Page 69 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

“What’s wrong?”

He startled. An instant later the crease in his brows smoothed as he pocketed his phone. “Nothing. You ready to eat?”

“You don’t have to pretend with me.” She repeated his words from yesterday, holding his gaze.

His facial muscles slowly relaxed. He glanced down the hall, the dim light from the adjoining room glowing on his features. “Amber just told me something that—Never mind. It’s absurd.”

“What is it?”

A shadow flickered in his jaw. “A woman I went out with back in the spring, Megan Taylor, came into the Beauty Barn today where Amber works. She’s pregnant—and she’s apparently telling people the baby’s mine.”

Katie’s stomach bottomed out. Someone else was pregnant with Cooper’s child. That was a game changer. Not for her, of course,but for him. But if that were true, why did she feel as if he’d just punched her in the heart? “I see.”

He pinned her with an intense look. “No, you don’t see. It can’t be mine. I never even slept with her.”

A wave of relief washed through her—big red flag. But there was no time to pick apart her feelings. “Have you talked to Megan? Maybe it’s some kind of... misunderstanding?”

“I was just about to call her. I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Are you sure there’s no possibility that you could’ve...”

“Not unless it’s another immaculate conception.”

“Right.” Katie’s cheeks went hot. “Well, then you have nothing to worry about.”

A group of women passed by, talking loudly.

Once they were inside the restroom, Cooper leaned closer, the furrows back in place. “She’s telling people I’m the father. Everyone at the Beauty Barn heard her say it.”

Katie frowned. “Why would she do that?”

He withdrew his phone again, scowling. “That’s what I’m about to find out.”

This had to be hard for him. She knew he cared about his reputation more than most because of the way his father had embarrassed him. She placed a hand on his arm, noting the delicious feel of hard muscle beneath flesh.You’re a terrible person, Katie Loveland.“Maybe you should call her from someplace more private.”

As if to underscore her point, a man pushed past on his way to the restroom.

“You’re right. I’d go to her house if I knew her new address. I guess it’s a good thing I forgot to delete her from my phone. I can’t believe she’s doing this.”

“Maybe there’s some kind of reasonable explanation.”

“I can’t think what it would be.” He stared at Katie, his expression shifting subtly before he stared at the floor.

“What?”

His gaze returned to hers, his expression adorably uncertain. “Do you believe me?”

“Yes, of course I do.” She’d never known him to be anything but honest. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Funny you should ask. Amber took off like a bat out of hell when I denied it.”

Her heart squeezed tight. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry this is happening to you.”

“Thanks. I knew there was something about Megan... I don’t think this is a mistake.”

“Well, you’ll know more after you make that phone call. Did you tell Gavin?”

“Not yet. I want to find out what’s going on first.”