We had ababyon the way, for God’s sake.
Maggie squeezed my hand, like she knew exactly what I was thinking.
“I’m so thankful for you.”
“I am, too.” Her soft voice warmed me like a blanket. “I can’t believe this is where we are.”
“It was all meant to happen.” I squeezed her hand back. “Happy birthday, beautiful.”
A sinful smile played on her lips. “You mean…you meant to knock me up and bring me to Wyoming? All because you wanted a fake wife who would eventually fall in love with you?”
I scoffed. “Yeah, it was all part of my master plan. You can look at my notebook and my shrine to you if you want.”
A burst of laughter escaped her as she reached for the dashboard to steady herself. “Yourshrineto me?”
My hand moved up to her belly. “This is my shrine to you.”
Tears filled her eyes, and I couldn’t tell at first if they were from laughter or a mix of emotions. Her next statement told me exactly that it was a mix of both.
“Then I'd better hold onto it for the rest of my life.”
***
Maggie’s jaw dropped as we entered the restaurant, and mine wasn’t far behind. Playing professional polo meant all the high-end luxuries—fancy parties, expensive dinners, exclusive restaurants. But this…this was another level.
The darkened dining room before us was littered with gleaming lights on the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the guests indulging in cocktails and mouthwatering dishes. Tables covered in white linens held massive flower vases and candles as centerpieces, and the walls were upholstered with burgundy leather panels.
The hostess led us to a quiet booth waiting for us in the back corner of the restaurant. Every step we took was nearly silent on the intricately patterned rug we walked across to find our table. A small card next to thereservedsign was folded so it stood on its end, displaying a calligraphy of words I had to look closer to read.
Maggie, you have done more for us than we could ever ask for, and our daughters adore you. You are going to be a great mother. Happiest of birthdays to you.
Love,
The Rogers Family
Her eyes widened as she read the last line over again, then turned to me.
“TheRogersown this restaurant?” she asked in disbelief.
“The Rogers…” I trailed off, trying to remember where I had heard that last name before. Derek had only mentioned that a friend of his owned it. He never gave me a name, let alone a reason why Maggie would know who they were.
“Remember the girls we babysat? Kellie and Josie? They’re the ones you brought Neva the Unicorn to see?”
“Ohh,” I threw my head back as it dawned on me. Those little girls truly did adore her. They were further proof of how nurturing a mother Maggie would be to our little fruit. I shook my head. “I never knew they knew Derek. Small towns. Convenient for us, though, no?” I helped Maggie into the tall booth and held her hand until she scooted far enough for me to slide in next to her.
“Very convenient.” She smiled. “I love that family. They make me so excited for ours.”
Nodding, I said, “That was my first thought when we babysat them.”
“That was the night I realized how incredible of a father you’re going to be,” she replied, her eyes locking onto mine.
I held my breath for a moment, and she knew exactly why.
“That’s part of why you freaked out last night, isn’t it?”
I swallowed hard, barely offering a nod.
“Jack,” she reached to intertwine our fingers. “Do you know what a good father would do?” When I couldn’t bring myself to answer, she continued. “A good father would drop everythingfor his child. He fights for his family. He supports his family no matter what.”
