The Bull Rider's Baby Bombshell
Page 16
“You’re just Mr. Doom-and-Gloom today, aren’t you?” Shane gripped Wes’s good shoulder. “You need to relax, man. I can temporarily fill your position until you are able to come back to work, however long that takes.”
“Thank you.”
Wes had feared his only other option would be to move back home and partner with his brothers at Silver Bells, if they still wanted him. After the other day, he never wanted to step foot in Saddle Ridge again. He couldn’t risk running into Jade or the girls. She updated him daily through voice mail and text messages and that was enough for him. But Harlan had asked him to be his best man at his and Belle’s renewal ceremony, so he had to go back. Why did they have to get married again, anyway?
“There’s something I want to run by you. I’ve been tossing the idea around for a while, but I haven’t found the right person to help me with it. Your extensive recovery time may work to both of our advantages.”
“Sounds intriguing. What do you have in mind?”
“Between rodeo clinics and my son’s competitions I’m on the road a lot. I really need a rodeo school director and if you’re interested, I think we can work something out. It would be full-time, more money and full benefits.”
“Seriously?” The deal seemed almost too good to be true. “I’ve only been here six months. Are you sure you don’t want to choose someone else?”
“I think you’re the best fit. You’ve shown an interest in the business side of things and that’s what I need. Somebody who can see the business beyond today. Walk with me.” Shane motioned for Wes to follow him down the wide path leading toward the Bridle Dance Ranch’s stables. The quarter-million-acre estate housed three of Hill Country’s most successful businesses, including one of the state’s largest paint and cutting horse ranches. “Between running the ranch and the rodeo school with my brothers, I can’t do everything I need or even want to do. You’d be helping me immensely. And I don’t know how much thought you’ve given to retirement, but you always need to have something lined up past today in case an injury sidelines you. This will give you that opportunity to compete for another year or two after you’ve recovered and have something solid to fall back on.”
“I’d say that sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.” Wes held out his hand. “Thank you.”
Shane shook on it and laughed. “I’ll take this as a tentative yes. I want you to really mull it over and get through your surgery before you give me your final answer. From what I understand those initial few weeks after a rotator cuff repair can be pretty painful. You’re privileged to have access to some of the best physical therapists and nursing staff here on the ranch. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
“Thank you. I knew moving here was the best decision I ever made.”
“Just do me one favor. Don’t accept the job because you’re running away from that broken heart you’re trying to hide. You asked me earlier if I was clairvoyant so don’t try to deny it. I’ve been there, done that and then some. If you have something unresolved with your woman, you owe it to both of you to see it through.”
“There’s nothing left to resolve.” Wes’s mind still burned with the final images of Jade and the girls. Despite the love he had for them, he wouldn’t—couldn’t—go through that pain again. “It’s over.”
* * *
JADE FROZE AT the sight of Emma and Belle pushing their baby carriages down the road toward the cabin. She had just returned from her second family day at the postpartum depression treatment center and hadn’t even had the chance to get the girls inside. She fumbled with the latch release on Mackenzie’s car seat, trying desperately to separate it from the base.
“Need some help?” Harlan’s wife asked. Without waiting for an answer, she opened the door on the other side of the SUV and released Audra’s car seat. “They are so adorable. I never get a chance to see them.”
Mackenzie’s seat finally popped free. “I know. Between your schedule and my schedule—” and the fact I’m trying to hide the girls’ paternity from your family “—we keep missing each other. We just came from visiting Liv.”
“Here, I’ll take her.” Emma startled Jade as she reached for the car seat’s handle.
Jade snatched it back. “Would you be able to get Hadley instead? This one has a dirty diaper I need to change.”
“Sure.”
Jade quickly climbed the porch stairs and shoved her key in the lock. She needed to get Mackenzie out of sight as quickly as possible. The whole “hide the baby” routine had worn thin and a part of her wished the truth would come out now. Because regardless of what Wes and Liv wanted, it had to come out eventually. Whether on purpose or by accident it would happen one day and it was better for the girls if it happened before they were old enough to understand what was going on.
Jade sat the car seat next to the changing table and unfastened Mackenzie. How could such a sweet, innocent child have so much drama surrounding her? She eased the infant into her arms, kissing the top of her sleepy head before laying her down. She unsnapped her pink-and-white unicorn pajamas and checked her diaper. Surprisingly, she didn’t need a change. Ever since the pediatrician had switched their formula, the girls had been significantly less gassy and odiferous. Liv had been right. They were having a reaction to the formula and Jade had missed it.
“Do you need me to heat their bottles or anything?” Belle asked from the nursery doorway. “I’m exhausted just running around with one baby, never mind three.”
“Um, actually, that would be great.” Jade choked back the tears threatening to break free.
“Hey, what is it?” Belle wrapped an arm around her. “What happened?”
Jade shook her head, fearing she’d cry if she opened her mouth.
“It’s okay.” Belle pulled her into a hug. “This has to be so hard on you.”
If she only knew all the reasons why.
“I’m sorry.” Jade pulled away from her. “I’m just a little overwhelmed today. Of course it’s nothing compared to my sister, so I just need to quit my complaining.”
“How is Liv doing?”
“Better, but not great. Today was her third session with the girls. We went in the middle of the week for a brief visit, but on Sundays the residents spend the entire day with their children, including feeding and changing them. She’s capable of doing that, but she worries she’s doing it wrong. If she’s with one child and the other starts crying, she feels guilty because she’s not there for both of them or not doing something fast enough. She gets very overwhelmed with it and blames herself for everything.”
“Wow, I can’t imagine. I mean as a new mom I always wonder if I’m doing the right thing. Even with my animal rescue work, I’m constantly questioning myself.”
“And that’s normal.” Jade finished changing Mackenzie’s diaper and refastened her pajamas. “A lot of it is a hormonal imbalance and Liv refuses to take any medication. I respect her reasons for not wanting to, but it’s delaying her progress.”
“And the longer she’s there, the more stress on you.”
Jade didn’t want to think that way. She was the only family her sister had and she needed to be there for her, regardless of the sacrifice. “I can’t worry about me. I have to worry about her and the girls.”
“You are allowed to worry about you. Let me tell you something. I don’t feel the least bit guilty leaving Travis with Harlan so I can go out with my friends. Do I do it every night? Absolutely not. But every couple of weeks, I need a girls’ night out. And Harlan and I need our date nights. That’s the beauty of having family so close. We all watch each other’s kids. In fact, you need to come out with us. Between Harlan, Garrett and Dylan, they are more than capable of watching the kids and you, me, Emma and Delta will go out.”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family time.” Nor did she think the Slade men could handle Audra, Hadley and M
ackenzie at the same time.
“Honey, above all else, we’re friends and friends support one another. Friends have dinner and drinks together. Besides, I don’t think this one will mind you going out for a few hours.” Belle smiled down at Mackenzie. “Hmm. I hadn’t realized how much she looks like Travis.”
“Really?” Jade held her breath. I’m sorry, Liv.
“Babies are funny that way.” She trailed the back of her finger down Mackenzie’s cheek. “I ran into a woman just last week at the pediatrician’s office whose daughter looked identical to Holly. You would’ve sworn they were the same child.”
“Wow.” Jade tried not to show the relief leaving her body. “That had to have been unnerving.”
“It was a little.” Belle spun around and headed to the door. “I’ll start on their bottles.”
“I’m right behind you.”
Just as soon as I pick myself up off the floor.
After she’d finally managed to get her pulse under control, Liv joined Emma and Belle in the living room. They already had the girls out of their carriers and on the play mats next to Emma and Travis.
This was why her sister and Wes needed to tell everyone the truth. Not only did Audra, Hadley and Mackenzie deserve to grow up knowing their extended family, Liv needed the companionship of other moms.
“I hear you’re going to join us for girls’ night this week.”
“I’m considering it.” Jade lowered Mackenzie to the play mat, burying any fear she had of the women discovering the baby’s paternity. If the truth came out, it came out. She would deal with the fallout later. “I’m still trying to juggle everything in Los Angeles, although my assistant managed to bring in one of Hollywood’s biggest producers. I’m not going to name names, but let’s just say he has billions to spend.”
“Oh! I know, I know.” Emma raised Holly’s little hand in the air. “Do you want to tell us or should we phone home for the answer?”
“I can’t tell you that.” Jade was barely able to keep the laughter from her voice. “At least not yet. Nothing is finalized—but fingers crossed—by tonight it will be.”
“What kind of event is it?” Belle lifted Hadley in her arms and held the bottle to her lips.
“An award show after party.” Jade grabbed a few towels from the kitchen and joined them on the floor. She placed Mackenzie in one of the chairs Wes gave them, tilted it back slightly so she could prop a towel under the bottle, allowing Mackenzie to drink on her own.
“Okay, now I’m jealous.” Emma frowned. “That means you’ll get to meet all the stars that night?”
“Would you guys hate me if I told you I’ve already met a lot of them?”
“No wonder you’re anxious to get back to California,” Belle said. “That makes what I was going to ask you kind of underwhelming.”
Jade cradled Audra and offered her the third bottle. “Don’t be silly. Go ahead and ask.”
“Harlan and I are planning to renew our vows on August 1. Last year’s wedding was a little rushed and unexpected. We didn’t even have a chance to invite anyone. People heard about it through word-of-mouth and showed up, but it wasn’t exactly our dream wedding. Our anniversary is on a Wednesday so we don’t want a full-fledged wedding, but we want to have a really big party here at the ranch.”
“Basically the wedding reception you never had.”
“Exactly.” Belle gently rocked back and forth on her knees as Hadley sucked happily on the bottle. Jade had always sat rigidly still while feeding them. “I was going to ask you for some ideas, because I know you’re busy and I’d really like to plan this party with Harlan. We just want to make it special. Our track record with weddings isn’t exactly the greatest.”
“I’d be happy to help you.”
“Really? Thank you. I have some ideas, but I’d like some professional input. And we’ll pay you. I don’t want you to think we’re taking advantage of your knowledge.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Your family stepped in to help me in place of the family I don’t have. I’ve never experienced that before. All of you have shown me a different side to family life. A happy side I wasn’t sure existed.”
“Does that mean you’re ready to settle down and have children of your own? Because you and Wes would have beautiful kids.”
Jade began to cough. “Wes and I—” She cleared her throat. “Wes and I are not a couple.”
“You two sure looked like a couple at my wedding. That was some kiss.” Emma winked.
“And sometimes a kiss is just a kiss.”
“I call baby doody on that one,” Belle laughed. “There is definitely something between you two and you’ll have another chance to find out when he comes home for our ceremony. Harlan asked him to be his best man.”
“Will he be able to fly so soon after surgery?” Emma asked.
“Surgery?” Jade looked from Emma to Belle. “What surgery?”
“I’m sorry, I thought you knew.” Belle grimaced. “Wes is having rotator cuff surgery on Wednesday. He’ll be out of commission for six months to a year.”
“I didn’t realize he had made a decision already.” Wes’s shoulder must’ve gotten worse for him to abandon his plan to wait until the end of the season. “What is he going to do for work?”
“His boss in Texas offered him a director position,” Belle answered. “But he’s taking a few weeks to decide.”
“I know Dylan wishes he would move home, but he’s already offered him a partnership twice and he turned it down. It’s a shame you and Wes both don’t live here permanently.” Emma stretched out on the floor next to her daughter. “Silver Bells and Saddle Ridge could really use an event planner. I don’t mean just little small-time weddings like ours. We’re surrounded by ski resorts and other large guest ranches that would benefit from your services. Plus, I think Wes would move here if you did.”
“Can’t you open a second location?” Belle asked. “Saddle Ridge can be your satellite office.”
Leave Los Angeles? Even if she wanted to—and a small part of her was excited by the prospect of opening a second office—she couldn’t. It would be great for her sister, but horrible for her. Saddle Ridge already held too many memories. And while she had made some sweet ones during this visit, it was just that...a visit. Saddle Ridge would never be home without Wes and there was no way he would ever move back.
Chapter Eleven
Wes knew it would be difficult seeing Jade after five weeks away, he just hadn’t expected her to take his breath away when he did. He’d managed to avoid her during Harlan and Belle’s vow renewal, but once the reception was in full swing, he found her repeatedly in his line of vision. And what a vision she was. Her vintage cream-and-pale-pink dress caused his heart to flutter. And nothing on a man should ever flutter.
Despite his family’s best attempts to get them together, Wes and Jade had managed to stay on opposite sides of the wood plank dance floor. The sun had just begun to set and he finally understood the meaning of the phrase golden hour. It was as if an ethereal light shone upon her, making him long for the kisses they had once shared.
Wes shook his head and reached into the front pocket of his jeans and pulled out his prescription bottle. “What the hell did they put in these things?” Dr. Lindstrom had renewed his painkillers before his flight despite his protests. He was glad she had. The cabin pressure and change in altitude had bothered his shoulder to the point he’d had to take one earlier that day. It should’ve worn off by now.
“Have you given any more thought to our offer?” Garrett handed him a bottle of Coke. He would’ve much rather preferred a beer or two, but he didn’t want to chance mixing alcohol with his meds. “It’s a serious offer, Wes. We don’t want you to think it’s out of pity.”
“I know it’s not. And I appreciate it, but I just can’t move back here. It’s too hard.”<
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“Believe me, I totally understand. I felt the same way before I moved back. I saw Dad on every street corner. Everywhere I turned...he was there. Now that I’ve been home for a while, other memories, new memories, have taken their place. When I walked past the feed and grain, I don’t see Dad with the sack of feed over his shoulder. I see Bryce racing through the door to see the baby chicks they have in the back. Just like when I used to go to the Iron Horse for dinner, I saw Rebecca and me on the dance floor.” Garrett swallowed hard at the memory of his deceased wife.
“I know you did.” Wes slung an arm around his brother’s shoulder feeling the distance close between them for the first time in years.
“The point I’m trying to make is you can create new memories. Now when I walk in there, I still see Rebecca, but I also see my first date with Delta.”
Wes wanted desperately to confide in his brother. To tell him exactly why he couldn’t move home. He loved his brothers. And as their families grew, he had more people to love. But it wasn’t enough to make him stay. The love he desperately wanted would never be his.
“I still want you to consider it. Please give us the same courtesy you’re giving your job offer in Texas. Look at all the pros and cons. And talk to us. Every time I see you, you seem more distant. Let me tell you something, life is short. No one knows that better than me. You remember that. We are your family and we love you.” Garrett took a step to the side. “I believe this lovely woman is waiting to speak with you.”
Wes turned around to see Jade standing there. It reminded him of the first time he saw her when she came back to town. Only a month and a half had passed since then, but it seemed like a lifetime ago. He wanted to ask his brother to stay and tell Jade he had nothing more to say, but he needed something from her and it couldn’t wait.