The Rancher Takes a Bride by Brenda Minton

Author:Brenda Minton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Oregon drove to church on Sunday morning glad that the week was over. Not that it had been a bad week. But she needed Sunday. She needed church, needed a moment to slow down and sit in God’s presence. In the seat next to her, Lilly was talking about her horse and going over her “things to do when the cast is off” list. Normal. Oregon felt the tension of the week draining away.

“Mom, do you think you and Duke will get married?”

Oregon nearly slammed on the brakes. Somehow she kept a steady foot on the gas. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You heard me. Don’t act like you didn’t.”

A phrase Oregon had used more than once on her daughter was suddenly being used on her. “All right, I did hear you, but I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

“I don’t think it’s such a crazy idea,” Lilly said, as if it made more sense than chocolate on a bad day. And Oregon could have really used some chocolate right about then.

“You think not?”

“Well, the two of you have a daughter. In case you missed it, that would be me.”

Oregon laughed. “No, I haven’t missed that part of the equation. But you have to understand that Duke and I aren’t... We weren’t...” She sighed. “Duke and I were never a couple. It was...”

There was no explanation that made sense. She glanced at Lilly to check her reaction. Lilly continued to stare her down. Oregon drove into the church parking lot, thankful she had a reprieve. Even if it didn’t last long.

“Mom, I get it. I’m not a kid.”

Oregon arched a brow at that but didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. Lilly wrinkled her nose.

“Okay, sure, I’m a kid. But I know what happened. I’m just saying that now...well, the two of you seem to like each other. Or at least you like to kiss.”

“You are a kid. And no, we don’t.” She bit her bottom lip and peeked at her daughter, because the last statement wasn’t necessarily true. Being kissed by Duke Martin might just be at the top of her “best things ever” list.

“Yeah, you do,” Lilly said with firm conviction. “I’ve seen you. It’s kind of gross, but I’m okay with you liking each other.”

“Gee, thanks.”

Lilly smirked. “It will help when you get married.”

Oregon groaned as she pulled into a parking space. “We’re not getting married. That isn’t why we’re here, Lilly. I brought you here because I wanted you to have a dad.”

“Yeah, I know. And Mom, I’m sorry that you don’t know your dad. I wish you did. And I hope if he’s out there somewhere, he’s as great as mine.”

“Thank you, honey. But I think I’m long past wishing for my father. I have you, and that’s the best thing ever.”

Lilly opened the car door. “Yeah, I am great. I’m just saying, if you and Duke decide to get married, I’m okay with that.”

“We’re not getting married,” she called out as Lilly hurried away on her crutches.

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