Page 90 of Whispers of My Skin

My mother had warned me, saying ‘If you have a daughter, she’ll steal her daddy’s heart.’ But I didn’t mind, that’s exactly how it should be. Our little girl was the living proof of our love and dedication to one another.

Our cozy little bubble was suddenly burst when the door was flung open, and we heard a familiar voice demanding to know if the baby had arrived.

“Oh, my God! Oh my God, I have a niece! I have a niece! Let me see her,” Fermin yelled dramatically when we showed him the new arrival as he walked in.

“Look, Brummel, just calm down, okay?” Joel warned him. “We’re trying to enjoy a little quiet time here with the baby, she’s only a few minutes old.”

“As the mother’s best friend, I also have rights, you know,” he huffed.

“I am her best friend,” replied my husband. “You may be her adopted brother, but she’s my wife.”

Those two were always squabbling, but I knew it was only friendly banter.

“Calm down, cowboy,” Fermin rolled his eyes at Joel. “I have a new little princess to spoil, so Tara’s lost her crown.”

“Yes, calm down, cowboy, and learn to share.” I smiled as I handed our daughter over to Fermin, and listened to him babbling on about all the things they’d do together. I turned to Joel and tugged on his hand to get his attention. “You do know that you are, and always will be, my best friend, my lover, my husband, my whole world.”

“All of that?” he replied, leaning over me to rub his nose against mine.

“All of that and much more.”

“You’re remembering the day she was born, aren’t you?” My husband murmurs in my ear, as he hugs me from behind, his chin propped on my shoulder.

Our little girl is running around the garden in what seems to be her official uniform these days. A colorful tutu, her princess crown, which, of course, was given to her by her Uncle Fermin, who is also her godfather, a magic wand with which she solves all problems, and her wings, because she wants to fly with the fairies.

“Time goes by so fast,” I sigh, feeling nostalgic. “She’s growing up so quickly.”

“Maybe it’s time to seriously start thinking about giving her a little brother.” The tone of Joel’s voice changes, becomes more serious as he brings up this subject. I know he’s desperate for us to have another baby, but until now I’ve been in no rush, preferring to spend my time appreciating our daughter, and helping him run Redlands. But maybe it’s time I gave him his dearest wish, because he’s such a fantastic father.

“You know, we could always have another girl,” I point out, as I close my eyes and let my head fall on his shoulder, giving him room to kiss my neck. “But either way, I’ll have to see what I can do about providing our daughter with a sibling.”

“Maybe try working a little less?” Joel tentatively suggests. Despite the long hours he puts in, he still worries that I’m the one overdoing things. But I only work around four hours a day—just enough to keep all the paperwork and admin up to date—because I want to spend as much time as possible with Scarlett. To be able to watch her grow up is a privilege and I won’t let someone else raise my daughter as I don’t want to miss out on a single moment. Having said that, I still want to help Joel to run the ranch, to help him out as much as I can. So, it can be a tricky balance at times, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

All of our dreams have come true. We turned down several offers to buy Redlands, we disregarded the option of drilling for oil, and decided instead to keep it as a cattle ranch.

Sure, we could have made a helluva lot of money by venturing into the oil business, but there are far more important things in life than money. Our family has suffered more than enough thanks to greed and ambition and since we have everything we need, we were both adamant that we wouldn’t be exploring that route.

Scarlett is coming toward us, running as fast as her little legs will carry her.

“Daddy!” she screams, throwing herself into his arms. She absolutely adores Joel, and is one hundred percent a daddy’s girl.

Joel picks her up, and spins her around, making her fly above his head. She squeals, excited and happy.

“Give Mommy a kiss,” he tells her, tipping her in my direction, keeping her safely gripped in his hands.

My little princess puckers up her lips and gives me a kiss.

“How come you are so pretty?” I smile, gazing at her exquisite little face.

She’s perfect in my eyes, she couldn’t be more beautiful.

“Because she looks just like her mother,” Joel winks, and I swear I want to eat him with tiny spoon.

Scarlett has my dark hair and blue eyes, but otherwise, she’s just like her father, as I always knew she would be.

They love each other to bits and they’re my whole world.

“So, you definitely want us to have another one?” I whisper to him.

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