by Kennedy Fox
“Get settled and learn the area and people, and if you want to wait till after the baby, the job will still be here for you.”
I’m shocked to the point of almost being speechless.
“Working with kids was a dream, so I really can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“We don’t have a pediatric hospital—just a ward—so it’s not as large as you’re probably used to, but they could use a nurse with your experience. In fact, they need someone like you. It’s a nice community, and even though you’re not one of us, you’d eventually fit right in,” he teases.
I smile, chuckling. Evan isn’t anything like I’d expected, but that could change. The last three minutes have been strange, to say the least.
“I don’t know what to say…” My mind is racing from information overload on top of everything else.
“No worries. Just think about it. I don’t need an answer now.”
“Okay, well thank you. I certainly appreciate it.”
He winks and checks his watch. “Sorry, I’m going to be late for my shift if I don’t get going,” he says, standing. Before he walks away, he turns and looks straight at me. “Oh, nice meeting you and congrats.”
All my words have vanished. I remember Alex saying his brother was a doctor, but I didn’t realize he had so much pull at the hospital. His words keep replaying in my mind. The hospital needs me. That’s all I needed to hear to help me solidify my decision. Sure, the children’s hospital in Milwaukee needs me too, but it’s not dire. There are handfuls of other nurses who are just as well versed as I am. But moving here would be different. It’d be more intimate at a smaller hospital. And I don’t think he’d lie about needing my experience. After I finish eating, I go upstairs, grab my cell phone, and call Natalie. I have to talk to her now. Considering she’s off today, I know she’s awake and probably doing nothing.
“Nat!” I say as soon as she answers, my excitement building.
“What? Is everything okay?” she asks, and I can tell she’s walking.
“Yes, it’s great. I have so much to tell you.” I sit on the edge of the bed. “Alex wants me to move to Texas.”
“Oh, my fucking gosh! That’s so great, River! See, I told you! Sorry if I’m breathing heavily; I’m climbing the stairs to my apartment because the elevator line was too long.”
“So his brother is a doctor…” I add.
“No fucking way. A hot doctor?” she asks, her tone rising in pitch.
“I am not answering that, soon-to-be Mrs. Adam Mathews. Anyway, he says he can help get me a job at the hospital on their children’s ward. This shouldn’t be this easy, right? Like I’m starting to second-guess everything.”
She laughs. “I was wondering if old skeptical River was going to come out and play.”
“Ha-ha.” I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “Actually, it’s not been that easy. I met his mother yesterday, and I don’t think she’s too fond of me. She was nice, but the way she looked at me, I just got the feeling she wouldn’t blink twice if I caught on fire.”
I hear Natalie unlock a door then I hear it click closed. “Mothers don’t like any girlfriends. Do you think Adam’s mother loved me when we first met? Hell no, she didn’t. She thought I was the devil who was taking away her only son. Just gotta kill her with kindness, and you’ll grow on her. Remember you’re always the second woman. Trust me on that.” Natalie laughs, and I remember some of the stories she’d told me when they first started dating, and it helps me relax slightly about my situation. It’s been so long since I’ve been in any sort of real relationship that I forget these types of things are normal.
“Thanks, Nat. Oh, don’t forget to pick me up from the airport around five tonight.”
“Yeah, babe. I know. I’ll be there. Just hope you don’t get delayed. The snow won’t fucking stop. I feel like I’m in a frozen winter hell.”
I can’t help but smile. “Don’t jinx me, dammit! I’ll text you as soon as the plane lands or if I get delayed beforehand. I’d better go pack because I have to get going soon if I’m going to make it there on time.” I look at the clock and realize I have to leave in an hour.
Natalie squeals. “Can’t wait to see you!”
We say our goodbyes, and I start packing my suitcase. I grab all my toiletries from the bathroom and make sure I don’t leave anything behind, even though I’ll be back soon. Just as I glance over, I see the Styrofoam box that Alex set on the dresser last night. My keys are sitting right next to the fork. I open the box and see it’s a giant piece of chocolate cake. Smiling, I decide I’m taking it to the airport with me and eating it while I wait for my plane.
After everything is packed, I roll my suitcase down to the car. The airport is a little over an hour away, and I should leave soon, but this time, I’m not going anywhere without telling Alex goodbye. Once my foot hits the bottom step, I see John rushing toward me. He grabs my suitcase and carries it to the car for me like a perfect gentleman.
“You coulda called me. I would’ve been happy to help you with this.”
“I know, I know. I’m just used to doing most things by myself and forget to ask. Thank you so much, though,” I tell him as he loads the suitcase in the trunk before shutting it.
Just as I turn around, I see Alex walking and looking straight at me.
“Safe travels, River. We’ll see you real soon,” John says then walks back inside, giving Alex and me some privacy.
“Hey you,” Alex says. His clothes are dirty, and he even has dirt on his face and hat.
“What the hell?” I look him up and down, lingering a little too long on his package. Those tight pants are giving away his secrets, and I can’t help but glance down.
He lifts his hat and scrubs a hand over his face and hair. “The cowboy life is rough.” A sexy smirk plays on his lips as he notices where I was looking. His hair is disheveled, and he looks so damn sexy as he stands in front of me.
“I knew you’d be leaving soon, so I wanted to give you a proper goodbye and get your number; something I shoulda done a long ass time ago,” he says, pulling out his phone and unlocking it. I grab it and program my number into his contacts, then text myself so I’ve got his too.
I can’t help but think how ironic and strange it is that we’re just now exchanging numbers.
“Please text me when you land so I know you made it back okay. And call me when you get home so I can at least rest easy tonight knowing you’re safe,” he says softly as I hand him his phone.
I smile. “I will.” And this time, I mean it. “Promise.”
Even though he’s dirty, he wraps his arms around me tightly, not wanting to let go, and it’s something I welcome. “Bye, River. Come back to me soon.”
“I will. I’ll keep you updated on everything, too. I’ll give you a timeline as soon as I get my life situated,” I tell him as he loosens his embrace.
“If you need any help with anything, just let me know.” Alex leans in, pulling my bottom lip into his mouth, and sucks on it. He runs his fingers through my hair and kisses me, and my hormones go haywire as I taste him. When we break apart, I realize that’s the goodbye we should’ve had in Key West.
A week has passed since I’ve been home and taking care of business. I’m nervous and have asked myself at least a thousand times if this is the right decision, but each time I speak with Alex on the phone, my heart reminds me it is.
After doing some research and pricing moving companies, which was way out of my budget, I decide to list all my furniture online instead. Then I’ll pack and ship a few boxes of things I want to keep, then donate the rest. Luckily, I don’t really have that much, considering I didn’t spend a lot of time in my apartment except to sleep and eat.
Once I returned from Key West, I kicked out my roommate because she kept bringing Asshole around, and I didn’t want that kind of negativity in my life anymore. I planned to move into a one-bedroom apartment, then found out I was pregnant. Now, I’m grateful I’
d been downsizing.
There are only two things left to do before everything is wrapped up in Wisconsin: give my parents the news and say goodbye to Natalie.
My parents live up north, so I call them and ask if they can drive down to meet me after lunch. Even though they’re divorced, I want to tell them together in person.
I’m almost ready to start a new chapter in my life, as odd as it feels. Everything's happening so quickly, which might be the norm when it comes to Alex Bishop, but that’s yet to be determined.
My job was very understanding and allowed me to take the rest of my vacation days instead of working the final two weeks. Leaving was hard, but I took my time saying goodbye to my patients. It was bittersweet.
After I eat a quick bite, I take a bus across town to a coffee shop where I asked my mother and father to meet me. I’m nervous, but I don’t expect either of them to beg me to stay or anything. Since Rylie’s death and their divorce, they haven’t been the same. Even when I was around, they acted like I was invisible.
It’s been years since the three of us have been together, and for once, this is a good reason. Or at least I hope that’s what they’ll think.
When I walk in, they’re sitting at a table, pretending the other isn’t there. They’re not holding a conversation or even looking in the same direction, which kind of hurts my heart.
“Hey, you two!” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
“Hey, River. How’ve you been doing?” Dad asks, standing up to greet me with a hug.
“Good. Really good,” I tell him, giving Mom a hug next before I sit down.
“That’s great, River,” Mom adds.
“How was the drive? Traffic okay?”
Dad purses his lips. Mom narrows her eyes.
“Traffic was fine,” Mom finally answers. Geez, you’d think I asked them to perform a rain dance ritual or something. I know their marriage ended badly, but it’s been years. You’d think that hostility would’ve diminished by now.
“Well, I’ll just cut to the chase since you both have to drive back tonight. I’m sure you’re wondering what’s going on,” I say, inhaling a deep breath.
My heart begins to race, and I know I need to spit this out, but it seems like I’m walking through thick honey and can barely move.
“I’ve decided to move to Texas in a few weeks.”
They both stay quiet for a moment until finally, my father speaks. “What prompted this decision?”
“Well…” I pause, wishing I would’ve bought a bottle of water because my throat is as dry as the Sahara. “I recently found out I was pregnant, and the father lives in Texas. We’re going to see where things go between us, but I also want the baby to have him in his or her life.”
Tears of happiness stream down my mother’s face. “River,” she says in a hushed tone. “We’re going to be grandparents.” She looks at my father, and his eyes meet hers as if he’s seeing her for the first time in a decade.
“Hell, had I known getting pregnant was the trick, I would’ve tried it back in high school,” I tease.
“That’s not even funny,” Mom scolds, but I laugh anyway.
“I wish you weren’t moving so far away,” Dad adds. “We’d like to be involved too.”
Guilt washes over me because I didn’t think they’d care that much, considering they haven’t wanted to be involved in my life in a long time.
“You can always come visit. We can text and FaceTime too. I’m sure you’d love it there. No snow. Horseback riding. All the typical Texas stuff: cowboys, cacti, and horses.” I smile, knowing their love for winter sports trumps anything Texas could offer.
Dad lets out a sigh.
“As long as you’re happy, sweetie. That’s all that matters. If moving to Texas to be with this man is what you want, I fully support your decision.”
“I do, too, baby,” Dad confirms. My shoulders relax, and it feels so good to get it all out.
“Does he treat you right?” Mom asks.
I grab her hand with a lopsided grin. “Yes, Mom.” I sigh. “He treats me like a queen.”
“You deserve to be,” she says with a smile on her face.
“You really do,” Dad adds.
For a moment, I feel my emotions bubble over. I’m halfway shocked when tears stream down my face because their reactions shined light to a dark corner of my heart. After the conversation is over, we exchange hugs and goodbyes, then Dad leaves, and Mom follows behind him. I take the bus to Natalie’s apartment and try to replay everything that happened today.
As soon as she opens the door, she pulls me into a big hug. Out of everything that’s here, Natalie is who I’m going to miss the most. She’s my best friend and has been for as long as I can remember. I hope and pray distance doesn’t affect our friendship.
“Come in,” she tells me as she releases our embrace. I don’t hesitate before stepping inside.
I walk in and smell cookies baking, and I know she made them just for me. Sitting in the recliner, I prop up my feet and lean back. “You’re making chocolate chip oatmeal cookies again, aren’t you?”
“Of course, I am, Mama. They’re your favorite.” She smiles and sits on the couch. “How’d your parents take the news?”
“Surprisingly well,” I admit, and I’m still kind of shocked by their response.
“That’s great, River. They don’t really have a choice other than to accept what’s going on, you know?” The oven beeps, and Natalie quickly gets up and takes them out. She grabs a spatula, places a few on a plate, and pours two large glasses of milk. She spoils me. Before Adam gets home, we talk about everything—about me moving, her coming to visit, keeping in touch, FaceTiming, and how I have to keep her involved in every aspect of the pregnancy. We lose complete track of time reminiscing, and when I realize hours have passed, I decide it’s time for me to go.
Natalie pulls me into a big hug, and we squeeze each other so tight it almost hurts.
“I’m going to try not to cry,” she says.
“No tears. This isn’t goodbye forever. We’re going to chat all the time,” I remind her.
She chokes back tears, and I do too. Sucking in a deep breath, I somehow find the strength to walk away.
“Text me when you get home,” she says as I step onto the elevator.
“I will!”
She waves goodbye just before the doors close, and I wipe the tears away.
I guess it’s really all settled now. There’s nothing else holding me here.
Chapter Nineteen
ALEX
“Shut the hell up!” I yell at Jackson as he irritates me from his bedroom.
“You’re the one who’s forcing me to move out,” he retorts as he carries boxes outside to his truck.
I laugh when he walks back in and flips me off with both hands.
“I’m paying thousands of dollars for you to leave. You’ve wanted your own place for a while anyway. It’s not going to take that long to finish that house. Dad already told you that.”
Since River will be here tomorrow, I’ve been trying to get everything settled, and Jackson’s deadline to get all his shit out was yesterday. Being the asshole procrastinator he is, he waited until the very last minute to pick up the remaining boxes. This whole process hasn’t been the easiest, considering Jackson and I split the cost to have this house remodeled. So, to be fair, I paid him his half, which will help him fix up an old farmhouse on the other side of the property.
Unfortunately, he’s been giving me shit ever since Mama suggested it. I was surprised when she did, but luckily it was her idea, so Jackson caved and did what she wanted. But until the house is fixed up and remodeled, Jackson’s staying with John, who isn’t happy about the whole idea.
After a few more trips to his truck, Jackson comes back in breathing heavily. “That’s all of it.”
“Thank God.” I sigh, relieved.
He takes a few steps forward, and at first, I think he’s going to punch me, but ins
tead, he gives me a big brotherly hug. “Better be glad I love you.”
“Don’t get all mushy on me,” I tell him, and he laughs.
He looks down at his watch. “Gotta go. John’s gonna be home, and I want to meet him at the door wearing the same clothes.”
“You’re such a prick.”
He laughs and gives me a sarcastic thumbs up. “Not many people have a twin they can fuck with. Gotta take advantage of it every chance I get.”
I shake my head, and when I hear the rumble of his truck in the distance, I let out a deep breath. The house almost looks empty without his shit all over the place, but that’ll give River a blank space to make this place her own. I just hope she accepts living with me since I haven’t officially asked her yet. I wanted to make sure she was standing in front of me when I did. If she refuses, there are a few more options, but I don’t even think about that. I promised her I’d have everything worked out by the time she returned, but this is a big step, even for me.
Not wanting to push her limits, I had an extra bedroom set from the B&B moved and set up in Jackson’s room since River decided to sell her furniture. I wish I could sleep next to her instead, but I’m not rushing things, just as she wanted. The more I thought about us while she was in Wisconsin, the more I realized she was right about taking it slow. I plan to spend all the time I can getting to know every little thing about her. I want our relationship to have a solid foundation, considering she already has my heart.
It’s almost been two weeks since River left, and today, she’s finally coming back to me for good. I wake up, feed the animals, finish my day, and clean up before heading to the airport to pick her up. It’s close to five p.m., and I’m exhausted, but just knowing she’s on her way gives me an energy boost. During the hour it takes me to drive there, I do nothing but think about her and our future. It’s all still hard for me to believe.