The moment I saw the picnic area set up, my breath caught in my chest and a warmth spread through my body. Steed had remembered how much I loved picnics. My cheeks heated thinking back to past picnics…
“Steed, this is all so amazing. I have to say though, with age comes better picnics!”
He laughed while taking out the plastic plates and silverware. My heart was beating faster simply from watching him. I loved how he took so much care planning this day. From shopping at a store I had been longing to go to, to setting up the perfect picnic. Right down to the movie later.
“Mom’s fried chicken. Your favorite.”
As if on cue, my stomach growled, and we both let out a chuckle.
“Fresh fruit. Yogurt dip, the kind Waylynn makes. I had to call her and ask for the recipe. Chloe helped make it last night for our ‘special date’ as she kept calling it.”
I smiled as my chest fluttered. “She’s so precious, Steed. You’ve done an amazing job raising her so far.”
He stopped what he was doing and focused on me. “She loves you, Paxton. When we were mixing up the dip last night, she told me her biggest hope was for you to be her mommy.”
My vision started to blur as happiness coursed through my body. “What…what did you say to her?”
“That I wanted that too. More than anything.”
His words overwhelmed me with joy. I couldn’t help but grin like a silly fool. “I want that too. I love her also, Steed, as if she was my own daughter.”
Steed wiped my tears away with his thumb. “Thank you for loving her, Pax. You’re an incredible woman, and I’m so thankful to know that you’re in Chloe’s life.”
Oh dear.
My heart was hammering in my chest. A mixture of excitement, happiness, and fear swirled together. I longed for the day when Chloe called me something other than Paxton. Or when she came to me for advice. It also scared the crap out of me.
Steed had made it very clear that Chloe’s mom was completely out of the picture. Would Chloe grow to resent me? Think I was the reason her mother gave her up?
“Stop overthinking whatever it is you’re overthinking, Pax.”
My head snapped up. “Huh?”
Steed poured a glass of champagne and handed it to me.
“You’re overthinking something. I can see it on your face.”
I gave him a weak grin. “You don’t think Chloe will ever resent me, do you?”
He pulled his head back in surprise. “What on earth for?”
With a half shrug, I replied, “I don’t know. Maybe she’ll think I’m the reason her mother gave her up?”
Steed reached for my hands. The way his thumb slid over the top of my hand made my skin feel on fire.
“Paxton, Kim never wanted Chloe, and it wasn’t hard for Chloe to figure out her mother didn’t love her as much as I did. First, she wanted me because she knew my heart belonged to someone else. Then she wanted money. Chloe was an accident she never wanted, but used as a pawn in her twisted game. She’s not going to resent you because she never truly knew what a loving mother was. We weren’t ever a family. We were a nightmare. I’m so …”
His voice cracked, and he had to clear it before going on. “I’m so glad Chloe is away from her.”
“Me too,” I murmured.
Steed shook his head and cleared his throat. “If I had only come back home sooner.”
“No more what ifs. We have to both stop doing that. It’s the past, and we need to focus on the future.”
He flashed me a brilliant grin that made me dizzy and had me forgetting what we were even talking about.
Steed and I were soon lost in conversation as we ate the fried chicken and fruit. He talked about the ranch, I talked about the kids at school. We laughed about Trevor and discussed Corina. It felt as if there wasn’t a ten-year void at all. We fit into each other’s worlds so perfectly. It was fate.
“Do you think I should invite Corina for Thanksgiving? I’m not sure if Tripp would mind or not,” I asked while I waited for Steed to take out what he said was the ultimate dessert.
“I’m not really sure what is going on between her and Tripp. He likes her, but I think he likes her because he knows Mitchell likes her.”
With a frown, I exhaled a frustrated breath. “I think Corina really likes Mitchell. I mean, she slept with him and Corina is not that kind of girl. At all.”
Steed opened the container lids off of two pieces of apple pie.
“Oh my goodness. Please tell me that’s your mom’s. Please.”
Laughing, he nodded. “She made it just for you.”
My mouth was watering as I stared down at the yummy pie. Steed handed me a fork, and we both dug in. I let out a moan as I took my first bite. “So good.”
“Yeah, it is.”
Stretching my legs out, I set my fork down. “But I’m stuffed and I want to save room for popcorn!”
“We’re going to go for a ride next.”
I lifted my brow. “Mr. Parker, please tell me you are talking about a ride in your truck.”
He chuckled and looked at his watch. “No, our ride should be arriving here any minute.”
Now I was intrigued.
“Back to Corina. I think you should invite her. I’d hate to think she was all alone on Thanksgiving and clearly Tripp isn’t going to invite her.”
“I don’t want to cause problems between your brothers.”
“Honestly, I have no idea what’s going on. I was surprised Tripp missed the fact that the girl he is dating wasn’t leaving town. Regardless if it is casual dating or not.”
“I don’t think they are serious,” I replied, feeling a heaviness in my heart. I really needed to sit and talk to my best friend.
“Then invite her. Who gives a shit what’s going on between Tripp and Mitchell? Why should Corina be alone?”
Hearing a whistle coming from behind us, I turned to see Trevor leading Lady and Allure. Focusing on Steed, I grinned as I chuckled. “That kind of riding!”
He stood and winked as he helped me up. “Unless you’d rather do the other kind of riding your dirty mind was thinking of.”
“I find that statement coming from you rather funny.”
Steed laughed and led us to the horses.
“Didn’t even hear you pull up, Trev,” Steed said, reaching his hand out to shake his brother’s.
“I’m stealthy like that,” he replied with a sweet smile. “I’ll meet you at sundown in the spot?”
Running his hands over his horse, Steed responded with a nod then answered, “Yeah. That sounds good.”
“The spot?” I asked with my head tilted.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, Paxton,” Trevor said. “My brother’s got everything well planned out.”
“I see that,” I said with a huge grin. Steed helped me get up onto Allure. Even though I was capable of getting on a horse by myself, I liked having him help me. I’d missed that attention from a man.
Trevor lifted his hand and called out over his shoulder, “You kids have fun! Remember, practice safe sex!”
“Shut the hell up, Trevor. You asshole!” Steed shouted at his retreating brother.
Some things never changed, especially the way the Parker brothers interacted with each other. One minute they would be the best of friends, the next they were telling each other to fuck off. I rolled my eyes and let out a giggle as I gave Allure a small squeeze to get her going.
We rode next to each other in silence for the longest time. I loved being out on the ranch. I always had. The peacefulness was good for my soul. The sound of nature worked its way into my mind, relaxing me along with the easy stride Allure was keeping next to Lady.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Steed’s warm voice penetrated my thoughts. I turned my head and we smiled at each other. “Just how peaceful it is out here. I love it so much.”
“So do I.”
“Did you enjoy living in Oregon?” I asked.
With a harsh laugh, he shook his head. “Hated it. Every single minute. Had I not met Kim I’m positive I would have been back home sooner. Probably after school.”
I nodded. The thought made me feel sick. Steed only went out with Kim because Joe’s mother spread false things about our relationship to Melanie. My body shook with anger.
No. No looking back, Paxton. Only to the future.
And what an amazing future it would be.