by Kaylee Ryan
“Milk, please,” Kendrix asks politely.
“You know what, milk for me too,” I tell her.
“And you, miss?”
“Orange juice, please,” Delaney tells her.
“You like milk too?” Kendrix asks.
“I do. I used to drink nothing but milk when I was your age.”
“My momma hates it.” She sticks her tongue out. “She says it’s like eating chalk. Do you like chalk, Mr. Kent? I never had it. My momma says it’s bad for you, but that milk is good for you. I don’t get it.” She shakes her head and furrows her little brow.
“Well, milk is very good for you. It gives you strong bones.”
“Yeah, I’ll be big like you.” She nods and then reaches for the small cup that holds a few crayons and begins to color on her placemat.
Our waitress delivers our drinks, and we all order pancakes with a side of bacon. I teach Kendrix how to play tic-tac-toe and, by the time our food is delivered, we’ve filled up her placemat and mine. The three of us eat and talk like this is our normal Sunday morning routine. Like we’ve been doing this for years. Maybe it’s a new tradition for us. I can only hope.
“All right, you ladies ready for your surprise?” I ask them once we’re back in my truck.
“Yes!” Kendrix cheers, and I feel her kicking her legs around on the back seat of the truck.
I glance over at Delaney. “This one is really for you, but I wanted her to see it too.”
She nods but doesn’t comment. The ride to the meadow is short. I enter in the back way so my parents don’t see us. I haven’t told them yet, about my girls. It’s not that I don’t want to, but if I’m wrong, and my gut tells me I’m not, I don’t want to hurt them. My mother has been asking for me to settle down since Knox was born. Funny, if Delaney had still been in my life, Kendrix would have been the firstborn of our little group.
“Here we are,” I say, pulling my truck into the middle of the open meadow and putting it in Park.
Delaney glances into the back seat. “She’s out.”
“Might be a good thing.”
“Where are we?”
“This is a spot we used to hang out at. Just the two of us. It’s my parents’ land. Their house is just through those trees. We used to come out here in the summer, kill the engine and the lights, and sit in the bed of my truck. We’d talk for hours, among other things.”
“Other things?” she whispers.
“Yeah. The night we met, we left the bar together, and this is where I brought you. It started pouring down rain, but thankfully, my old truck had a bench seat. It’s where I made love to you for the first time.”
“Wow.”
“I still have it, you know? The truck. It held too many memories to just get rid of it. It’s at my parents’ place, stored in their old barn. I thought one day I’d restore it to its former glory. It’s had a rough life.” I chuckle.
“You kept it?” Delaney asks.
“I had to. It was the last piece of anything I had that reminded me of you. I had my memories, but that old truck, it’s special. Same reason I’ve never moved into another place. Every time I walk through the doors at my place, a rush of memories of our time there together assaults me.”
“I didn’t peg you for the sentimental type.”
“Yeah, not usually. Only those moments and the people who are special to me.”
“And I’m one of those people?”
“You’re at the top of the list, Laney.”
She turns her head and gazes out at the meadow. “It’s beautiful here.”
“Yes. You loved it here. It was always one of your favorite places for me to bring you.”
“Do you mind sitting with her?” She motions with her head toward the back seat. “I just need a minute.”
“Of course. Take however long you need. Here.” I open the center console of my truck and hand her a scarf and a pair of my gloves that are way too big for her but will help ward off the cold weather. She takes them without comment, and once she’s bundled up, she’s stepping out of my truck and into the frigid air.
I watch her as she takes step after step until she’s about fifty feet away from the truck. I can’t see her face, but when she tilts her head back, I can imagine that her eyes are closed and she’s taking it all in. The fresh air, the memories I’ve just given her. Maybe, just maybe she’s remembering. That’s why I brought her here. I was hoping that seeing this place, where we spent all our time, that it would trigger something for her.
I’ve been reading online, and the brain is a tricky thing. There’s a chance she could still one day remember, but that chance is equally as great for her not remembering. I can’t imagine what it feels like for her. To have someone tell you what happened in your life, having years gone that you can’t recall.
I don’t take my eyes off her as she stands and stares out into the distance. I wish I knew what she was thinking. I also wish I could make it better, that I could take this confusion and this pain away from her. The odds have been stacked against us from the beginning.
Glancing at the clock on the dash, I see she’s been out there for twenty minutes. She has to be freezing. Unbuckling my seat belt, I turn to look at Kendrix, who is still sleeping peacefully. I climb out of the truck and quietly shut the door to keep from waking her. Slowly, I make my way to Delaney. The closer I get, the easier it is to see her shoulders shaking. I don’t know if she’s shivering from the cold or— When I hear a sob, I know it’s not the cold, but tears that are causing her body to quiver.
As soon as I reach her, I wrap my arms around her, and she buries her face in my chest. “I’ve got you.” I try to soothe her, holding her close and trying to warm her and let her know she’s not alone all at the same time.
“It’s all so messed up. This place, it’s familiar to me.”
“Hey,” I say soothingly. “That’s a good thing.”
“No, Kent, you don’t understand. This place. It’s the same one I dream about every night. You’re standing in this exact meadow, with your hand held out for me. Those trees—” She points to the tree line off in the distance. “—they’re behind you in my dreams.”
I don’t know what to say to that, so I don’t say anything. Instead, I hold her a little tighter, showing her I’m here. I’m here with her and I’m never leaving her. I don’t know what that means for our future, but I do know I won’t be away from them, from her or our daughter ever again.
“I hate her. I hate my mother. How could she do this, Kent? How could she tear us apart like that, and Kendrix?” Her voice cracks. “Our sweet baby girl. How could she keep her from her father?” She looks up at me. “She kept us from you.”
“I didn’t show up,” I say, even though she already knows. I’m trying to alleviate some of her anger from her mother to me.
“It doesn’t matter. Couples fight, they have disagreements. I never would have kept you from her. Never. I might have been upset, and I might not remember those few years of my life, but I promise you, that’s not who I am. I never would have kept our daughter from you. Never,” she says again. There’s conviction in her tone.
“I know.” I kiss the top of her head. “I know you wouldn’t have.” Pulling back, I place my finger under her chin and lift her eyes to mine. “You don’t have to convince me, Laney. I know the kind of woman you are, and I know you’ve been an incredible mother to our daughter. The situation was out of your control.”
“I should have questioned it. Questioned her. And my father? What is his role in all of this? I didn’t ask her. I should have, but I was too angry. I just wanted her gone.”
“You’ll have time to ask her, and who knows, maybe you will never know the answers. Now, we better get back before Kendrix wakes and gets scared that we’re not there.”
Her hand moves to my cheek and her eyes soften. “You’re a good man, Kenton. I don’t know if I’ve told you this, but I’ve thought it a million times over. I’m glad it was you.”
“Me too, baby.” Bending, I place a feather-soft kiss to her lips. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. She doesn’t shy away, and when I walk her to the truck, tucked in close to my side, it feels like old times.
I’m not a betting man, not anymore, but I think although unexpected, the odds are in our favor.
Chapter 15
Delaney
I’ve been a mess all week. Wondering, waiting, and still nothing. It’s Thursday afternoon and although waiting sucks, Kent has done a great job at keeping us occupied. Kendrix is in love with him. She thinks that he hung the moon, and she still has no idea that he’s her daddy. When she finds out, she’s going to go nuts. In a good way. At least I hope that’s the outcome.
The three of us have had dinner every night this week. Monday night it was pizza at the local pizza place in town. Tuesday night we went to a steakhouse. Kendrix got a kick out of the fact that you got to eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. Wednesday night, we went through the drive-thru and then drove to the meadow. The three of us ate while watching the sunset. Kendrix sat on the center console and commanded our attention all night, and it was perfect. The three of us, our little family.
At least I hope. Other than my memory to come back, I don’t know that I’ve ever wanted anything more.
Speaking of memory, since Sunday, I’ve been dreaming the same dream, only I can see the meadow clearly, and this time, I place my hand in his, and we begin to walk off into the open field. Then I wake up. It’s more than I’ve had over the years as the pieces hopefully are starting to fall together. I haven’t mentioned it to Kent. I don’t want to get his hopes up.
Tonight, we’re staying in. Apparently, Kendrix and Kent are going to make spaghetti, which she hasn’t stopped talking about all day. I found her in the upstairs bathroom—that the guys are currently working on putting back together. Kent had her in his arms settled on his hip while they talked about noodles and sauce. Seth, he was on the floor laying tile and chiming in on their conversation like it was the most normal thing in the world. It’s not just Kent who lets her run around like she’s the boss. They all do. It’s endearing to see these men with her. After seeing them with her, and their own wives and kids, I know Kendrix and I are lucky to have them in our lives.
The more time I spend here, the more I don’t want to leave. It was Mom who wanted me to sell, and I don’t want to do that. Kent has been great, not pressuring me for what comes next. I know he’s waiting on the results. We both are.
“Laney.” His deep timbre pulls me out of my trance.
I set my Kindle down on the couch and stand. “Hey, is it Kendrix? Is she up from her nap? I swear the girl never takes naps these days, but running around this house and trying to keep up with you and the guys seems to wear her out,” I ramble.
“Laney,” he says again. This time he steps closer. He doesn’t stop until we’re toe-to-toe. “I just got the call. The results are in. I’m going to drive over to the hospital to get them.”
“Th-The results are in?” I stammer.
“Yes.”
His expression is well… expressionless. I can’t get a read on him. “What are they? What did they say?”
“I don’t know. I want us to open them together. I feel as though there are so many moments that we missed out on, and when we open that envelope that tells us that I’m her father, it will kind of be like you telling me you were pregnant. I know it’s not the same thing, but it will be a moment. It will be ours.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No. Kendrix is still sleeping. I have to run to the shop as well and pick up a tool we forgot. We’re going to start the demo on the kitchen.”
“But dinner, we were making dinner.”
“We still can, just at my place. I didn’t expect us to be done with the bathrooms until tomorrow. I’ll just take you guys home with me, and then bring you back later.”
“Okay. So, you’re going now?”
“Yes. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He opens his mouth to say something else, but quickly closes it. Instead, he leans in and presses his lips to mine, and then he’s gone.
Exactly one hour and four minutes later, he’s pulling into the driveway. Yes, I counted the minutes. Kendrix is sitting next to me with a glass of milk, and some carrots and ranch dressing. The door swings open, and his dark brown eyes filled with so much emotion find mine. He holds the envelope up and nods.
“Thought that was you,” Mark says, coming into the room. “Kendrix, I know you’re eating your snack, but I thought you might want to help me with something.”
“I’m all done. See.” She holds up her empty bowl as she pops the last carrot into her mouth. The ranch dressing starts to run, but I grab the bowl just in time. Not that it matters. We’re replacing this carpet anyway. “Momma, can I help Mr. Mark?”
“Just Mark, kiddo, or you can call me Uncle Mark.”
“Weally? I don’t have an uncle. Wait. What’s an uncle?” she asks, making us all laugh.
“Yes, you can go with Mark.” I leave off both the Mr. and the uncle for now.
She takes his offered hand, and they disappear into the kitchen.
“Come here, baby.” Kent holds his hand out for me, just like Mark did for Kendrix, and just like my daughter, I don’t hesitate to place my hand in his. He guides us upstairs and down the hall to the very back bedroom. Once inside, he closes the door and flips the lock. “You ready for this?”
“Are you ready for this is the bigger question? I know she’s mine.”
“And I know she’s mine.” He hands me the envelope.
“You don’t want to do the honors?” My voice quivers.
“No. I know what it says.” He taps his chest right over his heart. “I don’t need that piece of paper to tell me what I know, but I have my memories, Laney. You need this. Open it.” He holds the letter out again, and this time with shaking hands, I take it from him.
My knees wobble and Kent notices. With his hand on the small of my back, he leads me to the bed. I sit and stare at the white envelope that has Kent’s name scrawled across the front.
“I’m right here, Laney. No matter what that piece of paper says, I’m right here.”
I nod, letting his words sink in, and turn the envelope over in my hands, sliding my index finger under the seal. Slowly, I pull out the single folded sheet of paper, and take my time, opening each layer. Then, my eyes scan the words, the numbers, and my heart soars.
“She’s yours,” I say as a sob rips from my chest. My eyes are blurry from tears as I read it once more. 99.9 percent match. Everything Kent has told me is true. Kendrix is his daughter. Our daughter.
“I fucking knew it.” His strong arms wrap around me. His hold is tight as he rests his forehead on my shoulder. His body shakes and I take a deep breath, trying to calm down, but then I realize that it’s not me that’s causing it. It’s him. Standing from the bed, I turn to stand in front of him, settling between his legs. I wrap my arms around him, his head against my chest. His arms grip around my waist and together, we cry. For what we lost, for what we’ve gained, and for the future before us.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
“More than okay. I knew she was mine.” He pulls back and peers up at me. “I felt it in my heart that she was my little girl, but there was always that doubt, you know. The odds have been stacked against us since day one, and I was so afraid to think about if I was wrong. What if she wasn’t mine, and you took her away from me? What if she wasn’t mine and you took you away from me?” Reaching up, his hands cradle either side of my face. “You’re both mine, Laney. I’ll stop at nothing to prove that to you.” He pauses, giving me time to process his words. “I loved you.” He exhales as if he’s been waiting years to say those words to me. And well, I guess he has.
“Did I know that?”
“No.” His eyes bore into mine. “I like to think I showed you in other ways.” He rakes his eyes over my body.
“Can you show me again?” I ask, my voice not sounding at all like my own. I wait with bated breath for his reply.
“Yeah, baby, I can show you.”
“Does that mean…?” My words trail off as I let the unspoken words linger between us.
“Yes, Laney. That means I still love you. I never stopped loving you.” With that, he leans in and captures my lips, and my heart.
This kiss is different than anything we’ve shared, at least the ones I can remember. It’s more than just a firm press of his lips to mine. It’s all-consuming as he traces my lips with his tongue, seeking entrance that I gladly grant him. Strong hands grip the backs of my thighs as he pulls me in closer, yet not close enough. Lifting one leg and then the other, I straddle him on the mattress. His hands move to my ass as he rocks me against him, all the while still kissing me. His mouth devours mine, and it’s more than anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s as if he’s consuming me—mind, body, soul, and heart.
I rock my hips, seeking more from him. More of something I didn’t realize I was missing. I don’t remember sex, which means all my sexual encounters were after high school and locked away somewhere in my mind. I can’t remember ever experiencing this kind of passion. My life has revolved around my daughter. I’ve been too afraid to venture out into the world of dating for fear of the unknown. I mean, I couldn’t remember my daughter’s father. My mother had me believing he was this horrible man who didn’t want us. I didn’t exactly have the best track record, so I steered clear. But now… now I wonder if I was subconsciously waiting for him. Waiting for my Kenton.
Kent drags his lips from mine, and I rest my forehead against his. Our chests are heaving from the exhilaration of our kiss.