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“Just searching for my future baby daddy.”
He raises a curious brow.
“I’ve wanted a family for as long as I can remember. I’ve watched all my cousins and brothers fall in love and start their families. I know it’s cliché as fuck, but I can’t help feeling like my life is passing me by with no real purpose.” I’ve never said those words out loud to anyone.
“Kate,” he says softly.
I think about my failed attempts at relationships and how tired I am of waiting for Mr. Right. “You know dating hasn’t worked out for me, Payton. And I get it. I’m not girlfriend material, but I can’t let that stop me from getting what I want. It took me a long time to decide on this, and I like to call it my new and improved plan A. I’m convinced that if I don’t take matters into my own hands, I’ll never get the chance to be a mom. I’m not getting any younger.”
I swallow hard, realizing I’ve said too much, something he should be used to by now.
Wanting to shift the conversation away from my inability to find a man, I take the pages, clear my throat, then read the first one out loud. “Age thirty. Blond hair. Blue eyes. Athletic build. Engineer. Enjoys fishing and getting his hands dirty.” I smirk at him. “Doesn’t this sound like the perfect guy? He’s my age, intelligent, patient enough to fish, and a hard worker.”
Payton’s crystal-blue eyes peer into mine, and I have to look away before the intensity burns my skin.
“I don’t understand how this works,” he finally speaks up.
“There are donor websites where women can search for specific characteristics. Just think of it like a build-a-baby. You get detailed descriptions and even sound clips of their voices sometimes. I seriously listened to them for hours one night while polishing off some Fireball. Their slogan should be, get pregnant with no strings attached.” I laugh, and Payton smiles, but I think it’s just to appease me. It’s obvious he’s tense by his clenched jaw.
“I think I’m at a loss for words.”
“That’s okay. I don’t need you to say anything. It’s basically like what you guys do for the stud farm, but for humans. The goods are frozen and shipped straight to my door within two business days.” I glance at the pages again, then scatter them on my desk. “I’ve tried to narrow it down and study their baby pictures. They don’t show current photos for privacy reasons, so I’ve been using my imagination.”
I grab one of the pages. “See, here’s one.”
He looks at the photo of a two-year-old and then back at me. “Sounds like you have enough options to find the perfect match that checks all your boxes.”
“I hope so. At least the options are endless, but it’s a big decision. Someone can look great on paper but be a psycho in real life.”
His face cracks into a soft smile. “That’s true.”
After I reorganize the stack, I turn to Payton. “But anyway, ya ready to go? I swear those horses know when I’m late.”
“Sure.”
As I turn to lock up, my parents drive up.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Dad says with a chuckle. “Surprised you’re even standin’ after last night.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. You are your father’s daughter,” Mom teases.
I nod and turn my attention to my father. “Exactly, this is actually your fault. I got your stubborn Bishop genes that don't give two shits about consequences.”
He holds up his hand to give me a high five, and Mom shakes her head.
“Good mornin’, Payton.” My parents greet him in unison.
“Mornin’.”
“Y’all hungry? We just had biscuits and gravy at the B&B, and it was really good today.” Dad pats his stomach.
“We already ate,” I tell them as we make our way toward Payton’s truck. “Going to go feed. I’ll be back later.”
Dad wraps his arm around mom’s shoulders, then flashes me a wink. “Take your time.”
Once we arrive, I walk past each stall and say hello to each horse by name.
Payton chuckles behind me as we move toward the storeroom where the feed is stored. “You’re like a Disney Princess.”
