A Baby and a Betrothal Read Online Free Page B

before he left. Hell, he had the start of two different notes wadded up in the glove compartment of the Jeep. But he hadn’t got more than a few words past Dear Katie either time. She was worth more than pat lines and unconvincing excuses as to why he couldn’t stay. As much as he wanted her, he should have never given in to his desire. Katie wanted more than he would ever be able to give her.
    Maybe he’d left like a coward because he wanted to prove to both of them that, despite his best intentions, he couldn’t change who he was. She wasn’t a one-night stand, although that was how he’d treated her. Regret had been his faithful companion during his time on the mountain. Katie had always seen more in him than most people, and the worry of ruining their friendship weighed heavily. He owed her an explanation, and that was the first thing on his agenda this morning. After getting cleaned up.
    â€œDo you smell as bad as you look?” a voice called from behind him.
    He turned to see his friend Logan Travers coming down the back steps of the house he shared with his wife, Olivia. It was midmorning, and Logan held a stainless-steel coffee mug and a roll of paper—no doubt construction plans for one of his current renovation projects.
    â€œProbably.” Noah hefted his backpack from the Jeep’s cargo area. Tater jumped out and trotted over to Logan, rolling onto her back so that Logan could access her soft belly.
    Shifting the plans under his arm, Logan bent and scratched. “You made someone very happy taking off like that.”
    Noah’s gaze snapped to Logan before realizing that his friend was talking about the dog. “She loves being out on the trail.”
    â€œA perfect match for you.”
    Noah didn’t like the idea that the only female he could make happy was of the canine variety. “Thanks for letting me use the garage apartment.” He took the rest of his supplies from the backseat and set them near the Jeep’s rear tire. He’d need to air everything out once he got to his mom’s house. “I’m going to pack up later and head out to the farm. Emily will want to skin me alive for showing up at the last minute.”
    Logan straightened, ignoring the thump of Tater’s tail against his ankle. “The surgery is tomorrow.”
    Noah gave a curt nod in response.
    â€œI’ve cleared my schedule so if you need company in the waiting room I can be there.”
    â€œNo need.” Noah tried to make his tone light, to ignore the emotions that roared through him when he thought of his mother’s scheduled five-hour surgery. “There won’t be much to do except...”
    â€œWait?” Logan offered.
    â€œRight.” He slung the backpack onto one shoulder. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out at the hospital all day.”
    â€œWe’re friends, Noah. Josh and Jake feel the same way,” he said, including his two brothers. “Not just when it’s time to watch the game or grab a beer. If you need anything, we’re here for you.”
    â€œGot it.” Noah turned away, then back again. It was difficult enough to think about being there, let alone with his friends, who knew him as the laid-back, fun-loving forest ranger, an identity he’d cultivated to keep people in his life at a safe distance. A place where they couldn’t hurt him and he wouldn’t disappoint anyone. But he was quickly realizing that being alone wasn’t all it was cracked up to be when life got complicated. “I’ll call tomorrow and update you on her condition. If you want to swing by at some point, that would be great.”
    Logan reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “Will do, man.”
    He waited for his friend to offer some platitude about how everything would be okay, the clichéd phrases of support he’d grown to resent during his