Page 12 of Sweet Escape (Whispering Oaks Ranch #1)

Cowboys, Cookies, maybe we can find a way to make this co-parenting thing work.

“Don’t be so modest,” Wilder says. “Mama makes the best chocolate chip cookies.”

At that, Emmy’s face lights up, and she rushes up the stairs and wraps herself around Mrs. Hayes. “Cookies!” she squeals.

“You can have one cookie, Emmy Lou. Any more than that and you’ll be bouncin’ off the walls.” There’s a warning in his gaze as he mouths the word ‘one’ and holds up a finger at his mom.

She rolls her eyes and picks up Emmy.“It was nice meeting you, Olivia. Come on in if you want a snack later.”

Once they’re out of sight, Wilder motions for me to sit back down and scoots across the steps, settling close enough for our knees to brush. “Sorry. My family can be a lot.”

“They’re lovely, Wilder. Emmy is adorable.”

“She’s the light of my life.” There’s a flash of sadness in his expression, but it’s there and gone in a blink; so fleeting, I might’ve missed it if I hadn’t been paying attention. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

My palms begin to sweat, and I take a moment to gather myself as the nausea swirls in my gut. Deep breath. It’s now or never, Liv.

I pluck the ultrasound photo out of my back pocket and place it between us on the stairs.

Wilder tracks the motion, his eyes widening in recognition. “You’re pregnant?” His voice is barely audible beneath the rapid thudding of my heart.

I nod, unable to speak.

“How? I thought?—”

“I’m sorry.” The words rush out of me as I choke back tears. “I thought… but I didn’t… and… I fucked up.”

“Hey. Hey. It’s okay.” He reaches for my hands, his touch grounding me, and I finally look up from where I had my eyes locked on the ultrasound. It’s the tender touch I’ve been craving since my tires kicked up dust in the drive, maybe since the day I first saw him sitting at Grammy’s diner.

“How long have you known?” He picks up the small black and white photo with one hand while still holding onto me with the other—like if he lets go, I might disappear.

“Only a few days. I wanted to be sure. ”

He doesn’t ask if it’s his, even though he’d have every right to. His thumb trails over the little jelly bean off to the right of the photograph.