“Fuck!” I softly said as I dug my fingers into my hair. “What did you do, Brock?”
I’d brought a woman into Blayze’s world all because of how my body had reacted at the first sight of her.
What if things don’t work out? What if she ends up realizing this isn’t the life she wants?
I had a son, and a job that was dangerous. She had moved to Montana looking for a new life.
But does she want a guy with baggage and a kid in tow?
Her own words flooded back into my head.
“I’m not asking for your heart right now. I’m asking for a piece of you. A chance to get to know you.”
Opening the bathroom door, I found Blayze sitting on the bed, watching the Disney Channel.
“Hey, buddy, can I talk to you for a second?”
He looked my way and said, “Sure, Daddy.”
My heart nearly exploded with love. Kaci and I might have had our share of problems, but I knew in my heart we’d loved each other. Maybe our love wasn’t the type of love other married couples shared; I didn’t know. All I knew was that we had made this beautiful creature in front of me. Kaci had given me something I treasured with all my heart, and I would always be grateful to her for that.
I scrubbed my hands down my face and took in a breath. I felt my son’s hand on my shoulder.
“Daddy, are you worried that Miss Lincoln don’t like you back? I’m pwetty sure she does if she let ya kiss her.”
Grinning, I nodded. “Lincoln and I do like each other, buddy, but we’re just getting to know each other. I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Things might not work out, and we could just end up being friends.”
Blayze looked away from me, like he was really letting my words settle in. Then, he looked me straight in the eyes. “Daddy, will you ever get married again, like Dalton’s daddy?”
My heart fell. I hadn’t ever allowed myself to think how it must be for Blayze to not have a mother in his life. I wanted to give him the answer he desperately needed to hear, but I could only tell him the truth. “I don’t know, buddy. I honestly don’t know.”
He smiled, like he knew something I didn’t. Then he patted my shoulder. “Don’t be afraid, Daddy. Mommy wants you to be happy and for me to have a mommy here to take care of me.”
My breath caught in my throat. “Mommy?”
Blayze nodded. “She visits me in my dreams, and she tolds me that. She tolds me I was supposed to tell you it was okay to wove someone. That she knows you woved her.”
Pulling my son into my arms, I held him as I felt the tears fall from my eyes. “I love you, Blayze.”
His little hand gently patted my back, as if he was trying to comfort me. “I wove you, too, Daddy.”
I glanced to my right to see Lincoln and Kaylee standing off to the side. They were talking to Roy MacMore, one of the stock contractors. They, along with my folks and Ty, had gotten to be behind the scenes with me and Dirk today. Ty was currently helping George Ryder, another bull rider, tighten his bull rope. I knew my brother missed all of this and loved being immersed in it again. He had asked me to help him set up an agricultural-education program for raising bulls. And he wanted to teach younger kids about how the bulls used for riding are taken care of and educate them on professional bull riding, which I was all for.
Dirk walked up next to me, his vest on, his helmet in his hand.
“You ready?” I asked.
He nodded.
“You have a late night last night?”
Looking my way, he smiled. “Is that your way of asking me if I hooked up with anyone?”
I shrugged. “Just making sure you know Kaylee is off limits.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “Dude, I think Kaylee is nice and all, but I’m not the least bit interested. Besides, I was with Ty last night, and a few friends. We all got caught up in a game of Texas hold ’em, and lady luck was not on my side.”
I glanced over to Ty. He was holding on to George’s vest and keeping his other hand out in front of him in case the bull decided to throw George forward. The beast George was on was getting impatient.
“I know this is hard for him, being here and all.”
“He’s tougher than you think, Brock.”
“Yeah, I know he is. I can’t help but worry about him.”
Dirk placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a hard squeeze. “I think this is good for him. Shows him he can be a part of the world without climbing onto a bull. He’s okay.”