Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“One minute.” He scoops me up and carries me to the attached bathroom. He sets me on the counter and cleans me up with a warm washcloth, caring tenderly for my swollen flesh. When he’s done, he leaves long enough to grab my panties and dress. He helps me into them, smoothing down the material. He gets into his clothes then reaches for my stomach. His hand goes to the same place I showed him earlier, like he can’t help touching it again.
“You know, any questions you want to ask me are okay,” I say softly thinking of the way he seemed surprised that I could have sex. “It seemed a little like maybe you hadn’t gotten a lot of information about some things.”
“I went to an all-boys school, a religious one. The administration thought sex education would make us horny little deviants.” He chuckles, the sound rueful. “I was lucky. My dad didn’t agree. Hell, the religious school was the best one in the area, which is the reason my mom wanted me to attend. So yeah, I got some stuff from my old man and a few things from a couple of dirty magazines here and there.”
“But you never learned about babies.”
He shrugs. “Whatever happened or didn’t happen, they never talked about it with me. I think sometimes the generations before us just don’t want us carrying their pain.”
I take his other hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. I’ve always been careful talking to the boys about their father. I’d never want them to know the truth. I’d rather carry the pain for the rest of my life than ever have them understand. “And you never had any pregnancy scares with previous girlfriends?”
“I’ve only had one girlfriend,” he says the words so softly that I think he must still be carrying a torch for this mystery girl.
“A high school love?”
“First love.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and I see it in his gaze.
I swallow hard and open my mouth. I don’t even know what I’m going to say.
He puts a finger to my lips. “Don’t.”
Before I can even process this, the front office door is flung open, banging against the wall. “I thought you locked it.”
“I did,” he mutters and goes to peer out the bathroom door.
“Hi, Flint!” The twins shout in unison.
I forgot I gave my grandmother a key to the office. Bronco told me I had run of the place so I made a copy of the key and gave it to her. It just made sense since she’ll be dropping off the kids here sometimes.
“Hey boys!” Flint says and gets on their level. “What are my favorite guys doing?”
“Stinky shoe shopping with mom. Can we go with you instead? Please?” Branson says.
“We could ride horses again!” Brock offers.
“Not today. You have to go pick yourselves out some good boots.”
They groan in unison. It amazes me that they were perfectly fine with the idea of going into town with me until spending time with Flint was an option.
“You can ride horses with me tomorrow,” Flint says. “If you don’t give your mom any trouble. Can you do that?”
They quietly agree and he tips his hat. “See y’all soon,” he says before giving me a wink and letting himself out the door.
Chapter 14
Ronnie
“I know what you’re thinking,” I mutter to my grandmother as I drive into town. The boys are in the back seat of the car, playing a cartoon DVD at top volume. Yes, I’m one of those moms that parks her kids in front of a screen sometimes when she needs five minutes of peace.
The two of them have been acting differently today. When they wanted to go outside, they scratched at the door. Brock tried to lie on the back of the sofa to watch TV, and Branson wanted to eat his cereal without a spoon, just his face. Maybe they’re playing horses or something.
“I haven’t said a word,” she answers.
“He was just there to help…with my job.” I let out a soft breath.
“Oh, honey, don’t you think I was young once too?” She puts a hand on my arm and gives me a sympathetic look.
“You never had a torrid love affair with Sylvester.”
“He was the best I ever had.”
“I don’t need to know this!” I complain as if that’s going to stop her.
“There’s nothing wrong with loving a stallion. Every girl needs one to ride.”
“Eew, grandma.”
“All I’m saying is if you found your own stallion, that’s natural and there’s nothing to be ashamed about.”
I open my mouth to reply then realize the sound of cartoons has faded from behind me.
“What’s a stallion, Mom?” Brock asks.
“It’s a horse, sweetie.”
“You ride horses?” Branson asks, fascinated by this new information about me.
I groan as Grandma cackles and answers for me, “Yes, honey. Your mom loves to ride.”