by Unknown
“I’ll be fine, Rudd.”
“It’s the third one,” Danny said under his breath so Archer could hear him. He wasn’t sure if he did that on purpose, but Adalyn didn’t catch it.
“I need you all to change clothes before we leave,” Rudd said, grabbing Adalyn’s hand. Bailey took off running with her arms stretched out wide, her long wet hair flowing behind her. Danny was right behind her, but he wasn’t running.
“I don’t have insurance Rudd, and the bill for the last visit came in the mail yesterday. It’s a couple hundred dollars. I don’t-”
“I’ll take care of it.”
She stopped and let go of his hand. “No.”
“To bad, I’ll pay it when we’re there.”
“No,” she said more firmly this time.
“Did you pass out when you hit your head?”
“No.” She scrunched up her face. “Why?”
“Because you’re not thinking clearly,” he said with a smirk. “We better get you to John before it gets worse.”
“I’m serious. You’re not paying for my medical bills.”
“I am.”
She stomped her foot and glared at him. “I’ll handle it.”
“You will handle it. After I take care of it.”
Archer glanced at her Band-Aid and blood was seeping out of the bottom. “You’re still bleeding.”
She reached up and smeared blood on her fingers and on the side of her face by touching it.
“Crap,” she muttered and tossed another glare at him before storming off towards the house. Archer could only smile. Once they were married, she’d be on his insurance and wouldn’t have to worry about those kinds of things.
***
Rudd left Adalyn and Bailey in the kitchen and went to find Danny. He wasn’t in his room, so he walked outside and down the porch, where he noticed him standing at the end of the dock. He made his way through the yard, admiring the purple aster flowers that were in full bloom surrounding the lake. He made is way down the dock and rested a hip against the side. Danny kept his gaze on the water. The sun was starting to set and Danny had been out here last night when it set with Adalyn. This was the best part of living out here. The lake, the sunsets, the peace and quiet, all made it a calm and relaxing place to live.
It was a home.
A home that was full of family and love. Something Archer’s been searching for his whole life.
“Do I have to leave?” Danny asked after a few minutes of silence.
“Do you want to leave?”
Danny looked down at the water. “I told Bailey I’d protect her.”
Archer raised an eyebrow. “Protect her?”
He let out a sigh and lifted his head back up. “When my dad started making me go to that daycare, Bailey was the only person who talked to me. I don’t know why, I didn’t talk back, just listened to her talk. All the time.”
“She can ramble on sometimes.”
“Yeah.” He looked up at Archer. “She was afraid of going to a new school. The girls at daycare really don’t talk to her much. She thinks it’s because she looks different from them.”
This was the first time Archer had heard of this and he tried not to get worked up over it. He gave him a weak smile. “I didn’t know she thought that.”
“She’s afraid they’ll pick on her because she’s smaller than all the other girls.”
“Oh.” Archer never thought of that. He never had problems in school, but he was also the biggest kid in all his classes.
“I told her if they teased her, I’d protect her.”
Archer already loved the kid, but now he was proud of him. He stepped up to help his daughter when he didn’t have to. It was rewarding to know that even though Danny had been through shit this year, the kid was going to be okay. Archer still had his concerns, as any parent would, but knew it would all work out.
“So yes, Archer, I’d like to stay.”
A large smiled graced Archer’s face. “Good, because we want you to stay.”
For the first time since he met Danny, he smiled. It wasn’t much, but it was only the beginning.
Chapter 20
“That’s totally Archer,” Madi said after I told her about Danny.
“I know.”
“You’re freaking out, aren’t you?” she said leaning in closer over the counter. I laughed and pushed her back by the shoulders.
“No. I think given the situation, I’d do the same thing.”
“So, having two kids is okay with you?”
I put my hand to my chin. “I actually want lots of kids. So no, it doesn’t bother me. It just makes me love him even more. I love him for standing up and taking responsibility for those kids. Yes, Bailey was his, but he never questioned his love for her. He just does what needs to be done…like he was meant to be this person all along.”
“I call dibs on Maid of Honor!” she yelled, completely ignoring the fact that I just poured my heart out to her.
I gasped. “He didn’t ask me to marry him.”
“He will.” She started snapping her fingers. “I know Joel at the jewelry store! It’s tiny, but I’m sure he’s got a few engagement rings. I’ll call him; ask if Archer’s been in.”
I slapped her arm playfully. “No Madi, don’t. If he does, I’d like it to be a surprise.”
I was trying hard not to freak out while still at work. Rudd was building a family and fast. I was part of it, obviously, but the thoughts of marriage and having the title of Step-Mom were a bit much. I knew being with him and the kids wasn’t a mistake, but my feelings were mixed, and I hoped they would settle soon. I loved spending time with them. I thought of them all the time and looked forward to seeing them every day.
I wasn’t worried about that.
I started having dreams. Nightmares as Rudd called them. They were never clear on their meaning, but sometimes I remembered my dad being shot, even though I couldn’t see anything but darkness, and sometimes there was a talking red dragon. It never made sense and as much as I searched my memories, I never once remembered either of those things. Not even a movie I had watched about dragons was familiar. I woke up sad and afraid most mornings, but as the day went on, I’d feel better.
Madi started jumping up and down, bringing me back to reality. She was smiling like a light bulb just went off inside her head.
“What did you say?”
She stopped and pointed at me. “That’s what you get for day dreaming about your lover boy!” She started to walk away and I yelled after her, but she ignored me and waved her hand over her shoulder. I watched her slip her goggles on and go out through the back doors. I was starting to get a headache so I popped a few pills and went back to work thinking that two could play at this game. I knew just the thing to surprise Madi.
After work, I rushed over the The Can before I went home. I was bringing Jacobs his first order of food tonight, but I wanted to talk to Rocco first. Loud music and smoke assaulted my senses as soon as I pushed through the doors. My ears rung, my eyes pricked from the heavy smoke, and I couldn’t get the smell out of my nose. I remember it being bad last time, but not this bad. Being drunk and letting the smell and noises slowly grow on you helps I guess. Glancing at the bar, I saw Rocco pouring a pitcher of beer. He winked at me, and I smiled at him while I walked across the room, slipping my keys into my front pocket.
“Hey beautiful, come to take me up on my offer?” he greeted me, placing the pitcher on the bar, and picking up another one. He was wearing a black t-shirt that had his bar name on it in small white lettering. His freshly shaven, smooth skin complimented his dark green eyes.
“The free shot? No. Not tonight.” I leaned over the bar.
A deep frown replaced his easy smile. “What happened to your head?”
“I fell the other day, got a few stitches.”
“You’re okay then?”
“I’m good. Now, the reason for my visit.”
He raised his eyebrow and th
at beautiful smile graced his face again.
“Madi’s having a Fourth of July party, you should come.”
He laughed. “I doubt she wants me there.”
“I want you there.”
He thought about it while the second pitcher filled up. He walked them both over to his customers and took their money. After placing it in the register, he came back to me and leaned over the bar. I pulled back a little bit because I thought he might kiss me.
“Don’t worry, it’s Madi I want.”
Relief swept through me and I leaned in closer. “Then you should come. The whole town’s going to be out and about for Aster Lake Days so it’s not like you’re not invited.”
Aster Lake Days fell on the Fourth of July weekend this year. Madi said that sometimes the town planned it that way so more people would show up.
“People coming and going, you should stop by, say hi.”
He pushed back from the bar and I stood up and grabbed the keys from my pocket. “Just think about it. Either way, it should be fun!”
I texted Rudd my plans before leaving the bar and set out to do just that. I needed to run home, grab the food, and get it to Jacobs’ house before Madi got home. She said she was working late on an order with her dad, so I knew I had a short amount of time. Jacobs still didn’t want anyone knowing.
He swung the door open before I could knock and invited me in. Never would I have thought that he was a family man, but when I walked through the living room, I noticed pictures everywhere. He had pictures hung up on every wall in the living room, including the fireplace mantel. There were more in the small hallway and some in the kitchen as well. I would have to guess at least one hundred pictures lined his house.
He opened the freezer door, and I noticed it was empty when I piled the eight meals in it. “You have four meals of lasagna and four beef stew meals.”
“Thanks,” he muttered.
I closed the fridge door and he had a box sitting on the table he pushed towards me. “My wife bought one of those vacuum sealer things, figured you could have it now.”
I looked inside the brown box. “I’ll use it until it falls apart.” It was a good idea and I wish I had thought of that sooner, it would have been easier than using plastic containers.
“Tea?” he asked grabbing two cups out of the cupboard.
“Um, sure. I don’t have much time though, Madi will be home soon.”
He laughed. “Drink it fast then.”
I smiled and stepped aside so I could let him make the tea. Stealing a glance at some pictures was my focus though. I saw a wedding photo, where Jacobs had dipped his bride and was kissing her. That made me smile, thinking Jacobs was a romantic kind of man. The next picture astounded me. I leaned in closer, for a better look. The resemblance was intriguing. The woman in the picture looked like Madi, only older. The woman, maybe in her forties, wore a long black summer dress, and her curly brown hair, identical to Madi’s, was pulled up. The picture was taken outside, so it was a little hard to see, but I’m sure she had green eyes also.
“Who’s this woman?” I asked pointing to the picture.
He glanced at it, and mumbled, “My daughter.”
‘You have kids?” I asked right away, shocked.
“Surprised Madi never told you.”
“She didn’t.”
He sighed. “She’s my only one. Moved away a long time ago.” He carried the two glasses of tea to the table and I sat down with him.
“Messed up with her,” he said after taking a sip of his tea.
“Huh?”
He took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose, collecting his thoughts. Then he started wringing his hands together in his lap. I wondered if his arthritis was bothering him but then he spoke, “I wasn’t a good husband. Or father. I was stubborn. Didn’t pay attention to shit. Worked. I was always fucking working. She left, but my wife stayed. My daughter wasn’t happy, but my wife, she loved me something fierce. She stayed in contact with our daughter; she never wanted to talk to me though. She came to the funeral, but never said a word to me.”
He stood up and grabbed another picture from the wall, handing it to me when he sat down. “She sends me a few pictures a year. That’s my grandson.”
The picture was of his daughter and his grandson. His grandson had the same green eyes as his mom and short brown hair. He looked like he was around two-years-old.
“Have you met him?”
“No.” He grunted and I looked up at him. He darted his eyes away towards the kitchen window.
“She got married, had him. Doesn’t have time for me now. Not that she would either way.”
“I’m sorry, Jacobs,” I said laying the picture down on the table.
“Not your problem,” he said standing up and bringing his cup to the sink. He dumped it out, and I drank half of mine and watched him stare out his window. It faced Madi’s house. Everything clicked at once.
“Are you, you know…um, the way you are with Madi because of your daughter. I mean, they look alike. Does she remind you of her?”
“Jesus, you’re just as nosey as everyone else in the town,” he snapped.
I guess he wasn’t that nice after all. I knew he was bitter and heartbroken but-
“I didn’t mean that,” he said softly, turning around and leaning against the sink. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I handed him my teacup. “Thanks, but I should get going anyways.”
The sun had set, I was hungry anyway, and I hadn’t seen Rudd or the kids since early this morning.
“I appreciate it, Adalyn,” his tone was much lighter, sincere even, “I really do.”
“I know, but don’t you want to be happy? Get to know your grandson? Reconnect with your daughter?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Don’t deserve it.” He was hurting and his words were laced with pain. He was punishing himself. Every day. By looking at these pictures, a constant reminder of what he doesn’t have. A constant reminder of what he’s done.
I thought about something that my mom would tell me from time to time. Woke up breathing baby girl, then she would always follow it up with, but if it’s my time, then it’s my time. I’m good with Heaven too.
“I don’t have much experience with people Jacobs, and you can listen to what I’m about to say and do something about it, or ignore me. But I’ll still make your food, that won’t change.” He stayed silent so I continued, “If you want to be happy, then just be happy.” He huffed. “It’s simple, Jacobs. You woke up breathing today, so why not wake up happy? That should be enough to put you in a good mood. It puts a smile on my face every morning. I’m sorry you lost your wife, and I’m sure your still grieving her loss. I’m sure your daughter is also. She might need you, and maybe you might just need her. Frankly, it’s none of my business, but I know if you wanted to fix the relationship with your daughter, you could. Family is very important Jacobs, and everyone should have one.”
***
Rudd left the porch light on for me, so I made my way up the stairs and through the house as quietly as I could. It appeared everyone was in bed. I went into Rudd’s room and shut the door. The kids knew I was staying the night ever since I fell and cut open my head. Bailey thought it was awesome and would come into the room in the mornings and jump on the bed. Danny would just watch from the doorway or go set the table for breakfast.
Rudd was sitting on his side of the bed, his back to me doing some stretches. His shoulder was slowly improving but he still wore the sling every day, especially if we left the house.
“You were gone longer than I thought,” Rudd said standing up, and I walked to him. I gave him a quick kiss and buried my head into his chest.
“We had a chat.”
“Really?” I could tell by his voice he was smiling.
“Yeah, he really misses his wife and daughter.” I tipped my head back and told him everything that we talked about. By the time we finished our conversation, I had
my contact out and pajamas on.
“I need to show you something,” Rudd said opening the top dresser drawer. He pulled out two envelopes and came back to the bed. “I wasn’t hiding them from you, but things kept coming up.” He handed them to me. They were postmarked from Idaho, and I didn’t recognize the name.
“Who’s in Idaho?”
“Shawna’s parents.”
I stopped breathing and stared at the envelopes. “Do I want to know?”
He hesitated and grabbed my hand. “One is from her parents, one is from Shawna. She wrote it before she passed away. Not sure how her parents got the letters. Someone must have mailed them off after she was gone. A lawyer or friend maybe. Anyway, if you want to know why Shawna was the way she was, her letter explains it. Or I could just tell you the highlights.”
“Are her parents going to try and take Bailey away from you?”
He cupped my head and gazed into my eyes. “No babe, she’s ours. Nothing will change that.”
That helped calm my nerves and I opened the envelope that had Rudd’s name on it.
Chapter 21
Archer –
If you’re reading this letter then you’ve met your daughter, Bailey, and I’m gone. I won’t be able to answer all of your questions, but here’s what you should know.
When I met you that day in the bar, I knew you were just like me. All my life I was different from everyone. No one understood me. But, one look at you and I knew - you and I were the same. You were lost, sad, lonely, and depressed, just like me. I saw the demons in your eyes, and I knew I wanted to be with someone who shared those demons.
It didn’t last long; a few weeks, a couple of months, I don’t remember. All I remember is that you changed. The demons were gone, there was light in your eyes, and I realized you were nothing like me. I had never seen the light. I don’t know what happened to you, I didn’t care to ask. But, the person I thought I had found, definitely wasn’t right for me.
