King's Ranch Series Book 2: Bumpy Ride

POV: RIVER

My internal alarm is blaring at full volume. Standing there, staring at Anna, I feel like my brain just short-circuited. Everything was going perfectly—Ashton just pulled off the ride of a lifetime and put a ring on my sister’s finger. I’d finally reached that moment of clarity, realizing Candace is the woman I want to build a future with, and then Anna chooses this exact second to drop a baby-sized grenade into my lap.

The chaos is suffocating. I’m not ready for this; I can’t be someone’s father. Just as I was ready to go all-in with Candace, the rug got yanked out from under me. There’s no way she’d want to be with me after this. Hell, I’m barely responsible enough to keep my own life together, let alone raise a kid.

None of this makes sense. The math in my head is coming up with all the wrong answers. We were only together one night. Yeah, I’d been drinking, but I didn’t black out. I know I used a condom from my own pocket—that’s a rule I learned the hard way watching Pa’s history. You never rely on anyone else’s supplies unless you’re looking for a surprise set of twins. God, please don’t let there be twins. I know the latex didn’t fail. If it had, I would have been an ass and insisted on Plan B because I am nowhere near ready for a child, especially with a woman who’s practically a stranger after one forgettable night.

“What the hell do you mean, ‘accidents happen,’ Anna?” I grate out, my jaw locked tight. She takes a shaky breath and recoils. I must look like I’m about to explode. I’m fuming, but I have to reel it in if I want the truth.

“I didn’t realize you were this thick, River. This is what happens when people have sex,” Anna says, her voice eerily steady. “We hooked up, twelve weeks later I’m staring at a positive test, and now I’m standing here with your baby.” She’s acting like this is no big deal. News flash: IT’S A MASSIVE DEAL!

I back off a step, needing air to clear the fog in my head. I try to channel that focus I use before a big ride, searching for my center. I have to find a way through this infuriating conversation without completely losing my mind.

“Anna, this isn’t just some minor mishap. We used protection—my protection. I handled it myself. You even told me you were on the pill while you were trying to talk me out of using a condom. With all those bases covered, how is this even possible?” I’m still certain I did everything right, but it’s clear she was aiming to trap me.

She fidgets, staring at the dirt and scuffing her boot against the ground. Then, she flips a switch, standing tall with her chin held high in a pathetic attempt at a power move. “I can’t explain the science, River, but you’re the one who was in my bed. Poof, here’s a baby.” If I’m the only guy she’s been with, she’s doing a hell of a job acting like it’s a burden. Her whole vibe feels rehearsed.

The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. “Was this the plan all along? Did you try to get pregnant?” I ask, my voice cold and sharp.

“No, River. You really think I want to be shackled to you forever? Not a chance. I’m only telling you because this kid shouldn’t be kept in the dark. You’re a walking headache, but she deserves to know her father.” Her anger feels real, but there’s a flicker of something else in her eyes that doesn’t match her words. It’s confusing as hell.

I’m hitting a brick wall with her. I need to get the facts and get the hell away from her so I can breathe. I threw another question at her, desperate for logic: “If you knew at twelve weeks, why wait until now to ambush me?” I gestured toward her stomach; she’s obviously much further along than three months. Her casual mask is slipping, and the cracks of nerves are starting to show.

“Honestly, I went back and forth on telling you. You’re the Captain of the ‘Fuck and Run Squad,’ hardly father of the year material. But you’ve seemed more grounded lately, and I figured it was time for you to step up.”

Was she going to keep it a secret? I’m vibrating with a rage I’ve never felt before. Who is she to judge me or decide whether I get to be a father? I might be panicking, but that doesn’t give her the right to play God with my life.

She hasn’t exactly shown she’s the pinnacle of responsibility herself. I’m gasping for air, my heart hammering against my ribs like it’s trying to escape. I pinch the bridge of my nose, shutting my eyes tight. “I’m demanding a paternity test, Anna. If you’re so worried about my parenting skills, we should be certain the kid is actually mine.” I spat the words at her. She recoils as I’ve physically struck her, but she’s the one who started this war. She threw the gauntlet; I’m just picking it up.

“A test isn’t necessary! I know she’s yours!” she shrieks.

“Oh, it’s necessary. You want to talk about my reputation? You’re the Connoisseur of the Circuit. You’d ride any cowboy with a shiny enough buckle.” Her lip quivers like she’s about to start the waterworks. “Save the tears, sweetheart. You’re playing a dirty game, and I’m not falling for it.”

She pivots again, her tone turning venomous. “You really think anyone likes you? You’re just a massive ego in a cowboy hat.”

“My ego? If I wanted to end it all, I’d climb your ego and jump to your IQ level.”

I stare at the sky, exhale, and ask the universe for some help. I need to get out of this conversation and regroup. But wait—she must have a motive for choosing this moment.

“You wait until you’re practically ready to pop to tell me you’re carrying my kid? I’ve seen you around for the last six months, flirting with anything that moves. Why now? What do you want?” I’m looking for a motive, not another insult.

She squares her shoulders, bracing herself. “As I said, you’re going to be in her life. Emotional, financial, physical—the works. She needs a father, and you’re going to provide for both of us.”

“Her?” I’m stunned. The room spins. I’m having a daughter. The weight of that thought is crushing.

“Yes, it’s a girl. I found out a while ago,” she says, her indifferent mask firmly back in place.

“You show up at the eleventh hour, not caring about my support during the pregnancy, but just when the bills are about to start piling up? I know you could have reached me whenever you wanted. I don’t even know where you live. I don’t know anything about you.” My voice is rising, and I’m losing the battle with my temper. She hands me a slip of paper with her name and number, plus another set of contact info, which only makes me more suspicious.

“What the hell is this?” I demand, looking at the scrap in my hand.

“My info and my lawyer’s,” she says bluntly. God, she’s exhausting. For someone who didn’t want a test, she sure came prepared. “You’ll need it if you’re serious about this.”

I take a jagged breath. “I’ll be calling my attorney and setting up a test with a lab I trust,” I say, watching her closely. Her eyes dart away, a flicker of panic giving her away. “Once the results are in and I know for sure if I’m the father, then we’ll talk about custody and child support.” She’s trying to stay composed, but her eyes are telling the truth, and my doubts about this kid being mine are growing by the second.

“What is that supposed to mean, River?!” she yells, her composure finally shattering. “You think you can just take my kid? You’ve got another thing coming. I’ll see you in court, and with your attitude, you’ll be lucky to get supervised visits.” She’s clearly feeling cornered.

“I’ll have my legal team reach out. It’s better if we only communicate through lawyers from now on,” I say firmly, turning my back on her and storming toward my family.

All I want to do is get back to the hotel and call Candace, but I’m paralyzed. Is she going to run from this mess? Have I already lost her before we even started? Fear is much worse than anger.