Chapter 7 #2
I pulled into a parking space in front of the small fourplex where I lived.
The building was unremarkable, looking more like a bank than an apartment building.
It was two floors—with the basement housing laundry—with two units on each floor.
I was on the ground floor, which I was sure Tex was happy about when he was hauling in Ruby’s bed.
I got out of the car and unbuckled Ruby. I expected her to wake up, but she was deadweight as I pulled her up to my chest. Her head flopped onto my shoulder and she let out a little whimper before settling.
Poor baby.
Seeing her mom, only to have to leave again, had taken a toll. It must have been so confusing.
Hopefully, future visits to Carrie would go better. Once Ruby adjusted to the separation and understood she’d get to see her mom again, it would surely get easier.
Georgia had insisted on dragging out the visit, which didn’t help. By the time I got Ruby out of there, we were both ragged around the edges.
I laid Ruby in her bed, mentally crossing my fingers and toes that she wouldn’t wake up. She snuggled into her blanket and rolled over. I stood watch until I was certain she’d continue to sleep, then slipped into my bedroom.
I left the door open so I would hear her if she woke up, making a mental note to get one of those baby monitors. Then I pulled out my phone and texted Tex in case I didn’t see him again.
Knight said you left. Thanks for last night.
I stared at the message. In different circumstances, I could be thanking him for a very different kind of night. If only he hadn’t run from it. Maybe if I hadn’t rushed him by kissing him that day, everything would be different.
Well, it didn’t matter, did it? I had more important concerns now.
I thumbed through my contacts until I found the barbershop number. I’d called in this morning, but I needed to update Clint on my plans.
The line rang twice.
“River Town Barber,” Clint’s gruff voice answered.
“It’s Hendrix.”
“Well, hello, son. How are you holding up? You must have your hands full.”
“A little,” I said with a small chuckle. “I’m sorry about all this.”
“Hey now, none of that. We can’t choose the punches the world deals out. We just have to take it on the chin and do our best to keep going.”
“Yeah. That’s true.” I gave him the update on Carrie’s recovery timeline. “I’m still trying to figure out all the logistics. I need to find a day care or something, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Take your time. We’re not going anywhere. I can handle the shop for a few days.”
“Thank you.”
I slumped back into the bed. I had the best boss, which was one less problem to solve. But there were dozens more just waiting to crowd my brain and send me into a tailspin. I closed my eyes, trying to quiet my mind.
Ruby wasn’t the only exhausted one. I fell asleep right there, lying sideways across the bed.
When I woke, I heard quiet voices, a giggle, and a splash.
I sat up, groggy and disoriented. Was it morning? No, it was too light. My internal clock suggested three in the afternoon. But that couldn’t be right. Ruby wouldn’t have slept that long.
I pushed off the bed and walked toward the doorway. Ruby’s bed was empty. More giggles came from the bathroom.
I pushed open the door.
Tex knelt by the tub, hands covered in suds as he washed Ruby’s long red hair.
“You came back,” I said, leaning against the doorframe.
The corners of his mouth twitched up. “I don’t have much going on in Hayworth right now. Figured you could use the help.”
My stomach tightened. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I’m offering.” He picked up a cup he must have brought from the kitchen. He filled it with water, then tilted Ruby’s face back. “I know how hard this is.”
Water poured over the top and back of Ruby’s head. Tex used his free hand to cover her forehead and shield her eyes. He was good at this. Really good.
“You don’t think I’m up to it,” I said, stomach sinking.
“No, that’s not true.” He finished rinsing her hair, then handed her the cup. Ruby instantly filled it with water and dumped it out, grinning at the splash.
Tex rose to his feet and faced me. “Holls, my sister has three kids. I had a front-row seat to how much work that was for Chastity, even with a husband and nine months to plan for parenthood. You got slammed with this overnight.”
“True.”
“So why not let me stay and help?”
I hesitated. “But the place is so small. You can’t keep sleeping on that couch.” Heat flooded my face. “Unless you just meant for today?”
“Today, tomorrow, next week.” He shrugged. “The guys are working on finding you a bigger place out at the park with them.”
“Oh.” I swallowed. I’d already had the thought I needed a real home for Ruby, but I hadn’t considered where that would be. “They didn’t mention it earlier.”
“They probably figured you had a lot on your mind already. And look, I’m not trying to make your life harder. If you want me gone, I’m gone.”
“No, I—” I didn’t know what to say. Hadn’t I spent the whole drive from the hospital wondering how I’d manage on my own?
“I know I screwed up before,” Tex said. “That won’t happen again.”
I met his gaze uncertainly. Ruby splashed around in the tub, happy as a clam.
“I don’t know what to do about childcare,” I admitted in a rush.
“And a new place? I know I need one, but my checks get garnished for restitution. It’s not like before, when I had a high-paying corporate job.
But I made so many promises to Carrie, and I want to keep them this time, Tex.
I really do. I don’t want to mess up this chance, and I don’t know anything! ”
“Whoa.” He took hold of my shoulders. “Breathe, okay? Just breathe.”
I took a gasping breath, my chest too tight. He pulled me closer, into a full hug, and wrapped his arms around me. “I’ve got you, man. I’m here. I’m not leaving.”
I closed my burning eyes. I shouldn’t be reacting this way. Shouldn’t be falling apart. That wasn’t what Ruby needed.
“You left before,” I croaked.
“I’m sorry,” he said, still holding me tight. “I’m so damn sorry. I know you don’t have any reason to trust me. Hell, you might even hate me for what I did.”
I pulled back and crouched down by the tub to avoid his eyes. “I don’t hate you.”
“Not even a little?” he said, a teasing note in his voice.
I huffed. “Maybe a little.”
“So let me make it up you,” he said, sincerity ringing in his tone. “Let me stay and help for as long as you need it. The minute you don’t want me around, I’m gone. But until then, you have my word that this time I’ll stay.”
Ruby watched us with big eyes, as if she somehow realized an important decision was being made. Looking at her small, vulnerable body, the answer was easy.
Pushing Tex away would be better for my heart. But letting him stay was the right thing for Ruby. And she had to come first.
“Okay,” I said softly, looking up at him. “What’s next, then?”
“Next, we get this girl dried and dressed,” he said. “Then we take turns chasing her while she gets into everything.”
I gave an amused huff. “Sounds about right.”
“Welcome to fatherhood,” he said.
“It’s good to finally be here,” I said, smiling down at Ruby. “Scary, but really good.”