Page 68 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

She sank back onto the chair and stared pointedly at his hand.

He loosened his grip. “First of all, I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. If Megan’s pregnant I didn’t know anything about it. I haven’t spoken to her since she moved away. And whywould you just assume the baby’s mine? We went out two times. We sure didn’t sleep together.”

She leaned forward, pinning him with an accusatory glare. “I know the baby’s yours, Cooper. She said so. Everyone in the salon heard her.”

Cooper fell back in his chair. Coldness swept through him even as sweat broke out on the back of his neck.“What?”

Her eyes glittered. “You’re seriously going to sit here and deny it?”

“Because it’s not true!”

“Wow. I thought you’d at least man up. I knew you had a problem with committing, but I thought deep down you were a good guy.”

“Are you serious right now?”

“I was willing to hang in there. I mean, mistakes happen, and I really thought we might have something here.”

Anger blazed inside him. He leaned toward her. “I did not sleep with Megan.”

“I never took you for a liar, Cooper.” Amber jerked her arm from his grip and stood. “I can find my own way home.”

He watched Amber storm off, his head spinning. Had Megan really told Amber he’d gotten her pregnant? Could she be that dishonest? That spiteful? Or was it possible Amber had misunderstood somehow?

“Everyone in the salon heard her.”

Cooper’s gut clenched at the ramifications. He ran a hand over his face. If Amber was telling the truth—and he had no reason to disbelieve her—the rumor would be all over town in days.

His reputation would suffer. Not that it was a crime to get a woman pregnant out of wedlock, but folks around here were a little old-fashioned. Shoot,hewas old-fashioned. He couldn’t imagine getting a woman pregnant out of wedlock—but if he did he’d sure enough own up to it.

But he hadn’t done anything!

Heat swamped him from the inside out. Sweat trickled down his spine.

The server appeared and began unloading her tray. But when she set his rib platter in front of him, the tangy scent of barbeque sauce only made his stomach turn.

25

As the last strains of the ballad drew out, Gavin pressed a kiss to the top of Katie’s head. Beyond his shoulder she had a clear view of Cooper. He hunched over the table, brow furrowed, jaw clenched. His date had just stormed off. What had upset Amber so much?

“Food’s at the table.” Gavin led her through the throng of people on the dance floor.

Once they reached the table Katie paused. “I have to use the restroom. Don’t wait for me.”

“Hurry back,” Gavin said.

Cooper frowned at his plate, seemingly unaware they’d even returned.

She skirted the people and tables, heading toward the short hall on the other side of the room. Where had Amber gone and why? Had she and Cooper broken things off? And why was Katie so buoyed by the other woman’s departure?

Inside the restroom the bass guitar thumped through the wood walls, and the cloying scent of sweet perfume hung in the air. She couldn’t get her mind off Cooper. He’d been so distracted when they returned to the table. Maybe he had real feelings for Amber despite the newness of their relationship. Otherwise, why would he be so upset by her departure?

The thought rankled.

As she washed her hands she found herself wishing Gavin wasn’t there so she could talk to Cooper. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, noting her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.

Stop thinking about him.He’d probably had the server box up his food so he could leave. He was probably on his way out the door right this minute.

She dried her hands and left the restroom, the music reverberating in her ears. She stopped short at the sight of Cooper standing in the hall a few feet away, frowning at his phone.