Kaitlyn grins. “And you called me the Disney Princess.”
I laugh. “You are. But I’m lucky to have this place.” I think about where I’d be if I hadn’t moved to Eldorado. This ranch saved me from a future full of mistakes.
She keeps her focus on the rolling hills in the distance. “I think every person who’s ever set foot on Circle B is lucky. Not a day passes when I don’t appreciate where I came from. While it’s hard work growing up and workin’ on a ranch, it’s a privilege. Couldn’t imagine being raised in a city or living in a small apartment.”
“I can relate to that.”
“I think it’s why I’m so determined to get pregnant. I want to share all of this. Teach a child of my own about ranch life. When I’m gone, I want my legacy to live on through my kids. And their kids. Kinda like Grandma. I strive to be just like her.”
Considering she brought it up, I feel like this is my chance to ask the question that's been burning in my mind all day. “Were you serious about what you said at the wedding?” I meet her eyes when she faces me.
“I don’t know. What’d I say? I was inebriated, and words just roll off my tongue when I drink way too much. In fact, I had to do some mighty fine apologizin’ to Knox over how I acted.”
“Yeah, you were being a dick toward him, but he usually deserves it.”
I add double cheese to the meat and let it melt before removing them. While the patties rest, I throw some Texas toast on the flat top.
“So ya gonna tell me what I said or pussyfoot around?” she blurts out.
I clear my throat, keeping my gaze on the grill. “If my memory recalls, you wanted me to pull your hair, fuck you raw, then knock you up.”
She bursts into a roar of laughter. “Oh yeah, I totally remember saying that.”
“Did you mean it?” I flip the bread, then glance back at her.
With a tilted head and a sexy smirk, she nods. “Oh, I was dead serious. But since you didn’t jump for joy at the idea, I figured you didn’t want to hurt my feelings. So a sperm donor will do.”
The thought of her wanting me to do those things has me growing hard. Though I try to ignore those feelings, my heart says yes, but my head says no.
I grab the plate of burgers and toast, then she gets up to help. Once we’re inside, I pull some baked beans from the microwave, and we make our plates.
“Can we eat outside?” she asks.
“Absolutely.” I bring everything to the table, and we take a seat. She sits so close that her knee touches mine.
“What’s on your mind?” she finally asks when silence brews between us. There’s a little mayo on the corner of her mouth, and I lean over to wipe it off.
“I don’t know how to even start this conversation, so I’m just gonna say it. Instead of choosing some random guy based on his baby photo and family history, let me help you.”
Kaitlyn stops chewing, and her brows rise.
“I know it’s a wild idea, but hear me out. I’m thirty-four and have always wanted kids too. I’m not asking you to marry me or even be in a relationship, nothing like that. I live on the ranch and can help raise a baby with you so you won’t have to do it alone. And I check all your boxes—blue eyes, blond hair, smart, good lookin’, intelligent, and healthy. I’m literally what you’re lookin’ for on those pages.”
She blushes. “You definitely do. So…you’d just offer me your sperm to insert instead?”
“I was actually thinkin’ the old-fashioned way…by having sex.”
She gulps. “Oh.”
“Of course, it’d just be transactional until you were pregnant.” I fidget nervously as I wait for her response. Even saying it aloud sounds crazy, but I can’t imagine having a baby with anyone else.
“So we’d remain friends and co-parent? Rotating weekends and all that?”
“I haven’t figured out all the details yet, but I’d be there whenever you needed me. You could even move in, so neither of us had to share custody. Roommates who share the responsibilities. I built this big house for when I had a family. I have four bedrooms and two bathrooms for just me, so there’s plenty of space. You’d have your own room, and we could set up a nursery in one of the others. Either way, you wouldn’t have to do it alone, and we’d both get what we want in the end.”
She swallows hard as if the food is stuck in her throat. Finally, she blinks. “Wow…that’s a lot to process, but it does make sense. We get along great as friends, so I’m sure we’d co-parent just as well. Not to mention, I’d love to move out of my parents' house and have space for a baby. I wouldn’t want this to ruin the dynamic of our friendship because you’re literally the only person I’ve got. If we did this…there’d need to be rules and boundaries so things don’t get messy or complicated.”
“Of course. Ruining our friendship is one of my biggest fears, but doing this together as friends would be amazing. Though I never got along with my stepdad, I loved my real dad. All I’m asking is for you to think about it before you overnight a gallon of sperm to your house.”