by Carly Morgan
Jackson stood in the doorway for several long seconds after Maya left. He let Ava retrieve the gift. They took it inside. Of course Ava had to open it. When Jackson saw the framed pictures his heart rocked. She’d given him his favorite photo and hers.
“This one is so pretty,” Ava said of the bumblebee and the daisy. “Can I put it in my room?”
“I think Maya would like that.”
She nodded as she looked at the one of him. “Oh, look at the fire. Did you roast marshmallows?”
Jackson chuckled. “No marshmallows, but we should have. That’s a great idea. Maybe you and me can build a fire out back and make s’mores.”
“And grammy too?”
“Sure.”
“And grandpa?”
Jackson looked at his hands. “I don’t know. Grandpa needs to stay hooked up to his machines so that he can stay healthy.”
Ava nodded, absently studying the photo. “I see Everett. Right there.” She pointed him out.
“That’s right. Anyone else?”
For the next few minutes she found his brothers and the guys that helped them and called them out by name. When she finished, she said, “Let’s put this one here.” She walked over to the fireplace and tried to reach the mantle. Jackson lifted her. She set it carefully between a picture of him and his brothers and one of his mom and dad. Both photos were old, from back when Jackson was fourteen. His parents looked young. His mother’s hair was still blond instead of gray. “Is this good, daddy?”
“Yes, that’s a great spot.”
Ava hugged him.
“All right, young lady. It’s bedtime.”
“No, already.”
“Yes.”
She pouted, even when he put her on his back and did his best horsey impression up the stairs, which was her favorite. Once they were in Ava’s room, his daughter spent ten minutes trying out different locations for the picture but decided to put it on her bedside table. “That way when I wake up in the morning I can imagine stories about the bee and the daisy.”
“I like that,” Jackson said, helping her into bed.
“Why did…” Ava paused, trying to remember Maya’s name.
“Maya,” Jackson filled in, kneeling beside her bed.
“Yes, why did she seem sad?”
“I’m not sure.” Jackson swallowed. He guessed it was because he’d kept Ava a secret. He hadn’t done it as a way to be cruel or uncaring, but his daughter was special. He kept his dad life separate from the rest of his life. He didn’t bring women home, knowing it would make a difference when his daughter became older, especially if he didn’t marry. He wanted Ava to know he respected women and treated them the way he thought was right. It’d been a personal choice he’d made as he’d watched the most beautiful, graceful, and amazing woman in the world die while giving birth to their child. He wanted to honor Diana and figured the best way he could do that was by honoring Ava.
“Did you do something wrong, daddy?” Ava patted his cheeks with her chunky little hands.
Jackson chuckled but covered it up by clearing his throat. Her face was so serious. “I don’t know. Maybe I should talk to her about it?” He covered her hands with his.
“Yes, you should. Use your words, daddy. Kay?” She leaned up and kissed him on the cheeks and then the forehead, they way he did to her each night.
“I will.” He kissed her cheeks and forehead, pulling the comforter up.
“Good.” She started to roll onto her side, but stopped. “Oh my goodness. Prayers. We almost forgot.” She climbed out of bed and kneeled beside him. “Close your eyes, daddy.” He did. “Dear God. Thank you for daddy, grammy, grandpa, uncle Everett, uncle Lance and uncle Blaze. Thank you for the baby cows, the colts, and the baby goats, especially Ned.” She’d whispered the last part because Jackson had told her not to name the goats. He’d explained they would be sold at the fair at the end of the summer. He worried she’d be sad. It looked like it might be too late. “Please bless daddy to make up with Maya, the pretty lady. Please bless mommy up in Heaven. Give her a kiss from me and from daddy. Amen.”
“Amen.” Jackson felt extra emotional and cleared his throat as he tucked Ava in. “See you in the morning, Ava.” He started toward the door.
“Daddy, do the kisses again.” She touched each cheek and her forehead as she spoke.
He kissed her. “Night, Ava Angel.”
“Night, daddy.”
Jackson went downstairs and sat in front of the empty fireplace, staring up at the picture Maya had given him. It hadn’t been that long since Maya came to town. The same day his dad issued the ultimatum. He’d known right away there was something special about her. It was a feeling, a connection he felt whenever they were near each other. He had feelings for Maya, feelings he’d never expected to have again. Not since his wife, Diana had died. In the past he’d never believed anyone could compare to her. That had been why he stopped dating. It hadn’t been fair to the women he believed to be good and even pretty. They just hadn’t held a candle to her.
But then he’d met Maya. And suddenly he was trying to find ways to spend time with her. He’d even called in a huge favor to have those boots made for her. Then he’d gone horseback riding with her. That still surprised him, since that’d been what he and his wife did on their first date. She’d found a way into his heart, or made it bigger so that she fit there too.
With those thoughts came the realization that he should probably cancel the five other dates he’d made over as many days. It wouldn’t be fair to them, especially since he knew he would be comparing them to not only the mother of his child, but Maya too.
“What do you think,” he whispered. A feeling of peace overwhelmed him. He closed his eyes, reveling in the feeling.
Before long, thoughts about what he should do to make it up to Maya occupied his mind. There were grand gestures like flowers and poems and notes and more flowers, but he decided to keep it simple and be straightforward. He would go to her house and he would apologize. Hopefully she would let him explain. That was most important. He needed Maya to give him another chance.
10
The following morning Maya found Patty standing at the check in desk muttering at the computer. “Why didn’t you tell me he had a child,” she blurted, hot, fresh tears falling onto her cheeks. She hadn’t slept much, even tried to work, but nothing helped. And the more she thought about it, the worse she felt. At three in the morning, she’d come to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with her. But it was still necessary to get some answers.
“Oh, honey.” Patty pushed her glasses up onto her head before wrapping an arm around Maya’s shoulders. Together they walked to the common room where they sat together on the couch. Patty grabbed Maya a tissue and handed it to her.
For some reason, aunt Patty’s kindness made her cry harder. “I really don’t understand why I’m behaving this way. Maybe it’s pent up sadness from my divorce and this has just compacted it.” She blew her nose. “But why would he keep his daughter a secret? I’ve gone over it and over it and can’t figure it out.” She hiccupped. “And why wouldn’t you tell me? I mean it seems like an important piece of information.”
Patty patted her arm. “It wasn’t that I was tryin to keep it a secret on purpose, it’s just that the circumstances around Jackson’s wife’s death and Ava’s birth were so devastating…” She paused and swallowed.
Maya wiped her eyes, focusing on Patty. “She died?” The words came out between hiccups.
“Yes. And the whole situation affected the town deeply.” Patty dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “We keep that time close to our hearts is all. No on talks about it. Probably because doing so might be seen as disrespectful to Jackson or to Diana’s memory, and no one wants to do that. We loved Diana and love Jackson too much for that.”
“What happened?” The brambles around Maya’s heart began to unfurl, like the petals on a flower, opening slowly.
“Jackson and Diana
had been married nearly a year when we found out she was pregnant. For the next six months we celebrated with her and Jackson. They were so happy. Jackson was attentive, doting even. When she went into labor, the whole town knew within the hour. The town was probably as excited as they were. Jackson drove her to the hospital.” She stopped, dabbing at her eyes.
Maya waited for her aunt to gain control over her strong emotions.
“We found out later that there’d been complications with the delivery. The doctors did all they could, but she died.” Patty wrapped her arms around herself. “The whole town was shattered. Not only did we feel terribly for Jackson and his loss, but we felt our own loss as well. She was born and raised here and we all loved her.”
“That’s awful.” The word didn’t even do her feelings justice. She couldn’t imagine how hard that must’ve been, especially for Jackson. “He loved her?” Maya wiped at a wayward tear. “He was good to her?”
“Without a doubt? Now I’m not saying their marriage was easy. She was stubborn as an ox and Jackson has the same streak. So they fought and we all knew it. But at the end of the day we also knew they loved each other too.”
“I believe it.” She swallowed back the lump that’d formed in her throat. “How old is his daughter?”
“Well, let’s see. I believe she’s four. Just the cutest child ever. Last Christmas Ava sang Angels We Have Heard On High by herself in church. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place when she finished.
“I met her last night.” Maya sat up straight. “It was an accident, but I went to his house to drop off something I’d made and she answered the door.” Maya cleared her throat. “She is very cute.”
“What happened?” Aunt Patty collected herself, blowing her nose.
“Nothing. I took off.” It seemed like an overreaction now that she knew the truth. She could see why Jackson would want to keep his daughter protected. She dropped her chest to her knees, letting her hands hit the floor. “I ran away,” she moaned.
Patty chuckled. “I don’t think I knew you were such a drama queen.”
Maya moaned again. “Usually, I’m not.”
“It isn’t the end of the world.” Patty patted her on the back.
Maya thought about what she’d heard. “But is it even possible for him to find someone to love the way he loved her? I mean will his new wife be like settling?” She couldn’t believe she was thinking that way, but she felt it was a valid question.
“You know, a couple of weeks ago I would’ve said no, it wasn’t possible. Any woman he married would be settling, which was probably why he quit dating. But I can’t say that anymore.”
“Why not?” Maya whispered, unsure whether she wanted to know the answer.
“Because I’ve seen the way he is around you.” She winked. Then her face changed into a professional mask. “I think I hear chef Logan calling me.” She seemed to be trying to hold back a smile.
“Aunt Patty, what’s wrong?” She stood, and turned and her breath caught in her throat. “Jackson.”
“Hey, Maya.” He removed his cowboy hat and turned it in his hands.
“Hi.” Her hands shook from nervousness. Feeling self conscious, she put them behind her back.
“How would you feel about going for a boat ride with me?”
“Uh, sure. That sounds nice.” Maya did a quick assessment of clothes. Sweatpants and a tank top, her favorite sleeping attire. She’d come to see her aunt without even brushing her hair.
They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Maya wasn’t sure how to start a conversation with him. She still felt like he should’ve mentioned his daughter, but understand why he didn’t. Then there was the fact that she’d run away like a coward.
“How’d you sleep,” he asked as they walked past the barn.
Maya sighed. “Not very well. You?”
“I’ve had better nights,” he said, sounding casual.
Maya chuckled. “Me too.”
They reached the dock. Jackson gawked at the boats. “Do you have a color preference?”
“The green one.” It was on the end and would be the easiest to cast away.
“Great.” He got in, situated himself and then offered his hand.
She took it. His grip held her hand firm and it was warm. Slightly calloused, but she liked it. He obviously wasn’t afraid of hard work. She appreciated that about him. “Thank you.” She sat in the center of the metal seat.
Jackson unhooked the boat from the dock, picked up the oars and started to row. The boat moved at a quick clip. Jackson knew what he was doing and he seemed determined to get there. Once they reached the center, he stopped rowing, letting the oars rest. “I’m not exactly sure how to begin, except to say I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Ava. It felt like there wasn’t a great time.”
“I’m sorry I ran away last night.” Maya swallowed. “I was surprised.”
“Completely understandable.” He clamped his hands together. “Did your aunt tell you about my wife?”
A pang shot through Maya’s heart. “Yes, she told me. And I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how difficult it must’ve been.” She felt brave and looked up. His blue eyes were on her, studying intently.
“It was a very difficult time. After Diana died I kind of lost myself for a while. But Ava was a newborn and she gave me purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. It didn’t matter whether I wanted to get out of bed or eat or leave the house, I had to do all of those things for her. My daughter saved me when no one else could get through.” He cleared his throat.
“She’s adorable. My aunt told me she’s four and that she sang a song in church last Christmas.”
“So you do know everything?” Jackson laughed. “Good thing I don’t mind that gossip spreads like wildfire around here.”
“She wasn’t gossiping. I asked her why she hadn’t told me you had a child. She was defending you.” Maya laughed with only a little bitterness. “It’s obvious the whole town is Team Jackson and I don’t blame them.”
“Hey.” He took her hand. “I’m Team Maya, if you don’t mind a one person fan club.”
Maya swallowed down her emotions. “I appreciate it.”
He squeezed her hand. “Is there anything else you want to know about Diana?”
“Not right now. What I’ve learned is enough.” She blinked several times, fighting back the sudden urge to start crying again.
“Did you want to meet Ava?” He rocked her hand back and forth.
Maya smiled nervously. “Is that a good idea?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. This is all new to me. I don’t bring women home, but she liked you. She loved the picture of the bee and the daisy, by the way. And told me I had to make things right with you. Even asked God to bless me to do it.” He laughed at the memory.
“Really? That’s sweet.” Maya thought about it. Was she ready to meet his daughter? “Sure, I’d like that.”
“Excellent. How about lunch?”
“Today?”
Jackson glanced at his watch. “In three hours? Ava and I will cook you something.”
He had such an adorable look on his face, she couldn’t say no. “Sounds great.”
“Then it’s a date.” He winked.
“It’s a date.”
Jackson rowed back to the dock at a slower pace. “Your aunt’s property is really beautiful. Do you know how she’s doing with reservations?”
Maya felt terrible. She hadn’t even thought to ask. “No, I don’t, but I’ll find out.”
After Jackson walked her to her door, she got cleaned up. She wasn’t sure what to wear, but settled on a simple cotton dress. She put on a little more makeup than usual, lining her eyes and putting on some eye shadow to bring out the green, adding blush and a pink lip stain. As she dried her hair, she used a curling brush to his her hair soft curls. She thought she looked okay.
On the drive to his house, she felt nervous. What if Ava didn’t like her? What if they didn
’t click? Or worse, what if she didn’t like Ava? She couldn’t imagine that happening, but those thoughts plagued her. When she reached his house, she parked, and sat in her car. “Buck up, cowgirl,” she told herself.
The door opened and Ava came out. “Daddy, the pretty lady is here.”
Jackson appeared at the door. He wasn’t wearing his cowboy hat and didn’t have a hat ring. She guessed he’d cleaned up as well. Quite frankly, he was breathtaking, even in jeans, a tee shirt, and a Kiss the Cook apron. She absent-mindedly wondered if she should take that literally.
Maya grabbed her bag and climbed out. “Hi.” She started to wave, but felt silly so put her hand down. “I brought some chips and homemade guacamole. Hope that’s okay.”
Ava scrunched up her nose. “I don’t like guacamole.”
“Ava?” Jackson warned.
“But I like chips,” Ava added, crossing her arms.
Maya couldn’t help but laugh as she climbed the steps. “That’s good. I like chips too.” She’d reached the front door and Jackson stood aside.
“Come on in.”
“Thank you. It smells amazing in here.”
“We’re making tacos,” Ava said, taking Maya’s hand.
“Why don’t you introduce yourself to Maya?” Jackson made his way back to the kitchen.
His house amazed Maya. It had eighteen-foot ceilings with big fans and windows everywhere, including skylights in the ceiling. The family room, dining room, and kitchen all opened to each other, making it one large, but comfortable room. The family room had a extra tall fireplace with a hearth made of wood that’d been stained dark. She noticed the picture she’d taken of Jackson up there between a picture of four young men and Milly and she guessed her husband. The one of the daisy and the bee wasn’t up there though. Next to the fireplace was a wooden rocking chair. She was immediately envious. That was exactly what she wanted for her front porch.
Ava tugged on Maya’s arm lightly, before letting go. “May I introduce myself? My name is Ava.” She curtsied, pulling out the edges of her shirt.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ava. I’m Maya.”