Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
JOEY
“Here’s your lunch. I made your favorite cookies for you.”
“Really?” Max’s eyes shine bright.
“Yes,” I say. “Now, I want you to listen to your teacher and do what she says.”
Max wraps his arms around me. “I love you, Mommy.”
I press a kiss to his soft hair, breathing him in. “I love you too. I want you to have the best day ever, okay? I’ll pick you up after school.”
He nods before heading into the classroom and finding a seat on the rug with the other kids.
My vision blurs as I give him one last wave before he starts talking to the boy next to him.
I hope the day comes when I won’t be such a mess on his first day of school. I don’t think I had this hard of a time leaving him with my parents when I returned to work.
Maybe that was because I called every ten minutes, it seemed, to check on him.
Worry floods my veins as I head back out to my vehicle. Will he like the other kids? Will they be nice to him? What if he doesn’t like either of his teachers?
I spend the entire drive to the ranch thinking about it. I’m in a haze as I park and make my way to the lobby. Guests are lingering, animatedly discussing what they’re doing today. I give polite smiles as I do my best to distract myself.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket and I pull it out.
Sam
Any chance you could bring breakfast out to the barn today?
Joey
Breakfast? Why?
We did a sunrise ride this morning, so Rex made breakfast for everyone
Pretty sure it’s Reenie’s turn
I’m sure you won’t mind volunteering
Why, is there something in it for me?
You’ll have to come and find out
Such a tease
For you?
Always
“You doing okay?” Reenie asks.
I startle, dropping my phone onto the desk. “What? Sorry, yeah.”
“Suuuure you are.”
“Ugh. Am I that easy to read?” I ask.
She nods. “Only because I was the same way with each kid I dropped off at school.”
“At least I only have to do it once,” I say.
“No more kids for you?”
I shake my head. “After one deadbeat ran out on me, I’m good.”
“Not all guys are deadbeats, dear. There are some good ones.”
I snort a laugh. “When I find one, I’ll be sure to find out if he is.”
Except…I think I’ve already found one of the good ones. Even though I can’t tell anyone. Does that really mean he’s one of the good ones?
Yes. Just because my father wouldn’t think so, doesn’t mean Sam isn’t the perfect guy for me. I wish I could tell him that, but I don’t want to scare him off. This thing between us still feels too new. Even though I’ve told him things about myself that I haven’t told anyone before.
“Hey. Can one of you run breakfast out to the barn?” Rex interrupts the two of us.
“Mind if I take it?” I ask Reenie. “I need some fresh air.”
“You know he’ll be okay, right?”
I give her a halfhearted smile. “When will I be okay? Pre-K today, college tomorrow.”
Reenie pats my cheek. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, dear. Still plenty of time left between now and then.”
I grab the box of food and give her a weak smile. “I’ll try.”
Shouldering open the back door, I walk the well-worn path to the barn. The cool breeze blowing helps my frayed nerves, but even the thought of seeing Sam doesn’t lift my spirits as much as I would hope.
The barn doors are wide open as I make my way through the aisle toward the office.
“Knock, knock.” The door is already open with Sam sitting at his desk. “Got your breakfast order.”
Sam looks up with a smile on his face. “Thanks for bringing it over.”
“Why’d it have to be me today?” I set it down on his desk.
“Do I need an excuse to see you?”
Sam gets up and rounds the desk, coming to stand in front of me. Even with his ass resting on the desk, he’s still a head taller than I am.
“You made it seem important.”
Sam brushes his fingers along my jaw. It’s the smallest touch but helps soothe me in ways I didn’t anticipate.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m fine, why?”
“For real, Joey. I know today is Max’s first day at school.”
“God.” I bury my head in his chest, trying to quell the tears from falling once again. I don’t care if anyone is around. Right now, all I need is comfort. “Will it get easier?”
It takes a minute before big hands come to rest on my back. In his office, we’re hidden away. For the time being at least.
“A little bit. Until they get older. But you have a long time before then. But when he gets home and tells you all about his day, it’ll help.”
“What if the other kids are mean to him?” I ask.
“Then we’ll have a class field trip up here and I’ll make the other kids like him.”
I snort a laugh. “Have I told you lately how sweet you are?”
“For forcing kids to like your son?”
I rest my chin on his chest and stare up at him. “Yeah. It’s pretty damn sweet.”
“You say the word, darlin’, and I’ll do whatever for you. And Max.”
My heart thumps in my chest. With the way it’s galloping, I’m surprised Sam can’t feel it. I can count on one hand the number of people who step up for Max. My friends and family, and now Sam.
He’s the guy I’m sleeping with. No, the guy I’m falling for. Not even Max’s dad could muster up this much love and care for him.
“You know, it could be fun to have his class out for a hayride.”
“Done.”
“Just like that?” I ask.
He glances around before dropping a kiss to my forehead. “Just like that. Kids love hayrides. They can play with the horses while they’re here. Have lunch. It’ll be great.”
I step back because what I want to do to Sam right now, we can’t do here. I want to shower him in kisses to show him what this gesture means to me. Showing up for my kid is the easiest way to this mother’s heart.
“I’ll run it by Kade. See if it’s something we can do.”
Sam smiles at me. “Knowing him, he’ll be all about it. Probably annoyed he didn’t think of it first.”
“Probably,” I agree.
“And it means you’ll get a day with Max to see how he’s doing at school.”
I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face if I tried. “Look at you. Knowing exactly what I need.”
“I’ve come to learn you pretty well, darlin’. I do know just what you need.”
His words send a shiver down my spine. Sam knows me too well after being together for such a short amount of time. It should scare me, but it doesn’t.
“Thanks for looking out for me.”
He winks. “Anything for you.”