Page 31 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride
Matt dialed Ally’s number as soon as he was in his vehicle.She answered on the second ring.Her voice was lowered but sounded good to him even at a distance.
“It’s a boy.Perfect and so is Mom.Dad looks a little shaky,” he said with a laugh, “but they’re all settling in for sleep.Is Jillie awake?”
“No, she was out like a light almost before her head hit the pillow.That is great news—and congratulations, Uncle Matt.”
“Thanks.I’m very happy for us all.”
“If you want, how about you let Jillie sleep here and then I’ll meet you at the hospital early in the morning so she can see the baby before she goes to class or else she won’t be able to concentrate much until she does get to see him.”
“How did you know that’s what I was going to suggest?It makes sense if you’re sure it’s okay?”
“Well, great minds think alike sometimes.”She laughed.“And that way you can get home and get some sleep and so can she.She can see the baby before her first class at nine.”
“Sounds like a plan.I’ll see you at the hospital about eight?”
“Okay, sounds good.And Ally?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks again.For knowing what I was thinking and for being you and just…everything.”
“Get some sleep, Sheriff.See you tomorrow.”
*
It took Allya little while to calm her brain.She lay in the dark.Teddy had moved himself into the bedroom across the hall and was probably not asleep on the floor where Ally had permitted but on the bed with Jillie.And she smiled at that.
In a perfect world, in her dreams, she had often thought about such things.A quiet home, those she loved and who loved her, asleep and all was well and safe.That dream had gotten her through many a long night…even spilling into her waking hours.But that was all it had been…a dream.Soon to evaporate into reality.
Just like this all would one day.It was coming.Another month or so, and she would have enough saved to pay back Matt for all his generosity.And hopefully the closing on the apartment would be done and then she and Teddy would start off.Where?That was the question that kept nagging at her.Once she had taken care of Annie’s wish and settled her debts, then they would be free.North?Too cold.East…been there, too many people.West…empty space for sure, hot.South…stay in Texas?Find a small town like Destiny’s River to make their home?
One step, one day at a time, little one.Words Annie had spoken to her often.She needed to remember that mantra more each day.Because something was happening.She wished for Annie’s words of wisdom more than ever.The people in Destiny’s River were becoming too close to her heart.That meant they would be harder to leave…and more so to forget.But she should be grateful.They had shown her a wonderful reality even for a short time.Some of her dreams could come true… That life was out there.She just had to find it for herself.What about Matt Parker?
That voice was becoming louder than the rest.It would not go away as easily as the others.And the kiss at the hospital…had to be kept in perspective.It was a thank you.Don’t read more into it.Matt was sincerely glad for her help.She knew that.And it just made her want to help him, and Jillie, and Tori and all the others she had met in Destiny’s River.Because that is what you did when you cared.And that was the word she would not allow to change.Because there was another word that was just a whisper away waiting to take its place.She couldn’t allow anything like love to enter into her thinking or feeling.It hurt too much when it went away.
In a perfect world, she might dream of staying in Destiny’s River.She would always be part of the Parker family.And they would share so many happy things together in Primrose Inn.And who do you think you are?That question would pop up and bring her back to reality.Dreams faded when eyes opened.Some people belonged and some did not.
She’d learned that as a child.And she kept on learning that lesson as a homeless teen.She had allowed it in when Annie had given her a home and care and love.But that love left when she died.It was just too painful to have that emotion.She fought to keep that wall intact.Reality was the sword used to protect it.Reality.
*
“What’s his name?How big is he?I kinda hoped for a girl and all, but that’s okay.I can still teach him things.”Jillie was chattering a mile a minute in the car.And she practically raced from the parking lot to the front doors of the hospital.She shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she waited for Ally to catch up before entering the lobby.
Matt pulled into the parking lot just as Ally reached the front door.She made Jillie wait for her father to join them.He came up to them smiling and Ally felt that tug in the center of her chest that was beginning to take root if she wasn’t careful.
“Good morning, beautiful ladies.Fine morning, isn’t it?”His gaze swept them both but lingered a bit longer on hers.Or was it her dream bumping aside reality?
“Hurry, Dad, let’s go inside.”She pushed through the door, and they were left to follow.A couple minutes more and Jillie was transfixed next to Cade, who was already watching over his son being tended to by one of the nurses.
“Congratulations.How is the new dad holding up?”Ally greeted Cade who looked a little tired but a whole lot of happy.
“I still can’t quite believe he’s ours and will come home with us tomorrow.Tori went through so much to bring him into this world, and she looks like she’s ready to jump out of bed and get to the office on time.You women are tougher than us men, that’s for sure,” Cade said, and then his smile faded as his gaze noted her hand on his arm.But Jillie claimed his attention then and his grin returned.Ally hoped she hadn’t been too forward in her greeting, but perhaps he was a man operating on little sleep.
“Tori would like you all to come by the house tomorrow evening.Dinner will be pot roast and whatever else Mrs.James has planned.About six thirty sound okay?”
“Good with us.”Matt spoke up and then looked at Ally.“But you and Jillie will be coming from play rehearsal?”
“We can make it by then.”Ally had hoped for an invitation to the Lockwood Ranch since she had heard so much about it and the springs that had brought Tori and Cade together in the first place.She was as interested in a good romance story as the next person and Tillie had told her bits and pieces of it one day at the café.
