48. Chapter 48
Chapter forty-eight
Parker
I roll over, my hand reaching for Laiken, but all I find is an empty bed.
Slipping out from beneath the covers, I cross the room, stopping to fix a blanket bunched at Trace’s feet.
He’s ventured to the couch now, claiming a real man can’t sleep with his mom every night.
He added something about a cowboy card I knew nothing about.
I run a hand over his hair, his eyes fluttering in his sleep.
When I get to the bottom, a low hum filters through the empty barn. I recognize the tune. “Silent Night”.
I approach the stall, hanging my forearms over the railing.
“I sang that song every night to Trace when he was a baby,” Laiken says, not facing me but acknowledging my presence.
She keeps stroking Sugarfoot’s mane, contemplating.
“What if he hears rumors? Grows up having to hear all the terrible things about his dad?” She runs her fingers over Sugarfoot’s neck.
“What if he’s already traumatized? What if I can’t be what he needs? ”
My hands work the latch, and I step down into the stall. “Come here.”
When she’s finally in my arms, I rest my lips against her forehead before I speak. “He may be young, but Trace is smart. He knows what’s right and wrong. He knows what love is because you taught him.”
Her shoulders shake with a light sob.
“And one day, he may have questions. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
“We?” she asks.
“Yeah, Firefly. We. You and Trace are mine. And since I’m officially retired, I have no other plans but being where you are.”
“I feel guilty,” she whispers.
“Why?”
“Because I’m glad he’s gone,” she admits. Her eyes mist over. “I’m a terrible person.”
“No.” I shake my head and cup her face. “You’re human.” I toss her words back. “You have complicated feelings. That doesn’t mean they’re wrong.”
“I used to have complicated feelings about you,” she confesses.
I lift a brow. “And now?”
She smiles softly. “Now. It’s not complicated at all.”
“How so?” I brush a piece of hair from her face.
“Now I’m done holding onto the past. To mistakes. To regrets.” Her arms wind around my neck. “I want to live in the now. I don’t want to miss a single second.”
“Every single second,” I mutter.
“That’s right.” She pushes up on her toes. “Keep holding on.”
She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I am never letting go.
“Trace at school?” Cooper asks when I walk into the office the next morning.
“Yeah, Laiken went to drop him off.” I go to the coffeepot he has in the corner of the room. “She should be back soon. She’s taking the rest of the week off.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be rehabbing your shoulder?” He lifts a brow.
“I mean, it’s not like I’m going back to riding. It’s fine. We’ll finish when we can. She’s had a lot on her plate.”
“So you’re retired? Officially?”
“Yep.” I nod. “I’m waiting to make a media statement until everything dies down here. Last thing I need is a bunch of reporters showing up.”
“Truth.”
“Morning.” Maddox walks in, zipping up his coat.
We unfortunately drew the cold as shit card this morning. I’d rather move cattle in the summer than freezing temps any day of the week.
“Hey.” I tilt my chin just as Ryder walks in.
He bypasses the coffeepot, going to his designated file cabinet he leans against every morning.
Once he gets settled, his phone rings.
“Hey.” Laiken’s voice comes from behind me as Ryder answers his phone.
“Hey, baby.”
She presses a kiss to my lips before Ryder holds up a hand.
“One sec, let me put you on speaker. Laiken and Parker are here.”
He taps his phone, then a gruff voice comes through the other line. “Can you hear me?”
“Yeah. Go ahead,” Ryder instructs.
Memphis clears his throat. “I just wanted to let you know the medical examiner was able to pinpoint the cause of death. Not only was he well above the legal alcohol limit, but he had crotalid in his bloodstream. That led to a thorough physical examination. Cause of death ruled accidental. Snakebite.”
“Snakebite?” Laiken questions. “That’s…”
“Random. Yes. But when officers searched the house, they found a rattlesnake den beneath the pier and beam. The weather changes must have brought them out and one found its way into the house. He was too intoxicated to recognize what happened and he needed medical attention.”
A fucking rattlesnake? What are the odds?
“So it was a freak accident?” Laiken blanches. “I’m sorry. I just…” She shakes her head. “I guess I was nervous this was—”
“A homicide?” Memphis interjects. “It wouldn’t be surprising given his record. But this was a very unfortunate turn of events.”
“Damn. Karma’s a bitch,” Cooper mutters.
“Apparently, so is Mother Nature,” I add.
“I gotta get back to it. Just wanted to give the update and let you know there will be no more questions or further investigation.”
“Thank you, Memphis,” Laiken says, clutching my hand in hers. “Don’t be a stranger. Maybe next time you visit, it will be on better terms.”
“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” he deadpans. “Duty never stops calling.”
When he ends the call, Laiken hugs me, squeezing me so tight I almost can’t breathe. I can practically feel the tension leave her body. Like she can finally breathe again. The room empties, giving us a moment alone. I tilt her chin up to give me her eyes.
“You seem relieved.”
“I am.” Her eyes search mine.
“You thought it was me, didn’t you?” I ask.
“It crossed my mind,” she admits.
“I’d never jeopardize a life with you and Trace. Ever.”
“I know.” She links her fingers with mine. “What do you say? Should we start living it?”
Fuck, I love her. “Yes, ma’am.”