Chapter 14

Whitney

Trinity and I get to go back to school tomorrow. She’s doing so well it’s like a miracle. Quin went back a couple of weeks ago, and nobody’s had any setbacks. It’s like my little girl never had any issues with her kidneys. All she has to do is take a small, anti-rejection pill each day, and she’ll be fine. It’s wonderful and so liberating. Some days I feel lighter than air with so much stress relieved. And it’s all thanks to Quin. He’s such a wonderful man. I love him with every beat of my heart.

Quin showed me the card that she made for him. I cried like a baby. It’s nice that she sees how much of a gift that she’s been given. This way, she’ll never take her health for granted, and she’ll always strive to stay healthy, because she’ll remember that her life might have been cut short had it not been for Quin’s graciousness. And now that she’s feeling better and everyone’s back to normal, there’s a whole lot of fuss going on around my birthday this weekend.

We’re staying at the Hedger ranch this weekend and having the party there. Mary insists. Hawk, Rachel’s brother, is coming down this weekend, too, so he’ll be there with his new girlfriend, Luellen. Evidently, they stayed together after Chad and Rachel’s wedding. Trinity is over the moon with excitement, because Chuck’s offered to take her riding again, so long as she’s feeling up to it. All of Quin’s family will be there, and mine, too. I’m so excited. I love it when we all get together like this. It’s so much fun. Mary and my mama get along so well, it makes me smile, too.

 

***

 

“Well, I’ll be damned, little brother.” Rachel says, as Luellen leaves the room, to go use the washroom. “Never thought I’d see the day that you settled down with a woman.”

“Who said I’m settling down?” he jokes, resting his arm on his sister’s shoulder.

“You never drive five hours out of your way for anything other than a wedding.”

“That’s not true. I borrowed some farm equipment from Chuck. Had to bring it back. Also, Luellen lives in El Paso.”

“He’s right.” Chuck concurs. Chuck tells us what he borrowed, and it’s nothing I’d know the purpose for, so I tune it out.

Mary’s fussing away in the kitchen, getting my birthday dinner ready. We’re all crowded in the large room, and my mama’s in there with her, helping.

“You ready to go riding, little lady?” Chuck says, turning to Trinity, who is sneaking a cookie off the counter.

“Just as soon as she finishes eating that scoffed cookie, she is.” I say, letting her know that I’m on to her. Trinity never eats anything without asking first. This newfound pushing the envelope is not becoming of her.

“Oh, quit hen pecking, love.” Mama says. “She’s been a good girl.”

I leave it alone. But I refuse to raise a spoiled child. Even though she’s been through a lot, and yes, she’s a good girl, that’s no excuse to let the discipline slide and raise a disobedient and disrespectful person. Even Quin’s starting to spoil her, and I’ll have to have a talk with him. It seems like every time he takes her out anywhere lately, she comes back with some kind of gift. I really don’t want her getting used to that.

“You guys hungry? Supper’s almost ready.” Mary calls out.

“I’m starved.”

“Oh, shoot.” Chuck says. “I thought we had more time before supper. I was going to take Trinity out now.”

“Well, it can wait.” Mary chides. “We’re having dinner and cake and presents, and then you can go out riding. It’s still early, Chuck.”

“Alright.” He tousles Trinity’s hair. “Looks like we’re going to have to wait a while, kiddo.”

“That’s okay.”

He smiles at her and walks to the cupboards, pulling plates out, helping his mama. Luellen appears from the restroom, and Hawk rests his arm over her shoulder. She’s a young thing, but sweet as candy. I catch Chuck stealing a glimpse of her from where he’s standing, and I detect a hint of jealousy. It’s adorable. We eat dinner, chatting casually about work, the weather, and Chuck shares a story about an experience he recently had at school with a lab project that went terribly wrong. Since he’s studying to be a pediatric dentist, it probably didn’t bode so well that he shared the story at the dinner table.

“Aw, Chuck, gross!” Mary whines, setting her fork down, clearly losing her appetite.

Cal, Devon and Quin chuckle. They are doctors, after all. I’m sure nothing fazes them when it comes to gruesome medical stories. And me, well, I’ve seen my share of disgusting things, too, with Trinity and all the trips to the hospital.

“Now, you two are just encouraging him, laughing and all.” Mary chides. “And we’ve got company. I’m sure none of them want to hear that kind of horrible story.”

“Come on, mama.” Quin says. “I’ll help you clear the plates.”

“Good. Because thanks to your brother, I’ve lost my appetite.”

“Sorry, mama.” Chuck says, but he’s stifling a laugh, so it doesn’t come across as sincere.

“Now you go on out there and get the pinata ready.” She orders curtly. Quin had a pinata made special for me, with a picture of a teacher on it, and he tells me that it was Trinity’s idea, since she found this place in the local mall, and neither of them could pass up a vendor who does custom pinata designs. They even fill it with custom things, so I’m guessing I’m about to beat the crap out of something that’s full of pencils, erasers, and all kinds of school supplies. Lucky me.

“Do we have to do this now? Why don’t we have the cake first?” I suggest, feeling half embarrassed to be blindfolded and beat on this thing.

“If you think I’m eating another bite after that disgusting story, you’re wrong.” Mary says, but this time she laughs slightly, showing that the sting isn’t so fresh.

“Can we do presents then?”

Quin looks at me. “Well, how do you know that all your presents aren’t already in there?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, honey.”

“It’s okay, darlin’. But go on, you start.”

Quin hands me the stick, decorated with tassels, and I look at the huge pinata that’s tied to the ceiling tiles with fishing line. He ties the blindfold around my eyes and spins me around a couple of times, until I’m good and dizzy, but then he sneaks a kiss, before saying. “Okay, darlin’, beat the snot out of it.”

I hit it with all I’ve got, and I even poke it, but I’m quickly told that that’s cheating. With more encouragement, I hit it once more, and told that it’s someone else’s turn, that I’ve taken my three hits. Trinity goes next, hitting it surprisingly better than me. She actually dents the thing, and a little candy falls out of the hole.

“Who’s next?” Quin asks, as Trinity finishes her turn, walking away with a handful of candy.

“I’m guessing it was your idea to put candy in it, too?” I ask Trinity.

Trinity sticks her tongue out at me, but then giggles, setting everyone else off.

“Are you going to share that with peepaw, sugar?” daddy asks.

“Sure.” She says, handing him a piece.

“I’ll go next.” Chuck volunteers. Quin blindfolds him and spins him around. He bats the thing like his life depends on it, creating a huge gash on the side of it. Candy pours out of it, plus a few little toys and as I suspected, pens, pencils and little novelty erasers. Cal takes a turn, adding another gash, but smaller than the one that Chuck accomplished.

“Y’all want a turn there, Hawk?” Quin offers.

“Nah, I better not. That thing doesn’t stand a chance with these tree trunks.” He says, lifting his arm, showing his beefy bicep, but he doesn’t do it vainly, more like he’s a big ape that breaks everything he touches. “Why don’t you get the lady of the day to take the last hit?”

“Sure. Hey, darlin’, you want to take the last one? You are the birthday girl, after all.”

“Okay. But please don’t spin me. I nearly tossed my dinner the last time you did that.” I say as he ties the blindfold around my head again.

I give it a healthy hit, and the whole room cheers me on. “You did it, babe. It’s open.” I hear Quin say, as he unties the blindfold, removing it from my face. When I do, I look at the mess on the floor, and then observe everyone’s faces. You can hear a pin drop in here.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, confused.

“Mama, look.” Trinity says, pointing at the pinata.

I turn around to face the pinata, and hanging on what looks like another bit of fishing line, is a ring glinting in the light. My hands go to my face, cupping my mouth and nose. Quin unties the ring from the pinata and bends down on one knee. Grasping the ring between his thumb and forefinger, he slides his arm around my waist with the other hand. “Darlin’, you’ve made me happier than I ever thought I could be. The only thing that would make me happier is if you’ll be my wife. Will you marry me?”

My eyes are full of tears, but I manage a nod, as a lump forms in my throat. I gasp out a yes and Quin slides the ring on my finger, as he rises from his knee. The ring is gorgeous. A modest-sized princess cut solitaire with a tiny blue sapphire on either side. It’s the most beautiful piece of jewellery I’ve ever seen. Quin kisses my lips once, twice, while the family claps and hoots. Hawk growls and Cal whistles.

As we stand there, kissing each other sweetly, multiple times, Quin wraps his arms around me and lifts me up in the air, and then lowers me back down, so my feet touch the floor again. His lips break contact as he leans his forehead on mine. “I love you so much, darlin’.”

“I love you, too.” I sniff. “I get the feeling that I’m the last to know about all this.” I smile.

“Well, you kind of are, to be truthful.” Quin says honestly. “It took some doing getting the ring and the pinata, and we had to figure out a way to get the ring inside the thing. That was Trin’s idea. It was a good one, but quite a job. I didn’t want the ring lost in all the dang candy.” He chuckles.

“I was worried you’d eat it by mistake.” Daddy says.

“Oh, and your parents knew, because I asked them first.” Quin clarifies.

“I told Hawk by mistake.” Trinity confesses, which gets a laugh.

“How did that happen?” I ask, wiping the tears off my face. Quin’s hand is in mine.

“I blurted it out before checking to see if anyone was in the room.” Trinity explains.

Luellen lifts her finger. “I was there, too. Congratulations.”

“Oh, thank you, darlin’.” I say, smiling.

“The ring is gorgeous.” Luellen compliments.

“Am I the last to see it, too?” I ask, looking at it. “Oh, never mind, I don’t care. It’s breathtaking.”

That gets a laugh.

“It is breathtaking. I love the sapphires.” Luellen adds.

“Oh, me too. Blue is my favorite color.” I say.

“Alright, let’s break out the champagne.” Mama says, rising.

“Champagne, mama?” I ask. “Since when do we get champagne?”

“When my daughter gets engaged, we get champagne.” She states. “We have cake and ice cream, too, but the champagne is for luck. It’s a tradition in the family. You could ask your peepaw if he were alive but take my word for it.”

“She’s right.” Daddy vouches.

“But what about presents, mama?” I ask.

“Well, you can get started.” She says, going to the kitchen.

“Here, darlin’. Sit.” Quin says, handing me my first gift. It’s from mama and daddy, and it’s two tickets to a theater show I’ve been wanting to see.

“Oh, mama and daddy, thank you. I can’t wait to go.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Mama says, handing me a champagne flute. I place it on the coffee table as Quin passes me another gift. It’s from Trinity. It’s a drinking glass etched with a picture of her and I on it.

“Oh, love, this is beautiful. Thank you.” I say to her, and she comes to me, giving me a kiss.

The next one is from Hawk and Luellen. It’s a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure from a local salon. “Thanks, guys. This will come in handy for the wedding.”

They nod, smiling.

The Hedger boys went together and bought me my very own cowboy boots, Stetson, suede purse with tassels, and a vest with tassels. It’s the complete cowgirl’s outfit. “Thanks, guys. This is great.” I laugh, checking it all out. It’s the right sizes and all.

Mama comes around, pouring champagne for everyone. When she gets to me, I’m right in the middle of opening my gift from Peter. I lift my hand. “None for me, mama.”

“Oh, darlin’, you have to have a taste at least. It’s for luck.”

“No, mama.” I shake my head, trying to be nonchalant.

A ‘v’ forms between mama’s brows and then her expression softens. Quin looks at me and catches the exchange. “Everything alright, darlin’?”

I sigh. “Well, seeing as I was the last to know about the engagement, but the first to know…” I trail off, swallowing. I can feel the concern in Quin’s face. I look at him and search his eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

His chest heaves, his eyes light up. “Oh…my Lord! Are you serious?”

Mama is grinning knowingly, already having caught on.

“I’m serious. I just found out today, actually.”

“Mama? You’re having a baby?” Trinity asks.

I look at her almost apologetically. “Yes, sweetheart. Mama’s having a baby.”

“You mean I…I get to have a little brother or sister?”

“That’s right.” I laugh, feeling the tears well up.

Quin is looking at me like he’s seeing me for the first time. “Gosh, baby, well, I think this upstages the engagement.”

“You mean I get two grandchildren?” Mary barks, realization hitting.

“I suppose you do, mama.” Quin says with a chuckle.

“So, no champagne for me, mama.” I repeat, smiling at her.

“Gosh, no, I suppose not, baby.” She grins, and then she kisses me on the cheek.

I draw in a deep breath, trying to digest everything. Quin can’t take his eyes off me. “I’m sorry I had to tell you in front of everyone, but you know how bad of a liar I am. This proves it.”

“I wouldn’t care if you blurted it out in the middle of a crowd, darlin’.” He beams, and then he kisses my lips.

Trinity asks. “Mama, where are we going to live?”

“Oh, baby, we don’t need to worry about that right now.” I answer.

“Yeah, we’ll figure that all out later, darlin’. Not to worry.” Quin agrees.

“Anyone want cake?” Mary asks the room.

“I’m in.” Hawk raises his hand, so does Chuck. I’m not even sure that I’m done opening my presents, but I think Mary senses that maybe Quin and I need a moment to breathe.

“How about you blow out your birthday candles and we go for a walk, darlin’? You look like you could use some air.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

Mama brings the cake over to me, lights the candles, and everyone sings happy birthday to me. As soon as I blow out the candles, I make a big wish, and Quin takes my hand. “Come on, sugar. Let’s get some air.”

“You two go on ahead.” Mary says. “We’ll save you some cake.”

Quin and I walk out of the house, into the pasture, and past the green area, towards the woods. It’s windy, and there’s construction going on somewhere up the street, so we can hear a din of machinery at work. “It’s a lot to swallow in one night, huh, babe.” Quin says. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just…I didn’t know how or when to tell you. Had you not proposed, it wouldn’t have gone so well. At least it’ll go down in history that we were engaged before we were pregnant.”

“I don’t think that matters, darlin’. It doesn’t to me, anyway.”

“Well, I’m a little bit old fashioned, so it does to me.”

“You want to get married before the baby comes?”

“Yes. If that’s okay with you.”

“It’s whatever you want, Whitney. I want you to be happy. And when you’re happy, I’m happy.”

“Happy wife, happy life, huh. It’s already starting.” I chuckle.

“Doesn’t matter whether or not you’re my wife. I love that smile on your face.”

“And I love yours.”

We reach the back of the barn. “Did you hear something?” I ask, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“They’re building a garage just up the street. Your mama was saying that she read it in the paper. They’ve been working day and night for the past three days, driving the locals nuts.” He says, and then he changes the subject. “So, was your period late, or did something else tip you off that you were pregnant?”

“I changed the month over on the calendar and realized that I hadn’t had a period. I’m never late, and with all the appointments and things going on with Trinity, I hadn’t been writing anything on the calendar, so I wasn’t paying attention. Everything was all written down on documents and saved in my phone. I figured I better go get checked out.”

“And how far along are you, darlin’?”

“About seven weeks. It’s still really early.”

He nods. “Are you happy?”

I stare at my hands for a moment. “I wasn’t sure if I would be. But when the doctor told me I was expecting, it was…wonderful. I wish you had been there.”

“Well, I’ll make sure I’m there for everything else, darlin’. I promise.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Quin. I just didn’t want you to worry for nothing.”

“I understand, doll. You didn’t mean any harm.”

I feel the hairs stand up on my neck again. “Are you happy, Quin?”

“Couldn’t be happier.” He says honestly. “Especially since I’m having a baby with you. I’d like to have many things with you; a future, a child, a house, a life, all the things that come with being married.”

“And you’re not upset that it happened so suddenly?”

“Darlin’, we weren’t being careful, and that’s the truth. I think if deep down both of us were dead against having children, we would have put more effort forth into birth control. Truth is, this baby was conceived with love, and that’s all that matters.”

I feel a cold hand slide across my mouth. Quin’s eyes bulge and he’s about to lunge at the owner of said hand, when a gun is forced against the side of his head. I freeze, seeing my whole life flash before me, feeling helpless, being pinned against someone, and then I feel the barrel of a gun against my temple. Quin raises his hands above his head, looking at me protectively, as if his gaze will ease my anxiety.

Then the man holding the gun against Quin’s head says something that makes my blood chill instantly.

“Scream and you both die, asshole.”