Chapter 17 CORMAC
CORMAC
Amusement twitches along Davie’s cheeks while I attempt to strap into Jesse’s chest carrier. The navy backpack is supposed to be easy to wear, and to be fair, the buckle system is simple enough. The problem is the size, or rather, my size.
“We might need a strap extender,” I grouch, loosening the woven strap to its limit to fit around my waist.
Davie chuckles, tickling Jesse’s tummy to get him to laugh, too. “If it fits me, it’ll fit you.”
I grunt in doubt, but eventually, all the straps are clicked into place, and I’m ready to take Jesse off her hands.
After this morning’s events, I’ve been looking forward to sharing this time with Jesse and Davie—a peaceful walking tour of the ranch.
Deacon and a few of the guys are covering my chores this afternoon, which means I’m free to show my family their new home.
Especially since there hasn’t been a lot of opportunity for Davie to explore yet.
“This kid’s growing like a weed,” I say once Jesse is settled facing forward. “It’s amazing how much he’s changed in so little time. He was practically a different baby when we first met.”
“I know. I thought the same thing after he was born, too.” Davie’s steps falter as we head outside to the barn. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t mention those first few months.”
There’s a tightening in my chest from the knowledge that I’ll never get those early, newborn days back. Davie sent me pictures through texts, but none of them came with the sound of my baby’s cry or that newborn smell.
“No, you should. I want to hear everything about him, especially the things I missed.” The barn’s large sliding door is open, so we walk inside to the scent of hay, animals, and manure, heading toward my horse, Rollo, for introductions.
Davie shares how she and Jessica adapted to a newborn—Davie doing the lion’s share of feedings and changings because her sister would go off with Cody doing god knows what.
“Of course, at the time, I didn’t know she was still seeing him. She told me they were done. For good.” Her fingers gently pet Rollo’s forehead. “I chose to believe her because a part of me dreams of the day Jessica changes her life around.”
“Maybe prison will do that for her.” I have no sympathy for the mother of my child. Davie tries not to speak negatively about her sister, but facts are facts, and I can read between the lines.
Jessica is a selfish and immature woman.
She probably shouldn’t be a mother, but I can’t regret her decision to have Jesse anyway.
“Maybe… So, you have horses and cattle. What other animals live here?”
The shift in topic lightens the mood as I gesture for Davie to follow me back outside. She wants to forget about her sister's drama?
I’ll show her every cute and fluffy critter the Rocking M has to offer.