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Her eyes widen before her face floods with anger. “What does she want?” she asks, her eyes fixed on Jacob.
I shrug. “To see Jacob, apparently.”
“She’s flown all the way to America? That makes no sense. How did she know where you were?”
I grimace before turning and walking across the room, my parents right behind me. “I may have given her the address.”
“What?” I can hear the confusion in her voice, and I stop and turn around.
“Look, it’s a long story. She’s been in touch over the past few days, demanding to see Jacob. I told her I was here visiting Lib, and she kept pushing to see Jacob. I yelled the address at her and ended the call. I never imagined she would actually come.”
We walk back to the car in silence. My stomach is in knots at the prospect of seeing her again. Jacob has no idea who she is, and the thought that she’s going to want to spend time alone with him makes me feel physically sick. It’s been just the two of us for so long, I don’t want to share him.
Fifteen minutes later and my knee bounces nervously up and down as I pull off the main road and up the driveway that leads to the ranch. My mum has talked nonstop about how much she dislikes Zara, and how I shouldn’t allow her to see Jacob after she walked out on us. As much as I love my mum, I wish she’d shut up. I don’t want Jacob to see her any more than she does, but sheishis mother, and there isn’t anything I can do about that. Thankfully, Jacob fell asleep as soon as he got into his car seat. I don’t like Zara, but I wouldn’t let anyone say anything detrimental about her in front of him, even though he’d have no clue what was being said. It’s not something I want to start.
I avoid looking at the porch as I park the truck and jump out. Reaching into the back, I pluck a sleeping Jacob from his car seat and into my arms. Taking a deep breath, I finally look toward the house, seeing Zara standing at the top of the porch steps.
“Do you want us to take Jacob while you two talk?” my mum asks from the side of me, a scowl on her face when she looks over at Zara.
I shake my head. “She’s here to see Jacob. I’ve nothing to say to her unless it’s about him.”
She nods stiffly. “Your dad and I are going for a walk. We’ll give you some space.” She stands on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek before walking away, her arm linked with my dad, who looks over his shoulder and gives me a small smile. Tearing my eyes off them, I start walking toward the house.
“Oh my God, he’s gotten so big!” Zara exclaims as she rushes down the porch steps.
“That’s what happens in nine months.” My voice is tight, and I see a flash of hurt cross her face, but I’m only speaking the truth. “What are you doing here, Zara?” I walk straight past her and into the house.
“I came to see my son.” She follows me inside, pulling her suitcase behind her. “And you.” I feel her hand rest on my back, and I stiffen. I take a step forward and her hand falls away.
“Let’s make one thing clear, Zara, if you’re here to see me, you’re wasting your time.” Before she can respond, Jacob lifts his head from my shoulder and yawns. “Hey, buddy. Good sleep?” He nods and puts his thumb in his mouth, his head dropping back onto my shoulder.
“Can I hold him?” Zara asks from behind me, and I tense as I hold Jacob a fraction tighter.
“He has no idea who you are, Zara, and he’s just woken up. Give him a minute.”
She walks toward me, her eyes fixed on Jacob. “Hello, sweetheart.” She places her hand on his back and he turns his face away and into my t-shirt. Her face falls, and I wonder if she thought she could just walk back into his life and he’d somehow remember who she was. Neither of us say anything as we stand awkwardly in the hallway for a few seconds.
“Drink, Daddy?” Jacob asks, unknowingly breaking the tense silence. I nod, kissing his hair. I make my way into the kitchen, and Zara follows. I lower Jacob to the floor, his arms immediately going around my leg as he stares uncertainly at Zara.
“Do you want a drink?” I ask as I pour some juice into Jacob’s cup.
“Water, please. It’s so hot here.” I move to the fridge as best as I can with Jacob attached to my leg, and hand her a bottle of water. I pass Jacob his juice cup, and he lets go of the death grip he has on my leg to take it from me.
“Shall we go outside?” I ask, suddenly needing some fresh air.
“Okay. Is there somewhere I can change first? I’m too hot in these jeans.” I glance down at the skin-tight black jeans she’s wearing and sigh.
“There’s a bathroom off the hall. We’ll be outside.” I scoop Jacob up and walk out, leaving her standing in the kitchen. By the time I reach the bottom of the porch steps, I’m shaking with anger. How dare she just turn up here unannounced and expect to just fit back into Jacob’s life? Why would she fly halfway around the world when she hasn’t bothered with him for months? She’s up to something, and I don’t trust her.
“Down, Daddy,” Jacob says, pulling me from my thoughts. I lower him to the ground and watch as he runs around the front garden. “Ria!” he cries, and I turn to see Aria walking up from the stables. He runs to her and she picks him up, swinging him around before lowering him back to the ground. He giggles, and I can’t help but smile as I watch them. Seeing Aria immediately makes me feel better, and I walk toward her, pulling her against me.
“Are you okay?” she asks into my chest. Keeping my arms around her, I lean back so I can see her face.
“I’m better now I have you in my arms.” She smiles, and her cheeks flush pink.
“Did you find Zara?”
I sigh. “Yeah, I did. She’s just inside getting changed.”
