Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch

by Carolyn Brown

  Mia shook her head. “I went to the drugstore to buy a pregnancy test. I’m a week late.”

  The room spun a couple of times and started to fade into a gray fog before Addy remembered to straighten up and take a deep breath. “Have you taken the test?”

  “I went to a truck stop and did it in the bathroom. That was the longest three minutes of my life. I thought they would never pass, and then I was afraid to look at the test. I knew I would be sick if it was positive and guilty for hating Ricky so much if it was negative since it wouldn’t be a little baby’s fault,” Mia said. “It was negative. I guess I’m just late because of all the stress.”

  “Then why are you so upset?” Jesse asked gently.

  “Because of the way I’ve felt and treated Mama about my own father. I didn’t want to be pregnant with Ricky’s baby. Like Justine, I would be terrified to even tell all y’all, and I’d live in fear that my baby would grow up to act like Ricky.” She stopped talking long enough to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. “Then I got to thinking about how you felt, Mama, when you looked at me. Did you see my father in me? Did you worry that I’d grow up and act like him?”

  “Yes, and yes, but your father is a good man. It was my decision, not his, to not tell him. If he had known about you, he would have married me, and I wasn’t sure it would have been for the right reasons,” Addy explained.

  “Then why wouldn’t you tell me who he is or was all these years?” she asked.

  “Because if he had known, he would have given up on his dream and rushed back here to do the right thing, and well…” Addy glanced over at Jesse.

  “After a time,” Jesse said, “I imagine it just got easier to move on with her life, right, Addy?”

  “Did you ever forget him? Did you love him?” Mia asked. “I don’t want to remember Ricky, and I don’t think I ever loved him. I just wanted someone to love me like Poppa loves Nana. We even talked about that before we moved in together, and he said he wanted the same thing. How can I ever trust another guy?”

  “Question one.” Addy held up one hand. “I never forgot him.” She held up another finger. “And I did love him, but I wasn’t sure it was the marryin’ kind of love. I thought it was most likely the best friend love that got out of hand one night.”

  Jesse patted her on the back. “When the right guy comes along, he will respect you, and he will never want to change you.”

  Mia’s eyes shifted from Jesse to Addy and back again several times. She finally cocked her head to one side and then blinked rapidly a dozen times. “Best friend love…” she whispered. “Jesse, are you my father?”

  “Yes, he is,” Addy said before he could answer.

  “And everything your mother said is true. I’d always talked about making a career out of the military. I would have given all that up in a split second if I’d known about you. Our friendship was so strong that she didn’t tell me about you so that I could have my dream,” Jesse added.

  “I had dreams, too,” Addy said. “I wanted to be a nurse, and I am one. I have a beautiful daughter that has brought joy to me…well, until she got all sassy and headstrong and ran off with a bad boy. I have no regrets about the decisions I made, except that I feel that I’ve cheated you two out of knowing each other. That’s the one thing I’m sorry for.”

  Mia stared at Jesse the whole time both he and her mother were talking. Addy wondered if she was in shock or in a trance. She started to snap her fingers in front of her daughter’s eyes when the girl finally spoke.

  “I have your eyes, and that’s why I’m so tall.”

  “Yep.” Jesse nodded.

  “You really didn’t know about me?” she asked.

  “Not until I came home. I knew Addy had a daughter, but I didn’t know you were my child,” Jesse answered.

  “Did you ever wonder?” she asked.

  “No, I didn’t. We only had that one night together,” he said.

  “Didn’t Poppa and Nana talk about me? Did they ever send pictures, like at Christmas, or didn’t you see the ones on the mantel of me and Mama?” Mia pressured for more.

  “They did, and yes, I saw the pictures when I came home, but I never made the connection until I came home a few weeks ago. If I had, I would have gotten to know you,” he said.

  “Part of Jesse not seeing you is my fault. When he came home, I made sure we were in Cactus for Thanksgiving,” Addy said.

  “I didn’t figure it out for myself until I was told when your birthday was,” Jesse told her.

  “I’ve got to think about this for a while,” Mia said as she stood up. “I should have known it all along because Mama has always had a picture of you in her wallet, but…” She frowned at Jesse. “I figured my dad was someone she was ashamed of, not her best friend. I don’t think I’m ready to call you daddy or dad.”

  “You might not ever be ready for that, but I do hope we can be friends,” Jesse said.

  “We’ll see.” Mia started for the door. “Is this a dream, Mama?”

  “No, but you might lead with ‘I’m not pregnant’ next time,” Addy said.

  Mia turned around and drew her eyebrows down into a dark line. “Are you coming with me?”

  “Of course I am.” Addy followed her into the house.

  “If you’ve got any more questions for me, I’m right here,” Jesse said.

  “Thanks.” Mia turned around and smiled. “And I’m glad it’s you that’s my father, Jesse.”

  “Me, too,” he said.

  Mia reached over and took Addy’s hand in hers. “I meant it. I’m glad Jesse is my father. That means that Poppa and Nana are my real grandparents, and…” She paused.

  “And what?” Addy asked.

  “And I’ve been a horrible granddaughter.” She sat down in the grass and pulled her mother down beside her. “Do they know?”

  Addy pulled her hand free and hugged Mia. “Yes, they figured it out years ago, but I didn’t tell them until after Jesse came home.”

  “Do you think Lylah knows?” Mia asked.

  “Nope. If she did, she would have already spread it all over the whole state. I heard that she spread rumors that I got pregnant by one of my professors,” Addy answered.

  The stars glistened in the night sky just like they had twenty years ago when Addy slipped out of the bunkhouse and jogged all the way across the pastures to her own house. There was comfort in knowing that some things never changed.

  “Jesse is a good man.” Mia seemed to be trying to wrap her mind around him being her father even yet.

  “Yes, he is. He’s always been a good person,” Addy agreed.

  “He’s a tough boss, but I like him. Do you think I can ever think of him as a daddy?” Mia asked.

  “What I think doesn’t matter. That is totally up to you,” Addy told her. “Give him some time. Nothing has to be decided tonight.”

  “I wish it could be so that I wouldn’t worry. Oh, no!” Mia gasped.

  “What?” Addy looked around to see if there was a snake or maybe a tarantula near them.

  “I’ve treated him like crap. What if he never likes me?” Mia asked.

  “You are his daughter, and he already likes you,” Addy assured her.

  “Are you sure?” Mia wiped more tears from her eyes.

  “Positive,” Addy answered. “Let’s go on to the house. You need to get some rest. You’ve had nothing but one crisis after another lately.”

  “I’m not sure if I’ll ever sleep well again, but I’ll try.” Mia stood up and extended a hand to help Addy. “At least Jesse was good to you, and y’all are still friends.”

  Addy’s heart was still beating too fast when they made it to the house, and Mia had disappeared into her bedroom. There was no way that she could sleep, so she grabbed a bottle of water and headed to the front porch swing, only to find Jesse already there. She collapsed beside him and laid her head on his shoulder.

  “God, I’m glad she’s not pregnant. It never entered my mind t
hat she might be. She’s been on the pill for a while.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the porch swing.

  “We’re living proof that failures happen.” Jesse slid down to sit closer to her and take her hand in his. “What do you think she’ll say after she’s slept on the news?”

  “Six months ago, I would have said that she would have another million questions to ask and she would take a while, but she would accept you. Today, I don’t know. I’m kind of glad she doesn’t have enough money to run away, because after the stunts she’s pulled, I’m not sure,” she said. “Jesse, are you ready for all this responsibility? She’s concerned about feeling like you are her dad, but she’s also worried that you won’t like her.”

  He removed his hand from hers and draped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s all been a bit of a shock. I’ll admit that, but darlin’, I’m ready. She’s part of the bargain if we’re going to get involved, and besides, I already love that kid. I didn’t realize how much until tonight. Hearing her say that she was glad I was her father—I can’t begin to tell you how that made me feel.”

  Addy laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad we told her tonight, but I think we were talking about us when she barged in and scared the hell out of me with that news of a pregnancy test.”

  “We could have been discussing dinosaurs or ice cream for all I remember,” Jesse admitted. “I feel like we just jumped over a hurdle, but we haven’t landed on solid ground yet.”

  “Me, too,” Addy agreed. “I need to talk about something unrelated to drama.”

  “With our background, we’re not drama?” Jesse made lazy circles with his thumb on the soft spot on her neck.

  “What’s between us is nothing compared to everything we’ve been through. Do you think we should get in to breakfast earlier than usual and tell Sonny and Pearl that she knows?” The adrenaline was leaving Addy’s body. That combined with Jesse’s gentle touch on her neck made her drowsy. “I can’t believe that I’m sleepy.”

  “No, we don’t need to get up that early,” Jesse said. “We’ll tell them at breakfast if she hasn’t already, and, honey, we’re both worn out emotionally.”

  One minute, Addy was resting her eyes, the next her face was warm from the sun pouring in from what she figured was her bedroom window. Her eyes snapped open when she realized that she’d overslept. That’s when she realized that Jesse was spooned up against her back and his arm was slung around her to keep her from falling off the swing.

  “Good Lord!” She moved her arm and sat up so fast, she got dizzy. “It’s daylight and—”

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he said. “I slept better than I have in years. How about you?”

  “Yes, but we’ve got to go inside, and I hear rattling in the kitchen, so the folks are already up,” she answered.

  “Don’t be in such a rush. Mama and Dad already know we have a daughter together. We just slept in the swing. It isn’t a big deal.” He sat up and stretched.

  “It’s a big deal this morning. We should have been there when Mia came out of her room”—she tapped her phone, which was lying on the porch—“it’s seven thirty. She will have been up for an hour.”

  “Betcha five bucks we have to knock on her door and wake her.” Jesse headed across the porch with her right behind him.

  “You look like you slept in your clothes,” he teased.

  “That’s because I did,” she responded. “At least if anyone sees me, they’ll know we weren’t in here getting naked.”

  “We can remedy that anytime you want.” He winked.

  “Slow down, cowboy.” She went into the house when he opened the door for her. “Remember, we decided to take it slow.”

  “I can go slow, or I can go fast.” His eyes twinkled as he took her hand in his and led her to the kitchen.

  Sonny looked up from his coffee. “Good mornin’. Y’all already been out feedin’ the alpacas and checkin’ cattle?”

  “No, we both fell asleep on the porch swing last night,” Addy answered.

  Pearl raised an eyebrow, but before she could respond, Mia padded barefoot into the kitchen. “Good mornin’. Blueberry muffins! My favorite breakfast.” She went to the refrigerator and brought out the milk, poured a glassful, and carried it to the table. “I guess we should talk about things, right?”

  “What things?” Sonny asked.

  “That I’m your real granddaughter, that I was afraid I was pregnant but I’m not, that I’ve been a real brat, and that I still don’t know how to feel about Jesse being my father.” She slathered butter on a muffin as she talked. “But Poppa, you should say grace before we talk about anything at all.”

  Pearl looked like she’d just won the lottery. Sucking on a lemon couldn’t have erased the grin on Sonny’s face. Jesse laid his hand over Addy’s and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  Mia had sure enough put all the information in a nutshell, and, suddenly, it didn’t seem as much of a crisis as it did the night before.

  Sonny bowed his head and thanked God for the food, the hands that prepared it, and asked for strength for the day’s battles. When he opened his eyes, he focused on Mia, who was busy taking the first bite of her muffin. “Okay, Mia, what on earth is going on?”

  “All right. Last night, Mama and Jesse told me that he is my father.”

  Sonny looked like he was trying to hide a smile. “And how did you feel about that?”

  “To be honest, I’m still in shock. I couldn’t get to sleep for hours last night, and I still don’t know how to feel.” She looked at Jesse. “I’m sorry.”

  “No need to be sorry,” he assured her. “It’s a lot to take in, and I know it will be an adjustment.”

  “I am glad you didn’t marry some other woman, at least.” She took a bite of her muffin.

  Addy was glad about that, too.

  Mia took a sip of milk and looked to Pearl. “I’m also glad to know that you and Poppa are really my grandparents. You’ve always treated me like one of your own, but, somehow, it’s different to know it’s true.”

  Pearl wiped tears away from her cheeks with the tail of her apron. “We had our suspicions that you might have been Jesse’s daughter, but we never wanted to say anything out of respect for your mother. And even if it hadn’t been true, you know you’re always part of our family.”

  Addy struggled to hold back her own tears. Would things have been different if she’d told the Ryans sooner? Had she robbed them of time with their grandchild, times when Sonny was stronger and could have taken Mia out on the four-wheelers or hiking through the pastures?

  Mia pushed back her chair and stood up. She hugged Sonny first and then Pearl. “I’m glad y’all are my real grandparents, and…” She stopped short of hugging Jesse. “And I’m glad that my father is here now and someone I can get to know.”

  Addy glanced across the table and locked gazes with Jesse. His eyes were swimming with tears, but he blinked them away.

  “Thank you for that much,” Jesse said. “We’ll work on that getting to know each other, starting this morning. After we clean the watering troughs, I thought we would unload a new trough in the pasture, fill it, and see how the alpacas do with a little more space to run and play.”

  “What’s that got to do with getting to know someone?” Mia asked.

  “Working together is the—” Jesse started.

  “Best way to get to know a person for who they really are,” Addy finished for him.

  “Seems like Nana told me that same thing.” Mia smiled. “Now, I have the right to call you that, don’t I? It’s really my right.”

  “Yes, darlin’, it is,” Pearl answered.

  The guilt left Addy’s heart and soul. She glanced across the table at Jesse, and they shared a moment of happiness without either of them saying a single word.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jesse felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket, so he pulled his four-wheeler under a big scrub oak tree and stopped. Mia pulled up besi
de him and raised a dark eyebrow.

  “Phone call from one of my military buddies,” he answered her silent question. “Take a break and get a bottle of water out. We’ve been running hard all morning.”

  “No arguments from me.” She cut the engine, got off her machine, sat down at the base of a nearby tree, and used the trunk for a backrest.

  “Hey, what’s goin’ on? How are you adjusting to civilian life?” Jesse answered the phone.

  “First week was great,” Frankie chuckled. “Second one, I started to get bored. I just landed a fantastic job with a private security firm. Tommy’s here with me, and Ned and Beau are coming in next week. We just need you to get our old team back together. Tommy has talked to the boss man, and he’s got no problem with us working together. What do you say?”

  “I’ll have to turn you down. I came home to help on the ranch, and I found out I’ve got a nineteen-year-old daughter that I want to get to know,” Jesse said.

  “Will you think about it? Starting pay is six figures with a benefit package that will blow your mind,” Frankie said. “And how did you get a daughter that old without even knowing about her?”

  “Long story.” Dollar signs flashed in Jesse’s mind.

  “Bring her with you,” Frankie said. “Girls like the beach.”

  “Beach?” Jesse removed his cowboy hat and fanned his face with it. “Where is the headquarters for this job?”

  “Miami. Nice beaches. Warm weather, but we’ll be sent out on missions all over the world. It’ll be like old times,” Frankie said. “Give yourself a few days to think it over, and I’ll call back at the end of the week. Sure be nice if we were all together again. After that first week at home with the wife and kids, I missed you guys.”

  “How does Nora feel about moving to Miami?” Jesse asked.

  “She loves the idea,” Frankie said. “Got to run now. Talk to you later. Promise you’ll think it over seriously?”

  “Promise I’ll think it over, but I’m pretty sure my answer will be the same,” Jesse answered. “Give Nora my love.”

  “Will do, and she misses you, too,” Frankie chuckled again. “She kind of liked being the hostess for all of us. See you later.”