Chapter Twenty-Five
T he weekend before Christmas was a busy one. Val and Liam had been invited to a party at Dylan and Sam Gallagher’s. Val had been half afraid Liam wouldn’t be able to go but he got the horses situated early and had checked with Les who said he’d be around to keep an eye on things.
Val wasn’t really showing yet, but her waist was thicker, her boobs were bigger, and she swore she could see a tummy pooch although Liam said he couldn’t. She wore black pants that she could still zip up—barely—and a sparkly red blouse. Liam wore jeans and a dark green sweater that brought out the green from his hazel eyes. Sometimes when she looked at him, she still couldn’t believe they were married. Then he’d turn and look at her and smile and her heart would turn over.
She was so in love. The night before he’d told her he loved her and she badly wanted to believe him. But a part of her held back. Because she couldn’t quite believe it. She couldn’t possibly be that lucky.
Liam didn’t lie. But maybe he’d convinced himself he loved her. Or maybe he meant it and she should accept it and quit being a chicken.
The Gallaghers’ two-story white farmhouse was decked out in Christmas decorations. Lights were hung on the porch railings and the huge spruce tree in the front yard was lit up as well. There was a wreath on the front door and a Santa Claus beside the door that ‘ho-ho-hoed’ at them as they approached. Sam opened the door and welcomed them inside.
“Everything looks so pretty,” Val said.
“Thanks, but Glory deserves more thanks than I do.” Glory was the Gallaghers’ longtime housekeeper. “Here, let me have your coats. In the dining room there’s beer and soft drinks in an ice chest and wine and wassail on the sideboard. Food’s on the table so help yourselves.”
She disappeared with their coats, and they went to the dining room where they ran into a number of people they both knew. Marietta was a small town and the ranching community even smaller, so Liam and Val knew a lot of the guests. There were also a bunch of folks from the medical community, since Sam as well as the other three Gallagher brothers were doctors.
Everything was great until later in the evening. Val was talking to Cici and Logan when Angie Zimmerman joined them. Val had known Angie forever, having gone to school with her since they were tiny. She liked Angie, but Angie had a fatal flaw. She always wanted to be the first to be ‘in the know.’ More so than Carol Bingley or Sally Driscoll or anyone else in town.
Angie greeted all three of them, then said, “Val, I heard something a few days ago that I could hardly believe.”
Suspecting what was coming, Val said, “Then don’t believe it.”
Naturally, Angie ignored her. “I saw Trent Harvey and he said—”
Cici interrupted at that point. “Angie, is it true you’ve been dating a lawyer from Billings? I thought for sure you’d bring him.”
“Oh, well, yes, we’ve been dating but Ford had a business dinner with a client tonight.”
“That’s too bad,” Cici said, taking her arm and leading her away.
Val watched them go. “Have I told you I adore your wife?”
Logan laughed. “She’s pretty great, isn’t she?”
“She really is.” But Val knew it was only a temporary reprieve. She left Logan to find Liam, who was talking to Dylan and Sean Gallagher over by the fireplace. She went to his side and touched his arm. He looked down at her and smiled, putting his arm around her as he finished talking to Dylan and Sean.
“What’s up? You look upset.” He led her away as he spoke quietly.
“I’ll tell you when we leave. But I have a feeling the gossip will be going viral soon.”
*
Liam was not looking forward to the talk with Val’s parents. He knew the gossip was only getting worse. Especially after Val told him what had happened at the party. He’d thought his talk with Trent might have helped, but maybe not. No new gossip that he knew of, but he couldn’t count on it. He hoped they’d be able to announce Val’s pregnancy and simply allow people to think the baby was his. He and Val had talked about it and decided ignoring the gossip was the way to go. Except they had to tell their parents the truth.
He wasn’t too worried about his mom’s reaction. He knew she’d love the baby no matter who his or her biological father was.
Now Val was anxious to ‘get it over’ with her parents. So here they were, the day after the Gallaghers’ party, driving over to the Fletcher ranch. Liam had talked to Riley and told him what was going on.
“Good,” Riley said. “I’ve been hearing shit too, but no one’s been stupid enough to come right out and say anything to me.”
Liam imagined not. Everybody knew Riley loved his sister and would take on—or take out—anyone who might try to hurt her.
“How do you think your dad will react?”
“I think he’ll be pissed and probably not speak to either of you for a while. But he does love her, and she’s married now, so maybe he’ll come around sooner than we expect.”
“I hope so, for Val’s sake.” And his. He didn’t want to be at odds with her parents any more than she did.
Val had told him to go ahead and warm the truck and she’d be out in a minute. When she came out and slid inside he noticed she was very pale. “Are you all right? You look like you don’t feel good.”
“Morning sickness.”
“I thought that was getting better.”
“It is.” She nodded. “Most of the time. I suspect some of this is nerves.”
“Probably.” He put the truck in gear and started down the gravel road he’d plowed that morning. The snow wasn’t too heavy yet so it hadn’t taken him long.
“You must think I’m ridiculous.”
“Why would I think that?”
“I’m a grown woman. I’m twenty-three years old and I’m petrified of telling my parents I’m pregnant. And that the baby isn’t yours.”
He shot her a glance and reached for her hand. “It’s not ridiculous. You love your parents and you’re worried about how they—particularly your dad—will react when they hear the news. I’m nervous too.”
“You are?”
“Sure. I don’t want your dad to hate me, and I don’t want you hurt.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “You forgot your gloves again.”
“I’ll just stick my hands in my pockets.”
“I guess it’s pointless to tell you not to worry so much about your parents.”
“Pretty much.”
“We’ll work it out. We’re in this together.”
“You’re so good to me.”
He grinned and released her hand. “Told you before, I love you.”
“You’re such a good guy.”
Apparently, she still found it hard to believe that he loved her. Somehow he needed to convince her. But first, to deal with her parents.