Chapter 20
TWENTY
Bishop
I spend the whole day working with Anson, Hazel’s oldest brother, planning the renovations and rehab of Fool’s Gold Homestead.
If Aspen and I are going to make a go of this with our daughter, I want our family to have a home.
Not just a house. And I know there’s nowhere Aspen used to love more than that homestead.
It was her private getaway as a teenager, one she slowly let me into over time.
One that she rescued me from on one of the worst days of my life.
But it needs to be made into something that’s truly ours now, and I’ve got plans.
Thanks to Anson and his construction company, I finally have a way to put it all in motion.
He was even on board with letting me do some of the work myself as long as it passes muster.
Then I’d run to see my Grams and tell her that I’m planning to marry the mother of my child.
She’d been quiet in thought, freshly up from her nap after a long morning of playing cards and helping water the flowers in the communal garden.
She wanted a quick summary of the events that led to our engagement and a wedding date, both of which I’d given her.
The highlights, anyway. The date is more tentative than anything.
I’m nervously waiting to hear Aspen’s full report on her discussion with Fallon later tonight.
When I get back, I head to the barn to help with some work Hazel and Kellan need finished before they can take on some new horses in the boarding barn.
But on my way, I stop by to see the old guard, giving some nose pats and handing out carrots to the waiting crowd that sticks their heads out of the stalls to see me.
I’m in the midst of telling Admiral what a good boy he is and reminding Teddy that Zephyrine will be by to see him tomorrow when I hear the sound of footsteps over the threshold.
When I look up, Fallon is there. She stops short, and the look of surprise morphs to a sweep of dismissive irritation. She continues on her way, brushing past me to get to Lady Luck’s stall without saying a word.
“Rough day?”
“Apparently, it’s about to be a rough life.”
“How come?”
“My mom is getting remarried. To a man who disappeared on her the first time.”
Well, fuck.
“I heard that the two of you had a talk.” I hedge my bets. This is all new territory for me, and I’m terrified of fucking it up.
“I don’t know why she likes you. I can’t imagine falling in love with someone again who disappeared on you and didn’t bother to check in for over fifteen years.”
“I knew your mom was probably married, and I didn’t want to do anything that would cause problems. I had no idea about you, Fallon.
Or I would have shown up a long time ago.
I’m sorry we didn’t—” I start to apologize, but she’s wearing a sharp smile on her face and shaking her head, arms folded as she looks me over and finds me wanting.
“Cause problems? That’s funny. My mom would never have even cared you existed when she and my dad were happy.
He was amazing. He is amazing, and he would never, ever have left us like you did.
Even now, when they’re divorced, he calls and texts every day.
He and my mom are very good friends. They talk all the time. ”
Those blows all land as intended, and I know I’ll be pulling that shrapnel out for weeks. But she’s a kid, and she’s hurting. I can’t hold her accountable for things she’s saying while she’s angry. I doubt my reaction would be much different from hers if the roles were reversed.
“I’m glad your mom and dad are still friends. Your mom has told me that you two are very close, and I’m happy about that. You deserve a dad who’s good to you and is around when you need him.”
“Thankfully, I already have one.”
I nod my head and turn my eyes back to Admiral, running my hand over his nose and letting out a soft sound to let him know I’m still here when he nudges me for more pets and carrots. At least the horse likes me.
“I’m not trying to replace him, Fallon. I just want you to consider getting to know me too.”
“I’m sure you do. So you can continue to weasel your way into my mom’s heart.
You’re not good enough for her, you know.
If my dad isn’t, you certainly aren’t. Not if you disappear on her.
And I know my uncles think you’re the best thing in the world because you saved Uncle Levi’s life.
But I don’t care about any of that. I only care about my mom, and if you hurt her again, I will make you pay for it.
My dad might not be married to her anymore, but he still loves her, and if I told him that you were hurting her, he would destroy you. ”
“If I hurt your mom, you won’t need to call your dad. I would never forgive myself, and trust me, your uncles would forget about anything good I ever did. But I’m not gonna hurt your mom, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll do anything to make her happy.”
“She was happy before you showed back up. She was stressed and tired, but I could tell she was happier than she was with my dad. Then you came back, and now she’s moody and not herself. She says she’s in love with you, but I don’t think that’s what love looks like.”
“Well, I have a lot to make up for when it comes to your mom. There are a lot of things I missed out on, and that hurts her. So I think her emotions are a little mixed when it comes to me sometimes, and I’m sorry that has you worried about her.”
“Someone has to worry about her. I meant what I said; you do anything to hurt her, and I will hurt you.” Fallon flashes me a look, and even though it hurts that it’s directed at me, my heart swells with pride that she’s fighting for her mom like this, and the two of them are such a fierce team.
I know I’ll have to work to earn a place on it, or even anywhere near them.
But it’s one I desperately want, even if it means sitting on the sidelines and just getting to watch every day.
“Understood.” I nod.
We fall into near silence, each of us talking to our respective horses and coexisting in the same space for several long minutes before she breaks it again.
“She told me if I don’t want you two to get married, all I have to do is say so when we talk about it again. Give me one good reason I shouldn’t tell her to stop it.” She challenges me, turning and facing me with a look that could kill.
“Because I just want to spend the rest of my life making your mom happy and making up for the time you and I lost. I’m hoping I get a chance to make you both happy.
I just want to do whatever I can to make your lives better, if you’ll let me.
If you won’t, I’ll be rooting for you from a distance all the same.
But hell or high water, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.
” I lock eyes with her and never waver. I want her to know I’m more serious about this than I’ve ever been about anything in my life.
“You can’t make up for the time you were gone. And you don’t have to. I had a dad. A good one. The best, really. And I don’t need another. But I’m willing to tolerate you as long as you make my mom happy, and only if.”
“Understood,” I agree again. The Stockton women aren’t gonna make this easy for me, but I knew that.
I crave it, honestly. If I get my chance with them, I want it to be well-earned and not just something that landed in my lap because the Stocktons need a relic that was buried on my family’s land.
I want them both to see enough good in me that they want me in their lives.
So I’m happy to take on whatever challenges they have coming my way.
“Good.” She nods, reluctantly agreeing to this bargain.
I’m getting my shot. One last chance to win the woman of my dreams and, hopefully, win over my daughter too. I can dare to have a little hope in my heart that I haven’t really allowed myself before now.