Chapter Eighteen
The knock on the door had my heart racing. I was nervous, scared, and if I admitted it, a little excited. I had spent the morning on the phone with my momma. I was in need of her guidance. Momma always had a way of making me feel better. She was the voice of reason, and she knew what it took, what I needed.
After I ran another quick inventory of Rhett’s bag, I lifted him from the floor and took a deep breath. “Let’s go meet your grandpa, buddy.”
The moment Mr. Harrison set eyes on Rhett, his filled with tears. “Wow,” he whispered. “He looks so much like Blake.”
“I know.” I couldn’t agree more.
***
I directed him to a small family owned restaurant on the edge of town. We spent over an hour just talking about Rhett. We even talked about some of the last moments I had with Blake. Mr. Harrison wanted to know if he was happy. I could see the regret in his eyes.
“He was happy. We were taking a small trip before Rhett was born. He wanted to surprise me. We laughed all the time, he was such a good man.” I could read the guilt all over Richard’s face. I knew it well. “Don’t hold on to that guilt, he wouldn’t want that. What you’re doing right now, taking the time to heal old wounds, he would be proud. The man sitting in front of me now, this is the father I heard so much about. What If’s. You could do that to yourself, but really, why? It won’t change anything, I’ve played that game over and over in my own mind.” I wiped away a stray tear from my cheek. “Blake would want us to remember the happy times, so there is no need to dwell on all the sad ones.”
“I know I never said it, hell, I was horrible to you, but I’m glad he had you. I’m glad my son got to experience the kind of love you two obviously shared.” His gazed shifted to Rhett. “You are doing a great job with him, He’s such a happy little boy.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded, continuing to watch Rhett play with the toy tractor. “I’d like to be a part of his life, my wife too. She wanted to come, but I thought the first trip I should take alone. I wasn’t sure what your reaction would be. Molly hasn’t been doing that well since the funeral. She’s suffers a lot with depression now. With time I hope that she’ll heal and maybe come back to me.” He shrugged, and his gazed shifted back to mine. “With some time maybe we can all heal.”
“Yeah, I hope so,” I whispered, fighting off the threatening tears. The impending breakdown was so close. Today was so emotional, and it was starting to break down my walls.
When he dropped Rhett and me off at home, we exchanged numbers. He promised to keep in touch and in the near future plan another visit.
Watching as he drove away, a small sense of calm set over me. For once things felt as if they might be all right.
***
“Momma…who is that man in the barn?” I barged in through the front door demanding answers. “Momma.”
“I’m coming, where’s the fire girl?” She huffed as she came up the basement steps carrying arm loads of jarred vegetables.
“Who is that guy in the barn?” I lowered Rhett to the floor near his toys.
The jars clanked against each other when she placed them on the countertop. “Oh, you mean Gavin? That’s the new guy your daddy hired. He told you he planned on finding another farmhand.”
“Where did he find him?” My momma shot me a confused look. “He doesn’t look familiar.”
“Kori Lynn, will you just calm down? He came highly recommended by Rigdon Wilson and May Reeves. They’ve known his family for years. He was looking for a new start. He’s just gone through a messy divorce, his wife went astray with his boss.” I think my eyes must have bugged out of my head with what my momma said. “Oh, I know, ol’ hussy didn’t know what she had in that man. He is a sweet one, Kori, and not too bad on the eyes either.”
“Momma,” I shrieked.
She cackled as she continued to empty the jars of canned vegetables into the pan on the stove. “What? I’m only stating the obvious. I’m guessing that’s why you came in here all flustered.”
I decided to ignore her comment about the new hot addition to the farm. “I need to tell you something. Something about Reed and me.” I had to drop the Gavin topic. Yes, the man was completely yummy. He was tall, dark, and oh my, those jeans on that ass. I shook my head at the thought. “Something’s changed, Momma.”
“What? The two of you finally decide to quit pretending that you’re only friends?” My head shot up and found my momma staring at me with a huge smile on her face. “That is what this is about, isn’t it?” I only nodded. “Kori, I could see it building. Reed never stopped caring about you, honey. Yes, he messed up. Yes, he regrets it. But it was bound to happen with you two again.”
“Slow, Momma, I gotta take things slow. I want to, though, I want that happiness again. Blake will always hold a place deep in my heart that no one will ever fill. I just think he would want me to love again. If the tables were turned, I would want that for him. I wouldn’t want him to live his life out lonely and sad. My only hope would be that he’d do everything he could to make sure Rhett knew about me. I can guarantee I will do that, teach him all about his daddy, but I gotta live on, Momma.”
She took me into a tight embrace. “Yes, you do. Kori, I am so proud of you, darlin’, so very proud. I want you happy, and if Reed makes you happy, then I’m happy.”
“Thank you, Momma.”
“Well, what’s with all the tears in here?” My daddy’s voice filled the silence. “You two know I don’t like seeing my girls crying.” He wrapped his arms around us both, pulling us into a hug.
“It’s good tears, Daddy.”
Rhett squealed, and I looked around my daddy to find him at the feet of the handsome new employee. His ocean blues called out to something deep in my stomach. His eyes were absolutely gorgeous, and that chiseled jaw almost had me melt in a puddle on the floor. Rhett was slamming a toy tractor against his leg, and he was laughing, rubbing his head.
“Gavin, meet my grandson, Rhett.” My daddy turned back to face me. “This beauty right here is my daughter, Kori.”
Gavin nodded. “Nice to meet you, Kori.” The handsome stranger smiled, and it was almost as beautiful as his eyes.
***
Over the course of the day I had helped around the farm; I was sweaty, dirty, and a complete mess. Cleaning stalls was never a chore I enjoyed. Gavin started at one end, and I at the other. We met in the middle just before sunset.
“So Gavin, where you from?” I asked as I scrubbed at my arms over the tub of water.
“Savannah.” That deep grumbling voice made my pulse pick up a little more. He stepped up beside me, and his manly scent filled my senses. I tried my best to remain calm and not lean toward him to inhale a little deeper. That was all I needed, for him to notice me sniffing him. Talk about creepy, being sniffed by the farm-girl.
When Gavin leaned closer to share the tub, I heard someone clear their throat. Looking over my shoulder, I found Reed standing in the doorway, holding Rhett in his arms. Seeing him made me forget all about the man next to me. Reed was the kind of beautiful that instantly made my mouth dry and my knees wobble. He wore two day old stubble and those damn cowboy boots peeking out from under his jeans. Oh, and did I mention his thighs…so thick and muscular, his jeans molded over them.
“Who’s your friend, Kor?” I instantly knew by his tone that he was thinking this scene was more than it was. I dried my hands on my jeans and walked in the direction of the doorway, doing my best not to laugh or even smile at Reed’s obvious jealousy.
Placing my hand on his forearm, he stared past me in a silent warning to Gavin. “This is the new guy Daddy hired to help out around here. Gavin, meet Reed.”
Gavin stepped closer and held his hand out to Reed. The two exchanged a friendly handshake and shared a few quick words.
Gavin excused himself to go clean up, and I could see Reed’s shoulders relax. I tried, but I couldn’t hold back a giggle. His gaze shifted to mine, and I covered my mouth.
“What’s so funny, Giggles?”
“You.”
With his eyebrows scrunched, he asked, “Me? What did I do?”
“You are so jealous right now.” I took Rhett from him and began walking toward the house. It was actually pretty chilly out, and I wanted to get inside where it was warm.
Reed quickly followed me and wrapped me in his arms from behind. “I feel like we just turned a corner, Kori. I don’t want anything setting us back.” His lips skimmed over my temple setting off those familiar chills once more. “Do I have anything to worry about with this guy?”
I shook my head and whispered my answer. “No, nothing at all.” Turning my head just slightly, my eyes locked with his.
Reed was so damn sexy. He made it really hard to take things slow. Right here, right now, I was having difficulty remembering how cold I just felt. With Reed’s body so close to mine, with his lips just inches away, I felt like I was on fire from the inside out.
“I came here to ask you to have dinner with me. We can eat at your place this time, so it’s easier for Rhett.” It didn’t go unnoticed that Reed’s eyes continued to shift back and forth between my eyes and my lips.
“Momma already invited us to eat here. Do you wanna stay too? She made enough. Beef stew and homemade biscuits.”
Turning around to face him, Rhett reached for Reed. It still hit me deep each time I saw them together. It was a bittersweet feeling, and with each day it got a little easier to love.
“If you think it’ll be okay with your parents,” he questioned, holding Rhett close for warmth.
“They love you, I’m sure they already expect it.” Grabbing his hand in mine, I led him toward the house.