Series Starter : Firsts in Series Collection

by Kaylee Ryan

  “I want to be there for your appointments. Anything else you need, you let me know. I’m going to go call the attorney. What time do we need to leave?” I don’t give her room to tell me no.

  “I have to be there in an hour.”

  “Great, just let me make this call, and then we can go.” I head to my office, leaving her alone in the living room. I just moved into this house six months ago. When I built it, I made sure it was big enough for a growing family. That was always in the back of my mind, but I never dreamed it would be this soon.

  Stepping into my office, I shut the door and take a seat at the desk. Cell phone in hand, I swipe the screen, find the family attorney’s number, and hit send.

  My call goes to voicemail. “Mr. Fields, hi, Evan Chamberlin. Listen, I have an urgent matter that was just brought to my attention, which I will need your services for. When you get this message, please give me a call.” I don’t bother leaving my number; he has it. Mr. Fields has been my grandparents’ attorney for years. When I took over the farm, I continued that relationship.

  I find Misty still standing by the window. Being so lost in her thoughts, she doesn’t hear me approach. I bite back the panic that she’s changed her mind. I squeeze my cell phone a little tighter, willing it to ring. I need to get these papers drawn up and signed before she does.

  “Ready?”

  She startles a little from the sound of my voice. Turning to look at me, her face is void of any emotion. It’s just…blank. “Yeah,” is all she says as she grabs her purse and walks toward the door. Mutely, I follow behind, locking up. She ambles to my truck and gets in the passenger side. At least she’s not trying to get out of this.

  The twenty-minute drive is uneventful. We don’t speak except for me asking which office she goes to. The silence is welcome. I’m still raging mad at the thought of her “taking care of it,” even though I’m relieved she’s agreed to sign all rights over to me.

  As soon as I put the truck in park, Misty is climbing out and heading toward the door. I catch up just in time to reach around her to open it. She says nothing as we walk inside and I follow her to the receptionist’s desk. I don’t know if she has health insurance, but I need to make sure they know all bills should come to me.

  “Good afternoon, how can I help you?” asks the chipper girl sitting behind the desk.

  “Misty Newman here for my appointment with Dr. Combs.” Her tone is flat.

  “Great, let’s see. It says here you have Medical Mutual for insurance coverage. Is that still in effect?” the receptionist inquires nicely.

  “That’s correct,” she answers.

  “Can you please make sure anything not covered by insurance is billed to me? My name is Evan Chamberlin.” The overly-friendly receptionist looks to Misty for guidance, who she nods her head. I rattle off my address.

  “I’ve got everything I need. You can have a seat and they’ll be with you shortly,” she chirps.

  Misty doesn’t acknowledge her as she turns and walks away. I smile at the receptionist, trying to cover for Misty’s rudeness. Her blinding smile in return lets me know she’s used to it.

  I take a seat next to Misty and pull out my phone. Opening my email, I see a message from Mr. Fields. He’s in court, but will call as soon as he gets a break. I reply that I will be unavailable for the next hour or so, but any time after that, no matter the time, he can call. I don’t want to delay getting her signature.

  “Misty,” a short blonde nurse calls her name from the door leading back to the exam rooms. As Misty strolls toward her, I follow behind like a puppy. “You can wait in exam room three while we get her weight,” the nurse tells me. I nod, letting her know I understand, and take a seat in one of the empty chairs next to the exam table. Misty and the nurse join me not a minute later.

  “Climb up on the exam table. I need to take your vitals.” She proceeds to take Misty’s blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. She then hands her a cup. “We need a urine sample. Leave the cup in the silver door behind the toilet. The doctor will be in shortly.”

  “I’ve already been here and taken a test. Why do I need another one?” Misty asks. Her voice is flat, uncaring.

  “Yes, we will do this at each visit to check the levels in your urine.” The nurse smiles and leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.

  Misty grumbles under her breath as she, too, leaves the room. Leaning over, I rest my elbows on my knees and bury my face in my hands. My world has been flipped upside down in the last two hours. I’m going to be a father.

  A single father.

  Misty comes back into the room, and this time, the doctor follows her in. “You must be dad? I’m Dr. Combs.” He extends his hand for me to shake.

  “Yes, sir,” I respond. I’m going to be a father. I swallow the lump in the back of my throat.

  Dr. Combs takes a seat on a stool and opens his laptop. After a minute or so of scrolling and clicking, he looks up. “Misty, vitals look good. Weight is the same as last visit. Make sure you’re eating three full meals a day. It’s good to add a healthy snack in between. You’re eating for two now,” he grins.

  Misty just stares at him.

  “Right, well, you’re eight weeks along and sometimes at this point we can hear the heartbeat. Lie back on the table and lift your shirt.”

  She does as instructed, still showing no emotion. Me, on the other hand, I feel like my heart is about to throb out of my chest. “We can really do that? We can hear the heartbeat?” I question. Even I can hear the excitement in my voice.

  “Sure can. Eight weeks is sometimes a little early, so don’t be alarmed if we can’t. Most definitely by your next appointment,” he explains.

  Wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans, I don’t bother looking at Misty. I know she’s wearing that same bland expression, and I will not let her take this moment from me. Instead, I keep my eyes trained on Dr. Combs. I watch as he pulls out a tiny device he calls a Doppler and places one end against Misty’s belly. As he gently moves it back and forth, I hold my breath, not willing to make a sound; I don’t want to miss this. He moves the machine a little to the left and a whooshing sound encompassed with a steady thumping rhythm comes from the box in the physician’s hand. I exhale at the sound, and the lump in my throat grows along with the well of tears in my eyes.

  Hearing that sound for the first time is going down as the most amazing moment in my life to date. “Holy shit.” The croaked words fall from my lips.

  This causes Dr. Combs to laugh. “That’s usually the reaction I get from first-time parents.” He smiles at me and glances at Misty.

  “It’s his baby. I’m signing my rights over as soon as it’s born,” she blurts out.

  Dr. Combs doesn’t comment. He just nods in understanding as he places the Doppler back in the drawer. The room is silent as he measures her belly and asks a few questions about morning sickness and diet. “Everything looks good. We’ll see you back here in a month. You can make your appointment on the way out.” He then turns to look at me. “Do you have any questions?” Seems he understands all too well that Misty wants no part of this.

  “Honestly, I’m too…overwhelmed,” I say. “Maybe after I wrap my head around this; after it sinks in. I just found out a couple of hours ago.”

  Dr. Combs nods again, letting me know he understands. “Well, call anytime. We’ll see you all in four weeks.” With that, he grabs his laptop and flees the room.

  The ride back to my place is silent. I have nothing to say to her that’s nice, and I’m scared as hell if I piss her off she’ll go back on her word. I park in front of the garage and turn off the engine. “So what can I do? Do you need clothes? Money?” I ask. I plan to hold up my end of the deal.

  “Not yet. I’m good.” She wrings her hands together in her lap. “I guess I’ll see you later.” She reaches for the handle.

  “Wait!” I grab her wrist gently. “I want to be there for all of it. You need me, you let me know. I think we should ge
t together a couple times a week and have dinner or something. Keep in contact.” I sound desperate, but I don’t give a fuck. I need to stay front and center. I don’t want to miss a minute of this even though we are no longer together.

  “Yeah, sounds like a plan. Call me,” she says as she jumps from the truck and briskly walks to her car. I stare after her, watching as she drives down the lane. My ringing cell phone startles me. Looking down, I see it’s Mr. Fields on the caller ID.

  Perfect.

  Chapter 2

  McKinley

  I’m officially a college graduate. I’ve enjoyed my reign at the University of Miami, but there’s no place like home. I wanted to go away to school, see how the rest of the world lived outside the state of Kentucky. I experienced it, and I’m glad I did, but it’s so damn good to be home. Aaron, my older brother by two years, is supposed to be picking me up from the airport. Our parents are in Tennessee for a cattle sale. Mom called three times offering to cancel, but I assured her it’s fine. I’ve lived away from home for four years. I think Aaron and I can keep the house standing for a few days on our own. I am twenty-two after all.

  As I’m standing in baggage claim, I pull my cell phone out of my purse and turn it on. A text comes through from Aaron.

  Aaron: Hey, running a few minutes late. Got caught up in traffic.

  I smile to myself. Aaron hates to be late for anything, so I know this is killing him. He’s just like our father: always prepared and always on time. Both take their time and think things through, never making a rash decision. Me, I’m more like our mother. We live with our heart on our sleeves—often times volunteering and taking on too much just to help others. Not that Dad and Aaron aren’t up for helping others, it’s just they know when to say no. Mom and I, on the other hand, not so much. In college, I don’t know how many times I’d gotten roped into helping with events around campus when I had my own projects and studying to do. Part of that could have been my roommate, Lisa’s fault. She could be very persuasive.

  Tapping my foot impatiently, I watch as bags roll by, looking for mine. I only checked one, plus I have my carry-on. I shipped the rest here. I only kept what I needed to get me by the last couple of days. Lisa and I shared an apartment. She’s an Alabama girl, and just like me, more than ready to go home. I’m going to miss her like crazy, but after being roommates and best friends for the past four years, I know we’ve formed an incredible bond and will stay in touch. It was hard to say goodbye, but then it always is.

  Finally, I spot my bag and heave it off the conveyor. That’s when I hear my name being yelled from behind me. Turning to search for the source, I see him. Aaron is running toward me with a big-ass grin on his face. Knowing he’s about to tackle me, I release the handle of my suitcase and let my carry-on and purse drop to the floor just in time for Aaron to wrap his hulking arms around me.

  “I missed you, little sister,” he says as he hugs me tight.

  I can’t breathe, so forming words isn’t possible. I wait until he releases me to respond. “I missed you too. Took you long enough.” I elbow him lightly.

  “Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles good-naturedly.

  I love teasing him; it’s just too easy.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Aaron reaches for my carry-on, hands me my purse, and then grabs my large suitcase. I don’t bother to protest, as I know it won’t do any good. Mom and Dad raised him right. He’s going to make one hell of a husband one day, for multiple reasons. First of all, it’s the truth; second, I just like to wind him up. Aaron is a thinker. He processes everything, including who he dates. He doesn’t see the point in dating someone who he cannot see himself spending the rest of his life with. If he’s not feeling it, he ends it. Only problem is, how is he ever going to get to know someone? Mom and I both have tried to explain this, but he’s too damn stubborn. When he does fall, it’s going to be hard and I’m going to enjoy every single second of watching him flounder around in uncharted seas.

  I follow along behind him, expecting him to lead me to his old beat up ford. Instead, we’re standing in front of a brand-new, shiny Ford F-350 four-door beast. I’m sure there is a more technical name for it, but it’s freaking huge, so beast it is. “This thing is huge!”

  “I know, right?” He grins at me. “Just picked it up last week. I decided to retire the other one.”

  “It’s about time. You’ve been driving that same old beat-up truck since you were sixteen.”

  “Yeah, and with me taking over the farm, I can’t depend on borrowing Dad’s all the time.” He shrugs. “It was time to man up and get my own. One that could actually pull the horse trailer up the hills and not take six days to do it.” We both laugh at that. My brother is frugal to a fault. He’s not one to need shiny new toys. He can afford it, as he’s a partner in the farm with my parents, but you would never know it. He’s modest and so much like our father.

  “How’s that going?” I ask.

  “Good. Papers are drawn up. I’ve asked them both a million times if they’re sure they are ready to pass it on, and they both agree it’s time. Dad says he wants to relax and watch me sweat,” he laughs.

  “It’s hard work, Aaron. I know you love the farm, but you’ve seen the long hours Dad had to put in. You sure this is what you want? No one would judge you if you didn’t.” I ask the question, even though I already know the answer. A resounding yes. Our family farm is in his blood, and it’s always been his dream to take it over. His best friend’s family owns the farm that runs parallel to ours. He and Evan have been friends for as long as I can remember and have always talked about taking over and working together.

  “Yes!” he says emphatically and I grin. I know my brother.

  “So, what about Evan? How is he? How’s his dad?”

  “He’s good. Adjusting. His parents moved to Alabama. There is an oncologist there who specializes in his type of cancer. The warmer climate also helps. He’s always freezing.” Aaron loads my bags into the truck as I climb up into the passenger seat. I actually have to climb because this thing is so big. Thank goodness for running boards.

  “I can’t imagine how hard that is for him. I’m sure he always pictured his dad and granddad being there when he took over,” I say softly.

  “Yeah, he’s…okay, I guess. He doesn’t say much. Evan just jumps in head first and gets it done, you know what I mean?”

  I nod. Evan is the exact opposite of Aaron. He makes decisions on a whim and rolls with it. Senior prom is a great example. Aaron agonized over who to ask. He didn’t want his date to think it was more than that, just a date. Evan on the other hand, had accepted the first invitation he received. That’s another way they differ—Aaron thought it was the man’s job to ask the girl. Evan just rolled with life. That particular trait alone intensified the already massive crush I had on him. The girl who asked him to the prom, she wasn’t popular, she wasn’t the most beautiful, but she asked and he agreed. He didn’t do it out of pity or to play games with her. Evan treated her like he would a beauty queen. He’s just an all around good guy and my teenage heart couldn’t help but fall for him.

  “Speak of the devil.” Aaron holds his phone up so I can see Evan’s name lighting up the screen. “Hey, man, what’s up?” he asks in greeting. I block out their conversation and stare out the window, enjoying the open land flying by. It’s so good to be home.

  “Earth to Kinley.” Aaron waves his hand in front of my face, snapping me back to the present. “There you are.”

  “Sorry, just got lost in the landscape. It’s so good to be back. I can’t wait to ride the land and take some shots.” I majored in photography and I want to start my own business. The open pastures of Kentucky have my mind racing with photo possibilities.

  “I see. Listen, that was Evan, as you know. He says he needs to talk to me. Do you mind if we stop by his place? He sounded a little…I don’t know, off.”

  “Sure, does he know I’m going to be with you? Maybe I should drop you off and come
back to get you later,” I offer. Evan may not feel comfortable talking in front of me.

  “Nah, I told him I just picked you up from the airport.”

  “Well, all right then. It’s been forever since I’ve seen him. When I was home for Christmas, he was in Alabama with his parents.”

  Aaron laughs. “That’s pretty funny actually.” He grins. “The path of life.”

  “Yes. So, tell me what’s been going on.” Aaron spends the next twenty minutes catching me up on the ins and outs of him taking over the farm and our parents bragging about slowing down. I laugh when he tells me both Mom and Dad keep dropping hints about wanting to be grandparents.

  “You are the oldest after all,” I chide him.

  “Yeah, yeah. Needs to be a game changer, little sister,” he replies.

  This is not new information to me. I just wish he would lighten up a little. I fear he’ll never give himself the opportunity to open up and know someone, really know them and fall in love. Of course, that’s the romantic in me.

  As we pull into the long drive that leads to Evan’s, we veer to the right instead of driving toward the main house. “Where are we going?”

  “Evan just moved into his new place a few months ago,” Aaron says.

  “Oh, that’s right. I’m excited to see it.”

  “Well, here we are.” Aaron stops in front of a two-story house. It’s beautiful. The front is brick, a mix of light and dark browns, with tan siding the rest. Dark green shutters adorn the windows, and a porch, which crosses the front and both sides.

  “Does the porch wrap all the way around?” I ask as I take in the beautiful structure. I love this house. It’s my dream house, but I would want a basement and for the porch to go all the way around.

  “Yes, four bedrooms, full basement. It’s massive for one guy, but you know Evan. He says this is going to be his home and he wants to be able to grow into it.” He shakes his head as if he doesn’t understand his best friend. Aaron is the type of guy who would need his future bride to be in the building process, discussing and analyzing every room, every fixture.