Keeping Him

by Kennedy Fox

  Picking it up, I try to guess what could be inside. It’s thin and might be papers, but the fact there’s no return address has me overly suspicious. Knowing I should trust Trent and respect his privacy, I go against everything in my head and run my finger along the tab to rip it open.

  My heart races as I shove my hand inside and pull out the contents.

  What the hell?

  Blinking, I look at four pictures of a little girl. She has to be no more than ten years old. They’re all professional photos, and when I turn one around, I see handwriting.

  Maggie Laken, 9 years old.

  I know he doesn’t have a niece named Maggie, so unless one of his siblings has a child I never met, this can only mean one thing—she’s his.

  Studying the picture, I notice she looks just like him. Same dark hair, brown eyes, and her facial features are nearly identical to his. Her hair is up in a half ponytail, and she’s smiling wide as if someone just told her a joke. She’s absolutely adorable.

  It could be a family member I’ve never met or heard of before, but if that’s the case, then why is there no return sender or letter, and why does it feel like my life is crumbling all around me?

  The door opens and shuts behind me, but I don’t move.

  I can’t.

  I can barely breathe.

  The realization that Trent could have a kid and never told me hits me right in the gut.

  “Hey, darling.” I hear him in the hallway. “Something smells amazing.”

  The sound of his boots grows louder as he moves closer to the kitchen, and I’m too shocked to say anything.

  “Kiera?” he says my name behind me, and I finally blink. “You okay?”

  I taste salt on my lips and hadn’t even realized I was crying. Turning around, I’m greeted by Trent’s warm eyes, and as soon as he sees my face, his expression contorts.

  “What’s wrong, babe?” He steps closer, but I hold my hand out to stop him.

  “Do you have a child?” I blurt out, keeping my eyes locked on his so he knows I already know the answer. “A daughter?”

  “Kiera, what are you talking about?” He moves closer, but I yell at him to stop. “What the hell?”

  “Don’t lie to me, Trent,” I shout. “Who is this?” I reach behind me and grab one of the pictures for him to see.

  He swallows and blinks.

  “Is she yours?”

  “Kiera, let me explain—” He brushes a hand roughly through his hair, and I can see his mind is spinning as fast as mine.

  “Just tell me the truth,” I interrupt his words, my heart racing. “Maggie. She’s your daughter?”

  Trent inhales a deep breath before answering. “Yes. Where’d you get that from?”

  “They came in an envelope. Her name is written on the back. She’s nine years old.”

  “Yes.” He picks up the envelope and sees the other three pictures on the counter. “Why were you opening my mail in the first place?”

  “That’s what you think is important here?” I screech. “I had a feeling, and I guess I was right. I can’t trust a damn thing you say.” I push against his chest, needing to get the hell out of here.

  “Kiera, don’t…” Trent grabs my wrists and locks them tightly to his chest. “It’s not what you think. Just let me explain.”

  “How can you explain not telling your soon-to-be wife that you have a daughter? You’ve lied to me for two years!”

  “I’ve never met her,” he says, shocking me further. “Her mother and I had a one-night stand, and she moved away before she found out. Once she claimed it was mine, I got a paternity test. After it was confirmed, I started paying child support, and that’s the extent of the relationship.”

  “Wait…” I drop my arms. “The bank statements.” The pieces start falling together. “That’s what those are?”

  Trent’s shoulders drop as if he’s defeated, and it makes me want to punch him in the face.

  “Were you ever going to tell me? Or just keep me in the dark like a fool?” My blood is boiling, and I can’t remember a time I’ve ever been this mad.

  “It wasn’t like that, Kiera,” he insists, but I’m not buying it. “It’s a part of my past I’m not proud of, okay? I slept around a lot in my twenties, and I was reckless. That’s not the person I wanted you to know. When we first met, and things were so great between us, I was worried it’d scare you away. Then as time went on, I wasn’t sure if it’d change how you felt about me, and I couldn’t risk it. Not after falling so madly in love with you.”

  “You seriously think that little of me? That I couldn’t handle your past and the truth? We aren’t talking about a dog here. You had a child with another woman and neglected to tell me. For two years. How could you do that?” The tears pour down my cheeks, and I can’t even look at him.

  “I fucked up, Kiera. I know that, okay?” he says, his voice pleading for me to understand.

  “How could you not be in her life?” I ask abruptly. “You financially support her, but have never met her?”

  “I told you; her mother moved away, and we weren’t dating.”

  “That’s your excuse?” I raise a brow, unable to believe him right now. “You’ve never wondered in nine years what your own child was like, how she was doing, or even wanted to get to know her?”

  “Sometimes,” he says, shrugging. “I don’t know.”

  “The phone calls, the money, and now this. I can only handle so many of your lies, Trent.” I walk away and grab my purse and keys off the table. “I’m staying at my parents’ tonight.”

  “Kiera, please don’t go…”

  Looking over my shoulder, I say my last words before leaving. “You’ve left me no choice.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jackson

  TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

  I wake up in a good mood. I feel great, invincible almost, and it might be because Mama invited Kiera over for lunch, and I’ll get to see her without Dr. Douchebag interrupting again.

  Feeding the horses goes by quickly, and so do my morning horse lessons. At some point, Trent shows up to look over a horse that’s been sick the past week. Our conversation stays short and straight to the point, and we don’t dare make eye contact. Every time he comes to the ranch, it gets more awkward between us.

  Before he started dating Kiera, I didn’t care for his condescending attitude, and since he’s been with her, I dislike him on a whole new level. However, he’s decent at what he does and has always been good with the horses. I’ve told Mama I wanted to start using the other vet in the area, but Dad refuses to allow me to do that, considering my family knows I don’t like him because he’s dating Kiera. I hate the way Trent treats me as if I’m below him and an inconvenience. It’s obvious he hates Kiera’s and my relationship, and by the way he looks at me, I know he wishes I’d just go away, but that’s not happening anytime soon. Being around him only makes me think of Kiera even more, and knowing his sleazy lips and hands have touched her puts me into a rage, but I somehow find the strength to push it away. I don’t know what she sees in him anyway.

  Eventually, he leaves, and I finish cleaning the first two stalls before heading out. After I’m done, I hop in my truck and head to my parents’ house. I know Mama is trying to keep Kiera close since our relationship has been rocky the past few months, which I actually don’t mind. Mama has always seen her as a second daughter, and any time I get to be around her is time well spent.

  As I park the truck, I see Kiera is already inside, and the smile I had this morning when I thought about her returns to my face. Sucking in a deep breath, I mentally prepare myself before opening the door and heading inside the house. As soon as I’m through the front door, I hear Kiera’s laughter from the kitchen. John’s voice echoes throughout the house, and I smile wider when I realize he’s chatting about Maize and her antics.

  As soon as I enter the room, Kiera’s eyes meet mine, causing my heart to lurch forward. I give her a wink, but Mam
a distracts me before I can go talk to her.

  “There he is,” Mama says.

  “Whatcha cookin’, Mama?” I give her a side hug, noticing the pasta on the stove.

  “Made Kiera’s favorite. Fried chicken and my special macaroni salad.” Mama gives me a knowing grin.

  I take off my cowboy hat and sit at the table in front of Kiera. She’s smiling at me like a crazy person.

  With a smirk, I lean over the table, and whisper, “Isn’t it a bit too early to be drinkin’?”

  She laughs. “I’m not drunk, Jackson. You have shit in your teeth.”

  John glances over at me and bursts into laughter. “Looks like pepper from the eggs you ate at the B&B this morning.”

  “Well shit! I’ve talked to so many people today, and not one person said a damn thing,” I say, lifting a fork and trying to see my teeth in the reflection. “I even had four lessons this morning.”

  And I saw Trent, so I’m sure he had a good laugh knowing pepper was between my two front teeth. I let out a groan and try to get it out. It’s the size of fucking Texas.

  Alex and Evan walk in and sit at the table arguing about cows and fences. Dad follows them, and I give him a smile. He smiles back, but he looks exhausted.

  “None of that fussin’.” Mama places homemade biscuits, fried chicken, and the macaroni salad on the table, glaring at Alex and Evan, so they stop talking about work.

  I finally manage to get the huge ass speck of pepper out of my teeth but am almost tempted to leave it there because Kiera thinks it’s hilarious. I’m pretty sure I even talked to John this morning after I ate. Bastard.

  “How’s the wedding plannin’ going so far?” Mama asks Kiera once we all sit down to eat, but I wish she wouldn’t have mentioned it. It seems as if Kiera doesn’t want to discuss it either and keeps her answers short and to the point. I’m halfway hoping she’ll come to her senses and call the whole thing off, but then she starts gloating about how perfect Trent is, and I have to physically stop myself from groaning aloud. I pretend to throw up in my mouth instead, and Mama shoots daggers at me. It’s so damn hard for me to keep my side comments to myself, but for once I do, though I have a million different things I want to say.

  Kiera goes on and on about Trent as if she wants us to fall in love with him, too, which will happen over my cold, dead body. However, as she continues, I study her while she speaks. There’s doubt in her eyes, it’s as plain as day, and maybe I’m the only person who can see it because I know her so well. Though I hear the words coming out of her mouth about how much she loves him, I wonder if she’s just paying lip service to their relationship because that’s what everyone expects to hear. Or if she’s trying to talk herself into being with him long term.

  Why is she marrying him if she seems so unsure?

  Or could my mind be playing tricks on me?

  Hell no. Her uncertainty is so goddamn blatant it gives me a glimmer of hope she’ll pull the plug on it. Though I hope she wouldn’t marry the bastard just to appease everyone, but considering she’s already this far in, I worry she might feel that way. Either way, I have to get to the bottom of this.

  I narrow my eyes at her, and she notices as she finishes her conversation. Thankfully, she doesn’t say another word about Trent for the rest of our lunch. To fill the silence, Evan tells Mama a funny story about Elizabeth, making all of them laugh.

  I shake my head at Kiera. Of course no one notices, but her.

  “What?” she mouths.

  “I see you,” I whisper. “I see straight through you.”

  She rolls her eyes and continues eating. Soon all our plates are cleared, and Mama pulls a homemade apple pie from the oven.

  “Oh, Mama.” Kiera groans. “I promised myself I’d stick to my diet until the wedding, which I broke the moment I took a bite of your delicious chicken.”

  Mama lifts an eyebrow at Kiera. “Are you sure? I’m not gonna pull your arm and force ya, but I won’t tell anyone if you eat a piece.” Mama flashes her a wink, and I already know she won’t be able to resist.

  Kiera chuckles, staring at the pie as the scent fills the room. “Screw it. Give me a slice.”

  After lunch, Kiera and I give Mama hugs and thank her for a great lunch. John stays behind and helps Mama clean the kitchen as Kiera and I head out the door.

  “What was that about?” she asks, and when I give her a look, she continues. “That back there at the table?”

  She’s always been so blunt that it doesn’t surprise me she asks.

  “Nothing. Nothing at all. I’ve got my suspicions about something, but only time will tell,” I explain, holding back what I really want to say.

  “You better tell me, Jackson!” she demands with her hands on her hips.

  I tilt my head at her and scoff. “I’m going to the barn. I’ve got some things to do.”

  “Can I come?” she asks. “I have a few hours before I need to be back at the ranch.”

  I let out a chuckle. “You know I’m not gonna tell you no.”

  Kiera’s in a good mood, and I like seeing her like this. I get in the truck and smile as I look in the rearview mirror and see her following me. We park on the side of the B&B, and when I get out of the truck, she’s already waiting for me.

  “Truth or dare?” she asks as we walk side by side toward the barn. Kiera glances at me, and there’s enough sass in her tone to make me want to pull her into my arms and kiss the attitude right out of her.

  “I don’t want to play,” I say with a grin.

  “That’s not how the game works, Jackson,” she reminds me. I look at her, and that’s when I notice she’s wearing a tank top, cut-off jean shorts that show off her toned legs, and cowboy boots. Standing in front of me is every man’s wet dream, and I have to force my jaw shut so it doesn’t hit the ground. I swear she wears this shit just to get under my skin, like always.

  I finally let out a deep breath, knowing, either way, I’m fucked. “Truth.”

  Her smile widens, and her eyebrow pops up. “Somehow I knew you’d say that.”

  I lick my lips. “It’s because you know me, Pippi. You know everything about me.”

  Kiera watches me. “What did you mean back there, during lunch, that you could see straight through me?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Or ever.

  “You have to. You know the rules. Just tell me.” Her eyes soften, making me want to be open and honest with her, but instead, I keep my lips sealed.

  Giving her a smirk, I reach for the top button of my shirt and take my time undoing each and every one as I keep my gaze on her. Kiera covers her mouth and shakes her head.

  “Jackson, don’t do this. It’s daylight. Someone could see you.” She tries to reason with me, but I refuse to discuss her and Trent when she’s happy like this. It brings the mood to a dark place and ruins our moments together.

  I drop my shirt to the ground and peel off my undershirt.

  “Better take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I tease when I catch her staring at my abs and the tattoos across my chest.

  When I reach down to unbuckle my belt, she places her hand on my arm. “Jackson. Don’t. Okay, I take it back.”

  My eyebrow pops up. “You know the rules, Pippi. No take backs allowed.”

  I watch her cheeks turn pink as she drops her arm. This only encourages me to keep going. The belt drops with a clank on the ground, and Kiera takes a step forward and places her hands on my shoulders just as I reach for the button of my jeans. She’s so fucking close I can smell the sweetness of her soap, her skin, and everything about her completely envelops me. Her hands against my bare skin almost burn, and my breath hitches when I look into her green eyes.

  “Jackson, please,” she begs. I find myself staring at her lips, and I don’t care if she notices.

  “Don’t do this. You’re going to get in trouble. Someone could see you. Mama will beat your ass black and blue, and I’ll feel guilty as hel
l.”

  “Trouble is my middle name,” I remind her with a wink.

  “No. That’s just the persona you want everyone to see. I know better.”

  I chuckle, bringing my hands back to the top button of my jeans. She hasn’t moved an inch, and the temptation to place my arms around her waist and pull her closer to me—making us as close as we can be—is evident and strong. Kiera places her hands on my cheeks, forcing me to look into her eyes again, and that’s when I hear yelling coming from behind her. My brows furrow, and I look around her and see Trent charging toward me.

  “What the hell? You motherfucker!” he yells. Kiera turns around and sees him coming at us.

  “Trent. Stop,” she says softly, but he pushes past her, nearly knocking her down.

  I instantly see red.

  “Keep your dirty fucking hands off my fiancée,” he yells, pushing me with all his body weight, but I was ready for him. I stumble but gain my footing and put my fists up to block his attempt to hit me. I almost laugh at how mad he is right now.

  Trent throws his cowboy hat on the ground and swings again but misses. Kiera runs up to him, trying to pull him away and yells at him that he promised. What that means, I don’t know. Trent’s too caught up in trying to beat my ass, he misses me and hits her. Kiera takes a step back and hunches over, covering her face. Instead of stopping to see if she’s okay, he zeros in on me, and that’s when I completely lose it. It’s evident the asshole doesn’t give two shits about her.

  I allow all the anger and hurt I’ve felt since they got together surface and tackle him at the waist, bringing him to the ground. I know that when fighting, you should always expect the unexpected, and by the look on his face, as he tumbles down, I know he didn’t anticipate me doing that. My fist connects with his face, over and over.

  “Don’t ever fucking hurt her again, you bastard,” I hiss as my fist connects with his nose and jaw. He tries to block me, to get me off him, but I’m much stronger than him. Trent covers his face with his arms, and Kiera tries pulling me off him.