When You're Back(63)

Piper frowned. “From where I’m sitting, Mase Colt goes out of his way to make you happy. He’s so afraid of losing you he can’t hold on tight enough. This isn’t going to be bad news for him. Trust me.”

She didn’t know everything. She didn’t know all the baggage that came along with me. Mase loved me, I knew that, but he wasn’t ready for more. He wanted us to live together and enjoy the now. He wasn’t planning the future. But here I was, with our future inside me. “I need time to adjust to this myself. I’ll tell him. I’m just not ready,” I explained.

Piper sighed. “It’s your decision, but he’s gonna want to know.”

He would. I knew he would want to know. But would he be happy? Or would I just add more baggage on top of everything else? I didn’t want this baby to be any less than adored. I wanted him or her to have the life I didn’t get. I wanted to give my child the life that Mase was given.

“Don’t wait too long. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to tell him,” Piper said.

I nodded. She was right. I’d have to tell him soon. But first, I needed to know that I had somewhere to go if he wasn’t ready. I didn’t have just me to worry about anymore. I had another life I was responsible for.

It was time we went to visit my dad.


Mase had called again when I got back to work. I had answered the phone that time, because if I kept ignoring his calls, he’d show up at the barn. I didn’t doubt that for a minute. I had told him lunch was great and I missed him. He’d seemed pleased with that, and we’d ended the call.

Sitting in his truck after work was different. There was this huge secret between us, and I felt guilty for not telling him. He had kissed me and held me against him when he’d gotten to Piper’s. I always felt so safe when he held me.

The guilt was like a lead weight in my stomach. I was afraid I could lose here.

“In case she’s still there when we get back to the ranch, I have to warn you that Aida’s visiting. She was at Momma’s during lunch today,” he said, glancing over at me while he was driving.

I was not in the mood for Aida. Not the best timing. “OK. Did she say why she was visiting?” I asked, trying to sound like this news didn’t upset me.

He shrugged. “I think she was bored. No real reason.”

“Oh,” was my only response.

It was time to visit my dad anyway. If Aida was there, it wouldn’t matter. It just pushed my decision. “Can we visit my father now? I think I’m ready.”

Mase’s arm rested around my back, and his fingers played in my hair. “I’ll book the flight tonight. You want to call him so he knows to expect us?”

I nodded.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Whatever you want, baby. All you have to do is ask.”

This time, when he called me baby, my hand went to my stomach. How was I going to tell him?

“Momma sent leftovers up to the house. We can eat and handle the travel arrangements. How soon you ready to leave?”

“Day after next. I need to tell Piper first and get some things finished up in the office.”

“Sounds good. That gives me time to get things squared away, too.”

When we pulled up into the driveway, Aida’s truck was parked outside, and Aida was sitting on the porch steps. Avoiding her wasn’t an option. I had no choice now.

Mase squeezed my shoulders. “Sorry about this.”

Before I could step down out of the truck, Mase was there taking my hand. I let him help me down and pull me close to him as we walked toward the house. Aida stood up as we approached. Her eyes looked red from crying, and her bottom lip trembled.

“I wanted to apologize to both of you,” she said, then sniffled. “I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble. I came back to tell you I was sorry.” She looked directly at Mase. “I miss you. I miss our friendship. I want my cousin back.”

Mase’s body seemed to relax beside me. “I never left, Aida. But you changed things. You couldn’t accept Reese, and she’s a part of me.”

Aida nodded and let a single tear roll down her perfect face. “I know. I was jealous. I’d never had to share you before. I’m sorry.” She glanced at me. “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to break down like I did.”

“If you can accept Reese and understand that she’s my life now, then we can go back to being friends. You’ve been my little cousin for most of my life. I care about you. I want you to be happy. I just won’t allow you to hurt Reese. Ever.”

Aida looked as if she were pouting. But then, she had such full lips sometimes it was hard to tell. “I won’t. I promise. I want you to be happy, too.”