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Baby's First Homecoming
Cathy McDavid
Bringing Baby HomeGiving away her baby for adoption was the second biggest mistake of Sierra Powell’s life. But after a miraculous turn of events, she is reunited with her toddler son and they return to Arizona. Too bad Sierra’s first mistake is waiting for her there—Clay Duvall, a much too charming cowboy. And onetime love of her life. Clay is not about to let go of the opportunity to raise his flesh and blood.He proposes co-parenting—meaning Sierra and Jamie have to move close to him. Real close, as in onto his property. As far as Sierra’s concerned, he has no say in her son’s life. Clay was the one who walked out on their relationship!Will the sparks between Clay and Sierra set off the formerly feuding Powell and Duvall clans…or will they rekindle an old passion?
Bringing Baby Home
Giving away her baby for adoption was the second biggest mistake of Sierra Powell’s life. But after a miraculous turn of events, she is reunited with her toddler son and they return to Arizona. Too bad Sierra’s first mistake is waiting for her there—Clay Duvall, a much too charming cowboy. And onetime love of her life.
Clay is not about to let go of the opportunity to raise his flesh and blood. He proposes co-parenting—meaning Sierra and Jamie have to move close to him. Real close, as in onto his property. As far as Sierra’s concerned, he has no say in her son’s life; Clay was the one who walked out on their relationship.
Will the sparks between Clay and Sierra set off the formerly feuding Powell and Duvall clans…or will they rekindle an old passion?
She smelled as good as he remembered.
Sierra raised her arms, hesitated, then slid them around his neck, returning his hug.
Yes, nice. Really nice.
Wait, no. Clay reminded himself this was a friendly hug between two people whose only concern was the well-being of their son.
His body had other ideas, as did his hands, which skimmed her back over the material of her too bulky, too thick sweater.
He couldn’t stop himself. Her curves were too perfect, her scent too intoxicating, her skin like satin.
Her skin?
When had his hand moved to caress her cheek?
“Tell me no.” He bent his head, his lips seeking hers.
She didn’t. She couldn’t, not with him kissing her.
Dear Reader,
I’m often asked where I get ideas for my books. I have to admit, many of them come from real life. Not my own—I’m actually kind of boring. But other people’s lives, particularly people in the news. A few years ago I read a story about a woman who adopted a child and then later returned him to the adoption agency. I was fascinated and couldn’t help wondering how the birth mother felt, if she even learned about her son being returned.
When I first developed my Mustang Valley series, I knew immediately that I wanted to use this real-life story idea for my third book, Baby’s First Homecoming. Sierra Powell is a woman who made a terrible mistake when she gave up her infant son for adoption, and now has the chance to rectify it. She isn’t counting on the baby’s father, Clay Duvall, being anywhere around when she brings her toddler son home to meet her family.
Of course, he is there, and she must confess she not only had their baby in secret, she gave him up for adoption. It isn’t an easy road for Sierra and Clay. Along the way, they learn not only how to co-parent their son; they also realize they were meant to be together always. I hope you enjoy their journey and that it touches a place in your heart.
Warmest wishes,
Cathy McDavid
P.S. I always enjoy hearing from readers. You can contact me at www.cathymcdavid.com.
Baby’s First Homecoming
Cathy McDavid
To my son, Clay. You were without a doubt the cutest, most charming little boy there ever was.
One day, I looked away for just a minute,
and you grew up into a fine, talented,
handsome young man. I am so very proud
of you and all your accomplishments.
Love you always, Mom.
Contents
Chapter One (#u14d7e78c-1ae3-5d9b-9330-147506b07e30)
Chapter Two (#ua8b0209a-f271-5c98-ad98-be38be3e10a2)
Chapter Three (#ue19b3f10-774e-5868-ae6d-b0169c44f31a)
Chapter Four (#uea9ef86d-9c02-5d6d-9c00-075ba0a2e5c9)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
The Powell family home, more than a century old, had been transformed. Sierra Powell stood beside the open door of her Toyota SUV, assessing every change, comparing them to how she’d last seen the house, in shocking disrepair after ten years of chronic neglect.
Trees were trimmed, the yard’s abundant desert flora and fauna manicured to tidy perfection. A fresh coat of dune-colored paint on the house’s exterior gleamed to eye-squinting intensity in the midafternoon sun. Terra-cotta bricks lined the walkways to the front courtyard and back patio, resembling spectators at a parade.
The refurbishings pleased Sierra. It had taken a long time for her family to rebound from the emotional and financial ruin left in the wake of her mother’s illness and death. These improvements to the house, she knew, mirrored the ones in her father and two brothers.
She envied them. The Powell men were healed and happy and well on the way to creating wonderful, exciting new lives for themselves while she had never been so terrified of the future or felt so alone.
What if her family rejected her? They certainly had good cause—she’d practically shunned them for almost two years. Now she’d returned, not just for her brothers’ double wedding but to ask for her family’s help, their love, their support, and, if they could see fit to give it, their forgiveness.
It wouldn’t be easy. Sierra had made a lot of mistakes.
She stared at the back patio, working up the courage to head inside where her family and future sisters-in-law waited. Everyone was expecting her, possibly intending to confront her. There would be questions, especially when they saw the unexpected “guest” Sierra had brought with her and heard her request to—temporarily, she assured herself—move home.
By some miracle she’d been able to stand outside this long without being noticed. Maybe no one was home. She immediately dismissed that idea. Someone would be here to greet her. Her father at least, who’d insisted she come home for her brothers’ double wedding.
Her brothers, Gavin and Ethan, could be elsewhere on the ranch—leading trail rides, teaching riding classes or otherwise making themselves scarce so she and her father could have a few minutes alone. She had hurt him the worst and owed him the biggest apology. It was he who had the power to grant or deny her request to stay.
Sierra might have been lost in thought indefinitely if not for a noise coming from inside her car. She opened the rear driver’s-side door and stuck her head inside.
“Hey, handsome. You awake? How was your nap?”
Her son waved his pudgy fists and broke into a delighted grin that displayed six new teeth. His hazel eyes, the image of his father’s, beamed at her as he babbled incoherently.
Her heart promptly broke open and spilled a torrent of love as it did every time he smiled or gurgled or nuzzled into her neck and sighed with baby contentment.
“Thank God I have you back,” she murmured for the thousandth time, a catch in her voice, the wound within her still raw.
She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve this reprieve. This gift. This chance to right past wrongs. But she was bound and determined to turn her life around and make the best one possible for her and her son. If she needed to get on her hands and knees and beg her family, she would. He was that important to her.
“Let’s clean you up a bit before we meet the folks.” Using a cotton cloth, she wiped the smudges of dirt from his face and hands. “There. All better.”
He kicked his feet, which were clad in white socks and brand-new red sneakers she’d recently purchased. In fact, she’d recently purchased all his clothes, the car seat, a portable crib and every necessity a child his age needed.
She reached onto the seat beside him and retrieved his favorite toy from where it had fallen. He grabbed the plastic pony and waved it in the air as if to say, Where have you been? I was looking for you, and stuffed the pony’s entire head in his mouth.
With trembling fingers, Sierra unbuckled the car-seat straps. The distraction of caring for her son had worn off. She was once again dreading the prospect of facing her family.
They love you, she told herself. They will love Jamie, too.
But was it enough to make up for the last two years of shameful avoidance?
Drawing a deep breath, she hefted Jamie into her arms. When he was securely balanced on her hip and the diaper bag was slung over her shoulder, she picked her way slowly up the brick-lined walk to the back patio.
The kitchen door loomed ahead, the outline wavering as if she were seeing it though a very long tunnel. Her flats made scuffing sounds on the dirt and then clip-clopped across the Saltillo tiles, each beat matching her pounding heart.
Thank goodness she didn’t have to worry about Jamie’s father being anywhere near Mustang Valley. The last she’d heard, which was soon after their too-brief affair ended, he was married and living in Austin, Texas. Sierra had taken a risk returning to Arizona, but a small one so long as he stayed far, far away.
And she needed that distance, for her sake more than their son’s. His betrayal—she couldn’t think of it any other way—had shattered her. Granted, she’d been naive. That in no way made it acceptable for him to take advantage of her.
She reached the kitchen door and found it slightly ajar. Odd.
Knocking, she called, “Hello! Dad?” When there was no answer, she knocked again.
The door drifted open a few more inches. Sierra nudged it the rest of the way and stepped tentatively inside.
“Hello. Anybody home?”
The only answer she received was the soft humming of the refrigerator and the whirr of the slowly twirling ceiling fan over the kitchen table.
She frowned. This was more than strange. Her family knew she was coming. Heck, she’d called her father not an hour ago letting him know her anticipated arrival time.
She ventured farther in. It was then she noticed a large sheet cake in the center of the counter. Inching closer, she read the message scrawled with blue icing.
Welcome Home, Sissy. Her family’s pet name for her.
Was it possible they weren’t angry with her after all?
A dam broke, and the relief washing over her was so intense it stole every ounce of strength from her knees. She reached for the counter to steady herself before the combined weight of Jamie and the diaper bag dragged her to the floor.
“Surprise!” The resounding chorus of voices erupted from nowhere, echoing loudly off the walls. People, so many of them, converged on her from around corners and down the hall.
No, no!
Sierra’s entire body jerked in response, out of alarm and fear. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.
“You’re here, honey!”
“Hey, Sissy.”
“We’ve missed you!”
Jamie screwed up his mouth and started to wail. Holding on to her, he hid his beet-red face in her sweater. His beloved toy pony dropped to the floor, along with the diaper bag.
The room went instantly silent, like a TV when the mute button was pressed. Even Jamie stopped crying and turned teary eyes to the gathering of people gawking at him.
A young girl of about six or seven whom Sierra didn’t recognize broke the silence with an excited, “You have a baby! Can I hold him?” She scrambled over to Sierra, her angelic face alight. “I’m Isa, your niece. Or I’m going to be your niece when my mama marries your brother.”
“Hello, Isa.” Sierra had trouble speaking and cleared her throat. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Actually, Sierra had heard only a smattering about her future stepniece. She might have heard more if she’d answered her family’s phone calls or read their emails.
Glancing around the kitchen, she took in the puzzled and shocked expressions on everyone’s faces. Except for Isa, they kept their distance, as if waiting for someone else to break the ice.
What had she expected? She’d brought a fourteen-month-old child home with her, and had given them no warning.
Her oldest brother, Gavin, studied her with his usual seriousness. As a girl, she had been intimidated by that look. Living on her own since she was seventeen apparently made no difference.
Ethan, younger than Gavin by two years, nodded encouragingly at her. He’d always been there for her—except for when their mother had died almost a decade ago, and he’d run off to join the marines.
Everyone else was a blur. Some she recognized, like Ethan’s fiancée, Caitlin. Others, she didn’t.
“I like babies.” Isa reached up to tickle Jamie under his chin.
