Chapter 24 #2
My heart is thundering against my chest. “He supervises anything to do with the horses. It’s important work, given how many head of cattle Jake and Hunter own.” I shouldn’t justify his job, but I feel compelled to do so.
“Why in the world would the New York Times be interested in him? A ranch hand is hardly newsworthy.”
“He used to be a rodeo star—a fifteen-time bareback bronc rider world champion.”
“Now, that sounds a lot more exciting in terms of career than shoveling manure all day long. Why is he a ranch hand?”
“It’s a long story, but basically, he had to walk away.”
Realization flashes in Mom’s blue eyes.
“Are you staying at that hotel with him?”
“I am.”
“You two are together?”
I hesitate. “We are.”
“As in, he’s your boyfriend?”
“Yes, Mom.”
She scrunches her nose.
Not quite the reaction I was expecting.
“He’s from Summerville?”
I nod. “He is.”
“Have you met his parents?”
“He’s an orphan. He was adopted, but his adoptive mother died as well.”
“So, you don’t know his parents?”
“Mom, they’re dead.”
“No need to raise your voice, young lady.”
I wince. “Sorry.”
“Better. What about his siblings, grandparents, or his extended family?”
“He’s an only child, and his parents were orphans.”
“Both of them?” The shock in her eyes is unmistakable.
“As incredible as it sounds.”
She shakes her head.
I know that head shake. It’s the disapproving one she has before she launches into lecture mode.
“Carina, you have no way of knowing his roots. What if his parents were drug addicts? You see it all the time on social media. These losers drugged out of their minds on heroin with their poor helpless young children—or babies—strapped in the backseat crying their eyes out and yelling for help. You do know drug dependency is passed on from generation to generation? It’s in their DNA. ”
My jaw drops. “Do you think all adopted kids are the products of drug addicts? Rhett’s parents died in a car accident on the night of a terrible storm.
From what he’s told me, they were as God-loving as you are.
The same applies to his adoptive mom. Rhett is well-adjusted.
Sure, he drinks a little, but he doesn’t do drugs. He doesn’t even smoke cigarettes.”
She lets out a long sigh. “I guess you’re at that age.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s normal you’d want to have a little fun. You’re in Summerville for another nine months and then you’ll be back home. Your little fling with this ranch hand will be short-lived.” Her words drip with disdain.
Wow. Just wow.
“I haven’t decided if I’m coming back.”
“Carina.” She gives me a condemning look. “New York is your home. This is where all your family is. Where your roots are. Where you took your first steps. You belong here. There are plenty of eligible young men you can settle down with. Why would you end up in Texas? Alone, may I add.”
“I really like this guy, Mom. This isn’t at all what you make it out to be. It’s far more than a fling.”
“Does he have any education?”
“Of course, he does. He went to high school—”
“I’m not talking about high school.” She gives me a stern glare. “I’m talking about a higher education. How is he going to support you and your babies?”
“We’re not there yet.”
“What if the relationship evolves?” She huffs. “You have to think of those things.”
“Mom—”
“Do you think I could’ve had that many kids unless Daddy was able to support me and make sure my babies were fed?”
“I’m a trained chef. I can work and help support the household. This isn’t the sixties or even the eighties. Things have changed.”
“It’s so easy to be smug until you have a newborn and realize how much work it is.”
I’m baffled.
“I know a thing or two about working in the food industry, and let me tell you there’s nothing amusing about being pregnant out to here”—she gestures in front of her stomach—”standing on your feet all day long in a hot bustling kitchen.
With the triplets, I had to stop working at some point because I couldn’t handle being on my feet for long stretches of time. ”
I’ve heard that story many times before.
“If your husband—or boyfriend—is making minimum wage––”
“I don’t know how much he earns. I’ve never asked. It would be rude. You raised me better than that.”
“This is a different scenario. We’re talking about your future and the future of your children––our grandkids.”
“So, this is about you and Daddy?”
“You’re not listening, Carina.”
“I am.” I ball my fists at my side. “I just can’t believe what I’m hearing.”
She pinches her lips together. “The cost of living is rising fast wherever you are in this amazing country of ours. I don’t care where you live, it’s expensive.
You have to think of those things. And even without asking, it’s safe to assume he doesn’t earn an executive salary.
Whatever he earns, it’ll be a near pittance.
When was the last time you heard of a rich farmer? ”
“Jake and Hunter are rich––”
“They’re tech billionaires turned ranchers.”
“Honestly, Mom––”
“Even if you don’t have to fork out several million for an average house like you would in New York––or even Brooklyn now—you’re still looking at a life that will be nothing more than a prison sentence.
” She’s on a roll. “No matter how bone tired you are after staying up all night tending to finicky babies, you’ll still have no other choice but to schlep your exhausted body out of bed and drag yourself to a job. ”
Unbelievable.
This woman looks like my mom, she just doesn’t sound like her.
“Maybe I’m okay with that.” Defiance fuels my words.
“And let’s not forget, you have no extended family to help lighten your load down in small town Texas.”
“I can hire help.” It’s way too early to have this conversation, but I’m unwilling to back down.
“You are so na?ve.” She rolls her eyes. “Help doesn’t have a vested interest in your children like family does.
Your older brothers cherished you and cared for you when Daddy and I couldn’t because of the restaurants.
Even the triplets treated you like a glass doll.
I also knew you were always safe with the nonnas and your grandfathers.
The same for my siblings and Dad’s. I would never have left you with a nanny or, God forbid, a babysitter. I love you too much for that.”
“Some women don’t have an extended family and have no choice, but to hire help, Mom.”
She leans back against her seat and crosses her arms, staring at me like I just responded in a foreign language. “You’re not one of those unfortunate women.”
Patronizing much?
Okay, time to move on. “I wanted to invite Rhett for dinner tonight so Dad and you could meet him—”
“Let’s not get carried away.” She arches her eyebrows.
“You haven’t been in Summerville that long, which means you’ve only been seeing this guy for a few months.
Give it a few more months, maybe you’ll change your mind about him.
There’s no point in putting the cart before the horse.
” Her lips curve. “How apropos since this guy is a ranch hand.”
Both disappointment and utter shock crash through me like the ice-cold water from a fireman’s hose.
“Mom.” I lower my chin, giving her a challenging glare. “I know what I want.”
“A few months is hardly enough for you to make that judgment call, Carina. Lust fades faster than snow under a blazing sun.”
I draw my head back at her unexpected comment.
“You keep treating me like I’m a child.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.” My voice rises. “So does Daddy. Ditto for my brothers.” I let out a loud huff. “Everyone in the family does.”
“We care about you. We love you.”
I shake my head in disbelief.
“You were campaigning hard for Stefano based solely on the fact you knew his family––”
“You went along with it… all the way to the altar––”
“Because I didn’t know better––”
“And you do now?”
“You can’t compare Rhett to Stefano. My ex-fiancé is a scumbag. Rhett is a good man––”
“In our defense, Dad and I had no idea Stefano would betray you the way he did––”
“The point is, this time around, I get to make the decision. I get to choose my guy.”
Mom studies me.
An awkward silence fills the space between us as the seconds tick away.
She lifts a critical eyebrow, as the corners of her lips curl up. “In that case, choose wisely. From the sound of it, Rhett Sullivan doesn’t measure up. I don’t think he’s good enough for you and I’m sure your father would agree.”
The breath whooshes out of my lungs as her words nearly knock me off my chair.