Taming Him

by Kennedy Fox

  “You know what I would like to do?” I smile wide.

  Smirking, he lifts his eyebrows. “What’s that, sweetheart?”

  “I want to take a tour of the ranch. This place is huge. I looked it up on Google, and I just can’t imagine what a thousand acres even looks like.”

  “Right now?” he asks.

  “Whenever you have time. I think it’d be fun.”

  Alex grabs my hand and leads me back through the stables. We walk past the horse corral to a big red barn that looks like it should be on a movie set. Sliding the large door open, he takes a step to the side and I see 4-wheelers and the beefed-up golf cart things he was talking about.

  “I’ve got all the time in the world for you.”

  How can he consistently say all the right things at exactly the right time? The past few weeks I’ve felt horrible, and I’ve hated the way I’ve looked, but being around him changes all of that. Alex looks at me with so much fire in his eyes, it almost burns my skin. Just being around him, smelling him, staring into his eyes is making my hormones go haywire. At this point, I might need more self-control than he does because my body remembers every single kiss and touch, and it’s been craving him since I left Key West. Pregnancy hormones are way worse than Key West hormones, especially since I already know what I’m missing.

  He watches me watch him. As he steps closer, he brushes his fingers across the softness of my cheek before giving me a sweet smile. “A complete tour would take days. We have to be back for lunch in two hours, and Mama doesn’t accept tardiness. You’ll learn that, though. If you want, we can see a small portion of it right now. We can take the blue trail. They’re not going to be riding for a few more hours anyway.”

  I nod eagerly. “Yes. I’d love that.”

  Alex grabs a set of keys from the wall and leads me over to the side by side parked in the front. I climb in, and as soon as I sit down next to him, he places his hand on my thigh, and I place my hand on top of his. We both glance at each other and smile.

  “Hold on,” he says, pressing on the gas, and we zoom out of the barn, drive around the stables, and make our way down the trail.

  “Just remember: baby on board.” I nod my head down to my belly. “No major bumps or anything.”

  “Don’t worry. I got you.” He winks.

  A few minutes into the trail, Alex speaks up again. “I should probably tell you more about my family before lunch. Mama and Dad have been married since they were eighteen. High school sweethearts and all that. Got married young, had babies young. Mama’s strict, but she loves with everything she’s got. Dad’s a tough one to crack, but over time, he’ll warm up to you. They’re both set in their ways, but with five kids, they’ve had to juggle a lot. I think I mentioned my siblings before, but just a reminder in case you forgot. I’m the youngest of the boys, so I get shit on a lot for it.” He shrugs with a sideways grin. “Then there’s John and Jackson, the twins.”

  I chuckle to myself, thinking that reminder would’ve been nice a couple hours ago. “Yeah, I met Jackson this morning.”

  He gives me a sideways glance at the tone of my voice. “Don’t worry. John put him in his place.” I chuckle.

  “Good. So, then there’s my sister, Courtney, who ironically is also pregnant. But with triplets.”

  “Triplets?” I gasp, and my eyes go wide. “I can’t even imagine.”

  “Yep. She and her husband, Drew, tried for a couple of years before seeing some fancy fertility doctor and ending up with three babies. They live in California but come and visit when they can. Oh, speaking of doctor, my oldest brother, Evan, is a doctor.”

  “A doctor?” I ask, surprised. I really thought they’d all be involved with the ranch in some way, but I know a doctor’s busy schedule.

  “Yeah. He’s a hardass and super smart. He’s the only one of us boys who decided he didn’t want the rancher life, but Dad makes him come and help on his days off,” he explains.

  “Sounds like there’s never a dull moment with the Bishops.” I chuckle. “So thanks for the twin warning ahead of time, by the way. I was really confused this morning when I was talking to John, or I thought I was anyway, and it ended up being Jackson. He had no idea who I was and hit on me until John intervened.” I place my free hand in the pocket of my jacket because the wind seems colder now that we’re speeding up.

  “That motherfucker,” he mutters. “Yeah, he does that. A lot, actually. Drives John fuckin’ nuts, but Jackson lives for a laugh especially when it comes to making any one of us uncomfortable. Sometimes he likes to wear the same clothes as John, and it makes John so mad. But it’s pretty funny. Mostly because I get to witness it.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to tell them apart,” I add over the roaring of the engine.

  He chuckles. “Most people have that issue. But John is the quiet one. He’s more sensible, and Jackson likes being an asshole. John is an introvert whereas Jackson is loud and proud, and overly flirty with every woman he sees. No matter her age. They may look the same, but they’re complete opposites in personality. You’ll figure it out sooner than later, trust me. Jackson doesn’t know how to shut up.”

  “That’s good information, actually.” I chuckle. “Jackson definitely gives off the party vibe.”

  He looks over at me with a knowing look. “You have no idea.”

  We continue down the trail and begin climbing a large hill. By the time we make it to the top, Alex turns off the engine and gives me time to look out. It’s magical how the land goes on as far as the eye can see. It almost seems like a mirage, and the silence is so relaxing. There’s no rushing cars or city noise; it’s so quiet that I can hear the wind rustling the grass.

  “Wow,” I whisper.

  “You’ve not seen nothing yet.” Alex turns on the Ranger and presses the gas. We roll down the other side of the hill and drive into a valley. Time seems to stand still as we continue forward until a large pond comes into view. Trees surround it, and there are a few picnic tables under the trees; I can imagine people having lunch out here. Once Alex cuts the engine, we get out and walk toward the pond. The blue sky and clouds reflect upon the water, and I feel like I could stare out at this view all day long. I can’t wait to see it with wildflowers surrounding it, just like Alex described.

  We stand next to each other, and I turn and look at him.

  “Are you afraid?”

  He licks his lips, and his face distorts. “Not even for a second,” he replies, confidently. I wish I felt like that, but nevertheless, I’m relieved by his answer.

  “I’m scared, Alex. I’m worried about this pregnancy. I’ve witnessed so much working at the children’s hospital, seeing babies suffer, watching their parents cry and fall to pieces. Hell, I saw it with my own eyes with my sister, Rylie, and what it did to my parents. Everything’s going to change, and all I can think about is what if this baby is sick or worse. The thoughts are so overwhelming and now being here with you…” I pause, inhaling a much-needed deep breath. “It’s all so much.”

  Grabbing my hand, Alex turns me toward him and tilts my chin up. Staring into his blue eyes, I notice how they’re the same color as the sky above us. “I’m here, darlin’. There are going to be plenty of what-if and scary moments, but all you need to know is that I’m here. We’ll do this together, and everything’s gonna be all right.”

  He kisses me softly, and I melt into him. My body relaxes, and I believe every word he says. Maybe if we’re together, everything really will be okay.

  We spent too much time at the pond, so instead of going straight back to the B&B, Alex drives us to his parents’ house using a different trail. The property is so large that I’m lost and turned around because all the trails seem to connect to each other. My nerves are on fire again as we drive past another barn and he parks the side by side close to the back steps of a large country home. It’s got a wraparound porch just like the B&B. When we walk inside, even though my heart is racing, it feels and smel
ls just like home—a home I always wished I had.

  “Mama,” Alex yells out as soon as we walk in.

  “In the kitchen,” she responds. I stop and take a quick breath, preparing myself for the possible outcomes. My stomach starts to twist in knots, and I know it’s not from the pregnancy this time.

  Chapter Seventeen

  ALEX

  By the look on River’s face, I can tell she’s nervous. Before we walk into the kitchen, I stop and hold her sweet face in my hands.

  “You have nothing to worry about.” I try to offer her some sort of comfort even though I’ve been pushing my own nerves below the surface. “Trust me, okay?”

  She nods. “I trust you.”

  I grab her hand and lead her down the hallway toward the kitchen. Mama pulls sugar cookies from the oven and sets the hot baking sheet on top of the stove. She wipes her hands on a dish towel and turns around with a smile on her face that immediately fades when she sees River standing next to me.

  Fuck. I know what that look means.

  “Hey, Mama.” I walk up to her, giving her a kiss on the cheek, then turning to River.

  “This is River. River, this is my mama, Rose,” I say, introducing them with a big smile on my face, hoping it spreads like wildfire. I almost introduced her as my girlfriend, because it sounds right, but I didn’t want to cross the line or make the situation more awkward than it needs to be. Mama’s never seen me bring a girl home, and I now realize this is going to be a lot harder than I expected.

  “Hello,” Mama says, looking her up and down before smiling.

  “Hi,” River says sweetly. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  Mama nods and turns back to her cookies, placing each one on the cooling rack so they don’t continue cooking on the tray. Just as I’m about to say something, Dad walks through the back door, placing his cowboy hat on the table.

  “I’m starving,” he says, pulling out a chair and sitting.

  “River, this is my dad, Scott.” I grab his attention to us.

  “Hi,” River says to him.

  “Howdy, River.” He stands and holds his hand out to shake hers.

  “Alex didn’t tell us he was bringing a guest, so let me grab you a place setting.” Mama gives me a sideways glance, and I know she suspects something.

  “Sorry, Mama,” I apologize, knowing she doesn’t like surprises. Oh well. She’ll find out soon enough now.

  We take our seats at the table across from my parents, and I try to make small talk, but the tension in the room is steadily growing. Mama serves baked potato soup in big bowls with tons of cheese and bacon on top.

  River and I thank her, and once she sits down at the table with us, we hold hands and say grace. I look over at River who flashes a nervous smile, but she has nothing to worry about. I’ll be with her through it all.

  “This is the best soup I’ve ever eaten,” River compliments after a few bites, and Mama offers a soft thank you.

  “So you want to tell us what’s goin’ on?” Mama directs her question at me, and Dad pops his head up, wanting to know too.

  I grab River’s hand under the table and interlock my fingers with hers. “Well, turns out you’re going to be grandparents to another little bundle.”

  Mama glares at me. Dad’s face stays exactly the same, no reaction surfacing. The silence seems to drown on.

  “How did this happen?” Mama asks, looking back and forth between River and me. I can almost taste the venom in her words even though she tries to cover her disdain with a smile.

  “Well, it’s kind of a long story. We met in Key West when Dylan and I went last October.” I don’t want to go into details about our relationship and our vacation hookup agreement. Mama would never approve of my past lifestyle, which is why she isn’t privy to that type of information.

  “Well, son, I have to say I’m quite shocked right now. I feel blindsided by this whole situation,” Mama says to River and me. And I understand. It’s a lot to take in. I’m not a child, but Mama has always had high traditional expectations.

  “What does this all mean, exactly?” Dad asks.

  “I guess it means I’m gonna be a father,” I reply.

  Dad chuckles softly. “You two raisin’ the baby together?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Mama sets her spoon down in her bowl and pushes it away. After wiping her mouth with the napkin from her lap then setting it on the table, I get the hint that lunch is over. Maybe bringing River here and dropping the bomb this way wasn’t the smartest idea. Maybe I should’ve told Mama alone so I could get her real reaction, and we could talk it through. The whole situation backfired, and I can sense how uneasy River is by the tightness of her grip. Before getting up to leave, I thank Mama for lunch and tell Dad I’ll be back to work after dropping River off at the B&B.

  As I go to walk out, Mama calls me back. I place a hand on River’s shoulder and tell her I’ll meet her outside.

  “If you weren’t a grown man, I’d slap you right now,” Mama says with her arms crossed over her chest. Fuck, I haven’t seen her this pissed since she caught me stealing the tractor for a joyride when I was ten years old.

  “What’s your problem? You always said you wanted grandkids. Now you’re going to have one close to you, and you’re being rude. You didn’t treat Courtney this way with her big announcement,” I tell her and instantly feel terrible for playing the comparison game.

  “Your situation and Courtney’s are completely different. Courtney is married and settled. You, on the other hand, decided to knock up a stranger and bring her here, then expect me to welcome the news with open arms. Maybe you should’ve thought this through. Are you sure it’s even yours?”

  “Mom!” I scold her quick judgment.

  “I’m sorry, but this is going to take me a while to process. Where does she live? Is she moving here? It’s obvious the poor girl doesn’t know anything about our lifestyle and has a lot of learnin’ to do. And that’s gonna need to change real quick. You know my motto, son: can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

  Good lord. If this is how fast she’s blurting words out, I can’t imagine how fast her mind is racing.

  “Well first, yes, River is moving here from Wisconsin because I want to take responsibility for my baby, and we’re going to be together. I know this is out of your traditional values, but what’s done is done. You can be on board with it or not, but this is happening, and there’s nothing you or anyone else can do about it but accept it.” I search her face before I walk away, but I don’t wait for her response because I’m pissed, and she knows it.

  Before I walk outside, I put on a fake smile because I don’t want River to be upset. We climb inside the side by side and drive across the pasture.

  “She doesn’t like me,” River says on the way back to the B&B.

  “She doesn’t know you. I’m sure she’ll fall in love with you. I have no doubts about it. Just gotta give each other a chance,” I say confidently, and I truly believe that. It’s just going to take a little adjusting for everyone. “Mama will come around.”

  “I hope so.” She bows her head, chewing on her bottom lip.

  I drive us around to the back and pull the side by side in the barn at the B&B. We sit in silence for a moment before I turn and look at her. “I’m sorry for that. I truly expected a different reaction from them both.”

  Sweetly, she places her hand on top of mine. “It’s okay. I honestly didn’t know we were telling them about the baby right away. I thought maybe I’d meet them first, and then you’d mention it later when I wasn’t around to feel their wrath.” She falls silent.

  “I’m so sorry. Stupid decision on my part, but I think Mama already had it figured out. She’s as smart as a whip, and not much gets past her. Though you’re the first girl I’ve ever brought to lunch, so I should’ve expected her to suspect something. I was just so excited for them to meet you, I didn’t think it through.”

  “It’s fine. At
least they know, and we can move on, I guess.” River isn’t happy, and I hate knowing I disappointed her.

  We get out and walk toward the back porch of the B&B, and I don’t want to leave her, not in this state, but I have to get back to work, or I’ll never hear the end of it. Just as the thought crosses my mind, I get a phone call. I pull my phone from my pocket and see it’s Dylan.

  “Yes?” I answer.

  “Where the fuck are you? I need help getting this hay in the middle barn loft. I can’t do this shit alone. I need you to go pick up the trailer and bring it over so we can load this shit and be done with the day.”

  “I’ll be right there,” I tell him.

  River turns and looks at me. “Is that Dylan?”

  I nod.

  “Tell him hi for me!” River says, and she’s smiling again—thankfully.

  “I heard her,” he tells me. “Tell her I said hey and that your ass needs to leave right now before I drive over there and drag you back.”

  All I can do is laugh. “Okay, okay. I’m heading that way. Give me fifteen minutes.”

  I walk River inside, up the stairs, and to her room. Yawning, she sits on the edge of the bed, kicking off her shoes. There’s nothing more I wanna do right now than pull her into my arms and hold her until the sun goes down. It’s barely past one, and I’m sure she’s exhausted from everything we did today.

  “So I guess we have a lot of planning to do. When does your plane leave?” There are so many questions to ask, but I feel like I have zero time to get them all out, especially with Dylan waiting for me.

  She lies back on the bed. Her blonde hair surrounds her face, and she looks so damn beautiful. She folds her hands over her belly, and I smile at the small bump forming on her petite frame. I blink hard making sure I’m not imagining any of this because since I saw her at the diner, I’ve been in a dream state.