Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Wyatt
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I roar into the wind, digging my heels into Maverick’s sides to spurt him into a full gallop. The ground is a blur of dry grass and dust beneath us, but it’s not fast enough.
Alex is going to kill me. Or worse, he’s going to give me that ‘dad, you’re such an ass’ look that says he’s sick of me being a failure again. This is the second time I’ve forgotten to pick the kid up. The last car ride home was so quiet it felt like the air had been sucked out of the truck.
Sweat runs down my spine. I’m itching under my work shirt, and my heart is knocking frantically against my ribs.
I can’t even let myself think of the look that must be on his face, sitting on that plastic chair in the empty school office again, watching the other kids leave one by one until it’s him and the janitor.
My phone starts vibrating in my back pocket.
I must finally be back in range of the valley’s patchy cell reception.
I pull it out, my fingers trembling and covered with oil, ready to grovel to Principal Taylor.
I’m prepared to take the scolding to assure him I’m not the world’s worst parent, even though the evidence is stacking up against me.
But it’s not the school. My dad’s name flashes on the screen.
Shit. He must have gotten the call first. He’s going to lay on the disappointment, and that’s always been ten times worse than him being angry.
I thumb the answer button, bracing for the impact. “Dad, I know. I’m sorry. I’m on my way. I just got stuck at the pump and—”
“Wyatt, slow down.” My dad’s voice crackles through the line, sounding surprisingly calm, almost like he’s relieved. “He’s not at the school.”
I pull back on the reins in a panic, Maverick slowing to a trot as I frown. “What? Did Taylor call the sheriff? Where the hell is he?”
“He’s safe, son. Emily went and got him.”
The air leaves my lungs in one long, shaky exhale.
Emily.
“She took the call on the landline,” Dad continues. “She’s got him. They’re…well, I think they’re at the store getting snacks for some field trip. She’s got it handled, Wyatt. Just get yourself back to the house.”
I hang up and let my hand drop to my thigh, staring out over the ridge.
I’m relieved, of course, but it’s followed quickly by a hot sting of shame.
She really went to get him? Man, she barely knows the kid, but dropping whatever she was doing to go save my ass sends a weird feeling to my stomach.
I don’t know how Alex has reacted to that.
I mean, he’s handled life since his mom died better than expected, and he loves meeting new people, but…
I sigh heavily.
Facing them all is going to be so humiliating. God, I hate that I had to be rescued. Especially by her. Because I’ve already humiliated myself with her so many times this week.
I settle Maverick back into the stables and make my way up to the house.
I don’t see Emily’s car at the side yet.
I guess they aren’t back. Dad mentioned something about her taking him to the store for field trip snacks, which is another kick in the nuts because I’ve forgotten to tell Mary about it.
Do I even bother going in there? It doesn’t seem like I’m about to be Mr. Popular when they walk through that door.
My boots feel heavier than usual against the porch steps as I push through the side door into the kitchen. As expected, my dad is sitting at the island, looking less than impressed.
“Don’t say a word,” I mutter. “I’m not in the mood.”
“Well, tough shit, son, because I am,” he growls. “That kid has been through enough without his dad forgetting he exists. You’re lucky they don’t call CPS on you.”
I stare at him. CPS? That feels a bit premature. “For forgetting to pick him up a couple of times?”
“Once is enough, Wyatt. I don’t think the school is prepared to give you a third chance.”
I thump my palms onto the wood of the island, ready to fire back, when the door swings open. Alex comes flying through.
“Dad! Emily picked me up, and I got to go in her car. It’s sooooo cool! There are lights and screens and everything. And she turned the music up really loud!” His eyes are wide, and he’s chattering at a mile a minute, clearly not upset in the slightest about the ordeal.
I glance at my dad, who has a disbelieving grin on his face.
We both turn as we hear the rustling of grocery bags emerging through the door.
Peeking out from behind them is Emily, her blonde waves swept to the side, her tan, toned arms wrapped around the bags.
She looks…damn it, never mind how she looks.
She dumps the bags on the table with a huff. “Man, this kid just rinsed me for every snack in the store.”
“Emily let me get them for the field trip tomorrow! Dad, can I take them?” Alex looks at me, hopeful.
I try to limit his sugar as much as I can, but given the fact I forgot him—again—I should probably let this one slide. I open my mouth, ready to answer, when Emily cuts in.
“Well, kiddo, your dad did forget you at school today. I think a little sugar is the least he can allow.”
My eyes snap toward her. Seriously?
“Uh, sure thing, bud. Just don’t eat them all at once, okay?” I answer, feeling completely defeated by the small blonde woman who’s suddenly upended my life.
“Okay!” he replies, pumping his fist with glee.
“Alright, champ, how about you get washed up? Dinner’s ready soon. Uncle Jackson is joining us tonight,” my dad cuts in.
“Oh, awesome.” Alex nods at the mention of my little brother and scurries off upstairs.
My dad turns to Emily. “Emily, thank you so much for stepping in and picking Alex up. We owe you a big one.”
She shrugs casually. “It was nothing, honestly. I was glad I could help. He’s an awesome kid. We had some good chats.” Her smile is almost luminous as she talks about my son, and it does something stupid to my insides.
“Let me give you some money for the snacks,” I offer, reaching for my pocket, conscious of her generosity in my hour of need.
“Oh, no. Honestly, it’s fine. I’ve got it covered.
” She waves off my wallet like my money is no good here.
She turns as if she’s about to leave the kitchen, but she hesitates.
She rotates back to face us both. “You know…if you’re struggling with it all, I’m happy to help out with Alex. If you need it.”
“I’m not struggling,” I answer automatically, feeling a sting of shame prickling over my skin.
My dad shoots me a look so sarcastic it practically draws blood.
“I mean, I couldn’t ask you to do that,” I say, trying to sound more reasonable. “You’re a guest here.”
“Honestly, I have nothing else to do, and he’s good company.
I can take him to school, pick him up…he even told me there’s an app for the school I can download to keep track of what’s going on.
Plus,” she adds with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “he told me I’m way better at homework than you are. ”
God. I’m really starting to remember this smart-mouthed side of her. She was the same as a kid, always had a comeback ready before you’d even finished your sentence.
“You mean like a nanny?” my dad offers.
“Well, I’m far too cool to be a nanny, but if that’s what you want to call it, whatever. You’ve already been so generous to me, it’s a way for me to earn my keep.”
“I already told you, you don’t need to do a damn thing to be welcome here,” Dad mutters, offended by her insinuation.
“Yes, but I inherited my dad’s work ethic and my own stubbornness, so you’ll just have to deal.”
They both chuckle.
I feel weird about this. It’s a heavy, complicated knot in my gut. I’m his dad. I’m supposed to be the one doing all those things, especially because Charlotte isn’t here to do them. But the truth is, I can’t. I physically cannot do it all without something or someone falling through the cracks.
I mull it over. I haven’t seen Alex take to anyone like this since Charlotte died.
Kassie tries her best, but even she doesn’t get this kind of instant connection from him.
He clearly likes Emily. And maybe, if I’m being honest with myself, having her around to catch the things I drop is the only way I’m going to keep my head above water.
I can’t believe I’m about to agree to this.
“Okay, but only if you’re sure it’s not too much.”
“Of course it’s not. If I don’t keep busy, I’m going to die of boredom. I can draw up plans for the bridge in between the school runs.”
“Plans? For what bridge?” my dad asks, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Up on the south access. Kassie said it needed a restructure, so I took a look at it the other morning. Which reminds me, I left a huge mess on the dining table that I need to clear before your dinner.” She gives us a quick nod and disappears toward the dining room before I can even open my mouth to argue.
My dad and I stare at the empty doorway in disbelief. She really is a whirlwind, leaving everyone in her wake a little dazed.
“What the hell was that all about?” Dad asks, turning to me.
“Don’t worry about it,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck. My skin still feels itchy from where she’d called me out earlier. “Between her and Kassie, I think they may have just saved you a few grand.”
He shakes his head, a low chuckle vibrating in his chest. “I think she’s going to fit in just fine here.”
Yeah, that’s exactly what concerns me the most.