Chapter 53
CHAPTER 53
KAREN
T he mirror wasn’t my friend tonight. I tried to tell myself it was in my head. But my imagination was claiming to be innocent. What I was seeing was real. I decided to ask for a second opinion. More like a third, fourth, and fifth opinion.
I called our group chat, bringing everyone in on the video call. “Guys, it’s happening,” I said.
“What’s happening?” Mary Ellen asked.
“I think my belly exploded.”
“Gross,” Rylee said. “What you do in the bathroom is really not something we need to know about.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not that. Like exploded. I have a pudge.”
“Welcome to the club,” Mary Ellen said with a laugh.
“You guys! This is serious! I want to look nice tonight but my dress is too tight.”
“Let’s see,” Lauren said.
I angled my phone toward my torso.
“Damn, girl, your boobs look amazing!” Rylee said.
I tugged at the bodice of my dress, which was too snug. “Not funny,” I said.
“Oh my god, Karen,” Lauren cooed. “You look so pretty!”
“Yeah, seriously,” Jenny chimed in. “You’re glowing.”
I gave a small laugh. “Right, glowing. Like a radioactive tomato.”
“Hey, cut it out,” Lauren said. “That dress looks amazing, and you know it.”
I arched an eyebrow. Amazing? Sure, if by amazing they meant painfully tight, squeezing my ribs with each breath. The light pink fabric of the dress had seemed perfect when I’d packed it for the trip, but I hadn’t accounted for hormones and bloating. The neckline, which had always been a modest V, now felt indecent, my cleavage pushing the limits of what the dress could hold.
“I’m telling you guys, I feel like a balloon in this thing,” I muttered, brushing a strand of hair back as I avoided my reflection.
“But a beautiful balloon,” Mary Ellen teased. “And besides, all you have to do is make an appearance. Smile, say hi to Uncle Don, grab a snack, and call it an early night if you want.”
I appreciated the way my friends could break everything down into bite-sized steps. It was exactly what I needed. I felt my shoulders relax a bit, grateful for the pep talk.
“Guys, my boobs hurt. I’ve got zits like a fourteen-year-old after a chocolate and fries binge. And I feel like I’m going to cry.”
“You’re absolutely stunning—zits, pudge, mood swings and all,” Rylee said. “Slap some makeup on, suck it in, and flaunt those boobs.”
“Just smile, shake a few hands, then load up on food and run back to your room,” Lauren said. “If it’s a sold-out event, no one is going to notice. If someone asks tomorrow, just tell them you were in the kitchen overseeing the food or checking on this or that. They’re not going to argue with you.”
I looked at myself in the mirror. Yes, I could see the faint swell in my lower belly and my boobs looked like they were in the fight of their lives to breathe, but it wasn’t horrible. It was just not me.
“Okay, fine,” I said with a small smile. “I’ll make an appearance. But if anyone asks me to dance, you’re all responsible for me looking like an awkward seal on the floor.”
They laughed. I laughed too, feeling the nerves in my stomach relax just a little. With a final wave, I hung up and took one last look in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my skin still freckled from a few days out in the winter sun. My hair looked good. Bonus hormone points. Maybe my friends were right. Maybe I could pull this off.
I added a layer of lip gloss and worked up the courage to just get my butt out there. This was my party. I had spent the last couple of weeks pouring my heart and soul into this thing. I understood how much was riding on it. My part was done, but I was anxious to see the faces of the people that had bought tickets to attend. I prayed it was as good as we hoped it would be. All of us at the ranch had spent countless hours dialing in every single detail. If this thing was a failure, there was a good chance my uncle could lose his ranch.
I couldn’t even get my head around the repercussions that would have. The many people who worked here would be homeless and jobless. People I had come to think of as my extended family. Not to mention the father of my child, who had a very serious connection to the ranch. It would destroy him to lose this place.
I walked downstairs, the banister covered with white, pink, and red streamers. The main hall had been transformed into a Valentine’s Day dream. There were more twinkle lights than I’d ever seen in one room. We had initially planned for an intimate lighting scheme, but by the time we hung all the lights, it was brighter than an operating room. We softened it by draping white gauze with silver threads from the ceiling to create a billowing effect.
The tables were covered with dark red cloths, flickering candles glowing at the center of each one. The centerpieces were stunning. The live band was playing an Elvis song. A few people had already made their way onto the dance floor. It was all very romantic, in that whimsical, slightly over-the-top way that only worked in places like this. We had started with understated and then just decided to lean all the way in.
I smiled at a young couple that walked by. The locals were decked out in their Sunday best. I saw some of them ushering kids toward a babysitting room in the corner. Everyone looked like they were thrilled. For a brief moment, it felt like stepping into a storybook.
I loved that I got to be a part of this. That I got to bring something so fun and glamorous to this little town used to honkytonks covered with peanut shells or the old VFW hall. That kind of thing was all good fun, but sometimes, it was nice to dress up and pretend to be just a little fancy.
I made my way to the bar to get myself one of the mocktails we were serving. But before I could get there, my gaze landed on someone near the windows. He was leaning against the wall with one foot propped up behind him. Even without his hat and jacket, Cassidy was unmistakable. He wore a crisp white button-up shirt, its sleeves rolled to the elbows. He had on a pair of khakis that looked almost sophisticated. He even had a bolo tie with a silver clasp. His hair that I was so used to seeing tousled and hidden under his hat was combed back.
I caught myself staring at him, unable to look away. He looked different tonight. His usual attire, jeans, a henley, and that worn cowboy hat was hot, but seeing him like this was next level sexy. He was too good looking. As if he could feel my gaze, he glanced up, his eyes locking on mine. I looked away, raised my chin, and steered myself toward the bar. I could feel his gaze following me as I reached the counter.
“Water, please,” I said to the bartender, trying to calm my nerves. I took my water and turned around to find Cassidy standing right behind me.
“Hey,” he said, his eyes scanning my face like he was looking for something. “How are you feeling?”
I hesitated. “Fine,” I replied. It was partly true and partly a deflection.
His brow furrowed. “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head, my defenses going up. “We don’t have to do this, Cassidy.”
“What do you mean?”
“This,” I said, gesturing between us. “You don’t need to hover. I’ll be fine, and I don’t need anyone standing halfway in or halfway out. You’re either in or you’re out. And you chose out. So let’s leave it that way. Don’t pretend you care about how I’m feeling. I don’t need it and don’t want it.”
He didn’t say anything for a few seconds. He looked down at the floor before looking back up at me. He nodded, a sad look in his eyes. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not worth anything,” I said and walked away.
It was harsh but I didn’t care. Nothing was as harsh as the father of your baby basically asking you how much would it take for you to go away… with the kid. I didn’t have the empathy to feel guilty for being cold to him. I didn’t care that he had a shitty childhood. That didn’t give him the right to put that on his kid. Or to be angry with me.
I saw my Uncle Don come into the hall and made my way through the crowd to greet him.
“Karen!” His eyes lit up as he spotted me, arms open wide as I walked over for a hug.
“Hey, Uncle Don. What do you think?”
“It all looks amazing in here,” he said with a shake of his head.
“Thank you. We all worked hard.”
“I knew it would all come together with you at the helm.” He pulled back to look at me. “You look lovely. How are you feeling?”
I gave a half-shrug. “I’m good.”
“Our guests looked thrilled, don’t you think?”
“I do,” I said with a smile. “Hopefully, everyone enjoys themselves.”
“I have no doubt about that,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t walk three feet without someone stopping to compliment me like I had anything to do with this.”
He was in good spirits. That made me happy. I loved him dearly and wanted him to enjoy this night. More importantly, I want to save his ranch.
“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” he asked again, concern in his eyes.
I forced a smile. I knew at that moment what I had to do. “I’ve been better. I wanted to talk to you about maybe heading back to Dallas soon. I think my time here might be coming to an end. This party looks like it’s going to be a success. I’ll get you familiar with the accounting software and you’ll be fine.”
Uncle Don’s smile softened. “Of course. We’ll sit down tomorrow, figure out your flights. You just say the word. I don’t want to force you to stay.”
“Thanks, Uncle Don.”
“Did something happen?” he asked softly.
“No. I just think it’s better if I go back to Dallas. I’m going to need my friends. They’ll help me with the pregnancy and motherhood. I know all of you would as well, but I think it’s better if I go home.”
He nodded again. “I understand. I am sorry for the way things turned out.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s not something to be sorry about. I’m good.”
He gave me another hug and moved on to greet more of his guests.
As the evening wore on, the hall filled up. Soon, everyone was sitting at their assigned tables. Bodie outdid himself with dinner. We had some of the kids from Cassidy’s group acting as servers. Bodie was giving the diners a real treat, serving them a seven-course meal like they were in a five-star restaurant. Each course was more delicious than the last. I tried to relax, eating and making polite conversation, but my mind kept wandering. I had been on the fence, but after seeing Cassidy, I knew what to do. Dallas was where I belonged.
Just as I considered calling it a night, Kenny appeared in front of me, hand extended, grinning like a fool.
“Care to dance?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with something like mischief.
“Me?” I asked, glancing around as if there were some other woman he might be talking to.
He nodded, took my hand before I could protest, and led me onto the dance floor. It was a slow song, the kind you could sway to without much effort. He spun me into an easy waltz.
“Impressive,” I said with a smile. “Didn’t take you for a waltz kind of guy.”
Kenny grinned. “Oh, I’ve got a few moves. But I’d rather talk about something else.”
I tilted my head. “Oh?”
“Cassidy,” he said bluntly, his expression serious now. “He’s the best man I know. And sometimes, even the best men need a nudge in the right direction.”
“Give him a chance to come around? That’s what you’re saying?”
He nodded. “Please, give him a chance. He might surprise you.”
I sighed, more out of exhaustion than frustration. “And if he doesn’t?”
Kenny’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in. “Then I’ll beat his ass myself for messing up the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”
I laughed but I was pretty certain I already knew the outcome to all of this. There would be no surprises. The only surprises life threw at people were the kind that rocked the world. Not in a good way.