“I know.” I kiss the top of her head. “I know you wouldn’t have.” Pulling back, I place my finger under her chin and lift her eyes to mine. “You don’t have to convince me, Laney. I know the kind of woman you are, and I know you’ve been an incredible mother to our daughter. The situation was out of your control.”
“I should have questioned it. Questioned her. And my father? What is his role in all of this? I didn’t ask her. I should have, but I was too angry. I just wanted her gone.”
“You’ll have time to ask her, and who knows, maybe you will never know the answers. Now, we better get back before Kendrix wakes and gets scared that we’re not there.”
Her hand moves to my cheek and her eyes soften. “You’re a good man, Kenton. I don’t know if I’ve told you this, but I’ve thought it a million times over. I’m glad it was you.”
“Me too, baby.” Bending, I place a feather-soft kiss to her lips. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. She doesn’t shy away, and when I walk her to the truck, tucked in close to my side, it feels like old times.
I’m not a betting man, not anymore, but I think although unexpected, the odds are in our favor.Chapter 15DelaneyI’ve been a mess all week. Wondering, waiting, and still nothing. It’s Thursday afternoon and although waiting sucks, Kent has done a great job at keeping us occupied. Kendrix is in love with him. She thinks that he hung the moon, and she still has no idea that he’s her daddy. When she finds out, she’s going to go nuts. In a good way. At least I hope that’s the outcome.
The three of us have had dinner every night this week. Monday night it was pizza at the local pizza place in town. Tuesday night we went to a steakhouse. Kendrix got a kick out of the fact that you got to eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. Wednesday night, we went through the drive-thru and then drove to the meadow. The three of us ate while watching the sunset. Kendrix sat on the center console and commanded our attention all night, and it was perfect. The three of us, our little family.
At least I hope. Other than my memory to come back, I don’t know that I’ve ever wanted anything more.
Speaking of memory, since Sunday, I’ve been dreaming the same dream, only I can see the meadow clearly, and this time, I place my hand in his, and we begin to walk off into the open field. Then I wake up. It’s more than I’ve had over the years as the pieces hopefully are starting to fall together. I haven’t mentioned it to Kent. I don’t want to get his hopes up.
Tonight, we’re staying in. Apparently, Kendrix and Kent are going to make spaghetti, which she hasn’t stopped talking about all day. I found her in the upstairs bathroom—that the guys are currently working on putting back together. Kent had her in his arms settled on his hip while they talked about noodles and sauce. Seth, he was on the floor laying tile and chiming in on their conversation like it was the most normal thing in the world. It’s not just Kent who lets her run around like she’s the boss. They all do. It’s endearing to see these men with her. After seeing them with her, and their own wives and kids, I know Kendrix and I are lucky to have them in our lives.
The more time I spend here, the more I don’t want to leave. It was Mom who wanted me to sell, and I don’t want to do that. Kent has been great, not pressuring me for what comes next. I know he’s waiting on the results. We both are.
“Laney.” His deep timbre pulls me out of my trance.
I set my Kindle down on the couch and stand. “Hey, is it Kendrix? Is she up from her nap? I swear the girl never takes naps these days, but running around this house and trying to keep up with you and the guys seems to wear her out,” I ramble.
“Laney,” he says again. This time he steps closer. He doesn’t stop until we’re toe-to-toe. “I just got the call. The results are in. I’m going to drive over to the hospital to get them.”
“Th-The results are in?” I stammer.
“Yes.”
His expression is well… expressionless. I can’t get a read on him. “What are they? What did they say?”
“I don’t know. I want us to open them together. I feel as though there are so many moments that we missed out on, and when we open that envelope that tells us that I’m her father, it will kind of be like you telling me you were pregnant. I know it’s not the same thing, but it will be a moment. It will be ours.”