“Jess?”
She wiped at her face. “I’m okay.”
Colt stood, walking towards Hawk with his hand extended. “Congratulations, man. I’m sorry I didn’t say it earlier. I’m happy for you and Jess.”
Hawk shook his hand. “That means a lot to me… to us, Colt. Thank you.”
“I’ll talk to my brothers. I’m not sure if I’ll get through to the old man, but something tells me whatever you just went in there to say probably already did the job.”
Hawk nodded. “I just told the truth.”
Colt chuckled. “I’m sure you did.”
“You ready to go, Pretty Girl?” He was ready to be off the ranch and in bed back in his apartment, with his arms wrapped around her and the baby.
“I’ll leave you guys to it. Jess, I’ll let you know what happens with the investigation, but for now, you either haveHawk with you, or you call me if you need to go somewhere on your own.”
She nodded, smiling as she got off the porch swing and walked into Hawk’s open arms.
“Oh, Colt! Wait a second. I have something for you.” Jessie pulled away and Hawk shoved down the urge to growl from the loss of connection as she walked down the porch steps towards his truck, opening the back door before grabbing the gift bag from the seat. Then, she marched back over to her brother.
His brows furrowed as he looked at the present in his hands.
“Open it. I made Hawk go through the trouble of listening to me freak out over making everything perfect for tonight. Since it all went to shit, you can at least do this for me, right?”
Colt smiled. “Right.” He rifled through the tissue paper until he hit fabric and Jessie watched his smile grow as he pulled the shirt out, letting it fall open to reveal the phrase ‘World’s Best Uncle’ printed on the front.
“I made you all the same shirts,” she laughed. “But I really mean it with yours. Don’t tell the others.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m bragging about that until the end of time.” Colt set the bag on the floor before pulling the shirt over his head. “I plan on living up to this, Jess.”
“I know you will.” Jessie moved, her hand slipping around Hawk’s arm. “I know you want to get back to the apartment, but I want to show you something before we leave. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Be careful. It’s nearly dusk and the dogs are already inside the barn.” Colt warned.
“We won’t be long. We’re just going to walk to Nana Rosie and Poppy’s house.”
Her brother smiled again. “I think that’s a great plan. Have fun, you two.”
Hawk’s shoulders fell as they walked down the old path. He was silent. No words. She could barely even hear his steps beside her.
Jessie bit down on her lower lip. “I’m sorry my dad reacted like that,” she whispered.
Please don’t believe him. Please don’t leave me.
Hawk stopped walking, her arm tugging his when she didn’t stop in time. His fingers tightened their grip on her hand. And then his free hand came up to caress her cheek.
“That apology is not yours to make, Pretty Girl. It’s his. And it’s not an apology that needs to be made to me.”
“He’s never… My dad has always been so proud of me. I mean, sure, he’s tough. He expected me to be just like my brothers, my whole life. None of that princess treatment, but I loved that. He’s never, ever, told me he was disappointed in me,” her voice hitched and she swallowed down the emotion churning in her stomach. “He’s disappointed that our sweet baby exists.”
Hawk must have caught her looking down at the device on her wrist because his hand moved off her face to gently rub the pressure point in the space between her thumb and pointer finger.
“How long have you been nauseous?”
She laughed, but it was hollow. “It never really left after the whole bedroom intruder situation.”
