The Cowboy's Baby: A BWWM Billionaire Cowboy Pregnancy Romance (19 page)

Her heart stuttered in her chest as she found herself trapped in the intensity of his gaze. “I was wrong, Esme. I was wrong, and you were right. That woman is no mother to my child.
You
are little bean’s mother. You and only you. And I was a callous idiot for failing to realize that.”

It was if all the bitterness, all the uncertainty and pain within Esme was suddenly released. A heaviness that had hovered over her chest for the past few months was suddenly lifted and her heart was ecstatically light – right before pain clenched every muscle in her body and a cry of discomfort escaped her.

Daniel immediately reached for the Doctor Snell, yanking the man over to him. “Why is she in so much pain?” His voice was on the edge of panic. “Isn’t there something that can help her?”

“An Epidural.” Amos replied without a beat, despite the fact that Daniel was nearly throttling him. “But she refused without your consent. And now it’s a bit late.” Tugging Daniel’s fingers from his collar, he rounded the bed to kneel between Esme’s legs, reaching up to check her dilation.

Esme winced at the pressure as Dr. Snell nodded, satisfied. “You’re fully dilated, Esme.” He reached up to lower the stirrups from either side of the bed and place her feet in them. “Now, I need you to push.”

So suddenly?

Fear seized her heart a moment before Daniel squeezed her hand between his own, his gaze reassuring. “I’m here, Esme.”

She bore down with all her strength, a scream of agony tearing from her. Still, Daniel didn’t look away. He endured her iron grip on his hand, her thrashing and the ungodly sounds of discomfort she made as she struggled to bring his baby into the world.

It seemed an eternity of pain – of straining muscles and exhaustion – before a squalling cry finally split the air. A split second later, Doctor Snell cradled a squirming bundle in his arms, and nurses rushed forward to help him clean the baby’s face and body. Esme’s heart pounded as Amos wrapped the child in a soft, cream colored blanket, before turning to them. His eyes met Daniel’s, and the rancher shook his head slowly, before gesturing to Esme.

The young woman felt her heart stop, as everything around her ceased to exist.

“Congratulations, Esme. It’s a boy.” The downy, squirming bundle was placed in her arms and Esme felt tears rising, unbidden, to her eyes. He was absolutely perfect- with his tiny, scrunched face, miniscule fingers and toes, and wide, gaping mouth. She’d never known she could feel such immediate, overwhelming love for another living creature. She lowered her head to scant, damp blonde curls and held him close.

“He’s beautiful.” She breathed, swallowing a sob. “Absolutely beautiful.”

After an indulgent moment, she turned to offer the undulating bundle to Daniel, only to have the man cup her face instead, sliding his free hand around both her and the baby. “Esme, please, forgive me. I never should have let you walk away. I never knew what things could be like with a woman…not until you.”

A shuddering breath escaped her, and Esme closed her eyes.

After all that had happened, she still wanted the things that had haunted her. To grow old by Daniel’s side, to watch his son grow into a man…she had lost none of that even in the pain he had caused her.

“Daniel…I love you.” The words escaped her on a whisper. “I’ve never admitted it even to myself, but I’m admitting it now. All I want from you is to guard my heart the way you’ll guard his…to know that I would never,
ever
hurt you. That I don’t care about your money, or where you came from. All I want is you.”

Leaning down, the rancher brushed his lips over hers as Dr. Snell made a discreet exit. In her eyes, she saw humility, relief, and boundless affection.

“I wanted a baby, Esme. More than anything in the world, I wanted a child most. But a life with him would be empty without you. I’ll never betray your love again, as long as you accept mine.”

A hitching sob escaped her, even as her heart was filled with joy. She watched Daniel take his son from her arms, hold him for the first time, and saw the unfathomable euphoria in his eyes. Knowing that she would see him, like this, for the rest of her life – nothing compared.

Absolutely nothing. “Accept it?” She smiled at him, stroking their son’s soft, rosy head. “I demand it, Daniel Hartsford. And it’s the only thing I’ll ever demand of you.”

***

About the Author

Hello,

So this is the part where I’m supposed to talk about myself. I write so many stories but I often I have a hard time telling my own. Funny how that works.

My name is Cristina Grenier and I have been writing stories for as long as I could remember . I’m a sucker for romance. I draw from past experiences and from others around me when I write. I enjoy creating characters that everyone can relate to.

Besides writing, I also enjoy painting and figure drawing. I’m a bit of a homebody, my ideal night consists of a chilled bottle of wine, some pasta and Netflix. I really hope you enjoy the stories I create.

If you enjoyed this title and want to keep updated with my new releases and frequent
FREE
book giveaways, please visit my website and submit your email.

Sincerely,

Cristina

www.cristinagrenier.com

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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