Page 51 of Every Single Wildflower
The two-year-old squeals when my mother dips to pick him up just as Aiden comes around the corner. “Sorry Ruthie. I was in a serious corn hole game. Jamie ran to the restroom, and I was on duty.”
“Oh, this sweet boy ain’t hurting anything.” She plants a kiss on his cheek before passing him off to Aiden. Aiden and Jamie moved here a little over a year ago from New Mexico and I think Ryder and Cooper were finally glad to have another ranch hand closer to their age.
“Be right back.” I call as I maneuver through the crowd, casually glancing around for the surly cowboy that had me twisted up for the last year. Maddox.
Instead of walking through the house, I take the pathway around to the back, planning to snatch the cups and get back as quickly as possible. I know how overwhelmed mom gets during this event. She doesn’t want to let anyone down. I hop up to the screen porch, my hand wrapping around the metal latch when I hear my father’s voice.
“You know this can’t continue.” It’s stern, but not harsh.
“I know…I just...” The female voice is familiar, and I pause. “I’ve felt so alone, Emmett. And you were so…”
“It doesn’t matter, Jamie.” My dad’s exhausted voice muffles through the screen.
My stomach begins to turn, a bad feeling rolling through me as my spine stiffens at her next words. “I know we are both married….”
No.
My stomach drops, my skin breaking out in a cold sweat. No, dad. Please no.
“If things were different,” she continues.
My fingers hesitantly open the door, the screen making no sound as I peek through the crack and see my father standing in front of a tear faced Jamie.
Her greedy hands reach up and grip his old pearl snap shirt, and the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life happens before my eyes. She presses a kiss to my father’s lips. When he doesn’t immediately shove her away, I step back, not realizing the sob that breaks from my chest. Both of their head’s turn to mine, panic flashing across my father’s face when he sees me retreat.
“Ivy!” He calls.
I turn to run, fresh tears falling down my cheeks at his blatant betrayal. The slam of the screen door sounds behind me.
“Ivy’s please!” I feel his hand catch my wrist before he tugs me around to face him. “I’m so sorry.” He brings me to his chest, and I want to curl up in his warmth and beat him with my fists at the same time.
I can’t speak. I just push with my forearms before his hands cup my face. “I’m sorry.” Tears fill his own eyes, and I see Jamie approach from behind him.
Backing away I glare at them both. Both of them broke the most sacred vows to people they claim to love. My parents took Aiden and Jamie under their wing. Took in their little boy like he was their own. And this is what they do. The pain this would bring my mother almost makes me double over.
“It was a mistake. It’s over, Ivy. I swear to you.” My dad runs a hand frantically through his hair.
“She’s half your age.” My words are groggy. “How could you?”
“Don’t hate him, Ivy.” Jamie begs. “It’s not all his fault.”
“How long?” I ask, as anger begins to settle in place of the initial shock.
“A month.” My dad says before he puts space between him and Jamie.
“He’s right. It was a mistake.” Jamie wrings her hands together nervously. “Please, Ivy.”
“I need to speak to my father. Alone.” I straighten my shoulders.
With a quick nod, she swipes at the tears on her face and scurries off. I stare at my father, the man I’ve put up on a pedestal my entire life.
“Do you not love mom anymore?” I ask.
His eyes widen and his head shakes. “God, Ivy. No, I love your mother. So much. I made a mistake. I messed up, and I can’t lose her. I can’t lose….” His voice cracks.
His pleading seems sincere, but the evidence of his betrayal is too fresh. Too real.
“But you broke your vows.” I clench my fists.
