Another Cold State Line

A few weeks had passed since Matt had come to see me. It was weird because this was the happiest I had been since the last time I was with that dimpled man. We would talk or text almost every day. It was like we had never stopped seeing each other.

“Hayley, can you focus on what I’m saying?” Tina asked, waving a hand in front of my face. “You keep zoning out on me.”

I shook my head, looking over at my former coach. Tina had dyed her hair red and had it tied up with a blue bandana. She was looking like a redhead version of Dolly Parton, and I was living for it. Tina was more my mother than my mother would ever be. Ever since Clay, I had tried to disown my family. Tina was all the family I need… well, her and my cattle and horses.

“I’m sorry, Tina. I’m just distracted.” I sighed and pulled a glass out to make her some sweet tea.

“You don’t need to tell me anything. We can all see that that Matt boy has you all riled up. Honey, we’re excited about it, but you gotta tell that man the truth eventually.”

Ice ran through my veins at her statement. Everyone at my ranch was telling me how much I needed to tell Matt the truth. No matter how often I told them that it was a face to face conversation, they just pushed me into telling him. I knew they were right, of course. There was no way I could keep hiding such a big secret from a man I had loved so dearly and who I was falling in love with all over again. He deserved better than that, better than me.

“I know you’re right, Tina. Trust me, you and Alex are telling me it enough. But I just need to find my words. We all know how antsy I am after Clay.”

Tina’s entire face puckered at the mention of his name. I had forgotten that she had banned his name during my recovery. Clay no longer had any hold over me though. That man would never be in my life again, and if he ever came back, I would kick his ass. I had proven that years ago.

“But Matthew isn’t Clay. He is the man you have loved from the moment you met him. Honestly, honey, you two belong together. The secret you’re keeping could very well harm that. Why don’t you want to tell him?”

I handed Tina her glass of tea and poured one for myself. “I’m afraid he’ll hate me from keeping it from him. It’s a pretty big thing to keep from someone. I hate to say it, but you were right. I should have just told him five years ago.”

Tina put her hands on her hips. “Mothers know best.”

My front door banged open and in walked Tina’s husband, Alex, and a little five-year-old with the biggest hazel eyes and tiny, little dimples on her face. A smile broke out on my face as I took in the scene. In another world, it would be the perfect family. There would be the grandparents, the parents, and the child. The world wasn’t perfect though.

“Mommy!” My little girl raced over to me, colliding with my legs. For such a tiny thing, she sure could pack a punch behind her actions. “Uncle Alex showed me my horse. Snap is so beautiful.”

Laughter took over the kitchen. My baby girl didn’t understand that Snap was my horse. She just always assumed he was hers, and it was hard to argue with her. Especially with those damn dimples that had come directly from her father. There was no denying that Matthew Charles Sanders was her dad.

“Why are Uncle Alex, Papa, and Mamaw laughing, Mommy?” Hazel eyes stared into mine. If she had been born a boy, she would have been his spitting image. Luckily for me, I only had a few reminders of who her father was. She knew, of course. The moment she could talk, she had asked about him. And I refused to lie to her. My little Julianna deserved to know her father.

“Because Snap is my horse, baby.” I picked her up and set her on her barstool. “Your horse isn’t coming for another few months. Remember, your horse is gonna be Snap’s baby.”

She pouted. “But I like Snap.”

“Don’t we all?” Uncle Alex ruffled her hair and grabbed a glass for some sweet tea. “Now, tell your mom what you need to tell her.”

“Mommy, Uncle Alex said you’re talking to Daddy. Does that mean I get to finally meet him?”

My eyes narrowed as I death glared my ranch hand. As soon as Julianna was out of earshot, I was going to tear him a new one. “Baby, I’m working on it.”

“Well, please work faster. I want to meet him. I have so much to tell him!” She hopped off her stool and headed upstairs. She had grown up so much.

“Better call him,” Tina said and followed the two men outside.

Sighing, I knew it was the truth. This was supposed to be in person, but my little one wanted to meet her father. Who was I to deny her any longer?

Notes

I know, I know. REALLY HERETIC? HOW FUCKING PREDICTABLE!!!