo or starring in a movie.”

Willow’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re not?”

“No.” Brett’s heart swelled with love for her and his brothers and the land he’d once called home. He’d had to leave it to know how much it meant to him.