CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 

 

 

Tap! Tap!

“Morning, sunshine. Up and at ‘em. Jonah wants us to stop over at his shop on our way into town.”

Seren opened one eye and aimed it toward the closed guest room door. “Okay.” Raising up, her mind was all fuzzy. She didn’t even remember coming home, much less getting ready for bed. “I’ll be right…”

Oops. Her stomach did a major flip-flop.

Throwing the covers back, she jumped from the bed and made for the restroom, barely arriving to kneel before the toilet before emptying the contents of her stomach.

Ick.

“Whew.” As she held her head, one elbow propped up on the porcelain rim, Seren became aware she was wearing her gown over her underwear. “Weird.” Confused, she thought she must’ve been super tired not to remove them.

Tap! Tap!

“Did you get up, Seren? I’ve made more hot chocolate and I have a toaster pastry ready!” Canyon stood right outside the door, resisting the urge to go inside.

“Coming!”

Her one-word answer made him smile. Yea, he was such a guy. “Sue me.”

Inside, Seren did her best to hurry. She still felt nauseated and uneasy. Once dressed and ready, she grabbed her bag to join Canyon in the living room. “Thanks.” She accepted the cup of chocolate, but turned down the pastry. “I’m not hungry. Did the tacos sit well with you?”

“Just fine.” Eyeing her closely, Canyon tried to look beyond the fact she was hot as hell. “You do appear to be a bit pale. Want to call into work? We’ll put you a cot up in my shop and you can doze the day away.”

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him as they made their way outside. “What’s up with Jonah?”

As usual, he helped her in the truck, taking time to fasten the seatbelt. “He wants my opinion on the vehicle he’s refurbishing for Aron McCoy’s birthday.”

“Oh, good.” She laid her head against the back of the seat, unable to muster much enthusiasm. As she lay there, her mind returned to the night before. Realization dawned on her slowly. “I went to sleep in the truck last night…and you carried me inside.”

Canyon grunted, licking his fingers as he finished the last of his toaster pastry. She was slowly putting two and two together and he had no idea how she’d react when she got to four.

Seren’s eyes bugged and she jerked her head to look at him. “You undressed me and put me to bed!”

“Guilty as charged. I tucked you in all good and proper.”

Seren kept staring at him. “So, the ‘proper’ part explains why I woke up wearing my bra and panties underneath the gown.”

“You don’t usually wear panties to bed?” He licked a bit of creamy residue from his lips, wishing it was hers instead of from the toaster pastry.

As he held the wheel, he flexed a muscle in his forearm and Seren felt a zing go straight to her clitoris. Muscled. Broad and strong. Tanned skin dusted with dark hair. “You’re too sexy for your own good, Canyon Brady.”

“What?” His hand jerked on the wheel and the truck ran off the road for a few feet.

Did she say that out loud? Groan. “Nothing.”

To his chagrin, they arrived at the turn off to Jonah’s shop. “This conversation is far from over.”

“I think I’ll just wait here, if that’s okay,” she mumbled as he parked to the side of the large steel building.

Canyon gave her a hard look. “If you’re not feeling better when I come back, we’re stopping at the clinic.”

“No,” Seren whined a bit and pooched out her lips.

“Don’t argue with me, love. You’ll lose.” He tapped her on the end of the nose and left to see Jonah’s progress on the old truck.

Seren sat there staring out to her right, noticing a bed of freshly planted marigolds. Aside from the uneasiness in her tummy, she felt good. Hopeful. Bantering with Canyon made her happy. At the moment, she didn’t know what the immediate future held – but she did so enjoy his company. Closing her eyes, she recalled the last time they’d made love. The poignant memory made her sigh with longing. Sadness welled in her breast. If there was any way…

“Ugh!” Seren grabbed for the door handle, barely making it out of the truck and over to the side of the building before being sick. Luckily, she missed the marigolds.

“Are you okay?”

John Callan’s voice right coming from behind her caused Seren to jerk to her feet. “Oh, yea. It was something I ate, I guess.”

The old man reached into his back pocket and pulled out a blue bandanna handkerchief. “I don’t think so.”

She took what he offered, but didn’t wipe her mouth with it. “I’ll be fine.”

John chuckled. “In a few months, when the baby comes.”

“Baby?” Seren squealed softly, shocked at his suggestion.

“I’d know that glow anywhere, girlie. Jonah’s mom was never prettier than when she was pregnant.”

“John! There you are. Are you avoiding me?” Delaney came around the corner of the building.

John pushed his cowboy hat back on his head. “Now, why would I do that, Miss Margaret?”

Delaney rolled her eyes and smiled at Seren. “Hey. How are you?” She linked her arm with John. “My charge doesn’t want to take his meds.”

“Hey. I’m fine. You?” She wasn’t fine. Seren was reeling from John’s suggestion. Pregnant?

“Can’t complain. The Callan men are growing on me.” Delaney glanced over to where Jonah and Canyon were looking under the hood of a vehicle.

Seren pointed to Canyon’s truck. “I’m sorry. I need to…check my messages.”

“Oh, sure. We’ll see you later. We’ve got a Texas Holdem game to finish.” She took John by the hand and urged him back toward the house. “Come on. You owe me a chance to win my money back.”

Seren returned to the truck, climbing in, and shutting the door. Her heart was beating like the flapping wings of a caged bird. “Pregnant?” Holding her head, she tried to think. It wasn’t like she was totally ignorant of human biology. She knew how babies were made. She understood the female reproductive cycle. “I’ve never had a monthly,” Seren groaned. How could you miss something you’ve never had?

Was she pregnant?

They’d had unprotected sex…but that was…before. “Oh, my goodness!” Why hadn’t she thought of this? Pressing her hand to her chest, she tried to calm her breathing. “You need to find out for sure.”

A pregnancy test.

She needed a pregnancy test.

When the driver’s side door opened suddenly, Seren jumped – as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.

“Here I am.” Canyon stared at her. “What’s wrong? Are you worse? Do you want to go to the doctor?”

“Uh. No.” She gave him her brightest smile. “I’m good. Ready to go to work.”

“Sure?” Concern softened his expression. “Avery would understand.”

“No. Really. I’m fine,” she tried to assure him. “Lots to do at Hardbodies today. Isaac has decided to expand the Halloween party to include a mini carnival for charity. They’ve come up with all kinds of games and booth ideas. I have to go into town with Doris to buy supplies.” Now, she was planning a side trip to the drug store for a pregnancy test.

“Okay.” He started the truck and pulled away, heading to the club. “On one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You’ll call me if you need anything. Anything. Okay?”

Seren smiled, placing a protective palm over her middle. “Okay. I promise.”

 

*  *  *

 

“So…how does it look?” Libby whispered to Canyon as she sidled up next to him as he walked from his shop to the barn in answer to a summons from Jacob.

Knowing she referred to the truck Jonah was working on for her surprise gift for Aron’s birthday, he gave her a thumbs up. “He’s going to love it. Superior workmanship. The man’s a genius with engines.”

“I am so excited! I plan on making this his best birthday yet.”

Canyon smiled at the happy Mrs. McCoy. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate everything you do for him.”

“He always does.” Libby shaded her eyes as she walked, gazing out into the pasture. “You know, he’s not getting older. He’s getting better.”

Canyon laughed. “Wow.”

Libby blushed. “Sorry. I know we’re not newlyweds, but it feels like we still are.”

“Well, I think that’s wonderful. Amazing.” He opened the gate for her to walk through. “We should all be so lucky.” Funny, Canyon found that he meant what he said. “Now, where’s this surprise Jacob wants us to see.” As they entered the barn, Canyon could see there were several others waiting on them. Denver, Jessie, Nathan, and Jacob, of course.

“Over here. We’ve got a new family member.” Jacob’s voice sounded excited. “Canyon, Libby, meet Magnus.”

“Oh, damn!” Canyon exclaimed as Libby oohed and ahhed over the gigantic dapple horse standing before them. “What in the world is he?”

Holding the reins, Jacob beamed with pride. “He’s a Shire. Standing twenty-one and a half hands high, Magnus weighs over twenty-four hundred pounds. Canyon, our big boy is going to need a pair of big shoes.”

Canyon walked around the humongous animal. “I’ll get right on it. Where did you find this monster?”

Jacob laughed with delight. “Up around Amarillo. A guy up there breeds them. Isn’t he a beaut?”

“He’s adorable,” Libby almost purred as she stroked the big horse’s nose.

“Here, I’ve brought treats.” Jessie joined her so they could feed Magnus.

“Denver, when the ladies are through making him welcome, you and Nathan take Magnus over to the paddock closest to the main house. I want to keep a close eye on him for a few days, make sure he’s settling down.”

“Will do,” Denver agreed, fetching a lead from the tack room.

“Hey, can I ride him?” Nathan asked as he offered Magnus a drink of water from a bucket.

“Soon. We’ve got to get a saddle that will fit him first,” Jacob said, moving close to Canyon who’d eased up to the huge horse and was rubbing his legs. “How are his hooves?”

After lifting one big back leg, Canyon let out a thoughtful hum. “Looks pretty good. I’ll give him a trim when I put on the new shoes.”

Jacob stepped behind his wife and lifted her hair in his hands. “Did you hear the end result of the duck boat investigation?”

Canyon stood alongside him. “You mean the fact that it was sabotage? Kane told me.”

“Yea, it’s crazy. I feel for the boat captain. A lot of harsh things were said about him. Accusations of negligence among other things.”

“Well, there were a few things he could improve on, Jacob,” Jessie murmured, leaning back into his hands as he caressed her hair.

“You’re right. More life jackets and such,” Jacob agreed. “Anyway, to show the community that he heard their concerns, Mr. Houseman is refurbishing a bigger boat to take the place of the damaged one. He wants to host the mayor, city council and some of the volunteers for a moonlight run to thank them for their service.”

For a few seconds, Canyon didn’t speak. He still had dreams about that accident. “If it wasn’t Houseman’s fault, I can’t see the area turning our backs on him. When is the outing scheduled?”

Jacob shook his head. “I don’t know.” He led Jessie and Libby to one side while Denver and Nathan moved Magnus out of the barn. “When I find out, I’ll let you and the rest of the volunteers know. He’s talking about serving food and drinks. If the weather’s nice, we’ll cruise around the lake. He’s even planning a fireworks display. It should be a good time.”  

“Count me in.” Canyon smiled as he brushed off his jeans to rid them of a few straws of hay.

A movement from the door drew their attention. Isaac came ambling in, the chains on his biker boots making their familiar music. “Well, I see you finally found a horse to match your size, Hoss,” he teased his brother, Jacob.

Jessie wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist and kissed him in the center of his back. “Jacob’s just the right size, Isaac. Don’t pick on your brother.”

Jacob whispered something in Jessie’s ear that made her pinken and giggle. “I can take care of myself against my wimpy little brother, darlin’.”

“Wimpy, right,” Isaac scoffed, swaggering toward them. “You just wish you were half as badass as me.”

Canyon rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’ll leave you two to compare your dick size. Some of us have work to do.”

Isaac held up his hand. “Wait a sec, Brady. I came to see you.” He punched his brother playfully on the arm as he moved closer to Canyon. “What’s your work schedule like for the next couple of weeks?”

“Nothing pressing.” He looked at Jacob, who nodded his agreement. “What’s up?”

“I need you to build me a monster smoker and BBQ grill combo out in back of the club. Thought I’d utilize the empty spot where the burned-out trailer used to sit. I’ve already gathered the materials and poured a good concrete foundation.”

“Lead on.” Canyon motioned for the door. “Let’s go check it out.”

“Great. Follow me over and I’ll show you what I’m thinking.”

Canyon grinned. “Sounds like a fun project.” Plus, an irresistible bonus – he’d be working near Seren.

 

*  *  *

 

“Well, I think that’s it.” Doris slammed shut the back doors of Avery’s SUV. “I think we bought all the Halloween decorations left for sale in Kerrville.”

“I think you’re right. It’s going to be neat.” Seren climbed in the front, shutting the door behind her. “I haven’t celebrated Halloween before. Where I’m from Christmas, Easter, and Yom Kippur were the big holidays.”

Doris laughed. “Well, hold on to your hat. Avery and Isaac love Halloween. We’ve been spreading the news for weeks about the party. This year, anyone who comes to the club has to be in costume.”

“Sounds fun,” she said weakly, other things on her mind. Closing her eyes, she dreaded what she was about to do. “Doris, can I trust you?” she asked after the older woman had positioned herself behind the wheel.

“With your life, girl. What’s wrong?”

Her worried expression made Seren feel more secure. “I need to go to the drug store and buy something. Since the fire, I don’t have any money to speak of.”

“No problem. Let’s go.” Doris backed out and headed down the street. “I’m not sure why that request requires trust.”

Seren swallowed and let out a long breath. “I need to buy a pregnancy test.”  

Total silence prevailed for a few seconds, then Doris whooped and hollered, “You might be pregnant! That’s fantastic!” A heartbeat or two passed and Seren didn’t say anything. “This is a good thing. Right?”

Seren nodded, unable to deny the budding wonder in her heart. “Of course.”

“Well, let’s go.” Doris was all smiles. “Want to talk about the father?”

“Uh, no. Not yet.” A swarm of questions buzzed in her head, but now wasn’t the time to deal with them. First, she needed to know if there was a baby.

A baby.

A baby!

Absolute wonder built up inside her like a rising tide. She’d never, ever, even imagined such a thing. A warm cloud of hope enveloped her. She closed her eyes, imagining herself holding a tiny baby in her arms. A baby with Canyon’s dark hair and warm eyes. Seren was so deep in her daydream, she didn’t realize they’d pulled up in front of the CVS.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Seren followed Doris into the store, her heart beating a mile a minute.

“We’d better get more than one.” When they found the item in question, Doris grabbed three different brands.

“So many?”

“You need to be sure.”

“Okay.” Seren stood meekly back as Doris paid for the item, then trailed her to the SUV.

“When we get to the club, I’ll unload the SUV and you head to the bathroom to pee on these sticks.”

Seren grimaced a bit as she read the instructions on each box. “Slightly unsanitary, huh.”

“Ha! Sex is unsanitary. Why, my husband…”

As Doris regaled Seren with too much information, her mind wandered to what she and Canyon had shared. Being with him hadn’t seemed unsanitary at all, it had been wonderful.

As they neared the club, Seren stuffed the pregnancy tests back in the bag. “You won’t say anything to anyone, will you, Doris?”

Doris zipped her lips. “Not a word.” Shutting off the engine, she patted Seren’s knee. “Although, you should know that everyone at Hardbodies will stand by you. No matter what. I don’t know everything about your circumstances, but you won’t be alone.”

“If I am pregnant,” Seren insisted, not yet fully believing the possibility.

“Right. Now go.” Doris pointed to the entrance. “I’ll get this in and meet you inside for the results.”

“I could help you first,” Seren protested, wanting to put off the verdict for a few more minutes.

“No.” Doris grinned. “This is too exciting. I don’t want to wait!”

“You don’t want to wait? How about me?” she grumbled to herself as she made her way into the club, heading straight for the bathroom. Doris might be excited, but panic was rising in Seren’s breast with every step.

Once inside the bathroom, she locked the door and leaned against it for support. Was she ready for this?

No – but she needed to know.

Moving to the stall, she readied herself to take the test. Working mechanically, she refused to think until she knew the truth.

One by one, she peed on the sticks, setting them aside on a piece of toilet tissue atop the paper dispenser – then she waited.

Facing away from the little sticks, she placed her face against the cool metal wall.

Three minutes proved to be an eternity.

Finally, she took a deep breath and turned – her eyes going to the first stick. With wide eyes, she grabbed the boxes to confirm what she was seeing.

One showed two clear lines.

Another contained a plus sign.

And the last contained one word – PREGNANT.

Gasp!

Sinking back to the toilet, Seren tried to assimilate this new life-changing revelation and what it would mean. As she considered having Canyon’s baby, the only emotion flooding her soul was joy.

Pure joy.

Yes, Seren knew she should go to a doctor to get the information confirmed, but in her heart – she already knew.

The baby was real. It was Canyon’s. And she wanted it more than anything.

How she would manage, she didn’t know. The only truth she could recognize was that she would move heaven and earth to protect her child and make a life for it. Love for the tiny life growing inside her filled Seren and flowed beyond her body. The only thing she cared for more was the father. Hugging herself, Seren sat still for a moment, basking in the awe this miracle wrought within her.

Suddenly, the door knob jiggled and Seren jumped up, stuffing all of the paraphernalia back into the plastic bag. Stuffing the bag under her arm, she wiped the happy tears from her eyes. “Be right out!”

Once she flipped the lock, the door opened and Doris burst through. “Well?”

Seren smiled and nodded, putting a finger to her mouth to indicate she wanted Doris to keep the news to herself. Nevertheless, her friend let out an exhilarated whoop. “This is so exciting!”

“What’s exciting?”

Hearing Canyon’s voice when she least expected it caused Seren to stumble over her own feet and right into his arms.

“Hey, careful, sweetheart.”

“Too late.” Doris snorted.

Giving her friend a warning look, Seren rested against Canyon’s strong chest. “Decorating for Halloween. We bought tons of decorations.”

“Ah, okay.” He wasn’t sure he completely bought her explanation, but who was he was to understand feminine bathroom quandaries? “Guess what?”

Grateful for Doris making a hasty exit, she looked up into his face. “What?”

“I’ll be working here for the next couple of weeks.” The smile on his face told her he was happy about the development.    

“Great! Doing what?”

“Come see.” He took her by the hand to tug her down the hall and out the back. “Isaac has a project for me to work on.”

She went with him to see the spot where an outdoor kitchen would be built. Even though her thoughts were preoccupied with the recent discovery, Seren showed the proper amount of enthusiasm. Just seeing his smile and excitement made her happy. “So, you’ll be here. Every day?”

Canyon nodded. “For a while. This won’t be something we just throw together.”

“I’m glad.” She squeezed his arm. “I enjoy being around you.” She couldn’t deny that truth to him, much less to herself.

“Me too,” he told her, then set out to outline his plans, painting a picture of the project he was about to undertake. “I’ll forge the pits, Isaac wants to be able to cook a whole cow if he so chooses. Later, we’ll encase it all in Austin limestone. There’ll be room for a fridge and a sink. I think he wants to be able to have cookout contests and such.”

“I’ve tasted some of his brisket, he deserves the ultimate outdoor kitchen. You’re just the one who can give it to him.”

Canyon seemed pleased at her confidence. Rubbing his hands together, he grinned. “Well, I’ll get to it…and see you on break?”

She nodded. “All right. On break.” Walking backward, she watched him get to work, lifting a heavy slab of steel from the back of Isaac’s truck. With every flex of his broad back, the thin T-shirt he wore stretched over an intriguing landscape of muscles. Her mouth watered and she licked her lips at the sight.

“Whoa!” Emma placed her hands on Seren’s back. “Careful.”

“Oh, sorry.” Seren got her footing and moved out of Emma’s way. “I was…distracted.”

“Ha!” Emma laughed. “I know that tone, same one I get when Josh is close by. I might be blind, but I’m super-aware of him in a thousand other ways.”

“I know you are.” Seren gazed at beautiful Emma with great affection. “You absolutely light up when he’s around.”

“I do.” She patted Seren on the arm. “Doris is looking for you. She needs help hanging streamers.”

“On my way.” She took one last look over her shoulder at Canyon before throwing herself into the spirit of the holiday.

By the time the bar opened, the place was festive. Every surface was decked out in orange and black, countless clear and orange lights were hanging from every beam. Along the bar, carved pumpkins held flameless candles, and life-size ghosts, witches, and skeletons leaned casually against walls or sat in chairs, just waiting for someone to join them for a beer. 

From the first drink served to the last, Seren was busy. There was not a moment to spare dwelling on anything other than her customers and getting their orders right. If something could go wrong, it did go wrong. She dropped a tray of drinks. Once, she got an order wrong and the customer was not happy about it. Another time, an inebriated biker got a little too friendly, reaching out to cup her butt as she walked away. She saw Canyon rise to come her way, but she handled it, earning her a tip of the hat from her designated protector. He didn’t know it, but the reason she felt secure enough to stand up for herself was because he was nearby – watching over her. Heaven help her, she was so addicted to him. How she was going to live…

“Stop it,” she chided herself. “Not now.”

Now, it was time to clean up and go home.

With Canyon.

From Canyon’s perspective, he’d wanted to tear the ape a new one for daring to touch Seren. He sat at a table with Isaac, Bull, and Jacob, celebrating Bull’s homecoming. His friend had surprised them a few minutes ago as Isabella dropped him off to touch base with his friends while she went to pick up a few things they needed at the grocery store.

“I think you have a future as a bouncer, Brady,” Bull drawled.

“He has a job here when he wants it.” Isaac chuckled.

Jacob’s eyes followed Seren’s progress as she assisted the young man who was busing the tables. “You’re awfully protective of the new girl, Canyon. Anything we ought to know?”

Turning to face his boss, he shook his head. “No, not really. Just doing my good deed. Being chivalrous. She’s alone and needs a champion, so she’s staying with me for a few days. Other than that – we’re just friends.”

“Uh…can I get you guys anything else before Emma closes the bar?”

Canyon had to bite the inside of his jaw to keep from wincing. Seren stood right behind him. She’d heard every word he said. Bull gave him a knowing glance and he pressed his lips together, letting Isaac answer for them all. “We’re good, Seren. Thanks.”

“Good job.” Jacob chuckled as Seren walked away. “If you did have any plans of moving out of the friendship zone, I think you’ve blown it.”

Seren held her back straight as an arrow as she moved away.

There was nothing like a reality check.

“They’re good, Emma,” she reported back, then stepped over to the cash register to close out her drawer. She had to do the count three times as her mind tried to make sense of everything. Once she was through, Seren kept her head down as she made for the bathroom. She needed a few moments to gather her wits before facing Canyon once more.

Once inside the restroom, she didn’t waste the opportunity. Seems like she always needed to go these days. As she washed her hands, she stared into the mirror. “I have no right to feel dejected and betrayed. He may be attracted to me, but it’s no more than that. I shouldn’t be surprised, he’s said this same thing several times. He doesn’t remember loving me. All memory of us was wiped from his mind. This is my punishment. What’s happening now is just more of that punishment.”

She splashed some water on her face, continuing the lecture to herself. “This is another test. A test I’m probably failing miserably,” Seren groaned softly. “We’ve switched roles. He’s protecting me. And to confuse matters even more, I’m back in his house. Heck, if I had my way, I’d be back in his bed in a heartbeat.” Hanging her head, she tried to reconcile all the sweet things he’d done for her, all the plans he made. The tense moments of sexual tension. Were they all her imagination? “No, I don’t think so.” Seren giggled sadly to herself. “My imagination isn’t that good.”

All of this was just too new for her. Feeling the weight of human emotion. What she’d always considered to be a blessing, was proving to be a curse in some ways. “No, no. Don’t say that.” She placed her hand on her middle. “I could never regret you.” Even though Canyon didn’t think he could ever want another child, she knew their baby was a product of pure love.

Tearing off a piece of paper towel, she dried her face and eyes. “Okay, Seren, this is the way it’s going to be. Canyon wants me with him right now…and I need him.” She closed her eyes and bowed her head. “In more ways than one.” Nodding her head, she acknowledged that her thought process was sound. “I can’t stay forever, but I’m here for now. I’m going to cherish every moment I have with him.” She wrapped both arms around her middle, hugging herself and her child. “And when it’s time to go…I’ll be taking part of him with me.”

Taking one more deep breath, she straightened her hair, then turned to leave the restroom. When she entered the hall, it was to find Canyon waiting for her. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He moved close and touched her arm gently. “What you heard out there…”

“Don’t worry about it.” Seren felt a pang of hurt in her heart. “I know how you feel.”

“No, you don’t,” Canyon spoke softly. “I don’t even know how I feel.” Cupping the side of her neck, he used his thumb to caress her cheek gently. “I’m so confused. I stopped living after Matty died and I didn’t know I could feel again until I met you.”

Seren chewed on her lower lip, holding in everything she wished she could say to him. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me anything else.”

He leaned forward and placed a feather light kiss on her cheek. “Fine. I won’t try and explain what I’m feeling. Let’s go home and I’ll show you.”