When Ben arrived home from work, he greeted the girls, then Tessa pulled him aside and told him about the phone call. His initial silence didn’t surprise her. Kathryn’s selfishness and apparent disregard for Jayden’s feelings had long annoyed them both, and to be honest, they were both glad she’d stayed out of their lives for as long as she had. But it seemed all of that was about to change.
Ben sat down and ran his hands through his hair, his happy, relaxed demeanour having flown out the window. He looked up, his eyes clouded. “You haven’t mentioned it to Jayden?”
“No. I thought it best if you told him.”
“We should have known this would happen. We shouldn’t have acted so hastily.”
“We had to. What if he hadn’t lived?”
“You’re right. I guess we have to get over our annoyance and hope and pray Jayden copes. It’s possible he’ll tell her not to come.”
“He’s barely mentioned her.” Tessa smiled. “He’s so focused on finishing his course and planning his wedding he’s hardly thinking of anything else.”
“It still seems strange to think of him marrying. Where did my little boy go?”
“He’s grown into a man. A wonderful man.”
“He has, hasn’t he?”
Tessa nodded. “He’ll deal with this. Probably better than we will.”
“You may well be right,” Ben agreed.
“Only way to find out…”
“We need to tell him.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Now. Let’s get it over with.”
“Will you call Robert first? He said he’d still be up.”
Ben glanced at his watch. “It’s midnight over there. It’s too late.”
“He said…”
“No, I’ll call in the morning.”
“Okay. But maybe we need to wait until we’ve talked with him. I got the feeling he knew more than he said.”
Ben let out a heavy sigh. “Okay. You win. I’ll call him.”
“It’s not a competition.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I think we’re both a little on edge.”
“You’re not wrong. I know I said I forgave her for what she did to Jayden, but letting her back into our lives is another thing altogether.”
“I know. But like we said, Jayden’s all grown up now, and as much as we don’t like it, it’s really up to him what he does. It’s not fair, though. She might be mixed up, but she left him. Still, there’s not much we can do about it.”
“No, there’s not. Let’s see what Robert has to say.”
“Okay.”
Tessa sat quietly while Ben dialed the Morgan’s number in Montana. She’d turned the television on for the girls so they wouldn’t hear their conversation, and now they sat mesmerised by three clowns singing and dancing on the small screen.
Her attention returned to Ben when he greeted Robert moments later. She shifted closer to listen in.
“You’ve tracked Kathryn down?” Ben finally asked after engaging in some small talk.
“Yes. It wasn’t easy. After leaving the rehab center, she basically disappeared, but old Jed down the road told me he thought she’d hooked up with a cowboy from Texas who’d been working on the ranch next to his. Long story short, we tracked her in Texas. I called her yesterday, and without thinking, I told her about Jayden. I hope you don’t mind. She immediately said she wanted to come to Australia to see him. I wasn’t sure you’d be too happy to hear that.”
“No, you could say that. How did she seem?”
“I didn’t get the impression she’d turned over a new page, if you get my drift. Not sure if she’s kicked her drug habit or not. I couldn’t tell, but seems she’s living with this guy, not just working for him. She said he’d be traveling with her.”
Tessa caught Ben’s gaze and stifled a groan. That was all they needed. Kathryn and her cowboy boyfriend turning up on their doorstep, upsetting everything.
“Do you think she was serious?”
“Sounded that way. She said she’d book flights as soon as she could.”
“You told her Jayden was okay?”
“Yep. I probably should have left it. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. I was the one who asked you to find her.”
“When he was critical.”
“Well, what’s done is done. We’ll just have to take it as it comes and hope she doesn’t stir things up too much. Jayden’s focused on finishing his course. It’d be a pity to see him distracted.”
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders, Ben. He’ll be okay.”
“Yes, I guess he will. We’d better go tell him.”
“I gave Tessa her number. I didn’t give Kathryn yours, but I’m sure she has it.”
“So why hasn’t she rung Jayden?”
“Who knows. She felt bad about how everything turned out when she first went into rehab, so I’m not sure what happened after that. We had high hopes for her.”
“As did we. Maybe we’ll just wait and see what she does. Maybe she’ll decide not to come.”
“That’s possible. Anyway, I’ll leave it with you. Keep us posted.”
“Will do. And thanks.”
“I’m not sure you should be thanking me.”
“It’s fine, Rob. It is what it is, and we’ll get through this, just like we’ve gotten through everything else with God’s help.”
“We’ll keep you in our prayers, and no doubt Angie will keep us informed.”
Ben chuckled. “No doubt about that. She and Jayden spend more time talking with each other than any engaged couple I know.”
“And they live on opposite sides of the world.”
“True love.”
“I think so.”
“Give our best to Bethany.”
“Will do. Catch up again soon.”
“Absolutely.” Ben hung up and took a slow breath before squeezing Tessa’s hand. “Maybe she won’t come.”
“I have a feeling she will.”
“We’d better tell him.”
Tessa nodded.
Moments later, Tessa stood behind Ben as he knocked gently on Jayden’s bedroom door.
Jayden glanced up. From the look on his face he’d been deep in thought as it took a moment for him to focus. When he did, he welcomed them in.
As Ben explained to him about his mother’s possible plans to visit, his face paled. “What if I don’t want to see her?”
“You don’t have to. It’s your choice.”
“But I’d feel bad if I didn’t.”
“With the way she’s treated you, there’s no need to feel bad. If you don’t want to see her, don’t. We thought she should know you were in hospital, just in case…” Ben stopped when Tessa touched his side.
“I know. Just in case I didn’t make it.”
“Yes. We all prayed you’d pull through, but none of us knew for sure what would happen, and being your mother, we thought she should know.”
“Mother in name only.” He turned his gaze to Tessa. “You’ve been more of a mother to me than she ever was.”
Tears welled in Tessa’s eyes and her chest felt like it would burst. After all the heartache Jayden had put them through, hearing those words made it all worthwhile. Every single bit of it. From the harsh words he spoke, to the tricks he played and the looks he gave her. They were all worth it. All of them. She wiped her eyes and smiled. “Thank you, Jayden. That means so much.” She’d cry if she wasn’t careful.
“It’s true. I know I gave you a hard time at the beginning, but you’ve been a great mum. The best. Thank you.” He sounded so mature, so grown up. “I’ll have to think about what to do about Mum. If she turns up at all.”
“That’s what we were thinking. It might be all talk,” Ben said.
“I need to get on with this assignment, now that I know where I’m going with it. Thanks to Tessa.” He gave her another smile.
She laughed. “It helps having a vet in the family.”
“It certainly does.”
“Okay. We’ll leave you alone. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Thanks.” He nodded and then turned around and resumed his studying.
If anyone deserved to finish the course, Jayden did. Tessa prayed he’d have the tenacity to finish strong and that he’d be a witness to what can be achieved with determination, commitment, and trust in God. As well as the added incentive of marrying Angie as soon as he finished.
Ben slipped his arm around Tessa’s shoulder as they strolled back down the hallway. She leaned into him, tilted her head, and smiled. “He’ll be okay.”
“Yes, I believe he will. We’ll just have to wait and see what she does.”
“Fun times ahead.”
“Maybe.” Ben pulled her close and turned her to him, gazing into her eyes. “We’ve got nothing to worry about. Nothing Kathryn can do will change anything. As far as Jayden’s concerned, you’re his mother.”
Tessa swallowed the lump in her throat. “I was so happy to hear him say that.”
“I think he’s thought that way ever since that first day at puppy training. He just didn’t want to admit it until now.”
“It seems so long ago.”
“I’ll never forget our first conversation.”
“I’ll never forget how mesmerised I was by your voice.”
Ben looked offended. “Is that what did it?”
Tessa laughed. “And your good looks, and the way you handled Jayden. Do you want me to keep going?”
He chuckled as he lowered his face and brushed his lips against hers. “If you like.”
“Ben! The girls will see!”
“So?” His breath was sweet on her face.
“Later. Okay?”
“Promise?”
She nodded.
“Okay, then. Later. Let me go see what those girls are up to. Tell me if I can help with anything.”
“You can give them a bath.”
“My favourite job.” He smiled.
“I know. Just don’t make too much mess.”
“Since when do I make a mess?” He raised a brow as a smirk of amusement grew on his face.
She shook her head and laughed. The tables had turned. Ben, the one who’d always hated messes now made more than she ever did whenever he played with the girls. Although he always cleaned up, and for that, she was truly grateful.
Kathryn sat on the veranda of the Three Rivers Ranch homestead and drew deep on her cigarette. She would rather have had something stronger, but if she had any chance of convincing Wade to come with her to Australia, she needed a clear head. Not only come with her, but pay for them both to go. She knew one way to convince him, and she was an expert at that. She’d have to lie.