When Roses Collide

Chapter Forty-Nine

Holy shitballs! If looks could kill, Travis would be a dead man right now. His eyes snapped from one angry glare to another and he was immediately thankful they were at the hospital instead of the ranch where there was easy access to guns. With the way his heart was pounding in his chest, he might have a heart attack right here in this very waiting room and their wish would soon be fulfilled anyway. Between the stress of the fire, Harley's injuries and the prospect he might actually be a dad, their threats of violence was just the catalyst needed to push him into being a contender for a heart attack. But, he supposed sarcastically to himself, if he was going to have a coronary or be beaten to death...you couldn't ask for a better place for it to happen than a hospital.

And, if it was the later of those two scenarios, there at least would be plenty of witnesses to tell Ethan who the killers were. He scrubbed a hand nervously across his neck, which felt like it was getting fitted with a noose with the way Cade continued to scowl at him. But, to be honest, he really couldn't blame the guy for the way he was shooting knives in his direction. He'd been the dumbass having sex without protection, but he would never say he regretted it. The thought of Harley being pregnant filled him with indescribable joy and an equal amount of uneasiness. What if she didn't want to have his child? Or get married? What if...he swallowed hard...something happened to the baby because of tonight? Those same questions kept flooding his thoughts...over and over again.

Pushing himself up from the chair he had dropped his ass in, he stood and faced them, trying to present a calmness he didn't feel. It would be a hell of a lot easier if he didn't get the impression he was facing a firing squad.

"You won't need any shotguns. I have every intention of marrying her." Fuck, he had more than intentions...he planned on it. Right now, sitting in the top drawer of his dresser at home was a small velvet box containing all his hopes for the future. During his time in Billings sorting out the auction fiasco, he'd done a little shopping and had run into the perfect ring that he thought suited Harley to a T. All he needed was the right moment to ask her. He glanced up at Bo. Yeah, judging by his look, that moment had better fucking hurry up and come.

"Most men get married before they knock up their woman," Tanner drawled, pulling Travis's attention to the lanky cowboy. "Your declaration seems a little lackluster and pretty damn late now that you are forced into a corner, dude."

"Harley deserves a hell of a lot more than a guy who is only going to marry her to save his ass by doing what he thinks is the right thing," Cade sneered, stepping up in front of him. "You can save your intentions. She doesn't need you and if she is pregnant, we'll take care of her and her baby."

A growl came out of Travis from deep and low in his chest. "Nobody will be taking care of my woman and child but me. You need to step out of the way, asshole or I will force you out of my way." He leaned into Cade's cynical face. He may be his future in-law, but Travis was more than willing to show him exactly what happened to anyone who threatened to step between him and his future family.

"Stop it!" Bo snapped, standing up and shoving his massive shoulder between the two of them, forcing them apart. "Might I remind you Harley is laying back there about to have a fucking CAT scan?" He gave each of them a long, hard stare. "This isn't the time or the place and she doesn't need either of you two asshole's fucking bullshit right now. Do I make myself clear?"

Travis blew out a harsh breath. "Crystal clear," he muttered. The guy was right. Here he was acting like an idiot letting his worry and anxiety get the better of him when she was laying back there going through God only knew what. All this waiting and uncertainty was driving him fucking nuts with every painful minute that ticked by. "Sorry, Cade," he added, holding out a palm towards the man. He'd been serious earlier. If he interfered with his plans in any way, he'd regret it, but for now...he was willing to let bygones be bygones if pretty boy was.