Page 22 of Wylder Ranch
“Well, there’s a girl?—”
“Haven?”
I nod. Maybe Lando has told her. “Yes, Haven. And we met last year, and I thought we had a connection?—”
“Ohmygod, did you hear from her?”
I nod again. “I did, actually. She came here.”
Holiday’s eyes widen. “Here. In Valentine Nook?”
“Here in Valentine Nook.”
My eyes flick up to Lando’s, who nods for me to continue, but even though I’ve literally just told him, the words don’t come naturally to me. My tongue is still tripping on them, because while it’s going round and round in my brain, I still have to remind myself that I’m now a father. I have a child.
A daughter.
“That’s not all. . .” Lando nudges, and Holiday’s brows shoot higher.
“Haven has arrived with a baby. And it’s mine. Apparently.” There. I said it. I’ve finished my short story.
Taking another long sip of my beer, I turn back to enjoy the fireworks because I think I stunned Holiday into silence, just as I did Lando.
They’re really good fireworks this year too. It’s the perfect evening for it. Cold and clear. The field behind the cricket pitch has been slowly filling up with visitors, all gathering to watch the show. The bonfire was lit an hour ago, and it’s now burning bright. Children wave sparklers around while parents watch on, chatting and queueing for beers, burgers, and tonight’s special Bonfire Barbecue, provided by Leon and Daughters—the local butcher.
And while I have one eye on the fireworks, my other is watching the entrance, waiting for Haven to walk in. Half of me wonders what I’m going to do if she doesn’t come. Because now that I know she’s leaving in two days, I probably need to go and find her.Obviously, I’m going to find her.
With every person that walks through the gates, my heart stalls, then judders to a beat that’s a little bit faster. During the past few hours, my stomach has been slowly tying itself in knots, over and over. I’m nothing more than a walking ball of anxiety.
“Wow, Alex. What are you going to do?” asks Holiday eventually, and I tear my attention away from the entrance gate. Her head tilts as she regards me. “This is huge. You must feel so overwhelmed.”
“I do,” I reply, and I’m suddenly struggling to swallow. The infernal lump in my throat is back.
“How did it feel seeing her again?”
My mind rewinds to yesterday, and the initial spike of surprise as my gaze fell on her. The happiness that coursed through me before confusion set in. It was a moment I’d been imagining for so long, and it didn’t go at all the way I thought it would. Quite the opposite.
But underneath it all, the feelings had been there. The instant attraction I had to her all those months ago returned with a vengeance. And that’s exactly why I’m now wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans like a nervous teenager waiting for his first date.
“Good,” is all I offer up. It’s succinct.
Based on both Lando’s and Holiday’s expressions, I’d say they were expecting something more effusive, but if I start on how Ireallyfelt, we’ll be here all night. Because it’s a complicated question with an even more complicated answer.
Thankfully, that’s the moment I spot someone familiar walking through the gate, and they lose all my attention. It’s dark, but the bright glow from the bonfire plus the various lamps dotted about the place light her up.
Haven has arrived.
I don’t know why I thought anyone else who’d walked through the gates earlier could have been her because there’s no mistaking her silhouette. Her hair’s tied up, revealing her side profile—the high cheekbones and cute button nose, full lips I remember so well. And the baby she’s carrying confirms it.
If I thought I was nervous before, it’s nothing on how I feel now.
Almost a year of anticipation coupled with the events of the last day, and the shame I feel at my behavior has me thrusting my beer at Lando, so I can wipe my hands on my jeans and rub away the pressure in my temples.
Looking at Lando, he’s also spotted her. “Go,” he urges.
I jog over until I’m only a couple of feet away, but standing in the shadows enough that Haven doesn’t notice me immediately. She’s looking around, and I briefly wonder if she’s looking for me. Ihopeshe’s looking for me. The thought gives me enough resolve to power forward until I’m standing in front of her.
“Hey.”
