Taming Him Read online

  “Better tell Mama,” he warns. “I’ll pretend like I don’t know.”

  “Good.” I give him one last smile before I walk to my truck, but once I’m inside, I sit there and stare up at the room where River is sleeping. Yesterday, she was a thousand miles away, and today, she’s within arm’s reach. Dreams do come true and good things happen to good people. With anyone else, it would have been a curse, but for me, having a baby with River is nothing short of a blessing.

  I sleep like shit. Tossing and turning knowing my woman who’s carrying my baby is at the B&B drives me fucking crazy. I want nothing more than to drive over there, crawl into bed with her, and never let her go. Ever.

  But we’re taking it slow.

  And I’m going to try to hold back the reins as best I can, but fuck, I’ve missed her so much; it’s going to take all the willpower I can muster to be the proper gentleman.

  If I continue to lie in bed staring at the ceiling as memories and fears rush through my head, I’ll drive myself to drink. And we all know that drinking at four in the morning is a terrible idea. So instead of continuing the insanity, I get up before the roosters crow and get dressed. Considering it’s in the mid-twenties this morning, I dress in thick layers. Just as I’m pouring coffee into my thermos, Jackson stumbles in.

  “What the holy fuck?” I glare at him. “Where the hell have you been all night?”

  His face is full of smeared red lipstick, and his hair is disheveled. What confuses me the most is the hay stuck to his clothes.

  “Don’t worry about it, little bro,” he slurs. Jackson’s a hard worker, so I rarely have to get on him for that, but hell if he isn’t a hot mess most of the time.

  “Please tell me you weren’t fucking in the barn again? Romping in the hay like an animal. You do realize it’s cold as hell outside right now?” I arch a brow, wondering if he has a death wish or if he’s just crazy.

  He laughs, plops on the couch, kicks off his boots, and closes his eyes. “Why do you think I came home? Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to catch a few z’s before I have to be at work in two hours.”

  “You did it to yourself. Hope she was worth it,” I add, knowing his schedule is full of horseback riding today.

  “Totally worth it,” he says, rolling over onto his side, dismissing me with his middle finger.

  After I place the lid on my coffee, I grab my cowboy hat and walk out shaking my head, trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. River is moving to Texas. She’s having my baby and going to be living here. Holy shit. I have a lot of things to figure out in just a few weeks.

  Cranking the truck, I let it warm up before I drive across the property to go check in with Dad. The man never sleeps, and I’m sure he’s up drinking coffee already.

  As soon as my parents' house comes into view, my nerves get the best of me. Today, I’m going to have to drop the bomb on them about River and the baby. Dad won’t say much—I can read him like a map—but Mama will be a different story. Thinking about her reaction makes my stomach twist because it will either be really good or really bad.

  I turn off the engine of the truck, and as I walk to the porch, I look up at the sky and can still see stars. The Milky Way is almost as bright as the moonlight, and I smile thinking about all the stars I wished upon over the past three months. Somehow, I roped the moon and got my girl.

  Pulling my keys out of my pocket, I insert the right one into the door and swing it open. Just as I suspected, Dad is already up drinking his morning coffee. As soon as he sees me, he checks his watch, confused to see me at this early hour.

  “Mornin’, Dad.”

  He looks up at me. “You’re up early today.”

  “Yes, sir. Couldn’t sleep, so thought I’d get started a little earlier than usual if that’s okay.”

  Sipping his coffee, he nods. “It’s never too early to work.”

  Somehow, I knew he’d say that. I grab the keys to the work truck off the hook by the door and give Dad a quick wave. Before I completely walk away, I turn around.

  “Dad, can we do lunch today, around twelve?”

  Tilting his head, he narrows his eyes at me. I know it’s a little out of my norm, but this needs to be talked about today, and I won’t be able to relax until they both know what’s happening.

  “Everything okay?” he asks, curiosity in his tone.

  “Life is grand, Dad.”

  “Sure. Twelve it is. I’ll tell your mother to prepare somethin’ good considering hell has frozen over outside.” I smile, knowing that this weather is definitely something Southerners aren’t accustomed to.

  After I walk out, I’m able to breathe just a little easier, but I’m still a nervous wreck. Mama’s always wanted grandkids, though. Luckily, my sister, Courtney, broke the ice with her pregnancy announcement not too long ago; however, my situation is a little less traditional. Nevertheless, Mama will have to get used to it because what’s done is done. I’ll need to think and plan what I’m going to tell them exactly; fortunately, I have a few hours to think about it.

  To keep my mind busy, I get started with the day. I’d usually wait for Dylan, but I can’t today. The busier I stay, the better.

  After the animals are fed and before I head back to the barn to meet Dylan, I call the B&B and leave a message for River at the front desk. I’m sure John will guarantee the message is delivered when he arrives.

  Lunch is at 12. I’ll pick you up.

  And I can only hope the next eight hours pass by quickly.

  Chapter Sixteen

  RIVER

  For the first time in months, I slept like a baby. The temperature was perfect, and the bed was as soft as clouds. Sleeping late isn’t something I typically do because of my early work shifts, but it was nice to get a few extra hours, especially after traveling.

  I lie in bed, the fluffy quilt surrounding my body, and I can’t help but smile. Everything finally feels like it’s going to be okay. I felt uneasy during the plane ride over and wondered if Alex had moved on.

  What if I would’ve shown up and he was in a relationship with someone else or was back to his routine of random hookups? Luckily, I had a fallback plan for either scenario. I would’ve told him out of respect, but then left and carried on to raise the baby on my own, expecting nothing in return. I knew I could do it, albeit hard, but I was a strong, educated woman who was resourceful. I’d be ignorant to come all the way down here without some kind of backup plan, but I didn’t need it.

  To know Alex waited for me and had been thinking of me as much as I’d been thinking of him, even when we agreed to leave it all in Key West, means more than he’ll ever know. We shared something magical and meaningful on that island, something I hope wasn’t brought on by bucket lists and beaches, but only time will tell.

  Being able to see the reaction on his face and how happiness radiated from him when he found out he would be a father confirmed I did the right thing after all. I’ll never forget that moment for the rest of my life—no matter what. He could’ve pushed me away. He could’ve argued with me or told me to fuck off. Instead, Alex embraced me like a long-lost lover and looked at me like I was his whole world.

  The feelings that swirl through me as I think back on it are so intense my eyes water, and a tear rolls down my cheek. I swipe it away, cursing my damn emotions that have been getting the best of me the past few weeks.

  I stand and stretch, adjusting my top that is now tight against my belly, then walk over to the large window and open the sheer curtain that allows the right amount of morning sunlight to leak in. I stare out and take in the beauty that I’m definitely not used to seeing back home. The land goes on for days, and as much as I want to go explore, I remind myself that I’ll have plenty of time. The thought excites me while another one catches me off guard. Am I really moving to Texas?

  After I shower and get ready for the day, I walk downstairs and see a large buffet area set up with breakfast platters just as Alex mentioned. Before I can
even make my way over to the plates, John walks up holding a folded piece of paper.

  “Mornin’, ma’am,” he says with a big grin.

  Southerners are so damn polite; I just want to bottle them all up. “Morning.”

  “Did you sleep okay last night?” he asks. I know he’s making small talk, which I actually don’t mind. I want to get to know everyone in Alex’s family as best as I can.

  “I did, thank you. I think that bed is better than the one I have at home.” I tuck my hair behind my ears, and when I look over at the buffet table, John realizes he’s stalling.

  “Oh, sorry. Make sure you try everything on the buffet. It’s all delicious and from my mama’s recipes.”

  “I’ll do my best.” I grin, keeping the thoughts to myself on being nauseous in the mornings and how some of their country style food is foreign to me.

  “Well anyway, Alex left a message for you.” He hands me the slip of paper.

  “Thank you.” I smile, and he gives me a head nod before walking away to help a guest check out. The more I look at John, the more I notice how similar their mannerisms are.

  I open the note and recognize the Circle B Ranch emblem on top.

  Lunch is at 12. I’ll pick you up. -Alex

  Looking at my watch, I see it’s only a little past nine, which means I have a few hours to get my mind right before I meet his parents. My nerves are stretched thin, and I can only hope they like me. Given the circumstances of how Alex and I met and got pregnant, I’m not so sure that’s a formula for a great first impression. However, I am having their grandbaby after all, so hopefully, they’ll warm up to the idea quickly. I feel like a teenager again, meeting the parents of a boy I like and all that.

  I grab a plate and put a few items on it. As I walk down the buffet line, I see stuff that looks a little scary. The woman next to me is pouring white gravy on top of biscuits, and the thought of it grosses me out. I grab some fruit, bacon, a blueberry muffin, and a large cup of orange juice—all of which I recognize and pass all the Southern delicacy like buttermilk pancakes with icing, grits, and cornbread.

  There’s a lounge chair by a window across the room, and I decide to sit there and eat my breakfast. As I stare out the window, I take a bite of a blueberry muffin, and it’s so damn delicious that I’m tempted to snatch up the rest of them and stuff them in my purse so I can eat them throughout the day. However, I find some self-restraint and stop after my second one. I feel the juice in my belly. The sugar always makes the baby toss and turn. It’s the weirdest, but coolest feeling ever.

  Just as I’m getting ready to place my empty plate in the dishpan, John walks in with a big cheesy smile.

  “Howdy,” he says.

  “You were right. It was delicious.” I give him a smile in return, hoping he didn’t see I only put fruit and muffins on my plate. He stops in his path and crosses his arms over his chest, then looks me from top to bottom. He narrows his eyes and takes a step forward until he’s close.

  “Is that right?” He studies me, which is odd because we just spoke not twenty minutes ago. “So, where you from?” he asks with a side grin plastered on his face.

  I laugh. “Wisconsin. Is it that obvious I’m an outsider?”

  He grins before taking off his cowboy hat and tipping it, keeping his eyes on me. “Welcome to Texas, sweetheart. If you need anything, be sure to let me know. I’d be more than happy to show you ’round.”

  Before I can respond to his strange comment, I hear shouting coming from behind him.

  “Jackson!” When I glance around, I see John walking toward us. My mouth falls open, and I’m so damn confused that I don’t even know what to say. That’s when I realize they’re not even wearing the same damn clothes.

  “There’s two of you,” I finally manage to get out after the initial shock passes. “I forgot. Alex told me once.”

  John chuckles, smacking a hand on his shoulder. “This is Jackson, my asshole brother. Sorry, it can be kinda confusing when you don’t know we’re twins. And he’s such a dick, he’ll pretend he’s me, especially around pretty ladies.”

  “I’m much better looking though, right?” Jackson winks. But honestly, they look identical. There’s nothing different about them, so telling them apart is going to be difficult as hell.

  “Stop, dickhead. This is River,” John tells him. Recognition flashes across Jackson’s face, and I can tell they have one of those bonds where words aren’t needed as they hold a silent conversation.

  After a minute, Jackson finally laughs and slaps his leg. “You’re a real person. I wasn’t convinced.” He looks me up and down again. “But now I understand.”

  I playfully roll my eyes. “Well, I hope whatever’s been said about me is all good.”

  “Oh yeah, totally. Just have an obsessed Bishop, which is damn right annoyin’ when you’re on the other end of that conversation. If I had to hear about that vacation one more time, I was gonna kill Alex.”

  I laugh, nervously. Slightly weirded out that Alex talked about me so much. “Sorry about that. There’s probably a club you could join. My friend back home was front and center for most of it.”

  “Is that so?” The corner of his lips tilts up. “She single?” He wiggles his brows.

  John elbows him in the gut at the same time I laugh. “Sorry, no.”

  “Damn. Go figure.” Jackson shrugs, and the silence between us becomes awkward. “Not to be rude, but why are you here now?” Jackson looks at me somewhat confused.

  John clears his throat as if he knows what’s going on. “Don’t you have work that needs to be done? Actually, I need you to help me with something.”

  Jackson shakes his head, and somehow, John steers him away. “Nice meeting you, River!” Jackson says as he turns around.

  Well, that was…interesting. My heart begins to race as I think about meeting his parents again. Everything's happening so fast that my head is spinning trying to process it all.

  I make my way back to my room and try to decide what I’m going to do until lunch. My rental car is still sitting at the cafe so going to town to explore isn’t an option. Instead, I grab my Kindle and decide to read and relax. First impressions are so important to me, and even though I’m trying to distract myself and read, I can’t comprehend anything I’m reading because I’m overly anxious.

  After an hour of fidgeting and not being able to get comfortable, I grab my jacket and decide to go outside and explore the land. I walk through the common room and head toward the backdoor. Everyone is bundled up like it’s freezing, and it makes me laugh considering most of them are decked out in scarves and boots. This is considered warm for me, but I feel like a heater now anyway. I know it’s common in pregnancy, but I could live without the hot flashes.

  As soon as I open the door and stand on the back porch, a smile touches my lips. It’s a cool forty-five degrees outside, and I’m actually happy there’s no snow and negative temperatures. It’s great for around the holidays, but once February hits, I’m over it. Sucks walking and driving in it, so this is definitely a nice change.

  The rolling hills are so beautiful as I look out. I allow my feet to guide me as I take the steps down the porch and head toward the stables.

  Curiosity gets the best as me as I walk down the path and decide to step in. As soon as I get closer, I can smell the horses and hay. It’s not something I’m used to smelling, making me feel like I’m really in the country. Many of the horses are wearing coats, which makes me giggle. As I continue walking through the stable, some of the horses poke their heads over the stall to greet me. I pet a few of their soft noses, and they nip at me, hoping I’ll feed them something, I’m sure.

  Just as I’m about to make my way through the other side of the stable, I hear my name being called. Turning, I can’t help but smile when I see Alex stalking toward me wearing tight pants and boots, a heavy jacket, and black cowboy hat. He’s as country as they come, definitely different from what he looked like in Key West.
However, it’s pretty damn sexy. I take a mental picture of how rugged he looks with the scruff on his jawline and messy hair under his hat. As soon as he’s close enough to touch me, he wraps his strong arms around me and kisses my forehead.

  “Mornin’, beautiful,” he says with a sexy gruff in his tone. “Sorry, boundaries. I know. It’s going to be hard, though. Just a warning.”

  “It’s okay.” The smile on my face might be permanent.

  “I couldn’t wait to see you. We’re not finished for the day yet, but since I started earlier than Dylan, he said he’d cover until after lunch.” He loosens his grip on me and swings his arm around my shoulder and leads me toward the other entryway. Once we step outside, I see several trails that lead out in different directions.

  “It’s so peaceful out here,” I say, taking everything in.

  “These are the trails we have for horseback riding and for the Ranger side by sides, which are basically beefed-up golf carts. The blue trail goes to a pond. In the summer, it’s surrounded by wildflowers and a cute family of ducks. The red trail leads to a beautiful lookout point, and the green trail is for easy riding. It’s usually the ones we take the kids on. They’re all loops and circle back here. I’d love to take you one day. Have you ever been horseback riding?”

  “No, but I’ve always wanted to, though. Bucket list item,” I say with a smirk.

  A knowing grin fills Alex’s face. “Darlin’, start making a Texas bucket list, and we’ll check them off one by one.”

  Hearing him say that sends tingles down my spine. I don’t know what it is about this man, but it feels as if no time has separated us at all. We’re easily falling back into the same Key West rhythm we were in, but the reality is, it’s not just him and me anymore. We’re having a baby together, which is a forever commitment, and just thinking about all of that scares the shit out of me. He notices me tense and squeezes my hand but doesn’t say anything.