“Jake… please.”
“I just need some time. I think we both do.” I sighed heavily.
“Where are you going to go?” she asked, tears brimming in her eyes.
I think she was starting to see how badly she fucked up, but right now, I needed some space. When I’d come home, I wasn’t sure I’d stay long. I hadn’t planned on staying forever, but now I knew there was nowhere else I wanted to be. This was home. My home. A home I was going to build with my family, that was if I could convince Kellie to hear me out. Something that was going to take more than just a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers. But being home didn’t mean living under my mother’s roof.
“I’m going to go stay out in one of the ranch hands’ cottages.”
“You’re going to live out there?” Mom’s voice was laced with disgust and shock.
“Yeah, I am. You and I need our own space. When I came home, you wanted me close, and I was okay with that. I wanted to help you. It was where I was needed, but now it’s time for me to focus on what I need.”
“And what’s that?” Mom asked, her voice shaking.
“My girls. Kellie and Cassie.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah, Mom. Just like that.”
“But you don’t even know them?”
“But I want to. More than anything, Mom. I want to. And do you know what else I want?”
“What’s that?”
“I want Cassie to have my last name.”
“Then why?”
“Because I want Kellie to have it too. I’m going to marry her, Mom. I’m going to marry her and love her and spend the rest of my life making her happy. Kellie and Cassie will have my last name, but when we’re ready and not because you sprung some paperwork on us.”
“Jake, I’m sorry…” Mom started to apologize, and I knew I had a choice. I could hold it against her, or I could forgive her and move on. It wasn’t easy really.
“I know,” I conceded, dropping my bag, and moving toward her, arms outstretched. When she stepped into my hug, I breathed in her perfume, and my anger dissipated. I might have a hell of a lot of groveling to do in my future to convince Kellie it was all a misunderstanding, but fighting with Mom wasn’t going to achieve anything.
When we pulled apart, I was exhausted. It’d been a big day, and I knew for me, it was only just getting started. There was no way I was about to let Kellie stew on this one for too long. That girl was known for getting all caught up in her head, and when she did, it took the Incredible Hulk to smash through her walls. It was a good thing she was worth it, and I looked good in green.
“I’m going to go.”
“You’re still leaving?” Mom questioned.
“Yeah. I have to. I’m a grown man, Mom. I shouldn’t be living at home with my mommy doing my laundry.”
“You know I don’t mind…”
“I know,” I confirmed, offering her a smile. Mom wasn’t malicious. I was pretty sure she’d thought she was doing the right thing, trying to help, but she’d just gotten a little lost on her way. “But I’m not going far. And I’ll be back for dinner now and again.”
“Promise?”
“If you’re making chicken fried steak, then I’m coming home.”
“Okay then.”
I scooped up my bag and headed for the door.
“And, Jake…” Mom called out as I threw open the door.
