“What am I doing wrong? Shit. I don’t remember how to do a double crochet.” She pulled out the pattern again and whispered, “What in the hell does back loop only mean?”
I looked back down at my Kindle and tried to tune out Court as I got back into my story.
“Wait, I think I remember how to do the double crochet. I take the hook and—oh wait, do I? Or was that knitting? Shit on a brick, why did she show me both?”
I let out a sigh and turned off my Kindle. “Can I see it?” I asked as I held out my hand.
Courtney just looked at me and let out a small laugh. “You want to try crocheting? Please, Reed. I don’t even know what I’m doing, let alone know how to show you how to do it.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I knew what I was about to do could end up causing me grief in the future, and Courtney would have a lot of fun with it, but I had to. She was driving me crazy. I opened my eyes to find her holding up the blanket.
“Why are there holes in it?”
I reached for it and took the hook from her. “Because you’re not keeping the same tension throughout. If it is too loose, you’ll get the holes, and if it is too tight, you’ll have a hard time attaching the next row. Here, look…this is how you do the double crochet.” And I began crocheting.
I looked over at Courtney, and she was sitting there with her mouth hanging open, staring down at what I was doing.
Her eyes moved up and looked into mine. “How…wait. Wait just a damn second here. You know how to crochet?”
I nodded my head and said, “Are you watching?”
She let out a laugh and quickly covered her mouth. “You know, if I had known this a year ago, I would have totally called you a tree-loving, cultivating-plant pussy, crocheting cocksucker!”
I dropped my hands and looked at her. “What?”
She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Cocksucker was the only thing I could quickly think of that started with a C.”
If I didn’t love her so much, I would be so pissed at her. “Here, if you don’t want my help…”
I handed everything back to her, and her smile dropped.
“Wait! Show me again.”
I rolled my eyes, took everything back, and showed her again.
“May I ask you something?” she said.
“Not if you are going to make jokes about it.”
“I promise, I won’t,” she said as she attempted to hold back a giggle. “Um…where did you learn to crochet?”
“And knit. I know how to knit, too,” I said as I whipped out two rows on the blanket.
Courtney busted out laughing, and I turned and glared at her.
She used both hands to cover her mouth. “Sorry! Okay, I’m sorry. I won’t laugh.”
“My grandmother taught me, Paul, and Wesley all how to crochet, knit, and…” I lowered my voice and said, “Darn.”
Courtney leaned in closer to me and said, “I’m sorry. What did you say? I couldn’t hear you.”
I looked away and then back at her quickly. “Darning.”
“What in the hell is darning?” Courtney asked.
I let out a long sigh and said, “It’s a sewing technique for, um…well, for repairing holes and worn-out areas on fabric and stuff.” I shrugged and returned the crochet hook and yarn to her.
She began chewing on her lower lip, and I was regretting even telling her.
She held up her hands and said, “I’m trying. Really, I am, but…Oh. My. God. That is too funny!”
I picked my Kindle back up and turned it on while Courtney sat next to me, having a laughing fit. When she finally settled down and tried to start crocheting again, she busted out into another laughing fit. I ended up turning off the Kindle again and closing my eyes. It didn’t take long before I ended up falling asleep to the sounds of my wife giggling next to me.
I jerked my eyes open when I felt something moving on my leg. I lifted my head and looked around. Courtney was looking out the window, and her nails were now digging into my leg.
Ouch! Son of a bitch. We must be landing. “Court, angel, you’re going to put holes in my leg.”
She snapped her head around and looked at me with a scared expression on her face. “We’re landing.”
Courtney loved flying, but she hated the takeoff and landing parts of it. I grabbed her hand and began kissing it, and then I ran my fingers up and down her arm.
Once we were on the ground and getting off the plane, Courtney took my hand and said, “I have to tell you, I’m super turned-on right now.”
I looked at her, surprised. “How come?”
She scrunched up her nose and said, “For some reason, knowing my big ole cowboy knows how to crochet, knit, and darn…well, it just turns a girl on.”
I let out a laugh and said, “Oh yeah? Maybe I should crochet, knit, and darn in the nude for you.”
Courtney let out a laugh. “That might be fun!”
When we pulled up to the house, I wasn’t surprised to see Layton and Whitley sitting on our porch swing. Courtney had called Whitley before we left New York and filled her in on everything that had happened. Courtney jumped out of the truck and ran up to Whitley. The next thing I knew, they were making their way over to the tree house and climbing the steps. I glanced over toward Layton, and he gave me a weak smile.
I walked up to him and stuck out my hand.
“Welcome home, dude.”
I shook my head and let out a sigh as I ran my hand through my hair. “Thanks. Nothing like being on Texas soil.”
Layton grabbed two suitcases, and I took the other two, and then we made our way into the house.
“Just set them in the living room. I’ll grab us some beers, and let’s head out back.”
Layton and I sat down on the rockers and looked out over the garden Courtney and I had been working on.
He let out a small chuckle and nodded in the direction of the garden. “It amazes me how these two have just melted right into country life.”
I smiled and nodded my head. “Shit, Courtney’s parents’ house, I swear, is bigger than yours, dude. I got fucking lost in it twice.”
Layton threw his head back and laughed. “Did you like New York?”
I tipped my beer back and got a long drink. “Nope. Hated it. I mean, it was pretty and all, and it had its moments, but…”
Neither one of us said anything for a few moments before Layton cleared his throat and said, “Are y’all okay, Reed? I mean, I know you are okay as a couple, but…are you okay?”
I looked down at the ground and then back out over the countryside. “I had this one moment when I wanted to kill him. I mean, I really wanted to kill him, Layton. I know you know what I mean with what you and Whit went through with Roger.” I shook my head as I thought back to seeing Layton shot and how scared Whitley was.
“What made you stop?” Layton asked.
“Courtney, the baby, and the future I promised her. I felt so much anger—not only at him, but at myself for not protecting her from him in the first place. I promised her I would never let him hurt her, and I failed her. I knew something felt wrong in my gut, but I didn’t listen to it. I let him get close to her, and I feel like I let her down. I can’t shake that guilt.” I peered over at the tree house and then looked at Layton. “I can’t ever hurt her, Layton. I’d rather die than hurt her.”
He nodded his head and looked back over at the tree house before turning back and looking at me. “Reed, you’re not your father.”
I nodded my head and said, “I know I’m not.”
Layton leaned forward and grabbed my shoulder. “I see how much you love Courtney. I’ve seen a change in you these last few months. You’re happy and content, and hell, dude, you even seem peaceful, if that makes sense. As much as we want to protect both those girls, we need to understand that we just can’t protect them from everything. We can try like hell, and I know you do as much as I do. You’re a good guy, Reed. You’re a good husband, and I know y
ou’ll make one hell of a good father.”
I cracked a smile and said, “Thanks, Layton. You know I’ve always looked up to you, and that means a lot to me for you to say that.” I glanced up when I heard the girls laughing as they were coming down from the tree house. “Layton, I’m really happy for you, too. I’m really glad Whit’s car broke down that day.”
Layton let out a chuckle and looked over at Whitley and Courtney as they headed our way. “So am I, dude. So. Am. I.”
Courtney smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile at the stupid, crazy feeling that happened in my stomach every time she looked at me.
She walked up, sat down on my lap, and gave me a quick kiss. “I missed you,” she whispered.
I let out a small laugh and said, “You were only up there a few minutes.”
She shrugged her shoulders and said, “I missed your touch.”
Whitley walked up and gave Layton a quick kiss. “I have to go potty.”
Layton let out a loud laugh. “Are you practicing baby talk, Whit?”
Whitley crinkled up her nose in a cute way and nodded her head. “Think about dinner. You have two pregnant women who want to eat,” she called over her shoulder as she walked into the house.
We had decided on barbeque, so we headed into town. Layton and I talked about the ranch as Whit and Court talked about some baby store in Austin they wanted to go to. We were walking into Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que when I heard a familiar voice calling my name from behind us. My heart started pounding as I turned around to see my father standing there.
“Well, if it isn’t my oldest son, Reed. Reed, this is Candace. Candace, this is my oldest son, Reed.”
Is he really introducing me to his girlfriend? I haven’t seen him in months.
“Reed, aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?”
I just stood there, frozen. I would never understand how he could make me feel like a ten-year-old in trouble.
Courtney walked up to him and said, “I’m Courtney Moore, Reed’s wife.”
“Blake Moore. It’s a pleasure, Courtney.” He smiled at Courtney and then looked back at me. “Married, huh?” He glanced back at Courtney and laughed. “My son treating you good?”
Courtney hooked her arm through mine and gave my arm a squeeze. “Like a princess, but then again, he is my Prince Charming.”
When she smiled at me, I instantly felt better.
Layton’s voice filled my head. You’re not like your father, Reed.
I glanced at the girl on his arm. She was a different girl than the last one I’d seen him with a few months ago.
“If you’ll excuse us, we were just about to order.”
“How’s your mother?” he asked as I went to turn around.
I glared back at him and said, “Why would you care? You walked out on her and your three kids years ago. You left us with nothing, and Mom struggled for years to turn things around while you were out having yourself a good time. You didn’t seem to care how she was back then, so why care now?”
His face dropped, and he pulled his head back, like he was surprised I had talked to him that way.
“You know, it’s probably a good thing you left us,” I said.
He didn’t say anything for a few seconds as he just stared at me. “Why’s that?” he asked.
“Because you showed me the type of man I never want to be. That’s about the only good thing that came from you.” I grabbed Courtney’s hand as I turned and walked away.
The farther I walked away, the better I felt. Something had happened just then, and I wasn’t really sure what it was, but it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Layton slapped me on the back and said, “Fucking awesome. About time.” He turned and wrapped his arms around Whitley as we waited in line.
I peeked down at Courtney. She was looking up at me, smiling.
“What?” I asked as I pulled her closer to me.
She snuggled her head into my body and said, “It looks like we both buried the ghosts that haunted our dreams.”
I nodded my head and placed my hand on her stomach. “Nothing but happy memories from here on out, angel.” I reached down and gently kissed her on the lips.
She let out a sigh and said, “Total swoon-worthy moment with the whole hand on the pregnant stomach and all.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Damn, I’m getting good at this.”
“Mmhmm. I wouldn’t say good…better maybe,” she said with a wink and a crooked smile.
I leaned down, put my lips up to her ear, and let out a hot breath. I saw her whole body shudder, and I instantly felt my dick jump. “Wait until I get you home later. I’m going to swoon the hell out of you in bed.”
She bit down on her lip and placed her hand on her stomach. “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore,” Courtney said as she went to try to get out of line.
I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Oh no, Mrs. Moore. My son wants some brisket, and brisket he will get.”
Courtney smiled the biggest smile I’d ever seen on her face. “Son? What makes you think it’s a son?”
“Pesh, it’s my sperm. It’ll be a boy for sure,” I said as I looked at her like she had grown two heads.
Courtney placed her hands on her hips and swung her right hip out. “Well, it’s my egg. Maybe my egg only wanted to fornicate with female sperm.”
I shook my head. “No. The sperm decides the sex, and my sperm is dominated by sexy male cowboy genes.”
Layton and Whitley both turned and looked at us.
“Really? This is the conversation y’all are going to have in the line at Cooper’s?” Whitley said as she used her hand and gestured toward the people standing in line behind us.
I didn’t even bother to look to see how many people were behind us. I shrugged my shoulders and looked at Layton. “Dude, don’t you think you’re having a boy?”
Layton smiled. “Hell yeah, I’m having a boy. My sperm—” He looked at Whitley and quickly said, “I mean, I don’t care. As long as the baby is healthy, I’m happy.”
I just looked at him and shook my head. “Pussy,” I said.
Layton shot me the finger. Whitley hit Layton on the shoulder, and Courtney started laughing.
We sat down to eat, and I’d never seen two women eat so fast and so much in my life.
“Where did the sausage go?” Layton asked.
I pointed to Courtney. “Miss I Am Woman, Hear My Eggs Roar over here ate it all.”
Courtney gave me a look and said, “Ha-ha, Mr. My Sperm Is All Manly-and-Sexy Cowboy Sperm. Keep it up, and your cowboy sperm isn’t going to be having any fun tonight. Oh my God…I can’t believe I forgot to tell you, Whitley! Reed and I had sex in the family restroom at the restaurant where my brother got married. We did it right before the wedding.” Court jumped in her seat and pointed at Whitley. “Ha! We totally have y’all beat for public sex, and let me tell you it was—”
I saw a middle-aged woman stand up and walk over to our table.
She leaned over our table and said, “Excuse me?”
We all looked at her as Courtney smiled and said, “Yes?”
The lady pointed to Whitley and then Courtney. “Are you girls both pregnant?”
They both smiled and said, “Yes,” at the same time.
The lady nodded her head and said, “I see. Well, may God help your children.” She turned, walked back to her table, and sat down.
I glanced between Courtney and Whitley, and both had their mouths hanging open. I peeked over at Layton, and he was laughing uncontrollably.
Courtney turned and looked at me as she whispered, “What in the fuck did she mean by that?”
I started laughing as I shrugged my shoulders. I looked over at the lady as she and her family stood up to leave. She looked back at Courtney and shook her head.
Courtney snapped her head back and looked at Whitley. “Did she just insinuate that we are going to be bad mot
hers?”
Whitley slowly nodded her head. “I think so, but then again, you and Reed were talking about your eggs and his sperm and fornicating and how you had sex in a family restroom before your brother’s wedding. I’m gonna guess that one pushed her over the edge. No wonder she said something to you.”
“To me? Oh no, no, no! She pointed to both of us, sweetheart. She said you were going to be a bad mother, too. It was not just me.”
“No, I’m pretty sure she was directing it to you, Court,” Whitley said as she sat back and put her hands on her stomach. “I am full.”
Layton was still laughing as Courtney turned and watched the lady walk out of Cooper’s.
Courtney let out a huff and crossed her arms over her chest. “Bitch. I’ll show her. I’m going to be the best mother ever.”
Lying in bed, I felt Reed wrap his arms around me as he began running his hand over my stomach. I was now almost twenty weeks pregnant and had what Reed called the cutest baby bump in the whole world. I smiled as I felt my skin tingle everywhere he touched.
“What time is it?” I asked in a sleepy voice.
Reed covered my back with kisses as he mumbled, “Six.”
I let out a moan and rolled over, looking at my handsome husband, who had the biggest smile on his face. “Reed! Why? You said you were going to sleep in, baby.”
“I did sleep in. Six is sleeping in on Christmas, Court.”
I rolled my eyes and looked up. “Lord, please let our children take after me and sleep in on Christmas morning and not wake me up at four, and then five, and now six.”
He laughed and placed his hand on my stomach again.
“What did you just do?” I asked.
He looked at me and said, “What do you mean?”
I made a funny face and shook my head. “Never mind. I thought I felt something, but it must be gas or something moving through my stomach.”
Reed leaned over and took one of my nipples in his mouth. He sucked on it as he moved his hand down between my legs.
Oh, yes. This is how I wish to be woken up every Christmas morning.
Reed slipped his fingers inside me, and I bucked my hips frantically into him. I needed more. He slowly sucked on my nipple as he moved his fingers in and out.