Page 104 of From the Ashes
He and I shake hands, but I’m already distracted when I see Walker heading for Alexis’s car.
Sensing my need to be with him, Miguel graciously says, “Why don’t we continue our conversation after you greet your other guests. Thank you for having me, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
Welcome to the family,I think to myself, impressed and appreciative of his polite demeanor and awareness.
I slap Jake on the back in hello and bump my fist to Dylan’s. Before I have to say anything though, Dylan nods his head in Walker’s direction.
I want to be sensitive about Walker and Alexis’s need to handle this on their terms, as a team, as Colton’s biological parents, but I also want Walker to know I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. Coming up behind him, I say hello to Alexis as I plant my hands on Walker’s shoulders and massage lightly. Colton’s still in his booster seat in the back.
“Just let me know what you guys need. You’re obviously welcome anywhere in the house or the barn if you need additional privacy.” Another thought occurs to me as I talk. “And if needed, I can keep my hands to myself for the afternoon if you think that would be too much for Colton to digest?” I direct the question at Alexis, but it’s Walker who answers.
“Thank you, but no, Phoe. The whole point of today is no more secrets. Treat me how you always do.”
I arch a brow. “Like you’re the love of my life?”
“Precisely.” He smiles back.
“Maybe we should eat first and let Colt get used to everyone here before pulling him aside and telling him the news?” Alexis suggests before opening Colton’s car door. As soon as he’s out of the car, he starts peppering me with questions about the horses. I hold up a hand for a high-five and tell him to give Walker some love too.
Once he sees Walker, I cease to exist.
“Mom said that you’re gonna let me ride with you and steer the reins! Is that true?” he asks excitedly.
I watch Walker flash a look of surprise at Alexis who winks at him.
Fuck, I love her. Intuitive enough to know Walker is struggling and needs help connecting, she brilliantly put the idea in Colt’s head as if it were Walker’s plan.
“Uh, yeah!” Walker says, playing along. “We’ll go down to the barn after we eat and get saddled up. Do you remember what order the tack goes on?” Walker asks, finding his stride as they walk off toward the rest of the group.
I hug Alexis, hello. “Thank you,” I tell her as I lean in.
“For what?” she asks, genuinely confused. “You’re the one who invited us. Oh!” She reaches back in the car and pulls out a casserole dish. The scent of the bacon in the baked beans makes my mouth water. “I brought these as a contribution.”
“Thank you.” I take the dish from her. “And my earlier thank you was for being so good to him.” I jut my chin in Walker and Colton’s direction, knowing she knows I mean Walker.
“He’s always been special,” she says quietly and with just a hint of sadness. It’s the first time I’ve stopped to think maybe she still has feelings for him…which would make this extremely awkward, but she came anyway for their son.
“Do you…do you still…” I can’t even bring myself to ask the question, but thankfully, she knows where I’m going withit.
“I’ll always love Walker. He was one of the only people who ever gave me the time of day when we were growing up. He made me believe I could be better than my parents. That I could make it out of our sleepy town. I owe him a lot. But a part of me always knew that he was with me because I was safe for him. He knew I wouldn’t run my mouth about our business or try to climb in his pants every four seconds.”
Her love and concern for Walker is obvious, and I can’t begrudge her that.
“He loves you too, you know. And he’s so glad you had the strength to go through with the pregnancy.”
“I know.” She pats my arm. “I’m just glad he foundyouthat night. Otherwise, we all would have lost him.”
At her words and the harsh reminder of what almost was, my eyes snap to my boyfriend. His head is thrown back in laughter as he hands a bottle of water to Colton and challenges him to a game of cornhole. His smile reaches his eyes and the cowboy hat on his head has my balls drawing up.
“Alexis, I just want you to know, he’s it for me. I plan to spend every day for the rest of my life loving him, which means you and Colton will be a part of my life as well, and if there’s anything you need, we’re here for you. And not just us, but this entire unruly band of misfits will love you and Colt like their own as well.”
“Thank you, Phoenix. I really appreciate that. Shall we join the others?”
I hold my arm out and she slips her tiny hand around my biceps as I lead her to the group while I carry the dish of beans.
Cassie takes a seat next to me while we eat. One of the things I love about this group is the way we all mix and mingle. Knox is next to Hudson who’s next to Dylan who’s across from me, Cassie, and Miguel while Jake, eats with Walker, Shannon, Alexis, and Colton.
Suddenly, I spot Kevin down by the barn and wave at him. “Hey, Kevin! Come grab a bite to eat and meet the gang!”
