An Heir For The Texan

“Free.”

Very surprising. The Calloways she’d always known were in the business of making money, not giving the goods away. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. Admission is the price of a toy, but that’s voluntary. No one is turned away.”

“That’s very generous. And it includes a festival?”

“Actually, the festival is invitation-only and all the proceeds from ticket sales go to shelters in the region. We have a lot of the local ranchers attending, and several rodeo champions, along with a few San Antonio VIPs with big bucks. The food is complimentary, but we have a cash bar for safety reasons.”

“Good idea. Free booze and rowdy cowboys is a surefire recipe for disaster.”

“Hunky cowboys,” Paris said with a smile. “I’d like to claim I haven’t noticed a few in town, but I’ve discovered pregnancy does not render you blind. It does mess with your hormones. Just ask my husband. He told me the other night I was wearing him out.”

Georgie did recall the hormone rush, and no place to go to take care of them. “I suppose you could say the D Bar C has its share of hunks.”

“True, and I suspect we’ll see several other sexy men this weekend from all walks of life. So if you’re available, please come. And you don’t have to worry about buying the ticket. It’s my treat. I could use all the support I can get.”

Georgie could use a night out, and since her son wouldn’t be returning until three days before Christmas, she had no prior engagements. Yet she had to consider the Austin element... “I’ll definitely think about attending, as long as something work-related doesn’t come up.”

“I’ll send good thoughts that no emergencies arise.” Paris laid her palm on her abdomen. “However, if I get any bigger between now and then, I’m going to need a wide-load sign to wear with my maternity cocktail dress.”

Georgie smiled, remembering how she had felt that same way during her own pregnancy. “Stop it. You look great. When are you due?”

“Mid-January, as best we can tell from the ultrasound. I’m not exactly sure when I got pregnant. I found out the morning Dallas and I married the second time.”

“Second time?”

Paris laughed. “It’s a rather strange tale. The first time we married for all the wrong reasons. I needed a job and Dallas needed a wife before his birthday to keep control of the ranch, thanks to J.D.’s stipulation in the will. As it turned out, my ex-husband lied to me about my divorce being finalized. Dallas threatened him, I quit my position as designer for the new lodge and then he realized he couldn’t live without me, so we married in earnest. End of story.”

And quite a story it was. “I’m glad it worked out for you both.”

“So am I.” Paris flinched. “I swear, Junior here is playing soccer with my rib cage. Dallas is always asking me if the baby’s kicking so he can feel it.”

“Do you mind if I do?”

“Not at all, and thanks for asking. I’ve had complete strangers coming up to me in the store and patting my belly like a pet without my permission.”

Georgie laid her palm over the place Paris had indicated, and received a tap as a reward. “Wow,” she said after she moved her hand away. “Definitely a strong little guy. Or girl. Do you know the gender yet?”

Paris shook her head. “We’ve decided to be surprised.”

“Any names picked out?”

“If it’s a girl, Carlie. And if it’s a boy, Luke.”

“Please tell me that Luke isn’t the short version of Luckenbach to carry on the tradition of naming the kids after Texas cities.”

Paris grinned. “Funny you should mention that. Dallas thought it would be clever to name him Luckenbach, which I immediately nixed since it would be difficult for a child to spell it. Of course, he then came up with a whole alternate list, including Midland, Odessa, Arlington and the crowning glory, Texarkana.”

“Glad you decided on Luke and Carlie.”

They exchanged a laugh followed by Paris pressing her palms in her lower back. “These spasms are not fun.”

“I remember that pain and pressure. It makes it very hard to sleep, especially when it’s coupled with having to go to the bathroom five times a...” Her words trailed off when she realized she’d completely given herself away.

Paris raised a brow. “Sounds to me like you’ve had some experience with pregnancy.”

She saw no reason to lie to Paris at this point, at least about her child’s existence. “Actually, I have a five-year-old son.”

Paris’s eyes went wide. “I didn’t know that.”

“Aside from my mother and father, no one around here knows.”

“Not even the Calloways?”

“Not yet.” But if all went as planned, they would eventually know... As soon as she figured out how to tell the father.

“What about your son’s dad?” Paris lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. I’m being too nosy.”

“It’s okay. I appreciate having someone to talk to. He hasn’t been in the picture.”

“I’m so sorry, Georgie. I hate it when a man doesn’t take responsibility for his child.”

“He doesn’t know.”

Once more, Paris looked stunned. “Why?”

“It’s complicated.” More than anyone would ever know.

Paris sent her a sympathetic look. “I can do complicated, but only if you want to talk about it.”

Although she’d only known Paris for an hour, Georgie sensed she could be objective, and nonjudgmental. Not to mention she’d kept the truth bottled up far too long. “When I found out I was pregnant, I tried to contact him and discovered he’d recently married. I didn’t want to rock that boat.”

“Is he someone you met in college?”

“No. He’s from around here. That’s one of the reasons I decided to return here to set up my practice. I needed to be close to my family, as well.”

“Then you plan to involve him in your son’s life.”

She hadn’t even planned how she would tell him. “Whether or not that’s an option would solely be dependent on his attitude. He’s not going to be thrilled that I’ve kept him in the dark for so long.”

Paris remained silent for a few seconds, as if she needed time to digest the information. “Georgie,” she began, “do the Calloways know this mystery man?”

She hesitated a moment to mull over how she would answer, and how much she would reveal. “Everyone knows everybody around here.”

Paris turned and began to fold a dish towel. “Okay. It’s not Dallas, is it?”

“Heavens no.” Georgie realized the comment was borderline rude. “Don’t get me wrong, Dallas is an attractive man, but he’s always treated me like a kid sister.”