| |
“So you and Dad seem cozy today.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I know when you’re lying.” She smirks and shovels another bite of pasta in her mouth.
“We’ve been talking.”
“Judging by that hickey on your neck you’ve been doing more than talking.”
“What?” I gasp, hand flying to my neck.
“Gotcha.” She throws her head back laughing.
“Ugh. You’re grounded.”
“I think I’m too old for that now.”
“We’ll see about that,” I mumble.
“Oh, Mom. Don’t be such a sourpuss. It makes me happy to see you guys together.”
“It does?”
“Yeah. I mean I still have some things I need to work through where the past is concerned, but I watched the two of you as you came around the side of the clubhouse, and well I’ve never seen either of you look so freaking ecstatic. That dark cloud that seemed to hang over Murder’s head is gone.”
“That’s because he finally divorced Ruthie.”
“And he can finally be with the love of his life. That’s what he told me. That you’re the love of his life.”
I let out a breath. “You guys talk about me?”
“He’s tried really hard to make amends for the past. We aren’t all the way there yet, but I understand him a lot more now. Why he stayed away. Letting us go was hard for him.”
“He told you?”
“Parts of it. Not everything, but enough for me to fill in the blanks that Ruthie threatened you and he did what he had to so I wouldn’t lose you both.”
“You forgave him?”
“I forgive you too, Mom. I just want you two to find the happiness I have with East. He wants that for you too ya know.”
“Means a lot, sweetpea. I’m scared just...I’m scared. I’ve waited eighteen years to be with this man. What if he decides he wants to be single? He was married to Ruthie a long time.”
“I guess that’s a chance you’ve gotta be willing to take.”
“I want to. I do, but part of me wonders if the timing is right.” I glance in the direction I last saw him and my heart freezes midbeat. He’s chatting with one of his brothers, but his arm is around a much younger woman. The way she’s looking at him has me anxious. What if I’m not enough?
“If you two wait any longer for the time to be right you’ll be waiting till your dead. Life moves on. You’re allowed to be happy. So what he was married to that hag for years. He wasn’t happy. He didn’t love her.”
“You’re right. It should be easy, but we have a complicated past. I want it to work. I want it more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.” I look back to where James was standing, but he’s gone and so is the woman.
“Good. Because I want you both at the hospital when this little girl enters the world.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Have you told him what you plan to name her yet?” I try to distract myself from wondering if he’s off somewhere with whoever that bitch is.
“No. Not yet. Was afraid of setting him off, but he’s been opening up a lot more about her.”
“I wish you could’ve known her. You two would have gotten along great or butted heads because you’re so much alike and yet different in your own right.”
“It wasn’t your fault. What happened to Rochelle and her boyfriend.”
“I know that now, but sometimes that old guilt creeps back in. I hope you know I’m sorry for how I was when you were growing up. I was hurting. I punished myself and everyone around me. It wasn’t fair.”
“Neither was what you went through. You’re one of the strongest women I know. I love you.”
I blink my eyes. The stupid wet stuff is trying to leak onto my cheeks. “I love you too.”
“I’d love you a lot more if you went and got me a slice of strawberry pie.” My daughter rubs her baby bump, looking ready to pop any minute now.
“One piece of pie coming right up.” I go to get up off the bench seat when Wylla makes a funny face.
“Oh.” Her hand moves to her lower back.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She hisses. “I think this wooden bench is just hurting my back.”
“You sure? Want me to get East?”
“No. I want my pie. Let him be. He’s having fun.”
I follow her gaze to the horseshoe pit. East is enjoying a beer and the game. “If you say so.”
“Just get my pie and put whip cream on it please.”
“Anything else? Want another water?”
“I’m fine.” She sucks in a breath but waves me off when I hesitate. “Go. Pie.”
I’m slathering whip cream onto Wylla Mae’s pie when an arm hooks around my waist. Furry lips brush along my ear. “There you are, pretty girl. You having a good time?”
“Mhmm.” I push his arm away.
“Babe.”
“What?” I snap a little harsher than intended.
“Did something happen? Someone say something?”
“Nope,” I pop the P.
I start back toward our daughter when he crooks a finger through the one of my belt loops, jerking me backwards against his chest. I nearly smash the pie against my tits but manage to save it. “Stop acting like that and tell me what’s eating at you.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine damn it. Don’t make me jerks them tight jeans down your thighs and bend you over my knee in front of the club. I’ll spank the truth outta you if I gotta.”
I lick my lips. “You want the truth? I think you’re rushing into this with me. You’ve never been single. Maybe you should be before we try to start up again.” His grip on me loosens.
“That how you really feel?”
No. “Yes.”
“I’ll give you time, but it won’t change the outcome. You’re mine, Lex. Always have been. Always will be.”
I hesitate a beat then stalk toward Wylla Mae. A part of me praying he comes running and the other hoping he stays away. I’m a step away from the picnic table when she cries out. I drop the paper plate and shout for East. James is first to reach us.
“I think my water just broke,” she whispers.
“Get your cage,” James barks at East when he gets close. He takes off running. Everyone clears out of the way so he can drive his truck through the grass. James helps Wylla Mae into the passenger seat, and I hop in the back of the cab. “I’ll be right behind you.” He nods to East then shuts the door without a word to me. Not that I expected any. I’m certain he’s pissed after my act of defiance.
I’m worried that he’ll change his mind. Realize that he’s never been on his own and want to sew all them wild oats he never got a chance at.
East drives to the hospital like a bat out of hell. I called ahead to let them know we were coming. The truck halts in front of the emergency room. A nurse is already waiting with a wheelchair. I go in with Wylla while East finds a parking space. She’s preregistered so the check-in process moves quickly and efficiently.
By the time East and James park we’re in her private room waiting for the doctor. The baby is a few weeks early, but I’m not worried. Her contractions are growing closer together. She’s trying to put on a brave face, but I can see the pain etched in her smile.
“I hear we’re ready to have a baby.” The doctor grins and goes for a pair of gloves. “If you guys will give us a minute, I’ll see how far Mrs. Reed is dilated.”
“Come on, let’s go grab a coffee. East, you want anything?”
“I’m good but thanks.” His attention never leaves Wylla Mae and my heart swells a little bit more for that man. The unconditional love he has for my daughter...I know I never need to worry whether or not he’ll treat her right.
James and I go down the corridor to the waiting area. I fix us both a cup of crappy, complimentary coffee. I hand off his and take up the seat next to him.
He takes a sip then stares intently at me.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Figured out why you were all in a snit back there.”
“I’ve not been in a snit.”
“You saw me talking to Holy’s sister. You were jealous and partly worried I’d want someone else. Since I first saw you in that damn red bikini, I’ve not wanted another woman. Have I fucked anyone else? I’m no damn saint and you’ve not been an angel. I know what you deserve, Lex. Baby, I’m gonna be the man who gives it to you. You can tell me all the reasons we’ll never work, but I’m asking you to think about all the reasons we will.”
“James...”
“No. Don’t start that. Don’t tell me it’s too soon or too fast or whatever other damn excuse you’re conjuring in that pretty head of yours. Waited my whole damn life for a woman like you. We met too damn soon, but I don’t regret one moment I’ve spent with you. One minute of loving you or wanting you unable to have you. It’s our time now. Ain’t no one or nothing gonna change that or come between us unless you let it. Marry me, Lex.”
“What?”
“You heard me, woman. I said marry me.”
I stare at him a beat. My heart is in my throat. Words I thought I’d never hear leave his mouth. My pulse races. I think I might faint. I place my coffee cup on the nearby table to stop from spilling it. “I think you’ve lost your ever-loving mind.”
“We both know I’m a crazy bastard. But I’m crazy about you. We can do it the easy way or the hard way. Either way this ends with you as my wife. If I gotta tie you up to make it happen I will.”
“Stop talking.”
“Lex...”
“I said stop talking, James.” I gaze into his eyes looking for a shred of doubt. I find none. He loves me. He always has. Deep in my heart of hearts I know it. My soul knows it. “I love you.”
“About fuckin’ time,” he mutters.
“I’m not finished.” I take his free hand in mine. “You had your say now it’s my turn. I’ve loved you as long as I can remember. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved. I resigned myself to the fact that we were never going to happen, and now here you are doing and saying all the right things. It scares the shit out of me. I’m not used to good, James. Bad is all I know. I want this, but I’m scared the moment I say yes to you that something bad will come to remind me of my place in your life and this world. I don’t get the happily ever after.”