Heartsong (Singing to the Heart Book 2) by Sara Walter Ellwood Page B

pulling her attention from the heavy, antique oak table. “That’s Frankie’s table. You bought the furniture, too.”
    “Some of it. I had two different agents attend the auction.” He rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “I knew this table had belonged to your grandma and thought it only right you and Loretta have it. I bought all of Jesse’s bedroom furniture and the things that were Frankie’s and Dad’s I thought he’d like to have when he’s older.” He’d set the table with china that had belonged to his mother and a bunch of red roses and white daisies. “And I bought everything that was my momma’s they had in storage and didn’t give to me in Dad’s will.”
    She stared at him for a moment, then blinked, shaking her head. “What smells so good?”
    “Lasagna. It should be ready in a few minutes.”
    “You made lasagna?”
    The sudden sense of déjà that came over him wasn’t comfortable. He pulled a bottle of Dom Perignon from a chiller on the counter and turned to her across the butcher block of the island in the big country kitchen. “Yeah.”
    Neither of them had to be reminded of the last time Gabe cooked lasagna for them. He saw her replaying the same memory in her mind in the way she bit her bottom lip. He’d made it for her the night he’d proposed to her almost ten years ago.
    “I should have told you sooner, but the timing never seemed right, or you’d rip into me like a pitbull.” He softened his words with a grin. Before she could react to his comment, he said, “That day after my Cheyenne date I’d come here to tell you I’d bought the ranch and that you didn’t have to move, but then you...”
    She narrowed her eyes on him. “I was upset. You told me you were going to adopt Jesse. What was I supposed to think?”
    He swallowed and tossed his hat on the counter by the refrigerator. “I’m sorry. I never meant for you to think you’d never be part of his life. In fact, I wanted quite the opposite. But I screwed up and I was mad, at myself because of my antics in Cheyenne and because...” There was no way he was going to tell her his desire for her was driving him crazy. “Because I was afraid I’d never see Jesse again.”
    Her expression melted, and she hugged herself. “I’m afraid, too.”
    He positioned his thumbs on the cork, but then stopped short of opening the bottle, suddenly unsure. “I’ve been thinking. Judge Anderson said he would’ve given both of us, or at least one of us, custody of Jesse if we were married.” She sucked in a breath and her eyes widened. He rushed on before she could shoot him down. “Just hear me out before you say anything. Okay?” She nodded; then he popped the cork and poured two fluted glasses full of the champagne. He handed her one, but neither of them took a drink. Her hand shook as she set her sparkling drink on the granite top of the island.
    He set his glass beside hers and plowed on. “I know the judge liked you, and if your living and financial situations were different, you would’ve gotten custody. Reese mentioned that Anderson is a fan of mine. He also said the judge thought I was good with Jesse.”
    He paused to take a deep breath. “I don’t blame him for not giving me custody. Hell, I even said the same thing. The road isn’t a place for a kid. You’re fantastic with Jesse, and we both love him. So, I was thinking that maybe if we were--uh--married, the judge might give us Jesse.” He picked up the champagne, suddenly needing a drink.
    “You want to get married?” Her voice shook, and he barely heard the quiet words.
    He met her gaze and drained the glass. “It would be a business deal. After we adopt Jesse, we’ll get divorced and have joint custody. I already have the pre-nup drafted. You’d get to stay here at the ranch with Jesse, but the place will go to him when he turns twenty-one. I’ll pay child support and provide for him--and for you and your momma too, if you’ll let me, at least until