Chapter Twenty-Nine
V al did her best to put all her worries out of her mind. She was only partially successful. Liam thought everything was settled and that they wouldn’t break up, but she wasn’t so sure that would be possible.
But Christmas Eve was a special time. That afternoon they had plans to go downtown and listen to the carolers. The shops would still be open and giving out goodies—cookies, candies, hot chocolate, and spiced cider. After that they planned to go to the early candlelight service at church. Her family and Liam’s all attended the same church. She wondered if her father would be there, and if so, if he’d finally talk to her.
Not that she had a lot of hope that he would.
As for Trent, she refused to worry about him today. It was Christmas Eve. The baby wasn’t due for six more months. Plenty of time for Trent to grow tired of harassing them and rethink what he really wanted.
Or, plenty of time for him to get a lawyer on board to try for full custody. She pushed that thought away, knowing thinking that way was pointless. She knew it was extremely unlikely he’d get full custody, but that didn’t mean it was impossible. Even Trent having partial custody wasn’t what she wanted, but she might have no choice about that.
“I’m really glad you could get away this afternoon,” Val told Liam later that day. “I know you’ve been taking a lot of time away from the ranch because of me. I appreciate it, but you know I’m a rancher too, and if anyone understands those demands, I do.”
Liam stopped walking, smiled down at her, and kissed her. “Stop worrying. I’ve got things under control.”
“If you think I haven’t noticed you’re burning the candle at both ends, think again. You can’t keep that up, Liam.”
He tucked her arm through his and began walking again. “I’m fine. I haven’t done anything I didn’t want to do.”
Clearly, he didn’t want to talk about it. “You know, I’m used to working. I can easily do more than I’ve been doing.”
“What do you want to do that you’re not doing?”
“Well, you know, I can still train horses.”
“Didn’t the doctor say she didn’t want you to ride after your first trimester?”
“I don’t have to ride to work with them in the round pen. And before too long Penny can start being halter-trained.”
“Will that make you happy?”
“It’ll help. But I’d also like to help with breeding. Obviously, since Starlight is a quarter horse paint, I know something about quarter horses. But I’ve been reading up on them so I’ll know more, and checking around to see who I might breed Starlight to, if we decide to go with another stallion rather than Blackjack. Although I think Blackjack would be the best. You know I always helped Riley and my dad with our horses.”
“I know. I can use the help. Not that you aren’t already helping. But I understand you want to do more.”
They didn’t talk any more about it and went back home to change for church. It was a beautiful candlelight service, reminding her of the many times she’d gone with her family over the years. She didn’t see them this year. She figured they were either going to the late Christmas Eve service or maybe they weren’t going at all.
She wondered if she could ever celebrate holidays with her own family again. She’d asked her parents and Riley to come for Christmas dinner. Her mom and Riley said they were coming but her mom told her not to count on her father. As her mother put it, “He’s being an ornery old coot. Don’t you worry about him.”
But of course, she did.
*
After church Logan, Cici, and Maureen went home but Liam suggested they go to Grey’s since it was early. Everything at home had been good when he checked after church. Connor had other plans, so he wasn’t able to come.
As soon as they walked in they saw Wyatt Gallagher and his wife Mia. Wyatt waved at them, and they walked over to the table. “Sit and have a drink with us,” he said.
Val sat but Wyatt and Liam left to get drinks for everyone. As soon as they left Val said to Mia, “Thank you so much for the painting of Moondance and her foal. I know Liam’s going to love it.”
“I was happy to do it and I’m so glad you like it.”
“I’ve seen some of your paintings around town and loved them. I feel so lucky you were able to paint the horses in such a short time.”
“Trust me, it was fun.” They said no more as the men came back with drinks.
They chatted for a while and made plans to go out after Christmas. It was a nice break from all her worries.
Later, as they walked to the truck, Val checked her phone. She’d had it silenced. Besides several phone calls and messages, and there were fourteen texts—all from Trent. The last one said:
Trent: Where are you? Answer me, damn it. I need to see you. You’ll want to see me.
She debated not answering but he’d been blowing up her phone with texts and it didn’t look like he was stopping anytime soon. And given the circumstances, she couldn’t block his number.
Val: It’s Christmas Eve. What do you want? Can’t this wait?
Trent: No. Tonight or tomorrow. Your choice.
“What is it?” Liam asked.
“It’s Trent,” she said and showed him the texts.
“Impatient bastard, isn’t he? Tomorrow’s Christmas. We might as well get it over with tonight.”
“What do you think he wants?”
“Who knows? It’s not like he said anything useful in his texts.”
“I can’t imagine what this is about. One way to find out.” She texted back.
Val: Fine. Tonight. Where should we meet?
Trent: My apartment. Is the shithead with you?
Val: What shithead? My husband is with me.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it , she thought. Like she’d meet him by herself. Of course, he didn’t respond to her question.
Trent: Get here as soon as you can. I have things to do.
Val: Ten minutes.
So do I , she thought, and seeing you is the last thing on my list.
*
The last time Liam had been to Trent’s apartment he’d left not knowing if his talk had done any good. Now he knew it hadn’t. He hoped tonight would be better, but he wasn’t counting on it. He pulled up in the parking lot, turned off the truck, and looked at Val. “Ready?”
“No.” She said it so low he almost couldn’t hear it.
Val had been silent since she sent the last text. He reached for her hand. “Stop worrying. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out.”
“What if we can’t? What if—what if our only choice is to get a divorce?”
“That’s not a choice.” He cupped her cheek. “He can’t force us to break up, Val. He doesn’t have that power.”
“Liam, I don’t know if I can stand it if he gets partial custody. I don’t see how he could get full custody, but if I have to share the baby with him—the baby he doesn’t even want—I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“I told you, whatever happens we’ll deal with it. Now come on. Let’s get this over with.”
“It’s about damn time,” Trent said when he opened the door.
“What do you want?” Liam asked.
He let them in but didn’t ask them to sit. Liam led Val to a chair and made sure she sat.
Trent glared at them. “You’re going to get your wish.”
“Meaning?” He was giving up?
“My company wants me to move to California.”
Oh, shit. Having to share custody when Trent lived in another state would be even worse than if he lived in Marietta. How the hell was that getting their wish?
“Ca-California?” Val stuttered, looking like she was going to pass out. Liam put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a comforting squeeze.
He nodded. “Los Angeles.”
“Did you take their offer?” Liam had mixed emotions. It would be nice to not have to see the bastard, but if he still claimed the baby as his and wanted partial custody that was going to be a nightmare.
“Yeah. It’s a great offer. I’m getting a raise, with the possibility of some commissions and they’re paying for the move. Now I just have to find a place to live.”
Val buried her face in her hands.
“What the hell is wrong with her?” Trent asked. “Isn’t this what the pair of you wanted?”
“Are you still planning to ask for custody?” Liam asked.
“Oh, that. Well, I’ve thought about it a lot since I was offered the job. You know, what’s best for the k—baby. And I decided it would be best all around if I don’t try for custody. It will be much easier finding a place to live if I don’t have to consider a kid. And I don’t know what my work’s going to be like. I might have to travel a lot and shuffling the kid back and forth between two different states would be really hard. Hard on the kid, you know.”
Right. Like he cared anything about the baby’s wants or needs.
Val had raised her head to stare at him as he talked. When he stopped for breath she asked him, “Does this mean you’re not claiming paternity?”
“I think it’s best if I don’t.”
Cheap bastard , Liam thought. He just doesn’t want to be on the hook for child support. But far better for him and Val. “And if my name is on the birth certificate? Are you going to fight that?”
“If the kid’s going to live here and you and Val stay married—”
“We will.”
“Then no. I won’t fight you.”
Val got up and walked over to Trent. “Thank you. You’re doing the right thing.”
“I hope so.” For once he sounded sincere.
Liam put out his hand. Trent seemed surprised but he shook it. “I hope the job works out.” If it didn’t…well, he wasn’t going to think about that. He was going to take the win.
As they left Val said, “I can’t believe this. He’s actually doing the decent thing.”
“Yeah, for once. But I still think he’s a piece of shit.”
Val threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “This is the best Christmas present ever.”
“Let’s go celebrate.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’m thinking you can figure that out.”
She laughed and kissed him.