Forever Daddy (Sweet Texas Love Book 2)

by Shanna Handel

  The two had planned a breakfast worthy of Christmas Eve morning and Mama was already at the counter, whipping up her famous buckwheat pancakes. There weren’t many foods better than the fluffy cakes stacked high on a plate and soaked with fresh, melted butter and maple syrup. Greeting Mama with a cheerful, “Good morning,” Carrie tied on her cherry patterned apron and got to work frying bacon. With so many people staying over on the ranch they were going to need a huge pile of it.

  The two women worked side by side. Lost in her own thoughts, it took a few minutes before Carrie realized that Mama was not engaging in her usual friendly chatter. “Anything wrong, Mama?” Carrie asked gently as she flipped the brown edged bacon.

  “I didn’t hear Garrett come in last night,” Mama murmured, so low it was almost as if she was talking to herself. Carrie watched as Mama flipped a golden-brown cake and let it cook another minute, then move it to a plate and melted several little pats of butter in a row, on the griddle. Silently, Mama poured thick batter over the circles of butter.

  It wasn’t unusual for Garrett to keep late hours. What was out of place was the worried look creasing Mama’s brow. “Do you want me to check and see if his car is here?” Carrie asked, knowing that Mama preferred to know the whereabouts of her boys when they were at the ranch.

  With a wave of her hand, Mama protested, “No, honey, I’m just being silly. Garrett’s a big old boy. He’s fine, I’m sure.” She flipped the batch of pancakes.

  Carrie smiled reassuringly. “He probably just got in really late. You know how rowdy Ray’s can get.”

  “Actually, I don’t,” Mama said, sharply. “I wish he wouldn’t have gone and left Jessica here. Selfish.”

  Tongs hovering in midair, Carrie froze. Never had Carrie heard Mama utter a word against either of her sons. Unsure of what to say, Carrie fumbled around in her brain, trying to come up with something reassuring. Not able to find the right phrase to comfort the mother of the cheating, impregnating, partying father of Mama’s grandchild, Carrie sighed. Rendered speechless, she was relieved to hear the familiar sound of boots clomping through the back door of the kitchen.

  Carrie’s knight in shining armor, literally, arrived in the frame of the door. Wes was wearing his regular button-down, plaid work shirt, under what looked like a human sized wrapping of aluminum foil. Before she could ask her future husband what in the world he had gotten himself into, Carrie began to laugh.

  At the sight of Carrie’s amusement, a smile spread over Wes’ rugged, handsome face. His skin was tanned from working in the sun and it crinkled as a sparkle came to his eyes, his grin wide and white. “Morning ladies,” he said, taking his hat from his head and hanging it on the peg by the back door. Wes moved in and wrapped his arms around Carrie, the material around his torso making a crinkling noise as he did. “Something smells delicious,” the space age cowboy said as he nibbled at Carrie’s neck. Laughing, he released her and headed for the bacon. “And the bacon doesn’t smell bad either.”

  Still laughing, Carrie swatted at his silver middle. “Stop it. We are trying to cook breakfast for everyone, not just you.” Wes swatted at her rear as she danced around him, trying to block the platter of meat with her body. “Nice armor,” she laughed as she battled him away from the back with her tongs.

  Throwing his hands in the air in surrender, Wes cried, “Armor? This is my tux. Thought I’d wear it to the wedding.” Carrie took another swing at his torso. “Just kidding, baby. You know I’ll wear my best. I have to at least try to look half decent next to your beauty.” Wes gave Carrie a sweet kiss.

  “Well, what is it?” Carrie asked.

  “It’s a new-fangled idea from the cowboys on the West Coast, called Distraction Training. Kevin talked me into it. He’s always up on the latest invention.” The metal made a clanking sound as Wes patted his abdomen, “But I have to give him credit, they work pretty well.” Wes untied the leather straps from behind the strange gear, then moved back towards the door. He lifted it over his head, throwing it out the screen door, into the backyard.

  Re-entering the kitchen, Wes walked over to his mother. “Merry Christmas Eve, Mama,” Wes said, then placed a gentle kiss on his mother’s cheek.

  “Merry Christmas Eve to you too, baby.” She gave Wes a quick hug, then turned her attention back on her flapjacks. “I was just telling Carrie that I didn’t hear Garrett come in last night.”

  An uncomfortable look crossed over Wes’ face. He looked at Carrie, and she could see the clouds gathering in the gray pools of his worried eyes. Wes always made it around the entire farm before breakfast. Carrie deduced that Wes hadn’t come across Garrett when he was making his rounds.

  Finishing the last three pancakes, Mama wiped her hands on her apron, then unplugged the griddle. She turned to Wes. “Weston, do you know something we don’t?” she asked quietly.

  “Mama, Garrett’s car isn’t here, and he’s not in his room. I don’t think he came home last night.” Wes ran a hand through his wavy hair.

  Ma sucked in a hard breath. “Damn it, Garrett.”

  A loud clang filled the kitchen as Carrie dropped her metal tongs onto the wooden floor, in shock. Mama did not cuss, not ever.

  “Ma, do you know something I don’t know?” Wes asked, picking up the tongs and handing them to Carrie. Crossing his arms across his flannel covered chest, Wes leaned back against the counter, shooting Mama a suspicious look.

  Putting a hand to her head, Mama took another deep breath. “It’s not for me to say, just something Jessica said that stuck with me and had me worried.” She looked to Carrie. “You know that sixth sense you sometimes get, as a woman? When you hear something that just doesn’t sit right?”

  Carrie nodded.

  “Well, Jessica and I were talking the other night, and something she mentioned gave me this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.” Ma stared out the window towards the parked cars by the barn. “And I have to say I felt this coming.”

  “Let’s not jump to conclusions, Mama,” Wes said.

  “I know, I know, Weston. But other than hightailing it out of here and leaving his girlfriend behind carrying his unborn child, what excuse do you think we can make for Garrett not being here Christmas Eve morning?”

  A small sniffle from the hallway outside of the kitchen drew their attention. There stood a desperately beautiful, heavy with child, Jessica. A vacant look resided in her red rimmed eyes. Her left hand rubbed circular motions on her enormous belly, as always, but the usual glint was gone from her ring finger.

  “He’s gone,” Jessica whispered. Her body began to collapse in the doorway. Moving quickly, Wes got to Jessica just before she dropped to the floor. Arms around her, Wes pulled her up and held her as she sobbed hopelessly. “He’s gone,” she repeated.

  Mama quickly went to Jessica’s side. Wes and Mama flanked Jessica as she cried. Standing alone in the kitchen, Carrie looked on, dumbly. Smelling the burning bacon, she quickly returned to her post. Turning the crackling meat, Carrie kept her eyes down as Ma and Wes ushered Jessica into the living room. Murmurs of their comforting words barely reached Carrie’s ears from where she stood. Unable to hear the conversation, Carrie could guess the gist of it. Garrett had left, maybe for good. Finishing the bacon, she placed it on several rows of paper towels to cool. Keeping busy, Carrie refilled the coffee pot with water and freshly ground beans, then set the table for breakfast. Her parents would be up soon and ready to eat.

  While setting the blue cloth napkins on the table, Carrie caught a glimpse of Jessica on the couch, her head on Wes’ chest. An irrational jealous pang stung Carrie’s heart. Silly insecurities danced around in her mind. Carrie took a deep breath and went back to the counter to get the food. Once the table was perfectly set, Carrie wasn’t sure what proper protocol was. Should she just cancel breakfast and send her parents home? But Jessica was always so hungry and she never skipped breakfast. Carrie went to the living room and timidly called, “Breakfast is ready. Jessica, do yo
u think you can eat?”

  Jessica laughed, bitterly in response. “I can always eat. I won’t let Garrett ruin Mama’s famous flapjacks for me.” Wiping her eyes and rising from the couch, Jessica put a hand on her lower abdomen. “Ouch, this baby is kicking me.” She rubbed her tummy gently, whispering sweetly, “Are you hungry, baby?”

  Selfish, selfish, selfish, Carrie thought to herself. Jessica had just been left high and dry by the father of her child, and here Carrie was, jealous that Wes was comforting her. Carrie was saved from her unpleasant thoughts by a familiar voice declaring, “My what a spread we have here.”

  Turning, Carrie smiled at her father. “Come,” she said, “have a seat.” Continuing to keep herself occupied, Carrie poured coffee and orange juices for everyone. Jim and Pam took a second look at Jessica’s worried face and red eyes, then Jim began making polite, pleasant conversation for which Jessica shot him a grateful look.

  The food was comforting and delicious, and the coffee pot bottomless. Soon, even Jessica was laughing at the light banter between Wes and Jim. Carrie smiled warmly, happy her parents seemed so taken with Wes. The conversation they had with her father the previous night had been painfully awkward, but it had also been freeing. Carrie no longer felt like she was hiding. In just a few short months, she had gone from feeling like a stranger in her own life to feeling like she was on the road to becoming her true self.

  After a long relaxing breakfast, Jim and Pam washed the dishes while Jessica went back to her room to recover. After whispering something in Wes’ ear, Mama went off to do some sewing, wringing her hands all the way.

  “Come on, Carrie. Let’s ride.” Wes’ smile didn’t reach his eyes. When he followed up with “We’ll go to the creek bed,” Carrie knew he wanted to talk to her about something serious.

  “Okay. I haven’t been able to give May a good exercising with all the Christmas prep. Let me just change.” Quietly, so as not to wake Jess, Carrie went to her own room across the hall and slid into her faded blue jeans and flannel shirt, throwing on her cream colored down vest.

  As they were saddling up the horses, Wes said to Carrie, “Jessica said that Garrett called this morning. Said he was headed back to New York and he would send her things from the apartment, and money. Told her he just wasn’t ready to be a father or a husband.” Anger made Wes' voice sound eerily calm. His hands moved slowly and methodically as he bridled Dipper.

  “Wow.” At the moment, Carrie didn’t have much more to say. Everyone knew it was in Garrett’s nature to always put himself first, but this was beyond anything she could have anticipated him doing. Carrie slipped her thumb into the corner of May’s mouth, then moved the bit into the horse's mouth, while pulling up on the leather strap with her other hand. Carrie put the top of the bridle up over May’s ears and situated the bridle until she was sure Mabel was comfortable. Softly patting May’s head, she said, “Just, wow.”

  Wes had been standing quietly beside her while she worked. “Yes,” was his reply, then he climbed onto Dipper. They both knew that there were certain times in life that the only way to clear your mind was with a good, long, ride.

  Carrie mounted May and with a loud, “Hiya,” they were off. It was her favorite game to have Wes chase her. Checking over her shoulder every so often to see if he and Dipper were catching up, Carrie was happy to see Wes’ grin. He caught up to her, and they slowed their pace, riding side by side.

  The morning sun was bright. The winter air was chilly but still mild. Carrie let her eyes rove over the ranch as they rode silently. The land was beautiful and peaceful, and a pleasant break from the ranch house, which was currently a whirlwind of emotions. With Garrett gone and Jessica in shambles, the holiday feeling had left the house.

  Carrie waited patiently for Wes to speak. After riding for a few miles in silence, Wes began to share what weighed so heavily on his mind.

  “Mama had a conversation with Jessica the night before last. Jessica told her that Garrett kept putting off setting a date for the wedding. Jessica’s been going to all her perinatal appointments by herself.”

  “It’s prenatal,” Carrie interjected.

  “Hmm,” Wes replied distractedly. “You know that thing they do to take pictures of the baby?”

  “You mean the ultrasound?” Carrie smiled to herself. She had no idea Wes was so clueless about these things. Carrie made a mental note to get her man off the ranch more often.

  “Well, they are supposed to be a big deal, right? Garrett wouldn’t go to the ultrasounds. Jessica said that he barely glanced at the pictures when she brought them home.”

  “That’s not normal,” Carrie replied emphatically then added more softly, “poor Jess. What is she going to do?”

  “We don’t know yet. That is why I wanted to talk to you.” His gray eyes turned to hers. “Mama and I think it would be best if Jessica stays on the ranch, at least for a while.”

  Currently, everything on the ranch was perfect and Carrie didn’t use the word ‘perfect,’ lightly or often. Their daily routine was pleasant, and Carrie and Wes spent many hours alone together. Having Jessica there was not a part of the plan. “I see,” she murmured in response.

  Carrie rode May down to the creek bed. Quietly, she dismounted and led the horse to drink. Wes did the same with Dipper. Grabbing Carrie’s hand, Wes led her to the soft grass on the bed of the creek. They lay down together, staring up at the blue sky.

  Wes pushed up on an elbow, turning to Carrie. He played with a curl of her hair as he spoke. “Jessica already ended her lease at the hair cut place in New York, in preparation for the baby to come. But her house in town is rented out. I have no worries that Garrett will send all the money she could need, but she really has nowhere to go. I just don’t think it would be good for her to be alone, now.”

  Carrie continued to stare at the sky, she could feel Wes’ gaze trying to read the emotion on her face. “That makes, sense,” Carrie said, trying to hide the apprehension in her voice.

  It was no use trying to put on a brave face, Wes knew her too well. “Mama and I both want your blessing on this. I understand with our messy past it could be a strain on you having Jessica stay with us, but it’s the right thing to do, Carrie.”

  In her heart, of course, Carrie knew it was the right thing to do. But in her head, she worried about having the beautiful, funny, damsel in distress in such close quarters with Wes. Envious of the attention Jessica would be receiving made Carrie feel ashamed, like a little dog, wanting to mark her territory.

  “Of course,” she said confidently, then added more quietly, “for how long, do you think?”

  “At least until the baby comes, maybe a few weeks after that? We really don’t know.”

  Wes lay back down beside her. Carrie watched as the fluffy white clouds made their way through the azure sky. She debated with herself for a moment, then turned towards Wes, resting her head on his chest, her arm around his torso. Her voice sounded small in her ears when she spoke. “What if having Jessica on the ranch causes a strain, for us? You and Jessica are close.”

  Wes turned and gently laid Carrie on her side facing him, and mirrored her position, also resting on his side. Without a word but with love pouring from his soft eyes, he gently reached out his hand. Tucking the curl behind her ear, his fingertips trailed over the curve of her face, down her neck, slowly over her shoulder. His hand brushed over her chest then trailed down her side, caressing the curve of her hip. Finishing its journey, the weight of Wes’ hand rested in the curve of her waist. His eyes smoldering, he said, “Carrie girl, you are my little girl. And absolutely, unequivocally the only woman for me. I was lost without you.”

  Tears sprung to her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. The beginning of their story had been a rocky road and Carrie had left Wes over her insecurities once before. She felt bad over the pain she had caused him and was relieved when Wes came to her and proposed. Since then, everything felt as if it was as it should be. Now, that Jessica was
back in the picture Carrie hoped her old insecurities wouldn’t come back to haunt her.

  Wes’ hand found the curve of her face again, his thumb brushing over her lips and resting on her chin. “We don’t have to stay on the ranch if you don’t want to, Carrie. I understand that is asking too much. I can figure something out. I just wish I was further into the renovations on the bunkhouse, but it’s not fit for you to stay there, yet.”

  Carrie seriously thought about the idea. But Jessica having the ranch all to herself, having lunch with Wes and Mama, no way. That would make her feel worse.

  Steadying her voice, Carrie said, “I can handle it.”

  Concern hovered over Wes’ face. “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  The exploring hand began its journey again. Carrie drew in a sharp breath as tingles covered her skin under the path of Wes’ gentle touch. Leaning in to kiss her, he whispered, “Now you let me know if anything changes, Carrie girl.” He touched his lips softly to hers. His mouth made a line of kisses up to her ear. Mouth by her ear, his low voice rumbled, “I don’t want to have to spank you for not telling me how you feel, but I will. So be sure to stay open with me.” A shiver ran down her backbone. Wes’ hand moved to the back of her head, tugging at her hair, his mouth meeting hers and kissing her hungrily.

  The feel of his mouth on hers and his hand tugging at her hair reminded Carrie that she would do anything for this man.

  Chapter 2

  Mid-morning, the day after Christmas, Wes returned from New York with three broken fingers and a moving truck filled with all of Jessica’s worldly possessions. Refusing to talk about the trip, Wes and Kevin, Jessica’s younger brother and Wes’ ranch hand, unloaded all of the furniture into an empty shed at the back of the property. Carrie watched as young Kevin spoke sweetly to his big sister, and gave her a gentle hug before heading out to get back to work.