Clara

I shrugged at his statement that was, I assume, meant to shock me. It didn’t.

“I don’t see why not. Women have been working and having babies since the beginning of time.”

Of course, I had no idea how in the hell I was going to work in or run a kitchen once my belly started to grow, but I only had about a day to think about it. I’ll figure it out.

I have to.

“And what about me Clara?”

He was still the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Standing in the doorway with the sun shining on his blonde hair, hands low on his hips with at least two days’ worth of stubble, maybe more.

“Since you’re not the one carrying the baby, I assume you’ll be fine as well.”

“That’s my baby too,” he growled.

“Since you’re the only man I’ve been with, I’m aware of that.”

As good as it was to lay eyes on him, it also hurt like hell. “I didn’t think I’d ever see your face again,” I whispered because it was true. Lying there on that concrete on the side of the road with blood pouring from my head I was sure I’d never see Asher again.

“You left,” he accused.

“I couldn’t stay.” Tears stung the back of my eyes but I refused to let them fall in front of him. I hadn’t even been able to get in a good cry before landing myself in the hospital. “Anyway I’m sure you’ll find another housekeeper soon.” My words hit exactly as I’d hoped, and he took a step back.

“Clara, I-,” he paused and raked a hand through his flop of hair.

“I don’t need an explanation Asher. I won’t keep this baby from you, I swear. But I’m not staying in Rogue or in Texas.”

I had nothing but time to think in here, and I knew that I couldn’t stay in Rogue and I couldn’t stay with Asher or I might be tempted to accept less than what I deserve. I wanted love and marriage to go along with my baby carriage, and if the man I love can’t give it to me, I would rather be alone.

“So how will I see my child?” He dragged a hard-plastic chair over to the side of my bed and dropped down into it, suddenly looking fatigued.

“I don’t know Asher. I’ve only just found out myself. Do you really want to be involved?”

“I do,” he interrupted quickly and firmly.

“Then we’ll figure it out. When the baby comes.”

Leaning in close until we were nearly nose to nose, he placed both hands on my shoulders so I had no choice but to look at him.

“You won’t even consider staying?”

I couldn’t.

“No. I need to go make a living for me and the baby so we can have our house with a yard and a fence. I don’t want to raise my child as a guest in someone else’s home.”

“My home will be our child’s home too.”

I nodded. “Yes but it won’t be my home.”

“It could be.”

Yeah in another universe. I snorted.

“No, it couldn’t.”

He leaned back in his chair and silence fell around us. Well other than the blasted machines beeping constantly that is. This silence was tense and uncomfortable, not like the ones we’d shared over the past few months, and that just about broke my heart. This was where we were now, silence. Brooding and tense.

With a baby on the way.

Out of nowhere he began to speak.

“I really did mean to tell you about the phone call.”

“I don’t care about the job Asher. I wouldn’t have gotten it anyway.”

“Then where were you going?”

“Back to Atlanta and my cousin.”

“Why?”

I sighed and gave him a look that told him just how dumb I thought he was being.

“I told you I loved you and you told me I was a great housekeeper.”

“Ah hell Clara, you caught me off guard. I didn’t know what to say.”

“Well now you don’t have to say anything. Thanks for stopping by to check on me.”

It hurt too much to look at him, so I just closed my eyes and hoped that when I opened them again he would be gone. I listened to him stand and push the chair back, but the door never opened to reveal the bustle outside my room.

“I do love you, Clara.” He sighed and I kept my eyes closed. “But after Elena, I told myself to leave city girls alone and you’re a city girl.” I heard the smile in his voice. “I couldn’t be the reason you gave up your dreams.”

Now I did open my eyes. “So, you gave up on me instead.”

“No Clara I ran scared and pushed you away, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Because I do. So damned much.” His voice was gritty and filled with emotion, and I couldn’t look away.

“Are you sure this isn’t because of the baby?”

He came to me then, face so handsome and so full of anguish. His big hands cupped my face to make sure I was looking right at him.

“This is about you and me, dammit! It tore me up to find you gone Clara, thinking I’d lost you forever. I want our baby too, but I need you.”

“You do?” The tears were flowing freely now. I’d never felt so loved in that moment by someone who wasn’t family. “Oh Asher I love you too. I need you, we need you.”

He kissed me and I felt like I was coming home.

“I’ll give you a real kiss when you’re all healed up. Then we can talk about how soon you and I are getting married.”

My eyes went wide. “That almost sounded like a marriage proposal.”

He laughed and pressed another kiss to my mouth.

“Clara Leigh Bloom will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“As soon as I can walk, it’ll be down the aisle right to you.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Me either. I love you.” I really did and I knew that I would love this cowboy for as long as I drew breath.

***

The End.