by C. A. Harms
“Yes, I took the test last weekend. Then I confirmed it at work. Alice took my blood and we sent it off to the lab. They called this morning and confirmed the results of the home test.” She sat up next to me and our eyes met once more. “We’re pregnant.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I’m gonna be a father.”
“You’re already a father. Maddison has never had what you give her. But yes, Colt, you’re gonna be somebody’s daddy.” Her words were only making my emotions run higher.
Crying was not something I was programmed to do. It was never accepted by my father. He taught us boys that you held your head high and pushed through. No tears would be shed. But in that moment, hearing her words, I broke.
Dropping the test, I pulled her onto my lap in one quick movement. I wrapped her with my arms and buried my face in her chest. Tears were filling my eyes and spilling over.
In one night, I had gone from a man who wasn’t sure where we would be tomorrow to the man who had everything in the palm of his hand. I was engaged to the best person who had ever walked into my life. I had the sweetest little girl who I would get the chance to help raise. I would have been happy with those two for the rest of my life, but to know that she was carrying my child broke down the last wall I had standing.
Alex had brought a grown man figuratively to his knees. She had given me more in one night than I had ever been given before. “Thank you, baby,” I whispered against her neck. “Thank you for everything you’ve given me.”
Chapter Thirty
Alexis
Things shifted into overdrive. Colt was working twice as hard to get the house ready for our little family. We agreed to keep the news of our pregnancy quiet for now. I was still very early, and with everything still going on with Seth, I didn’t want anything clouding the happiness of our news.
With Maddison’s birthday only three days away, I kept my mind occupied. We would be celebrating at one of her favorite places, the park just down the road from Colt’s shop. I knew if she had the chance, she would never leave that place. She was still in the dark about the surprise Colt had planned. He was designing an amazing play area for her that he couldn’t wait to show her. She would surely be in heaven over the sight of the slide he had ordered just for her.
I was just pulling the casserole out of the oven when Colt entered the loft. The look on his face was a sure sign he had something on his mind. He forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. It was for show, a show I wouldn’t let him play.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He pulled off his boots and slipped his dirty shirt over his head. He walked toward Maddison and me and bent down to give each of us a kiss on the forehead. He paused just beside my ear, whispering. “We’ll talk about it later. Don’t worry. I just don’t want to talk in front of Maddi.” He gave me one more kiss on my cheek before he stepped back and walked toward the bedroom.
Telling a woman we’ll talk about something is cruel. How was I supposed to ignore the fact that he had something on his mind? I had to know. It was eating at me.
I quickly set the table, and just as I was about to go after him, he emerged from the bedroom. He was freshly showered and making me want to jump him.
With water still glistening on his skin, his hair was tossed and sticking up all over. He wore a pair of sweats hanging dangerously low on his hips. He cleared his throat, and I knew I had been caught eye-banging him. My cheeks heated instantly and he chuckled.
“Later, darlin’. It’s dinner time,” he said, and he guided my horny ass to the chair at the small table in the tiny kitchen.
Our dinner time was full of Maddison once again, chattering about her day. Rarely was there a quiet moment when we were together. She loved to talk, and telling Colt stories was one of her favorite things to do. The fact that he fed it with his constant questions made me smile. She loved his attention, and he always made her feel like she was the most important one in the room. They adored one another equally and I, in turn, adored these times together.
We spent the evening watching the Disney Channel, and Maddison knew the words to most of the shows. She had watched the episodes more than once, I’m sure. The kid lives for Disney.
When her eyes began to sag, I tried not to be relieved. I couldn’t help it, though, because it meant I would finally know what Colt had on his mind.
Once she was securely tucked in her bed, we both kissed her goodnight and stepped out of the room. The room that was now hers was not really a room at all; it was more like a walk-in closet. Colt had done his best to make it a room, but most of her toys were in the living room, which was one of the main reasons we needed a bigger place.
Colt entered the living room ahead of me and leaned against the back of the couch, crossing his arms over his chest. An impatient feeling was filling my body, and I waited for him to explain.
“I talked to your dad today,” he stated.
“You talked to my dad?” I was a little confused. I didn’t know he and my father had each other’s numbers.
He cleared his throat and rubbed at the stubble on his chin. “Yeah, actually I’ve been talking to your dad every day.” He paused, quietly observing my reaction before continuing. “Your dad hired a private investigator. He felt the police weren’t doing enough, fast enough.”
Another unnerving pause silenced the room. My stomach churned with fear.
“Baby, they found Seth.” His eyes bored into mine. Both relief and an unavoidable fear washed over me. A million thoughts were running through my mind. He was on his way here. He was attempting to follow my family. What? Did he hurt someone I love?
“They found him in an old building, along with another guy, just outside of Palm Beach. They were both dead.”
A nauseous feeling hit me, and I lowered myself into the recliner. “How?” I asked, looking down at the ground.
“Overdose. They got a hold of some bad shit,” he said as he took a step toward me and knelt on the floor. “It’s over, babe. He won’t ever bother you again,” he reassured me.
I felt guilty for feeling relieved. I never wished for his death, but I had no control over his outcome. He had been heading down a path of destruction for a long time and, unfortunately, I think he was too far gone to be saved.
It was time to let go of the fear I had held for months. I now had another chance to make things right. I had a chance at happiness with an amazing man. It was time to lower all the walls I had put in place and let everyone who loves me in. Without reservation, without hesitation, it was time to live.
Chapter Thirty-One
Colt
“I feel like I should go to see her. Even if she doesn’t know me, I wouldn’t feel right being here this last time without seeing her. She was once such a loving, caring woman. She loved Troy with every ounce of her being, and I need to say goodbye before that chance is gone,” Alex explained with pain in her eyes.
We had flown to California to finally get her things. We rented a U-Haul to drive back to Georgia. I wondered about her relationship with Maddison’s father’s family. When I asked and her eyes filled with tears, I immediately felt guilty for bringing it up. I think she felt guilty for bringing up her past. But that was the last emotion I wanted her to feel. Troy and his family were a part of who she is today.
“Then we’ll go to see her. Even if she doesn’t know who you are, baby, we’ll go.” I took her hand in mine and brought it to my lips, gently kissing her knuckles.
***
The frail woman sitting in the chair and staring out the window looked empty. I wasn’t sure what she was actually looking at, because the window faced a small building and there was not much of a view.
The scene brought back too many emotions. I remembered my father’s last moments, the lost and depleted look in his eyes as he took those last breaths. He was a shell, an empty man, no longer the father who had raised me.
My throat tightened as I watched Alexis brush the woman’s ha
ir gently. Her words were hitting me hard.
“I don’t know if you understand what I’m saying. I just want you to know that Maddison is healthy and happy. I wish she could have had the chance to know you. I wish more than anything that you could remember me, remember that I loved your son so much. If only for a moment, I wish you had the chance to meet Maddison, who is just like Troy.”
Alex swiped away the tear that had escaped her. “I will always love Troy.”
Her eyes were connecting with mine, as she suddenly remembered that I was across the room. I winked, reassuring her that those feelings were okay. I know she loves me; there is no question of that.
“We’re safe and happy. We’ll always be taken care of,” she whispered, and my heart raced. Damn right they would be. I would make sure of that.
When we left the nursing home, Alex looked emotionally drained. We had a long drive ahead of us, and I just wanted to get her home and finally start our lives together without all of the darkness hanging over us.
She slept for hours before I pulled into the hotel for the night. We would start again early the next morning.
Maddison was staying with my mom, because we thought the trip would be easier if we attempted it alone. I missed her like crazy, and the acknowledgement made me smile. A year ago, who would have thought I would have a little girl who held my heart, with her momma holding my soul?
For once, things were looking good. I had it all laid out and, damn, my future looked pretty amazing.
The sound of the shower running pulled my attention away from the television. Knowing she was only a few feet away, naked and wet, was an invitation I couldn’t let pass me by.
I quickly slipped out of my clothes and entered the bathroom. Her back was to me, and I stood just inside the shower admiring the view. She still had not noticed me.
The moment she turned around and found me observing her with hungry eyes, she jumped in surprise. “Oh my god, Colton, you scared the hell out of me.”
“Sorry, just admiring my beautiful fiancée.” I grinned at my own words.
She took a step toward me and ran her soft hands over my chest, intertwining them together behind my neck. Her slick body pressing against mine, she pulled me down to meet her lips.
I gripped her hips tightly and turned her toward the side of the shower, pressing her against the wall. Little words were shared as we explored one another. They weren’t needed, because she surely understood the depth of my love for her.
We were lost in each other. Alex turned away from me and pressed her back against my chest, wiggling her ass against me and urging me on.
Gripping my hardness, I positioned myself behind her and slowly began to enter her, taking the time to savor every second.
She had other plans, pushing back against me in one quick movement. I groaned as I gripped her hips more tightly and held her still.
She looked back over her shoulder and smiled with a devious gleam in her eye. I narrowed my eyes at her, and her smile grew wider, because she knew exactly what she was doing.
Once I began to move, her movements matched mine and her hips rotated against me. She knew what I needed and just when I needed it.
We both reached our release quickly. We moaned as I twitched inside her and, in turn, she quivered from satisfaction.
We dried off and crawled into bed, curling up with one another. I pulled her in tightly and kissed her lips. “I love you, pretty girl.”
“And I love you,” she whispered. Fatigue was claiming her quickly. I lay awake for a while, just watching the slight flutter of her breaths and the way her eyelids twitched as she slept. Her arm draped around my waist held me tightly, as if she needed to know I was going nowhere.
Alex was so strong, and her strength was inspiring. She had been through so much, and all I wanted was for her pain finally to be over. She deserved to have her dreams come true. It was time for her happy ending.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Alexis
“When does their flight arrive?” Kori asked.
“In a couple hours,” I said as I pushed the cart through the produce section. “I feel bad that the house isn’t finished, but at least they have a place to sleep. I mean, could you imagine two more people in the loft?”
Kori laughed and Maria snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure your brother and sister don’t want to be that close to you and Colt. Hearing the bed knocking the wall would surely make your brother cringe.”
The thought of Jett overhearing Colt and me made me laugh. “Yeah, I probably wouldn’t want that, either. Harper, on the other hand, would be standing at the bedroom door, hollering vulgarities.”
“I can’t wait to meet that girl. She sounds like a trip. Colton told me all about their first meeting.” Maria laughed and Kori smiled.
“Girls, just promise me you won’t take anything she says to heart. She has no filter, I swear. Sometimes she doesn’t think before she speaks, but she truly is harmless.” I was a little nervous about Harp. I was terrified she would say something that would offend Kori or Maria.
“No worries. We already warned the boys, and they’re prepared to be undressed by your sister’s eyes.” Kori’s comment made me laugh. I had been warning them for the last week, doing everything I could to prepare them for Harper and her personality. She was hard to take if you didn’t know her very well.
We moved into the house last weekend. It wasn’t finished, but we were outgrowing the loft. Now that we had all my things as well as Maddison’s toys, the loft just wasn’t big enough. So the guys had made a weekend of it, painting and laying carpet. They were able complete the two bedrooms.
For the most part, the house was well on its way to happiness. The new fixtures were in the bathroom, which just needed flooring. Half of the cabinets were up in the kitchen, and the other half still sat in the garage.
But helping daily to add even the smallest things made me feel useful. I loved being a part of it, as we pieced our home together as a team.
The third bedroom would be used by Harper, and the family room just off the back of the house would serve as a place for Jett to stay. They would be visiting for a week. I was more than excited about their visit. I wanted them to see my life here and meet my new family. I knew they too would love them like I do.
I told my parents last night about the engagement and the baby. I swore them to secrecy, because I want to tell Harp and Jett when they arrive. We still have to tell everyone here in Brooklet about the baby, so my brother and sister will be part of the surprise. They will all find out together. We have planned a cookout for the arrival of my family.
So after tonight, everyone will know that Colt and I are going to have a baby. I was nervous, but couldn’t wait to share our excitement with everyone else.
Colt and Maddison were picking the two of them up from the airport, so the girls were gathering up the goods for our dinner. The guys were on babysitting duty.
We had spent over an hour cutting up things, patting out burgers, and mixing up salads. Now we were doing our best to stock the refrigerator in the garage, set up the tables, and gather firewood for the fire.
The sound of tires on the driveway, followed by the slamming of car doors, made my heart race with excitement.
“Well, where are all the hot cowboys? I’m ready to enjoy the view.” Harper’s voice echoing from the side of the house made me smile. “Or you could just take off that shirt of yours and flex for me, Colt. Either way, I’m happy.”
Colt’s chuckle followed by Jett telling her to zip it made the girls smile.
Maddison came running around the side of the house, jumping up and down with excitement. “Mommy, they’re here, look,” she said, pointing behind her.
The minute Harper saw me, she jogged over to me and hugged me tightly. “You look happy, Al,” she whispered.
“I am happy, more than you know,” I assured her. She smiled big, and then she noticed Kori and Maria standing behind me.
“Oh
hey, this is Maria, Colt’s sister.” Maria waved and said hi. “And this is Kori, Maria’s best friend.”
“And a friend of your sister’s,” Kori announced as she smiled at Harper.
“Great to meet you girls. You bring any hot cowboys with you?” Harper asked straight off, and I let my head fall forward, shaking it from side to side.
“Well, our cowboys aren’t here yet. They’re hot but unfortunately taken,” Maria stated with a big smile.
“Well, hell, ladies.” Harper winked before scooping up Maddison and spinning her in circles. “Looks like Aunt Harp strikes out again, baby girl.”
“Girls, this is my brother, Jett.” The moment they looked at Jett, I had to bite my lower lip to keep from laughing. They both stared in appreciation. I had seen that look a million times. Jett was an attractive guy who had an effect on most women.
“Nice to meet you, ladies,” Jett cooed and winked. I was glad Gavin and Reed weren’t here yet. They would be going all macho right about now.
But it didn’t take long for the guys to arrive. They warmed up to Jett pretty quickly. I loved to see my family intertwined with my new friends. It made my life here even more perfect.
Harper’s loud whistle rang out from the back door as she stepped outside. Maddison had taken her inside to show off her new bedroom. I knew she was about to start in on Gavin and Reed.
I turned quickly to observe the girls as Harper approached Gavin and Reed. Kori and Maria were both hiding their laughter behind their hands. I was instantly relieved over the girls’ reactions and thankful they were not offended by Harper.
“Damn, girls, no wonder you are having babies right and left. These men are hot as hell. I think I would spend all my time between the sheets too. It should be illegal for country boys to wear jeans and cowboy boots, because it does things to girls that are kinda dangerous.” Reed’s cheeks reddened, and Gavin arched an eyebrow toward her.