Laughing, Natalie said, “You might want to consult Dallas about that.”
As if he weren’t even in the room, the two women chatted right past him. Just as well, Wyatt figured while he lit kindling in the hearth. His latest conversation with Natalie still stung. Issues? What the hell did she know about what he was going through? If she’d tried for years to have a baby, but kept miscarrying, would she find it enjoyable to hang with the most fertile family in Oklahoma?
Just as soon as his Thanksgiving duties were over, he was heading to Tulsa. The Mayo Hotel had a rooftop bar. He’d get a room, a few drinks, meet a hot woman looking for a good time. With luck, they’d share fun and breakfast. Time to act like the eligible bachelor he was.
At dinner, his seven-year-old niece Bonnie turned to him and said, “Uncle Wyatt?”
“Yes, ma’am?” He helped himself to seconds of green bean casserole.
“Could you please cut my meat?” She held up a thick slice of turkey and waved it.
“Just eat it like that.”
“I can’t.” She dredged her free fingers through gravy, then licked them like lollipops. “It’s bad manners.”
“And what you’re doing isn’t?” he asked.
Betsy, her twin, who sat on his other side, said, “She likes eating her gravy like that. Me, too.”
“You guys are gross.” Kolt sat across from them, looking ready to barf.
“Girls,” Dallas warned, “remember what we talked about? Today is the perfect time for you to practice being respectful young ladies.”
“Daddy,” Betsy said, coating her stubby digits with more gravy, “me and Bonnie decided we just wanna be like regular us.”
Josie passed the damp washcloth she’d used on two-year-old Mabel down the table to Wyatt. “Would you mind cleaning the twins? I’d hate for them to get gravy on their dresses.”
“But I like it,” Bonnie said. “And I’m big. I can wash my own hands.”
“Be my guest.” Wyatt handed the kid the cloth.
Dallas cast his younger brother a put-out glare before pushing back his chair, snatching the cloth and wiping down the girls himself. “There. Now, eat with your fork, spoon and knife or you’ll sit in the kitchen.”
“You’re mean,” Bonnie said.
To Wyatt’s way of thinking, the day being a holiday and all, Dallas was taking the whole table-manners thing too seriously. There had been a time when the twins would have been painting the walls with gravy, so their current behavior was already a vast improvement.
A glance to the far end of the table had Wyatt locking gazes with Natalie. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. What was she thinking? Did she, too, want to add her two cents to the gravy debate or was her mind wandering to weightier matters? Maybe she wished she were seated alongside her baby’s father, rather than being sandwiched between Josie and Daisy?
She’d been quick to fault him for his demons, but how much time did she spend worrying about her own?
“WHEW.” JOSIE DROPPED TO the sofa. Daisy and Wren joined her. “That was tougher than I’d planned.”
Natalie had gone along with them to put their menageries to bed. The twins and Kolt had been allowed to stay up late to watch a movie.
Daisy asked the men, “Have you all done anything productive today?”
“We cleaned up after dinner.” Luke stretched and yawned. “Plus, I took Kolt and the baby to see my folks.”
“I told you I would’ve gone.” Daisy rounded the room picking up baby bibs and toys and blankets.
“And I told you,” Luke said, “there was no use in getting you riled up when you were having a nice day with your family.”
“Is your mother ever going to forgive me?” Daisy dabbed a tissue at the corners of her eyes.
Luke went to her, circling her with his strong arms. “Last I recall, you married me and not my mom.”
“Thank God,” she said into his chest.
Struggling past a pang of jealousy for the deep connection Daisy and Luke shared, Natalie felt for Daisy. Yes, Daisy had done a terrible thing in keeping Kolt from his father for the first ten years of his life, but she’d had good reason. Luke had long since forgiven her. Why couldn’t his mom?
When Natalie became a mother, she’d already picked up tips on what kind of parent she didn’t want to be, but what would she stand for? She had no clue how to handle day-to-day feeding and diapering logistics, let alone the kinds of problems looming ahead of her when her baby started talking and walking and going to school. How much easier would her pregnancy be knowing her parents stood firmly in her corner?
“I’ve got a great idea.” Josie’s smile was supersized and suspicious. “How about we lighten the mood with a game? Trivial Pursuit? Pictionary? Charades?”
All present save for Dallas moaned.
“Count me out,” Wyatt said.
“I should check the horses.” Cash was already on his feet.
“If we play charades, I’m in,” Daisy said, “but only if I’m paired with you, Josie. Dallas and Luke cheat.”
Dallas waved off his sister’s concern. “You’re the cheater. Come on, Luke, let’s show your wife how it’s done.”
“Yay!” Josie clapped. “I’ll be right back with scratch paper, a basket and a couple of pens.”
“Wanna be on my team?” Wren asked Cash. In her third year of residency, to save precious time and effort, she’d cut her long dark hair into an adorable pixie style. Judging by the heated looks and stolen kisses her husband had given her all day, he approved.
“Guess that leaves us.” Wyatt crammed alongside Natalie on the love seat. Every brush of their forearms or thighs flip-flopped her stomach. Had to be hormones causing such havoc, because it certainly wasn’t common sense. Not only was Wyatt soon to embark on a seriously long trek, even if he weren’t, he would never be the right sort of guy for her and her baby. If Natalie ever dated again—which was a very big if— she’d look for the most committed man around. The kind of salt-of-the-earth guy who was so emotionally invested in living the rest of his life with her and her baby that he’d never even consider time spent without them.
“Nat, pick,” Josie prodded, waving the basket with the movies they had to act out in front of her. They were playing by Buckhorn house rules, which meant the team who first guesses the film title they were acting out won the point.
“Sorry,” Natalie said with a shake of her foggy head. She removed a folded card and by necessity, leaned closer to Wyatt to let him see Raging Bull.
“Here’s how I think we should do this,” he whispered in her ear. His breath was moist and hot and flavored with the sweet hint of pumpkin pie. Forearms covered in goose bumps, Natalie forced herself to focus. “I’m going to play a bull, charging at you. But I’ll be angry. You act scared, like you’re trying to get out of the way. Make sense?”
“Uh-huh.” How was it possible for a man to smell so good? Especially one she no longer even especially liked!
He stood first, offering her his hand to help her to her feet. As was starting to be the norm, electricity sizzled between them. A bad thing, considering their current level of tension. She hadn’t intended to drill him that afternoon at his house, but she stood by what she said. Maybe not in the near future, but one day, she believed Wyatt would regret his life spent running. A little adventure was fine, but a steady diet of chocolate eventually led to indigestion.
Side by side in front of the crackling fire, she held up two fingers, signifying their title had two words.
“No fair,” Cash said. “Ours had like ten.”
Wren landed a playful smack to his head. “What’s wrong with you? Last I checked, When Harry Met Sally has four words and for the record, you’re just a lousy actor.”
“But I’m so good-looking,” Cash explained, “all I have to do is stand there for everyone to be entertained.”
“Aw…” Wren cupped his cheeks, drawing him in for a kiss. “I love you.”
“
Mmm…” Cash tugged his wife onto his lap, deepening their show of affection to a degree that made Natalie uncomfortable.
Tossing their title card to the floor, Wyatt said to the happy couple, “Can you two get your hands off each other so we can get this stupid game over with?”
“Nice, Wyatt.” Dallas cast his brother one of his legendary scowls. “Way to support a night of family fun.”
“Sorry,” Wyatt mumbled, “I still have a lot of packing to do. Lists to double-check.”
Natalie knew Wyatt’s statement to be true, but it still stung knowing he’d rather be anywhere than with her. Irrationally, she felt as if she’d been transported back in time to when Craig had walked out her door. He’d been busy, too. Far too busy even to share raising his own child.
A knot blocking her throat, Natalie managed, “I—I need to use the restroom.”
“Now look what you did,” Dallas said to his younger brother. “Nat, he didn’t mean it. Come back.”
Too late. She’d already locked the door.
“Go after her,” Josie urged, her voice muffled.
“Why?” Wyatt asked. “It’s not my fault she’s a hormonal mess.”
Hands covering her face, Natalie sat on the closed toilet, taking a tissue from a nearby dispenser to blow her nose.
This was supposed to have been a pleasant, relaxing holiday. Her parents had wanted her to spend it in Chicago with them and some distant relatives, but because Josie had whined, Natalie had succumbed. Of course, the opportunity to avoid her parents had made her decision somewhat easier. Now, she recognized it for the mess it was.
No matter how much she’d been trying to avoid the fact that she was soon to be a single mom, the time until her delivery barreled toward her.
A knock sounded on the bathroom door. “Nat? Please let me in.”
Josie. Natalie knew her friend was worried about her spending too much time alone, but why couldn’t she see that as bad as Craig had hurt her, and now, Wyatt, she honestly preferred being alone?
Natalie forced a deep, fortifying breath, then let her supposed friend into her hideout.
“Sweetie, I’m sorry,” Josie said, wrapping Natalie in a hug. “I really thought a little family fun would be just the thing to make you smile. Now, I see I might have been better off serving you thirds of dessert.”
“You think?” Natalie asked with a sniffle. “Craig didn’t want me and now Wyatt can’t even stand being around me long enough to play a game. Do you have any idea how mortifying that is?”
“Stop. He’s busy. His grumpy mood has nothing to do with you. As for Craig…” Josie swept hair from in front of Natalie’s eyes, tucking it behind her ear. “You’re gorgeous, and Craig’s running away has way more to do with his character—or lack thereof—than yours.”
Natalie appreciated Josie’s stab at comfort, but unfortunately, the damage to her heart had already been done.
THE MONDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING, seated in the backseat of her parents’ minivan, Natalie felt more as though she were twelve on the way home from school than having picked up her parents from Tulsa International.
“When you told us you were pregnant,” her mother, Opal, said, “I assumed you and Craig would get back together.”
“I did, too,” Natalie admitted, closing her eyes to ward off car sickness as the van took another turn. “I truly believed Craig and I were getting married. When he left…”
Her mother reached around her seat for a sympathetic knee pat. “Don’t you worry. We’ll find you a man right away.”
“I’ve already told you,” Natalie said, “I plan on raising this baby on my own.”
Her father, Bud, snorted. “Think again, little lady. By my calculations, you’re running out of time to give this baby a proper last name.”
“I have to agree,” her mom said with an exaggerated nod. “Weed Gulch is a small town. I know unwed women have babies all the time, but not in our family.” Rummaging in her purse, then pulling out a tissue, Opal dabbed the corners of her eyes before blowing her nose. “My friend Alice has a boy who just got back from Iraq. He’s an excellent provider and she says he has aspirations to own his own ranch. I’ll call to set up a date.”
Hand to her forehead, Natalie said, “Stop. You both sound crazy. I’m a self-sufficient, strong woman. Why do you think I need a man to have this baby?”
Opal didn’t just remain misty, but started to wail.
One hand on the wheel, Bud used his other to stroke his wife’s hair.
Natalie sighed. “I’m sorry your daughter and grandchild are such a disappointment.”
“Don’t you dare cop an attitude,” Opal said past sniffles. “I’m sorry. No matter what, I’ll always be proud of you. I’m also sad. I want more for you. Daddy and I have been married for over thirty years. We’ve shared everything—especially raising you. It’s not that I think you can’t handle raising a child on your own, I’m just sad you feel you have to.”
“Mom—did you even listen when I told you Craig left me? I was devastated. Truthfully, I wanted to marry him so badly I’d stopped insisting we use birth control. I stupidly believed a baby would be the answer to all my prayers, but I was wrong. Now I’m hurt and confused and angry. I understand him not wanting me, but how could Craig reject our child?”
“I’M SORRY.” IN THE teacher’s lounge Tuesday morning, Josie covered Natalie’s hand. “What is it with the old guard of this town believing a woman can’t—or shouldn’t—raise a child on her own? This is the same kind of thing Georgina pulled with Dallas and me. I never pegged Opal and Bud to be so judgmental.”
Nodding, Natalie forced down a bite of her peanut butter and honey sandwich. “They tried cloaking their condemnation with concern. I knew better. Their expressions weren’t all that different from when I got caught with beer on prom night.”
“Wasn’t Wyatt nabbed in that massive bust, too?” Josie finished her egg salad.
Natalie snorted. “I’d forgotten my brief satisfaction when Principal Ving shone his flashlight smack between Wyatt’s beady eyes.”
“He doesn’t have beady eyes.” Munching a dill pickle, Josie said, “Point of fact, they’re a delicious shade of fudge-brown.”
“Whatever.” Natalie focused on the walnut brownie she’d brought for dessert. All right, so even back in high school Natalie had found Wyatt’s gaze mesmerizing. That didn’t make her any less put out with him for his attitude at their last few meetings. On a positive note, he’d soon be gone for a nice, long time.
“So what’s your plan for handling your parents?”
“There’s nothing much I can do.” Handing Josie her second pint-size carton of milk to open, she added, “Unless you consider a marriage of convenience to be a viable option. In which case, I’ll hire a husband—but it’ll have to be on credit, as what little cash I have is earmarked for the baby.”
“You know Dallas and I will help any way we can. From clothes to a crib to diapers, you name it and it’s yours.” Josie, being a kindergarten teacher, was a master at opening milk. Unfortunately, she’d been so busy with her task that she’d missed Natalie’s sour expression. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
“Playing devil’s advocate,” Josie said, “let’s say you were able to find a man who wanted nothing more than to love you and be a father to your child. Are you saying you wouldn’t marry him?”
“I’m not saying that. And I’m more than a little miffed you’d even suggest it. But read my lips—men are scum.” Natalie wadded the remains of her lunch into a ball of brown paper bag and plastic wrap. Standing, she pitched her trash in the bin alongside the microwave stand. “See you later for bus duty.”
“Aw, Nat…” Josie went to her, ambushing her in another hug. “I’m sorry. Don’t be mad. The thing is, now that I have kids, I know how impossible it would be for me to raise them without Dallas’s help.”
“That’s you. Like I told my folks, Craig destroyed what little remained of my h
eart. I was a fool to believe I could change him. Even more of a fool to try. Maybe I’m just as delusional to believe I can raise this baby on my own?”
“Calm down,” Josie urged when Natalie was finally getting to the core of the matter. Was she capable of endless rounds of early morning feedings and furniture assembly and deciphering every little noise the baby made? “We still have plenty of time to figure things out. And if by your third trimester you happen to meet Prince Charming, I’ll help with that, too.”
Palms pressed to the wood door, Natalie pushed it open, welcoming the hall’s cooler air.
“Nat, wait,” Josie pleaded.
The professional counselor in Natalie knew she shouldn’t be among students until regaining control of her emotions, but at the moment the sad, scared, exhausted pregnant woman she’d become lacked the energy to care.
Why did everyone in her life seem to think all she had to do was hook up with a guy and her every worry would vanish at the end of a rainbow-crowned unicorn trail? Why couldn’t they understand that while the mere thought of raising her child alone could send her racing to the bathroom with another bout of nausea, the prospect of losing herself in another dead-end relationship hurt even more.
THREE DAYS.
That was all the time Wyatt had remaining until he could get the hell out of town. If he possessed one lick of smarts, he’d have hopped an early flight out of Tulsa bound for a sunny interim beach. As it was, in anticipation of an upcoming winter storm, he battled the crowds in Reasor’s grocery, stocking up on enough toilet paper, milk, Doritos and beer to get him through the next few days.
Used to be, he would’ve used a snowstorm as an opportunity for an extended sleepover at the home of his most current blonde. After all, if he had to be stuck inside, riding out a storm, he might as well have someone cuddly on hand to keep him warm.
Maybe he was getting too old for short-term hookups, or maybe he had a case of boredom, but try as he might Wyatt hadn’t made a single call to secure a storm buddy. Truth was, he was antsy to get started on this new chapter of his life and until then, he wanted to be left alone.
A Baby In His Stocking (The Buckhorn Ranch Book 4) Page 5