Reid

by SJ McCoy

  She dried herself down and got dressed. When she went out into the living room, Owen was already sitting at the kitchen table drinking his juice. He gave her a big smile. “Owen loves Mommy.”

  She went to him and dropped a kiss on top of his head. “I love you, Owen.”

  “Owen loves Reid. And Owen loves Johnny and Owen loves Reid.” He flew his dinosaur around his head in a happy arc. “Owen loves dinosaur and Owen loves Jean.”

  She laughed. It was wonderful to see him so relaxed and happy.

  Reid came and handed her a mug of coffee, and she kissed his cheek. He was the reason both she and Owen were happy.

  “Do you have a busy day today?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m almost finished. Do you?”

  “No. Just the usual. I wondered, would you want to go out for dinner tonight?”

  She set the coffee down and looked into his eyes.

  “It’s just a thought. Mom asked if we wanted her to babysit.”

  “Jean’s your Mommy,” said Owen.

  “That’s right.”

  Tara thought about it. The first time had to happen sometime, but was she ready for it yet?

  Owen was watching her. “Owen loves Jean.”

  So, apparently, he thought it’d be okay. She nodded slowly. “We could.”

  “We don’t have to.”

  She smiled. “I know, but I’d like to.” She looked at Owen. Reid had helped her to understand that he did better when he knew what was going on. “Would you like to go and play with Jean while Mommy and Reid go out?”

  He nodded happily. “One day I can sleep there.”

  She stared at him.

  “Jean said.”

  She wanted to laugh. It seemed that Jean had been priming him. She knew how lucky she was that not only had she found Reid, but that he’d brought her into his wonderful family. She loved his parents. She’d met his brothers a couple of times now, and she believed that with time she’d become good friends with their fiancées. That thought gave her pause. Would she be Reid’s fiancée someday soon? She hoped so.

  “Should I tell Mom yes?”

  “Yes.” It was just one small word, yet it felt like it marked one giant step forward in their life together. The way Reid smiled told her he saw it that way, too.

  ~ ~ ~

  After they dropped Owen off at his parents’ place, Reid took hold of Tara’s hand. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “Yes. I’m nervous as hell. Part of me wants to run back in there and take him home, but I do want to do this.” She smiled. “After all this time, I think we should finally go out on our first date.”

  He chuckled. “Well, then I hope you’re not a nice girl.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Because a nice girl wouldn’t let me drive her out into the mountains and ride my cock in the back of the car on a first date.”

  She bit her bottom lip and shook her head. “You’d better stop talking like that, or there won’t be a first date. I’ll be taking you straight back home to bed.”

  He chuckled and opened the car door for her. “No, I’m going to make you wait. I’m going to take you to dinner—and keep talking like that, so that by the time we leave the restaurant, you’ll be begging me.”

  When he got into the driver’s seat, she leaned across and kissed him deeply. “I’ll beg you now if you like.”

  “No, please. I won’t be able to deny you if you do, and I really want us to go on this first date.”

  He pulled out of his parents’ driveway and headed south down the valley. This date was the most special one he’d ever been on.

  He’d asked for the best table at the Valley Lodge, and they’d given it to him. Even he could appreciate the beautiful setting. The huge windows framed a view of Mount Cowen with the river running just below where they sat.

  Tara looked around. “Wow! I feel underdressed. I didn’t think there were places like this out here.”

  He smiled. “Paradise Valley has many facets. It can be whatever we want it to be.”

  “So I’m learning.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it. I really do.”

  The meal was wonderful. Tara was different without Owen. He loved her in part because she was such a good mother, but it was tantalizing to see her as a woman in her own right. She was beautiful, and even in the short time they’d been here, she’d grown more relaxed and confident. He was a lucky man, and he knew it.

  “Would you like to stay for a coffee or a liqueur?”

  She shook her head. “I couldn’t fit another thing inside me.”

  He waggled his eyebrows, and she laughed. “Well, maybe that. Later.”

  “Okay. I can wait. There’s something I want to ask you.”

  “What?”

  His heart started to race and that surprised him. He wasn’t nervous. He’d known this was what he wanted for a long time now. He was as certain as he could be that it was what she wanted too.

  She was watching his face.

  He shook his head. Something about this moment wasn’t right. That was all he could take from the way his body was reacting. His heart was hammering in his chest, his palms were sweating. “It’s okay. It can wait.” It wasn’t like him to change his plans, and he’d had this planned for a while. But his instincts seemed to have served him well since he’d known her, so he decided to follow them on this, the most important occasion of all.

  He was a little disappointed in himself as they drove back up the valley. He’d envisioned this drive being a celebratory one. He’d thought they’d be heading home to fall into bed to celebrate the next step in their lives. They’d no doubt still fall into bed, but it wouldn’t be what he’d thought.

  “Tonight was wonderful,” she said as he turned off the main road and started down the long driveway that led to his parents’ house and then past his brothers’ to his.

  “It was. Thank you.”

  She gave him a puzzled look. “Is everything okay?”

  “It is.” As they got closer to his parents’ house, he knew what was wrong. He glanced across at her. “Are you okay with Owen staying there?”

  She nodded but didn’t speak.

  “Would you rather we picked him up? It’s not late. I doubt he’ll be in bed yet.”

  The relief on her face gave him his answer even before she spoke. “We could just stop in and see if he’s gone down yet?”

  He nodded and pulled up in front of the house.

  “Is everything okay?” His mom looked worried when she came to the door. She knew what his plan was for tonight.

  He gave her a reassuring smile. “It is. We had a great time, but we missed him.”

  She smiled. “He missed you guys, too. He had a great time, but he hasn’t settled down yet. Do you want to take him home?”

  Tara nodded. “I’m sorry. It was so good of you.”

  Reid had to smile as his mom hugged her. “Don’t you be sorry. I’m proud of you for going at all. It’ll take time, and we have all the time in the world.” She shot a look at Reid over her shoulder, obviously wanting to know if something had gone wrong.

  He shook his head.

  His dad came out in the hall with Owen holding his hand. The little guy looked sleepy, but he smiled when he saw them. “Night night.”

  Tara picked him up, and while she fastened him into his car seat, Reid’s mom pulled him aside and spoke in a low voice. “Is everything all right? It didn’t go wrong, did it?”

  He shook his head and smiled. “Nothing went wrong. It just wouldn’t have been right without Owen.”

  “Aww.” She patted his cheek. “Take them home. And tomorrow I want to hear all about it.”

  ~ ~ ~

  When they got back to the house, Reid carried Owen to his room, and Tara followed. She loved seeing the way he was with her son. She wished Owen was his son, too. And in a way
, he already was. The two of them were so similar. Owen loved him more than anyone in the world, except her. There was no question of that.

  Once he was tucked into bed, he smiled at them. “Home now.”

  Tara’s eyes filled with tears. He was home now, and she felt the same way.

  Reid sat down on the bed and patted the space beside him. She went and sat next to him, and he put his arm around her shoulders. “I feel like I’m home now with the two of you.”

  Owen nodded and murmured, “Home now.”

  “Would you like this to be your forever home?”

  Owen nodded again. He didn’t seem to think that was anything out of the ordinary. Tara did. She turned to look at Reid. “I love you, Tara.”

  Owen smiled. “Reid loves Mommy.”

  She had to smile through the tears that filled her eyes as Reid held up a little box to her. A diamond ring twinkled inside it. “You know I’m not the most eloquent man on earth. I don’t have beautiful words. But I do have a heart full of love for you and Owen. You two have taught me what love is, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you both. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She nodded as the tears flowed down her face. “Yes. Yes, I’d love to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I promise I’ll do my best to make you happy.”

  “Silly Mommy.”

  They both looked at Owen.

  “Reid’s always happy with Mommy.”

  Reid nodded. “He’s right. I am.” He leaned in and brushed his thumb over her cheek.

  “Kisses.”

  For once, Tara was happy to just let Owen watch as she and Reid kissed. She loved her little boy, and now she loved a man who loved him, too. She didn’t want to hide what she and Reid felt for each other. She wanted Owen to see it and understand it, and hopefully, someday grow up to be like Reid.

  When they came up from that kiss, Reid looked deep into her eyes. “That’s what I was going to ask you this morning. It almost slipped out. I called you Tara Wilder, and you called me Reid Davenport. I wanted to ask if you love me enough to become a Davenport.”

  She nodded happily. “I do. I’d love to take your name. Tara Davenport has quite a ring to it. I like it.”

  “And I love her.”

  Owen smiled. “Owen Davenport?”

  Reid caught her eye, and she nodded. “That would make me very happy.”

  Reid rested his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes. “Me, too.”

  Owen took hold of Reid’s hand and put it on top of Tara’s. Then he rested his little hand on top and smiled at them both. “Home now.”

  Tara’s eyes filled with fresh tears. He was right. They had all found their home in each other;

  ;

  A Note from SJ

  I hope you enjoyed visiting with the Davenports. Please let your friends know about the books if you feel they would enjoy them as well. It would be wonderful if you would leave me a review; I'd very much appreciate it.

  There are so many more stories still to tell. I hope you’ll be as excited as I am to know that the next book I’m working on is Angel and Luke’s story which means we’re going back to the lake! The pilots at Smoke’s fight school are angling for a Summer Lake Flyers series, and there are other characters waiting there too. There is alos a bunch of cowboys who are all getting impatient for me to return to Montana. And the country singers want me to go to Nashville, beginning with Autumn and Matt. The older couples are growing impatient, and I’ve yet to figure out whether they’ll end up as a series or as novellas when they get too impatient to wait any longer. The short version is that there are still a lot of stories to come.

  In the meantime, be sure to check out my Remington Ranch series, if you haven’t already. You can get started with book one, Mason, which you can download for FREE here.

  If you’d like to keep in touch, there are a few options to keep up with me and my imaginary friends:

  The best way is to Sign up for my Newsletter. Don't worry I won't bombard you! I'll let you know about upcoming releases, share a sneak peek or two and keep you in the loop for a couple of fun giveaways I have coming up :0)

  You can join my readers group to chat about the books on Facebook or just browse and like my Facebook Page.

  I occasionally attempt to say something in 140 characters or less(!) on Twitter.

  And I’m always in the process of updating my website at www.SJMcCoy.com with new book updates and even some videos. Plus, you’ll find the latest news on new releases and giveaways on my blog.

  I love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at AuthorSJMcCoy@gmail.com. I’m better at that! :0)

  I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then, take care, and thanks for your support—you are the reason I write!

  Love,

  SJ

  PS – Project Semicolon

  You may have noticed that the final sentence of the story closed with a semicolon. It isn’t a typo. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love, and inspire. It’s a movement I support with all my heart.

  "A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you." - Project Semicolon

  This author started writing after her son was killed in a car crash. At the time, I wanted my own story to be over. Instead, I chose to honour a promise to my son to write my ‘silly stories’ someday. I chose to escape into my fictional world. I know for many who struggle with depression, suicide can appear to be the only escape. The semicolon has become a symbol of support, and hopefully a reminder – Your story isn’t over yet

  ;

  Also by SJ McCoy

  The Davenports

  Oscar

  TJ

  Reid

  The Hamiltons

  Cameron and Piper in Red Wine and Roses

  Chelsea and Grant in Champagne and Daisies

  Mary Ellen and Antonio in Marsala and Magnolias

  Marcos and Molly in Prosecco and Peonies

  Coming next

  Grady

  Summer Lake Series

  Emma and Jack in Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt FREE!

  Holly and Pete in Work Like You Don't Need the Money

  Missy and Dan in Dance Like Nobody's Watching

  Smoke and Laura in Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded

  Michael and Megan in Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried

  Kenzie and Chase in Sing Like Nobody’s Listening

  Gabe and Renée in Smile Like You Mean It

  Missy and Dan’s wedding in The Wedding Dance

  Ben and Charlotte’s backstory in Chasing Tomorrow

  April and Eddie in Dream Like Nothing’s Impossible

  Nate and Lily in Ride Like You’ve Never Fallen

  Ben’s story Live Like There’s No Tomorrow

  Smoke and Laura’s wedding in The Wedding Flight

  Remington Ranch Series

  Mason FREE!

  Shane

  Carter

  Beau

  Four Weddings and a Vendetta

  A Chance and a Hope

  Chance is a guy with a whole lot of story to tell. He’s part of the fabric of both Summer Lake and Remington Ranch. He needed three whole books to tell his own story.

  Book 1: Chance Encounter

  Book 2: Finding Hope

  Book 3: Give Hope a Chance

  Check out his page here to learn more.

 

 

 
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