Texas Daddy

by Jolene Navarro

  “Don’t be an idiot. Nikki isn’t Charlotte.”

  “She’s made it clear she wants to leave. I don’t want my daughter hurt again by another woman walking out on her.”

  “Mia is fine. You’re the one with the problem. Stop hiding behind your daughter and take a chance. What could she have done that’s worth giving up on her?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” It wasn’t his place to tell Nikki’s private business. “Let’s just say we had a disagreement and I—”

  Boots hit the top of the steps and both men turned to look. Nikki strode across the room. She didn’t make eye contact. “Hi, George. Adrian.”

  “Hey, Nikki.” Nose in the air, George took a big whiff. “I think I smell my favorite food group.” He raised an eyebrow to his twin and tilted his head.

  The aroma of fresh-roasted coffee filled the room as Nikki set the large cups on the table. “I thought with the major cleanup in front of you today, I’d bring coffee from the Daily Grind.”

  “You’re a true gift. You’re gonna make some jerk a happy man one day.” George dropped the broken pieces of drywall and walked past his brother to get to the tall cup of hot caffeine. He elbowed Adrian as he passed him and gave him the “you are an idiot” look. He picked up a cup and took a deep sip.

  After a satisfied sigh, he turned to Nikki. “I hear from Danica you might be opening your adventure-guide business here in Clear Water. You know the competition at the Grand Canyon would be tough, but we need something like that here. All we have is tube rentals. You’d make a killing. Right, Adrian?”

  Adrian narrowed his eyes at the brother he would rather smack than agree with, but he’d let his temper get the better part of him lately. “Yeah, I could see it working, but you have to do what makes you happy. Don’t let siblings alter what you see as your future.” He swallowed and turned his back to them. He didn’t realize how much it would hurt seeing Nikki, knowing they no longer had a chance at a future.

  He just couldn’t risk another woman walking out on them. He toed a piece of water-damaged wall. Would it be easier if she left?

  George patted his back pocket. “Oh, I forgot my gloves in the truck. I’ll be back.” He lifted the tall cup to Nikki. “I’m gonna take my time to enjoy my coffee too.”

  She turned to Adrian. “The other coffee is yours. It’s black. Maria said that’s the way you drink it.” She played with the lid on her cup. “I came up to tell you I won’t be here today. I have an appointment at the bank about a business loan.”

  He stuffed his left hand in his pocket so it wouldn’t reach out and trace her jawline or push the loose strands of hair back. Was he wrong? Could a woman who walked out on a child make a lifelong commitment?

  Even knowing that about her, he still wanted to hold her close and reassure her it would be all right. Not that Nikki wanted to be held or told he would take care of her. She just wasn’t the kind of woman he pictured himself with in the long haul.

  In his imagination, when he did give in to daydreams, he saw someone like his mom. A woman happy to take care of the home, cook for her family, iron clothes. He had so many memories of his mom ironing their clothes, even their T-shirts.

  Okay, so he could iron his own jeans. And what a waste of time ironing T-shirts. Maybe he wanted a wife who would ride in a storm with him. “Are the rumors true? You’re making plans to stay?”

  Walking to one of the finished windows, she shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I had a business plan made up for Arizona. I’ve done some research for this area, and I want to talk to the loan officer to see if they see one as stronger than the other.” Trimmed fingernails trailed the refurbished wood. “I told Daddy you didn’t need me up here getting in your way. It’s looking great.”

  Nodding was the only thing to do. He needed to say something. “Nikki.”

  She stopped and turned. Waiting, she stood in the middle of the room alone.

  Everything in him froze. “How’s the knee?” If George had been here, he would’ve thrown something at him for being so lame.

  She tilted her head and her forehead wrinkled. “It’s good. The doctor says if it keeps healing at the rate it’s going now, then in another month he’ll release me to full activities.”

  “Does he know that full activities for you includes jumping from cliffs?”

  She tried to hide her smile by looking down. He took a step toward her. He didn’t like the feeling of losing her. It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t like he ever really had her to begin with.

  “The other day, you were honest with me and shared some very private stuff. I just wanted to thank you and make sure you know I’ll keep it to myself.”

  A hand went to her hip. “You didn’t even tell George?”

  “I’m not sure I’m even talking to him right now. But no. It’s not my business to tell.”

  “Thank you. I hope your problem with George doesn’t have anything to do with me.” With a glance at her phone, she turned away from him. “I’ve gotta go. I guess I’ll see you around. The rooms are looking great. I can see how it looked in its glory days. ’Bye, Adrian.” And just like that, she was gone.

  An empty feeling filled his gut. Where did he go from here? Adrian bowed his head and prayed.

  One thing he could count on was wood. Old wood talked to him. Head down, he gave his work all his attention. In the morning he would be riding the horses at the Childress Ranch. Life would go on as normal, and if he saw Nikki he’d give her a polite nod.

  “Did she leave?” George surprised him. “Did you apologize?”

  “I’m working. She had an appointment.”

  “I moved the Dumpster under the window. So while you talk to the wood, I’ll clean up your mess.” George stood there like he was waiting for a reply.

  Adrian ignored him. He wasn’t going to talk about it. Something in his heart hurt and he didn’t understand it, and he sure wasn’t going to talk to George about it.

  Shaking his head, his twin went into the other room. “I can clean up this mess for you, but you have to fix whatever is going on with you and Nikki.” A short pause filled with the sound of the old drywall falling. “She’s perfect for you. You know you’re an idiot, right?”

  Yes, but he didn’t know what to do about it. It felt like he was seventeen all over again. Trusting someone didn’t always work out. “If Nikki leaves, it’s not just me, but Mia too. I don’t want her hurt.”

  Boots stomped up behind him. “This is not about Mia. You’re afraid of loving her. At least be man enough to admit you’re a coward. Stop using your daughter as an excuse. You and Nikki are good together. You’re both action people. She could actually keep up with you. You messed up as a teen, but look at the gift you have in Mia. I’m sure Nikki’s made mistakes also. Let it go, brother.”

  Adrian’s jaw locked as he dug deeper into the wood. Easy for George to say. He wasn’t the one left standing alone holding a newborn baby. All Charlotte had left was a note.

  His whole world had collapsed, but he didn’t run. He did what he had to do, for his daughter.

  After a bit of silence his brother went back to work. Adrian took a deep breath. God, is it my fear that’s making this a problem? Could he trust Nikki?

  Could he trust himself? His attention kept drifting to the stairs, but they stayed empty. She’d be back. But what if she was done? He wasn’t sure how he felt anymore.

  * * *

  She had done a great job of avoiding Adrian all day, but she hadn’t been as successful at keeping him out of her head. The bell of the front door chimed as she walked into the hardware store. From somewhere in the back, Joaquin, an occasional Bergmann employee, told her he’d be right out.

  “It’s just me,” she yelled back before taking a deep breath. The smell of old wood and the family business filled her and
made her feel at home in a way nowhere else ever did.

  Starting a business here where generations of Bergmanns had lived and built a community settled deep in her bones. The idea was moving from whimsy thoughts to real plans.

  Stopping at the aisle that housed the little compartments of nails, bolts and screws, she ran her fingers across the front of the boxes. After school, her father had paid her a quarter for each organized box. Would she have kids who would work here one day?

  She’d never allowed herself to think about a future with her own family. Living on the edge and staying in the moment kept sadness and guilt away. A stomping sound echoed from the ceiling. Was Adrian still here? She thought he’d be long gone with everyone else.

  Joaquin came from the back. “Hey, Nikki. I was about to lock up. Everyone but Adrian has left.”

  Her family had left her, again. “How am I supposed to get home?” Running ten miles would not have been a problem a few months back. Now everyone would have a fit if she started walking.

  “I can give you a ride.” Adrian stood at the bottom of the stairs, drying his hands on a paper towel. “I have to drop some supplies off for a project Danica is working on for the teachers at the school anyways.”

  She groaned. “They did this on purpose, didn’t they? Where’s George?”

  He tossed the paper in the trash. “That’s my guess. He had a sudden mysterious task and he offered to pick up Mia. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

  Joaquin locked the front doors. “I’d take you, but I’m heading to Uvalde. Sorry.”

  “That’s okay. If Adrian doesn’t mind me being in his truck, you can go.”

  “Nikki, I said I’ll take you. I have no problem giving you a ride.”

  “Well, then I’m out of here.” The young bull rider whom her dad seemed to have adopted walked past her and winked. “You guys have a good one.”

  Adrian turned and walked down the narrow uneven steps that led to the back door. She followed. They rode in silence as they drove through town. Really, what did she say to a man who didn’t want her around his daughter? Nikki looked out the window. Rejection shouldn’t hurt at this point. She wasn’t the teen girl desperate for acceptance and love. She closed her eyes.

  It still hurt though. It was okay to acknowledge the hurt. That was what the therapist told her.

  Acknowledge and move on. There were many people who loved her, including God. She was a child of God. She pressed her forehead to the cool window and watched the fence posts and trees blur as they passed them.

  “How did it go at the bank?”

  A lopsided smile stretched one side of her face. Adrian had to be the only man she knew who didn’t like silence. Why did he have to be so nice? Didn’t he know it just led a girl on? “It was good. It looks as if I have some viable options.”

  “Is one of the options staying here?”

  With a sigh, she leaned back and made herself more comfortable. “Yes.”

  “So are you staying?”

  “I don’t know.” The vibrations of her phone saved her from answering completely. “Hey, Danica. Yes, Adrian’s bringing me home.” She glanced at him. The tight jaw with a faint shadow of stubble flexed. Easygoing Adrian was not happy. “What? No.” She tried to lower her voice. “What makes you think I would ask him to take me to dinner?”

  Adrian turned his head sharply and gave her a look that said she was crazy, or her sister was. Either way he thought they were loons. “Why would—Oh. It’s not a problem. I’m fine—don’t worry about it. We’re almost there anyway, and Adrian has the stuff for the school project. I’m good. Okay. Love you.”

  “What was that all about?”

  “She wanted to warn me that Vickie was at the house. She’s helping them work on this—” she waved her hand to the bags in the back seat “—project, and stayed longer than planned.”

  “And that’s a problem, why?”

  Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes. “Tommy’s the father of the baby I gave up for adoption. Vickie doesn’t know, and I don’t know if I should tell her. I know it doesn’t really involve her, but in a way it does. Her kids, anyway. But Danica’s being overly dramatic.”

  The big truck turned into the drive leading to her childhood home. Adrian didn’t say anything else until he put it in Park and turned to her. “You know you’re right. There’s no real reason for you to feel guilty when it comes to Vickie. She knows firsthand what a tool Tommy is. He used you. He used her. If you want, I could take you to dinner. Fred’s Tacos is still open.”

  Oh man, she could kiss him, but she knew he was just being a nice guy. He couldn’t help himself. It was his default setting, even when he didn’t like her anymore.

  Taking a deep breath, she shook her head. “I’ve faced worse. Vickie doesn’t know, so there’s no reason to be weird, right?”

  He nodded and squeezed her shoulder. “Right.”

  She helped him get the bags full of wooden letters from the back seat. Adrian followed her through the back door.

  Stepping into the kitchen, she first spotted Danica and Sammi at the table. Vickie was walking in from the living room. “The kids have been fed. Now back to work.” She stopped in the doorway. “Oh hey, Nikki and Adrian. Danica said y’all were grabbing dinner in town. That was fast.”

  Nikki made sure to smile at everyone but Danica. Her sister was still trying to play matchmaker. “No, there was a misunderstanding. No big deal.”

  At least Danica had the manners to look guilty. “I’m sorry we all left you in town, but Adrian was able to bring you home, so it all worked out.”

  “Yes, very convenient. We also have the bags you asked him to deliver.” Putting hers on the table, she ignored her sisters’ worried glances. Passing them, she got a couple of glasses from the cabinet and filled them with ice.

  Adrian placed his two bags next to the table. “There should be a letter for each teacher’s name.”

  Vickie started digging through the bags, handing some of the wood letters to Sammi, who started going through a bundle of tags with ribbons. “Adrian, these are beautiful. I don’t know how you find the time. They’re going to love these.”

  “George, my dad and Mia helped. If there are any that have flaws, I’m sure it’s George’s fault. If there’s nothing else, I need to leave.”

  In her hands she had a glass of tea for him. What had she been thinking? Of course he wanted to leave. She dumped the ice into the sink. For a moment she looked out the window. He wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. That was the danger of starting to lean on someone for support. She just ended up falling.

  Danica came up next to her and turned on the water. Her gaze darted over her shoulder. She leaned into Nikki. “Did I just make things worse?”

  Giving her sister the best let-it-drop look she could muster, she didn’t answer. “Thanks for the ride, Adrian.”

  “Mom!” Vickie’s son rushed into the room then froze. His mouth tight as his gaze fell on Nikki. His resemblance to Tommy rolled her stomach. He seemed stressed.

  His mother dropped the wood letter she’d been holding and stood. “What’s wrong? Is someone hurt?”

  He looked at Nikki then back to his mother.

  “Seth! What’s wrong? You’re scaring me.” Vickie moved around the table and touched his shoulders.

  Clear blue eyes came back to Nikki. “Suzie said we’re related. Is it true? Do I have a brother? Lizzy said back in high school, you had a son with my dad.”

  The world stopped spinning. How did Lizzy know? Her gaze flew to Danica—had she told the twins? Shock widened Vickie’s eyes. Her hands covered her open mouth.

  “I didn’t say anything to her.” Shaking her head, Danica took Nikki’s hand.

  She looked down. Why couldn’t she feel her fingers? Her
sister’s skin had paled. “I’m so sorry. They must have overheard us talking.”

  “It’s true?” The boy’s thin shoulders heaved from heavy breaths. “How old is he? Where is he?”

  How did she go from living with a secret for over twelve years to, in a short time, having it unravel? She didn’t know what to say. This was not how she wanted people to find out. Especially the kids. She hated small towns.

  Sammi touched her back as she walked past her and to the opposite side of Danica. She stopped in front of Seth. “He was adopted by some family members and lives in New Mexico.” Her little sister seemed to be the only one with words. “Why don’t we go outside? We’ll let them talk. I’m sure your mother will tell you everything she learns.”

  “But I want to know his name. Mom, did you know?” When his mother shook her head, he turned to Nikki. “Does my dad know? Why didn’t he tell us? Did you tell him?”

  She nodded. “He knew.” She looked at Vickie for guidance. She had no idea what to say. Crying was not an option.

  Vickie had a hand on her son, but the compassion she saw in her eyes nearly brought her to her knees. “Tommy’s a...” Vickie kissed her son’s forehead and hugged him, Tommy’s son. “Your father has a tendency to only see what he needs, and he’ll do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal. He was that way in high school too.”

  “But I thought you and Dad dated in high school, so how...?”

  Sammi closed the small gap between her and the boy. “Come on, Seth. This is heavy news. I think we need to let them talk. Then you can have all your questions answered.” Her little sister, once again to the rescue.

  “Seth, you know your father is very complicated. I promise, when we get home I’ll answer all your questions. Right now, I need to talk to Nikki alone. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He turned to go out the back door, his back stiff.

  “Thank you, Samantha.” Vickie crossed her arms over her chest, like she was cold. “I don’t want him alone right now. His father has put us through so much already.”