Page 55 of What Remains True
“She’s my whole life,” Carly said.
“I can see why.” He still didn’t know what any of this had to do with him. “Last I heard, you were living in Tennessee.”
“I did for a while. I’m not really living anywhere right now.” Her words caught. “Adam, I hate to ask, and I know this is unexpected, but I need your help.”
“What?”
“I need a place to stay, a—”
“I just sold the bunkhouse.”
“No, you don’t understand. I need a place that’s safe and clean for Zan.” Her eyes held his. “For our little girl.”
Our?Carly’s words repeated in his mind. “Our?”
“Please don’t hate me. Mom threatened to tell you at least a hundred times, but I thought I could do it alone. I’ve done nothing but make a mess of it. I can barely make it through each day. I should’ve told you about her before. At least before now. I’m so sorry.”
“She can’t be mine.” He looked at the little girl sitting there completely unaware of the game being played. Not a game he took kindly to either.
“She is, Adam.”
If there was one thing he’d never been wild and free about, it was that kind of thing. He knew guys who had been less than prepared or not careful over the years. That wasn’t his way. “No, I’ve always been careful. Why would you say she’s mine? If you need money, I can—”
“Because I know she is yours. I’ve always known.”
He hung his head.What is happening?
“Adam, we can do a paternity test if you want. I know this is unexpected, but if you look at her, there’s no mistaking that dimple in her left cheek and the shape of her lips.”
“I’m going to need some time for this to sink in.”Like until after I get to the finals.“You need some money for a place to stay?”
“Adam, I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t. I need a break. Or something. Can we stay here? Just until I can breathe again?”
“Carly, I don’t—”
“Please, I’m really at the end here. I can promise you I wouldn’t have shown up otherwise.” When she swallowed, she looked as though she might choke. “Just even one night. Something.”
As much as he wanted to believe that this child wasn’t hisown, an unexpected fury began bubbling in his gut.Five years? How could she have kept that from me? Maybe I’m not the father type, but wasn’t that my choice, not hers to make for me?Part of him wrestled with the idea that it might somehow be true. Carly said he was her last option?
“Carly, how many other places have you shown up unannounced like this?” He looked into her eyes, and for the life of him, he couldn’t read them.
“None.”
“Why now? She’s five, for cryin’ out loud.” He flung his hand wide.
“I’m desperate now.” Tears streamed down her face.
“Mommy, don’t be sad,” Zan whispered, patting her tiny hand on her mother’s leg.
“Why not while you were pregnant and making life-altering decisions?”
“You were chasing titles and buckles and riding bulls. What kind of father would you have been?”
“I guess we’ll never know, will we? You took that choice away from me.” His voice tightened, and so did his throat, with emotions from deep inside. “And I still am riding, so there’s that.”
Zan buried her face in Carly’s lap.
“I’m sorry.” He leveled his tone, pausing to catch a breath. “We shouldn’t be having this discussion in front of her.” He stood and walked around the room while Carly sat with her head down, softly stroking the little girl’s back but not saying a word.
