This Hick?

Chapter 56

CHAPTER 56

CASSIDY

K aren sighed as she pushed her plate away, rubbing her stomach. “That was so good and I’m really thinking about cashing in my ‘eating for two’ card,” she said.

“I’ll get you another helping,” I said. “I know the chef.”

“Very funny, but no thank you. I don’t think it’s a good idea to push it. My stomach has been very weak. While it’s good, it’s very sweet.”

“Alright, but you just say the word and I’ll make it happen. Whatever mama wants, she gets.”

She laughed. “That’s so weird.”

“Sorry.”

“Let’s take our turn in the photo area,” she said. “I want to remember this night. Not that I’ll forget, but I want to make sure I commemorate the last time I wore a dress like this.”

“By the way, you look amazing,” I said. “I should have said that earlier. You look hot.”

“My boobs are ready to burst out with one wrong move.”

I grinned. “I know. I like it.”

She laughed again. “I’m not surprised.”

We got up from the table and made our way to the photo area. The balloon arch and backdrop were a hit. Everyone wanted to memorialize their Valentine’s Day. Ginny rushed over. “I’ll take your picture!”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Kiss,” she instructed.

We did as she asked before posing for a few more pictures. “I’m glad you two came to your senses. I knew you would.”

“I’m a little slow, but I got there,” I said.

“Maybe you should call me when you go into labor,” Ginny said with a laugh. “That’s probably not a good time for you to be a little slow.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Did you guys check out the kissing booth?” Ginny asked.

“I don’t need to kiss anyone else,” I said. “I’m good. And I’m not allowing Karen to kiss anyone.”

“Oh, you think you can allow me to do something?” Karen asked with a half-smile.

“She’s got you there.” Ginny chuckled. “I think you’ve both got enough love for each other, no booth required.”

We made our way back into the party. Some of the families with younger children had already gone. There was alcohol being served, which people were taking advantage of. Despite the chill outside, it was toasty warm in the hall. Karen fanned her hand in front of her face.

“Are you hot?” I asked.

She nodded. “I’m a little warm.”

“Let’s get some air,” I suggested.

I walked her to the hook where our jackets were hanging. I helped her put hers on before grabbing my own jacket.

“You know it’s freezing out there, right?” she asked.

“You’ll cool down quickly.” I took her hand in mine. The night sky welcomed me once again.

She leaned back, looking up. “Damn, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing this sky. I love it when it’s clear.”

I smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Without even talking or discussing where we were going, we strolled toward the barn. It was funny how natural it was, how easy it felt to share this with her.

“Are we going to see Rouge?”

“Have you seen her lately?”

She shook her head. “I’ve been so busy with the party I haven’t had much time. Not to mention, my nose has turned into something that would make a bloodhound proud. I never know what smell is going to trigger my stomach.”

“We don’t need to go inside,” I said.

“I’m good. If it’s bad, I’ll run.”

I slid open the door and let her go in first. “How is it?” I asked her.

“I’m good. Weirdly enough, it actually smells good.”

For some reason, that made me proud. And happy. Maybe it meant my baby was a little cowboy in the making. Or cowgirl.

“Thought you might want to say hi to Rouge. She’s been in better spirits, but…” I trailed off, watching as she smiled.

“Lead the way,” she said.

Rouge’s head was already poking over her stall door, her ears flicking as she watched us approach. The old girl looked more alert tonight. I swore I saw recognition in her eyes when she saw Karen.

“She’s such a beauty,” Karen murmured, reaching a hand toward Rouge. Rouge gently nudged Karen as if she was trying to say something.

“I think she knows,” I said softly, keeping my hand on Rouge’s neck. The horse gave me a look as if to say, “About time you figured that out.”

Karen laughed, glancing down at her stomach. “Well, I guess there’s no hiding it from her,” she said. “What a sweetheart. I’ve never really spent much time with horses before. Don’t know much about them but this girl is just different. I feel a connection to her.”

“I think she feels that same connection to you,” I said.

“I wish I knew more about horses,” she said with a sigh.

“Would you like to?” I asked. “Know more about horses and taking care of them.”

“Absolutely.”

“We’ll brush her,” I said. “Do you remember how to do it?”

“Of course.”

I handed her a brush and watched as she started to work over Rouge’s mane. Rouge stood patiently, her tail flicking, but she let out a soft huff of contentment. I ran my hand down her nose, thanking her for being such a good horse.

Karen brushed gently. “It’s calming,” she said after a moment, looking at me with a soft smile. “I get why you love it here. I like it in the barn. Not the chicken coop, but I like it here.”

I laughed at that. “I’m sorry about the coop. I shouldn’t have had you do that.”

“I was doing my part.”

Rouge leaned into Karen’s hand before dropping her head and nuzzling Karen’s belly. Karen’s eyes widened. Rouge let out a gentle snort. I believed horses were far more intelligent than we gave them credit for. My heart did a funny little twist watching them together.

“Alright,” I said, grabbing the harness from the hook. “Lesson two. I’ll show you how to get her saddled.”

She laughed. “I can’t even eat sushi or drink coffee. I’m not sure I should be riding a horse.”

“I didn’t say we were going to be riding. You said you wanted to know about taking care of a horse. Maybe after the baby is born, we can go for a ride.”

“Okay. I’d like that.”

I showed her how to fit the harness over Rouge’s head. Rouge was patient, though she shot me a look that questioned what I was doing messing with her after bedtime. Thankfully, she was a patient horse and humored me.

“Okay, so this is the girth,” I said. “It goes around her belly to hold the saddle in place.” I guided her hands, showing her how to secure it. She fumbled a bit, but she was paying attention.

“Am I doing this right?” she asked, laughing as she struggled with the buckle.

“Yep, you’re doing just fine. She’s got the patience of a saint. Don’t worry.”

Rouge gave her a little nudge. Karen laughed, rubbing the horse’s nose with a gentle touch. “I’m sorry, girl. I appreciate you letting me practice on you. I’m going to sneak you treats when the boss isn’t looking.”

After practicing a few times, I decided to let Rouge get back to her night. I gave her one last pat on the nose before leading Karen back out, pulling the barn door closed behind us.

“Do you want to go back to the party?” I asked her.

She shrugged. “I don’t know, do you?”

“Actually, I would like to show you something,” I said. “I need to tell you something but showing you will make it easier.”

“Okay,” she said. “Let’s talk.”

I led her to the bunkhouse. It was cold and empty with everyone still at the party.

I sat her down at the wooden table with mismatched chairs. She looked at me. I could see the nervousness in her eyes. She was probably expecting me to tell her I changed my mind.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. I kind of mentioned it before. I told you I was going to have some money and I would make sure you and the baby were taken care of. Do you remember that?”

“How could I forget?” she said dryly.

“I was serious. There is money coming to me. I think. There is still some legal stuff to work through, but I got a letter. It says I inherited a fortune from my mother.”

Her eyes widened a bit. “Your mother?”

“Yeah, long story. Rather, a very short story because I didn’t know my mother. The letter was unexpected. She explained she was leaving me her money. All of it. And it’s a lot.”

I pulled out the letter from my dresser, unfolded it, and sat down. I glanced down at the words I stopped Kenny from reading aloud. Now, I felt the urge to share them with her.

“Can I read it to you?” I asked softly.

“Please.”

Clearing my throat, I picked up from where Kenny had left off. “ I never had children. Never married. Never loved or let someone love me. I hope, whoever you are, that you have both of those things. Without them, I fear this money will remain tainted by our legacy of selfishness. I suppose that after what I did to you, I am in no place to make requests of you, but I ask that you do better than me. I never did anything worthwhile with my life. At least, not that I know of. Since I don’t know you, a part of me hopes that I’m wrong, and perhaps the best thing I ever did was set you free. I’m sorry, my son. ”

The words hung in the air, raw and painful. I looked up to see Karen was watching me, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

“Sorry,” she whispered. “It’s not my place to cry. This letter isn’t for me.”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. No one had ever made me feel like this before. She looked at me, actually looked, like I was more than just the ranch hand that had a knack for taking care of horses. I wasn’t just the stubborn kid or the bruised-up teenager who couldn’t let anyone get close. I felt seen in a way I couldn’t remember feeling before.

“It hurts,” I said, my voice raspy. I cleared my throat and swallowed the lump that had lodged itself there. “But it doesn’t hurt as much as it used to. Back then, I fought everyone and anyone who tried to get near. Looking back, I think I was fighting for a place to belong.”

Karen reached out, her hand resting over mine. “You belong here.”

I nodded. “Yeah. I do.”

And there was more I wanted to say. More I needed to say. I had come this far. I didn’t want to stop now. There was something building in me over the past few weeks, something I hadn’t let myself acknowledge until now.

“I think I belong here,” I said, my gaze meeting hers. “I’ve always felt that way. I also think I belong with you.”

She looked at me with something between surprise and relief. I didn’t look away. I let her see into my very soul.

My gaze dropped to her stomach. Without really thinking, I placed a hand over her belly. Knowing my child was there made my heart feel too big for my chest.

She covered my hand with hers, fingers lacing between mine.

“I want to be here for you,” I murmured. “For both of you.”

“Then be with us, Cassidy.”

All the fears and doubts that had been holding me back pretty much my entire life melted away. I slid my hand to the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

I felt every wall I had ever built crumble into nothing. It was soft and tender and full of love.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” she said.