“Does this mean you’re done?”
Tatum paused, roping his thoughts together before answering. “Things are up in the air right now.”
“Oh?”
That was more than he’d given her before. Before, it was “no.” She wouldn’t like the idea of him living outside the US, but he was being called in that direction. “I don’t want to be where I was.”
“But you don’t want to come home.” The disappointment in her voice was hard to miss.
“Not for good. I’d like to come visit in a while, if that’s okay.”
“Your bed is always made.”
Tatum grinned. “Yeah, but is the cookie jar full?”
“What kind of a mother do you think I am?” Her chastisement was full of that secret ingredient she baked into every cookie, brownie, cinnamon roll, and child. “Besides, I got grandkids to keep sweet now.”
He laughed. “They keeping you busy?”
“There’s no rest for the weary.” The mixer cut off again, the bread dough probably ready to rest and rise. “Is Nelson coming with you?”
Nelson, who rarely spoke to his parents, had spent a few holidays with Tatum’s family. He swallowed. “I, um, was thinking of bringing a woman I’ve met recently.”
Mom gasped. A chair scraped against the tile floor. She grunted. “Say that again.”
He chuckled. “I’ve met someone.” The enormity of bringing a woman home to meet his family hit him. He hardly knew Neese and yet he already knew his family would adore her as much as he did. Yeah, he adored her. Not that he would use that word when talking to the guys, but it was the only word that could explain how many hours in the day he spent thinking of her, and how much he wanted to tuck her into his side and spend hours staring into her beautiful brown eyes.
I’m an idiot over this girl.
“It’s all really new and she doesn’t live close, and I’m not even sure when I’ll see her again.” He shouldn’t see her again while they were stateside. The distance was for the best. “I just—I just thought it would be nice for you two to meet.” He paced the room. “I showed her the picture of Emily and Butterscotch and she’s never ridden a horse before, so I thought I’d give her the opportunity.”
“At home?”
“Yes, at home. There’s no prettier place to ride, Mom.”
“Well, don’t that beat all?”
“What?”
“Nothin’. Like I said before, your bed is always made and any guest of yours is welcome.” She cleared her throat. “Is she pretty?”
Tatum’s feet slowed and he was just able to get out the words, “Pretty as a sunset.”
“Send me pictures, when you can.”
“I will.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
They said goodbye and hung up. Tatum tapped the phone against his chin while he concentrated on that part of his soul that had stitched back together during that conversation.
He had been a hard kid to raise, always getting into mischief, taking things apart to see how they worked and not knowing how to put them back together, testing the equipment’s limits, and sneaking out with his buddies to goof off. Part of him thought that by staying away, he was giving his parents a break, that they wouldn’t worry as much. Now, he wasn’t so sure that was the case.
Bringing Neese home to meet his mom felt right. It felt so right that a sense of goodness burst through his chest and spread all the way to his fingertips. He missed his family. The dairy farm life wasn’t for him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be a part of their lives and include them in his. Getting the Zimrada contract would give him some stability. No more three-month jobs. No more overnight trips sprinkled with the occasional dance with death. Zimrada had issues, but once in place, he could take on a managerial role, enjoy the beaches, and spend time with Neese. A lot of time. Maybe eternal time.
Shaking his head, he went back to the laptop. The proposal for the island family needed to be perfect. There was no way he was missing out on this one.
