This Hick?

Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

KAREN

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw them all. They never even hinted they were going to make the long trip. But here they were. My heart flooded with joy and relief so powerful I cried. Again. It seemed to be a permanent state of my mind for me lately.

After seeing that plus sign on the pregnancy test, I was left with a million questions whirling in my head. I’d been feeling adrift, scared and lonely all at the same time despite being surrounded by people. I needed my people. They were my source of strength. Yes, Ginny had been there, but she was loyal to Cassidy first. I needed someone loyal to me first.

I hugged each one of them tightly, unable to stop smiling through my tears of joy. “What are you guys doing here?” I asked.

“We thought you could use some company,” Jenny said.

“You guys came all the way out here just to see me?”

“We didn’t come for the weather and the sights,” Rylee said.

Mary Ellen offered a soft smile. “Of course we did. We knew you needed us.”

“But I’ll be in Dallas for your bridal shower next week,” I said.

I didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but it seemed like they went out of their way for nothing. Then again, I supposed they could afford the flights. It wasn’t like any of them were going to go broke anytime soon. Shoot, with their husbands, their grandchildren didn’t have to worry about going broke.

“But we knew you needed us now,” Lauren said.

“You don’t want us here?” Rylee asked.

“No! I mean yes, of course, I want you here. How long are you guys here for?”

“Three whole days!” Lauren said. She wrapped me in a tight hug, practically squeezing the air from my lungs.

Rylee looked around the lodge. “This place is so rustic. And so not you.”

“It grows on you,” I said.

“It’s cold,” Mary Ellen said. “Colder than I thought.”

“I told you.” I looked at the bags they’d stacked near the ranch’s main door. “How much did you pack? Are you planning to move in?”

The laughter that followed was exactly what I needed. For the first time in weeks, I felt normal. I almost forgot about my current predicament. I could actually breathe.

“Let me see if I can find someone to figure out rooms,” I said. “You guys are going to be staying here, right?”

“Maybe,” Rylee said.

“Yes,” Lauren said and shot Rylee a dirty look. “You said the place was slow. We were hoping to grab a couple of rooms.”

“I’m sure there is plenty of room for you guys! This is so exciting.”

“Are you still cleaning the chicken coop?” Mary Ellen whispered.

“Unfortunately,” I replied, scrunching my nose. “Trust me, I won’t make you guys work the ranch while you’re here. But I’ll still have to help out with chores.”

Mary Ellen glanced around, like she was about to drop a bombshell secret. “You need to stop.”

“What?”

“You can’t clean the chicken coop, it isn’t safe.”

I laughed. “I was joking about the chickens. Yes, they can be wild, but they’re not actually going to hurt me.”

“No,” Mary Ellen said, shaking her head and looking very serious. “Pregnant women shouldn’t clean chicken coops. It’s like a cat litter box thing. You could get a parasite that could go through the placenta to the baby.”

The ground shifted beneath me and my legs turned to jelly. Was she really saying what I thought she was? Before I knew it, everything around me blurred. I could feel myself going down. Mary Ellen grabbed one arm while Lauren took the other.

“Woah,” Jenny said, moving behind me. “Let’s get her to a chair.”

I heard them but it felt like I wasn’t attached to my body. They walked me to the nearest chair. My heart pounded and my head felt like it was full of fog. I couldn’t form words.

“Karen, are you okay?” Lauren’s voice tried to pull me back.

I closed my eyes for a second, trying to pull myself together. I wanted to tell them I was fine, but there was a disconnect between my brain and mouth. I knew I was going to pass out. Darkness pulled at the edges of my consciousness.

A familiar voice cut through the panic. “Karen, what do you need?”

I tried to see him but my eyes wouldn’t focus. I could smell Cassidy’s familiar scent, and I could feel his presence, but I just couldn’t make my brain function.

“Water,” Jenny said. “Can you get some?”

“Just a second,” Cassidy said.

Within seconds, I felt a cool glass pressed against my lips. Jenny was beside me, one hand supporting my back while the other held the glass.

“Drink,” Cassidy said.

I took it, still feeling shaky, but managed to take a few sips. The cold helped bring me back, the dizziness beginning to subside.

Cassidy crouched in front of me. His hands were on my knees and he had a look of concern in his eyes. “Karen, I’ve noticed something’s been off with you lately. I don’t know what’s going on, but you can talk to me. Whatever you need I’m here.”

I wanted to collapse into his arms, to tell him everything, but I couldn’t—not yet. So, I just nodded, managing a small, grateful smile. “I’m fine,” I said. “I didn’t eat breakfast. I’m just a little lightheaded.”

Cassidy didn’t look like he believed me.

I wanted nothing more than to tell him. I wanted him to hold me. Being in his arms could make all of this better.

Uncle Don came around the corner and took in the situation. “What’s going on?”

“She was feeling a little faint,” Cassidy said. “I was just getting them checked in when Karen got dizzy.”

“I’m fine, Uncle Don.”

“You’ve been working too hard,” he said. “You need to take a break.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Cassidy said. “I put your friends in the family suite. It’s a bit more comfortable for everyone. Plenty of space, and it’s just down the hall from your room if you want to stay with them.”

With that, he gave my knee one last squeeze before straightening up and walking away. All of my friends were quiet as they watched Cassidy walk away. Obviously, they figured out who he was. Thankfully, they said nothing.

“I’ll check the accommodations,” Uncle Don said. “Are you sure you don’t need anything? Do I need to call a doctor?”

“I’m fine,” I insisted.

“I’ll just get the keys then,” Uncle Don said.

“Well, is your cowboy going to help us with our bags?” Rylee asked with a hint of irritation.

“Shush, Rylee,” Lauren said, elbowing her. “Don’t ruin the moment.”

“Karen, that man has no idea how wrong he is,” Mary Ellen said.

“Who?” I asked with confusion. I wondered if I had passed out and missed something.

“Cassidy.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He’d make a wonderful father, Karen. Look at him. There was no hesitation, no fuss, just support, no questions asked.” Mary Ellen looked proud of herself, like she had just uncovered some big mystery. “You have to tell him. Things are going to be fine. I just know it.”

I took a deep breath, knowing she was right. I would tell him. But I wasn’t ready to do it. Not today. Today, I needed to pretend I could still handle everything on my own.

“I will,” I promised. “But today, I just want to spend time with my friends and forget all of this for a little while.”

Uncle Don returned with a couple of keys. “Here you go, ladies. Do you need help with your bags?”

“We’ve got it,” Lauren quickly answered. “Thank you so much. How much do we owe?”

“It’s on the house,” he said. “You’re practically family.”

Uncle Don was never going to get out of the hole if he kept giving away rooms.

“We can’t accept that,” Lauren said.

“Please, I insist.”

And it was settled. “I’ll show you guys up,” I said.

They collected their bags, and we started up the stairs. The dim lighting and wood paneling made a cozy atmosphere. “Down here,” I said. “That’s my room.” I pointed at my door as we walked by.

I unlocked the door to their suite and swung it open. It was as cozy as Cassidy had promised. A large stone fireplace in the center of the wall was the focal point. Windows looked out over the ranch’s sprawling, open fields. My friends fanned out across the room, marveling at the rustic charm of the place. There were blankets draped over the back of the couch and the two armchairs. It was all very inviting.

“God, it’s like a dream,” Lauren said as she walked to the window. “Look at this view. It’s beautiful.”

Rylee joined her by the window. I had never been in the room and wanted to see the view as well. Cassidy was in the field approaching Rouge. He hopped the fence with ease and walked over to her. I knew he was talking to her. He always did. He took her lead and jogged alongside her to warm up her old bones.

I watched the gentle way he treated her. He was so calm and tender. It was almost too much.

“Look at that,” Rylee said with a hint of admiration in her voice. “I don’t know who’s more graceful, the guy or the horse.”

He unclipped Rouge’s lead and let her run free, his eyes tracking her as she picked up her pace. His arms were crossed casually over his chest, his stance relaxed, but there was a watchfulness about him that touched something deep within me. That man had captured my whole damn heart.

I let out a loud sigh as reality came crashing down. It hit me like a brick dropping from a tenth story window. It nearly took me to my knees. “I’m more than pregnant, guys. I’m in love.”

Four pairs of eyes turned to me. Mary Ellen hugged me. “I knew it.”

Jenny just smiled and nodded. “He’s certainly a hot one. Wrangler butt and all.”

I laughed and brushed a tear from my cheek with the heel of my hand. “I know, right?”

It felt good to admit it, even though the weight of my situation was still hanging over my head.

“Okay, enough about the cowboy,” Rylee said. “Let’s check out the rest of this suite!”

We started to explore. There were a total of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, perfectly comfortable for all five of us. The décor was all warm tones and homely touches. A pile of logs sat near the fireplace, ready to be used.

“Does that work?” Jenny asked, gesturing to the fireplace.

“I’m sure it does.”

“Does anyone know how to start a fire?” Mary Ellen asked.

“Gasoline,” Rylee said.

I laughed. “I know how to do it. I’ve been watching.”

“I’ll make us some hot chocolate and we can sit around the fire,” Lauren said. “We have a lot to catch up on.”

While I worked on the fire, doing it just like I had seen Cassidy and Kenny do it, Lauren went to the tiny kitchenette to take advantage of the free packs of hot chocolate.

“Bodie makes his own hot chocolate,” I said. “You guys are going to love it. It is so rich and creamy. I don’t care how fattening it is.”

We huddled around the fireplace, with cups of cocoa and covered in the various throw blankets. It reminded me of the old days in the Big House. I shared my wild ranch tales, from the horrors of mucking the horse stalls to sleeping on hay in the barn.

“I would have paid to see you sleeping on hay,” Rylee said.

“It was actually very comfortable,” I said.

“Or maybe it was comfy because you were snuggled up to a hot dude,” Mary Ellen said with a laugh.

“It didn’t hurt.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you’ve gone native,” Lauren said, smiling.

I shook my head but part of me wondered if she was right.