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“This is some of the nicest work I’ve ever seen.” Tex kisses my shoulder from behind. He’s been in the atrium helping the guys with windows all day. This is the first I’ve seen him since breakfast. “You should sit down, though.” He rubs his hand over my stomach. “You need to stay rested.”
We only found out we’re pregnant last night. We haven’t told anyone yet and probably won’t until Knight figures out what’s going on with Oakley. She went back to visit her friends a few weeks ago, but Knight hasn’t heard from her since.
“How’s Knight doing?”
Tex groans and settles down next to me. “She said she needed space, and he’s trying to give it to her, but I know it’s going against everything he believes in.”
“Any idea why she needed it?”
He brushes his thick hand through his beard. “Something about her dad. She needed to talk to him before the baby came. I don’t know, really. He’s pretty mute about the whole thing.”
I haven’t talked to Oakley much. Knight has kept her hidden for the most part. Hell, I only learned her name a few weeks ago. But from what I do know of her, she seemed to be afraid of her father, so I don’t know why she’d ever go back there.
I drag in a deep breath. “I could try calling. Maybe she’d want to talk to another woman, you know?”
Tex shakes his head. “Absolutely not. You’re resting and taking care of yourself and the baby. We have everyone else to look after Knight and Oakley.” There’s a sternness in his voice that I know not to argue with. If there’s anything Tex is nonnegotiable with, it’s my safety. I love him for that.
“Maybe you could let her know that your Texas ranch has rooms open if needed. I mean, I’ve been planning to go down there and get my stuff, anyway. We could take a trip and make a weekend out of it. I’m kind of curious what’s become of the place.”
“It’s more peaceful, I know that much. Plus, Knight knows the old family ranch is available. I already told him.”
I think Tex has been avoiding going back. He inherited the property after Johnathan…disappeared. It was a condition of the trust set up by Tex’s father to make sure it stayed in the family.
Most folks would’ve taken that as an opportunity to get rich from selling it, but Tex opened the place up as a retreat for troubled kids. He’s hired therapists and ranchers from all over to take care of everything, but he stays as far away as he can.
“What’s next?” Tex stares toward the mural. “You’re all done here. I’m thinking you should paint some smaller pieces and sell them in the lobby. Tourists love local art.”
I wrinkle my nose. “You think? I don’t know. I mean, I’m embarrassed of this. Do you think Chap is going to like it? He was really open about what he wanted, and I worry I took too many liberties. I mean the fish, are they weird? They’re like splashing and stuff.”
Tex grins. “Isn’t that what fish do?”
“Well yeah, but is that what people want to see when they’re eating dinner?”
He looks toward me. “It’s beautiful and people would want this in their homes. We’ll go up to the city and get supplies after work.”
The thought of wandering through a craft store choosing paints, brushes, and canvas has me excited for the future. A future I thought was dead until Tex reminded me what I was capable of.
“While you’re there, you should also plan something for the baby’s room. I want our little guy to wake up every morning to something his mother painted.”
My brows raise and I turn toward him. “What makes you think it’s a boy.”
“I only make boys.”
“How do you know?” I laugh. “Or do you have a secret life I’m not aware of?”
He shrugs. “I went to see this psychic once. She used to live up on the hill near the river’s edge. She told me I’d have a house full of boys.”
I’m not sure which I should be more shocked about. The fact that Tex saw a psychic or the fact that he believed her.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Yeah. So—”
“No. No. No. This could be a girl. You could have a whole litter of little girls. Pink dresses, pink bedrooms, little pink bikes, little pink flowers in their hair.”
He kisses my forehead. “I’ll be happy with whatever children you give me. As long as they’re not lime green, wide-eyed aliens.”
I grin. “We should really go back there. I mean, they really nailed the whole extraterrestrial thing. Besides, I could use some mural inspiration for the baby’s room.”
