Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
DIXIE
L ainey sits in the highchair, smashing her hands down on the tray, food going everywhere, but it doesn't matter how much I try to stop her, she won't.
“Orla, I am so sorry.”
“Please,” she closes her eyes, lips pursed, “I have raised three boys, please don't apologise about Lainey throwing food to the floor.”
I give her a soft nod, letting my eyes flutter shut for just a moment.
Riggs and Aspen are in light chatter with Pacey. Jorge and Tripp are talking about the cattle and I feel like a spare part as my daughter trashes the floor with what little food is left on her plate.
“How was your first day of work?” Jorge surprises me with his question, I blink a couple of times and turn my face to look at him at the head of the table and that's when all the soft voices simmer to a deafening silence.
“Erm,” a soft cough tickles at the back of my throat before I let my eyes fall into my lap. “It was good, my muscles ache and I'm dog tired so that's a good sign...” my eyes lift to steady on Jorge, “right?”
“Sounds like a damn good day to me,” he chimes, and the table falls back into their chatter.
Once dinner is ate and Lainey is down for the night, I help Orla clear the table and do the dishes. Orla washes, I dry, and Aspen puts away whilst the Rivera boys are talking to Jorge in the back office.
“How's Pacey been?” Aspen asks and I roll my lips.
“Up and down. It's been hard on him. But his feelings feel minuscule to him in comparison to what Austin is going through.”
I step back and place the dish on the countertop. Aspen still has one in hand.
“We just don't know how to get out of this mess we've fallen into,” she admits, head tilting to the side ever so slightly. “He is pushing everyone away, he hasn't seen Harlow in weeks.”
“She was down at the stables today,” I pipe up then internally kick myself.
“I think she is trying to keep busy, act normal as such,” her eyes find mine as she gives a soft smile.
I nod. Not wanting to involve myself any more than I have in this conversation.
“He won't let her near though, he is fully in his head that he will accept the plea,” and her voice cracks.
“Oh Aspen,” Orla pulls her washing gloves off and encases Aspen into a motherly embrace. I clear my throat, feeling like I shouldn't be here. Placing the dish towel down softly, I take two steps forward just as Orla breaks away from Aspen and her eyes are on me.
“It felt like a private moment...” I admit, fingers locked in front of me.
“Everyone knows what's going on in the Warrens’ household, it's not a secret.” Aspen palms a stray tear away from her reddening cheek.
We hear the sound of heavy boots coming towards us and Aspen spins quickly, grabbing the plate from the countertop that I’d placed down and then pops it in the cupboard.
“Ready?” Riggs asks, his eyes searching Aspen's and with three long strides, he is in front of her. Hands cupping her face, eyes volleying back and forth between hers. “What's happened?”
“We were speaking about Austin,” Orla says softly and Riggs’ eyes slice over to me before they're back on Aspen.
“Everything will be okay Wildflower, I promised, didn't I?” he speaks softly and quietly and my heart melts a little in my chest. Eyes burn into me, and I know it's Tripp but I refuse to look over towards him.
Riggs' fingers lace through hers as he leads her towards the front door, Pacey bounding out behind them and Orla disappears to find Jorge.
It's just me and him left in the room.
“Did you want to come?” he asks, hands fisted into his jeans.
“Maybe another night, I'm wrecked.”
He gives a shallow nod, then turns to walk out the door, following his brothers. I jump when the door slams a little harder than expected, the sound echoing around the large kitchen.
I stand for a moment, kind of annoyed with myself. Shaking my head, I move back to the wet dishes and continue to dry.
“Oh,” I hear Orla's voice and I don't miss the slight surprise in her tone. “I thought you were going with the boys?” her brows furrow.
“I'm tired, it’s been a long day and I know Tripp asked you to watch Lainey but, well...” I pause for a moment, not wanting to stammer over my words, “you had her all day today and?—”
“And nothing, you deserve a night out. You have done this for far too long with no support system. Well, now you have it. She's no trouble anyway. She's asleep so why would you choose to miss out? I mean, you're welcome to sit with me and Jorge, but he will be asleep in...” she pauses and twists her wrist towards her, “twenty minutes tops, and then I'll sit with a warm cup of tea and crochet.”
A sigh vibrates in my chest as I fold the dish towel over my hands.
“Go, I can run you down there and then you jump back in with the boys to come home.”
“They might not want me there, I think Tripp only asked out of kindness.”
“Tripp doesn't ask out of kindness, darling. If they didn't want you there, they wouldn't have asked at all,” her brows raise, a knowing smile pressing onto her lips as she strides towards me, taking the dish towel from me. “Go get ready, I’ll meet you in the truck at eight-thirty,” and with that, she turns her back on me and finishes the rest of the dishes.
I'm dressed in a white off the shoulder knee length dress. Pretty sage flowers with pink petals are dotted over the thin material. A light wash denim jacket sits over my shoulders, and I slip my cowboy boots on to finish my look. My hair is in loose waves, tumbled down my back. Pushing a set of medium, gold hoops through my ears, I stack my wrists with bracelets and look at myself in the reflection as I fiddle with the delicate pendant on my chain.
I contemplated getting changed but the longer I took, the more I would disturb Lainey and if she wakes, then I wouldn't go. Inhaling, I puff out my cheeks on my exhale.
Grabbing my perfume, I walk out of the door, softly closing it as I spray myself. I give it a minute to seep into my skin before delicately pushing the door and placing it on the floor just inside of my bedroom. With one last look over at Lainey, my heart thumps a little harder in my chest. Leaving her was the worst, but I know she's safe here with Jorge and Orla.
Closing the door behind me, I make my way downstairs. I peek a look at Jorge, who like Orla said, is sitting in his chair, eyes closed, mouth open and soft snores fill the room.
Grabbing my purse from the hook, I place it over my body and walk towards the truck.
“Well, don't you look pretty,” Orla smiles and pushes the truck into reverse.
“Thank you,” I mutter, looking down at my hands.
Why did I feel so nervous?