“It’s okay. You have coffee, which is better.” She picked up her mug and took a sip, then went and sat next to Emmy. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Peanut butter toast.” Emmy leaned into Trinity.
“Excellent. I should add that to the menu at work. Maybe your dad will add some strawberries to both our plates, too.”
“Ooh, that sounds good.” Emmy smiled up at Trinity and petted Razzle, who had jumped up into her lap.
Jon took out two more slices of bread. “I’ll do that.” He appreciated that Trinity rounded out Emmy’s meal with some fruit without forcing it on her. If Trinity wanted it, Emmy did, too. He liked that she wanted to emulate Trinity. She couldn’t have picked a better woman to follow.
Better than her own mother.
Sad. It hurt Jon’s heart to think about how Steph harmed their little girl.
“So Emmy, your dad has something he has to do today, so you’ll be hanging with me. My sister Liz is coming over with the dress I need to try on for my brother’s wedding.”
“Do I get to go to the wedding?”
“Absolutely. We’re going as a family.” She met Jon’s gaze with a reassuring smile that erased his earlier glum when he thought about Steph.
He needed to start looking forward and not back. He needed to focus on the two people who loved and needed him.
He needed to put Steph in the past, because for the next however many years she was in prison, she didn’t need to be a part of their everyday lives.
“Do I get a pretty dress, too?”
“Of course.” Trinity sipped her coffee.
He served Emmy her breakfast and went to finish Trinity’s. “I can take her shopping for something tomorrow.”
“If you don’t mind, my sister said she’d pick something up in Emmy’s size that matches what I’m wearing.”
Emmy’s eyes brightened with excitement.
“I can give her some money for the dress when she stops by later.”
Trinity set her mug on the counter. “I’ve got this. I want to do it for Emmy.”
“Sweet,” he mimicked her.
“Are you guys going to get married?” Emmy asked, looking from him to Trinity and back.
“Yes.” He waited to see if Trinity contradicted him.
“When?” Emmy bounced in her seat with excitement, nearly toppling Razzle off her lap.
“Soon,” Trinity replied, though he hadn’t even asked her yet.
He planned to, right after her brother’s wedding. If she was ready, why wait any longer?
They ate breakfast together, Emmy chatting about everything and nothing to Razzle and them. It felt like this was how it had always been, yet it was new and . . . perfect.
Before he knew it, they were all dressed and ready to start the day when Tate drove in with the horse trailer.
“Who’s that?”
“Uncle Tate,” Trinity said, like it was a done deal, they were all family. She opened the front door and let Emmy loose to run right for Tate as he got out of the truck.
Tate scooped her up and held her to his chest. “I missed you, tiny tot.”
“You saw me yet-erday.”
“Yesterday,” he corrected. “And that’s right. I did.” He touched his nose to Emmy’s, then leaned back. “Today I brought you a surprise from your dad.”
Jon stared at the two and his heart grew too big for his chest. Emmy beamed with delight. Tate treated her like she was his little one. Emmy had an uncle. In fact, she had three. And aunties. Liz walked around the front of the truck, holding a garment bag over her shoulder, and hugged Trinity one-handed.
“What did you bring me?” Emmy asked Tate.
“Well, I think I’ll let your dad show you what he got you.”
“I got Razzle back yes-terday.”
“I heard. I can’t wait to meet her.” Tate handed Emmy over to Jon.
He walked to the back of the trailer and waited for Tate to open the gates.
Emmy squealed, “Horsies!”
Jon thought he might be deaf, but no.
Emmy hugged his neck. “Thank you, Daddy. I love them.”
“You haven’t even met them yet.” Jon backed up a few steps as Tate led the first horse out.
Trinity walked over and took the big white-and-gray mare’s lead rope. “This is my horse, Luna. She’s a sweet girl.”
Jon walked Emmy up to the horse.
Trinity took Emmy’s hand and helped her pat the horse down her long neck.
Emmy’s eyes went wide. “She’s soft.”
Jon backed up so Trinity could walk Luna down to the barn and Tate could bring out another of the horses.
“This one is yours, tiny tot. His name is—”
“Brownie,” Emmy called out to the chestnut horse.
Jon laughed with Tate. “No, sweetheart. That’s a great name, but he’s called Baxter. He’s very gentle. The little girl who used to ride him got too big for him, so she thought you’d like to have him.”
“I do want him.” Her sweet earnest little voice made Jon and Tate grin.
Tate handed the rope to her. “Then he’s all yours.”
Jon put his hand on the rope just to be on the safe side, though Baxter was more interested in watching his buddy Red come out of the trailer.
“He’s a nice one, too?” Emmy watched the larger horse come closer.
“Yes, baby. He’s real nice. His name is Red.”
“Hi, Red.” Emmy waved to him over Baxter.
Tate handed the rope to Jon. “Uh, you weren’t expecting this, but apparently she comes with Red.”
“Another horse?” He hadn’t expected four, but he had the stall space in the barn, so why not.
“Not exactly.” Tate disappeared into the trailer and came back out, but with the horses in the way, Jon couldn’t see what he led out until he heard a loud bleating noise.
“Is that a goat?” He couldn’t believe it.
Tate walked around the horses and, sure enough, at the end of another lead rope stood a very pregnant goat. “Her name is Pippa.”
“She’s not a pig.” Emmy frowned at the goat.
“No, she’s not, tiny tot, but she has a mad crush on Red despite her being in the family way from another goat.”
Emmy gave Tate a confused look.
“Pippa is going to have a baby goat,” Jon explained.
“Really? When?” Emmy wiggled to get down.
“In about a week,” Tate stated. “It cost you an extra fifty, but my friend threw in a bunch of feed. He thought he could separate Red and Pippa, but she had a cow.” Tate grinned at his joke.
Jon laughed. “So you thought why not bring her along to join the menagerie.”
“Trinity will probably start her own goat milk cheese business now.”
Jon laughed again, because Trinity was that enterprising.
She and Liz finally joined them.
Trinity took one look at the goat and crouched in front of her. “Look at you. I think you and Adria are both carrying twins.”
And just like that Jon realized he had no chance. He was now the proud owner of a goat, plus one. Or two. They’d see in the next week or so.
Emmy cooed to the goat. Pippa loved all the pats and attention. She didn’t try to bite Emmy or knock her down, so Jon relaxed.
Tate eyed him. “We good?”
“All good,” he confirmed, smiling as Emmy brought her hands to her chin and squealed, “She licked me.”
Trinity stood, but wobbled until she got her balance with Liz right beside her steadying her with a hand to her shoulder. “I think I’m going to go inside and get out of the sunlight.” She hadn’t worn her sunglasses.
“I’ll go with her,” Liz volunteered, leading Trinity back to the porch.
“Let’s get these critters settled into their new home.” Tate took the lead rope for Red and the goat and led them down the driveway to the barn.
Jon picked up Emmy and led Baxter, though he mo
stly followed Red.
Tate called back to them. “So there’s a big cattle auction next week. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so if you want, I can go. We’ll get this place up and running in no time.”
“Sounds good,” he heard himself say, even though he did have a lot going on right now. But he wanted the ranch, Emmy and Trinity, and the life they made here.
“Then it’s settled. You’re going into the family business.”
As in Jon was now a part of the suppliers for Almost Homemade. He loved it.
It didn’t take them long to put the horses in their stalls, feed and water them, then make Pippa comfortable in another stall with lots of hay in case she went into labor and delivered her kid.
Tate closed the stall door. “The renovations to the barn turned out great. The animals should be really comfortable here.”
“Thanks for picking up and delivering them here. I appreciate it.”
“That’s what family is for. Please get medical clearance from Trinity’s doctor before you put her on a horse.”
“Trust me, that’s not happening unless I have written consent.”
Tate slapped him on the back. “She’s a stubborn one, but I think she’s taking this head injury seriously. How did she sleep last night?”
“Like the dead. Me too, actually.” Jon tickled Emmy’s belly. “And Emmy slept with Razzle last night.”
“Everyone had a friend to sleep with then.” Tate gave him a knowing look that Jon didn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.
Jon looked at the house and out at the rolling green landscape. “What do you think, Emmy? Will it be fun living out here and riding the horses?”
“This is the best, Daddy.” She hugged his neck again and he felt like Father of the Year.
This was the life he wanted for Emmy. Happy. Carefree. Filled with fun and sun and learning about taking care of the animals and land just like he did when he was a kid.
They walked into the house and he stopped short when he saw Trinity standing in the living room showing off the beautiful blue gown she wore to Liz and Tate.
“It’s gorgeous. The cut is perfect.” Liz looked at Trinity with sheer joy in her eyes.
Jon agreed. Everything about the dress showed off Trinity’s curves and golden blond hair to perfection. “God, you’re beautiful.”
“So pretty.” Emmy squirmed to get down.
He set her on her feet and she ran over to Trinity and touched her leg to feel the dress.
“Soft. Shiny.” Emmy hugged Trinity’s thighs.
Liz held up two tiny dresses. “What do you think of these?” One was blue, the same shade as Trinity’s dress. The other a pretty vibrant purple.
“Why two?” he asked.
Liz held one, then the other up to Emmy. “We’ll see which one fits her best.”
The alarm on his phone went off. He’d completely lost track of time. But he needed to meet with Steph and her attorney.
“Time to go?” Trinity asked.
“Yeah. Are you okay? Outside, you seemed off.”
“Just the sunlight messing with my eyes. I’m good now. Liz is going to stay awhile so we can catch up. Go. I’ll be here when you get home.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. Put the past in the past and let’s move on.”
“Where are you going?” Emmy rubbed her hand over Razzle as she wound her way through Emmy’s legs.
He went to her and crouched low. “I’m going to see your mom.”
Emmy backed into Trinity’s legs. “I don’t want to go.”
Trinity brushed her hand over Emmy’s head. “Only Daddy is going.”
“You’re staying here with Trinity and Aunt Liz. I’m just going to talk to your mom about what happened and about her going away for a long time. That’s all. You are staying here with us. Okay?”
She nodded, but stayed close to Trinity.
“Do you want me to tell your mom anything?”
“She’s mean. I don’t want her.” Emmy turned and hid her face in Trinity’s thighs.
“Okay. I’ll tell her. I’ll also tell her that this is your home. This is where you belong. This is where you will stay.” He hoped that eased Emmy’s mind.
Emmy peeked back at him. “Promise?”
“I promise.” He held his arms out.
She hesitated for a second, then launched herself into his chest. He wrapped her in a big hug, careful of the bruises on her backside. “I love you, baby. I won’t let anything happen to you ever again.”
“And Trinity will be the mommy now,” Emmy demanded.
He took her face in his palms and held her away so she could see he meant what he said. “Yes. She is.” He kissed her on the forehead, then let her go.
She immediately went back into Trinity’s embrace.
“I’ll take care of her,” Trinity promised.
“I know you will. With your life.” He kissed Trinity, then left her and Emmy to go do the one thing he didn’t want to do but needed to do to end this chapter of his life so he could start a fresh new one with his girls.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jon walked into the visiting area at the jail where Steph was being held and took a seat in front of her just as the guard closed the door behind him. Steph’s lawyer set up the visit, so she knew he was coming. Still, seeing her in the prison-gray pants and shirt, her skin pale and washed out, eyes bloodshot with dark circles under them, took him aback.
“How did we get here?” she asked him, and he gnashed his back teeth. “You said you’d take care of us.”
“I gave you a roof over your head and support when you needed it. You beat Emmy. You left bruises on her. You attacked the woman I love in front of her.”
Steph rose and slammed her hands on the table. “I wasn’t going to let her take my daughter.”
The guard observing them walked forward. “Remain in your seat and keep things civil or you will be taken back to your cell.”
Steph huffed out an exasperated breath and fell back into her seat. She glanced at the door. “Where is she? Waiting outside?” She meant Emmy.
“She’s at home. With Trinity.”
“You didn’t bring her!”
“Why would I bring her to jail to see you after the way you traumatized her?”
Steph waved that away. “I’m sure she’s fine.”
“She’s not fine. She has nightmares. She goes quiet for long periods of time. She clings to me and Trinity. She thought you abandoned the cats. Luckily, Trinity arranged to get Razzle back.”
“They’re just cats. What about all my stuff?”
“The apartment will be packed up and your belongings moved to storage.”
“But my trial won’t be for months.”
Jon had a talk with her lawyer before he came in for their meeting. “Why didn’t you take the deal the DA offered you?”
“She had no right to come into my home. I was defending myself and Emmy.”
He tried to hold on to his temper, but she didn’t make it easy. “Trinity witnessed your boyfriend spank and shove Emmy to the floor. She had every right and responsibility to check on her and make sure she was okay because you’d left our four-year-old alone outside while you were getting drunk and high. I have the pictures of you passed out. I have pictures of the bruises you left on her the night you beat her and attacked Trinity without any provocation. You could have killed her.”
“And now she’s living in your house, sleeping with you, spending all your money, playing mommy to my little girl.”
Trinity hadn’t spent a dime of his money. In fact, she seemed to care less that he had it. She cared more about him and Emmy than anything else. “You want to know what I love about her?”
“I don’t give a shit.”
He knew that. He told her anyway. “Family matters. Trinity cares more about the people in her life than anything else. You only care about yourself and how much you can get from me, your dad, your friends. Ever
ything is about you. When Emmy was born, you tried so hard to be a good mother to her. I appreciated that you took good care of her. But as she got older and required more of your time and effort, you simply couldn’t be bothered and she suffered because of it. And that all ends now.”
“You can’t keep her from me.”
“I have an emergency order giving me full temporary custody, so even if you get out on bail, she stays with me. I’ve filed for full custody, and I’ll get it because you made sure a judge would give it to me after what you’ve done to her. You hurt her. You betrayed her trust in you. And because of that, you won’t see Emmy again for a long time. I’m not sure that even when you get out she’ll want to see you.”
“You’re going to poison her against me.”
“I never badmouthed you to her and I never will. I told her I was coming today. I asked her if she wanted me to tell you anything.”
“What did she say?” Steph made it sound like it mattered to her, but Jon had learned nothing really mattered to Steph unless she got something.
“She said, ‘She’s mean. I don’t want her.’ Then she asked if Trinity would be her mommy.”
She spread her fingers wide on the table. “You can’t do this to me.”
“You did this. You made your own daughter afraid of you. You made her believe she doesn’t matter to you every time you neglected her and didn’t put her first. You made her think you don’t love her. I don’t think you love anyone but yourself, if you’re even capable of love at all.”
“That bitch is not going to be her mom. I’m her mother.”
“Not anymore. You want to go to family court. Fine. I’ll be there to testify about everything you’ve ever done to our daughter and to me. Trinity will get up on that stand and tell everyone how you attacked her. I hope it doesn’t come to it, but if Emmy has to testify against you, she’ll tell the court how she thought you killed Trinity right in front of her.”
“You can’t do this.” Steph hadn’t accepted the reality of the situation, or the severity of the charges.
“You’re charged with assault, felony battery, and child abuse along with several other lesser charges. You’ll be lucky if you’re out by the time Emmy goes to high school. By then, she’ll be old enough to make her own decisions about seeing you. Until then, Trinity and I will raise her. Trinity will be the only mother Emmy really remembers. And right now, that is the only thing that gives me comfort and hope that Emmy will find her way past this troubling time and be the happy, carefree little girl she used to be before you hurt her.”
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