by Erika Kelly
“Did he know?” Her dad moved around the island to wash his hands at the sink. “Did he see pictures on social media and figure it out?”
“No, believe me. He’s just as blown away as I am.”
“You’re not letting him live in your carriage house.” Her dad yanked a dish towel off the counter and hastily dried his hands. “You don’t know the guy.”
“I know him. Not well, obviously, but I do…I mean, we haven’t spent a lot of time together, but the time we’ve had…we’ve really talked. And he’s friends with the Bowies—he competed with them for years. I wouldn’t take any chances with my daughter.”
“I know you wouldn’t, sweetie,” her mom said. “We’re just worried.”
“How long is he staying?” Her dad turned hard and stern.
“For the summer.”
“What does he do that he can take off that much time?”
The interrogation begins. She understood, though. “He and his friends developed an extreme adventure travel app. He goes around the world meeting the tour guides and venue owners, tries out the experiences himself, and then posts links, videos, and reviews. He says he’ll get someone to cover his trips this summer, but he has to be somewhere in September. So…Beckett’s here the next several weeks.”
“Beckett.” Her mom let the word roll around her mouth as if tasting wine.
“Beckett O’Neill. He’s a snowboarder—or he was—that’s how he knows the Bowies, which is how he wound up having a destination wedding here.” She reached for another walnut, running her fingers over its smooth, textured surface. “He said if he hadn’t met Posie, he might’ve been able to leave, but he spent time with her at the pool last night and then again today, and now he just can’t. I don’t think he knows what kind of relationship he wants, but he needs to spend more time with her.”
“And how to you feel about that?”
She dropped the nut. “I’m terrified, Mom. I love every minute I spend with Posie. I don’t want to share holidays with him. I can’t stand the idea…” All the fear she’d been pushing down finally erupted in a release of hot tears. She swiped them away. “I can’t stand the idea of waking up Christmas morning alone in my house. I want to see her face when she comes downstairs and finds the presents Santa brought. I want her to stand on the stepstool while I make her waffles. I want to watch her squirt the whipped cream and shake out too many green and red sprinkles.” She looked at her parents through blurry eyes. “I don’t want to share her.”
Her mom drew her in for a hug. “Oh, sweetheart. That won’t happen. It won’t. We won’t let it.”
“She’s his daughter. He has rights.” She pulled away and blew out a shaky breath. “I already looked it up. Wyoming has no prohibition against intrastate relocation.”
“Hey, slow down,” her dad said. “We’re not getting legal advice off the internet.”
“No, I know. I’m just…preparing myself. I mean, it’s Posie, you know? He’s going to fall in love with her. Today, she did something really sweet. She got excited on the chairlift and made it rock. He thought she was going to fall out, so he grabbed her. It was a total overreaction, and he apologized, but then Posie comes up to him later and says, ‘I’m sorry I scared you, Beckett.’ Oh, my God, you should have seen his face. He’s super easy-going, but when she touched him and apologized, everything in him…he just looked into her eyes, and you could see it all happening. I watched it sink in that this special, sweet, adorable, fairy-loving little girl was his.”
“Are you sure you want him living so close?” her mom asked. “In your backyard? What do we know about him?”
“From the minute I saw him in the conference room, I’ve been researching him. There’s not a single negative thing out there about him. He’s a good guy. The only bad thing, I guess, is that he doesn’t have roots. Doesn’t even want them. And maybe that scares me the most. That he’ll take her with him on his travels. I guess…I guess I have an idea what kind of life I want for her—family dinners and holidays and best friends she’s known since preschool. Ties. History. And then Beckett comes along, and he’s the total opposite of that. And I’m scared. I’m just so scared.”
Her dad shook his head. “No one’s taking Posie anywhere. We’ll talk to Sam in the morning, arm ourselves with facts. I’ll also get Bradley to do a thorough background check on this guy.”
Her parents, both former celebrities, not only ran a philanthropic foundation but several businesses. They had a whole team—legal and security—working for them. Having their support meant the world to her. Every time she thought she was alone in something, her family showed up and reminded her she had an army behind her.
“We need a paternity test, too,” her dad said.
“I already took care of it. We should get the results in a few days.”
“Let’s do it the right way.” Her dad sounded resolute. “It’ll take a little longer, but I want accurate results.”
“Okay. You’re right.” She felt a little better, knowing her parents were in this with her.
“One step at a time.” Her dad’s hand settled on top of hers. “We got this.”
She wanted to believe him, but he hadn’t seen the awe in Beckett’s eyes when he looked at Posie.
Up until this moment, she’d relied on her own grit and determination to steer out of a spin. But this time, she didn’t have control of the wheel.
And it scared her senseless.
Beckett’s phone buzzed, yanking him out of a restless sleep. He fumbled for it on the nightstand. “Yeah?”
“Hey.” Willow. “Is everything all right? The ‘we need to talk’ text is never a good thing. What’s going on?”
I need coffee for this conversation. “I wanted to tell you I’ve made some changes.” Sitting up, he bunched the pillow behind him.
“Okay.” She sounded wary.
“It looks like I’ll be staying in Calamity for the next couple of weeks.”
“What? No, you can’t do that. You’ve got the dive. Besides, you said yourself this is a critical time for your business, that you have to put in the time now if it’s going to take off.”
“I know that, but I have a daughter. I can’t go scuba diving when I know she’s here. I just can’t do it.”
“Oh, for God’s sake. She has to understand that your life can’t stop because of this. She can’t expect you to take off an entire summer.”
“Are you talking about Coco? She hasn’t asked me to do anything. This is me.” He threw off the covers and got out of bed. Revving from unconscious to fighting in point-nine seconds had his stomach churning. “I can’t just walk away. I can’t.”
“You don’t have to walk away from anything, but it doesn’t have to change your entire life.”
“It already has.” It wasn’t something Willow could understand.
She’ll never find out she’s got a child in the world she didn’t know about.
“No, I know that. But you don’t change your life, you adapt. Have you talked to Chris and Dave? Their life savings are wrapped up in this business. You can’t bail on them.”
Shit. He knew that but hearing it out loud gave him a jolt. He absolutely couldn’t put their business at risk. “I’m not bailing. I’m taking a couple weeks off.”
“Six months into the launch? You can’t do that. What about all the trips you’ve got scheduled? It took you years to build those relationships with tourism ministers. They’ve made special accommodations for you. That’s not cool, Beckett. You blow them off, and you can’t come back from this.”
Shit. Fuck. Everything she said was right. He and his partners had not only put their savings into it, but their every waking moment.
Still, in spite of that…he couldn’t leave town. Just couldn’t. “I don’t plan on missing any of the trips. I’m going to find someone to replace me.”
“Okay, but then what? What happens after September? You’ve got a calendar full of travel. Are you going to pass it
off to somebody else, so you can buy a house in Calamity? Get a job selling insurance? Come home every night to eat meatloaf and mashed potatoes with your kid? You told me that would be your worst nightmare.”
It is. Everything she described was the very reason he’d put so much of his savings into this business.
He didn’t want to give it—or his lifestyle—up.
I don’t have to. “You’re blowing this out of proportion. I’m talking about staying in Calamity for a few weeks, so I can figure out how to fit my daughter into my world. Whatever choice I make will impact her.” He had to be careful. No one knew that better than he did. It’s important.
“Does she know?”
“Not yet. No one knows.”
“Look, babe, I’ll tell you what I think. You’re a good guy, and your conscience is telling you to do the ‘right’ thing. But what if you were a lobsterman from Maine, and you found out you had a kid living in Wyoming? You wouldn’t quit your job and move to the mountains to be near her, would you? You couldn’t. You’re a fisherman. You’d just find a way to stay in touch. Send her Christmas cards. FaceTime with her on her birthday. You don’t have to become something you’re not. Once it all sinks in, you’ll figure out a way to stay true to yourself and meet your obligation to your kid.”
“You’re right. I needed to hear that.” Deep down, that idea had been lurking—that he’d have to give himself up to be a father. But Willow was right—he didn’t.
“Look, I’m already here. I’ll handle Thailand. Just send me the login information, and I’ll even upload the photos and videos for you. You take the next few days to get yourself together, and then we’ll figure it out from there. Okay? Does that work?”
“No. I’m sorry, but it doesn’t. I hear everything you’re saying, and I don’t want to lose myself to be Posie’s father. But I am staying for the summer.” With a finger he lifted the curtain and peered out the window. He couldn’t see it in the early dawn, but he knew the resort backed up to a pine forest at the base of the mountain. “I’m not saying I’ll move to Calamity, but I know for sure I’m not sending an annual Christmas card, either. I don’t know how it’s going to work, but she’s my daughter. And I’m not going to minimize it.”
Willow went quiet, and he gave her time to let it sink in. “Where does that leave us, then? I don’t want kids. I want the freedom to go wherever I want, whenever I want. You want that, too, Beckett. I know you.”
And here it came. The tough part. “It doesn’t matter what I want. My circumstances have changed. I’m a father, Wills. And that’s my priority right now.”
“You’re scaring me, because you’re only talking about Posie right now, and it sounds like there’s no room for me. I’m not disposable. You don’t get to set me aside while you figure things out in Calamity. I’m here, I’m your girlfriend. I need to still be your priority.”
“You’re right, but the fact is…I can’t make you one right now.”
“God, Beckett. Are you breaking up with me?”
He got a flash of Coco’s smile last night, while she’d cradled the mug in her hands, her hair pulled up in a high ponytail. And the excitement pulsing through him was his answer. “Yes. I am.”
She let out a breath into the receiver. “Beckett.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I guess there’s no other choice.” She sighed. “I don’t want kids, and if that’s the direction you’re taking…?”
“That’s the direction.”
“Then, I don’t think I want to go along for that ride.”
It was pretty damn pathetic that they could end a relationship so easily and calmly. Had there been no emotional attachment at all?
“I have to hire someone to take over for me this summer. Before I talk to Chris and Dave, is that something you’d like to do?”
“I mean, yeah, but you’ve got some pretty intense things coming up.”
“How about we go over the list, and you can tell me what you’re comfortable with?”
“Yeah, we can do that.” Her voice came out heavy with sadness.
“I’m sorry it turned out this way.”
“It’s crazy, isn’t it? One minute we’re the happiest couple in the world and the next…we’re done.”
He didn’t know if he would’ve agreed with her before he found Coco again, but he certainly couldn’t now. He’d never known happiness like he did when he spent time with her. “I’ll let Chris and Dave know, and we can talk later.”
“Okay.” She sounded resigned. “Well, I guess I’ll talk to you later.”
After he disconnected, he tossed the phone on the bed and headed into the bathroom. He had some work to do before checking out of the hotel and meeting Coco’s dad at the house.
Flicking on the light, he caught his image in the mirror. He threaded his fingers through his hair. I was going to marry that woman.
It had taken two days, his Vegas girl, and his daughter to realize he didn’t like the man he’d become.
And he had to wonder if this swerve could turn him into someone he might like a little better.
Fresh from a shower, Beckett came out of the bathroom stark naked and instantly covered his junk when he remembered the window.
Yesterday, he’d helped Coco’s dad set up the carriage house with furniture. He had everything he needed…except a curtain. Grabbing boxers and a T-shirt from his duffle bag, he quickly dressed, all while taking in his new view. A neat patch of lawn gave way to the green Jeep in the driveway.
An image hit him of Posie flying out the back door, her long honey-blonde hair fanning out, as she headed for the car in that funny way she walked…step, step, skip, step, step, skip.
His heart squeezed. He needed to see her. Sliding his feet into flip-flops, he headed out into the sunshine and breathed in the coffee-scented morning air. He liked the cool of the mountains—even in summer it never got too hot at this elevation.
As he approached the house, he hesitated. Is it okay to just go inside? He didn’t know how Coco would feel about him showing up unannounced. With her schedule, maybe she’d prefer set times. He’d have to ask.
Truthfully, he hoped she’d let him share all his meals with them. He wanted to be part of this duo. He was drawn to them. Both of them.
As he crossed the dew-covered grass, he didn’t see a single toy. Shouldn’t she have a swing set, a playhouse…a slide. Something back here?
The second he knocked on the back door, he heard little feet slapping on the wood floor. “I’ll get it, Mommy.”
“Tell me who you see before you open the door, pumpkin,” Coco called.
“It’s Beckett.” The door opened, and Posie gazed up at him with an urgent expression. “I need your help. Come on.”
Ridiculously energized by the challenge, he breezed through the mud room and right past Coco, who stood at the stove, stirring a pot.
She smiled. “Hey, let the man have his coffee before you put him to work.”
“It’s fine.” He stood near her. “I hope it’s all right that I’m here. I don’t want to interfere with your morning routine.”
“Not at all. It’s not like you can cook out there without pots or silverware, so just come over for your meals, okay?” She smiled sweetly at him, not a hint of reluctance. “Actually, I had a key made for you.” She pointed to the counter next to the sink.
He found the key and pocketed it. “Appreciate it. Thank you.”
“Beckett, come on.” Posie scrambled onto the bench seat of the kitchen table. “Mommy says I have to wait till after breakfast, but I want to do it now.” She shoved a bunch of parts toward him. A plastic dog, some paw prints with arrows in the center, a tree, a slide, and a seesaw.
“Yes, so I can read the instructions,” Coco said. “And make sure we do it the right way.”
“Beckett can do it.” Posie dug into the box and pulled out a sheet of paper. “Here.” She smacked her hand on it.
Beckett scanned the informatio
n. Okay, so it’s some kind of coding game for preschoolers. “Well, you’re in luck. Because I studied coding in college. In fact, I developed an app with my friends.”
“What’s an app?”
“App is short for software application, and it’s basically a computer program that you can download on your phone.” He picked up the dog. When he touched its nose, it wagged its tail, so he knew they’d already loaded the batteries. “Mine’s for people who want to have a really cool adventure.”
“This.” She redirected his attention to the dog. “Make it go.”
“Let’s figure it out together.” As they worked quietly, easily programming the dog to go where Posie wanted, Coco served them each bowls of oatmeal.
When Coco sat down, she said, “Good news. I’ve heard back from everyone about Sunday. Alyssa can’t come, but everyone else can.”
“Jessie can’t come.” She kept her head down, but he could sense the tension in her little shoulders.
“Did he tell you that?” Coco asked. “Because his mom said he could.”
“I don’t want him to come. He’s not my friend.”
“Are you still upset because he blew out your candles?”
“Yes.” Posie opened her mouth wide enough to slip a basketball in it and clamped her lips around the spoon.
“Well, unfortunately, I didn’t know that, and so I invited him. He’s coming on Sunday, but I’ll know for next time.”
Beckett liked Coco’s calm voice. It was gentle, yet confident. Strong.
It gave him chill bumps. He wanted to reach across the table and hold her hand. He wanted to tell her she was fucking amazing.
And that he remembered every detail of their night together.
What he wouldn’t tell her was how vividly his body remembered fucking her, how it craved contact with her, relived the experience in his dreams, waking him up with the intensity of it.
Yeah, he’d leave that part out.
“Can I have milk?”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Coco got out of the booth and headed for the refrigerator.
“Can I play in your house?” Posie asked him.
