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“Son, when are you gonna straighten the hell up and love that woman right?” I hear Bill shout in the kitchen. “Damn it, you need to frickin’ remember you were the one who threw it away all them years ago. I get that she royally screwed you over, but she deserves that same second chance she gave you.”
I press my body against the door holding my breath quietly. I feel like I’m eaves-dropping, but I’m tickled to hear that Bill is on my side.
“Pops, it’s too damn early to hear this shit again. Please, just let it go and let me figure it out on my own.”
“Agh, you damn hard-headed son of a bitch. Flush it down the damn drain, again.” Bill screeches as he stomps out of the kitchen. And I’ve been made. “Well, hey there little lady, come on in here.” He hollers across the living room as he makes his way to me, pulling me into a bear hug.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt y’all’s breakfast, I just wanted to ask Colton if he could take me to the mines when he drives Heidi Jo to school.” I mutter nervously. Emma rushes into the room checking me over from head to toe with tears filling her eyes.
“I’ve been so worried about you, sweetie.” She wails, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
“I’m fine, Emma. Just sore and tired.” Colton steps into view bracing his arms over the door jamb as he watches his parents fawn over me. He hollers down the hallway to Heidi Jo, hurrying her along for school. I talk with his parents while waiting for Heidi Jo to make her appearance. Dang it, for a seven year old, you’d think she was getting ready for prom! Can ya hurry up there, chick? Emma and Bill question me briefly about my attack, but when I look to Colton he shakes his head, urging me to give away as little details as possible.
Finally, a thud shakes the house as Heidi Jo comes bouncing through the hallway singing and dancing to herself. She has such a jovial nature about herself. The kind of spirit I want to blanket myself in so I can bask in the happiness that illuminates her. “I’m ready to roll, Daddy.” She says sliding her hand into Colton’s with a toothy grin on her face. My head falls to the side in awe seeing that small endearment between Heidi Jo and Colton; it’s the sweetest, simplest gesture and it tugs at my heart. But my heart spirals wondering if I’ll ever get to see that moment for my own baby.
Colton rushes Heidi Jo out the door quickly telling her she’s gonna be late for school, but I’m certain he’s just eager to get me out of sight. The drive to Heidi Jo’s school is filled with loud music that causes my headache to reappear, but I’m thankful it isn’t an awkward silence. After we let her out at the school Colton turns to me, confusion etched on his face as his brows are furrowed deep between his eyes.
“I wasn’t tryin’ to be rude this mornin’. I’m sorry for that.” He sighs roughly. “I’m just tryin’ to deal with all of these mixed emotions and tryin’ to put everything behind me. But it’s so damn hard.” He punches the steering wheel as his rage surfaces.
“Colton, I don’t expect you to forgive me over night. You proved to me yesterday that you’ll protect me and you’ll be there for me when I need you. No matter how hard you fight against it you’ll never be able to convince me otherwise.”
“I gave the Police the number to Simon Energy. I’m sure they’ll contact you today or tomorrow to get a report about the assault. They’ll expect you to press charges. If they need anything from me, just let me know.” Colton replies, quickly changing the subject.
“I’m not speaking with the police.”
“Like hell.” Colton barks.
“Colton, you need to understand something. Speaking to the police is only gonna open up a shit ton of questions from everybody. Especially Savannah. I’m trying to protect her from Drew. I’m trying to protect her from Daddy’s secrets. Let me handle this my own way, please.” I beg. He huffs as he grips the steering wheel tighter, gritting his teeth.
“Have it your way, Carly Jo.” I stare out the window at the bleak, grey sky and that awkward silence fills the air.
Ten minutes later Colton pulls into the gravel lot at Simon Energy. He puts the truck in park, but doesn’t bother with shutting the engine off. “Thanks again for coming to my rescue.” I bite hard on my lip nervous to ask him my next question. “Colton, the Paternity test is Friday. Are you coming?” I wring my hands together, sweat filling the creases of my fingers although I’m rather cold.
He hangs his head low and drags in a rough breath before saying, “Darlin’, like I said…I won’t make a promise that I can’t keep.”
I pop the latch on the door and climb out of the truck without looking back.
I hurry into the office making my way into the conference room for the Supervisors meeting. The men all come to attention as I clap my hands together loudly. “Mornin’ y’all!! I ain’t got a lot of time. I have a few other meetings to attend today, so let’s get down to business quickly. If you have an issue that needs my dire attention, let’s hear it. If it can wait, leave a note with Shelly and I’ll make a visit to your mines later this week.” Scanning the room quickly with my eyes, I take count of my Mine Forman and Superintendents. Everyone seems to be accounted for, except Colton. I haven’t seen or heard from him since I climbed out of his truck on Tuesday. Stupidly, I held onto hope that he would be here for me today; but I know he just ain’t ready to forgive me.
The men quickly blurt out any orders of business that need my prompt attention before the alarm on my phone buzzes reminding me of my next appointment. “Fellas, I hate to rush like this, but I have an appointment to make that I can’t be late for.” I sling my purse over my shoulder rushing out of the room. I send a quick text to Luke letting him know that I’m on my way to the hospital when I bump into cold, hard steel. My body seizes as I envelop his warm ocean scent. I step back and look up into his rich chocolate eyes with my mouth hanging agape. I stutter around my tongue before finding the words to excuse myself around Colton.
“Sorry I was late to the Supervisors meetin’. Went home to get cleaned up and take Heidi Jo to school.” Oh hell. He’s dressed in loose fitting boot cut Levi’s, a black button down shirt and black boots. His hair is messy, like he’s been raking his fingers through the dark brown locks. His ocean scent wafts through my senses and a tingle snakes up my spine.
“It’s no problem, meeting’s already over.” I stammer over my words, trying to step around him.
“Where you off too in such a rush, darlin’?” he asks in a low grumbled voice.
“I have an appointment that I can’t be late f
or. Excuse me.” I say ignorantly, trying not to remind him of the importance of the Paternity Test. He steps into me and my breath hitches in my throat as my heart thuds loudly in my ears. I look up at him behind glazed hazel eyes and a flood of emotions rush through me like a whirl wind. I want to wrap my arms around his neck, blanketing myself in his warmth as his scent cascades around me; but I also want to twist his balls firmly in my fist as he cries out for help.
“I know darlin’, we’ll take my truck if that’s alright.” I look up at him with my eyes as wide as saucers as his words sink in. He remembered the paternity test and he actually showed up. What. The. Hell? He grips my hand in his searching my eyes for approval. Nodding ‘yes’ at him, he pulls me out to his truck.
We drive in uncomfortable silence as tension envelops the cab of the truck. Colton’s grip on the steering wheel has his knuckles white with tension and his left leg bounces up and down uncontrollably.
“Colton, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable when we get to the hospital.” I whisper. He glances sideways at me with a cocked eyebrow.
“Uncomfortable?”
