Runaway: The Sequel to Secrets, a sexy and dramatic western romance (Finding Love ~ THE OUTSIDER SERIES) by Lorhainne Eckhart Page B

being tossed out and rejected was still there. She didn’t have a clue what Andy really wanted. He said he wouldn’t take the babies from her, even though he threatened in anger that he would. If a man threatened something, would he not follow through? She was about as experienced with men as a nun, but then, a nun wouldn’t have a child out of wedlock at the ripe young age of sixteen.
    “What’s wrong , Laura?”
    She shook her head. She couldn’t tell him and certainly couldn’t talk in front of Gabriel.
    “You were frowning,” Andy said.
    “Was I ? I didn’t realize. I was just thinking, is all.” She took a look at her son, who was in his car seat, fastened in the backseat behind Andy. He was beaming ear to ear. She faced forward just as Andy turned down the long, paved driveway that led to his estate, or rather, his parents’ estate.
    Laura gripped the dashboard and felt her stomach tighten and pitch when she spied a black limousine parked out front with the servants unloading luggage. Caroline stood in the open back door, the limousine driver holding it open for her.
    Andy braked hard behind the limo. “Stay here” was all he said to her as he hopped out. Caroline slid off her dark glasses. She was dressed in a cream-colored suit, with dark red nails and perfect makeup. Even her shoulder-length light hair appeared as if she’d just come from a salon. But then, Caroline was from old money, so she very well may have had a stylist on her payroll to appear when summoned.
    Caroline reached her hand , with long, manicured nails, up to Andy’s whiskered cheek and then yanked it away as if disgusted by the way he looked. To Laura, he looked unbelievably sexy, his short hair sticking up in spikes here and there as if she’d run her fingers through it. His third day of not shaving, wow! Andy was now walking straight for her with a scowl on his face. His mood could change with a snap of his fingers, she’d noticed, especially when his mother was around. He pulled open her door, but she made no move to get out.
    “Maybe I should go back to Diana and Jed’s.”
    Andy said not a word as he reached around her and unfastened her seatbelt , then pressed his hands to her cheeks. “No,” he said, then reached in and lifted her out. She felt poleaxed when his hands left her, and she wanted to reach back and grab him when Caroline’s eyes fixated on her swollen belly and her mouth opened and shut before she could say a word. Laura knew enough of Caroline’s moods to recognize that she was shocked by Laura’s condition. Maybe she’d have a few choice things to say to her, as well. Laura was pounded by waves and waves of inadequacy. She dropped her gaze and flushed when she realized Caroline may have been more appalled by the drab, second-hand, and very baggy overalls she wore over a faded blue cotton shirt. They were a size too big, but comfort and fitting were all she cared about at this point. She certainly couldn’t afford to go to one of those fancy schmancy maternity stores where a simple t-shirt could cost a small fortune.
    “Let’s go.” Andy carried a very quiet Gabriel and looped his other arm around Laura , urging her forward.
    “Well , this is quite a surprise. Pregnant! I guess you’ll never be rid of her now, Andy.” Caroline’s voice was laced with enough venom that Laura felt the sting as if she’d just been bitten. Laura didn’t realize she had stopped and was gawking like a fool.
    “Mother , I will remind you that Laura is my wife, and she is carrying my babies. Don’t disrespect her.” Andy’s arm tightened around Laura as he urged her up the stairs to where several of the house staff lingered at the front door, juggling all Caroline’s bags.
    The distinct clickety -click of Caroline’s heels followed directly behind them. Laura could even feel Caroline’s hatred burning into her from behind.
    “Jules!” Andy shouted as he helped Laura up the stairs with Gabriel still in his