“I don’t know.”
“From what I’ve heard, there’s nothing that can prepare you. Not really. You just have to live it and wing it the entire time.”
“Maybe there’s a class I can take or something.”
My mind immediately goes to the foster parenting classes I’m required to take before I can have a child placed in my home. Maybe something like that could help Langston too. I know his situation is different, and that he’s likely not looking to take on foster kids, but maybe there’s a similar class he could take—or… that’s it!
“What about trying family therapy? You could have someone come into your home and work with you guys.”
“I don’t know. It might be a bit too much for Hayden.”
“It’s just an idea.” I shrug. “Either way, I’d bet Hayden’s going to need a bunch of therapy to sort out all of the new changes in his life.”
“I wonder if his mom would be okay with that,” Langston says.
“I don’t know her well enough to say either way.”
“Can I go faster now, Dad?” Hayden calls back to us.
“Maybe you should keep it slower for now. You’ve barely tried riding that horse.”
“Come on. I can handle it,” Hayden whines.
Langston looks over at me and smiles. “This is what I have to look forward to for the rest of my life.”
“Well, at least until he’s eighteen,” I point out.
“Nah, you should see my brothers. They’re still trying to get my mom to let them do all kinds of crazy things that she won’t allow.”
I raise my brow at him. “Your brothers? How about you? You’re the worst one out of all of them.”
He laughs because he knows I’m right. “My point is, I like this dad stuff. It’s scary and I’m sure it will be tough at times, but the good parts, like right now, show me how wonderful being a dad can be.”
My heart tugs at his words. Why does that make me like him so much more? I’m not supposed to let my heart get involved, but now it’s melting and it’s not like I can help it. The guy is acting all tender with Hayden, and it’s hard not to get pulled in by it.
“Hayden’s a natural on that horse,” I say. “He takes after you.”
“That’s what my mom’s been saying all day,” Langston says, keeping his gaze on Hayden. “She wants to take him out shopping tomorrow for new clothes.”
“What’s wrong with the clothes he has?” I ask.
“Nothing. But you know my mom. She’s just looking for an excuse to spoil him. She’s waited a long time for this.”
I can’t help but laugh. “That does sound about right.”
Langston’s eyes soften as he looks out at Hayden, and my heart flutters. Watching them together is melting my heart, and I only want to spend time with them even more.
12
LANGSTON
We approach Amanda at my parents’ house after our riding session when it’s time to return Hayden to his mom for the night.
“Mom, can I please go camping with Dad and Jenni? They said we can take horses to the campsite and everything.”
She looks between us. “Are you sure you’re ready for a big step like this?” He still hasn’t spent the night with me yet, and Amanda had planned on him spending several days with me until spring break is over.
“As long as it’s all right with your dad, I don’t see why you can’t go. When did you want to do it?”