Chapter 38
Strike Three
Trevor
My baby girlis finally eighteen. I’ve been missing her and Cakes over the last few weeks. They’re out on tour. I’m not surprised at all that Jess has decided to take a year off from college.
Her summer grades were excellent, but I’ve always had the feeling college wasn’t where her heart was. I want her to follow her heart in whatever she does.
“Here they come,” Jordan calls out as her little legs carry her into the barn, we’re all waiting in on the Monroe ranch.
I shh everyone and we all get into place. The sound of the SUVs pulling up outside fills in the silence. I grind my teeth a bit as I think of the fact that Scoot and Snacks aren’t here yet.
Donna decided to pop up out the blue to take them overnight. I had Bam with me. It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to spend a day together, just the two of us.
We were on our way home when Scoot called me, annoyed that his Mama showed up at my parents’ place to pick them up. Not only did he not want anything to do with his mama, he’s been looking forward to Jess and Cakes coming home this weekend.
I had invited Donna because she was Jess’s mama, but I hadn’t expected her to come. It figures she’d be late and make this about her. Five more years, and I’ll be done with that woman. That is, if Bam holds out that long.
Scoot and Snacks are already over her. I almost went to pick them up last night, but my mama reminded me to allow her to try to mend fences with our twins. I tamp down my anger as Jess steps into the barn.
“Surprise,” everyone cheers.
From the look on Jess’s face, I know she already knew this was coming. She’s trying to feign shock, but I know her too well. Donna strikes again.
Cliff and I worked for almost a year to plan this day. Granted, I didn’t know it would turn out to be this many people. LaSalle and almost all the others have flown back in for this. We had to make a few adjustments to accommodate the crowd, but we worked hard from the beginning to reach out to her friends and tried to make it a surprise.
I know none of these kids told her. Her Uncle Collen was too happy to be involved to tell her. Cakes would never, so that only leaves my trifling, bitter, jealous ex-wife—her mama.
“Relax, I see it too. She’s still happy if she knew or not. Let’s make the best of it. This is a great turnout,” Cliff says, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
I walk over and pull Jess into a hug. “Happy birthday, baby girl,” I say spinning her around in my arms.
“Thanks, Daddy. This is awesome. You didn’t have to do all this for me.”
“I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, sugar. How’s the road been treating you?”
“I love it. I’m learning so much, and the traveling is great. Tiring but great,” she says.
“Come on over here and give your Uncle Cliff a hug. I feel like I haven’t seen you in years, bug.”
“Lord, I’m happy that name never stuck,” Jess giggles.
“That’s because you’re my little bug,” Cliff croons as he scoops her up in a hug much like mine.
Cliff places her back on her feet and they walk off to begin greeting guests. That’s when I focus my attention on the gorgeous woman who takes my breath away. She’s dressed in a pair of tight jeans with tears in the thigh and knee, a sheer top, wedged heeled boots, and a leather jacket.
The peach-colored top and light blue jeans bring about an innocence to the look. With a smile, I open my arms to her. She rushes right into them. A sense of peace settles in as I hold her in my arms.
I moan into her mouth, then break the kiss before we can get too carried away. Placing my forehead to hers, I absorb her presence and begin to sway her in my arms. She clenches the back of my shirt as if I might float away.
“I’ve missed you something awful, darlin’,” I murmur.
“I’ve missed you more. I’ve been counting down the days.”
Something sounds off about her voice. I pull back and look into her eyes. She looks tired.
I run my fingertips across her cheek and search her face. Now that I think of it, she has sounded exhausted the last few times we’ve spoken. I wrote it off as her being tired after her shows.
Now that she’s here in my arms, I’m not so sure that’s all it is. Concern fills me, and my thoughts begin to race. Maybe I should take her to the house to lie down in my old bedroom.
Cliff hasn’t changed much about my siblings’ and my old rooms. Maybe after a little rest, she’ll feel more up to this. After her first three shows in Texas, they’ve been bouncing around the country to make up for the dates she missed.
“Let me take you inside to lie down for a bit,” I say once my mind is made up.
“It’s okay. I don’t want to miss this. I’ll catch my second wind in a moment.”
“Lynn.”
“I’m fine, Trev. I think I ate something bad at the last hotel. I’ve been sick all morning, but I’ll be fine after I sit for a bit.”
I don’t get to argue any further as Val and Pam come over and tug her into their embrace then carry her off with them. I stand with my hands on my hips and my lips pursed. She’s always worried about me and how much I work, but she won’t listen when I’m trying to tell her to take a moment and slow down.
“What is my stubborn little girl up to now?” Moses asks as he comes to my side.
I roll my eyes. “I want her to go inside and lie down. She looks tired, and she said something about not feeling well this morning. Something she ate or something,” I grumble.
“Told her mama she thinks she needs to go on a diet. Clothes been getting snug. Um-hm. Knew you wouldn’t wait for the wedding. Good thing they’re planning for next year,” he says and pats me on the back before walking off to go talk with my daddy.
I stare at him with my mouth open. Could she really be pregnant? Am I finally getting everything I wanted?
If she’s pregnant already, maybe we can try for at least one more, maybe two. My heart swells. I should probably keep this to myself. At least until she returns in eight weeks.
“What’s the shit-eating grin about?” Tom asks as he comes to stand beside me.
I fold my arms across my chest and rock back on my heels. It took us forever, but we’re right where we want to be. I’m going to spoil that woman rotten.
“Life just coming together, that’s all,” I say to Tom.
“Good to hear. You all set for your trip to New York?”
“Yeah, you and Ann still good to take the kids for me? I won’t have their tutors in place for this trip. I’ll be counting on you guys,” I reply.
“Last time I checked, we were good to go. Ann’s already planning her days off from cooking. I sure am looking forward to having Snacks in the house. Might have a dad bod when you get back,” he says and pats his stomach.
“Stop lying to yourself. You already have a dad bod.”
I laugh and walk off to see if there’s anything that needs doing. I glance over at Cakes. She has that big old smile on her face.
I grab a bottled water and make a beeline for her. If she is pregnant, I want to take care of her and our baby. I smile as I think of when it could have happened.
It was either the night at the Billings ranch or the night we got engaged. I feel it my bones. This is how I always thought it should feel. I wonder if we’ll have a boy or a girl.
I have two of each, but this will be her first. I hope we have whatever she wants most. I’ll be happy with a healthy little baby.
My sister-in-law comes into view. She’s heavily pregnant now with Brad’s next child. I can’t wait for Lynn to reach that stage.
I want to tie her shoes, rub her feet, shave her legs and whatever else she needs. God, I hope Moses is right.
“Thank you,” Lynn says as I hand her the bottle of water.
“You want to try to eat something? Your daddy has been smoking meat all morning. I can make you a plate.”
“Ugh,” she blows out. “I’ll hold off on that. I’m not ready to try anything solid just yet. Thank you, honey.”
I lean in to peck her lips. “You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Did the car arrive?” she whispers.
I look down at my watch. “They’ll be here in about an hour.”
“Good, I hope she likes it.”
I kiss her forehead. “She’s going to love it. It’s from you. She could have to pedal with her feet and she’d be in love with it because it came from you,” I say next to her ear.
“Lord, you smell delicious. Right now, I’d take a plate of you,” she moans.
“Didn’t know I was going to be on the menu, but if that’s what you want, we can head to the house.”
“You think your so slick, Mr. Monroe. I go into that house with you, I’m waking up tomorrow.” She pauses and looks up at me through her lashes before she leans in. “I’ll let you give me that cocaine dick later after she has her car and the party is over.
“I’m not leaving without putting it on my man. I promise you that, sugar.”
I clear my throat and straighten. “Yes, ma’am. I didn’t plan on you leaving without me loving on you at least once.”
“Good thing I’m leaving tomorrow night.”
“You are? I thought you had to head out first thing in the morning.”
She winks one of those pretty eyes at me. “I told you I’ve been missing you. We made it work. They moved some things around so I’d have more time with you.”
I went years without sex while I was married. Now, I crave Lynn every single day. I opened my mouth to tell her all the things I want to do to her before she leaves tomorrow night.
“Daddy, Daddy,” Snacks cries.
I clamp my mouth shut and turn just in time to catch Paige as she barrels into me. I hold her tightly as she shakes in my arms. Scoot comes storming in behind her with his fists balled tight.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“She’s plum drunk. That’s what’s going on. She forced us to ride here with her like that.
“I’m done. She has no regard for our well-being. That’s not how a mother treats her children.
“She could have killed us. I’m done, Daddy. I ain’t gonna do it no more,” Scoot seethes.
“What?” I roar, bringing the party to a screeching halt.
* * *
Lynn
Oh.My. God.
He’s going to kill her. If there is one thing on this earth Trev loathes, it’s a drunk driver. After what happened to my sister, he’s never been able to stomach or tolerate anyone who drinks and drives.
This woman couldn’t possibly have been married to this man and not known that. On top of that, she was drinking and drove here with his kids. Yeah, she’s out her damn mind.
Trev’s face is so red he looks like a pressure cooker ready to burst. I look over to Elise and signal for her to get the music back going. No one needs to witness what’s about to happen.
I jump from my seat and rush in front of Trevor, placing my hands on his chest. At first, I don’t think he’s going to stop. I stumble back a few steps and almost topple onto my ass.
He catches me and tugs me into his chest before I can go down. I wrap my arms around him and press my face against his chest. He stops, but his chest is heaving.
“Not like this, Trev. Don’t let her take you there again.”
I look up and he’s looking back at me. A million emotions cross his face. He closes his eyes and nods.
“Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw comes on, and I sigh. I look to Elise and nod. She does get Trev. This will speak to his heart.
I begin to sing the lyric and sway with him to keep him calm. He cups the back of my head, clenching me to him and begins to dance with me. Seeming to know I need this to work, our parents come out to the dance floor and begin to dance too. They are followed by Brad and Tam, then Tom and Ann.
Soon most of the party has joined in. When he does open his eyes again, he nods. I can see the hurt and heartbreak in his eyes, but this is what’s best. If he goes out there looking for that woman, he’s going to wring her neck again.
He doesn’t need to. I never break a promise. That bitch just struck out. It’s been years since I broke a horse, but I’m sure I still know how.