Page 65 of Rhett Redeemed

Bailey laughs. “Yes, it was. It is. But Cara is happy with Decker, and like she says, she wants the two of you to be happy, too. You’re nothing like Wade,” she says quietly, relief in her tone. “I’m sorry, I know he’s your dad and I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead—”

“It’s okay, I know who he was,” I reply, smiling sadly. “He wasn’t always a good person, so I make sure that I at least try to be. And I’d never intentionally do anything to hurt Cara. She’s wonderful.”

“She is,” Bailey agrees, smiling at her daughter.

Rhett’s parents, Tia and Talon, show up and I get to finally meet both of them.

“Mom, Dad, this is Con. Con, these are my parents,” Rhett introduces.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” I say to them, smiling. I feel a little nervous of course. Everyone knows each and every drama I’ve been through since meeting Rhett, and I’m pregnant without even having properly met most of his family.

“You too,” Tia replies, taking my hand in hers. “And congratulations on your pregnancy. I have to admit it was a bit of a shock when Rhett told me.”

“Understatement,” Talon says, shaking his head.

Tia taps him on his arm. “But a blessing. We are both so excited to be grandparents.”

I smile. “Thank you, I know the whole thing has been a surprise, so I appreciate you all being so kind about it.”

“We just want everyone to be happy,” she replies, glancing over at everyone in the pool. “And I had no idea we were having a spontaneous pool party today.”

“No one did,” Bailey laughs. “But it’s so nice to see all of them.”

“Isn’t it?” Tia whispers, hugging Rhett and smiling up at her son. I can see how much she loves and adores him, and it’s beautiful to see.

Tia and I sit down and get to know each other a little better, and I think my child has lucked out with his or her grandparents, because they are wonderful people. Which is good, because they’ll have no one on my side.

And you know what?

I guess the clubhouse isn’t so bad after all.

My child will get to grow up around family, good, loyal people, and will be so loved.

The village all mothers need to help raise their child? I’ve got it, right here.

“So what do you think?” Cara asks, she and Clover sitting next to me looking out at the pool. Clover arrived a few minutes ago.

“You know I don’t talk much about my childhood, but Wade used to bring women home all the time when my mom was working. Different women. And he didn’t really hide...what he was doing. They would do drugs, whatever they wanted. No one cared that I was there. The men here aren’t like that. The second it turned to a family environment, everyone stopped and the naked women all left. I appreciate that. And to think my child is going to be loved by so many people...it feels good.”

Clover studies me. “I’m sorry you were stuck with Wade as your father. Cara was lucky to get away from him.”

I nod silently. “I’m glad you did, Cara.”

She reaches over and takes my hand. “And I’m glad you found your way back to me.”

I am too.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Rhett

Seeing everyone I care about all together and happy under my roof makes me feel pretty damn good. Especially observing my mom and Con chatting. It’s so important to me that the two of them get along and like each other, so watching them getting to know each other and laugh together is really something. These are moments I won’t forget.

I see Natty arrive and greet everyone. She says something to Con, and the two of them have a little chat before she comes over to us.

“I’m sorry, but what did I just see? Was that the famously stubborn Natalie Ward saying...sorry?” Cara teases.

Natty hugs her and kisses her cheek. “Well, everyone has made up now, so I might as well get on board. Plus, I was really mean. I must have been hangry that night.”

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