by Silla Webb
“Darlin’ what’s wrong?” He pants, as he drops to his knees in front of me.
“Lo-look at th-this.” I stammer as my lip quivers. Anger soars through my veins, as goose flesh prickles my skin, the hairs on my arms standing straight on end.
“What the hell is it?” He asks taking the check from my hand. “So, Big John bought a car? Are you pissed that it was a Ford?” He jokes and I shove him back on his haunches.
“Okay, Einstein. If that ain’t clear enough for ya, how ‘bout this. Can you add two plus two?” I snap, shoving the file in his face. I’m not mad at him, I’m just seething pissed in general and he’s the one here catching my wrath. He steps around the desk taking a seat in the chair as he begins to shift through the paperwork.
“Carly Jo, where the hell did you get this?”
“It was stuffed in the shuffle of mail.” I shrug, and the emotions that radiate from me are now heating the room like a damn sauna. Colton is seething mad, his face red with heat and anger.
“Kari drove a Mustang.” Click, click, click; the puzzle pieces lock in place and yet another lie is revealed.
“Damn it!” He shouts bouncing to his feet and with one swift move he shoves his steel toe boot into the front of my desk, forming a splinter in the cherry wood. “That son of a bitch set me up!” He paces the short space in front of my desk like a dog chasing its tail, a string of obscenities filtering from his mouth like water from a faucet. I can see this is going nowhere fast and what happened in the past is best left there. I walk around the desk and wrap my arms around his waist, stilling him instantly.
“Calm down.” I whisper softly against his back. “It’s in the past and they’re both in the grave.”
He turns around drawing my face to his chest, kissing the top of my head. “They’d better thank God. Because of them, I lost so much of you. We lost our baby, damn it; because your stubborn ass Daddy was too scared to let you go.” He grumbles. I grip him tighter trying to calm the shakes that control his body, but he’s too big, too strong.
Cradling his face in my palms, I tilt his head down to meet my eyes. “They did, baby, but it only made us stronger. Eight years later and look where we are. Don’t you see, Colton? We can be dragged through Hell’s flames and as long as we have faith in our love, ain’t a damn one of ‘em can break us.” I feather my lips delicately across his and that simple kiss just about burns the damn office down. Colton twists his fingers through my hair at the nape of my neck, and devours my kiss like a stark raging mad man. Stealing my breath, I pull away slowly dazed and drunk by his swollen red lips.
He presses his forehead to mine, rubbing his thumbs across my cheeks he whispers, “I love you, baby. They may have stripped us of so much, but the fact that we’re still standin’ hand and hand through all of Hell’s fury tells me more and more that you’re forever mine.”
After we both stow our anger, Colton goes back to his work leaving me to mine. The galling stack of documents lay on the opposite side of my desk just where Colton left them, and the longer I glare at the stack, the further my intrigue grows. Big John paid Kari off to seduce Colton and it worked. But how the hell did he get connected with an eighteen year old woman? Bells and whistles ding loudly in my head. I grab the phone, dialing the numbers as quickly as my fingers can dial.
“Jodie, this is Carly Simon. I need to leave a message for Tiffani, please.” I wait for her prompt to go ahead with the message. “Ask her to look into Kari White, deceased as of January 21, 2007. From the Lexington, KY area. See if there is any connection with White to Drew Varney or Josh Moore.”
“You sure you don’t wanna trade off the Camaro?” Colton ribs me as we load the suitcases into the back of his truck. I shoot him a piercing glare, but before I can speak Heidi Jo saves the day.
“Heck no, she ain’t gettin’ rid of that muscle. Are you crazy old man?” She quirks an eyebrow up at Colton, seriously considering whether he has lost his mind. My little Punky Brewster loves my Camaro almost as much as I do.
“Okay, the Camaro stays parked. Let’s get on the road.” Colton announces slamming the tail gate. We drive west for over an hour into Lexington, Kentucky. We pull into Man-O-War Chevrolet just in time for our scheduled appointment with Claude, the sales manager. Colton called yesterday and explained what I was looking for and Claude agreed to have a few options pulled for my selection. The vehicles he has on showcase for me range from crossover to full size SUV. Immediately without even having to look at any of the other vehicles, I’m drawn to the 2015 Tahoe LTZ 4WD. Tungsten Metallic in color, it screams luxurious while the size alone will make me feel safe, looking down on all of the other vehicles on the road. After being nearly ran off the road TWICE, I refuse to take any chances with my new family.
“Write it up.” I tell Claude.
“Carly Jo, wait.” Colton calls from behind me as I make my way inside to sign whatever paperwork necessary. “Don’t you want to at least drive a few SUVs? The Equinox is just as nice, just smaller.”
“Nope, I want the Tahoe. I like the color, the size, the luxuriously rich interior. It’s what I want.”
“Your vehicle. As long as you’re happy. But that bitch is gonna chug the hell outta the Shell station.” He replies following behind me with Heidi Jo in tow.
Colton talks numbers shortly with Claude, while I wait with the pen in hand ready to write a hefty check for my new ride. An hour later, I shake Claude’s hand, telling him I’ll be back tomorrow evening to pick up the Tahoe. He promises to have it fully detailed and clean from the salt and snow that has been littering the lot all winter long.
“Let’s go Daddy, I wanna go jump at Kangaroo Jack’s!” Heidi Jo stomps, pulling Colton with all of her small might.
“Alright, Princess settle down. We gotta get checked into the hotel first, so mind your manners and find some patience.” Colton says lifting her into the back seat, strapping the seat belt snuggly around her lap and chest. Crossing her arms over her chest, she pushes out her lip pouting.
“Bu-but Daddy,” she whines, stopping short of what she wants to say in defeat.
“Hey sweets, it won’t be long now, promise.” I wink back at her.
Keeping true to my promise, we check into the hotel rather quickly, then head downtown to Kangaroo Jack’s. Until today, I had no idea what this place was, but I can promise you this…if I never see this damn place again, it’ll be too frickin’ soon. And that jackass Colton Weston will pay dearly for ambushing me with this atrocity of a restaurant…trust me, that’s just a front for this damn glorified playground. The acoustics of this building echo piercing, shrilling voices loudly about the room, and my head throbs with a pending migraine. I bury myself into the corner farthest away from the over-sized inflatables and arcade as Heidi Jo and Colton race over the inflatable slide.
They wait in line together then Colton climbs up the rope ladder behind her guarding her safety, like a good Daddy should. When they get to the top, just when I expect him to climb back down, he flops down on his ass pulling Heidi Jo into his lap and they slide down together, laughter bursting from the both of them. And just like the first slide, he follows her to every inflatable, jumping, rolling and flopping around until they’re both covered in sweat and out of breath.
“What’re ya sittin’ in the corner all by yourself for?” Colton asks with a panted breath as he slides inside the booth beside me.
“Eww, you’re covered in sweat, scoot away.” I say shoving him playfully. He nuzzles his face in my neck wiping his salty sweat all over me with a devious chuckle.
“Come on, baby.” He says, wrapping his hand in mine, “It’s family day. Let’s have some fun. I might even buy you a snow cone and cotton candy if you’re a good girl.” He croons, feathering a kiss delicately across my lips.
“One more hour and that’s all I can handle of this place.” I pout. “You tricked me; I thought this was a restaurant with real food and people. Not minions who don’t know what an inside voic
e is!”
He throws his head back and laughs, “Darlin’, you might as well get used to it because I bring Heidi Jo here at least once a month.”
“Well, maybe y’all can continue this as a Daddy-Daughter date because if I never see the inside of this hell hole again, it’ll be too soon.” I retort, my hands resting firmly at the top of my hips, shootin’ my attitude all over him.
“Nope, we’re a family now. Daddy-Daughter dates are now family dates; so stop you’re poutin’ darlin’.”
Groaning, I follow behind him towards the arcade. After getting change, Colton challenges me to a fierce game of Skee Ball, to which I gladly accept. He drops a handful of change in Heidi Jo’s hand, sending her on her way to play. “Ya ready, darlin’? Or do I need to take it easy on ya?” His eyes sparkle mischievously.
“Oh no, Mr. Weston; I’m up for the challenge. Winner buys dinner.”
A crooked smile tips up his lips as he slides a quarter in both of the machines. The balls come sliding down, clinking together loudly. “You’re on, baby.”
Picking up the first ball, I grip it in my hand leaning down with my hip popped out. Winking playfully at him, I say, “Bring it, darlin’,” mocking his usual play from back in the day, then sling the skee ball up into the left corner pocket earning myself a fast one hundred points. He rolls a ball up the ramp, slinging it into the thirty pocket and his chin falls to his chest in disappointment. “What’s that, big boy, thought you had skills?” I laugh, sliding the next ball into the one hundred pocket again.
When the game is over a short minute later, my score has tallied five hundred thirty points to Colton’s three hundred, claiming me the victor of the Skee Ball challenge. “Come on darlin’, best three outta five.” He whines, stomping behind me as I make my way over to the Pump It dance game to check on Heidi Jo.
“Are you bein’ a sore loser, Colton?” I ask, clasping my hand over my chest to portray my shock.
“Nope, just don’t remember you ever whoopin’ my ass in Skee Ball like that before.” He barks.
“Well you must be having memory issues in your old age because you may have beat me twice in your life. I’ve always kicked your ass at Skee Ball and you’ve always been a sore loser!” I laugh at him, adding salt to the wound.
After Heidi Jo has spent all of her money and cashed in her tickets, we go back to the hotel to get cleaned up. Colton takes us to Smokey’s Barbecue in downtown Lexington for supper. It’s a small dive by the University campus with some of the best barbecue in the state as Colton claims. The restaurant is small, dimly lit and decorated with old rock albums, posters, and concert memorabilia. It’s a busy Saturday evening, each booth stuffed with patrons eating, relaxing and enjoying themselves to the old southern rock that blasts loudly from the speakers.
The waitress brings us menus and asks for our drink and appetizer orders before hurrying off to the back. “Know what you’re in the mood for lil’ lady?” Colton asks Heidi Jo over the menu. She has her attention focused on her iPod, ignoring everyone around her. “Heidi Jo, put the iPod away while we’re at the table. Now, what do you want to eat?”
She huffs and slides the iPod down in her small purse that’s hanging on the back of the chair. Picking the menu up, she glances at it and replies, “eh, any piggy will do.”
“Alright, and Darlin’ what’re you gonna have?”
“I’m not sure, everything looks good, and I’m starving.”
“Do you like piggy, Carly Jo?” Heidi Jo asks, and I nod. “I wanted one for a pet one time, but Daddy told me where bacon come from, and that I couldn’t eat anything after we named it. So I changed my mind really fast.” I cover my mouth to stifle back the laughter that hangs on my lips. All I can see in the back of my mind is this little country gal turned loose in her back yard, tutu and flip flop-clad chasin’ down her pet piggy with a bb gun for tomorrow mornin’s breakfast.
The waitress returns with our drinks and without hesitation Colton orders for everyone. He doesn’t even ask what I want. But believe me you, he orders enough food to feed a small village. The waitress returns fifteen minutes later with two large platters of food that cover the table top. My mouth drops and drool forms in the corner of my mouth at the sight of this delicious buffet before me. Barbeque pulled pork, brisket, barbecue chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans, creamy macaroni and cheese, fried apples and corn muffins is my feast tonight and suddenly my little monkey is starved as well. Not a bashful bone in my body, I pile a little of everything high on my plate. After Heidi Jo reminds us to say grace, I cover my face and half of my shirt with barbeque.
“I was thinkin’ maybe tomorrow we could take Heidi Jo out to the Horse Park before we pick your Tahoe up. That sound alright with you?”
“Yeah, that will be fun. But I don’t want to get back to Williamstown too late, because I need to go home to clean house and catch up on laundry.” He takes a swig of tea, his eyebrow cocked high, and I can see that I’ve struck a nerve.
“You need to clean house?” I nod, answering him silently. “You ain’t been there in almost two weeks. I’m sure it ain’t dirty, darlin’. We’ll go over next weekend and straighten it up. Just come home with me, where you belong.”
I continue eating, weighing decisions in my mind. We aren’t moving too fast, we’ve known each other since we were each knee high to a duck’s tail. We’ve shared some of the most intimate moments of our lives together, I carried his child briefly and with any love from the Heavens above this little monkey I’m carrying now, he fathered as well. But that hankerin’ doubt that he won’t hold true to loving me if the baby is Luke’s still causes me grief.
“Can we talk about all of this tonight after you’re little princess closes her eyes, please?” I plead with him softly, lacing my fingers through his.
He raises up and stretches across the table, pressing a delicate kiss to my forehead and says, “No worries, darlin’. Let’s just enjoy dinner and we’ll talk later.”
When we get back to the hotel, Colton takes Heidi Jo for a swim before bed. When they finally come up to the room, she pulls on her pajamas and falls asleep as quickly as her head hits the pillow. The long day has tuckered the little princess plum out. Colton comes into the living room and sits down beside me, pulling me into his lap. Brushing my hair back off of my shoulder, he presses his face to my neck inhaling deeply before kissing me. He twists his fingers through my hair turning my face gently, forcing me to look at him. “What do you need to talk about, Carly Jo? I could tell back at the restaurant you were a little resigned to comin’ home with me.” His fingertips massage the nape of my neck, and he feathers more kisses on my neck before continuing to speak. “Is that what’s wrong, you ain’t comfortable in my home?”
He’s such a tricky man trying to seduce me like this and although wild fire spreads through my veins each time his lips graze my skin, I fight back the feeling of letting him take me right here. I sit up quickly trying to put a little distance between us, forcing his hands to still in my lap, so we can talk…not make out like love starved teenagers.
“I love your home. I’m just concerned what this next week is gonna bring us.” He looks at me quizzically, with a cocked eyebrow. “I have a follow up appointment with Dr. Staton this week, Colton. So come Wednesday we’ll know the paternity of my little monkey.” I say, rubbing my stomach lovingly.
“Hey,” he whispers gripping my face in his palms, “ ‘member what I told you? Please don’t lose faith in me. I promise you, regardless of what that paternity test reveals I’m gonna be here. We’re a family now.” My heart skips a beat, nearly lurching from my chest at the word family. Blended we may be, but love has no bounds nor defines the elements of a family.
“Do you want to come to the appointment with me Wednesday?” The words slip off of my tongue faster than I can stop them. I want him to be there so badly. But what if he ain’t the daddy, and he flips out. I’m sixteen weeks pregnant and Colton hasn’t even heard my little mo
nkey’s heartbeat yet. I want to be able to look back on this pregnancy and smile at the beauty that outweighs all of the ugly that we will surely overcome.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He promises. “Come on, baby. Let’s get some sleep.”
Chapter 19
Hump day kicks my feet right out from underneath me. The day that I’ve been pleading for over the last three months. The day that will finally lay to rest the question of paternity for my little monkey. Apprehension and anxiety gripped ahold of me yesterday crippling me of my sanity. I’ve chewed all of the polish off of my perfectly manicured nails so now they look like shit. I’ve eaten an entire bag of Reese Eggs miniatures, all while crying that my ass is gonna spread wider and wider the further I get into this pregnancy.
When we arrive at Dr. Staton’s office I sign in at the receptionist desk, but before I can sit down, Kaylee swings the door open, calling my name back to the exam room. “Mornin’ sweets, how are you today?” She smiles brightly. She has the most beautiful smile stretching from ear to ear. I swear if she didn’t have ear’s she’d cut her damn head off. All smiles and happiness every time I see her.
“Nervous. I’d ask how you are, but I’m pretty sure your response will be ‘just peachy’.” I kid with her and a bubbly laughter fills the room.
“Always happy go lucky, sweets. World’s got enough problems without me belly-achin’ ‘bout my own ya know? By the way, I don’t believe I’ve met this handsome sinner you have with ya today.” She looks up at Colton with a glistening sparkle in her eye. “My name is Kaylee, and I take pretty good care of this lady.” She says extending her hand to Colton. Taking her hand in his he shakes it softly and she sways a little, light on her feet. Alright little miss, step on back there now.