Page 78 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

“We both know I could be talking to my mom or Avery right now. I should be.”

Then why aren’t you?The words gathered in her throat, the question begging for release. She wanted the answer more than she wanted her next breath. Wanted to hear him admit he had feelings for her. After all, she’d offered him a lifeline, and he hadn’t taken it... But it wasn’t a fair question when she was dating his brother.

Silence lengthened between them, and the line buzzed with tension. It had always gone unmentioned, this thing simmering just under the surface. If she’d thought she was imagining it or the feelings were one sided, that idea had just been obliterated. Because at the moment, that thing between them wasn’t just simmering—it was boiling.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve put you in a difficult position. I won’t call you again, Kate.”

His words made her insides shrivel up tight and hard. She opened her mouth to rebut his statement. Because as much as she hated that this rumor was tearing him up inside, she loved being the one he counted on. The one he called.

But his family could take it from here. Theyshouldtake it from here. As much as she wanted to get closer to Cooper, this thing between them was a disaster waiting to happen.

She closed her eyes and squeezed out the words. “Whatever you think best. I’ll be praying for you. I’m sure God will work all of this out.”

“Thanks, Kate.” A beat of silence followed. “I guess I’ll... see you around.”

Her chest tightened at the despair in his voice. She pressed a palm to her heart. “See you, Cooper.”

30

The call came well after ten on Wednesday night just after Cooper had dozed off. He rolled over in bed and snatched his buzzing phone off the nightstand. “Hello?”

“Is this Cooper Robinson?”

“Yes.”

“This is Brandon Reed from theHerald. I’m following up on a story and wondered if you could answer a few questions.”

It was hardly his first interview with the paper, although they were normally scheduled in advance and at a reasonable hour. He sat up in bed and ran a hand over his face. “Um, sure. How can I help you?”

“Mr. Robinson, we have a source who claims you’ve gotten a young woman pregnant and are denying paternity. Can you confirm if that’s true?”

Cooper’s mind spun even as his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

“Mr. Robinson? Can you corroborate that?”

“That is a false rumor. What kind of paper are you running over there? This is a personal matter.”

“You’re running for public office, sir. That makes it the public’s business. Is my source correct? Do you deny you’re the father of the baby?”

“No comment!” Cooper punched the Disconnect button, barely resisting the temptation to throw his phone across the room. He wished he could grab the guy’s collar and lift him off his feet.

This was bad. If a journalist was asking questions, it meant the newspaper that serviced the entire county was planning to print this story. So much for keeping the rumor under wraps. The bad publicity would be devastating to his reputation. To his campaign.

He had to call Avery. As he dialed he scrambled from bed. Adrenaline flooded his system and he needed to move.

His sister answered on the fourth ring. “This better be good.”

“TheHeraldgot wind of the rumor. They just called me for a statement.”

“Oh no.” Shuffling sounds came across the line. “What did you say?”

“I denied it—what do you think I said?”

“Don’t jump down my throat. It wasn’t me who tipped them off.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Sorry, I’m just—I can’t believe they’d print a rumor. A false rumor. What are they, theNational Enquirer?”

“I guess we should’ve put out a statement after all.”