CHAPTER 35 #2
Relief flickered across his face, so quick and fleeting she might have missed it if she hadn’t been looking for it. His broad shoulders relaxed, the tight line of his jaw easing as he let out a breath.
“That’s good to know.” His fingers drummed lightly against the steering wheel, his voice quieter now. Thoughtful. “The girls love you, you know.”
Jamie felt a warmth spread through her, settling in the places she hadn’t even realized were aching. His daughters—those wild, giggling, dirt-covered troublemakers—had wormed their way into her heart before she’d even had a say in the matter.
She smiled. “I love them too.”
Clayton studied her for a moment, his deep brown eyes steady on hers. Then he nodded, as if sealing something in his mind. His hand reached over, brushing lightly against hers where it rested on her knee.
“Then why don’t we tell them together?” he suggested.
A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed it. She squeezed his fingers lightly. “I’d love that.”
A soft breeze whispered through the open window, carrying the scent of warm earth and fresh hay. Somewhere nearby a bird called lazily from a fence post. The world felt still, slow, like it was waiting right along with them.
Jamie hesitated, debating whether to push further. Finally, she asked, “What are you saying to Birdie and Doc?”
Clayton’s mouth twitched into a smirk. A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Momma already knows.”
Jamie parted her lips. “Did you tell her? ”
“No need.” He shook his head, amused. “She knew the second she laid eyes on me.”
Jamie let out a short laugh, shaking her head. Of course she did. Birdie had that uncanny intuition, always a step ahead of whatever her son thought he was hiding.
Another moment passed, filled only by the rustling grass and the distant sound of a horse nickering from a nearby paddock. Clayton shifted, tilting his head toward her.
“You sure you don’t want to grab some clothes and come back to the ranch?”
Jamie smirked, already seeing where this was going.
“I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Clayton sighed dramatically, dragging a hand over his beard like she’d just broken his heart. “I’m going to miss you.”
She grinned, leaning a little closer. “I’ll miss you more.”
Jamie packed her bags then FaceTimed with Clayton and the girls. They begged her to come to the ranch tonight, but she’d already promised to let the cleaners in first thing in the morning. It was the least she could do for Shorty—she owed him that, and more.
Her phone buzzed as messages poured in.
One from Shorty stood out: told you
She opened it and scanned the rest.
Her single was blowing up. Not just rock—country, adult contemporary, even some crossover stations had picked it up. It was already charting. Climbing . And, according to Shorty, it was only a matter of time before it hit number one.
Her first number one. By herself, anyway.
She exhaled, her eyes fixed on the screen.
She should be celebrating. Instead, all she could think about was everything it took to get here—and how much further she still had to go.
The tour was months away, but the thought of leaving Clayton and the girls already weighed on her.
She was becoming part of a family, and walking away, even temporarily, felt impossible.
But that was a problem for later.
For now she’d live in the moment.
The next morning Jamie could hardly wait for the cleaners to arrive so she could leave.
She knew she was committing to the girls—a commitment that felt right.
She’d never be their mother, but she could be the next best thing.
And if she and Clayton ever broke up, she’d still want to be part of their lives.
Why was she already bracing for the worst? Force of habit.
The cleaners arrived late in the morning and she called her car service. Clayton had offered to pick her up but she didn’t want to wait—she just wanted to get there.
Jamie’s heart pounded as the SUV rolled to a stop in Clayton’s driveway. The anticipation was almost unbearable. She couldn’t wait to see the girls. And their dad.
The front door burst open.
“Miss Jamie!” Charlotte squealed, barreling toward her.
Jamie stepped out just in time to catch her in a hug. “Hi, sweetheart.”
Clayton leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching them with a smirk. “I guess you’ve got some bags in there?” He nodded toward the SUV .
“A few,” she said, smiling.
The driver popped the trunk and Clayton stepped forward—only to stop short, eyes widening.
“What in tarnation?” His expression was somewhere between amused and horrified.
She shrugged.
Shaking his head, he grabbed a couple of suitcases while the driver handled the rest. Jamie followed, Charlotte hanging onto her arm.
They’d barely reached the steps when Emily’s excited voice rang out. “Surprise!”
Jamie looked up. A handmade banner stretched across the beams, the words welcome home miss jamie painted in bright, uneven letters.
Her chest tightened. She hated surprises. Always had.
But this one? This one she didn’t mind.
Jamie picked up Poppy and settled beside Clayton on the couch, nodding at him. It was time.
Clayton rested his forearms on his knees. “Miss Jamie and I have some news.” He gestured for the girls to take a seat. Charlotte and Emily squeezed onto the leather chair, their eyes widening with curiosity.
“You already know Miss Jamie is staying here for the summer.” He paused, glancing at Jamie before continuing. “But what you don’t know is that her and I . . .” He took Jamie’s hand. “Well, we like each other.”
Emily blew a raspberry. “No you don’t.”
Jamie and Clayton burst into laughter.
“That might’ve been true before,” Jamie admitted. “But your dad’s grown on me.”
Charlotte frowned. “What does that mean?”
Clayton sighed. They weren’t explaining this well at all .
“It means I love Miss Jamie, and she’s my girlfriend now,” he said simply.
Jamie smiled. “And your dad is my boyfriend—if that’s okay with you two?”
Emily tilted her head. “Are you going to be our new mom?”
Jamie hadn’t expected that. She hesitated, searching for the right words.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said gently. “You already have a mom. But I love you girls like my own, and that’ll never change.”
Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears. Jamie wasn’t sure if they were happy or sad.
“What’s wrong?” Clayton asked softly.
Charlotte shook her head. “I love Miss Jamie and want her to stay forever.”
“But what if she doesn’t?” Emily crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Clayton sighed. “Girls, give Miss Jamie a chance. She just got here.”
“It’s okay,” Jamie assured him before turning to Emily. “What’s worrying you, sweetheart?”
Emily’s voice was small. “What happens after summer?”
Jamie didn’t have all the answers, but she could give them something.
“Well,” she said carefully, squeezing Clayton’s hand, “if everything works out, I’ll stay a little longer.”
Clayton nearly choked. “You will?”
Jamie nodded. “If that’s okay with y’all?”
He chuckled. “Did you just say ‘y’all’?”
Jamie rolled her eyes. “I mean, if it’s all right?”
Charlotte launched herself onto the couch and into Jamie’s arms. Emily followed a second later, wrapping her small arms around them both.
Clayton’s eyes softened as he nodded. “I’d say it’s more than all right.”
The girls took off on their bikes toward their grandparents’ house, giving Jamie time to unpack. She hauled her bags into Clayton’s bedroom, eyeing the TV mounted on the wall.
Clayton strolled in behind her. “About time I got me a TV.”
She dropped her bags onto the bed. “It’s too bad you don’t get a signal out here.”
“Check your phone.”
She shot him a look. “Why?”
“Just check it, for crying out loud.”
With a sigh she pulled her phone from her carry-on. She blinked. “Wait . . . why do I have service?”
He smirked, arms crossed. “Had the internet fella come by.”
Her jaw dropped. “Oh my God, Clayton! That means we can watch the Bachelor tonight!”
He let out a low chuckle. “Ain’t no way I’m sitting through one of them fool shows. But you go on ahead, now.”
They drove to the studio the next morning, talking about The Bachelor the whole way. Last night they’d stretched out in bed, watching it together. Clayton swore he wasn’t going to get sucked in—he even kept his hands busy, idly tying his ropes—but once it started he couldn’t look away .
He couldn’t believe women from all over the country had left their homes, their jobs, just for a chance to meet some stranger who wanted a wife.
Shorty was already waiting at the studio when they arrived, all smiles.
Shit. Shorty.
With all the talk about The Bachelor , they hadn’t even discussed how to break the news to him. And he wasn’t going to be happy.
“The Osmonds’ song, finally,” Shorty said, tipping his hat. “Fans have been asking for it. We’re going to release it as soon as possible.”
“Got to record it first,” Clayton pointed out.
“That’s why you’re here,” Shorty said. “The band’s already laid down the tracks.”
“There’s something we need to tell you . . .” Jamie started.
“Oh, and I think I found you a short-term rental,” Shorty cut in. “Figured you wouldn’t want to stay at Clayton’s longer than necessary.”
Jamie hesitated. “That’s the thing. I’m staying at Clayton’s for the summer.”
Shorty pushed up his hat, frowning. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“No joke,” Clayton said, reaching for Jamie’s hand. “We’re together now.”
Shorty blinked. “What the fuck?”
Jamie and Clayton exchanged a look—Shorty never swore.
“We’re happy,” Jamie said gently.
Shorty stared at them, processing. Then he shook his head. “You two hate each other.”
“Hate and love are two sides of the same coin,” Clayton said.
Shorty let out a long breath. “Do you have any idea what kind of storm this is going to cause?”
Jamie frowned. “What do you mean? ”