"Do you want the smoky look?" I ask Crystal, Donna's old hairdresser from town as she sits in my salon chair.
It took a little over a year but me and Donna opened City Girl Salon inside Donna's place because she had more than enough room. I get more customers a week than the salon in town ever had. Hell, you know business is good if the old salon owner starts coming to you.
"Do it like you had your makeup at Janette’s wedding, Jo."
My wide eyes flash to Donna who's withholding her laugh. I may be a country girl now, but I still have my old style and it's the last thing I thought this old southern belle would ever ask for.
"Let's do li—" I pause and tense up, my hand going to my stomach. Taking a deep breath through my nose, I exhale through my mouth and glance at Donna but she's not paying attention.
That was the third one in the past hour. I glance at the clock. Brandt's probably milking the cows. I need to hold this off as long as I can, but this is happening soon.
"Light grey, just in case," I continue then step around the chair to grab primer. "Close your eee-oh god." The splash hits the tiled floor and Donna turns around.
"What'd you spill?"
I stare at the puddle at my feet. "My water."
"I’ll grab the mop."
"Mom, my water broke!" I blurt and full-blown panic takes over.
While Donna grabs me and starts walking me out the door, I'm dialing Brandt, because hell no am I having our baby without him at my side. We had a week left but apparently this little girl wants to share her daddy's birthday.
"Yeah, beautiful?" He sounds busy, and there are noisy cows in the background.
"How's your birthday so far, farm boy?" I exhale heavily, trying to remain calm so he doesn't panic.
"Could you not remind me it's my birthday?" He grunts and curses something under his breath. "Shit, sorry. You know today's not a good day. I'm sorry."
"Brandt Michael Kenshaw, this is your goddamn birthday and you're going to enjoy it." Donna guides me into the guest bathroom at her place and hits the water on the tub. "I have a present for you and you're gonna bring your ass in this house right now and get it. Now, Brandt, I mean it." I grit my teeth as a contraction hits and grunt into the phone.
"Jo?" he blurts but I can't answer right now. "Jo, what the hell's happening over there?"
That contraction gave me a taste of what's to come and I can't talk anymore, I hang up and kneel on all fours, starting my breathing exercises. I've been practicing for this but I'm not fucking ready.
"Mom," I exhale. "Crystal has to be at her daughter’s shower in two hours. Think you can finish her makeup?"
"Jolene!" she gasps, offended I just asked that and I look at her, trying to bite back anger caused by the tightening of my stomach.
"The only person I want in this bathroom is Brandt, mom, I'm sorry, but we talked about this."
Sadness takes over her face, but I don't give a damn. She's constantly stepping over boundaries and we keep our mouths shut. Brandt and me talked about this, though, and I only want him here helping me through this.
"You sure?”
"Positive," I grit out as another contraction hits.
"Well, where is that boy then?" she snaps and helps me remove my dress and get into the tub.
"Jo?" Brandt yells. I hear the door slam and he yells again, probably climbing the stairs two at a time. "What the hell's happening?" he blurts, making it into the bathroom with a wild look on his face.
I meekly smile then my brows dip. He's hated his birthday ever since everything that happened with his brother on their birthday.
"Happy birthday, daddy," I moan out the last of my words as a contraction hits. "Brandt, please," I whimper and hold my hand out for him.
He rushes to my side, pushing past my mom and takes my hand. "You're serious?" He glances back at my mom. "This is really happening?" His eyes are so wide they could pop out. "You're havin' our baby on my birthday?" The smile that lights up his face doesn't make the pain go away, but it helps the nerves.
"Seems like she's gonna be as pushy as her daddy," Donna says. "If y’all need me, I won't be far. Don't hesitate. I'm gonna go gather grandpa, because we're too excited to meet our grandbaby." She grins and her smile makes me smirk.
"Thanks, mom," I exhale then look at Brandt as she closes the door. "You remember what to do?" My grip tightens on his hand. "This is happening too fast," I moan.
He grabs a rag and wets it, ringing it out and placing it on my forehead, then kisses me. "I'm right here, and I know what to do. You're fine. It's gonna be perfect, Jo. You’re going to do great."
His smile soothes me and I clear my head, remembering everything my midwife told us.
"Happy birthday, daddy and Annie, happy birthday to you," we sing and Brandt bends, helping Annie blow out the number five candle on their cake. "Happy birthday, farm boy." I wrap my arm around him and put my hand on Annie's shoulder while my mom shows her it's okay to eat the cake with her fingers before anyone else gets a piece.
"Donna," Brandt laughs but lets it happen anyway. He presses his lips to my forehead. "Thanks for making this the best day ever, every year for the past five years." He hugs me tighter to his side. "And now, princess!" He picks up Annie before she's covered in cake. "Present time!"
I look up at him skeptical. I have no doubts she'll be a pro like her dad, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried about my baby girl's safety. Because like her daddy, she's fearless.
I follow behind the crew as everyone heads outside toward the barn. When Annie came, we started spending their birthday with all our close friends and she's inundated with love and affection from everywhere.
Brandt's excited smile beams and I can't wait to give him his actual present tonight.
"Alright, princess!" He beams at her. "You gotta close your eyes, okay?"
She squeals and jumps in her spot, then I help hold her hands over her eyes and he can't wipe the excitement from his face as he heads to the small barn door and opens it. A few of our friends that didn't know what he got her all make the awe-ing sounds that are typical when you give a cowgirl her first pony. When we let Annie open her eyes, her scream and laughter are the best noise either of us have ever heard.
"Happy birthday, baby!" Brandt says, swinging her up and setting her on it.
I love every minute of both their happiness, but I see a lot of bumps and bruises coming from this. She roped her first calf just last week, and a day later when dad turned his back, she was trying to rope a steer. Uncle Bo would have been proud, if that asshole would ever come back to meet her. He’s too famous for us now, making it big competing with the pro bull riders. Brandt still misses him though, but he’s got this little hellion to keep him busy. After she found a beehive and brought it to me to ask what it was, bees swarming the damn thing, I swore I was moving us off the ranch and to the city where the ranch life couldn’t kill her, but I'd never leave this place again. Both my loves belong in the country and I belong where they are.
"Brandt, hold her." I’m not trying to be overbearing or pushy because he's more than capable of taking care of our little girl, but she also knows how to play her daddy to get what she wants.
"You want me to duct tape her to the saddle?" He quirks an eyebrow at me. "She'll be fine, city girl." He helps her down, all while Annie goes on about naming this thing Princess, just like her daddy calls her. Daddy sure has this little girl spoiled rotten.
“She better be, farm boy,” I quietly threaten with a scowl until his lips hit mine.
“Right, daddy?” Annie asks, but Brandt wasn’t paying attention while he was kissing me, but just like the amazing dad he is, he turns to his princess and gives her his attention again.
I never thought I could love the south, but home is where your heart is.