Rose smiled.

"I'll know you'll do what's right by her," she said, "but you've got to give her some time to rest until she feels better."

He scratched the back of his neck.

"I can do that."

John Taylor walked in the parlor where they were both waiting for news. He smiled and sat down on the chair.

Ethan couldn't wait for an explanation.

"Is she okay?"

John Taylor nodded.

"She's just fine. She's resting and I'm going to make her some tea to help her feel better. She's to drink it twice a day to help with the sickness until it passes. It doesn't taste very good but she knows she's to take it anyway."

"She will..."

John Taylor looked amused.

"She doesn't want to see you right now. Ethan…I thought you'd know better than to even suggest that someone besides you…well it upset her so I'd stay away from her for a while."

Ethan sighed.

"I'll do that until she settles down."

Rose shook her head at him.

"Men…if you had said the same thing to me in that condition, I'd have slugged you Ethan. A lady's honor is important and you should have known her better."

He nodded.

"I do know her…and I know the baby's mine. It's about three months along I'm guessing…"

Rose's mouth curved into a smile.

"At least you can count…there might be hope for you yet. I'll make us all something to eat and then maybe she'll join us."

John Taylor nodded.

"It'll be good for her," he said, "I'll make up that tea."

Rose put a hand on his shoulder.

"Come along then…we'll leave Ethan here to do some thinking."

John Taylor just chuckled and Ethan bristled a bit. Then he heard the door knock. He went to answer it after glancing over at the living area and seeing Amelia fast asleep.

Dakota tipped his hat while standing there.

"Good afternoon…not the person I was expecting to see. Where's Amelia?"

"She's resting…come back later…"

Dakota looked concerned.

"I heard she was ailing. I came to see if she was feeling better."

"You also heard she's expectant."

Dakota nodded.

"Not in quite those words but yes I did. The whole town will know by this time tomorrow."

Ethan sighed.

"I know…come inside. Rose is making some supper."

Dakota brightened.

"I really like her. She's brought some life to Paradise."

He followed Ethan into the parlor and they both sat down. Dakota looked around the room at the décor.

"Nice place…I always knew Amelia had class and style," he said, "I'd seriously consider giving up my carousing if she looked at me the way she looks at you."

Ethan blinked.

"She's always loved you didn't you know that? She came back here to tell you her news."

"I didn't know that's what she was doing," Ethan said, "She didn't say anything to me about it."

Dakota sighed.

"You were too busy getting ready to marry Missy," he said, "So when was she supposed to tell you?"

Ethan put his head in his hands.

"I don't know what to do," he said, "I didn't know this would happen to me."

"That you'd be a father…or that you and she would meet up again," Dakota said, "You were in Reno on business not too long ago."

Ethan didn't bother denying it.

"I wonder what Missy is going to say when she gets wind of it."

Ethan hadn't yet thought about that part of it. He was still trying to wrap his head around being a father.

"Of course she knows about Amelia's condition if not the name of the man who's responsible," Dakota said, "Ethan my friend you lead a very complicated life. Mine's gotten me into a lot of trouble sure, but I think I'll take mine over yours…except that Amelia's one very special lady…and I'll tell you if you don't own up to your child, I'll step in."

Ethan looked at him, his eyebrows arched.

"You'll do what?"

Dakota didn't flinch.

"I'll tell everyone that baby's mine…that Amelia and I met up and I'm its father. That baby's going to have a father to claim it. It'd be much better if it were you."

Ethan knew that Dakota meant it by the seriousness of his face, and his eyes. It was a side of his deputy he rarely saw.

"It's my child and I'm going to be its father…and I'll tell Amelia that once she agrees to see me."

Dakota chuckled.

"I'm guessing she's mad at you because of something stupid you said to her without thinking?"

Ethan just stared at him giving him his answer.

"You'd best make up for that and get back on her good side fast," Dakota said, "She needs you Ethan. She's a strong woman, very spirited but she can't do this alone…not in this town."

"I know that…and I'm giving her some time and then she's seeing me whether she likes it or not."

Dakota looked up to see Rose standing in the doorway.

"I heard what you said Dakota," she said, "You're a classy young gentleman if I do say so."

"Thanks Rose…but I know my friend here will do right by Amelia and her child…their child."

Rose nodded.

"I know so too Dakota," she said, "You're staying for supper and I will have no argument from you."

He grinned.

"Yes Ma'am. Better here than at the saloon…I can pass up the poker game for one night."

Amelia woke up with a start and realized she was lying on the chaise in her living room. Someone had left a pitcher of water and a glass on the table nearby and she poured herself some water and sipped it. She'd been ailing for a few days, she knew that and it caught up with her. That and Ethan confronting her about her condition.

She'd wanted so much to tell him but had been at a loss when she found out about the engagement. She put the glass down and started thinking about what to do now. She wanted him to be there with her now but she realized that he was getting ready to marry another woman. Missy, who would find out soon enough that her husband to be had fathered a child out of wedlock. The rest of the town…it'd turn into one big scandal.

Not what she wanted for her baby. She'd come back to Paradise because she felt like coming home and she wanted Ethan to be there when his child was born…to help her raise it and maybe just maybe they'd find their way back together as their family including the children.

Now it was a mess that would get worse. She needed to prepare for that. Relief filled her that he did know now though she'd been angry and hurt by what he'd said to her. When she told John Taylor she didn't want to see him right now, she meant it…but her feelings about him were so twisted up.

With the truth out there on the table what would she do now?