On bare feet, I padded my way to my bedroom but didn’t make it to the hallway. A knock came at the front door. I opened it.
“Sheriff,” I said.
He tipped his head to me. “Morning, Jake. Sorry for the early morning visit, but can we talk?”
I nodded and stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind me. The sun had barely crested the horizon, so there wasn’t much activity. I hoped to have the sheriff gone before the ranch got hopping with activity.
“You have news?” I asked.
He sighed. “They found traces of the drug Rohypnol in your system.”
I scrubbed a hand over my mouth. Though I’d been sure she’d drugged me, a part of me hoped I was wrong.
The sheriff continued. “They were able to get traces of fluid which can be used to find DNA, but no sperm was found. Likely, she didn’t do research to know that when the drug is used to victimize, it is most effective to subdue victims and leave them unclear or not able to remember what happened. It causes drowsiness and low blood pressure. It’s likely you weren’t able to perform.”
Though that was a relief, it didn’t mean I was out of the woods. What he said next was an even greater weight lifted from my mind.
“Most of the tests for STDs are back and negative. Just a few remain that will take another day or two.”
“So what now?” I asked.
“Now I need to know what you want to do.”
I stared at him confused. “What are you asking?”
His question was too cryptic considering I’d called and filed a complaint. What I wanted to do was obvious.
He blew out a breath. “After I got back the results, I had a deputy go to Tara’s momma’s house. She was there and we brought her in. The drug was in her purse. Tomorrow, when the court house opens charges will be filed. But, Jake, considering your history, do you really want to go through with this?”
“It’s precisely because of my history I’d called the cops in the first place. I have to protect my daughter.”
He nodded. “I get that, but Tara put up a fight when they hauled her in. She claimed she’d been hurt in the process by my officers. By law, I had to have her taken down to the hospital to be checked out. There she claimed she was pregnant.”
I balled my fist even though I’d known what was coming.
“She claimed it’s yours.”
“It’s not,” I gritted out.
He held up a hand. “They ran a test and she is pregnant. Because of her complaints of officer harassment and assault, they did an ultrasound on her. She’s six weeks along. So I’m going to ask again. Is it possible it’s yours?”
It all clicked into place as to why Tara had shown up on my door. She’d needed a father for her kid.
“I haven’t seen Tara since before Jamie was born until a few days ago.”
His mouth flattened before he spoke again.
“Even still, Jake, this is a small town. Folks will know what’s going on. Jamie will be starting school soon and we all know how kids can be. Maybe you can use this to your advantage.”
He hadn’t outright said it, but the sheriff was smart. He had to have guessed my reasons for going to the cops.
“Can I talk to her?”
He sighed. “We have procedures.”
“Can you ask her to see me? I won’t come alone. I’ll bring my lawyer.”
“I can ask. But whatever deal you want to make has to be today as it’s a holiday. Once charges are filled, it’s out of my hands.”
I had planned to call our family lawyer. But with everything that had happened, there hadn’t been time.
“Understood,” I said.
“There’s just one other thing.”
I waited for him to say what it was and scrubbed a hand over my hair, unsure I wanted any more news.
“I ran into Jacque in town yesterday. I’d promised her husband I would keep an eye out for her. She’s alone at the ranch surrounded by a bunch of men.”
I arched a brow, wondering where he was going with this. I hoped he wouldn’t suggest that she and I would make a good match.
“She mentioned that Ford showed up ornery and ranting and couldn’t be persuaded to leave.”
I met the man squarely in the eye. “I handled it.”
His head lifted up and down in agreement. “You know how much I respect your father, but maybe it’s time to put him into a retirement community.” That was a nice way of saying a home for the old and infirmed. “Jake, I see it in your eyes that you don’t agree. But you also know we are a gun toting county. I’d hate for your dad to get hurt if he loses his way and shows up on the wrong doorstep.”
“I have help. She was off yesterday and with everything that happened, I didn’t have arrangements for him to be properly watched.”
“I hear you. It’s not an easy thing.”
I shoved my hands in my back pockets, not wanting to ball them in fists for what the sheriff was suggesting. Putting Dad in one of those places would be the final option, after I’d exhausted all other means.
“Is that all?” I asked.
“Yes.” The sheriff tipped his hat. “Take care, Jake. Call me before you come down. I’ll check to see if Tara is willing to see you before you make the trip.”
I agreed and then he left.
When I walked back inside, Jamie was sitting at the counter in a bar stool, peeling potatoes with Honey behind it working up breakfast that was sure to be tasty.
“Morning,” I said.
Jamie turned around and gave me a winning smile. I went over and kissed the top of her head. Then I winked at Honey.
“If I didn’t have a call to make, I’d help make breakfast.”
Honey waved me off. “Go, it’s girl’s time anyway.”
Jamie giggled and seeing my little girl so damn happy shook some of my blues away. So far, Jamie hadn’t asked about her mother. But that conversation would happen soon. I hoped to talk to Tara and settle things before then.
I closed the double doors to the office and sat at my desk and placed the call to my lawyer. I explained the events of the past few days and he agreed to meet me down at the sheriff’s station after lunch. He’d call me when he was on his way. That meant I had to get my day started without breakfast.
I’d just made it to the door when it opened and Dad stepped in. He didn’t waste time making his point.
“Jake, I know I’m not right. I get confused and forget things.”
I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get through this.”
“I heard what the sheriff said and maybe he’s right. Maybe you should put me somewhere.”
My proud father stood there looking old and defeated. The fact he’d come to offer himself up to be condemned to a home hurt deep in my chest.
Though I wasn’t surprised he’d overheard. His bedroom shared a wall to the left of the front door that jutted out some on the porch.
“That’s not an option. This is your home. We’ll figure it out.”
13
Honey
Jake hadn’t eaten breakfast with us and I worried about him. When he’d come out of the office with Ford trailing behind him, he looked shell-shocked.
Now it was just Ford and me. Ed had come for Jamie to do chores for her horse.
“I think I messed up.”
I glanced up because Ford sounded almost feeble when he’d spoken. It was as if he’d aged twenty years since the last time I spoke to him.
“How?”
Sad eyes met mine. “I told Jake something I’d promised Martha I’d let be. She told me his knowing would do him no good.”
I came over and sat on a bar stool in front of him. “About Tara?”
He gave me a quick jerk of his head in agreement.
“Don’t worry about it. None of it changes that Jamie belongs to this family.”
His hand covered mine. “Maybe you can convince him to send me away. I’m a burden on him. He has mo
re important things to worry about.”
“Now why would you think I’d ever do something like that? You are needed here with your son and granddaughter.” I thought about it for a second. “There are some things that maybe you could do to help your forgetfulness.”
Nothing at this point could stop the dreaded disease. But stimulating the brain had proven to slow the progression in some cases.
His eyes lit with hope.
“You could help Jamie be ready for school in the fall. You could work with her on basic math concepts like counting. You can also read books with her and point out the words as you read.”
His smile lifted my spirits as his seemed too. “I can do all of that. I think Martha kept some books of Jake’s packed away.”
There was a spring in his step as he walked away. His spry steps were fueled with purpose as he disappeared down the hallway.
While I had a moment, I stayed seated and placed a call.
“Hey.” Ashlyn sounded tired. “I guess you heard.”
“That Axel and his brother are in town? Yes, that’s why I sent you the warning text. But what I don’t know is if Diesel decided to pay you a visit.”
A gust of air whistled through the phone. “He showed up all right.”
It was clear she wasn’t happy about it.
“What happened?”
“What do you think happened? Two charged guys puffing out their chests. I offered to measure their dicks for them.”
I covered my eyes as I could only imagine.
“I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”
“Sure,” I agreed.
Ashlyn hardly ever liked to talk about Diesel.
“Why don’t you tell me about what happened when Axel and Jake met?”
How did she know that? I asked her as much.
“Diesel said his brother was on his way to pick him up in your car.”
That would not endear me any more with her current boyfriend.
“Chris isn’t mad at me, is he?” I asked.
“Mad at you? No, more like I’m pissed at him. He acted like a total jerk to you because he knew they were in town but didn’t tell me. His jealousy is really starting to bug me. But again, can we talk about something else?”
So I told her all about what happened since I left her house. I didn’t give details about what Tara did to Jake. But I did tell her she tried to get him into bed with her.
“What a bitch!” she said.
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Does this mean you guys are back together?”
I grinned, though she couldn’t see it and thought about our delicious night together.
“He asked me to marry him.”
I had to move the phone from my ear for all her squealing.
When she finally took a breath, she said, “I can’t wait to organize the bachelorette party and bridal shower.”
“I haven’t said yes yet.”
I hated to burst her bubble, but it was the truth.
Ford came out of nowhere and said, “Take the boy out of his misery and say yes.”
My jaw dropped as Ashlyn squealed her agreement through the phone, obviously overhearing.
“We haven’t known each other long,” I said to both of them.
Ford chuffed. “It’s been months. You practically live together. You’ve gotten to know the best and worst about each other. What’s more to know? Besides, Jake doesn’t make rash decisions. If he asked you that means he’s determined to have you.”
He left with a wry smile on his face.
“Are you there?” Ashlyn said.
“Yes, sorry.”
“You’re going to say yes, right?”
I loved him. What was more I loved his family.
“We’ve only known each other a few months.”
“So. We got married to strangers, remember?”
I laughed. “And see how that turned out.”
“Yeah, Axel is great. He still wants you. You wouldn’t give him a chance and I get it,” she hurriedly said, knowing my objections. “You seem so much happier since you started working there.”
“I’m scared. What if it’s too soon? What if he’s only reacting to Tara showing up?”
I’d be lost without this family. I never really felt this way. My own mother never made me feel as welcome as Jake’s family has. What if my feelings for Jake were confused because of a need to belong?
“I get it. Giving your heart to someone is scary. But if you never take a chance, you’ll never know, will you?”
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Well, when you’re thinking, ask yourself, is it you can never see yourself marrying him? If you can’t, tell him no. If you can, then say yes. It’s not like you have to get married tomorrow.”
We talked a little more before we got off the phone. I stood there for a moment, wondering if I said no, could I sit through a wedding where Jake married someone else? As my fist balled, I was pretty sure I had my answer.
14
Jake
My head spun as I sat down in the hard metal chair. I hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch before running over to the sheriff’s office to meet Tara.
“I’ll do much of the talking,” my lawyer said.
I agreed and stared straight ahead at the door with the tiny rectangle slot for a window. Then there was movement and Tara was brought in. She wasn’t in an orange jumpsuit like you see on TV shows. She was still dressed in the clothes they brought her in with.
But her hair looked limp and her eyes were cold. The officer connected her cuffs to a ring on the table in front of her. I was sorry to see her this way. The girl I remembered looked forward to life. The woman before me looked dead inside.
“You can go,” Tara spat over her shoulder at the guard.
My lawyer nodded.
When the door shut, she spoke to me. “Are you here to tell the truth?”
Ignoring what my lawyer told me, I said, “I did tell the truth. That’s why you’re here.”
He gave me a reproachful look. “Ms. Tara—”
“Cut the crap,” she said. “Do you have a deal to offer or what?”
So the sheriff had told her why we were coming. Most likely that had been the only way to convince her to see me.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, well, my client is willing to drop the charges if you sign over full custody to him.”
“Why should I?” she snapped.
My lawyer remained calm. “Because if you don’t, you’re going to prison.” That shut her up. “Furthermore, the child you are now carrying will likely end up in a home since it was detected that he or she isn’t developing normally.”
I whipped my head in his direction. He hadn’t told me that.
“How dare they give you that information?” She seethed.
So she knew her baby was going to be born with problems? It was another reason she’d come to me.
“Well, since you chose to speak to the cops after being read your rights, that information was not privileged. Plus, your defense to the charges was that my client was the father. Considering the fetus is six weeks along and my client didn’t see since before he left the army several years back until a few days ago, it makes it my business.”
She buttoned up and I let loose.
“You never wanted to see your daughter. You entire goal was to find a father for your child.”
Her features softened into the woman I once knew.
“You don’t understand. When he learned that our kid wasn’t going to be perfect, he kicked me out. I had nowhere to go.”
I glared at her, but I didn’t bother to ask who the mysterious he was. “You could have told me the truth.”
“Then what?” she asked with tears shimmering in her eyes. “Would you have welcomed me with open arms?”
“I would have helped you,” I bit out.
“So help me now.”
She spread her hands as wide as she could. But everything I�
��d once felt about her had disappeared.
There was only one way I would. I could help her.
“Sign the papers,” I declared.
I glanced down at the stack of pages in front of my lawyer.
“And then what about Jamie’s brother or sister?” she pleaded.
I spoke before I thought.
“If you have the child and still don’t want him or her, I’ll adopt him or her.”
It was my lawyer’s turn to stare at me with brows pinched together.
I clarified. “I’ll adopt with the same conditions. You will not have any contact with either child. You’ll walk away.”
“But—” she began.
“That’s my offer. Besides, if you go to jail, you won’t have a say where the child goes. I can petition for custody without you. You did go on record saying it was mine.”
I had no idea how I could take on a special needs child. The only thing I knew was that I wouldn’t let Jamie’s sibling end up lost in a system that had little care for children without needs. I couldn’t imagine what would happen to one who had them.
“So that’s my only option?” Her focus shifted between us.
I nodded.
She swallowed. “What will you tell Jamie happened to me?”
I licked my lips, not sure I should speak what I was thinking.
“You can write to her.”
“Email?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Pen and paper. And I will read every letter before I give them to her. If I don’t approve, I keep it for her until she turns eighteen.”
From my periphery, I could feel my lawyer giving me the stink eye. We hadn’t talked about any of this.
“Are you going to sign?” I asked.
If I hadn’t paid for her acting classes and seen her use those skills in action, I might have believed the defeated look on her face. But I didn’t trust a damn thing the woman did. Every move she made was calculated.
“I have to think about it,” she said.
Sugar: A Single Dad Romance (Honey Book 2) Page 6