Cody had a feeling once he learned the truth about Melissa’s baby, he wouldn’t be able to get away from Texas fast enough. He’d need to cool his temper for a good long while before confronting her with what he knew. He’d also need time to make up his mind exactly what he wanted to do about the baby she’d kept from him. He intended to learn that truth in the next twenty-four hours.

“Sorry,” he said eventually. “I can’t promise to stay that long.”

Kelly glanced at Jordan, then back at him. “Your brothers said you were going to say no,” she said.

“I had no idea I was so predictable.”

“Lately you are,” his sister-in-law said. “Lately, you’ve gotten downright boring.”

He gave her a wry look. “More of that fatal charm, I see.”

Kelly frowned at his teasing. “What if I told you that Jordan and I want you to be the baby’s godfather?”

Something deep inside him shifted at the offer. He felt an unexpected warm glow. It was a feeling he told himself he didn’t deserve, especially not if he had a real child of his own he’d never even acknowledged.

“I’d say you made a lousy choice,” he responded.

“I told you he wouldn’t even be gracious about it,” Jordan chimed in. “Leave him be, Kelly. He’s as stubborn as the rest of us when he digs in his heels. He’ll change his mind, if we let the idea simmer long enough.”

“I won’t change my mind,” Cody said. “Sorry.”

“You say that a lot these days,” Jordan observed.

“Maybe I have a lot to be sorry for.”

“Well, this is one thing you can check off the list,” Jordan said.

He spoke in that matter-of-fact way that indicated he’d reached a decision and wanted no further argument. It was a tactic that might have served him well in business, but it grated on Cody’s nerves.

“I want you here, little brother,” Jordan stated emphatically. “And I want you to be the baby’s godfather. It’s settled.”

Despite his annoyance at Jordan’s attempt to snatch the decision out of his hands, Cody could feel himself weakening, feel that odd, empty sensation in the pit of his stomach that always meant the loneliness was taking hold again.

“Did you check it out at the church?” he inquired lightly. “They’ll probably be worried about lightning hitting the steeple if I show my hide in there.”

“There was some mention of that, but I believe there’s a general consensus that your soul is still salvageable,” Kelly said. “Please, Cody. We’ve missed you. It’s only for a few days more. How bad can that be?”