Trucker Daddy (Working Man Series Book 3)

by Elizabeth Rose

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about my life as well,” she told him.

  “Since I have the sleeper compartment and a bathroom and stove and all, this is almost like having a home on wheels. Don’t you agree?” he asked.

  “I suppose so. If it makes you happy.”

  “It worked out okay with the baby and the dog along so far. Don’t you think? I mean . . . didn’t you like it? At least a little?”

  She thought for a moment and then answered. “It was all right, I guess. For a temporary thing, I mean. I couldn’t see living in a truck and being on the road all the time. I think that would get old after a while.”

  “But you could get used to it, couldn’t you? I mean, if it was a temporary situation and all?” He was about to ask her to stay with him and the baby on the road. Hell, if she responded well to it, he might even mention the M word and see how she reacted. A large knot formed in his stomach. He’d never thought he’d be the one to settle down and raise a family. But after being thrown into a situation that made him an instant father, he was trying hard to make this all work. He and Twiggy had gotten off to a rocky start, but he was sure, in time, things would all smooth out. Cal couldn’t even imagine raising Maggie without Twiggy there at his side. Still, he really wanted to end things with Shelby before he even mentioned marriage to Twiggy.

  “It was temporary and, yes, it was fine, I suppose,” she told him. “However, I can’t wait to get back to Sweetwater because I am going to be half-owner of the daycare with Charlotte.”

  “Half-owner?” he asked in surprise, knowing this meant she would be staying in Sweetwater and not wanting to be on the road at all.

  “Yes. It seems J.D., the sheriff’s daughter who owns part of the daycare, wants to sell out. So, as soon as you pay me, I’m going to use that money to buy her out and finally be a business owner. Isn’t that exciting?”

  “Yeah. Exciting,” he said, feeling his heart drop in his chest.

  “Well, gee. You can at least pretend to be happy for me.”

  “I am happy, Twiggy. Congrats. I’m sure you will do a great job.”

  They rode in silence for a while, and then he spoke up again, after clearing his throat. “So, you wouldn’t consider staying on with me for a while longer?” he asked. “I mean, with me and Maggie,” he added, not wanting to sound like he wanted her for sex.

  “I’m sorry, but I have plans. You’re going to have to find another ride-along.”

  “You wouldn’t change your mind, would you? I mean, about going back to Sweetwater? Maybe you can stay with me a little longer?”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t think so.”

  It pained him to hear this. This was not at all what he wanted, and he was sure he probably wasn’t going to be able to change her mind. If she had plans to own a business, who was he to try to stop her from her dreams? He wanted her to be happy, and as much as he’d miss her, he didn’t want to stand in her way.

  “Oh, by the way,” she continued. “As soon as we get back to your home, I am going to have to ask you for that ticket back to Michigan that you promised, along with my pay.”

  “Yes, of course. A promise is a promise, and I’m not into breaking them.”

  “Hrmph,” she said, looking out the window. “I’m not sure Shelby would agree with that.”

  “Listen, I told you that it is over between Shelby and me,” he tried to convince her but she didn’t seem to want to believe it.

  “She sounds like the jealous type, and those are the most dangerous kind. You’d better be careful.”

  “What makes you say that?” he asked. “You don’t even know her.”

  “Well, I know she’s been calling over at the daycare asking about me.”

  “She has?” Cal’s brow furrowed. “That makes no sense at all. Did you even tell her your name or where you worked?”

  “Just my name, nothing more.”

  “I wonder how she knew where you worked?”

  “I’m not sure. It also seems Maggie’s father showed up looking for his daughter.”

  “What?” Cal’s head snapped around. “Marcus Styles? No way. That’s impossible. He’s in prison. You must have wrong information.”

  “No, that is what Charlotte told me.”

  “It can’t be him. He’s locked away. There is no way he could be out on parole yet.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” she said with a shrug. “I’ll have to ask Charlotte more about it when I get home.”

  They rode in silence again, and it really bothered Cal. If these were his last hours with Twiggy, he wanted them to be happy ones. Not like this.

  “Twiggy, how about we stop somewhere for a nice lunch before we get back to Abilene?”

  “That’s not necessary,” she told him.

  “Don’t you want to spend time together? If not with me, then at least with Maggie?”

  She looked back to the sleeper compartment and smiled sadly. “Yes. It would be nice,” she agreed. “I would like that.”

  They had lunch together with Maggie and the dog at an outdoor restaurant. Cal loved every minute he spent with Twiggy, and wondered now why he hadn’t told her about Shelby right at the beginning of the trip. Then again, he wasn’t at all sure that would have changed things in the end. It all came down to what each of them wanted in life, he supposed. And unfortunately, they were on two different ends of the spectrum. He wanted to continue living in his truck, and traveling the land working as a trucker. It made him feel free. Even with Maggie and Twiggy along, it didn’t matter. It seemed to him that this time had showed him that he could have a family, even without settling down.

  “So, are you planning on taking Maggie back on the road?” Twiggy spooned out some applesauce from a baby jar and fed Maggie who was sitting in the high chair.

  “I’m not sure what I’m doing yet.” The waitress set down two bowls of ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream in front of them and walked away. “I’ve decided I’ll take this one day at a time.” He scooped up some ice cream on his spoon. Maggie reached out and grabbed his hand and moved her mouth closer. “You want some dessert, sweetheart?” he asked, his thoughts miles away.

  “Cal, no! You know Maggie can’t have dairy,” scolded Twiggy. “It gives her gas.”

  “Oh, that’s right,” he said, feeling like a fool.

  “Is this what’s going to happen once I’m gone?” Twiggy asked in concern.

  She scooped up some whipped cream and licked it off her spoon. Cal’s eyes settled on her tongue and the sexy way she did everything – even eat. Damn, why did she have to be going back to Sweetwater?

  “I’ll try to remember,” he told her. “I’m sorry. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

  “Like breaking up with Shelby?” She looked down to her ice cream and played with it, her eyes flashing up to him and then back to the table.

  “Yes. I’m not sure she’s going to take it well. Maybe it would be best if you and the baby weren’t around when I tell her.”

  “And where did you want us to go?” She didn’t like that answer at all. “Hide in the truck?” she asked him.

  “No. I have no right to ask any such thing. I just thought it would be easier.”

  “For you, her, or for me?” she asked.

  All of the above, but he didn’t think he should admit it right now. Lunch had been going great and he didn’t want their last day together to end on a bad note.

  “So, tell me about the daycare,” he tried to change the subject.

  “What about it?”

  “What will you be doing? Where will you live?”

  “I’ll be doing the same as I do now, but with more responsibility. I’ll stay living where I’m at.”

  Well, that wasn’t much of a conversation starter. They finished their ice cream and he paid the bill. Twiggy started taking the baby out of the high chair while the dog lay under the table, looking up at him with sad eyes.

  “Do you want to sit and talk for a while?�
�� he asked, not in a hurry to leave.

  “Cal, it’s Maggie’s nap time. We need to get back to the truck.”

  “All right,” he said, getting up, throwing the money for the bill and tip onto the table. “Maybe we can take an afternoon nap with her. Or watch a movie and have a beer.”

  “I’m not tired, and you can’t drink if you’re going to be driving. Cal, I get the feeling you are stalling. Are you?”

  “Maybe,” he answered softly, pushing in his chair. Burrito’s tail wagged and he looked up at Cal and barked. “I’ll take Burrito for a little walk to do his business and then we’ll go.”

  Tuesday got the baby down for her nap, but wasn’t in a hurry to sit up front with Cal. She knew he didn’t want her to leave him. It was more than clear. She didn’t want to go either. But she had to. She couldn’t stay around and just be the other woman. He’d said he’d break up with Shelby, and that gave her hope. Still, she wasn’t ready to give up her dream to stay with Cal when he sounded as if he had no intention of making a commitment to her. No, she wouldn’t just be his ride-along nanny the rest of her life.

  Hell, it sounded as if Cal were going to keep taking the baby along in the truck, and that was wrong in more ways than one. No, men like Cal Reeves would never change. They weren’t willing to sacrifice or commit, and would always think of themselves first every time.

  She walked up to the cab and sat down next to him as they got closer to their destination.

  “Do you ever think about selling your truck?” she asked him, testing her theory of men like him.

  “Sell it?” He seemed flabbergasted that she should even ask. “Twiggy, I just brought the rig not that long ago. It’s still new. I like living in it better than anywhere.”

  “But you’re always traveling,” she said.

  “Yes, and I love it. It is exciting to see new places all the time. I find solace on the road.”

  “So, I guess that means no.”

  “No, I don’t have any intention of selling the rig.”

  Silence. Then he finally broke it.

  “Do you ever think of living anywhere but in the town where you grew up?”

  “Why?” she asked. “I love Sweetwater and know everyone there. I think it’s where I’ll even die someday.”

  “So I guess that means no.”

  “I don’t have any intention of moving out of Sweetwater. Especially since I’m about to be a business owner.”

  “The best of luck to you,” he said, even though it didn’t sound like he really meant it.

  “I wish you luck, too,” she said, flashing a fake smile. He’d need luck to continue living the lifestyle he was used to. If he was going to raise Maggie, then his old ways would have to change. Once she was gone, he would find that out in a hurry.

  “We’re here,” he said, letting out a deep breath.

  “We are?” Tuesday suddenly felt panicked. They pulled off the road by a nice ranch and drove down the long driveway. “It’s beautiful. And you want to leave here?” She couldn’t understand him at all.

  “It’s just not for me,” he said, parking the rig and turning off the motor. “Burrito will be glad to run.” He opened the door and slid out, and the dog followed. Then he came around to the passenger side and opened the door for her.

  “I need to get the baby,” she told him.

  “I’ll get her,” he said, collecting Maggie and exiting the truck with her. Tuesday stood waiting for him, eyeing up the big ranch and all the land. “Come on,” he said. “But if things start to get ugly, I want you to take Maggie back to the truck. Promise?”

  “I promise,” she said, already feeling like it was a mistake to insist she come with him when he confronted Shelby. Still, she couldn’t back out now.

  Cal led the way into the house and she followed. Burrito ran in behind them. Then Cal stopped suddenly and Tuesday ran into his back.

  “Cal, what are you doing?” she asked him.

  “Well, hello, Calvin,” came a sexy voice from the living room.

  Tuesday poked her head around to see a long-legged woman with lots of curves dressed in nothing but a bikini and a small cover-up that was see-through. She wore spiked heels for some reason, and it seemed ridiculous to Tuesday.

  “Shelby,” said Cal, pulling the baby closer to him.

  “Oh, is this your sister’s baby?” Shelby sauntered over. “So adorable. Let me hold her.” She reached out for the baby, but Burrito barked and the baby started bawling.

  “She doesn’t do well with strangers,” said Tuesday, stepping out from behind Cal and holding out her arms. “Cal, I’ll hold her.”

  Cal gave the baby to her.

  “Oh, you must be the whore he’s been bedding as he goes cross-country,” said Shelby, looking down her nose at Tuesday.

  “Shelby, stop it,” warned Cal in a gruff voice. He put his arm around Tuesday. “This is Twiggy, and I don’t want you to give her a hard time.”

  “Twiggy?” the woman laughed, her eyes raking down Tuesday’s body. “Well, she is as straight as a twig, so I see why you call her that.” With those words, the woman arched her back, making her breasts more noticeable.

  “It’s over, Shelby,” Cal blurted out, making Tuesday feel uncomfortable. He didn’t have a way to approach matters that was tolerable. “We’re done and I don’t want anything to do with you anymore. So you’re going to have to leave.”

  Her eyes opened wide and her head snapped back. “Well, I suppose that’s what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “It is,” he admitted.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, Cal, but I think you’re right. Our time together is over. I agree to us breaking up.”

  “Y – you do?” asked Cal, looked bewildered. Honestly, Tuesday couldn’t understand why she was taking it so well either.

  Tuesday’s phone rang, and she pulled it out of her pocket to see that it was Charlotte. She turned around, balancing the baby on her hip and answered it.

  “Charlotte, I can’t talk now. I’ll call you back. Bye.”

  “Wait, Tuesday. I have to tell you something important.”

  “Not now,” she whispered into the phone. “It’s not a good time.”

  “Marcus Styles, Maggie’s father, escaped from prison! I just saw it on the news. There is a big reward for his capture since he killed a few guards. I think he was the man who came in here looking for Maggie.”

  Tuesday’s heart almost stopped at hearing about this dangerous man. “I’ll let Cal know. Thank you. Goodbye,” she said, hanging up the phone.

  “Let me know what?” asked Cal, having overheard her.

  “I’ll tell you later,” she said.

  “Afraid to talk in front of me? You don’t need to be,” said Shelby.

  “Shelby, please pack your things and go,” said Cal. “I don’t want you here anymore and I never should have let you stay.”

  “I’ll be happy to go. Honey,” she called out, looking over her shoulder. “Cal wants us to collect our things.”

  “Us? Who are you talking to?” asked Cal, looking bewildered. “Shelby, do you have a man here with you?”

  “Oh, I have more than just a man here with me, I have someone who I think you should meet.”

  A man walked out. He looked rugged and scary. He had a mean look in his eyes and Tuesday immediately did not like him.

  “Who the hell is this?” asked Cal, seeing that Shelby had been shacking up with someone in his absence. Not that he gave a rat’s ass what she did, but this was still his place and his belongings were here. Cal didn’t trust this man any farther than he could throw him.

  “This is Marcus Styles,” said Shelby with an evil grin. “He’s the baby’s father.”

  “No. It’s not true,” spat Cal. “Maggie’s father is in prison for manslaughter. Jenna told me he was serving a fifteen-year sentence.”

  “Was, is the key word here,” said Shelby with a chuckle.

  “Cal, Charlotte just call
ed and told me he escaped from prison, and killed some guards,” whispered Tuesday. She moved closer to Cal, still holding the baby.

  “I don’t understand,” said Cal to Marcus. “How did you know where I live?”

  “Cal, you are such a fool,” said Shelby. “Do you really think I would wait with crossed legs all that time while you were out on the road?”

  “What the hell does that mean?” asked Cal.

  “What she’s trying to say is that I wasn’t only your sister Jenna’s lover, but hers, too,” said Marcus with a laugh. “Jenna was the one who told me about Shelby and you. After I knocked her up, she wanted to get married but I said no. You know, guys like us never marry, Cal.”

  “What the hell are you saying?” he asked through gritted teeth.

  “I spent time with Jenna and then when you were on the road, I came here and seduced Shelby, too.”

  “This is a lie. Jenna would have told me.”

  “No, she wouldn’t, because I warned her if she told anyone about me, I’d take the baby from her once it was born. Unfortunately, I got drunk one night and hit a woman with my car and killed her. I was behind bars and never had the chance to see my daughter. Then, I got wind of Jenna’s death from that preacher from Sweetwater who comes to the prison to pray for us,” he scoffed. “I knew I had to break out to get what is mine. That is, little Aggie.”

  “Her name is Maggie, not Aggie, and you can’t have her,” spat Tuesday.

  “I’m her father. She belongs to me,” snarled Marcus.

  “Get out! Both of you,” growled Cal.

  “Oh, we’ll leave, but I’m taking my daughter with me,” said the man. “Hand her over.”

  “Cal, no! Don’t let them take Maggie.” Twiggy looked up at him with fear in her eyes.

  “No one is taking Maggie from us,” he promised Twiggy. “And certainly not these two fools. Give me the baby, sweetheart. If they won’t leave, then we’ll leave instead. Let’s go back to the truck.” He took Maggie from Tuesday, stopping in mid-motion when he heard the sound of a hammer clicking back on a gun. He slowly looked up to see Marcus pointing the barrel straight at him.