After a week of taking care of all things LA and driving back to Oklahoma, Aiden is about to pull into the AK Ranch but stops and points at the sign. He turns to Karlie and says, “Do you know what the AK stands for?”
She smiles and says, “No.”
“Aiden Karlie.” I say to her with a big smile and lean over to kiss her. “You’re the ranch’s missing piece too Karlie.”
“Aiden!! I never knew the name of your ranch or what it meant! I love it!” She says exclaiming and throwing herself into my arms. “You do know what my photography business is named don’t you?”
I shake my head no but smile. “It’s something about a cab right? Isn’t that what the sign said outside your LA office?”
“It’s K.A.B. Photos Aiden. Karlie. Aiden. Blake. … Get it?” She says smiling with all the love in her heart and gives me the longest and most passionate kiss I have ever had.
“Oh Karlie…..” Is all I can say as we pull into the AK Ranch together. Finally.
“Looks like we have company” Karlie says as we come closer to the house.
“It’s the whole family Karlie!” I say with a big smile loving the sight of my family and her mother standing on the front porch as we drive in. “They must be here to welcome you home.”
“Home. That sounds wonderful Aiden!” she says with a little sigh and a big smile. Her green eyes are sparkling with tears that she is holding back.
“Hey guys, what are you all doing here?” I say as I step out of the pickup. “We weren’t expecting any company.”
“We are so happy to see you though!!” Karlie says slapping me on the arm before she runs off to hug her Mom and the rest of the guests.
“We have a surprise for you Karlie.” Ella Mae says smiling after hugging Karlie and accepting one from me.
“A surprise? Only for Karlie?” I say smiling mischievously. “What about me?”
“Yes, it’s mainly for Karlie, but I am sure you will like it too.” I hear my Mom say as she steps towards me for a hug too.
After hugging everyone and finally getting inside the house we head towards the backyard. Nearing the sliding glass doors, we can see an unfamiliar man standing next to the creek.
As we get the doors open I quickly realize it’s Karlie’s older brother Jonathan. He must have finally made it home from Iraq. I see Karlie begin to register who the stranger is and suck in a quick breath before running off squealing to the man. She jumps into his arms and wraps hers around him just as tight as he is holding her.
I just stand there smiling knowing that everything is perfect. My heart couldn’t feel happier or fuller of love.
***
As we open the doors to the patio out back I see a man standing by the creek. Before I can realize who it is he turns around and I see the face I have been longing to see since long before Dad died.
“Jonathan!!” I say squealing and running towards my older brother. “You are back!”
“Hey little sis, I guess you’re surprised to see me huh?” He says as he swings me around in his arms. “I missed you!”
“Oh I have missed you so much Jonathan!!” I say and hold onto him tightly. He feels so strong and mature after being away to the war zone in Iraq. There hasn’t been a day that has gone by that I haven’t been worried about him.
And now he is back and standing in front of me. Alive. “Are you back for good?”
“Only a couple days then I get deployed back next week. I just came home for a few days once I got all of your messages. I am so sorry I wasn’t here for you two when Dad died.” He says with a frown knowing how hard it had to have been here.
“Well we are very happy to have you back even if it’s for a couple of days!” I say hugging my brother again. I am trying not to get upset knowing he is going back to Iraq.
“I am very happy to be back and to see you so happy. I take it Aiden is to blame for that smile and that rock?” he says grinning from ear to ear and looks at Aiden.
“He is part of it.” I say with a mischievous grin. “You definitely are the cherry on top!”
“So, when’s dinner? I am starving!” he says loud enough for Mom to hear and makes everyone chuckle.
“Let’s go back to our house and we can whip something up. I doubt Aiden and Karlie have much in their fridge or cupboards with the time away getting her packed up and moved home.” Says Amelia as we all head inside again.
We all agree and head to our vehicles to drive to the 6AB Ranch. As a family. A family meant to be. A family that is whole at last.
***
“Thanks for agreeing to come here with me today, Jonathan.” I say and loop my arm through his. “This is a special place that I wanted to share with you.”
“I’m glad you asked. I was trying to find a place where I could say good-bye to Dad. I can’t believe I didn’t know about his passing until yesterday. I feel so guilty for not being here Karlie.” Jonathan says and squeezes my arm a little tighter.
“We all knew you were overseas doing whatever it is you do. We weren’t upset you weren’t here because you chose not to, we knew you couldn’t. We would have loved to have had you here, but understood. I am just so sorry you couldn’t be here to bury him or say good-bye.”
“What do you want to do about 6AB Breeds? Do you want to keep the ownership or sell it to the Blakes?”
“I would like to keep it and maybe come back after my next tour is over and take it over like Dad did.”
“That’s fine with me. I will go tell Aiden and he can let AJ know.” By now we have reached the creek bank where I know he will feel Dad’s presence.
I look up at Jonathan and say, “Do you want company or to be here alone? I’ll be happy either way.”
“I think I would like a little time alone, if you are sure you don’t mind.” He says fighting back the tears. “Are you sure Aiden doesn’t mind if I am out here?”
“It was his idea to bring you down here. He fully understands that this is the one place that I feel Dad and can come to be close to him. He wants you to be able to share that too. Just come up to the house when you are done and we will have a drink. I love you Jonathan.” I say and walk away fighting back my own tears. I just feel so bad that he hasn’t been able to grieve for Dad the way that Mom and I have.
***
The next day I put one of my ties over Karlie’s eyes and lead her to the garage and into the pickup. “Just sit here and wait and see. Relax.” I am so excited to show her the studio. Aaron and his crew finished it late last night and it’s all ready for Karlie to see.
“Aiden, where are we going and why do I have a blind fold on? What are you up to?” she asks with a hint of the sassy woman I fell in love with. She is too curious to be too sassy with me.
“I have a surprise for you.” I say and make sure her blindfold is still in place.
We pull up behind the store in town and I get her out ready to show her the studio. I walk her around to the front so that she doesn’t know where she is. I turn her to where she is facing the big sign that says KAB PHOTOS in black letters on a silver glittery background. I hope she likes it.
I take off the blindfold and she looks up blinking trying to adjust to the difference in lighting.
“OH MY GOODNESS AIDEN!!!” she says turning quickly and jumping into my arms. “You got me a sign for KAB! I LOVE IT!!”
I see Aaron open the door upstairs and hear him say, “There’s more than that to see Karlie.”
As he starts to speak Karlie turns to find him and I point up towards the top of the stairs.
Aiden, what did you do?” she asks with question written all over her face. I have shocked her again I can see.
“Go on up and see. I’m right behind you.”
Walking up the stairs on shaky legs she reaches the top and sees through the glass door that also has KAB PHOTOS on it and begins to cry. “Oh, Aiden!” I gently push her through the door that Aaron was still holding open.
Fully inside the stu
dio, she is clearly shaken up. It does look amazing and just like her LA studio. Even the brick wall facing the wall full of windows, dark hard wood floors and white walls covered in her work. Down to the same light fixtures she had there, it’s a perfect replica. It’s amazing how well Aaron matched the pictures I sent him.
“Do you like it?” I ask really hoping she was just shocked and not upset.
She hasn’t said anything for a few seconds and I am starting to worry that I have overstepped. I look at Aaron and he is clearly as uncomfortable as I am. Karlie walks to the brick wall and runs her hand along the mortar between the bricks. She turns and I can see that she has tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Karlie, I didn’t mean to upset you. I thought you would love this. I don’t know what to say.” I start walking towards her not really knowing what else to say or do. I feel as though I made a huge mistake and that she might run away again.
***
I can’t believe what Aiden has done. This place looks nothing like I remember when Mom had all her junk stored up here all these years. It looks exactly like my LA studio did. The view of Colvin is the only difference. I am just stunned. It’s amazing and I don’t have any idea what to say. I look at Aiden and see Aaron escaping out the door in haste.
“Aiden, I don’t know what to say. I am so surprised and so very touched. It looks just like my LA studio. I can’t believe you guys have done all of this in such a short time. This is just amazing. Thank you so much.”
“You really scared me there Karlie. I thought you were mad. I think Aaron did too as you saw him chicken out and leave as quickly as he could.” I say with a snicker visualizing him as a dog with his tail between his legs.
“No, Aiden. I love it so much! I am just so touched I don’t know what to say or do first. I never in a million years expected this!”
“Karlie, I love you so much. I am so very thankful you’re here in Colvin with me now. I just wanted you to have the best of both worlds. Your studio was so important to you in LA so Aaron and I collaborated to make sure it was exactly the same. He did an amazing job. I know why he is so busy now.” He says and starts to unbutton my top smiling that wicked Aiden smile that melts me on the spot.
“What about the door?” I ask afraid someone might come in and see us. I start to get up to lock it and pull the blind but see that the blind is down.
I look at Aiden and he looks back from the door thinking the same thing I am, “I think Aaron took care of it all. You’re all mine.”
“Always.” I say and show Aiden just how I feel about him and his surprise studio remodel.
15
Several weeks later, I am finally all settled into the AK and back into Colvin. It has been so wonderful being a part of Aiden’s life and family again. Wedding plans are in full swing and we have about two months left before the big day. Audrey, my Mom and Amelia have really been such a big help with all of these plans. Without them I don’t think I could be pulling off this wedding so quickly. A three month engagement isn’t long for normal couples, but Aiden and I are far from normal. It’s almost like it has been in the making for over eight years, so what is another three months, right?
“Aiden, Jonathan and I discussed the ownership of 6AB Breeds and we have decided to keep it. He wants to be able to come back here after his next tour is over and take it over like Dad used to. Do you think that would be ok?”
“That would be perfect. Dad will actually be very happy to hear that.”
“Aiden, what color do you want your tuxes to be? Tie or bowtie?” I ask while trying to nail down a list of details Audrey told me to decide on today. “We need to get all of the color stuff finalized.”
“Um, black tux like James Bond.” Aiden says and laughs. “Seriously though, black tux with black bowtie. Classic.”
“Sounds sexy. Thank you.” I say standing up and kissing him before walking away to call Audrey with those details.
“Audrey, he wants a black tux and black bowtie. The classic. Nope. He says like James Bond. There will be enough silver and cream other places, his tux isn’t going to throw it off don’t worry. Thanks Audrey!”
I think I need some time alone to clear my head so I head to the barn to saddle up Spook.
Fully engrossed in the job at hand I don’t hear Aiden until he speaks from directly behind me. “You want company?”
“Nah. Audrey is stressing me out with all the wedding stuff and I want to go clear my head. I’ll be back later.” I kiss him and swing up into the saddle. Aiden just nods and walks away. I’m sure he is headed back to the house and to the office.
***
Knock. Knock.
I hear the knocking and look up expecting to see Karlie but its Tracey. At first I don’t think much of it but then it hits me. She just came inside the house without ringing the doorbell like she used to. It’s a darn good thing Karlie isn’t here, she would have a fit.
“Tracey, what are you doing here?” I ask feeling a little bit annoyed. “I didn’t hear the doorbell.”
“I didn’t use it.” She says as if nothing were wrong with that.
“Um, you don’t live here and we aren’t together, so you really need to use it from now on.”
“Well, good thing Karlie is gone then.”
“Tracey, what do you want?” I ask this time not trying to hide my annoyance with her.
Knowing I am trying to usher her to the front door she stops and says, “We need to talk Aiden.”
“We don’t have anything to talk about. So, why are you really here?” I can’t help but let my feelings known in the tone of my voice. “I don’t have time for this and Karlie should be back anytime.”
“Well, you might want to make time for this. I’m pregnant with your child Aiden.” She says with a smile on her face that should have been a good thing.
“YOU’RE WHAT?” I scream a little too loud.
“We are going to have a baby Aiden! Aren’t you excited? I am so excited!!” she says and tries to wrap her arms around me.
I keep her from doing so and back away a few steps from her and say, “How long have you known? Are you sure?”
“Yes Aiden, I am sure. The little positive sign is hard to misread. I just found out this morning.”
“Um. Um. I’m not sure what to say Tracey. We haven’t been together in so long. I never expected this. And Karlie. What is she going to say? We are planning a wedding!” with those realizations I start to feel light headed and ready to pass out. Walking back into my office and sitting down allows Tracey time to touch my arm in concern which makes me recoil. That feels wrong. Very wrong.
“Well, I will go and let you know when my first doctor’s appointment is so you can go with me. Good luck with Karlie. Talk to you later!” she says and leaves me shocked and quite a bit freaked out.
***
After regaining my composure, I drive over to the 6AB hoping to find my sister there. She is Tracey’s best friend so she will know what I am supposed to do and if this is even real.
Walking into the kitchen I ask, “Audrey, have you talked to Tracey today?”
“No. Why? Something wrong?” she asks unsure of what’s going on. “You look like you are going to pass out.”
“She just came to the house and let herself in like she used to. I was in the office and she came back there. She acted like we never broke up and um….” I say not wanting to say those words.
“Aiden, what is going on? You’re scaring me!”
“She said she is pregnant.” I say before finally collapsing onto the bar stool at the kitchen island unable to keep myself upright.
“Oh my gosh Aiden! I didn’t know! When did she find out?” she squeals and grabs my hands from across the countertop. “Wow, no wonder you are white as a ghost. What did Karlie say?”
“She is out on a ride in the north pasture. Tracey seemed to know she wasn’t there too.” I slowly say knowing this is going to break Karlie’s heart.
“What are y
ou going to do brother? How are you going to tell her? It’s going to kill her. She’s already uneasy about Tracey.” I want to bang my head on that countertop.
“I promised her it was over with Tracey and she wasn’t even a part of my life anymore. How do I tell her that isn’t so true anymore?” I sigh and say shaking my head. My worst fear has just come true. I was with Tracey for over three years and this never happened but once I finally get Karlie and she agrees to marry me this happens. What am I going to tell her?
“Aiden, you didn’t plan this baby. You’re going to have to tell Karlie and pray she understands exactly that. I have a ton of lessons plans to do in my classroom so I have to go. Love you brother. I’m here if you need me. I will talk to Tracey too.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze and heads for the door. I am once again left alone freaked out.
***
“Hey baby, I’m back. Gonna shower, then we need to go to town and help Mom figure out if her yard will work for the ceremony and reception.” I say walking into Aiden’s office. It helps having the ranch office in the house because when I need to talk to him, he is close by.
“Ok. I’ll be ready when you are.” Aiden says looking a bit out of sorts. He must be engrossed in something important for the ranch.
I walk to our room and bathroom. Once there I undress and shower thinking about how I really do envision Mom’s backyard. I hope we can make it work there. It would mean the world to me to get married in the yard I played in since I could walk and a yard where my father worked so hard to make perfect for my Mom. And I know Mom wants us to have it there. She always tells us that she and Dad had my wedding in mind when they re-did it years ago when I left home.
Austin is meeting us there too so he can get a feel for the flowers since he works at Stampley’s Nursery. He does such an amazing thing with flowers and they grow gorgeous ones too. It was a no brainer who our wedding florist would be. Is he even called a florist? Who knows? Flower person. Whatever.
That makes me chuckle and I finish my shower and towel off. Wrapping myself in a towel, I go to the bedroom doorway and yell at Aiden, “Hey! We have a little time if you want to do something else!” I smile and wait for his response.
Down to the Creek- Book 1 of the Colvin Series Page 10