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“I do. I read the email.” Coming around my desk, I gesture through the glass of my office to where Liz is sitting. “What happens to my assistant? I don’t want my leaving to put her out of a job.”
“We still need admin. Her job is safe.” I breathe a sigh of relief as I watch him leave. Turning back to my desk, I power off my laptop and pack up the few belongings I have, including a framed photograph of Jacob that sits on my desk. I say a quick round of goodbyes. I’m not one for big emotional scenes. Most people are shocked I’m leaving, and I can’t say I blame them. I’m a little shocked myself. I promise to keep in touch with a few of my close colleagues, knowing I might need the contacts when I get back from Texas.
As I drive home, I glance at the time on the dashboard of my car. I’ve been in work for less than two hours. Despite having no idea I’d be in this position when I woke up this morning, I can’t help but feel excited for the adventure Jacob and I are about to embark on. I just need to break the news to my parents. I might even encourage them to come out to the ranch too. We can have the whole Davis family together for a bit. Libby is going to freak when I tell her. I can’t wait.
Jack
Ten days later and I close the door behind me to the house I’ve lived in for the past three years. Notice has been given to my landlord, and any furniture that didn’t come with the rental has been put into storage. Our bags are packed and the flight to Texas leaves in a few hours. Explaining my plans to my parents was harder than I thought. While they’d encouraged me to visit Libby for a holiday, knowing I was going there with an open-ended ticket was a different story. Despite them being happy Libby had settled with Mason in Marble Falls, especially after her breakdown when Mia died, I know they miss her. Now I’m taking their only grandson away from them. It isn’t forever though, and I assured them of that.
My parents insisted on driving us to the airport, even though the flight’s in the middle of the night. I’m a little apprehensive about flying with a toddler, especially on my own. I chose a night flight thinking Jacob will sleep for most of it. I hope I’m right. He’s excited when we pull up at the airport, and my dad parks the car so they can come into the terminal with us. Once I’ve checked in, the goodbyes I’ve been dreading have to happen. My dad’s holding Jacob, so I pull my mum in for a hug. She holds on to me tightly, and I know she doesn’t want to let go. When she does pull back, there are tears in her eyes.
“It’s not forever, Mum. We’ll be back.” She nods and gives me a sad smile. Turning to Jacob, she takes him in her arms.
“I’m going to miss you and your daddy. Will you look after him for me?” she asks. Jacob nods and yawns. We kept him awake in the car, wanting him to be ready to sleep when we boarded, so he’s tired.
My dad pulls me into a one-armed hug and claps me on the back. “Take care, son, and have fun.”
“Thanks, Dad. Give Nanny a kiss, Jacob.”
He puckers his lips and kisses my mum on her cheek. She holds him against her until he begins to squirm and she passes him to me. My dad ruffles his hair before kissing him on the cheek.
“Be good for Daddy, Jacob,” he says, tickling his side. “We’ll see you really soon, okay?” Jacob drops his head on my shoulder and nods. After I’d told them I was going to be spending time at the ranch, they’d decided to come over for three weeks, just before Libby is due to have the baby. It’s still a few weeks away, but it’s something for them to look forward to. After another round of hugs, I leave my parents and head through security. My dad has his arm around my mum, and I can tell she’s crying. I’m sure she’s thinking the last time one of her children went to stay at the ranch, they decided not to come back. That isn’t going to happen for Jacob and me. This is just a break away.
An hour later and our flight is called. Jacob has loved watching the planes take off out of the departure lounge window, and any sign of him being tired is long gone. I hope once we’re on board and the excitement has worn off, he’ll fall asleep. I send a quick message to Mason, telling him I’m about to board. Although I’d been excited for Libby to know we were coming, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to surprise her. Mason and the rest of the family are keeping it a secret from Lib, and Mason is meeting us at the airport in Austin. I can’t wait to see her face when we turn up at the ranch.
Despite my apprehension at flying alone with Jacob, it had been fine. He hadn’t fallen straight to sleep, instead waiting until after our in-flight meal had been served. Fortunately, the seat next to us had been empty and I’d been able to lay him across the two seats. He’d slept until the seat belt sign for landing had come on and I’d had to move him. I’d also managed a few hours and was feeling good when we landed.
Once we have our luggage, I place Jacob on the trolley that carries the suitcases and call Mason.
“Hey, Jack,” he says as he answers the call.
“Hi, Mason. We’ve landed and have our luggage. We’re just coming through now.”
“I’m waiting for you both in arrivals.”
“Great, see you in a few.” I end the call and slip the phone in my pocket.
“Let’s go and find Uncle Mason,” I say to Jacob, tickling his sides. He giggles and pushes my hand away. Walking into arrivals, I spot Mason straight away, raising my hand in a wave. He tips his hat and heads over to us.
“Great to see you, Jack,” Mason says, pulling me into a one-armed hug.
“You too. Thanks for coming and meeting us.”
“Hi, little man,” he says to Jacob. “You’ve gotten so big.” Jacob looks at Mason, then up to me. He looks unsure, so I pick him up.
“This is Uncle Mason, Jacob.” We FaceTime with Libby all the time, but Mason isn’t always there. He might not recognize him.
“Do you want to try my hat on?”
Jacob looks again at me, and I nod in encouragement. Mason takes off his hat and places it gently on Jacob’s head. “Wow, you look like a real cowboy,” Mason says, smiling at him. Jacob giggles and reaches his hand up to touch the hat.
“Shall we go and see Aunt Libby?” I ask him.
“Yes!” he cries, bouncing in my arms.
“Come on, then, buddy,” I say with a chuckle.
Mason takes the trolley, and we follow him out of the arrivals hall. Even though it’s early morning, it’s already warm, and the July sun hits me as we walk outside. I look up at the sky, seeing there isn’t a cloud in sight.
