Chapter 4
four
Carolina
“Are you excited to be moving into our new place, buddy?” I looked into the rearview and asked Luke as we drove the few miles to our new home.
The keys to our new place sat in the cupholder, and everything felt like it was falling into place after the few chaotic days me and Luke had after leaving Charleston.
He bounced in his booster seat as he swung his legs back and forth. He looked out the window taking in the scenery as he nodded.
I feared uprooting him from all he’d ever known would have more of an impact, but he was excited that we were here. He’d heard all about Haven Valley from me and my parents, and he’d begged me to visit on more than one occasion. I just wished we were here under better circumstances.
I turned onto the street and saw the house up ahead.
“See the house with the bright blue front door up ahead?” I asked Luke as I pointed in the direction of our new home.
“I see it, Mom. I see it,” he shouted with excitement, and it made my mama heart so happy.
“That’s our new home, buddy,” I told him as I flipped on my blinker and turned into the driveway. My parents pulled in behind me.
Thank goodness, they helped me with some furniture because I’d left all the big items back in Charleston in my haste to leave.
“Alright, buddy. Let’s go explore the new house. Just remember to stay inside while me, Grandma, and Grandpa get everything inside, okay?”
“Yes, Mama,” he said as he unbuckled his seat belt and opened the door. Before I could even get out he ran across the yard and up the front porch.
Oh, to have that much energy.
I pushed the button to open the hatch of the SUV as I opened the door and got out.
Before I unloaded our belongings, I went up the porch and let Luke inside, then made sure the screen door was secure to stay open before I went back down to help.
We unloaded my SUV and put the boxes in the living room before we carried in the bigger items.
We were on our last trip inside with the mattress for my bed when I heard a truck approaching.
The truck pulled in next door.
I knew that truck.
It was Leo’s.
He must be close to whoever lived next door.
I couldn’t think about that now. I focused on the task at hand and helped my dad carry in the mattress, letting out a sigh when we finally got it inside.
“I remember why I hate moving so much,” I said with a laugh as I wiped the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand.
“At least you didn’t have a whole house to move,” my dad joked and then immediately apologized.
“Dad, there’s nothing to apologize for. Everything important from Charleston is in this house. All the other things can be replaced over time.”
“Do you need help with anythin’ else?” my mom, Bonnie, asked with a concerned look on her face.
“I need to run to the store since we don’t have any groceries here,” I told her, dreading the thought of doing that since Luke hated it.
“Let your dad and I take care of that for you. We can grab you some stuff to get you through the next few days and you can get to the store for a full restock,” my mom offered. She was a godsend.
“You don’t mind? I can give you my card. You know what we like. We aren’t picky,” I told her as I looked around the room searching for where I put my purse.
“Nonsense. I’m not takin’ your money,” my dad said with a pointed look, letting me know not to push the issue. I didn’t want them to pay, but I wasn’t going to argue. I’d just sneak putting the cash into his wallet later.
“Thank you both so much. For everything,” I said as I teared up. They wanted me to return to Haven Valley the moment I found out I was pregnant, but I was determined to make it on my own, and with Leo not answering my letters I just couldn’t.
“You don’t have to thank us. We don’t mind helping you and Luke out. Ever,” my mom said as she walked over and opened her arms, which I happily stepped into.
“I’m so proud of you, Carolina,” she whispered into my ear before she kissed me on the side of my head.
I was so choked up with emotion all I could do was nod. I didn’t need Luke to see me upset. He was very protective of me and hated if he ever sensed I was anything but happy.
Just as the thought of him crossed my mind, he bound into the room. The stomps of his feet echoed throughout the house.
“Mama, come here, please. I want to show you which room I want,” Luke said as he grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the hallway.
“We’ll be back shortly,” my dad said with a laugh before him and my mom walked out the front door.
The sound of the front door closing echoed in the house. I needed to go shopping so that everything didn’t keep echoing in here.
“Alright, show me which room you want, buddy.”
Luke skipped down the short hallway, and I followed closely behind. He entered the room at the end of the hall on the right. The one with a window seat that I knew he’d love.
“I want this one, Mama. And look I can store my toys in the window seat,” he squealed with excitement as he lifted the seat and showed me the storage space beneath.
“That’s great, buddy. But can we use inside voices please? Just until we get stuff in the house. Everything echoes in here.”
“Sorry, Mama. I’m just excited.”
“I know, Luke. I’m excited too. So, you think you’ll be happy here?” I asked, not just talking about the house, but Haven Valley.
“I love it here, Mama. This house is way better than the one in Charleston,” he said, and I furrowed my brows wondering why he’d think that.
The house in Charleston was bigger and in a nice neighborhood with lots of kids.
I didn’t know how many families lived on this street or even if there were any kids his age nearby. We’d find out soon enough, though.
“What do you mean, buddy?” I asked as I sat down on the window seat as he opened the closet door to explore.
“Grandma and Grandpa are here. And I love being in the country. It’s not loud here. But Daddy also lives here. You said so. When do you think I’ll get to see him?”
I’d always been open with Luke about who his father was.
I had to get creative in explaining why he wasn’t with us when he got old enough to understand, but I just told him his father had important ranch business and couldn’t get away.
Luke was still young enough to take that answer and not question further.
But with him knowing Leo lived here, I wouldn’t be able to keep him pacified for long.
“You’ll see him soon, buddy,” I promised, hoping once Leo found out about Luke that he would want to get to know his son as much as Luke wanted to get to know his father.
“Alright, buddy. I’m going to bring the boxes of your toys in here. Play while I get our beds set up, okay?”
“Okay, Mama,” he agreed as he sat on the floor to wait for me to bring the boxes to him. I only grabbed a few things I knew he loved before I left.
After I got Luke settled in his room with the open boxes of toys, I set out to set up my bed first. It was the same full-sized bed frame from my teenage bedroom, but I was thankful for the generous donation from my parents so I wouldn’t have to deplete my savings account.
Thankfully, I paid attention to my dad when he took the bed frame apart because it went together easily. I pushed the box spring down the hall and was about to push it over onto the bed frame when the doorbell sounded.
“Don’t run to that door, Luke,” I warned as I shimmied my way between the wall and the box spring.
I made it to the door out of breath and assumed it was just my parents returning with the groceries.
Out of breath, I twisted the knob to open the door, finding it locked.
I unlocked the door and opened it to laugh at my parents for locking the door only to find Leo standing on the other side.
My heart pounded frantically in my chest. I didn’t want Leo to see Luke before I had the chance to explain.
I didn’t want Luke running in here to see Leo on the other side of the door.
Luke saw every photo of Leo I had. He knew what he looked like.
He’d know his father anywhere. That was not how I wanted Leo to find out.
“Hey, Leo,” I whispered as I squeezed between him and the door, closing it behind me so Luke didn’t hear me.
“I thought that was your SUV. Were you here the other day too?” he asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Yeah. Is there something I can help you with? I’m kind of busy,” I told him, needing to hurry up this conversation before Luke came out here.
“I wanted to come say hi to the new neighbors,” he admitted as he stared at me awkwardly.
“Neighbors?” I questioned, hoping he was joking. I thought he’d lived on his parents’ ranch, or at least that was what I assumed.
“Yeah. Brooks, Holden, and I all live next door.”
Well, I’ll be.
Things were about to get interesting living this close to Leo. I could handle it, though. I hoped.
“We should talk, Leo. There’s something I need to tell…”
I didn’t get to finish that statement as the door opened behind me with Luke yelling for his mama.
I turned around quickly, trying to avoid him from seeing Leo.
“Go back inside, buddy. I’ll be in shortly,” I told him as I blocked his view of who stood behind me.
Reluctantly, Luke listened and turned around with his head down. I patted his shoulder and guided him back inside before I closed the door.
I closed my eyes and took a calming breath before I turned around to face Leo.
When I turned around, Leo’s wide eyes were all I needed to see to let me know that he did, in fact, see Luke.
I couldn’t finesse the situation now. I had to just come out with it.
“Carolina… Is..?” he stumbled over his words at the shock of seeing Luke.
With another deep breath in, I swallowed and whispered, “He’s yours.”