Page 25 of Autumn Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses

“If I sign over my fashion lines quietly, he’ll sign over his rights to Silas and Seraphina.” I can tell by the way Keefer rocks back on his heels that he’s stunned.

“When you said he didn’t want to be a father last night I didn’t think you meant it so literally.” He takes a deep breath, holds it for a few moments and then releases it aggressively.

My shoulders shrug. “Honestly, I didn’t know it was this serious.”

“So, you’re going to New York City.” He doesn't ask, he simply states it.

My head nods. “I have to.”

Once again, the silence falls between us. He takes the seat beside me and pulls me into him, pulling my legs to drape over his. After all the years that have passed between us, he still gives me the biggest comfort. Warbee appears at the bottom of the step. “You need to get going if you want to make sure you make your flight Teag.” I nod and she disappears back outside. I look towards Keefer. Our eyes lock and I reach a hand up to caress his cheek. The stubble tickles my palm. “Thank you for coming.”

He presses his forehead to mine. “I’d do anything for you. Some things never change.”

“I should go. Your mom and Warbee are going to watch the kids while I’m gone.”

“I’ll help them. I’ll record tryouts today so you can watch Silas,” he tells me. Tears burn the back of my eyes. He’s too good. The heart of pure gold.

I press a light kiss to his lips. “Thank you.”

His lips press to my forehead. We both stand up and I hug him once more before I turn and head down the stairs. I’ve just reached the bottom when he says, “What are you going to do?”

“There’s only one thing I can do. I’ll see you when I get back.” I give him a little wave and head out of the door. My life is about to completely change, but that’s okay. I can live with this decision.

TWENTY-TWO

Keefer

When I pull up to my parent’s house, I’m surprised to see my dad outside tossing a football with Silas and Seraphina. The smile on his face reminds me of my childhood. Most days, he’s down by the lake, fishing. It’s good to see him out here right now. I climb out of the truck and head over to the three of them. “Keefer!” Silas exclaims. I know that Teaganne came by and saw them both before she had to leave. I wish I could change things for her because I know leaving them is the last thing she wanted to do.

Silas comes running across the green yard and I open my arms to catch him as he jumps. “Hey there, buddy. How are you? Are you ready for the football tryouts?”

His little face lights up. “I’m so ready. Grandpa J has been warming me up. Then Seraphina came and helped, too.”

Silas’ smile is contagious. “Sounds like you're so ready for these tryouts.” As I approach, Seraphina and my dad I smile and squeeze my father’s shoulder. “What about you, Seraphina? Do you want to try out too?”

She looks up at me, all wide eyes and full of wonder. There is so much of Teaganne in her. Seraphina shakes her head. “No! Football is for boys! I’m going to be a ballerina,” she announces, tossing the football on the ground and doing a twirl.

We all laugh. “You’ll make a great one.”

My dad smiles at the three of us. I put Silas down. “Is your gear we got you yesterday ready?”

He nods his head excitedly. “It sure is! Grandma D helped me.”

“That was nice of her. Why don’t you go grab it and make sure you tell her thank you before we leave?” Silas takes off towards the house with Seraphina on his heels.

My dad chuckles and I look over at him as I bend down to pick up the football. “This looks good on you, son.”

I feel my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Being back with Teaganne. Stepping up as a father to those two. You look happy and content.” His eyes shine with pride. My father is a man of few words so when he says something he really means it.

“It’s funny,” I tell him, with a bit of a harsh laugh. “I planned on following Teaganne all over the world. I never imagined we’d both end up back in Blue Ridge.” I take a deep breath and stare out over the green yard my dad has always taken pride in. My mother's colorful flower garden lines the entire thing. “I don’t think there’s been a day I haven’t loved her. The love was just buried under the hurt because I didn’t understand how she could turn off her feelings so easily, but once she explained…”

“It changed things for you,” my dad chuckles again. “You’ll learn that women have a way of doing that. So, will that little girl in there.”

I pull my baseball cap off and rake my fingers through my hair. Am I really going to tell my father my biggest fear? I take a deep breath. “I’m terrified of them.” My dad raises his eyebrows. “I always wanted to be a dad, but what if I mess up with them.”

I watch as his head falls back in laughter. He grabs his midriff as he continues to laugh, trying to catch his breath. Once he’s done, he wipes the tears from his eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s just that’s funny. You’re going to mess up, Keefer. Teaganne is going to mess up. We all do. Being a parent of any fashion doesn't come with damn instructions. You figure it out as you go along. I see you with them. You’re going to do just fine.”

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