Page 77 of Rough Cowboy
Tears sting my eyes.
Damn hormones.
“I’m sorry I lied to you.”
“I know you are, child.”
“I’m sorry I hurt your boys. It was never my intention.”
She strokes the sides of my arms. “At some point or another, we all make mistakes. It’s what we do afterward that defines who we are.”
“Sammy is the best friend I’ve ever had, and Silver.” I pause. “I’m in love with Silver.”
“And he loves you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. Not anymore. This baby will be lucky if he comes back to see her.”
“You know him better than to underestimate him. Have a little faith.”
“Watch out, ladies!” Wilma shouts from the middle of the room. “We have a professional pacifier pinner in our midst!”
Everyone burst out laughing, and I can’t help but join in.
“Well, I did spend a few years in my youth practicing my pacifier-pinning skills,” Rirta jokes back, earning a round of giggles from the group.
Faye finishes spinningRita And waves over to us. “Come on, over.”
Lillian loops her arm in mine. “Beware, we’ve been waiting a while, and Rita got into the booze.”
I laugh. “Why am I not surprised?” On the way over, I say to Lillian, “thank you so much for everything. This baby and I are blessed to be a part of the Wilde family.
The party lasts for hours. By the time my sister drives me to the empty ranch, my feet ache, and my back is sore.
“Thank you, Lena,” I say as we turn down the driveway.
“Of course.”
The small ranch house is quaint and just the right size for my daughter and me: two bedrooms and an open-concept living room and kitchen.
“I didn’t leave any lights on.” All the windows are glowing.
“Maybe you have a guest.” The way Lena says it, I know she knows exactly who is in the house. She slows beside the front door. “I would come in, but you won’t want your big sister hanging around.”
“Is Silver in there?”
She smiles, and I know. “Thank you.”
I rush to the front door, unsure of what waits beyond the doors but only wanting Silver. It can go one of two ways: he’ll forgive me or he won’t. My breath catches in my chest as I push open the door.
I find the house is a wonderland of seasons.
The living room is decked out with a Christmas tree, complete with tinsel, lights, and colorful ornaments. The dining table is set with Easter eggs and baskets, and the walls are adorned with spooky decorations for Halloween. In the kitchen, I see a birthday cake with candles waiting.
I’m overwhelmed by the effort that has gone into decorating the house. As I walk through the house, I hear footsteps approaching from behind.
I smell Silver’s woodsy scent before I turn to see him standing there with a sheepish grin on his face.
“Surprise.” He holds out his arms.
