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“Yeah, Momma, you want him to lie to your daughter?”
I laughed, it had become two against one.
“Tell me more, Daddy. Why did you have to hide?”
“Well, your uncle was very protective of your mom.”
“Oh yeah,” Capri agreed, nodding. “He’s like that with me too.”
Julian smiled. It was obvious he appreciated Christian looking out for our baby girl.”
“So what happened?”
“It’s a long story,” I stated, not wanting to talk about this anymore.
“It’s okay. We’re in the intermission. Tell me, Daddy. I want to know.”
Of course, he gave her what she wanted. “Your uncle used to be my best friend.”
“Oh,” Capri breathed out. “I didn’t know that. He’s never talked about you before. Is that why you left, Momma?”
“Something like that.”
She scratched her head. “Do Grammy and Grampy know who you are?”
“They do. Your grandparents did a lot for me back then. I didn’t have a family.”
“What do you mean you didn’t have a family?”
“My parents gave me up when I was born, and I was raised in foster homes.”
Her mouth parted. “They gave you up? Daddy, I’m so sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’m a better man for it.”
She grabbed his hand and then mine, linking ours together. “It’s okay. Because now you have us. We’re your family. Right, Momma?”
Julian and I locked eyes.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Now you have us.”
He beamed, not trying to hide it.
“Can you tell me more?”
“I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
And he wasn’t lying. Capri didn’t stop until she knew everything about us. She’d spent most of the rodeo asking Julian our history versus watching the bull riders. As much as I loved watching the show, I couldn’t help but pay attention to his every word.
Later that night, when we got back to the house, I went up to my bedroom and grabbed the photo albums I’d brought with me before I went back downstairs to find them on the couch, watching a movie. Capri was tucked into the crook of his arm, and I sat down beside her.
“Momma!” She recognized her baby album. “I didn’t know you brought these.”
“I did,” I replied to her, only looking at her father. “I brought them for you too, Julian.”
—Julian—
Capri grabbed her baby book, placing it on her lap. “Daddy, do you want to see?”
