Chapter 3
Chapter Three
JULIE
I knew this would happen.
From the moment I showed up at Willow’s apartment two weeks ago and saw who I thought was Blake, I knew our paths would cross again.
It was a shock to see his face on not one but two other men. I nearly had a heart attack on the spot. It wasn’t until later that I learned they were Blake’s triplet brothers.
Since that day, I’ve been preparing myself for this inevitable confrontation with Blake. I thought I was ready. I thought I had steeled my heart against the impact of seeing him again.
But nothing could have prepared me for the reality of having him here in the flesh. He’s just as striking and handsome as I remembered, maybe even more so.
I snap out of my trance just as my fifteen-year-old sister Josie rushes into the room.
She stops short when she sees Blake, her eyes wide with surprise. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not interrupting. Josie, this is Blake. Maddie’s dad,” I say quickly. “Blake, this is my sister Josie.”
Josie’s gaze darts between us, taking in the tension. “It’s nice to meet you,” she says to Blake. Then she turns to me. “I can take Maddie in the other room if you two need to talk privately...”
I glance over at Blake. His expression is one of pure awe and wonder as he gazes at our daughter. I make a split-second decision.
“No, that’s okay. Maddie can stay here with us.”
Josie gives me a subtle thumbs up before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind her.
“I met your brothers a few weeks ago,” I blurt out. “When I went to Willow’s apartment to check on a leak. I didn’t realize the connection at first. Not until I saw them and thought I was looking at a ghost.”
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly tight with emotion. “I’ve been trying to work up the courage to reach out to you ever since. To introduce you to Maddie. I even made an appointment with your secretary for tomorrow so you could meet her. But then you showed up here and I just—”
“It’s alright, sweetheart,” Blake interrupts gently. He takes a step closer to me. “I understand.”
“Blake, I swear I tried to contact you after Vegas,” I tell him, my words coming out in a rush. “But we never exchanged full names, and I had no idea how to reach you. I’m so, so sorry.”
“Julie, it’s okay. I know.” His deep voice washes over me. “I should have tried harder to find you too after you left. That’s on me.”
Relief crashes over me like a wave, so intense it nearly buckles my knees. He doesn’t hate me. He doesn’t blame me.
His gaze drops to Maddie again, and he drinks her in. “What’s her name?”
“Madison,” I tell him softly. “Madison Blakely Murphy. We call her Maddie for short.”
“Blakely?” He swallows hard. “You gave her my name?”
I nod, biting my lip. Even when I thought I’d never see him again, I wanted our baby to carry a piece of him with her always.
“Can I... Can I hold her?” Blake’s voice is rough with emotion.
My heart squeezes. “Of course.”
Slowly and carefully, I pass Maddie into his strong arms. She goes to him easily, intuitively sensing he’s someone safe, someone important.
“Hey there, baby girl.” Blake cradles her against his broad chest, his eyes suspiciously misty. “I’m your daddy.”
Tears prick my eyes witnessing their first embrace. The way Maddie pats his stubbly cheek. The way Blake looks at her like she’s the most precious thing in the universe.
“When’s her birthday?” he asks.
“January seventeenth. She just turned six months old.”
“I’ve missed so much,” he says heavily. Then his expression brightens. “I’d love to see pictures, if you have any?”
“Sure, I have tons.”
We sit together at the kitchen table, Maddie settled happily on Blake’s lap, and I swipe through a seemingly endless album of photos. Blake points to one of me in a hospital bed, exhausted but glowing as I cradle a swaddled newborn Maddie.
“Is this from the day she was born?” At my nod, he traces a fingertip over the image, his expression reverent. “Tell me everything.”
So I do.
I tell him about the grueling thirty-six hours of labor. About how Josie never left my side. About the overwhelming love that crashed over me the first time the doctor placed Maddie in my arms.
As I talk, I sneak glances at Blake to gauge his reaction. There’s no resentment or bitterness in his face, only rapt attention and a wistful sort of longing. Like he’s trying to absorb every detail to make up for all the moments he’s missed.
“She’s so beautiful,” Blake murmurs reverently. His eyes flick up to meet mine. “Just like her mama.”
A flush heats my skin at the compliment, even as my heart aches. I flip to the next photo quickly, one of Josie holding Maddie as a newborn. But Blake reaches out, grasping my wrist gently to stop me from scrolling farther.
“Wait. Go back.”
I hesitate when I realize what photo he must have glimpsed. Me, hugely pregnant, standing in front of the mirror in just a bra and maternity leggings. I cringe internally.
I looked like a beached whale.
“I look so—”
“Perfect.” Blake cuts me off with a low growl. “You look absolutely fucking perfect.”
My breath hitches at the blatant desire in his eyes.
“I want copies of these,” he says. “All of them. Especially the ones of you pregnant with my baby.”
His possessiveness radiates from him, and I shiver. The way he says “my baby” does funny things to my insides. It makes me ache for his touch again. It makes me wonder if seeing me carry his child turns him on as much as it seems to.
Blake’s expression grows serious as he shifts Maddie higher on his chest, his big hand spanning her back protectively. “How was the pregnancy?”
I blink at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“How did you feel? Were you okay?”
The concern in his voice catches me off guard. I’m not used to anyone besides Josie caring about my well-being. “It was hard,” I admit quietly. “Especially in the beginning, with all the morning sickness. But Josie helped a lot.”
He frowns. “And work? How do you support yourself?”
“I’m a substitute teacher.” Guilt twists my stomach like it always does when I think about work. “I graduated with my teaching degree while I was pregnant. But with a baby to care for, I can only work part time right now.”
Blake’s frown deepens.
“It’s tough, but Josie and I manage,” I add. I don’t want him to think I’m angling for his money or help. I have my pride.
But Blake isn’t deterred. He keeps pressing, his blue eyes intent on mine. “What about your mom? Does she help out?”
I look away, my throat tightening. “It’s just me and Josie. We don’t have anyone else.”
The admission feels like a failure, a glaring neon sign of my inadequacy. Maybe that’s why I’ve been dreading this conversation, this inevitable baring of my battered soul. I hate feeling pitied. Exposed.
But when I risk a glance at Blake, there’s no pity in his gaze. Only softness.
“So what are you running home to, then?” he asks quietly. “If it’s only you two?”
I squirm under his probing gaze.
Why does he even care? What does it matter to him if I have a support system or a big loving family to go home to?
I want to give a glib answer. Brush off his questions the way I’ve brushed off so many others over the years who wanted to know about my family and my struggles.
But something about the tender way he cradles our daughter makes me feel like I can trust him with my truth.
“Houston is my home.” I reach out to stroke Maddie’s soft curls. “It may not be much, but it’s where I’ve built my life. Where Josie and I have made a place for ourselves.”
Blake’s brow furrows. “I’m your family now, Julie. Yours and Maddie’s. I just bought a new house. I want you to stay here with me.”
I gape at him in shock. Stay with him? Here in Wyoming?
Is he crazy?
“Blake, I… I can’t just move in with you. I have Josie to think about too.”
“So bring her along.” He shrugs as if it’s the most natural thing in the world to invite virtual strangers to come live with him. “There’s plenty of room. I want all three of you here in Cooper Hills with me.”
I stare at him in disbelief, my heart hammering against my ribs.
This man is unreal.
First claiming to be my family, now wanting me and my sister to move in with him after one conversation?
But even as I balk at the audacity of his offer, a small traitorous part of me yearns to say yes. To have someone else to lean on for once.
My gaze drifts to the worn linoleum beneath my feet and the water stain on the ceiling.
I think of the cramped, dingy house waiting for us back in Houston.
Of the nights Josie and I have gone to bed hungry so there would be enough formula for Maddie.
Of the stack of past due bills on the counter and the way Josie flinches at every knock on the door.
My stomach twists with indecision, longing, fear, and cautious hope. I know I can’t agree to move in with Blake yet. It’s too much, too soon. But maybe...
“I won’t agree to move in,” I hedge as I bite my lip. “But maybe... Maybe we could stay for the weekend? Before we head back?”
It’s a compromise, a chance to dip my toe in the water of this new reality before diving in completely.
Blake’s face lights up like I’ve just given him a winning lottery ticket instead of a measly two days. He reaches for his phone and taps in what I assume is his address before handing it to me. “Here, put your number in. I’ll text you the address. Go pack a bag and come on over.”
“Okay.” My voice is barely a whisper as my trembling fingers input the digits, sealing my fate. I’m really doing this.
I pass him back the phone, and he grins, the corners of his eyes crinkling with satisfaction.
Then he stands and shifts a sleepy Maddie into my arms. I barely have a moment to marvel at the loss of his warmth and the sudden ache of emptiness before Blake’s big hand is cupping my cheek and tipping my face up to his.
His blue eyes blaze into mine, fierce and fathomless. “Don’t overthink this. I just got you back. I’m not letting you go again.”
Then his mouth is on mine, hot and searching, and he brands me with his kiss. By the time he pulls away, I’m gasping and clinging to Maddie’s solid weight to keep from swaying on my feet.
“See you soon, sweetheart.” Blake’s lips graze my forehead, and then he strides out the front door and leaves me breathless in his wake.
Holy. Shit.
My knees finally give out, and I slump against the wall and slide to the ground. Maddie dozes against my chest, oblivious to the chaos swirling inside me.
A few minutes later, the door creaks open and Josie pops her head in, her eyes wide as she takes in my shell-shocked expression.
“Well? How’d it go? What did Blake say?”
“He wants us to move in with him. This weekend.”
Josie’s jaw drops. “No way! Are you serious?”
“Dead serious. He said he’s Maddie’s family now. My family. And that we should stay with him.” I shake my head in disbelief. “I can’t wrap my head around it. We haven’t seen each other in over a year and he’s already talking about playing house.”
“Julie, he’s not just talking about it. He straight up told you to move in!” Josie grins. “I knew it. I could tell from the second he laid eyes on you.”
I frown at her, confused. “Tell what?”
“That man is head over heels in love with you, sis.” Josie waggles her eyebrows suggestively. “Did you see the way he was looking at you? Like you hung the damn moon.”
“You’re crazy,” I scoff, but I can’t deny the answering leap of my pulse. The intensity in Blake’s eyes... the fierce possession in his kiss...
“No, you’re the crazy one if you don’t jump on this,” Josie argues. “Julie, when was the last time you did something for yourself? Put yourself first?”
I open my mouth to respond, but she cuts me off.
“Never. The answer is never. You’re always taking care of me, of Maddie. It’s time to take care of you for once.”
Josie’s expression softens as she takes my hands in hers. “You deserve this, sis. You deserve a chance to be happy. Blake clearly wants to give you that. Let him.”
With tears pricking my eyes, I swallow hard past the lump of emotion clogging my throat. Josie’s right. I’ve spent so long just trying to survive to keep our little family afloat. When was the last time I dared to dream of something more?
I glance down at Maddie nestled in my arms. Her chubby cheeks are flushed with sleep and her dark lashes fan across her skin.
My heart swells with a fierce, overwhelming love.
This perfect little girl is my entire world. I would do anything, endure anything, just to see her smile.
The past six months have been the hardest of my life juggling work, a baby, and helping Josie. There were days I didn’t think I’d make it. Days when the exhaustion and stress threatened to pull me under.
But every single time, Maddie was my light in the darkness. Her first smile, her first giggle, the way her tiny hand curls around my finger... She gave me a reason to keep going. To keep fighting.
And now, with Blake...
I think back to the awestruck wonder on his face as he beheld his daughter for the first time. The glimmer of unshed tears in his eyes, the gentle way he cradled her to his broad chest, and the way he looked at me—like I was everything.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Josie’s brow furrows in confusion. “Okay?”
I square my shoulders. “Okay, we’ll stay with Blake. For the weekend, at least. I... I need to see where this goes. If there’s even a chance...”
I trail off, unable to put this riotous tangle of fear and yearning into words. But Josie understands. Of course she does.
Grinning, she throws her arms around me in an exuberant hug, accidentally jostling Maddie in the process. My daughter lets out a mewl of protest before settling back into slumber.
“You won’t regret this,” Josie says fiercely. “I just know it.”
I hug her back just as tightly, blinking away the sudden sting of tears. I hope with every fiber of my being that she’s right and Blake is my chance at happily ever after.